TheNewsGuru

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • 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.

  • As Buhari comes to judgement – By Sonnie Ekwowusi

    As Buhari comes to judgement – By Sonnie Ekwowusi

    President Buhari has come to judgment. After exercising presidential power, judgment follows. Pricked by pangs of conscience on the last Sallah Day, Buhari realized that he committed many injustices against numerous Nigerians during his 8-year misrule. Consequently, he apologized to Nigerians and begged for their pardon. “God gave me an incredible opportunity to serve the country. We are all human, and if I have hurt some people along the line of my service to the country, I ask that they pardon me… All those whom I have hurt, I ask that they pardon me,” said a seemingly remorseful Buhari.

    President Buhari has destroyed the lives of countless Nigerians during his 8-year misrule. Therefore, it is not surprising that he is now sitting in judgment with his conscience. A man reaps whatever he sows. The obligation to avoid inflicting physical or psychological harm on others is a primary ethical teaching of Prophet Mohammed (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). “He who causes harm will be harmed by Allah, and he who acts in a hostile manner will be treated in a hostile manner by Allah” (Jami’al-Tirmidhi, No. 1306). Unfortunately, the Buhari administration has caused tremendous harm to many Nigerians. As we speak, many Nigerians, young and old, are leaving the country in search of the so-called greener pastures abroad. And if the mass exodus of Nigerian medical doctors from Nigeria to Europe and America is not arrested now, there will be fewer or no medical doctors available in Nigeria by 2030. Writhing under the pains of suffocating Buhari’s policies, many multinationals shut down their operations in Nigeria, while others simply fired their staff. From 2016-2018, for example, 9.3 million Nigerians lost their jobs. From 2015-2018, poverty in Nigeria tremendously increased. Nigeria has now taken over from India as the poverty capital of the world. According to the African Development Bank (ADB) Nigeria Economic Outlook, about 152 million Nigerians live on less than $2 a day, representing approximately 80% of the country’s estimated population of 190 million.

    The United States Department of State has issued a damning assessment of Buhari’s government. In the 48-page Human Rights Violation Report, it stated that impunity remained widespread at all levels of government in Nigeria during Buhari’s reign. It notes that the Buhari government lacks transparency. The report also indicted the Buhari government for not adequately investigating or holding police or military personnel accountable for many extrajudicial killings. The Buhari government came to power on the mantra of fighting corruption. But tragically, the Buhari government is now defined by corruption. For example, the United States Human Rights Report has scored President Buhari’s government low for corruption. The Report states, among other things, “Although the law provides criminal penalties for conviction of official corruption, the government did not implement the law effectively, and officials frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity. Massive, widespread, and pervasive corruption affected all levels of government and the security services.”

    Buhari’s currency redesign policy is still inflicting pain on Nigerians. Imagine having money in your bank account and not being able to access it because of a badly-conceived currency redesign policy. Imagine bank customers endlessly queuing up under the sun to access their own money in the bank. I gather that many hospitalized sick Nigerians have died simply because their relatives were unable to withdraw money from the banks to purchase drugs for the deceased. Is this not a sin that cries to heaven for vengeance?

    At the twilight of the 2023 Election, Buhari promised Nigeria and the international community that he would leave a legacy of a free and fair 2023 election in his 8-year tenure. Now, it is no longer news that INEC organized the most rigged election in the history of elections in Nigeria. Why has President Buhari not queried or sacked the INEC chair Prof Mahmood Yakubu for organizing the most scandalous election in Nigeria?

    The foregoing attests that President Buhari has failed in office. Buhari’s suffocating policies have led to the deaths of many Nigerians. This is why the man is laboring in vain to pacify his conscience, which has adjudged him a failure. A guilty person might escape human justice wrought in the court of law; they might take flight from their guilt through ingenious rationalization, but they cannot escape from the ultimate justice in the recesses of their conscience. The natural law is written in the heart of every rational person. Therefore, every rational person, whether they are Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, atheist, Marxist, internet free-thinker, juju worshipper, agnostic, animist, or otherwise, is under the judgment of the natural law written in their heart. For example, in one of the tragedies of Sophocles, the woman Antigone sought permission from the King to give her dead brother a burial befitting a human being. But the King refused because the dead brother was adjudged an enemy of the State. However, Antigone approached the King and told him that there was another law (natural law) higher than the King’s law, which obliged the King to give her brother a proper burial. Antigone was neither a Christian nor a Muslim. She had never read the Bible or the Koran, yet she recognized a higher law, the law of conscience, which obliged the King to give her brother a befitting burial. When we commit an injustice, our consciences continue to torture us until we make amends.

