TheNewsGuru

Tag: election

  • SEE list of world leaders who attended inauguration of Nigeria’s 16th president

    SEE list of world leaders who attended inauguration of Nigeria’s 16th president

    More than 21 world leaders on Monday were in attendance at the official swearing-in ceremony of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigeria’s 16th president

    African leaders who attended the inauguration include President Paul Kagame of Rwanda,South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan; President of the Republic of Congo Brazzaville, Denis Sassou Nguesso and President of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló.

    Also present are the President of Burundi, Évariste Ndayishimiye; the Transitional Presidents of Chad, Mahamat Déby; the President of Niger Republic, Mohamed Bazoum; and President Nana Akufo-Ado of Ghana.

    The delegations from Sierra Leonean and Liberian governments have also arrived in Abuja for the ceremony, while the Qatar delegation is led by Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

    From other parts of the world are delegations which includes India which is led by Defence Minister, Mr Rajnath Singh, as a Special Envoy of the Prime Minister to be accompanied by a senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of External Affairs of India.

    The Canadian Government is represented by the Minister of Housing, Diversity and Inclusion, Ahmed Hussen, as head; the United Kingdom’s delegation is comprised of the Special Envoy of King Charles led by the Minister of State for Development and Africa at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Andrew Mitchell; the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria and Special Envoy on Girls’ Education, Helen Grant, and the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery and the nine-man delegation from the United States as approved by President Joe Biden, led by Marcia L. Fudge, US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Members of the US delegation to Nigeria include David Greene, chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in Abuja; Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Democratic Representative from California; Marisa Lago, the US Department of Commerce’s Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade and Michael E. Langley, the commander of the United States Africa Command.

    Others include Enoh T. Ebong, director of the United States Trade and Development Agency; Mary Catherine Phee, the US Department of State’s Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs; Judd Devermont, national security council’s special assistant to the president and senior director for African issues; and Monde Muyangwa, the assistant administrator for Africa at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

    The Chinese government delegation is led by a Communist Party leader and minister as well as the Turkish government delegation.

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  • Major takeaways from inauguration of Tinubu as 16th president of Nigeria

    Major takeaways from inauguration of Tinubu as 16th president of Nigeria

    President Ahmed Tinubu was sworn-in on Monday as 21 world leaders attended the event at Eagle Square, Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports that at least seven major takeaways were made handy to Nigerians by the new president.

    In what could be described as a bold move is the withdrawal of fuel subsidy arguably considered the biggest scam in Nigeria.

    His predecessor, former president Muhammadu Buhari could not muster enough muscle to pull this off.

    TInubu reaffirmed that the era of fuel subsidy is gone.

    He said: “We commend the decision of the outgoing administration in phasing out the petrol subsidy regime which has increasingly favoured the rich more than the poor.

    “Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources.

    “We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions.

    *We’ll create jobs, prosperity for youth

    The president emphasized that his administration must create meaningful opportunities for our youth, saying “We shall honour our campaign commitment of one million new jobs in the digital economy.

    “Our government also shall work with the National Assembly to fashion an omnibus Jobs and Prosperity bill. This bill will give our administration the policy space to embark on labour-intensive infrastructural improvements, encourage light industry and provide improved social services for the poor, elderly and vulnerable,” he said.

    *We shall reform security doctrine

    Tinubu noted that security shall be the top priority of his administration, because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence.

    He said, “To effectively tackle this menace, we shall reform both our security DOCTRINE and its ARCHITECTURE.

    “We shall invest more in our security personnel, and this means more than an increase in number. We shall provide, better training, equipment, pay and firepower.”

    *We’ll target higher GDP growth

    On the economy, Tinubu said he will target a higher GDP growth and to significantly reduce unemployment.

    “We intend to accomplish this by taking the following steps: First, budgetary reform stimulating the economy without engendering inflation will be instituted.

    “Second, industrial policy will utilize the full range of fiscal measures to promote domestic manufacturing and lessen import dependency.

    “Third, electricity will become more accessible and affordable to businesses and homes alike. Power generation should nearly double and transmission and distribution networks improved. We will encourage states to develop local sources as well.

