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Tag: Muhamamadu Buhari

  • Buhari extends arm of fellowship to Anambra Governor-elect, Soludo

    Buhari extends arm of fellowship to Anambra Governor-elect, Soludo

    President Muhammadu Buhari has extended an arm of fellowship to the Governor-elect of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari extended the hand of fellowship in a congratulatory message shared via his official Facebook page on Wednesday.

    The President stated that he looks forward to working with Soludo for the peace, security and development of Anambra State and the entire country.

    He also enjoined Prof Soludo to rally other stakeholders to tackle the enormous challenges confronting the State and the Southeast in general.

    The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) won the November 6 Anambra governorship election, defeating candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Buhari’s congratulatory message to Soludo reads: “I congratulate Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) — and a member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Committee (PEAC) — on his victory in the Anambra State gubernatorial election.

    “I commend the security agencies for their determination to ensure that the election went on as smoothly as possible, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the successful conclusion of the exercise, despite the initial challenges encountered.

    “I enjoin Prof Soludo to rally other stakeholders to tackle the enormous challenges confronting Anambra State and the Southeast in general.

    “I look forward to working with him for the peace, security and development of Anambra State and the entire country”.

    “My victory reflects supreme will of God, people’s mandate” – Soludo

    Meanwhile, Prof. Soludo has said his victory reflects the supreme will of the Almighty God, as well as an overwhelming sacred mandate of the people.

    He stated this on Wednesday at his residence in his country home in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area, while making his acceptance speech.

    This followed his declaration as the winner of the November 6 election by INEC.

    The declaration of Soludo was, however, sequel to his victory after the successful conduct of the supplementary election in Ihiala local government on Tuesday.

    The supplementary poll was conducted after the declaration of Saturday’s gubernatorial poll as inconclusive by the Returning Officer, Prof. Florence Obi, the Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar.

    Obi in the early hours of Wednesday declared Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) winner after polling a total of112,229 votes.

    He defeated his closest rival, Mr Valentine Ozigbo of the PDP, who scored 53,807 to emerge second.

    Sen. Andy Uba of the APC got a total of 43,285 votes to clinch the third position.

    While promising to make the people proud, Soludo solicited for guidance, advice and contribution of everyone to succeed.

    “My role will be that of your chief servant, and I will work every minute of the day with you to make you profoundly proud.

    “Working in collaboration with other states, the Federal Government, and the international community, we have all that it takes to make our state whatever we collectively wish it to be.

    “As we transit to a post-oil world and into the 4th industrial revolution, let us work together to create that livable and prosperous homeland.

    “That is the industrial, technology and leisure hub of West Africa.

    “This is our manifest destiny, and collectively we shall get there!” he said.

    Soludo congratulated other candidates who contested in the election and urged them to support him.

    “I hereby extend my hand of fellowship to all of you. I need all of you to succeed.

    “Politics aside, we are all brothers. Let’s come together for the ‘Project Anambra’,” he urged.

    Soludo said that the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), represented a massive improvement over the Card Reader and Manual Accreditation System.

    He urged INEC to ensure the continuous refinement of the technology, as well as upscaling of the skills of its operators.

    The governor-elect further called for collaboration with telecommunication companies to improve on the nation’s electoral system.

    While commending INEC for it efforts, he averred: “The election has been adjudged as the most peaceful, free, fair and credible.”

  • Buhari condoles with Pastor Odukoya over wife’s death

    Buhari condoles with Pastor Odukoya over wife’s death

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with Pastor Taiwo Odukoya of the Fountain of Life Church, over the loss of his wife, Nomthi.

    The president, in a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, on Wednesday in Abuja, also condoled with the Christendom in general over the unfortunate passage.

    President Buhari, who prayed God’s comfort and succour for Odukoya, described the passage as “sad and quite touching.”

    He urged Odukoya to bear the adversity with equanimity, being convinced that nothing could have happened without the knowledge and permission of Almighty God.

