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Tag: Buhari

  • I have forgiven Buhari, says Ortom

    I have forgiven Buhari, says Ortom

    The governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom, has said he has  forgiven President Muhammadu Buhari for taking Nigeria from “top to bottom”.

    Ortom in an interview on ARISE TV Wednesday, urged President Buhari not to retire to the Niger Republic after his tenure.

    He said: “We have suffered for eight years. For me, I have forgiven him. He doesn’t need to go to Niger (Republic). He should stay here with us, and all of us should stay here and work with the incoming administration that God will put in place and by the grace of God, we shall move again from bottom to top.”

    Mr Buhari said he would spend six months in his hometown Daura in Katsina and then go on to live in Kaduna after leaving office. The president was also quoted to have threatened to leave Daura for the Niger Republic “if they make any noise to disturb me.”

    “For me, as a born-again Christian, I have forgiven President Mohammadu Buhari. He has taken us from top to bottom, but that does not mean we should continue to hold it on him,” Mr Ortom said.

    “We hope that the incoming administration will provide succour, will provide security for our people and provide economic development and peace for our people.”

  • Buhari Commissions 1.2km Ikom Bridge in Cross River

    Buhari Commissions 1.2km Ikom Bridge in Cross River

    By Wevole Ezin

    President Muhammadu Buhari has Commissioned 1.2km newly constructed Ikom Bridge to boost economic activities in Cross River state.

    The new bridge which is located on a major South- North arterial highway was commissioned on Tuesday by the President Buhari via zoom at Ikom local government area of the state.

    Describing the bridge as a high classified project amongst numerous projects in his administration, Buhari who was also represented by the Federal Controller of Works in the state, Mr. Koya Kehinde said the project will boost economic prosperity of Nigerians.

    He explained that recommendation for construction of the new bridge which was done by the National planning Commission some years ago, was as a result of the need to construct more bridges that heavy duty trucks can access.

    The President added that it would as well enable the Calabar Seaport, Airport and Free Trade Zone to be fully functional and accessible.

    He said the newly constructed bridge is one of the seven projects which includes three federal secretariat, two bridges and road projects.

    He stated,”It will provide a short connectivity with Benue and other states, addressed a multi-dimensional poverty instead of complaining.

    “Most of the projects are executed with repatriated funds from overseas”. Buhari stated.

    Among the Federal Secretariat named after worthy and influential Nigerians, is the Federal Secretariat in Bayelsa named after former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the Federal Secretariat in Zamfara named after Mallam Yahaya in Gasua.

    Commending the president for the project, the Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade who was represented by the state Commissioner for Works, Mr. Dane Osim Asu, appealed for more intervention from the federal government.

    Photo: A section of the newly constructed 1.2km Ikom bridge commissioned by President Buhari yesterday in Cross River.

  • Niger Republic will defend me after hand over – Buhari

    Niger Republic will defend me after hand over – Buhari

    Barely six days to the expiration of his second tenure in office, President Muhammadu Buhari has said he built cordial relationship with the neighbouring countries, saying should anyone disturb him, his Niger Republic neighbours will defend him.

    The President disclosed this at the official commissioning of Nigeria Customs Service Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.

    He said he will relocate to his country home in Daura, which is far away from Abuja and closer to the neighbouring Niger.

    “And I try to plan to be as far away from Abuja as possible. I came from an area which is far away from Abuja.

    “I said if anybody with force moves, I have good relationship with my neighbours. Niger people will defend me.”

    According to him, if one does not secure the confidence of his neighbour he or his grandchild will be in trouble.

    He added that in the bid to earn the goodwill.of Niger Republic, Cameroon and Chad were the countries he first visited on assumption of office.

    “I think I am trying to make my point. Later Nigeria appreciate it because it provides more jobs.

    “People go back to agric. We have the land and they will produce what we eat. And for people who think that our neighbours can be a loser let’s continue to be with our neighbours.

    ” That is why when I became the Head of State that is President, my first visit was to Niger, Chad and Cameroon because based on neighbourhood on personal and national reason if you don’t secure the confidence of your neighbour you are in trouble.

    ” If you are not in trouble, your children and grandchildren be in trouble.

    “So it is very good I established relationship with my neighbours.”

    Speaking on why he appointed Col. Hmeed Ali (Retired) as the Comptroller General of Customs, he said Ali has the energy and competence to effectively supervise the over 1,600 km Nigeria land mass from Benin to Lake Chad.

     

  • Nigeria delisted from list of piracy prone countries – Buhari

    Nigeria delisted from list of piracy prone countries – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said that piracy reduced significantly over the last seven years, culminating in delisting Nigeria from the list of piracy prone countries.

