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Tag: Buhari

  • Buhari needs $30bn loan to get Nigeria going again -Oyegun

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, yesterday said President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration needed to borrow in order to invest in infrastructure and grow the economy.

    This was contained in a statement issued from his office in Abuja and circulated to journalists.

    Odigie-Oyegun dexplained, “If you read the newspapers, you hear the President being advised to pump money into the economy.

    “So, the question is, where is the money coming from? Simple, it has to come from somewhere, including borrowing – both internal and external.

    “To get this country going again, you have to pay contractors. Some contractors have not been paid for four, five, six, 10 years.

    “So long as the borrowing is done, not to pay salaries, which the President Buhari administration will not do, but invested to create opportunities, solve our problems of power and things like that.”

    Odigie-Oyegun described the war as a task that must be accomplished, saying corruption was at the core of the nation’s problems.

    He described corrupt people as “immoral and lacking in ethics,” adding that Nigeria must rid itself of corruption and its attendant consequences in order to make progress.

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, in his remarks at the event, described the APC chairman as “a man, who has, by the divine intervention of God, changed the face of politics in our country.”

  • Tinubu denies plot to form new party, vows he won’t abandon APC

    Tinubu denies plot to form new party, vows he won’t abandon APC

    The National leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has denied alleged involvement in plans to form a new party stressing that his allegiance still belongs to the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Tinubu disclosed his views via a series of tweets on his twitter handle @AsiwajuTinubu, on Monday, also denied links to the formation of a new party.

    The party leader said he would not abandon the ruling party, which he laboured to build.

    Tinubu noted that irrespective of mistakes that had been made, he remained committed to the “ideas that fuelled” the creation of the APC.

    The former Lagos State governor added that he had devoted his life to building the party, stressing that the national purpose of the APC “is bigger than the desire of any individual.”

    In one of the tweets, Tinubu said, “This is a party I laboured with others to build. We would not abandon it for another. Millions of Nigerians who voted are watching and praying.

    “I have devoted my political life to achieving what has been achieved. My heart is too much for the people and my mind too fixed on establishing a positive historic legacy… rather than engage in destructive pettiness.”

    He added, “This government, the APC, is for the betterment of the people and the national purpose is bigger and more important than any individual’s desires.

    “In our journey to national betterment, plans and policies will be made, then amended. Mistakes will occur and then corrected…

    “Achievements will be had and replicated. Through it all, I, Asiwaju will remain true to the progressive ideals that fuelled the creation of the APC.”

  • We will prioritize tomato paste processing in Nigeria – Buhari

    We will prioritize tomato paste processing in Nigeria – Buhari

    The Federal Government will this year prioritise tomato paste processing as part of its strategic implementation plan, President Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday in Abuja.

    He said this while declaring open the 2016 Africa Economic Conference with the theme: “Feed Africa: Towards agro-allied industrialization for inclusive growth.’’

    Represented by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, he said that the decision to have tomato paste processed in Nigeria was a strategic implementation plan to become self-sufficient in the product.

    “The choice of tomato is predicated on our ability to produce tomatoes in large quantities several times a year as well as its extensive use in Nigerian meals.

    “There is of course the opportunity to generate a large number of agricultural jobs and also as a means to adding value along the agro-allied chain.’’

    He said that there were many factors that affected the nation’s aspirations in this regard.

    He said there was the need to plant the appropriate quality of the food to be used for processing.

    Buhari also said that a lot of small scale farms were not linked to large farms, so they faced the problems of transportation and storage, especially where tomatoes were ripe, posing additional challenges.

    “Operators still have to contend with issues of infrastructure, especially power generation.

    “This is a very important issue because it goes to the very heart of being competitive against import from other parts of the world which have penetrated the market.

    “We currently have to carry out appropriate levels of support and protection for this sector.’’

    He also identified high cost of finance as a factor tomato farmers and tomato paste manufacturers have to contend with.

    He added that the government was trying to mitigate this through its development institutions like the Bank of Agriculture and the Bank of Industry.

    Another intervention, he said, was the micro farmers credit scheme targeting small scale farmers.

    Buhari commended the contributions of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in supporting Nigeria towards economy diversification.

