TheNewsGuru

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • JUST IN: Buhari, Saraki condemn renewed crisis in Kaduna

    JUST IN: Buhari, Saraki condemn renewed crisis in Kaduna

    President Muhammadu Buhari and Senate President Bukola Saraki have both condemned the renewed crisis in Kaduna state.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports over 50 people have been killed since violent crisis erupted in Kaduna on October 18 crisis at Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.
    This is similar to crisis also in Kasuwan Magani that happened in February, which left more than 10 people dead, while 65 suspects involved in the crisis were arraigned in court but the case still ongoing.
    Senator Saraki said recent “pictures and reports coming out of Kaduna State are quite troubling” with Buhari in a statement stressing “The violence in Kaduna, which has resulted in the deaths of 55 innocent people, is condemnable”.
    Buhari stated that “The Police have been authorized to do everything possible to restore calm,” why also revealing that “a Special Intervention Force has been deployed to the flash-points, and the IG will provide regular updates”.
    “The disregard for the sanctity of human life is unacceptable. Violence is an ill-wind that blows nobody any good. I appeal to community leaders and citizens to always choose dialogue, patience and tolerance, to prevent crises from escalating into violence.
    “Let me also commend the Kaduna State government for its rapid response to the crisis. The Federal Government and its law enforcement agencies will work with the State Government and community leaders to ensure the full restoration of peace and security,” the statement by Buhari read.
    Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna town and environs with immediate effect, with Saraki urging “all residents of the state to adhere to the curfew, remain calm and not contribute to the perpetration of violence”.
    “I call on our security forces to continue to work round the clock to restore order in Kaduna. They must also do everything within the law to apprehend all those that have contributed or promoted this recent cycle of bloodshed,” Saraki added.
     

  • Buhari, Gowon, Jonathan charge traditional rulers on Nigeria’s unity

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday in Benin called on traditional rulers across the country to continue to build bridges of unity and oneness to promote national development.
    Buhari made the call at the official launch of the Book Entitled “The Benin Monarchy, an Anthology of Benin History” held in Benin City on Saturday in commemoration of the 2nd coronation anniversary of the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II.
    Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd.) also commended the Benin monarchy for the remarkable effort to tell the history of the Benin Kingdom to avoid distortion that may arise from allowing others to seize the narrative.
    In his remark, Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki assured on plans to build the Benin Royal Museum to preserve Benin heritage and retrieve stolen artefacts.
    President Buhari, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha commended the good relationship that exists between the Sultanate and the Benin Kingdom, saying it should cut across the country.
    He said that traditional institutions must continue to stay abreast with the digital changes in the world and should not allow the changes affect the preservation of customs, languages and traditions of the people.
    Buhari congratulated the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II and the council of chiefs for preserving the Benin culture, saying that the Benin kingdom is a role model to others.
    He further called on traditional rulers across the country to join the federal government in preaching against hate speech and resist money politics as the 2019 elections draw near.
    The Chairman of the occasion, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, commended the outstanding features of the Benin Monarchy, and described the book as a masterpiece that “tells African history by Africans”
    “One of the tragedies of Africa is that our story has always been told by others from their own perspectives and with their own purpose.
    “The result is that much of the narratives of our continent have been a distortion. Against this background, we appreciate the impact of this singular effort of telling the history of Benin Kingdom,” he said.
    Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan said the Benin Kingdom has always made the country proud via its rich history and well-structured governance system.
    Jonathan commended the Oba of Benin for his resourcefulness and protection of the Benin people.
    In his remark, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, assured that the Benin Royal Museum would be built and completed before the end of 2021.
    He said he made the decision recently at a meeting of The Benin Dialogue Group which is made up of all prominent museums in Europe.
    “We also got the commitment of the group to return many of the works that were taken from the palace during the expedition in 1897,” the governor said.
    In his address, His Royal Majesty Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolo kpolo, Oba Ewuare II, commended all who have supported him since his ascension to the throne, saying his mandate is to prioritise the welfare of Edo people.
    He said the 7-kg book being launched was a compendium of the great history of a great people and would also be showcased in London, the United States of America, amongst other countries.
    He said the Oba Ewuare II satellite Town which is also being built in commemoration of his 2nd coronation anniversary was modelled to booster youth employment, create jobs in the agro-allied industry as well as cater for the general welfare of Edo people.
    Dignitaries at the event included the Sultan of Sokoto, former governors of Edo State, Chief John Odigie Oyegun and Adams Oshiomhole, as well as the Vice Chancellor of University of Benin, Prof Faraday Orumwense amongst others.
     

