![[VIDEO] President Buhari arrives London for medical check-up](https://thenewsguru.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/buhari-signs-PIB-into-law.jpg)
President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in London, UK, for his routine medical check-up.
Recall that, Femi Adesina, shared news of the trip, stating that the Nigerian leader is expected back in the country in the second week of November, following his departure to London on the 31st of October 2022.
In the video shared online, President Buhari was seen getting off an aeroplane before entering a car, while some Nigerian officials stood.
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Amidst terror threats in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday departed the country for London, United Kingdom (UK) for his routine medical check-up.
Mr Femi Adesina, the president’s spokesman, who confirmed President Buhari’s travel, revealed that the president would return to the country in the second week of November 2022.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Buhari departed Abuja for Owerri, Imo State, after presiding over a meeting of the National Security Council in the State House, Abuja. He proceeds to London after his official engagement in Owerri.
Meanwhile, there is an uneasy calm in the FCT and its satellite towns as citizens heed Buhari’s advice to continue being vigilant and avoid panic.
TNG reports that days after Buhari’s reaction to the travel advisories issued by the U.S. and UK governments to their respective citizens, no terror attack had been reported in Abuja and its environs.
It was observed that all places of worship in FCT and its satellite towns throughout Friday and Sunday remained peaceful as worshippers performed their spiritual obligations hitch-free.
The president, who returned from Seoul, South Korea, in the course of the week, where he attended the First World Bio Summit had advised the nation’s security establishment and entire citizens to continue being vigilant, saying it is important to avoid panic.
According to him, the recent changes in travel advice from the U.S. and UK governments should not be a cause for panic.
”Nigeria is no exception in having terror threats listed in foreign government’s travel advice to their citizens. UK and U.S. travel advisories also state there is a high likelihood of terror attacks in many Western European nations.
”Indeed, the UK and U.S. advice to their respective citizens for travel to one another’s countries contain the same warning. Unfortunately, terror is a reality the world over.
”However, it does not mean an attack in Abuja is imminent. Since the July prison raid, security measures have been reinforced in and around the FCT.
”Heightened monitoring and interception of terrorist communications ensure potential threats are caught further upstream,” the president said in a statement by his media aide on Friday.
However, Buhari expressed optimism that given the ongoing efforts on the part of the military and other security and intelligence agencies with the active support of the civilian population, the nation would emerge victorious against the current challenges facing it.
Arising from the National Security Council meeting held at the State House, Abuja today, the federal government frowned at the travel advisories issued by some embassies to their personnel in Nigeria, urging Nigerians and other residents to go about their businesses without fears.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno, stated this when he addressed State House correspondents after an emergency security meeting summoned by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja.
Monguno, who addressed the correspondents alongside the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, noted that the travel advisories had created unnecessary fear and apprehension among Nigerians.
He added that the terror alert was needless as the hype and the sense of insecurity it created were unfounded. According to him, security and intelligence agencies are not resting on their oars to ensure that all Nigerians and every part of the country remains safe.
”From the time this alarm story came out until now, about a week to 10 days, we can see that so far, the situation has been brought under control. The issue of Nigerians being made to panic is unnecessary, the situation in various areas, the federal capital territory, the situation has been brought under control.
”We are trying as much as possible to work with our neighbours and within the domestic situation to work with our foreign partners in a responsible way without giving the impression that Nigeria is stetting on thin ice to explored.
”That has come to dispel any illusion about any sense of heightened insecurity. It is false, it is irresponsible for anybody to give that signal. We are working with our foreign partners in a responsible way and Nigerians should go back to their normal daily undertakings without being put in a situation of fear.”
Also addressing the correspondents, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, called on citizens to ignore the security threat and travel advisory recently issued by the US and UK, and continue with their daily routines.
Onyeama emphasised that the threat and advisory were mainly issued to the citizens of the countries that originated them. He observed that it had been the norm for US to make such pronouncements to its citizens, as dictated by their constitution, just as she almost simultaneously did in South Africa.
”Nigeria has been engaging the United States (US) on intelligent sharing, ” It’s been the norm for US to make such pronouncement.
”We engage the US from this, and their response was that they are obliged to put out those kinds of statements, normally travel advisories.