    The President said this at the 2023 Presidential Fleet Review in Lagos, held in his honour by the Nigerian Navy, with the theme  “Fleet Readiness for National Prosperity”.

    He said the International Maritime Bureau in March 2022 delisted Nigeria from the list of piracy prone countries.

    “Furthermore, application of technology to secure the maritime domain has supported intelligence-driven deployment of ships.

    “I will particularly commend the diligent arraignment and prosecution of MT HEROIC IDUN, sequel to the detection and arrest, for attempting to load crude oil, offshore Bonny in August 2022 without authorisation, just to cite one example.”

    According to Buhari, this successful conviction further confirms the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to protect resources belonging to our country.

    The President said the Nigerian Navy achieved these feat due to collaborations with navies from partner nations.

    He said it boosted synergy in addressing illegalities within the Gulf of Guinea.

    “They had joint exercises such as Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS, Exercise GRAND AFRICA NEMO and Exercise FLINTLOCK to mention a few.

    “These exercises have enhanced the Navy’s readiness for Maritime security operations,” he said.

    He, however, commended the heads of navies and coast guards as well as foreign allies for the useful cooperation.

    The President also expressed appreciation for the donations and mutual military cooperation with ship building partner nations.

    He said the cooperation had encouraged local ship building by the Nigerian Navy.

    “The Navy’s efforts in indigenous shipbuilding, in line with the nation’s local content development plan is yielding positive result.

    “Our naval engineers were wholly responsible for building three Seaward Defence Boats, NNS ANDONI, NNS KARADUWA and NNS OJI.

    “In December 2021, I performed keel laying foundation for the construction of two Seaward Defence Boats, which will be ready by 2024.

    “I have no doubt that our Navy will soon commence construction of larger ships for itself and other navies in the region and beyond.

    “This achievement is a great pride to Nigeria and an impressive contribution to national development.”

    He also acknowledged the cooperation of the Lagos State Government, emphasising the role of the state and stakeholders in the economy of the nation.

    “Let me also compliment the government and people of Lagos State and other maritime stakeholders for the critical support given to the country’s Navy in conducting this Fleet Review.

    “Pertinently, more than half of our maritime trade pass through ports located in Lagos and as such continues to be a lifeline for the nation’s industry and economy.

    “This strategic importance further underscores the necessity of cordial working relations,” Buhari said.

    He also commended the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, and the entire Navy personnel for the splendid conduct of the “historic event”.

    Earlier, the President went on board a Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Sokoto, to inaugurate two ships and a Navy Helicopter at sea.

    He inaugurated a new helicopter (NN410 ), manufactured in Italy;  NNS KADA, a landing ship transport, built in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates;  and NNS IBENO, donated by the Peoples Republic of China.

    Gambo, in his welcome speech commended the transformation of the Nigerian Navy within the eight years of the President’s tenure.

    “His administration has repositioned the Navy for better service delivery and actualisation of its constitutional mandate,” he said.

    He explained that the people ships, NNS KADA, a Landing Ship Transport, was built by Messrs DAMEN at the Sharjah Port, United Arab Emirates.

    He said the ship would serve as a force multiplier toward projecting naval power as well as support non-kinetic operations.

    He said NNS IBENO is a fast patrol craft, donated by the Peoples Republic of China.

    “The ship would be deployed for surveillance and patrol duties within Nigerian waters and the region.

    “The NN Helicopter, NN410, first of three to be delivered, which arrived in January, will increase reaction time of the fleet to incidences at sea and aid conduct of Search and Rescue Operations among others.

    “Induction of these platforms into the Nigerian Navy Fleet will lead to further decline in maritime crimes and boost socio-economic activities in the Nigerian maritime environment,” Gambo said.

  • 7 days to go: Buhari assents Bills on Investment, education, 6 others

    7 days to go: Buhari assents Bills on Investment, education, 6 others

    Barely seven days to vacate office, President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the National Social Investment Programme Agency, National Senior Secondary Education and six other Bills, passed by the National Assembly, in furtherance of the provisions of the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

    The National Social Investment Programme Agency is established to assist and empower the poor and vulnerable in Nigeria. The objective of the Act is to provide a legal and institutional framework for the establishment and management of the National Social Investment in Nigeria.

    The National Senior Secondary Education Act establishes a Commission, prescribes minimum standards for senior secondary education in Nigeria and the management of National Senior Secondary Education Fund.

    The Chartered Institute of Power Engineers of Nigeria Act establishes the Chartered Institute of Power Engineers of Nigeria and is charged with the responsibility for determining the standard of knowledge and skill to be attained by persons seeking to become chartered power engineers.