  • Atiku to jail looters in Buhari’s administration, fight system-wide corruption

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, will open a system-wide fight against corruption as soon as he is elected into office.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports this is contained in a Sunday statement signed by Kola Ologbondiyan, National Publicity Secretary of the party.
    According to the statement, “all those looting the national treasury, including those now enjoying President Buhari’s official cover, will definitely face the wrath of the law and go to jail”.
    The full statement reads: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is set to revamp our nation’s economy through the creation of qualitative employment for the youths.
    “The party says its candidate will also implement the political and economic restructuring of our nation in a manner that will engender unity, inclusiveness in governance and upliftment in the general standard of living for all our people.
    “PDP maintains that on election into office, its presidential candidate will immediately commence the marketing of Nigeria to the international business community, as well as providing a clement environment for businesses to thrive in our nation.
    “Atiku will open a system-wide fight against corruption as soon as he is elected into office by strengthening the institutions empowered by our laws to do their jobs, while he concentrates on the onerous duty of governance and rescuing our people from hunger, starvation, bloodlettings and wanton killings.
    “The rebranded PDP assures that all those looting the national treasury, including those now enjoying President Buhari’s official cover, will definitely face the wrath of the law and go to jail, because the Atiku Abubakar administration will not only fight poverty but will also uncompromisingly fight corruption.
    “The party noted that a combination of Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Peter Obi, known internationally for their forthrightness, hardwork, ingenuity and managerial competencies, guarantees a prudent and result-oriented administration that will liberate our nation from the economic shackles that President Buhari’s wasteful, notoriously incompetent, and deceptive administration has plunged us into.
    “Atiku Abubakar comes with the Nigerian resilient entrepreneurial spirit to once again open up our economy, attract investments, create jobs and unite our citizenry for a more productive nation.
    “Already, our candidate, as a successful entrepreneur, has perfected an economic template that will reduce the cost of governance, plug wastages, tackle corruption, free our national resources currently being squandered by the Buhari administration and channel them for the welfare of the people.
    “What Nigerians earnestly desire now is a resourceful President, not an incompetent leader who lacks the capacity to run a complex economy; who stays aloof and completely insensitive to the plights of citizens, while providing official cover for his officials to fritter away trillions of naira from our beleaguered national treasury.
    “Our youths are earnestly seeking for an in-charge President, not one who rules by proxy. They look forward to a President who will give hope in the face of a consuming despair and one, whose words resonate with their aspirations in life.
    “Nigerians seek a President who will not watch helplessly while marauders and insurgents kill our brothers and sisters in their numbers; whose only achievement is plunging our nation into economic recession, collecting foreign loans and accumulating debts with nothing to show.
    “PDP holds that President Buhari has failed on all fronts. He has failed on the economy, on security and on the fight against corruption.
    “This 2019 election is therefore, a direct referendum on these failures and the determination of Nigerians to choose a new leader who will rescue our nation from the throes of hunger and starvation.
    “The 2019 election will never be about character assassination or mouthing some worn-out sloganeerings about corruption but will be about a demonstrable capacity to deliver on the mandate.
    “The Buhari Presidency by now knows that Nigerians are not buying their smear campaign against Atiku Abubakar as Nigerians have seen that all the Buhari Presidency had done in its almost four year term is paying lip service to fighting corruption while its members swim in an ocean of corruption.
    “Instead of this unnecessary fixation on our candidate, the PDP challenges President Buhari to step out and give account of his failed stewardship; how he ran down a once robust economy in a space of three years; why he is running a corrupt administration; why his administration failed to protect our slain compatriots and how trillions of naira are stolen under the cover of his Presidency.
    “Finally, the PDP forewarns all looters in the Buhari Presidency, including those involved in the alleged stealing of over N14 trillion from several sleazy oil deals; the alleged undisclosed oil revenue leading to the deadlock at the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC); alleged stealing of funds meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) among other sleazes covered by the Buhari Presidency, to get ready to vomit their loots and face the law in no distant time”.
     