    “The recent support of 600 million dollars provided by AfDB as the first tranche of the planned one billion dollar support to Nigeria will certainly go a long way in helping the country to further pursue reforms in the agriculture sector.

    “The government is also keen in ensuring that Nigeria adds value to what it produces.

    “This is why we are very pleased that the AfDB will be supporting Nigeria in the development of a staple crop processing zone and other agro-industrial parks.’’

    The AfDB President, Mr Akinwunmi Adesina, said agriculture, which contributes over 28 per cent of the GDP of Africa, holds the key for the accelerated growth, diversification and job creation for African economies.

    He, however, lamented the poor performance of the sector in Africa, adding that it was still dominated by large number of subsistence farmers.

    He also said that the sector suffered from low levels of public investment, including access to finance for farmers and agribusinesses.

    “Agriculture has largely been seen as a development sector for managing poverty and not for creating wealth.

    “Yet Africa sits on a huge potential of agriculture; it is estimated that about 65 per cent of uncultivated arable land left in the world that will feed nine billion people by 2050 lies in Africa.

    “What Africa does with agriculture will shape the future of food growth.

    Adesina said that estimates had shown that food and agri-business sector was projected to grow from 330 billion dollars today to one trillion dollars by 2050.

    He said that the key to achieving that was to start with treating agriculture as a business.

    “It must start with taking a full value chain approach to modernise agriculture, from the farm to the table and it must start with supporting agro-industrial development.

    “Africa must rapidly invest in the development of its agro-industry, and move away from being seen as just a billion mouths to feed.

    “Africa must learn from experiences elsewhere, where agriculture has been the foundation for driving fast- paced economic growth, by building a strong food and agro-industrial manufacturing base quickly.’’

    Adesina said that the key to Africa’s prosperity was value addition in agriculture, in turning products to money and in looking inwards, adding that Africa should feed itself.

    He said that to take new agricultural technologies to scale, the Bank will soon launch a new 800 million dollars initiative called Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT).

    He said that the aim was to reach 40 million farmers over a 10 year period.

    He also said the Bank would invest 24 billion dollars in agriculture and agribusiness over the next 10 years under its Feed Africa strategy.

    “Our goal is simple; support massive agro-industrial development all across Africa.

    “To make this happen, there is need for well-directed public policies to incentivise the agricultural sector, especially agribusiness and food manufacturing companies.’’

    Mr Abdoulaye Dieye, Director, Regional Bureau for Africa, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said that unless agriculture was fully transformed, Africa would remain trapped in a low productivity cycle.

    He also said harnessing the power of greater regional integration through regional and global value chains, is critical to achieving economic diversification, competitiveness, technology and knowledge transfer.

    He advised African governments to work with their bilateral and multilateral partners to support the agro-allied industrialisation agenda.

    “In this regard, developed and emerging countries must work to remove unfair trade barriers, eliminate harmful agricultural export subsidies.

    “They must also reduce regional protectionism that limits Africa’s access to markets and makes the continent a dumping ground.’’

     

  • Buhari, Sirleaf in closed door meeting

    Buhari, Sirleaf in closed door meeting

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja met with the Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, behind closed doors.

    The Liberian president would brief President Buhari on sub-regional security challenges ahead of the 3rd Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa slated for December 5 and 6, the News Agency of Nigeria gathered.

    President Buhari is expected to leave Abuja later today for the forum in Dakar, Senegal.

    Sirleaf, who is the current Chairperson of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States, is expected to brief President Buhari on efforts made to curb terrorism in the sub-region.

    The two leaders are also likely to discuss other issues bordering on sub-regional integration and bilateral trade.

    The Liberian President, who arrived Abuja on Sunday on a two-day official visit to Nigeria, visited the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja on the same day

    The ECOWAS chairperson also held closed door meetings with the President of the commission, Mr. Marcel de Souza, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and senior officials of the commission.

     

  • Buhari calls on African leaders to ensure peace, political stability

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday challenged African leaders to ensure socio-political stability in their respective countries to achieve peace and speedy regional and sub-regional integration in the continent.

    The President gave the challenge at a joint press briefing with the visiting Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, after a closed door meeting in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He noted that, even though the situation in the ECOWAS sub-region was relatively stable, there was the need to continue to persuade the leaders to pay more attention to security and development.