    The President also assented to the Federal University of Health Sciences Ila-Orangun (Establishment) Act, the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (Establishment) Act, the Chartered Institute of Development Studies and Administration of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (Establishment) Act, and the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria Act, respectively.

    Signed:
    Senator Babajide Omoworare CON
    Senior Special Assistant to The President on National Assembly Matters – Senate

  • What Buhari said at commissioning of Dangote refinery

    What Buhari said at commissioning of Dangote refinery

    President Muhammadu Buhari says that the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote refinery is a game changer for Nigeria’s economy.

    Buhari disclosed this at the inauguration of Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos on Monday.

    He said that the refinery was expected to enable Nigeria to achieve self-sufficiency in refined products and even have surplus for export.

    The President described the feat as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s economy and the downstream petroleum products market in the entire African region.

    ‘‘This mega industry we are commissioning today is a clear example of what can be achieved when entrepreneurs are encouraged and supported and when an enabling environment is created for investments and for businesses to thrive.

    ‘‘I am confident that my successor, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will sustain the improvement in our economic and business environment and strengthen the framework of our public private partnership policies to accelerate the pace of our economic growth and development.

    ‘‘I am happy to leave our economy in very competent hands,’’ he said.

    Buhari commended Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s leadership in executing the 650,000 barrels per day refinery, urging other entrepreneurs to emulate his example in driving economic growth and realizing Nigeria’s economic potential.

    He stressed the need for African countries to come together, integrate their economies, eliminate trade barriers, and rally their populations to achieve agenda 2063 for the continent’s prosperity.

    ‘‘I urge and encourage our other great entrepreneurs to emulate this iconic Nigerian industrialist and join the Government in accelerating our growth in order to realize our country’s globally recognized economic potential.

    ‘‘When I travel around Africa and meet and engage my brother Heads of State (and I am delighted some of their Excellences are here).

    “I often sense a quiet expectation that our country is blessed with resources and human capacity to lead Africa’s rise to economic prosperity and the attainment of Agenda 2063 – ‘The Africa we all want.’

    ‘‘But to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063, Africa must come together – we must integrate our economies, eliminate barriers to trade and energize our youthful population to scale up our productive capacity.

    ‘‘We must create necessary conditions for our private sector to grow and partner with the public sector to accelerate economic growth across the continent.

    ‘‘We must not allow outside powers to use some of our leaders to destabilize our economic and political trajectory,’’ he said.

    Buhari acknowledged the visionary investments made by the Dangote Group, under the leadership of Dangote, in transforming Nigeria’s economy through its involvement in critical industries such as cement and fertilizer.

    He noted that investment in these sectors have played a crucial role in shifting Nigeria from heavy import dependence to becoming a net exporter.

    Buhari acknowledged that Nigeria’s economy has faced significant challenges over the years, including deficits in economic infrastructure due to insurgency.

    He said that the economy has also faced external crises such as the Global Financial Crisis, oil price collapses, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russia-Ukraine war.

    ‘‘The consequence of these challenges constitute a severe strain on our economy, limiting Government’s ability to provide basic infrastructure without resorting to huge borrowings.

    ‘‘Our Government, therefore, took the decision to focus attention on creating an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and fill the enormous gap in investments not only in infrastructure but also in all critical sectors.

    ‘‘We recognise that without the active participation of the private sector and a strong commitment to public private partnership, our economy would continue to remain severely challenged and our economic growth impeded.

    ‘‘Government therefore, will and should continue to provide an enabling environment and encourage innovative public private partnerships in all sectors of our economy,’’ he said.

    The President emphasised the administration’s commitment to this approach, citing Executive Order 007 of 2019 which facilitated the rehabilitation/construction of many roads by private sector investors using a Tax-credit scheme.

    ‘‘It is my hope that the succeeding administration will continue to apply such innovative schemes in partnership with the private sector to accelerate the provision of critical infrastructure in particular roads, power and gas pipelines,’’ he said.

     

  • Declare where your loyalty lies between Nigeria, IPOB – BMO to Ezekwesili

    Declare where your loyalty lies between Nigeria, IPOB – BMO to Ezekwesili

    The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has derided the latest outburst by Dr. Oby Ezekwesili against President Muhammadu Buhari on a miscellany of issues, chief of which is the handling of security by the Buhari-led administration.

    The group, in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju, noted that it has become a convention by Ezekwesili to inundate the public space with a noxious chemistry of bad mouthing and ill-mannered pontification in addressing the person and office of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

    “We find it rather curious the way Dr. Ezekwesili, now by convention, storms the public place to vent whatever her frustration or emotion may be. And, even more intriguing is her determination to express her opinion in the most vainglorious manner,” the group said.