  • Buhari hands over ECOWAS border posts

    Buhari hands over ECOWAS border posts

    President Muhammadu Buhari and his Republic of Benin counterpart, Patrice Talon will on Tuesday perform the official hand-over of the new Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Border Posts at Seme-Krake and Neope-Akanu in Badagry.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the Lagos State Government in a statement on Sunday said all necessary arrangements to ensure hitch-free unveiling ceremony had been firmed up, while President Buhari would be accompanied to the venue by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
    According to the statement, the President would be received at the Airport by the Governor, while the duo would thereafter proceed to the venue.
    “Already, all necessary security and logistic arrangements have been firmed up by the State Government in partnership with relevant federal government agencies.
    “To this effect, the Lagos State Government is soliciting the usual support and cooperation of residents throughout the visit,” the statement read.
     

  • We did everything possible to save Hauwa – Buhari

    We did everything possible to save Hauwa – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari says the federal government did everything possible to save the life of Hauwa Liman, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) midwife killed by Boko Haram.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Buhari, in a statement on Tuesday, said he has spoken with the father of Hauwa, Mohammed Liman, to extend condolences.
    “It is not the kind of telephone call anyone prays to make. The federal government did everything possible to save Hauwa’s life; it is tragic and regrettable that all our efforts were unsuccessful,” he said.
    The President it is extremely sad that Hauwa has to end up the way it happened.
    “I expressed our deepest condolences to her father, on behalf of the Government and all the people of Nigeria,” he said.
    Buhari said he also spoke with Peter Maurer, President of the ICRC, to extend condolences on the death of Hauwa.
    “The ICRC has been doing a great job in Nigeria, providing healthcare services to people in the areas most affected by the insurgency. We salute their courage and service,” he said.
    “We fervently hope that these series of sad events, leading to the painful loss of their staff, will not discourage the ICRC from working in Nigeria. We hope that they will continue to offer their services, and not give up, inspite of what has happened.
    “I am reassuring everyone that the Fed Govt will continue to do all within our power to protect not just humanitarian workers, but also everyone working or living in the North East. I salute our military, who continue to fight and strive hard to permanently neutralize Boko Haram,” he further stated.
     

  • Travel ban: Fani-Kayode reacts, reveals why he can’t travel out of Nigeria

    Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has reacted to President Muhammadu Buhari’s Executive Order 6 banning him, Atiku Abubakar’s campaign Director General, a dead Chief Judge, and 48 others from travelling out of the country.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Buhari signed Executive Order 6 banning Fani-Kayode; Atiku’s campaign DG, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; late Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Professor I.A Umezulike, and a host of others from travelling abroad for alleged corrupt practices.
    The list was generated from cases and proceedings filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Police, and 17 other agencies. The watch-list and restriction were put in place pending the conclusion of the cases against those affected.
    “I could not give a damn that my name is on the list of 50 members of the opposition and prominent Nigerians that have been placed on a travel ban because nothing that Buhari does surprises me.
    “I have not left Nigeria since 2008 because my passport has been with the EFCC and the courts for the last 10 years and they have refused to give it to me and let me to travel. Those on the travel-ban list that need to travel abroad for medical reasons or to see their loved ones are the ones I feel sorry for.
    “For me, travel ban or no travel ban, I have no intention of leaving Nigeria anytime soon because I am one of those that will be on the forefront in the struggle to liberate our country and ensure that we get Buhari out of power over the next few months,” Fani-Kayode stated on Sunday.
    Explaining the government’s action in a statement on Saturday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said, “Following the instant judicial affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of the Executive Order 6 (EO6), President Muhammadu Buhari has mandated the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice to implement the Order in full force.
    “To this end, a number of enforcement procedures are currently in place by which the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies have placed no fewer than 50 high profile persons directly affected by EO6 on watch-list and restricted them from leaving the country pending the determination of their cases.”
    A top government official, who reportedly spoke to The Nation newspaper in confidence, said there is no cause for alarm on E06.
    The source said: “The ban is not different from the conditions given by the court in granting these accused persons bail. The E06 is like a codification of steps to prevent those on trial for alleged corrupt practices from tampering with assets.
    “Some of these accused persons used to go to court for permission before they can travel out of the country. The E06 is not a new thing but instead of all agencies working at cross-purposes, a list was generated and backed with the Executive Order.
    “Some of those on trial, especially the Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) had been selling their assets. What will they return after being convicted?”
     

