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Tag: Femi Adesina

  • How I became an enemy to the pubic – Femi Adesina

    How I became an enemy to the pubic – Femi Adesina

    Femi Adesina, former Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, to the previous president, Muhammadu Buhari, has said that he was misquoted by the media under the past administration for 8 years, making him an enemy of the public.

    The former Special Adviser made this statement at a media chat organised by the Association of Veteran Journalists in Osogbo, Osun State, on Wednesday,

    He noted that after he got accustomed to the antics of the media, he was able to outgrow it by not letting such affect his job as the presidential media aide.

    Adesina mentioned that the “media section” purposely wanted to make him an “enemy of the public”, hence they misquoted him often and flipped his words.

    “My biggest challenge during the eight years that I served with former President Muhammadu Buhari was the fact that a section of the media deliberately quoted me out of context.

    “I eventually grew out of it and got used to the antics. Even while I had a television interview, it was turned upside down in the papers deliberately to make me an enemy of the public, but I outgrew it and it did not affect my duty throughout my tenure,” he said.

  • Inside Buhari’s cattle farm – By Femi Adesina

    Inside Buhari’s cattle farm – By Femi Adesina

    By Femi Adesina

    I spent three days in Daura, Katsina State, about a fortnight ago, visiting with our former President and my principal, Muhammadu Buhari. I got more than an inkling into how he spends his days in retirement in that modest abode and verdant community.

    Even out of power and office, Buhari is in so much demand. So many people just want to meet and greet, see the iconic man, and possibly have a handshake. If protocol aides were not available to schedule visitors, the place would be a bedlam. A riot of sorts. Very strange and curious for a man who does not share money. We no dey give Shishi (apologies to Obidients).

    I had accompanied him to Daura after handover of power on May 29, 2023, and stayed for two days. My early September visit was the first after that homecoming trip.

    Was it a delight to see the man again after three months? Sheer pleasure. That winsome smile, the firm handshake, going down memory lane, and other delightful stories we shared.

    He filled me in on how he spends his days. Resting, reading newspapers, following developments across the world, receiving visitors, loads and loads of them coming in buses, and going to the farm at least four times a week.

    I was intrigued by the last one. A visit to the farm. I’d been to Daura a number of times, but I never got to the farm. So, when he said he would go the next day, I promptly indicated interest in joining him.

    Departure from the house was fixed for 4 pm. I got to the rendezvous point with 20 minutes to spare, to join the other aides. At the dot of 4 pm, former President Buhari came out. Always as prompt as clockwork.

    Koza Farm is about 8 kilometers from the house, located near Jassai and Saitawa villages. It was established over 40 years ago.

    Vast. Vast is the description of the farm sprawled across 36.4 hectares of land, bound by the Koza Dam, with the waters shimmering in the late afternoon sun. The dam never dries all-year round.

    To actually call it a cattle farm is a misnomer, as there are many other things being reared and cultivated in Koza Farm. A checklist, as given to me by Sulaiman Umar, the farm veterinarian, whom I engaged in a conversation during the visit.

    Apart from cattle herd in ranches, you also have legumes, tree crops, horses, sheep, camels, other livestock, dairy unit, orchards. There are over 1,322 economic trees, 130 cattle as at time of visit, attended to by 34 staff, including professionals, farmhands, technical people, and security men.

    In the orchard, you have lemon, mandarin, grapefruit, avocado, mango, apple, banana, cashew, date palm, moringa, pomegranate, orange, and many others.

    There were horses, Sudanese sheep, camels, and the star attraction, cattle, including imported azowoark, bokolo, black angus, and locally bred ones.

    The cattle were secure in their enclosures, feeding quietly. But Umar told me that they could also be let out to graze on the vast grassland, which is within a fence, with no risk of their straying into any farmland to cause havoc to crops. Yes, President Buhari shows the way. No danger of herders and farmers clashing here.

    The cows were well fed. Robust. Former President Buhari gives a good number out as gifts. How do I know? I’ve been a beneficiary, when I was burying my mother over 10 years ago. Pastor Tunde Bakare also told me he received five when he was burying his mother. The farm is a commercial enterprise, and obviously doing very well.