    The president prayed for strength for the bereaved family, asking God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • REVEALED! How NAF paid bandits N20 million not to shoot down Buhari’s plane

    REVEALED! How NAF paid bandits N20 million not to shoot down Buhari’s plane

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) coordinated ransom payments to armed bandits in exchange for an anti-aircraft gun seized from the Nigerian Army, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

    According to the report, the desperate deal was brokered as President Muhammadu Buhari was planning a trip to Katsina State.

    The U.S. outlet said N20 million was delivered to the bandits in Rugu Forest by a Nigerian Air Force official, who leaked details of the operation under anonymity, because the military realised that it would be too risky to leave the weapon in the hands of violent criminals operating in an area the presidential jet would fly over.

    The rugged, lawless jungle that covers parts of Kaduna, Zamfara and the president’s home state of Katsina has served as a vast haven for bandits terrorising Nigeria’s northwestern communities. A large portion of kidnapping plots emanates or terminates in or around the forest, security agencies have previously warned.

    “The mission to buy back the antiaircraft gun began with a handoff from a high-ranking air force intelligence officer in the capital Abuja: a black zip-up bag he said was full of 20 million Nigerian naira,” the paper reported, after stating that such military hardware in the hands of bandits “posed a threat to President Muhammadu Buhari, who had been planning to fly to his hometown about 80 miles away.”

    The gun truck with 12.7 caliber anti-aircraft fire was reportedly disassembled and transported back to the military on motorbikes after the deal was concluded.

    Meanwhile, The Journal did not specify when the deal was brokered or the presidential trip that was planned. The president has been in his hometown at least twice this year that his office disclosed to the public. The first trip was in late January and another in July.

    Although the Nigerian government claimed combat victories against armed bandits, several military bases have been sacked by the violent criminals dreaded largely for their abduction of schoolchildren and prominent personalities, including politicians and emirs.

    Last month, a forward operating base crucial to the military campaign against banditry was raided in Zamfara, leaving at least 12 officers killed. The bandits also seized military equipment when they captured the base in Dansadau, about 80 kilometres south of the capital Gusau, in the September 11 operation.

    Less than two weeks later on September 24, bandits again struck a joint base of security forces in the neighbouring Sokoto State, killing several soldiers, Civil Defence officers and civilians.

    The Nigerian Air Force also confirmed on July 19 that bandits had shot down one of its fighter jets, but the pilot was able to eject and there were no casualties. The incident came as Mr Buhari was visiting his hometown for this year’s Sallah.

    It was not immediately clear why service chiefs opted for a ransom payment in the operation described by The Journal. Military weapons that fell into the hands of Boko Haram insurgents and bandits were usually destroyed by airstrikes.

    Whereas Mr Buhari has promised to be tough on the bandits and publicly railed against governors negotiating with them, his government has been known to pay ransom to terrorists and other violent criminals.

    The government paid millions of dollars to free some of the Chibok girls seized in 2014 under President Goodluck Jonathan. It also facilitated hundreds of millions of naira in ransom to bandits who seized schoolchildren in Niger State earlier this year.

    The Gazette has yet to hear back from the Nigerian Air Force about the reported N20 million ransom to bandits.

  • Buhari gives highlights of his achievements in last two years

    Buhari gives highlights of his achievements in last two years

    President Muhammadu Buhari has on Monday used the occasion of the opening of a two-day Mid-Term Ministerial Performance Review Retreat to highlight some of the Federal Government’s notable achievements in the last two years.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the two-day Mid-Term Ministerial Performance Review Retreat, the third edition since the second term of his administration, organized to assess progress made towards the achievement of the nine key priorities of this Administration.

    While assuring Nigerians that the 11.9km Second Niger Bridge, 120 km Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and other key projects will be completed within the second term of this administration, Buhari listed his accomplishments in the areas of infrastructure, transportation, economy, electricity supply, the petroleum industry, among others.

    The key projects are being executed under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF).

    ‘‘On transportation, we are growing the stock and quality of our road, rail, air and water transport infrastructure.