  • 2019: Atiku, Obasanjo will lose together – Garba Shehu

    Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, has reacted to the meeting of leading contender for the office of Nigeria’s President, Atiku Abubakar with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Atiku on Thursday met with Obasanjo behind closed doors following his emergence as the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) presidential flagbearer in the 2019 elections.
    After the meeting in which Obasanjo reconciled the differences between him and Atiku, he endorsed the PDP’s presidential flagbearer for President in the presence of Atiku’s right hand man and former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Uche Secondus, the National Chairman of the party, Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah; Islamic preacher, Dr. Ahmad Abubkaar Gumi; and Founder of Winners’ Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo.
    “They will lose together,” Garba Shehu said in a statement in reaction to the meeting between Atiku and Obasanjo, adding: “Listening to the prepared statement of the former President after the meeting showed the usual ego trip and “I know it all” character of Chief Obasanjo”.
    Read full statement:
    OBASANJO’S ENDORSEMENT OF ATIKU WILL NOT DISTRACT PRESIDENT BUHARI
    The Presidency has received the news of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s predictable U-turn and somersault on the endorsement of the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at a meeting Thursday, and to say that we are the least surprised by the well-rehearsed theatre.
    They will lose together. Listening to the prepared statement of the former President after the meeting showed the usual ego trip and “I know it all” character of Chief Obasanjo.
    In the first place, we dare to say that a pompous statement from the former President advising Nigerians on a vote against President Buhari is the best recommendation that can come at this time.
    It also betrayed a lack of understanding of today’s politics which is about good governance.
    The country voted for change in 2015 and a leader that ensures good governance which only President Buhari and the APC can provide.
    Bent on these laudable goals, we will not allow ourselves to be distracted.
    We are busy on various national issues including the restructuring and the diversification of the economy, fighting corruption, terrorism and other threats to national security; increasing the availability of electric power, improving education, health, and providing long-delayed infrastructure – roads, rail, airports and so forth.
    Many governments have come and gone, but they did not care about some of these projects.
    We were talking about these things for sixteen years under the PDP and nothing was done.
    President Buhari is proud of his record because his achievements are verifiable, while that of the PDP is manifested by the devastating social and economic impact of large scale corruption during their governance.
    The President will not relent in the war against corruption because the ordinary people are the ultimate victims if we surrender to corruption and let its perpetrators go unpunished.
    Abandoning the war against corruption is not an option. President Buhari is in this battle against graft because he cannot allow a few, rapacious, and selfish class of the elite to divert the resources meant for the well-being of the ordinary people to their private pockets.
    Nigerians trust President Buhari in this effort because they are convinced he is not in government for personal financial benefits, or for an ego trip. It is just eleven years ago that the former President and Vice President in their ugly fight for power accused each other of corruption. Nigerians are yet to forget all that.
     

  • 2019: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Senators disagree over INEC budget

    Senators, including Senate President Bukola Saraki and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, during plenary session on Thursday disagreed on whether to approve in part or in whole Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) budget for the 2019 general elections.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Senate committee on appropriations and finance on INEC had approved, waiting for Senate final approval, a total sum of N189,207,544,893 for the conduct of the 2019 general election as proposed.
    The disagreement was on whether the Senate should approve finally the N189 million INEC budget or wait until the committee had finalized reports on the other component of the budget, the security agency budget.
    The other component of the budget, the security agency budget is the N242 billion President Muhammadu Buhari requested to be vired in the 2018 budget also for conduct of the 2019 general elections.
    “Now that the issue of INEC is settled, I suggest that both reports be consolidated into one report so we can send it as a single report to the president,” Senator Ekweremadu submitted after Senator Goje Danjuma presented report on the N189 million INEC budget.
    The Senate committee had invited the security agencies such as the National Security Adviser, Babagana Mungono, Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, Director General of Department of State Services etc, today by 12 to defend their budgets, the other component.
    Senator Barau Jibrin stated that, “INEC has already complained that there has been a delay in receiving their required funding. This matter requires a high level of urgency. We should approve the INEC budget immediately”.
    “Let us treat the INEC budget and the security agency budget separately even though they were brought in together” Senator Adamu Aliero requested, while Senator Kabiru Gaya reemphasized by saying “Let us not wait for other agencies’ budgets to be ready before we pass this bill. Let us pass the INEC bill immediately”.
    Also reacting was Senator Mohammed Hassan, who said, “I believe we should approve the INEC budget. As a member of the Committee, I know we worked very hard to arrive at these figures you see here today and I understand it is imperative that we approve this”.
    Senator Saraki thanked Senator Goje and members of his committee on appropriation and finance, before dismissing them to meet with security agencies, while plenary continued.
     