    “The situation in our sub-region is relatively stable but there is the need for us to continue to persuade our colleagues to show appreciation on the efforts the sub-region is doing to make sure that we pay more attention to security and development.

    “I have appreciated very much your efforts and I also congratulate you on your successes.

    ”I believe you may even go outside the region, to African Union, so that before the AU meeting we try and persuade the leadership of those countries in our sub-region to show more patience and accommodation with politics of their countries.”

    President Buhari stated that the forthcoming 3rd Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security would discuss some political developments in two countries of the sub-region.

    While commending the Liberian leader for handling the affairs of the ECOWAS diligently, Buhari lauded Sirleaf’s efforts in stabilising her country.

    “I have to very sincerely congratulate you with the way you have stabilised your country and with the small contributions Nigeria was able to make throughout those difficult times that you went through.

    “And also thank you very much on the way you are handling ECOWAS responsibility.

    “We have one or two countries that I believe we will discuss when we go to Senegal today, tomorrow and maybe on Wednesday, in terms of peace and security.’’

    In her remarks, the Liberian leader who is also the Chairperson of the Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS nations, said she was in Nigeria to be updated on the focus and challenges of the work of the ECOWAS Commission

    According to her, the visit is also meant to enable her meet with the entities of ECOWAS, the Commission, the Parliament and the Courts in preparation for the forthcoming Summit of the Authority of the ECOWAS, slated for Abuja on Dec. 17.

    She stressed the need for leaders in the sub-region to continue to maintain peace and stability to achieve regional integration and economic prosperity.

    “I’m glad once again to be back in Abuja. I’m using the opportunity of this visit to be updated on the focus and challenges of the work of the ECOWAS Commission, to meet with the entities of ECOWAS, the Commission, the Parliament and the Courts in preparation for the reports I will present at the Summit of the Authority, which will be held here in Abuja, on Dec. 17.

    “But, I’m so grateful that while here, I reached out to the President and asked him for the opportunity to call on him to be able to brief him on some of the findings I have had in my two days of consultation with the commission.

    “I also exchanged with him some of the developments in our sub-region, political development; economic development, and to get his wise counsel on how we can ensure that we monitor the situation in all the West African countries so as to maintain peace and stability in all of our countries.’’

    The Liberian President arrived Abuja on Sunday on a two-day official visit to Nigeria, visited the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja on the same day

    The ECOWAS chairperson also held closed door meetings with the President of the commission, Mr Marcel de Souza, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and senior officials of the commission

     

  • Be patient, we are working towards meeting your demands – Buhari tells ASUU

    Be patient, we are working towards meeting your demands – Buhari tells ASUU

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari has pleaded with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to exercise patience with his administration stressing that efforts were in top gear to accede the union’s demand.

    Buhari made the appeal during the convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo state.

    The President, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof Anthony Anwuka, urged ASUU to appreciate the current economic challenges that has financially constrained the Federal Government from meeting its demands.

    Buhari assured that his administration will not renege on its promise to provide opportunities and avenues so that youths can develop their skills and creative ingenuity.

    He said, “As partners in progress, I plead for understanding and cooperation as the government is committed to addressing the various issues being canvassed by the Union, as we strive to right the wrongs of the past.

    “The fear is further amplified with the rising unemployment coupled with the recent economic recession that has befallen our beloved country. Periods like this are opportunities for geniuses to emerge.”

  • Moroccan king visits Nigeria for the first time, meets Buhari

    Moroccan king visits Nigeria for the first time, meets Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja met briefly with King Mohammed VI of Morocco, who arrived Abuja on Thursday, for a 3-day official visit to Nigeria.

    The king, on arrival at the Presidential Villa at about 1.20p.m. inspected a guard of honour mounted by men of the Guards Brigade.

    The Guards Brigade also honoured the visiting King with 21-gun salute.

    Shortly after the inspection of the guard of honour, Mr. Buhari and Mohammed met behind closed doors, before leaving the Presidential Villa for National Mosque to perform the 2-raka’at Juma’at Prayer.

    King Mohammed, who is leading a 300-man delegation, is visiting Nigeria for the first time since he ascended the throne in July 23, 1999.

    The meeting between President Buhari and King Mohammed is expected to focus on bilateral trade and economic relations.