    “I have a message for our investors, local and foreign: our government shall review all their complaints about multiple taxation and various anti-investment inhibitions.

    “We shall ensure that investors and foreign businesses repatriate their hard earned dividends and profits home,” he said.

    *We’ll create agricultural hubs across nation

    Tinubu said rural incomes shall be secured by commodity exchange boards guaranteeing minimal prices for certain crops and animal products, adding that “A nationwide programme for storage and other facilities to reduce spoilage and waste will be undertaken.

    Agricultural hubs will be created throughout the nation to increase production and engage in value-added processing. The livestock sector will be introduced to best modern practices and steps taken to minimize the perennial conflict over land and water resources in this sector.

    “Through these actions, food shall be made more abundant yet less costly. Farmers shall earn more while the average Nigerian pays less.”

    *Monetary policy needs thorough housecleaning

    President Tinubu noted that the monetary policy needs thorough housecleaning, saying the Central Bank must work towards a unified exchange rate.

    “This will direct funds away from arbitrage into meaningful investment in the plant, equipment and jobs that power the real economy.

    “Interest rates need to be reduced to increase investment and consumer purchasing in ways that sustain the economy at a higher level.

    “Whatever merits it had in concept, the currency swap was too harshly applied by the CBN given the number of unbanked Nigerians. The policy shall be reviewed. In the meantime, my administration will treat both currencies as legal tender,” he said.

    *Our foreign policy objective is peace, stability

    Tinubu said, “Given the world in which we reside, please permit a few comments regarding foreign policy.

    “The crisis in Sudan and the turn from democracy by several nations in our immediate neighbourhood are of pressing concern.

    “As such, my primary foreign policy objective must be the peace and stability of the West African subregion and the African continent. We shall work with ECOWAS, the AU and willing partners in the international community to end extant conflicts and to resolve new ones.

    “As we contain threats to peace, we shall also retool our foreign policy to more actively lead the regional and continental quest for collective prosperity.”

  • BREAKING: Tinubu makes first set of appointments

    BREAKING: Tinubu makes first set of appointments

    …Dele Alake now presidential spokesman

     

    The newly sworn in President, Bola Ahmad Tinubu has reportedly made his first set of appointment.

    According to reports, Tinubu named ‘Ambassador Kunle Adeleke as the State Chief of Protocol (SCOP) to the President

    -Dele Alake – Presidential Spokesman

    -Dada Olusegun – SA Digital Media

    More details Shortly…

  • Tinubu to unveil members of his cabinet, others within 2 months – Faleke

    Tinubu to unveil members of his cabinet, others within 2 months – Faleke

    Hon. James Faleke, former secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), campaign Council has said Bola Tinubu will unveil members of his cabinet within 60 days after his inauguration as Nigeria’s President on Monday.

    Faleke stated this on Monday morning in an interview with Channels Television at the Eagle Square, venue of the inauguration.

    Asked if Nigerians should expect Tinubu to unveil his cabinet as soon as possible, Faleke said, “Of course, within 60 days, that’s what the law says. He can announce anytime but I just know he must do it within 60 days.”

    Many analysts had attributed the slow take-off of the Muhammadu Buhari administration to his late announcement of ministers. Buhari, who hands over to Tinubu after eight years, unveiled his cabinet six months after his inauguration in 2015. But Tinubu is expected to do things differently.

    Asked whether he would like to serve in Tinubu’s cabinet, Faleke said it is the prerogative of the APC power broker to choose members of his cabinet.

    Faleke who is the lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and chairman House Committee on Finance, said some members of opposition parties are at the Eagle Square for Tinubu’s inauguration.

  • Less than 1hour to end of his admin, Buhari announces fresh appointment  

    Less than 1hour to end of his admin, Buhari announces fresh appointment  

    Less than one hour to the end of his administration, President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Sha’aban Sharada as Executive Secretary of newly created Commission on Almajiri.

    This was contained in a statement issued by Garba Shehu
    Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity) late Sunday night.

    Following his assent to the National Commission for Almajiri and Out of School Children Education Bill 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of the outgoing Member of the House of Representatives for Kano Municipal, Honourable (Dr) Sha’aban Sharada as Executive Secretary.