    It would take hours to walk the farm. Hours on end. See Buhari striding like a young lad, a man knocking hard at 81 by December. I thought I was fit. Relatively, despite my bulk. But after about 30 minutes, I was already breathing like a wild hog. You this man, you are not fit o. Lol. Those things you do on treadmill are just child’s play. Walk round Koza Farm four times a week like Buhari does, and know what fitness is.

    I salute the other aides who kept pace with the honest man from Daura. Well, they do it four times a week, and are used to it. I didn’t pretend I could compete. I proudly maintained a far distance at the rear, chatting with the veterinarian. It was a good smokescreen for lack of stamina. You sure can’t blame me.

     

    Adesina was Special Adviser to the then President Buhari on Media and Publicity, 2015-2023

  • These elections are proof that Nigeria’s democracy is maturing – Buhari

    These elections are proof that Nigeria’s democracy is maturing – Buhari

    Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the 2023 general elections saying it was generally peaceful and that is a proof that Nigeria’s democracy is maturing.

    The President said this in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, on Saturday May 6, addressing his colleagues at the Commonwealth Leaders Summit.

    The statement read; “these elections saw a remarkable turnout of voters and proof that Nigeria’s democracy is maturing. Despite some pockets of violence, we have demonstrated that a government can be elected peacefully and fairly.

    “Lessons have been learnt and moving forward, we hope to perform even better. Based on this, I am delighted to note that we have taken another step towards deepening our democracy with peaceful, transparent and credible outcomes. Though we are aware that challenges still exist, we are committed to working towards a greater participation of all Nigerians in the democratic process, including those in the diaspora.”

  • It’s not govt responsibility to create jobs – Femi Adesina

    It’s not govt responsibility to create jobs – Femi Adesina

    Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, has said it is not the responsibility of the government to create jobs.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Adesina stated this on Tuesday when he appeared in an interview on Arise Television.

    Speaking on the achievements of Buhari in the last eight years, Adesida noted that all that the government does is create an enabling environment for creating jobs while the private sector creates jobs.

    On President Buhari’s promise to create 3 million jobs annually in 2015, Adesina said, “Did you say 3 million was the promise?

    “I wouldn’t say he put a figure. What I recall was that President Buhari gave the per cent of joblessness in the country.

    “I wouldn’t recall that he gave a specific figure for the number of jobs we are creating. For all you know, that may have come from anywhere.

    “Regard as it may, it is the job and the duty of the government to create an enabling environment for jobs in the country. It is not the government itself that creates jobs. All it does is to create an enabling environment,” he said.

    Adesina, however, noted that Buhari has achieved in all sectors including oil and gas, infrastructure, legislative matters, and security.

    “Most of the jobs you need in a country would come from the private sector. As long as you have an enabling environment, it is the private sector that will create the jobs,” he said.

  • Security: Presidency renders stewardship on achievements in eight years

    Security: Presidency renders stewardship on achievements in eight years

    The Presidency has highlighted some of its proud achievements in the area of security over the last eight years, despite Nigeria’s rating as the third worst country with insecurity in the world, according to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI).

    In a 90-page document released by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina,  the Presidency said remarkable interventions implemented had impacted positively on the level of security in the country.

    The building and completion of 17 Command Offices Complexes of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), with another four ongoings (Rivers, Kogi, Bauchi and Ondo) and launch of 16 new Forward Operation Bases (FOBs) across Nigeria were listed as initiatives that had impacted positively on security.

    This is addition to the deployment of a more efficient National Border Management Strategy and global Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) at five International Airports and 17 Border Crossing Points.

    MIDAS is a global real-time border management system developed by International Organization for Migration (IOM) and is linked to INTERPOL and other watchlists.

    “The implementation of MIDAS at the International Airport in Abuja was described by the IOM as “the largest deployment of MIDAS at any airport globally, to date,” Adesina said.

    According to the document, there are now more than 97 million unique records in Nigeria’s digital identity database (NIN), as of March 2023, up from 41.5 million three years ago.

    The National Policy on NIN-SIM integration has been a major reason for this surge, and the National Identification Numbers (NINs) given to both Nigerian citizens and legal residents, provide useful insights that has helped with identity management, improved security and strengthened the economy.