    Laoye Jaiyeola, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), said that public and private sectors of both countries would collaborate to leverage on opportunities for sustainable economic growth.

    Mr. Jaiyeola spoke at the Nigeria-Morocco Business Meeting , with the theme: “Business Climate and Investment Opportunities.”

    According to him, improved business relations between Nigeria and Morocco will create mutual benefits, connect the continent’s markets and enhance competitiveness.

    Analysts say with the visit the diplomatic row between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco which erupted over a purported phone conversation between former President Goodluck Jonathan and King Mohammed VI, may have been put to rest.

  • Saraki meets Buhari, pledges early passage of 2017 budget

    Saraki meets Buhari, pledges early passage of 2017 budget

    The President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki, on Thursday assured the country of early passage of the 2017 budget proposal.

    Saraki gave the assurance while addressing State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

    Recall that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved the 2017 budget estimate for onward submission to the National Assembly.

    The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Mr Udoma Udo Udoma, who confirmed the development to State House correspondents, said the date for the presentation of the document would be given by the National Assembly.

    The Senate President, however, expressed the readiness of the National Assembly to receive the document.

    He also expressed optimism that within the next couple of days, President Buhari would transmit a letter to the National Assembly to lay the 2017 budget before it.

    “We are ready. Once the document comes to us, we are ready.

    “I think this time around a lot of things, a lot of work has taken place behind the scenes – a lot of more collaborations and I think that you will see the result in the time frame it will take after the president will have presented it.’’

    Saraki said normalcy had been restored to the Senate Chamber after Wednesday’s incident where some Senators from the opposition party, PDP, staged a walk-out in protest against one of their senators, who defected to APC.

    “It is democracy at work. The opposition party has its views about the defection of a senator to the APC.

    “Normalcy has been restored to the house and we are one family again.’’

  • We met massive cases of corruption at personal and institutional levels – Buhari

    We met massive cases of corruption at personal and institutional levels – Buhari

    President Buhari has said on assumption of office, his government met massive cases of corruption at both personal and international levels.

    The president however assured that his administration will remain committed to realizing the key priorities of securing the country, fighting corruption, and salvaging the economy in spite of current challenges.

    Receiving the Letter of Credence of the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. William Stuart Symington, at the State House, President Buhari said the security situation in the North East had improved significantly following support in training of the military and supply of hardware after the G-7 meeting in Germany in 2015.

    ‘‘When I was invited to the G-7 meeting after my inauguration on May 29, 2015, I thought I was going to be an observer at the meeting, but without prompting, I was asked to brief the leaders on the security situation in Nigeria, and I did. Since then, we have received support in training and military hardware, and I hope we have not disappointed,’’ he said.

    The President said the target of reversing the ‘‘culture of corruption’’ in the country had received support from Nigerians, with many realizing the depth of damage done by some previous administrations from the ongoing investigations and prosecutions.

    ‘‘The corruption we met at personal and institutional levels was unbelievable. Corruption was turning into a culture. After we came in, people started realizing the truth,’’ he added.

    President Buhari told the U. S ambassador that his administration was still determined to continue investigations and prosecution of corrupt persons in the country as ‘‘Nigeria will either kill corruption or corruption will kill Nigeria in the long run.’’

    The President noted that the years of mishandling of the economy at a period of financial prosperity, affected the economy, making it more challenging to create employment for the youths and improve the livelihood of many Nigerians.

    ‘‘It has not been easy for another party to come in and get things done properly, especially with the new economic reality of $37 per barrel of oil, against the $100 for the period, and there was no savings, no infrastructure on ground,’’ he said.

    President Buhari said the timely intervention of the United States, with a visit of the Secretary of State John Kerry to Nigeria, before the 2015 elections helped in ensuring peace and stability in the country.

    In his remarks, the U.S ambassador said the interest in the well-being of Nigeria was of mutual benefit.

    ‘‘We do it not only for Nigeria, but for ourselves. We did it because it was right for us and right for our people,’’ he said.

    Symington said he would work hard to further strengthen the relationship between his country and Nigeria, assuring that President-elect Donald Trump would also be interested in the wellbeing of Nigeria.

    President Buhari also received Letter of Credence from the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr. Moha Ouali Tagma, assuring him of Nigeria’s willingness to improve bilateral relations between the countries.