    Hon. Sharada has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication from Bayero University, Kano and a Master of Business Administration from University of Chichester, United Kingdom.

    Garba Shehu
    Senior Special Assistant to the President
    (Media and Publicity)

    May 28, 2023

  • Less than 24hrs to go Buhari assents to NASS Service Pensions Board Act, 2 others

    Less than 24hrs to go Buhari assents to NASS Service Pensions Board Act, 2 others

    Less than 24hours to quit office, President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the National Assembly Service Pensions Board Act, two others.

    This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Sen.Babajide Omoworare
    SSA-P/NASS/Senate on Sunday stating that:

    “In furtherance of the provisions of Section 58 of the Constitution and the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the National Assembly Service Pensions Board (Establishment) Bill.

    “The National Assembly Service Pensions Board (Establishment) Act establishes the National Assembly Service Pensions Board to administer the pension scheme for personnel of the Service and exempts the personnel of the National Assembly Service from the Contributory Pension Scheme.

    “The President also assented to the Federal Road Safety Commission Training Institutions (Establishment) Bill, for capacity building and training in road traffic administration and safety management, and to provide training for members of Federal Road Safety Corp.

    “The National Commission for Almajiri and Out of School Children Education Bill, earlier passed by the National Assembly was also assented to by the President.

    “The Act seeks to provide multimodal system of education to tackle the menace of illiteracy, develop skill acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes, prevent youth poverty, delinquency and destitution in Nigeria.

  • Code of Conduct Tribunal frustrating fight against corruption – CCB

    Code of Conduct Tribunal frustrating fight against corruption – CCB

    … as CSOs urge incoming administration to digitize assets declaration

    The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) says its primary responsibility of checking corrupt practices is challenged by inadequate funding and failure of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to sit on corruption cases ‘for some years now.’
    The tribunal is responsible for the trial of public officers found to have falsified assets in their declaration before and after taking public office.
    Deputy Director Code of Conduct Bureau, Michael Okwose, said that after rigorous investigations, public officers indicted are hardly put to trial.
    Okwose disclosed this while participating in a special radio town hall meeting on corruption organized by the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development (PRIMORG) at the weekend in Abuja.
    CCB is a pioneer anti-corruption agency set up by the Federal Government to maintain a high morality standard and check corrupt practices among public officers. CCT is an independent administrative court of the bureau.
    Okwose, while calling on the incoming Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s government to prioritize funding of the bureau, said the Code of Conduct Bureau could not boast of bringing corrupt politicians or public office holders to book in the last couple of years because Code Conduct Tribunal, which is constitutionally empowered to try corruption investigations failed to ‘sit’ for no known reason in the last two years.
    “The challenge we have in the bureau is our court in the Code of Conduct Tribunal. We carry out investigations. We receive petitions from the public about non-compliance with the conduct of public officers. We receive complaints about people breaching their provisions, and after investigation, we refer our cases to the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
    “What I can tell you is the tribunal is not sitting. It makes us (CCB) look like we’re not doing anything.
    “For some years now, the CCT hardly sits. There are so many pending cases before the tribunal. So that is why if you talk about conviction now, there is none because the tribunal is not sitting. That is our major problem,” Okwose emphasized.
    On strengthening the CCB, Okwose urged the incoming administration to empower the CCB. “We need funds to carry out investigation and verification; we also need personnel recruitment. Everything is down to funding”.
    The Chief Operating Officer of 21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth and Women Initiative, Lukman Adefolahan, backed calls for adequate funding of CCB, adding that the incoming administration must tighten public procurement processes, empower the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation and amend the audit law that is currently in use if it truly wants to fight corruption.
    Adefolahan also said the government should digitize the assets declaration of public office holders and work towards cutting the cost of governance immediately by reviewing and implementing the Orosanye White Paper Report.
    “We are still using the 1956 Audit Act in Nigeria, which is pre-colonial. It is very unfortunate. If we can get CCB right, if we get Office of Auditor General right, ICPC, EFCC and others will be doing lesser work,” he stated.
    On his part, the Director of Legal and Documentation, Center for Transparency Advocacy, Tochukwu Ohazurike, said the Tinubu administration must possess the political will to fight corruption if it will make any progress while joining calls for digitization of assets declaration at CCB.
    His words:” If he (Tinubu) has the willpower, let him digitize CCB, digitize issues of property sales and transactions in the entire country. Something must be done about our criminal justice system”.
    Media Consultant & Activist Princess Halima Jubril lamented that the media did not fare well under the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari administration on many fronts, especially the three major mantras the administration campaigned, which were anti-corruption, economy and security.
    Jubril urged the incoming government to be holistic in their anti-corruption approach and ensure adequate funds are provided for CCB to do their job. She added that the media would not relent in their responsibility to hold the government to account as mandated by the constitution.
    The PRIMORG’s Town Hall Meeting Against Corruption series is aimed at calling the public and government attention to specific issues of corruption in Nigeria.
    The syndicated radio program runs with support from the MacArthur Foundation.