    There is this anecdote of some Japanese ladies who had committed several abortions in their youthful days. Pricked by their consciences, they went and molded some effigies that actually looked like the babies they had murdered, placed them one by one on a platform, and started bowing before these effigies, asking them for forgiveness for the murders they had committed. This is natural law at work. In Dostoevsky’s epic work, Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov tried to erase his crime from his heart by ingenious rationalization, but upon discovering the inescapable basis for ultimate justice in his heart, he went to Siberia and served an eight-year prison term to appease his conscience.

    Therefore, if Buhari really wants to appease his conscience and have a restful and peaceful retirement in Daura or Niger Republic, he should make amends or reparations for the many injustices he committed against Nigerians. Allah will treat him the way he treats others. Allah will not have mercy on him unless he has mercy on others. Therefore, President Buhari should treat people well in the remaining days of his tenure. He should show mercy to others to enjoy mercy and peace in Daura. He should show kindness. Allah loves those who are kind. Therefore, President Buhari should order the release of all prisoners unjustly detained in Nigerian correctional centers, including Nnamdi Kanu, who, in actual fact, has been discharged and acquitted by the court but is deliberately left to languish in prison. Buhari should also ensure that his government obeys all pending court orders served on it.

    Ninety percent of President Buhari’s key political appointees are from his part of the country, and he refused to alter this imbalance in conformity with the pluralistic and multi-ethnic nature of Nigerian society and the Federal Character principle as enshrined in section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution. Now, as he is quitting office, how would Allah judge him for this act of injustice? The Golden Rule states, “Honesty is the best policy.” Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, says, “stand firm for justice…even if it be against yourselves, your parents, and your relatives.” Therefore, Buhari should stand firm for justice and correct the lopsided political appointments in his government before he leaves office to avoid his conscience torturing him when he retires to Daura. He should also order for the arrest and prosecution of INEC chair Prof Mahmoud Yakubu for squandering a gargantuan sum of N3O5 Billion in organizing the most chaotic and rigged election in Nigeria. There is no doubt that Prof. Yakubu is a big disgrace to Nigeria. Therefore, justice demands that Buhari should fire Prof. Yakubu before he (Buhari) leaves office.

    Ethical conduct is the anchor of the Islamic personality of a Muslim. There is an obligation on Muslims to improve and enhance the welfare of others, including care for the sick. But President Buhari cares no hoot about the welfare of the sick. Rather than improve and re-equip the existing public hospitals in Nigeria so that many sick Nigerians could go there for medical treatment, Buhari prefers going for medical tourism in London to cater for his own health. Therefore, in his remaining days in office, Buhari should show mercy to sick Nigerians. He should visit the hospitals and console the sick patients there. If President Buhari wants peace in his retirement, he should ensure that the daughter of Zion and conscience of Nigeria, Leah Sharibu, regains her freedom. Otherwise, the bad prayer of this girl will never allow Buhari to enjoy peace in his retirement. President Buhari has not only over-borrowed money but also misused the borrowed money in inanities. In fact, Nigeria’s rising debt profile spells doom for the incoming government.

    Therefore, if Buhari wants peace in his retirement, he should team up with the incoming government to rein in Nigeria’s debt. Buhari is very conscious of his place in history. He is afraid that history will judge him harshly and negatively. But he should not forget that he has repeatedly promised to end insecurity in Nigeria. Even in March 2023, the President reiterated his government’s commitment to winning the war against terrorism and other forms of insecurity. The truth of the matter however is that insecurity in Nigeria has worsened despite Buhari’s assurances that he will defeat insecurity before leaving office. As Buhari leaves office without fulfilling his aforesaid promise, it is doubtful whether he will enjoy peace in his retirement.

  • Buhari’s Nigerian odyssey and his final report card – By Godwin Etakibuebu

    Buhari’s Nigerian odyssey and his final report card – By Godwin Etakibuebu

    This exercise is obviously a self-saddled responsibility. However, l need to be permitted, by all, to show why l chose to embark on the – or this; mission. Muhammadu Buhari has traversed the land and territory of this country called Nigeria for about 47 years. 

    And that is not counting from when he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as an officer in 1963, but instead, remembering him from when he started taking some prominent national responsibilities during the Military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo in 1976.