    ‘‘The PIDF projects are also advancing remarkably. These include the 11.9km Second Niger Bridge, 120 km Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, 375 km Abuja – Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Expressway and the East West Road. Most of these projects are expected to be completed within this 2nd term of our Administration,’’ he said.

    President Buhari expressed delight that over the past two years, Ministers had rendered reports to the Federal Executive Council on their activities related to the achievement of their Ministerial Mandates.

    ‘‘Some of the notable achievements include the establishment of InfraCo Plc in 2020, as a world class infrastructure development vehicle, wholly focused on Nigeria, with combined debt and equity take-off capital of N15 trillion, to be managed by an independent infrastructure fund manager.

    ‘‘The Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund was also established in 2020 with more than USD 1Billion in funding.

    ‘‘In addition, we have launched the Nigeria Innovation Fund by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

    ”This is aimed at addressing investment opportunities in the domestic technology sector: data networking, datacenters, software, Agri-tech, Bio-tech, and more,’’ he said.

    Furthermore, President Buhari noted that his administration had made tremendous progress on railway projects in the country, noting that upgrading of the railway network is being extended with the recent completion of the Lagos – Ibadan line.

    ‘‘The Itakpe-Ajaokuta rail line has finally been completed and commissioned after 30 years of its conception.

    ‘‘Work is expected to commence very soon on the Port-Harcourt Maiduguri line and Calabar – Lagos Coastal Line to connect the Southern and Eastern States of our Country.

    ”Progress is also being made on the upgrading of our Airports, with the state-of-the-art facilities in line with world class safety standards,’’ he said.

    On the economy, the president said the nation witnessed three consecutive quarters of growth, after negative growth rates recorded in the second and third quarters of 2020.

    ‘‘The GDP grew from 0.8% in 2017 to 2.2% in 2019, but declined in the first quarter of 2020, as a result of the downward trend in global economic activities triggered by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

    ‘‘As at Second Quarter 2021, GDP growth rate was at 5.01%, the highest since the inception of this Administration,” he said.

    A goodwill message was delivered virtually at the event, by the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed.

    Those in attendance include the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, cabinet Ministers as well as Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants to the President.

  • PIA: Buhari receives NNPC Certificate of incorporation, challenges management

    PIA: Buhari receives NNPC Certificate of incorporation, challenges management

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja received the certificate of incorporation of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

    Speaking at the event, the president noted that with the certification of the company the country expected nothing less from the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, and the Chief Finance Officer, “than the realisation of a global national oil company that this nation desires and deserves.”

    Under the recently signed Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), was expected to transform to a limited liability company, a fact that has now been accomplished.

    The president described the incorporation as “a significant milestone in our quest to create an enduring National Energy Company that can compete with its global peers and deliver value to its shareholders, the Nigerian people.”

    He said his expectation was for a speedy transition through taking all steps required to transfer assets, human and material, “and without wasting time to capitalize the company as required by the Petroleum Industry Act.”

    President Buhari said he was happy to note that the National Assembly had confirmed his nominations for the Board and Management of the two regulatory institutions.

    He expressed the hope that the institutions would immediate take-off to facilitate effective implementation of the provisions of the PIA “on accelerated gas development and optimization of oil production and support for energy transition.”

    In his remarks, Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mele Kyari, said the incorporation was “history made again, a massive transformation from what we know, to where we are going,” under the leadership of President Buhari.

    He added that lots of values had been delivered in the past six years, “and we still have further accountability and values to deliver.”

    Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Alhaji Garba Abubakar, said the registration, accomplished within 24 hours, had complied with all requirements of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), and the PIA.

    According to him, the new company is one with largest capitalization of N200 billion in the country.

    He added that the registration in the short time, “underscores strong collaborations among agencies of government.”

    The PIA was signed into law by Buhari on Aug. 16, and Section 53(1) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 requires the Minister of Petroleum Resources to cause for the incorporation of the NNPC Limited within six months of the enactment of the PIA in consultation with the Minister of Finance on the nominal shares of the company.