  • Buhari drops another charade, says I will fly from Eagle Square to Kaduna before relocating to Daura

    Buhari drops another charade, says I will fly from Eagle Square to Kaduna before relocating to Daura

    …says opposition parties gave the impression that our govt was in a mess

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday another charade saying that immediately he hands over to the next President on May 29, he will take off from the swearing-in venue to Kaduna before proceeding to Daura, his hometown.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the president had earlier declared that he would relocate to Niger Republic to avoid disturbance from anybody.

    He said he has been counting the days and was looking forward to Monday very desperately, adding that he would use the weekend to sign some of the papers so that from Eagles Square he will take off.

    President Buhari also said that before the concluded general elections, the opposition political parties had created the impression outside the country that the All Progressives Congress-led administration was going into a mess because it has incompetent leadership

    The outgoing President spoke at his Book launch with the title, “A promise kept, a compendium of significant achievements of Muhammadu Buhari Administration 2015-2023,” at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    said, “I think by my profession, I spent most of my time that is the military for 20 years, there wasn’t this surprise. If you allow yourself to be taken by surprise you will be virtually overwhelmed. I wasn’t expecting this honestly. Especially today when I need to sign a few papers because I know on Monday, from the swearing-in venue I will fly directly to Kaduna and then I will go to the other side of Nigeria.

    Thank you for surprising me with your generosity and kindness. I think the achievement we wanted is to make we developed a firm political culture. I think I was expecting too much. When I was in Doha, meeting some heads of state, I was getting calls from Europe, America, and Nigeria, congratulating us on the success of the elections.

    The opposition has created the impression outside the country that we are going into a mess because we have incompetent leadership of the party. They were overwhelmed that the election came and went and both at the center and at the states, fantastic.”

    He further said, “How can ten sitting governors of states lose their constituencies, this has been unprecedented. So I congratulate you the national working committee (of the APC) and others here, that we have really proved that democracy is worth defending.

    “Nigerians have understood it now, otherwise how can they vote against their sitting governors stopping them from going to the senate to rest?

    So they were really overwhelmed and I congratulate our political development. Please congratulate your constituencies, it means that even though you have excess money, they will collect and put it in their pockets but they will elect the person they trust from any constituency, either House of Assembly, House of Representatives, or Senate until it comes to the president itself.

    Today, we prayed together with Asiwaju (Bola Tinubu) and I congratulated him and I said I am eager to go to the other side of Nigeria. I wish him the best of luck. I said his Vice President is experienced, a two-time governor in his state, and then the senate. And this is how we got the chairman of our party, two-time governor in his state and also he has been in the Senate.

    So they are people are really from the bottom of the system to the top. When you get experienced people to be in charge, taking important decisions, they will always reflect on their experiences and they can hardly go wrong. So I congratulate you and our party.

    “I thank you very much for this major surprise, I think now when I go back I will have time to read some books not just about myself but about other issues. I assure you, I have been counting the days, I am looking forward to Monday very desperately. I will use the weekend to sign some of the papers so that from Eagles Square, I will fly to Kaduna and eventually go to Daura. Thank you very much.”

  • Speakership: Abbas pledges a united 10th HoR, gets Wike’s backing

    Speakership: Abbas pledges a united 10th HoR, gets Wike’s backing

    The leading Speakership candidate for the incoming 10th House of Representatives,Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has pledged to ensure that there is unity and cohesion among members of the House should he gets elected as the number 1 presiding officer come June 13, 2023.