    Accusing her of deliberately playing Janus with most of her public interventions, BMO said that at a time Nigerians were expecting individuals of stature from the South East to in the wake of the unfortunate but irresponsible killing of two personnel of the American Consulate and two policemen in an ambush in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra, Ezekesili decided to resort to attacking the person of the President.

    “Ezekwesili hails from Anambra State where this heinous crime was committed but just as other times when such grand wickedness was perpetrated in that zone of the country, silence is the response from Ezekwesili,” the Group observes in the statement adding that.

    “So, for us, this is clearly indicative of barefaced subterfuge. Ezekwesili should come out in the open to declare where her loyalty lies; is it to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) pair of now world’s renowned terrorist organisations or to the good people of Nigeria on whose behalf she hypocritically combusts the public space?

    “We dare to say that her conduct smacks of the hypocrisy of desperately desiring to remove the speck in the other person’s eye when, indeed, she carries a log in her own eye.”

    The BMO, however, acknowledged her allegation concerning the security situation in the country.

    “Of course, her allegation against President Buhari of poorly managing security matters in the country is acknowledged. However, what can be asserted without any equivocation in the management of security matters in the country since President Buhari assumed office, is his undiminished commitment to fighting insecurity wherever it had reared its head in the country.

    “This is evinced by the fact that at no time in the history of this country, even at the time she was a Minister in the federal government, had there been the kind of quantum leap in the record of arms, ammunition and variegated platforms made available for the use of the armed forces and the police in the country. And, for this, the people of Borno and other States in Northeastern Nigeria that used to be theatre of mass killings have continued to show gratitude to the President for returning peace to their states”.

    The BMO added that security narrative in different parts of the country is changing for good.

    “The same narrative is evolving in Zamfara, Kaduna and Katsina States in the North West zone of the country inclusive of Benue, Plateau and Niger States in the North Central zone.

    “The pacification of bandits is becoming intense from news constantly emanating from those areas. Unfortunately, the likes of Ezekwesili would, rather, rush to dance naked in the market place anytime there is a single security mishap in all the different theatres of engagement.

    ” Not once have we heard words encouraging the country’s armed forces during the many times they had recorded successes in engagements against bandits and terrorists, from Ezekwesili.

    “Even in the South East, we daily count the numbers of Ipob/ESN operatives that are either neutralised or arrested by security personnel, yet, there had never been a whimper of acknowledgement of the efforts of these personnel from the likes of Ezekwesili,” the group added.

  • Buhari’s legacies would be remembered positively– Ghana President

    Buhari’s legacies would be remembered positively– Ghana President

    President Nana Akufo-Addo, of Ghana has praised President Muhammadu Buhari, for  Combating Boko haram in his administration.

    President Akufo-Addo while speaking during a public launch of two biographies about Buhari’s life on Friday, disclosed that history would remember the outgoing Nigerian president kindly.

    The event, which featured the unveiling of the books titled “State of Repair: How Muhammadu Buhari Tried to Change Nigeria for Good” by Antony Goldman and “The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari” by Senator Abu Ibrahim, was attended by dignitaries and raised over N500 million.

    He commended Buhari’s contributions to diversifying the Nigerian agriculture, revitalizing the economy, and ensuring significant growth rates.

    The Ghanaian president highlighted Buhar’s role as chairman of the Authority of Heads of States and Government of ECOWAS, the Gulf of Guinea Commission and his coordination of the fight against COVID-19 in ECOWAS.

    He expressed belief that Buhari’s legacies would be remembered positively.

    He also expressed admiration for Buhari and his leadership, stating that Nigeria, West Africa, Africa and the world would miss his thoughtful decision-making and dedication to Nigerian and African interests.

    “Likewise, through the launch of today’s biographies, the story of President Muhammadu Buhari, a man who made such a great effort to change Nigeria for good, is being told by those who have had the opportunity to see for themselves at firsthand, from the beginning of his mandate as a democratically elected president, to his last days in office, the highs and lows of his tenure thus far. From what I have read and know, the life of Muhammadu Buhari has been truly an amazing story.

    “The works the President Buhari has done in helping to diversify Nigerian agriculture and thereby enhancing significantly agricultural productivity, reviving the economy and ensuring consistently fast rates of growth. These developments, for me, have vindicated the choice of Nigerians, which I believe enabled continuity in office for the APC, through President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

     

     

  • Just in: Buhari appoints Madein new Accountant General to the Federation

    Just in: Buhari appoints Madein new Accountant General to the Federation

    After dilatory moves that lasted for weeks, President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mrs Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein as the substantive Accountant general of the Federation.