”But in this case, it was an alert, but they said that they were obliged to, for their citizens, and that the advice, you know, the alert was really, for their citizens.
”They do it around the world, as you know, they did it also in South Africa, in this particular case,” he said.
Also allaying the fears of Nigerians occasioned by the terror alert, the Chief of Defence Staff, said security agencies had been on their toes to thwart all threats.
Those in attendance at the meeting included Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Boss Mustapha; the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and the National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo; and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao also attended the meeting.
Also in attendance were the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba;the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Yusuf Bichi; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai.
President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT) later today for a “routine” medical checkup in London, United Kingdom (UK).
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathers that President Buhari is expected to be back in the country in the second week of November.
This was contained in a statement released by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.
Some Nigerians from different parts of the United Kingdom (UK), gathered in London on Saturday to celebrate Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Anniversary.
The celebration also saw the crowd march in support of Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections.
A statement issued by Ms Asa Blessing-Chijekwu, Global Head, Press, Peter Obi Presidential Global Network (PPGN) quoted the Coordinator, Dr Michael Chukwujekwu, as saying that about 20 different groups collaborated to organise the rally.
Chukwujekwu said that the supporters which collapsed under the UK Support Groups Coalition for Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti-Ahmed came from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
“We marched through the major streets of London to Trafalgar Square, Nigeria high Commission and 10 Downing Street.
“October 1 is remembered for our independence from colonial rule and the rally that followed was to ensure that at her 62 years, a credible election is organised in Nigeria come 2023.
“We also used the opportunity to galvanise support for our presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who demonstrated verifiable capabilities, capacity, and public trust with management of public resources.
“It may not be mere coincidence that Nigeria is 62 years old today, and Peter Obi will be 62 years old come 2023, a year of general election.
“Obi does not have egocentric character and he can rescue Nigeria from its challenges. He has the capacity for productivity, strength, and ability, and he is wanted by majority of Nigerians,” Chukwujekwu said.
He noted that public opinion polls so far conducted ranked him the most popular candidate for the job.
“Nigeria will be united, productive, economics and social amenities as well as infrastructure will work again if Obi emerges.
“Education system will work again. There will be employment and security.
“Mineral resources will be better developed and managed, while power and electricity will be available and sustainable,” he added.
Mourners from all walks of life filed past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth through the night as she lay in state in London’s ancient Westminster Hall, paying their final respects to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch before her funeral on Monday.
On the first night people were able to pay their respects to the late Queen, queues stretched back to near the Blackfriars Bridge, with the line still about two miles long at 7am on Thursday.
Metropolitan Police officers, volunteers, and stewards are helping to manage the queue, with toilets and water fountains also available at various points along the route.
People waiting in line have been given a coloured and numbered wristband to secure their place in the queue.
In the early hours of this morning, one of the guards watching over the late Queen’s coffin suddenly collapsed, prompting officials to quickly rush to his aid after he appeared to faint.
Meanwhile, the King is set to take a day off from public duties today, allowing him to pause and grieve the loss of his late mother, while preparing for his new role.
Queen Elizabeth’s coffin will be flown to London at the end of 24 hours of lying at rest in Edinburgh’s historic cathedral, where her son King Charles and his three siblings held a silent vigil.
Charles was joined by his sister Anne and brothers Andrew and Edward for the 10-minute vigil on Monday at St Giles’ Cathedral, where they stood, heads bowed, at the four sides of the coffin while members of the public filed past to pay their respects.
While a bagpipe lament had been the only sound as kilted soldiers bore the casket earlier in the day, the four royals left the vigil in darkness to the sound of applause from mourners lining the street.
Frances Thain, 63, said she had been surprised to see the queen’s four children as she entered the cathedral.
“I was just overwhelmed because there were so much to take in,” she said.
People queued overnight to pay their respects, with some arriving with sleeping children and many wearing winter jackets, scarves and woollen hats to keep out the cold.
“We were desperate to be here to show our respects.” said Will Brehme, an engineer from Edinburgh, who arrived in the early hours of the morning with his partner and 20-month-old daughter sleeping in a baby carrier.
“It is a moment that will live with us forever. When you think that she worked all of her life for us it is the least we could do.”
Elizabeth died on Thursday in her holiday home at Balmoral Castle, in the Scottish Highlands, at the age of 96 after a 70-year reign, plunging the nation into mourning. Her funeral will be held on Sept. 19.