    We shall surely come back to the beginning of his odyssey much later, when the need for this self-saddled responsibility would have been fully explained, to the acceptability of majority.

    Permit me to state, from this very beginning, that the man – President Muhammadu Buhari, set the banner for this work last week Friday, April 21, 2023, when he received some guests at the Presidential Villa. The Guests of selected Nigerians paid the traditional religious Sallah homage. This is how the journey to the present work: Buhari’s Nigerian odyssey and his final report card, started – and it was on his note of apology to Nigerians.

    With only 38 days left in office, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Friday, in Abuja, asked Nigerians hurt by his policies for a pardon.

    Buhari described himself as a lucky and fulfilled politician, having served as military governor of Borno State in 1976, Minister of Petroleum Resources in the same year and one-time Head of State (1983 – 1985).

    He thanked citizens for “tolerating” his eight-year regime, which began when he was sworn in as President on May 29, 2015.

    “Those that think that I have hurt them so much, please pardon me,” Buhari said when he hosted a controlled number of guests at the ninth and final Sallah homage held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    “I think this is a very good coincidence for me to say goodbye to you and thank you for tolerating me for more than seven and a half years.

    “I honestly consider myself very lucky; I was made a governor, minister of petroleum, head of state in uniform, then after three attempts, God, through technology and PVC, I became president. I think God has given me an incredible opportunity to serve as your president. And I thank God for that.

    “So, please, whoever feels I have done wrong to them, we are all humans. There is no doubt I hurt some people and I wish you will pardon me. And those that think that I have hurt them so much, please pardon me,” said the president.

    Speaking of his retirement plans, the president echoed his desire to wash his hands off party politics for a while and stay away from the FCT.

    He said, “I am counting the days. Democracy is a good thing; otherwise, how can somebody from the other side be a president for two terms? From my hometown to the Niger Republic is eight kilometers.

    “I assure you; I have deliberately arranged to be as far away from you as possible, not because I don’t appreciate the love you’ve shown to me, but because I think I’ve gotten what I have asked and I would rather quietly retire to my hometown (Daura, Katsina).” 

    Above were his exact words. Given the above quoted, there was no doubt that the man traversed Nigeria, and there might still be likely few traversing to be completed before he signs the final departure Register. Even, the movement from Abuja to Daura; come May 29, 2023, when he would be handing over to his successor – either by Road or by Air, would also elongate the odyssey. 

    Obviously, the man – Muhammadu Buhari needs to be assisted, if his apology to Nigerians would arrive any ground of acceptability, of the Nigerian people, at least. And there should be diversified reasons for this. Because on the surface, he [Buhari] might as well have concluded that his apology covered the period of his presidency – 2015 – 2023 only. 

    Yes, while that could really be his intention, majority of Nigerians might be concluding that his incursion into the Nigerian political airspace; as elucidated himself, is surely longer, and more expansive, than just 8 years which he intended the apology to cover. 

    The challenge is simple. While he believes that the apology, he conveyed was adequate for 8 years, most Nigerians might be discounting his apology – saying that it was not enough for all the number of years he disrupts things in Nigeria, mostly when the people think of those devastative disruptions that came from him.

    It is for the above reason, that the exercise The Guru is embarking upon, has become so necessary. Because if the truth is to be told. Muhammadu Buhari needs to know everything that happened to Nigeria and Nigerians under his tenures. And this must include all his ventures and onslaughts on the Nigerian sanctuary from 1976 till date.

    And for sure, there are many Nigerians that shall be attempting on this voyage of helping the man – Muhammadu Buhari, to write his handover Notes. It is not only this author – Godwin Etakibuebu, that might be assisting in making the assignment easier for Muhammadu Buhari. 

    But for now, since there is not yet a synergy of conglomerate of historical writers coming into existence, for the purpose of helping Buhari to accomplish what he might not be able to accomplish on his own; I assumed, let us start and follow this effort, please.

    It is starting off as snippets of the Muhammadu Buhari odyssey for now. It has the hope, structurally speaking, at the end of the day, of becoming the historical documentation of the man’s era.

    With this at heart, this writer presents, starting from this point, day and date, a Compendium of the Muhammadu Buhari’s Era, to Nigerians and the Global community as well. 

    And the work, by the grace of God the Almighty, shall be tenacious, in enduring to the very end. The chain of the work, as challenging as it is looking to be, shall not be broken. It shall not fail neither shall it falter.

    The end-product of this work, all things being equal, shall opened many forgotten developmental points of our navigational national voyages and posterity shall be better for it. Ipso facto may God help and sustain the author.