    The appointment followed a successful conduct of a selection process to fill the existing vacancy.

    A statement by the Director of Communication in the Office of the Head of the Service of the Federation, Mohammed Abdullahi Ahmed, said that the head of service of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan made this known on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Abuja.

    He quoted the Head of the Civil Service of the federation to have said that the appointment was with immediate effect from Thursday, May 18, 2023.

    Until her appointment, Madein was the Directir of Finance and Accounts, DFA, in the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

  • MURIC slams Ortom over decision to honour Gideon Orkar

    MURIC slams Ortom over decision to honour Gideon Orkar

    The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) on Friday condemned the the plans of honouring Gideon Orkar by the governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom.

    Otorm through the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Micheal Inalegwu, had on Tuesday while briefing newsmen at the end of the State Executive Council (NEC), meeting said that the meeting resolved to name a 9.7km road constructed in Makurdi by the administration after late Major Gideon Orkar who staged a failed coup against the government of General Ibrahim Babangida on April 22, 1990.

    The Muslim group while reacting to the decision, said Ortom’s action is immoral, illegal, insensitive, irresponsible and outrageous.

    The condemnation was contained in a statement signed and released on Friday, by the Chairman, Kano State chapter of the Muslim rights body, Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa.

    The statement said: “The Muslim group wonders what might be the motive of governor Ortom behind honouring a person found to have committed treason against the state and eventually tried, convicted and executed in July, 1990.

    “Major Gideon Orkar masterminded a violent and bloody coup against the military administration of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida in April 1990. However, the coup failed due to ethnic and religious undertone that accompanied the speech made around 4:00am on April 22, 1990.

    Orkar, in his radio broadcast to the nation, said he had seized power on behalf of the country’s “Christian-dominated southern and Middle Belt areas”, which he claimed had been “reduced to slavery” by the mostly Muslim North.

    “He, therefore, made a stunning statement by announcing the excising of five (5) Northern states of Bauchi, Borno, Katsina, Kano and Sokoto from Nigeria.

    This led some patriotic military officers to rally in support of the Federal Military Government (FMG) when they found out it was a plot targeting their very existence.

    “Although the coup was identified to be masterminded by Major Gideon Orkar, the trial and subsequent evidences showed that he was just a puppet and not the original mastermind behind the coup. The ideological arrowheads of the coup were Lt. Colonel Anthony Nyiam, Major Saliba Mukoro and Major Cyril Obahor. Intelligence findings further suggested it was at a later stage that Orkar was recruited to join the ill-fated coup plot. In fact, it was said that millionaire businessman, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru was the top financier of the coup. The coup attempt was said to been the bloodiest in Nigeria’s history.

    “Mr Orkar and 41 other plotters were captured by government troops and subsequently, tried and convicted of treason. They were executed by firing squad on 27th July 1990.

    “So what feat is governor Ortom celebrating. Is he honoring Orkar for failure, or is it the daftness, foolishness or crass incompetence exhibited by Orkar that he is honoring? Orkar was known to be bigoted, unintelligent, irrational, amoral, disoriented and a drunkard.

    “Every responsible Nigerian should understand that one can only venture on a suicide mission by deciding to arbitrarily “excise” any part of the country without anticipating dire consequences.

    “The just concluded 2023 presidential elections have poignantly amplified the futility of divisive politics. The Labour Party (LP) and its Presidential candidate Mr Peter Gregory Obi are yet to recover from the shock of the humiliating defeat they had suffered as a result of their ethnic and religious politics.

    “We are surprised that, instead of governor Ortom to be remorseful of his past misdeeds and prepare to give account of his eight (8) years of wasted stewardship, he is now bequeathing another hate-filled and divisive legacy to the incoming administration.

    “For the past 8 years, Governor Ortom wasted much of his time in hate mongering and needless antagonism against President Muhammadu Buhari and refused to build bridges and establish pragmatism, especially with Northern politicians. His leadership lacks focus and has disconnected his state from the national scheme of things and as well as hurt the relationship between the state and other tribes. He practically made Benue a pariah state.

    “We strongly berate Governor Ortom for blaming his nonperformance on herders’ attacks. Some States like Borno, Kaduna etc suffer consistent, devastating and more horrendous terrorist attacks but yet are able to execute and commission plenty of quality legacy projects.

    “It tells a lot that Benue people rejected and revolted against Ortom by wisely voting for APC. No governor of Benue State had ever suffered such humiliating rejection.

    “It is our fervent prayers that such shall be the fate of every fake and self-serving politician, especially the Muslim haters like Samuel Ortom.”