Charles, 73, who automatically became king of the United Kingdom and 14 other realms including Australia, Canada and Jamaica, is travelling to the four parts of the United Kingdom before the funeral, and will visit Northern Ireland on Tuesday.
In Belfast, he will meet senior politicians and faith leaders and attend a service at the city’s St Anne’s Cathedral before returning to London.
Tens of thousands of mourners have turned out in Scotland, with deep crowds gathering from the early hours to observe the processions along the historic Royal Mile. In London, huge numbers of people have left flowers and messages in the grounds of royal parks.
The queen’s coffin will leave Scotland for the first time since her death when it is flown to London in the early evening and then driven to Buckingham Palace.
On Wednesday, it will be taken on a gun carriage as part of a grand military procession to Westminster Hall where a period of lying in state will begin until Sept. 19.
Members of the public will be allowed to process past the coffin, which will be covered by the Royal Standard flag with the sovereign’s Orb and Sceptre placed on top, for 24 hours a day until the morning of the funeral.
The death of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch has drawn tears and warm tributes, not just from the queen’s own close family and across Britain, but also from around the globe – a reflection of her presence on the world stage for seven decades.
The longest-serving monarch in British history, Queen Elizabeth II has died “peacefully” on Thursday.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Buckingham Palace confirmed the death of Queen Elizabeth II in a statement.
Queen Elizabeth II had been under medical supervision as doctors expressed “concerned for Her Majesty’s health.”
The announcement comes a day after the 96-year-old monarch cancelled a meeting of her Privy Council and was told to rest.
With Queen Elizabeth II’s death, Prince Charles would become king and his wife, Camilla, formerly the Duchess of Cornwall, will become the Queen Consort, a request made by Queen Elizabeth.
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow,” the statement reads.
The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/VfxpXro22W
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022
Recall that Charles was previously married to the late Princess Diana, mother of Prince Harry.
Prince Charles is 73. He is the oldest-recorded person to become a British monarch: King William IV was 64 when he was crowned in 1830.
Operation London Bridge, as the queen’s funeral plan is known, gets a military-style name in part because the military is heavily involved in organizing and carrying out many of the processions and ceremonies.
Details of Operation London Bridge first leaked in The Guardian in May 2017, describing what would happen during the 10-day period from the day after the death and the funeral at Westminster Abbey followed by interment in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Amb. Sarafa Isola, Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom has received a delegation of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) that was on an investment drive to the UK.
This was made known to newsmen by the Mission’s Chief of Protocol, Mr Saidu Muhammad, on Monday by e-mail.
The NASENI team led by its Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive, Prof. Mohammed Haruna was received by the Ambassador and members of his team at the Nigeria House in London.
The UK envoys team include Mr Bello Jaye, Mission’s Head of Industry, Trade and Investment and Mr Saidu Mohammad, Mission’s Chief of Protocol.
In his address, Isola applauded NASENI’s leadership for its determination to find opportunities to improve the lives of Nigerians at home.
“I applaud the organisation’s leadership’s drive to find advantages and solutions to helping Nigeria become current and relevant in its infrastructural aspirations to improve the lives of Nigerians at home.
“Your organisation’s contributions will be invaluable for the growth and development that our country needs especially in Science and technology.
“We wish you well on your mission here praying that your set objectives are achieved. l will also assure you of the Missions support for your needs to service the alliances you will forge here,” he said.
The NASENI Chief Executive, who commended the Commission for the warm reception, said their visit to London was to establish links with groups and organisations in the educational, research and development sectors.
He said that the delegation would also promote strategically, plan, and upscale NASENI’s programmes by links to institutional resources and awards/grants.
“To develop NASENI’s blueprint for industrial, educational, research and development through linkages, collaborations with academic institutions, organisations and agencies,” he said.
NAN reports that the NASENI team included Ibrahim Abdulmalik, Managing Director/Chief Executive of Hydraulic Equipment Development Institute (HEDI), a subsidiary organisation of NASENI, and other senior government officials.
The weeklong visit will continue with interactions with major players in the automotive sector like Vauxhall, Ford and others in line with its programme for improving quality service of automotive engineering in Nigeria.
Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, his Benue state counterpart, Samuel Ortom and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state travelled to London on Friday, September 1st to hold another round of meeting.
Meanwhile, one of their allies, Governor Seyi Makinde didn’t travel with them but feelers have it that he would join them in London ahead of the meeting.
Reports have it that they will be holding another round of meetings with the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, in London.
However, the scheduled meeting with Tinubu has’t been verified as of the time of filing this report.
Recall that Wike held a meeting with Tinubu in London few days back concerning the 2023 elections.
Wike have been at loggerheads with the leadership of the PDP, national chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu and the party’s flagbearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar over choice of Atiku’s running mate in next year’s general election.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says his team is more interested in a better Nigeria, and they are consulting widely with those who mean well for the country.
Governor Wike spoke when he interacted with journalists at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area, shortly on arrival from London on Friday.
In the company of the Rivers State governor were the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom and Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.
Governor Wike, who confirmed their meetings with Peoples Democratic Party, presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo in London, explained that topmost on the agenda is how to make Nigeria better than what is it currently.
The Rivers State governor noted that all is not well with Nigeria and they are seeking remedies that will restore enduring hope in Nigeria.
“I can confirm that this is the first time as a team that we are meeting with presidential candidates. We met with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC and we met with our leader, former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo.
“We met the presidential candidate of Labour Party. We also met with our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. For whatever it’s worth, consultation is ongoing.
“Whatever we are talking about, is for the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. It is not parochial and tied to one person or group of persons. We believe that with what is going on, it will be for the interest of Nigerians at the end of the day.”
Governor Wike decried the situation where standard, training and competence have always been traded for mediocrity.
The governor said leadership should not be about one individual and the interest of his family, but about the collective interest of everybody.
“Consultation is still ongoing. Never mind some people who do not believe in the existence of this country.
“Leadership is not about you and your family. Leadership is about everybody. It’s unfortunate that we are in a country now where a man finishes eight years as a governor and brings his own son as a governor too and as member of National Assembly.
“It’s only in this part of the world that you can see that, when we are talking about poverty everywhere. These are people who do not mean well for this Nigeria.”
Governor Wike also wondered why religion and ethnicity are used as the tenable identity to describe Nigerians when competence is required.
“The only identity they have in this country is religion and ethnicity, nothing more. It’s either, I’m a Christian or I’m a Moslem, I’m a Fulani or I’m an Igbo. Nigeria cannot move forward except they think it will be them. That’s where we are.
“We are in a country where someone with primary school certificate can be appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs. That tells you how bad this country has become.
“But with our consultation, all these will be a thing of the past. No amount of intimidation or blackmail will deter us. We are determined to right the wrong.”
In his response, the leader of the team and Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom noted that they have met with renown persons in the last few days because of their belief that Nigeria is in distress and required concerted effort to rescue it.
He stated that they had fruitful talks with those they had met and it was beyond partisan politics, because we’ll meaning Nigerians need to work together in ensuring that Nigeria survives.
“For us, we are looking at the larger picture. Nigeria today is in distress. It is about what can we do. No man or woman alone can get it right for our country.
“We are looking at how we can harness ideas and put ourselves together to ensure that we get out of the present challenge we are in Nigeria today.
“From top to bottom, consider what has happened from 2015 and where we are today. So, what we are doing is a concern that we have for our country, Nigeria.
“This is beyond partisan politics. We are looking on how we can come together and find a way of ensuring that Nigeria survives. Nigeria is on drip, Nigeria is on oxygen and it is about how can we get out of this.”
Governor Ortom stated that the three separate meetings they had within the week were worthwhile session for them.
According to him, they have individually also had earlier commitments in Europe even if consultations are still going on because nothing concrete has been decided.
“The consultation is going on and will continue to go on. We are still going to meet here. We are still going to meet some persons some other time and see how we can work to ensure that the project Nigeria works.”
On his part, Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, emphasised that they are on a mission and are determined to find a way of rescuing Nigeria.
He noted that they are mindful of what society to bequeath to the present generation, their children and grand children alike.
“And this is a country with great potential and we have to protect it well. We think that we need to engage across board.
“We are also looking at speaking with civil society organisations and those who have ideas, with Nigerians in the diaspora. All the resources available in this country has to come together at this time to see how best we can move Nigeria forward.”