    Godwin Etakibuebu; a veteran Journalist, wrote from Lagos.

    Contact:

    Website: www.godwintheguru.com

    You Tube Channel: Godwin The  Guru

    Twitter: @godwin_buebu

    Facebook: Godwin Etakibuebu

    Facebook Page: Veteran Column

    Telegram: @friendsoftheguru

    WhatsApp: @friendsoftheguru

    Phone: +234-906-887-0014 – short messages only. 

    You can also listen to this author [Godwin Etakibuebu] every Monday; 9:30 – 11am on Lagos Talk 91.3 FM live, in a weekly review of topical issues, presented by The News Guru [TNG].

  • Eid-el-Fitr: What Buhari, Tinubu told each other in Sallah phone call

    Eid-el-Fitr: What Buhari, Tinubu told each other in Sallah phone call

    Incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari and the incoming President Bola Tinubu on Friday exchanged Eid greetings in a phone call to mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

    Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman confirmed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    According to the presidential aide, both leaders thanked God for seeing the day and prayed for the stability and well-being of the nation.

    Buhari expressed his readiness to welcome Tinubu to the State House as President on May 29.

    Earlier in his Sallah message to Nigerians, President Buhari had said the outcome of the 2023 elections was in line with his pledge to leave a legacy of free and fair elections in the country.

    The president stated this in his goodwill Sallah Message to Muslims on the occasion of the Eid-el-fitr celebration to mark the end of the 30-day Ramadan fasting season.

    According to the president, the peaceful outcome of the 2023 general elections will go down on record as one of the biggest achievements of his administration “in addition to our neutrality in the conduct of the elections.”

    Buhari explained that “the outcome of the elections was in line with my pledge to leave a legacy of free and fair elections.

    “I’m proud that I have created a level playing field for all contestants regardless of party affiliation in order to produce a fair outcome for all.”

    “Free and fair elections are the only principles that give credibility to our democracy, because the subversion of the will of the people undermines democracy itself.”

    The president believed that the elections were so transparent that even members of his own party were routed and unseated.

    “At no point did I interfere with the process in order to give unfair advantage to anyone,” he added.

    On the Ramadan fast, Buhari congratulated Muslims on successfully completing the demanding spiritual obligation.

    While praying to Allah to reward the Muslims for their sacrifices during the fasting season, President Buhari advised that: “We shouldn’t forget the important lessons of the Ramadan, which includes improving our bond with the underprivileged and poor members of society.

    “Abstention from food and drinks during the fasting period had made it possible for us to appreciate the situation of those who go without eating every day.”

    Similarly, Tinubu in an earlier Sallah message had tasked Nigerians to love one another and rededicate themselves to making the country great.

    Tinubu said this in his Eid-el-Fitr message, marking the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan on Thursday in Abuja.

    “We thank Almighty Allah for the grace to witness this year’s eid-el-fitri celebration after the Holy Month of Ramadan.

    “For Muslims in our country and all over the world, Ramadan is a sacred spiritual obligation as one of the five pillars of Islam.

    “With the help of Almighty Allah, we have gone through a period of abstinence, self-discipline, self-reflection, self-purification in gratitude and total submission to the will of Allah.

    “We have engaged in fervent prayers and supplications to Allah,” he said.

    Tinubu added: ”Beyond the self-abnegation and pious living that the fasting imposed on Muslims, the just concluded spiritual exercise have helped to improve our moral character.

    “The period have also helped to refine our minds in pursuit of higher ideals for which there should be no turning back.

    “At the heart of our faith and a major demand on all faithful, is the requirement to commit ourselves to wholesome living.

    “This entails love for one another, love for fellow humans regardless of creed, region and ethnicity, love for our communities and love for country.”

    “To love one another, have compassion, empathy and love our beloved country meant we must become better citizens in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammed.

    “We must constantly seek to become a better version of ourselves in patriotism, dedication to duty and honesty. We must also never be weary of doing what is right, fair and just to all.

    “We are at the dawn of a Renewed Hope for a better, greater and a more prosperous Nigeria.

    “And I stand ready to walk with all Nigerians, young and old, male and female with this opportunity to serve you in honour and dignity.

    “This is a commitment that I have made and one in which we cannot afford to fail”.

  • May 29: Why I will not live anywhere near Abuja after I leave office – Buhari

    May 29: Why I will not live anywhere near Abuja after I leave office – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has again reiterated his stand of not living anywhere close to Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari as saying this so the in-coming president will have time and space to take decisions without him interfering.