    Also, the administration recorded huge achievement in efforts to clampdown on drug abuse which is widely believed to propel insecurity, when it arrested about 24,000 drug traffickers, including 29 barons between 2021-2022.

    In addition, the presidency disclosed that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)  had secured the conviction of more than 3,400 offenders and seized more than 5,500 tons (5.5 million kilogrammes) of assorted illicit drugs.

    “The value of drugs and cash seized came to more than N450 billion, while 772. 5 hectares of cannabis farms were destroyed,” the Adesina said.

    In 2016, President Buhari launched the National Social Investment Programme, currently the largest such programme in Africa and one of the largest in the world. The National Social Register (NSR) of poor and vulnerable Nigerians (NSR) now contains more than 50 million persons from more than 12 million poor and vulnerable households, identified across more than 150,000 communities in the 36 States of the country and the FCT.

    From this number, close to 2 million poor and vulnerable Nigerian households are allegedly currently benefiting from the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program, which pays a bimonthly stipend of N10,000 per household.

    In addition, about 355,000 vulnerable persons have received a special one-off grant of N20,000 each in the 36 states and the FCT. The establishment of the Survival Fund, the National Youth Investment Fund, and National Special Public Works Program (774,000 beneficiaries across 774 LGAs nationwide), and the Central Bank’s Covid-19 300 billion Naira Targeted Credit Facility (TCF), have reportedly given support to millions of small businesses, households, and young people.

    The Buhari Administration’s Survival Fund has provided grants (Payroll Support, Artisan and Transport Sector grants, and General MSME grants) to more than 1.2 million beneficiaries, since the last quarter of 2020. It has also provided free business registration to 250,000 MSMEs across the country.

    The metrics used in the GTI ranking include: leadership and foresight, robust laws and policies, strong institutions, financial stewardship, attractive marketplace, global influence and reputation as well as helping people rise.

    Nigeria, which is the most populated African nation, did not score up to 0.50 in any of the indices, with zero being the lowest and one the highest.

  • President Buhari breaks silence on Enahoro’s demise

    President Buhari breaks silence on Enahoro’s demise

    President Muhammadu Buhari has extended heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and associates of Peter Enahoro, one of Nigeria’s foremost journalists, who died on Tuesday at the age of 88.

    The President made his feelings known in a statement by his media aide, Mr Femi Adesina, on Tuesday in Abuja.

    According to him, as a gifted and iconic journalist, author and publisher, Enahoro earned the public trust by his fearless writings, tenacity, and commitment to the pursuit of truth.

    Buhari  recognised that the passion of the former Editor-in-Chief/Managing Director of the Daily Times; Assistant Publicity Officer, Department (now Federal Ministry) of Information and Pioneer Chairman, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, for public service was second to none.

    He also lauded the deceased for using his knowledge and mastery to mentor people, who have also added value to journalism practice in the country.

    Buhari urged those mourning the demise of this compatriot to reflect on his contributions to the country and build on the many honours credited to him for journalistic excellence.

    ”May the soul of Peter Pan rest in peace,” the President prayed.

  • How sickness affected Buhari’s administration – Adesina

    How sickness affected Buhari’s administration – Adesina

    Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina has explained that Buhari’s eight-month sickness back in 2017 had a ripple effect on his administration in total.

    Adesina made this claim on Monday while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today, but still highlighted the accomplishments of Buhari’s government.

    President Buhari was flown to the United Kingdom, (UK) for treatment on a cumulative average of eight months.

    Asked whether the sickness was a setback, Adesina said: “It should be because when he fell sick in January 2017, he came back in March (and) went again in April and didn’t come back till August 19.”

    “About all, eight months. That sickness took eight months of his time in the office. Of course, nobody would like that. But what we are glad about is that he came whole, sound and better than he went.”

  • Buhari pays tribute to Hilda Adefarasin

    Buhari pays tribute to Hilda Adefarasin

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the Adefarasins on the passing of the matriarch of the family, Mrs Hilda Adefarasin, at the ripe old age of 98.