    Recall that Hon. Abbas, was announced as preferred choice for the position of Speaker alongside his colleague and House Spokesman, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu who was also endorsed for the Deputy Speakership position by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, May 8, 2023.

    Addressing the outgoing Governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt on Friday during a courtesy/consultative visit, Abbas who was accompanied by members of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly, a coalition of the 8 political parties that won seats in the incoming, thanked the Governor for supporting the APC in the Presidential election of February 25, 2023.

    He therefore assured that he would do all within his power to bring about unity in the House under his leadership in conjunction with his deputy if they are successful on June 13.

    He commended governor Wike for “doing the right thing during the last election, just as he noted that the members-elect from Rivers State were on board with him.

    He said the next administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu needs a stable Parliament to perform.

    He solicited for Wike’s support to be able to clinch the speakership position come June 13.

    Responding, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom declared total support for Hon. Abbas and Hon. Benjamin Kalu as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the incoming 10th House of Representatives.

    Wike said he would work assiduously to make sure that the duo emerge victorious, adding that all the 13 members-elect from Rivers State with the exception of one, are with Abbas and Kalu 100 percent.

    Wike also said that the 2015 scenario where members that went against their party emerged as leaders of the National Assembly would not repeat itself.

    “I want to say here that I am with you fully. You know I do my things in the open. When Chinda told me that you’re coming here, I said there was no need because I am with you fully. All our members are with you, except one, who is doing something else.

    “2015 won’t repeat itself. Let me tell you, I’ll leave office on Monday, and once I leave, we’ll start the campaign fully.

    “I urge all of you to support Abbas. Don’t support him in the day and do something else in the night. You should support him fully.”

    Wike added that the fact that a president or governor indicates interest on whom to work with as the head of the Legislature does not in any way mean total control over the Parliament.

    He said even in advanced democracies, presidents indicate interest in whom to work with in the Legislature for smooth running of government.

    Also, the chairman of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, while speaking earlier noted that Abbas is the most decorated lawmaker in Nigeria’s history as far as bills sponsorship is concerned.

    He stressed that out of the 74 Bills Rt. Hon. Abbas sponsored in the last four years, 2q were signed into law. He said the Zaria representative had the right character, composure, integrity and tenacity to become the next Speaker.

  • (UPDATED) Speakership Race: Wike backs Abbas, Kalu

    (UPDATED) Speakership Race: Wike backs Abbas, Kalu

    …promises to join campaign after Monday

    …as Ideato Rep-Elect, Ikenga Says endorsement climax of Abass/Ben Kalu consensus walk to victory

    The Speaker and Deputy Speakership campaign of Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu on Friday received major boost as Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared total support for their candidacies as presiding officers of the incoming 10th House of Representatives.

    Wike, who declared the support for the APC’s preferred candidates in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, said he would work assiduously to make sure that the duo emerge victorious.

    Speaking when the Abbas/Kalu Campaign Team visited him under the leadership of the Joint Task – 10th Assembly, Wike said all the 13 members-elect from Rivers State with the exception of one, are with Abbas and Kalu 100 percent.

    Wike also said that the 2015 scenario where members that went against their party emerged as leaders of the National Assembly would not repeat itself.

    “I want to say here that I am with you fully. You know I do my things in the open. When Chinda told me that you’re coming here, I said there was no need because I am with you fully. All our members are with you, except one, who is doing something else.

    “2015 won’t repeat itself. Let me tell you, I’ll leave office on Monday, and once I leave, we’ll start the campaign fully.

    “I urge all of you to support Abbas. Don’t support him in the day and do something else in the night. You should support him fully,” Wike said.

    On his part, a House of Representatives member-elect and CUPP Spokesman and Communication adviser to the Tajudeen Ben Kalu group (TBK) who was also part of the delegation Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere expressing excitement over Wike’s endorsement said the endorsement is a climax to the duo’s victory come June 13.

    Ikenga who also recently with the support of over 30 others declared their endorsement of the duo, said the visit is a victory consolidation, adding that Abass and Kalu are seconds away of emerging victorious.