  • NDDC 2018 budget: Senate refers N364bn proposal to committee [Breakdown]

    The Senate has referred to its Committee the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) 2018 statutory budget proposal sent to the House by President Muhammadu Buhari.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports this followed a motion moved by Senator Ahmad Lawan that the Senate do consider the request of President Buhari for the approval of the NDDC 2018 statutory budget proposal.
    President Buhari in an executive communication requested the Senate considers approval of N346 billion as the 2018 budget proposal of the NDDC.
    The figure is N18 billion lower than the N364 billion budget approved for the Commission in the 2017 fiscal year.
    A breakdown of the proposed amount shows a total recurrent expenditure of N32 billion and cumulative capital provision of N314 billion.
    The president listed sources of revenue for the Commission in 2018 to include Federal Government contribution (N81.8 billion) and unpaid arrears by the Federal Government (N33.9 billion).
    Others are contributions from oil companies and others (N220 billion) and other “realized income” (N150 million).
    While Senator Biodun Olujimi seconded that the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President, Senate President Bukola Saraki referred the executive communication to the Committee on Niger Delta for further legislative investigation.
    TNG reports the Niger Delta Committee has as its Chairman: Senator Peter Nwaboshi, and Senator Abdul Abubakar as its Vice Chairman.
     

  • Breaking: 4 months after, Senate confirms CBN Deputy Governor

    The Senate on Wednesday finally confirmed the appointment of Mr. Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi as Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Shonubi’s confirmation followed a report of the committee on banking, insurance and other financial institutions on his nomination by Senator Rafiu Ibrahim.
    Senator Emmanuel Paulker seconds that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the committee on the nomination of Shonubi for appointment as the Deputy Governor of CBN.
    TNG recalls President Muhammadu Buhari had in June approved the nomination of Shonubi as Deputy Governor at the CBN subject to Senate confirmation.
    The President wrote the Senate a month after seeking confirmation of Shonubi. The letter was read by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, after a one-hour closed-door session.
    The Senate, however, proceeded on an annual recess, suspending the confirmation of Mr. Shonubi. Also billed for confirmation before the Senate went on the recess, is the confirmation of Dr Muiz Adeyemi Banire as Chairman of the Board of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria.
    Shonubi was the Managing Director of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS) – the financial payments, facilitation and settlement platform.
    NIBSS has been instrumental to the growth in electronic payments in the Nigerian financial industry.
    Mr. Shonubi holds double Masters Degrees respectively in Business Administration and Mechanical Engineering, from University of Lagos.
    He is a resourceful Information Technology-driven banker with over 22 years professional experience.
    Prior to his appointment as the Managing Director of NIBSS Plc., Mr. Shonubi was Executive Director, Information Technology and Operations at Union Bank of Nigeria Plc; a member of the Board of Union Homes and Director, Information Technology and Corporate Services in Renaissance Securities Nigeria limited, with responsibility for the Group’s IT infrastructure in Africa.
    Mr. Shonubi also had a stint with Citibank Nigeria Limited as its Head, Treasury Operations (1990-1993).
    Between 1999 and 2007, he worked in MBC International as Deputy General Manager and supervised their IT operational platforms. He served in First City Monument Bank Limited as Vice – President and in Ecobank Nigeria Limited as Executive Director.
    He has served on a number of sub-committees of the Bankers’ Committee, including the Ethics and Professionalism sub-committee.
    The nomination of Mr. Muiz Banire Adeyemi By President Buhari for appointment as Chairman of the governing board of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) was also confirmed.