    In a condolence message by his media aide, Mr Femi Adesina, on Monday in Abuja, the president recalled that the late Adefarasin’s passion for helping the vulnerable and  less privileged which manifested early in her professional life as a Nurse, continued to resonate through her whole existence.

    He noted that Adefarasin was using every resource at her disposal to further this worthy cause.

    Buhari also noted that her roles as an activist and campaigner for the rights of women and their empowerment defined the National Council of Women Societies where she was President, among other positions.

    He, therefore, commended her for making the Council the most potent voice for women advocacy in Nigeria today.

    The president urged the children, especially the Metropolitan Senior Pastor of House on the Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, to build on the foundation laid by their mother in using their godly platforms to make positive impacts on humanity.

  • BREAKING: Bishop Kukah visits Buhari, ‘makes peace’

    BREAKING: Bishop Kukah visits Buhari, ‘makes peace’

    Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese on Wednesday visited President Muhammadu Buhari at State House in Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT).

    According to Femi Adesina, President Buhari shook hands with Bishop Kukah, who visited among Executive members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

    Recall Kukah had in his 2022 Christmas homily lambasted Buhari, saying despite his lofty promises, the President would be leaving office with Nigerians “far more vulnerable”.

    Speaking on the Catholic Bishop’s visit, Adesina, who is a special adviser on media and publicity to President Buhari, disclosed that when Kukah came into the Council Chamber, venue of the visit, he pulled him, and started laughing.

    “We laughed heartily,” Adesina said, adding: “After it all, the Bishop invited me for a personal picture with him. Bishop Kukah was cooking peace this time, and how refreshing it was.

    Read Adesina on Kukah’s visit below:

    WHAT’S BISHOP KUKAH COOKING AGAIN?

    Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, was among Executive members of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) who visited President Muhammadu Buhari at State House, Abuja, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.

    Recall that at Christmas, the Bishop had given a homily that was unduly critical of the President, and which was filled with inexactitudes. I had responded via an article entitled; Kukah, Don’t Cook Me Nonsense.

    When the Bishop came into the Council Chamber, venue of the visit, he pulled me, and started laughing, asking whether we should be fighting or greeting each other. We laughed heartily.

    During group photographs, the President, never holding malice against anyone, shook hands with the Bishop, describing him as “most vigorous fighter.”

    After it all, the Bishop invited me for a personal picture with him. Bishop Kukah was cooking peace this time, and how refreshing it was.

  • Why Buhari failed to remove fuel subsidy – Femi Adesina

    Why Buhari failed to remove fuel subsidy – Femi Adesina

    Despite describing it as a fraud, President Muhammadu Buhari has failed to remove fuel subsidy payments as he promised prior to the 2015 general election.

    About 8 years down Buhari’s tenure, which will end in May, the fuel subsidy payments persist and the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed has said the payments will gulp N3.36 trillion in the  first six months of 2023.

    Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity explained that the President failed to remove fuel subsidy payments due to economic and social factors.

    “Each time there is an effort to fight the fraud in the subsidy regime, you have to contend with labour, you have to contend with the people. The government needed to weigh its options because of the social consequences,” Adesina said on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

    Recall that during his campaign ahead of the 2015 presidential election, Buhari had questioned the justification behind retaining fuel subsidy and described it as a fraud.

    However, about eight years after, the Buhari administration announced recently that subsidy removal will come into effect in June 2023 after he must have completed his two terms in office.

    Adesina blamed his principal inability to remove subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, on economic and social factors.

    “In the beginning, his (Buhari’s) position was: what was subsidy really? But over the years it became evident that the country was bleeding, the economy was bleeding, there was a lot of haemorrhage which needed to be stopped and the time came and that time is now,” Adesina said.

    The presidential aide also said that petrol subsidy had stayed longer than required. He added that almost every Nigerian has now come to the realisation that it must come to a stop.

    Meanwhile, speaking during a public presentation and breakdown of the 2023 Appropriation Act in Abuja, the Minister of Finance confirmed that payment of fuel subsidy will stop by the end of June 2023.

    She noted that in the 2023 fiscal period, the government made provisions of N3.36 trillion naira for fuel subsidy payment to cover the first six months of 2023.

    This, according to her, is in line with the 18-month extension announced early 2022.