    According to the president, the PIA creates a regulatory environment that will ensure efficiency and accountability across the oil and gas value chain and reposition NNPC to a commercially driven National Petroleum Company accountable to the federation.

    The Act also provides for a direct benefit framework that will enable sustainable development of Host Communities.

  • Security beef up in NASS as Buhari presents 2022 Budget today

    Security beef up in NASS as Buhari presents 2022 Budget today

    Security operatives on Thursday took over the National Assembly Complex as President Muhammadu Buhari presents 2022 Budget estimates by noon.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports activities at the upper legislative chamber is at snail pace as both human and vehicular objects are being thoroughly searched by security operatives.

    As early as 6am on Thursday, the three entry points into NASS had been taken over by presidential security operatives consisting of Department of State Security, DSS and policemen.

    Buhari had on Monday sent a fresh MTEF to NASS on Tuesday and jacked up the the 2022 Budget estimates from N13trillion to N16trillion.

    He requested for the approval of the National Assembly to increase the 2022 budget estimate from N13.98 trillion to N16.45 trillion.

    Buhari in the 3-page letter entitled: Submission of the revised FGN 2022-2024 Medium-Term Fiscal Framework’, dated 2nd October, 2021 addressed separately to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, also proposed additional sum of N100 billion for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cater for 2023 general elections.

    He also demanded for additional provision of N510 billion in the Service Wide Votes to cater for National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (N300 billion), Police Operations Fund (N50 billion), Hazard Allowance for Health Workers (N50 billion), Public Service Wage Adjustments (additional N80 billion), and MDAs’ Electricity Bills Debt (additional N37 billion), respectively as well as Net Oil and Gas revenue projection declined by N5.42 billion from N6.540 trillion to N6.535 trillion.”

  • BREAKING: Nigeria opposition parties call for impeachment of Buhari, Lawan, Gbajabiamila

    BREAKING: Nigeria opposition parties call for impeachment of Buhari, Lawan, Gbajabiamila

    The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has urged the National Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The spokesperson, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere made the call on Wednesday at a press conference.

    He alleged that the President had abused his office, grossly misconducted himself and failed to protect the lives and property of Nigerian citizens.

    Ugochinyere said life was now so cheap in Nigeria that leaders “do not even show empathy anymore”.

    The CUPP said people are becoming unfeeling since wanton killings have become the order of the day and every new death is taken for granted.

    The parties called on opposition lawmakers to work “in alliance with patriotic members who are imprisoned in the APC and seeking liberation to commence action and impeach the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila immediately”.

    The CUPP alleged that both leaders of the chambers of the National Assembly have failed to guide their colleagues to act as checks and balances on the Executive.

    “They do not have respect again as several members of the Executive ignore them even when they are officially summoned.

    “Lawmakers are no longer respected and are ignored even when they officially summon officials of the Executive because they are daily moving form office to office begging, blackmailing and grabbing anything and everything they can grab.”

    Ugochinyere announced that the CUPP has filed a suit at the Federal High Court to seek an order of mandamus to compel the National Assembly to perform its constitutional duty by investigating the several allegations of gross misconduct against Buhari.

  • Buhari mourns legendary singer, “Forest”

    Buhari mourns legendary singer, “Forest”

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the demise of a legendary poet and singer, Alhaji Muhammadu Ishaq, popularly called “Forest”, on Saturday.

    The president’s condolence was contained in a message issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Sunday.

    He recalled the last visit to him by “Forest” on the occasion of the last Sallah in Daura during which issues of his health were extensively discussed.

    “His passing away is a loss to our party, All Progressives Congress, which he vigorously marketed, using his unparalleled talent as a singer.

    “His death is also a loss to the Hausa society and our cultural world at large. He will be remembered as a poetic legend,” he said.

    The president expressed his condolences to his family, friends and innumerable admirers across generations who were enthralled by his brilliant political songs.