    Fielding questions from newsmen after Friday’s Eid-el-Fitr prayers in Abuja, the president expressed the believe that democracy has a bright future in Nigeria.

    He disclosed that his conviction was based on Nigerians’ disposition to defend democracy against all threats.

    “Nigerians appreciate the stability of democracy.

    “The outcome of the 2023 elections in which more than 10 governors failed to make it to the Senate sent a message that Nigerians know the power of their votes and how to use them.

    “Nigerians cherish democracy. They have shown their love for it and will defend it against real or perceived threats.

    “They will continue to vote one way or the other depending on their preferences,’’ President Buhari said.

    He assured that the May 29 handover date to a new administration remained sacrosanct.

    “God willing, nothing will stop the handover,’’ he assured.

    On his plans after leaving office, the president said he felt fulfilled that God had made it possible for him to serve two terms of four years each and looked forward to an orderly handover.

    “I thank God for what He has done for me personally and for what He has enabled us to achieve.

    “I am looking forward to returning to my town; to be as far away as I can from Abuja so that the in-coming president will have the time and the space to take decisions without my distracting him.’’

  • Eld el fitr: Buhari, Tinubu’s Sallah message to Nigerians

    Eld el fitr: Buhari, Tinubu’s Sallah message to Nigerians

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said the outcome of the 2023 elections was in line with his pledge to leave a legacy of free and fair elections in the country.

    The president stated this in his goodwill Sallah Message to Muslims on the occasion of the Eid-el-fitr celebration to mark the end of the 30-day Ramadan fasting season.

    The statement was issued by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Thursday.

    According to the president, the peaceful outcome of the 2023 general elections will go down on record as one of the biggest achievements of his administration “in addition to our neutrality in the conduct of the elections.”

    Buhari explained that “the outcome of the elections was in line with my pledge to leave a legacy of free and fair elections.

    “I’m proud that I have created a level playing field for all contestants regardless of party affiliation in order to produce a fair outcome for all.”

    “Free and fair elections are the only principles that give credibility to our democracy, because the subversion of the will of the people undermines democracy itself.”

    The president believed that the elections were so transparent that even members of his own party were routed and unseated.

    “At no point did I interfere with the process in order to give unfair advantage to anyone,” he added.

    On the Ramadan fast, Buhari congratulated Muslims on successfully completing the demanding spiritual obligation.

    While praying to Allah to reward the Muslims for their sacrifices during the fasting season, President Buhari advised that: “We shouldn’t forget the important lessons of the Ramadan, which includes improving our bond with the underprivileged and poor members of society.

    “Abstention from food and drinks during the fasting period had made it possible for us to appreciate the situation of those who go without eating every day.”

    Meanwhile, Sen. Bola Tinubu, the President-elect has tasked Nigerians to love one another and rededicate themselves to making the country great.

    Tinubu said this in his eld el fitr message, marking the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan on Thursday in Abuja.

    “We thank Almighty Allah for the grace to witness this year’s eid-el-fitri celebration after the Holy Month of Ramadan.

    “For Muslims in our country and all over the world, Ramadan is a sacred spiritual obligation as one of the five pillars of Islam.

    “With the help of Almighty Allah, we have gone through a period of abstinence, self-discipline, self-reflection, self-purification in gratitude and total submission to the will of Allah.

    “We have engaged in fervent prayers and supplications to Allah,” he said.

    Tinubu added:”Beyond the self-abnegation and pious living that the fasting imposed on Muslims, the just concluded spiritual exercise have helped to improve our moral character.

    “The period have also helped to refine our minds in pursuit of higher ideals for which there should be no turning back.

    “At the heart of our faith and a major demand on all faithful, is the requirement to commit ourselves to wholesome living.

    “This entails love for one another, love for fellow humans regardless of creed, region and ethnicity, love for our communities and love for country.”

    “To love one another, have compassion, empathy and love our beloved country meant we must become better citizens in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammed.

    “We must constantly seek to become a better version of ourselves in patriotism, dedication to duty and honesty. We must also never be weary of doing what is right, fair and just to all.

    “We are at the dawn of a Renewed Hope for a better, greater and a more prosperous Nigeria.

    “And I stand ready to walk with all Nigerians, young and old, male and female with this opportunity to serve you in honour and dignity.

    “This is a commitment that I have made and one in which we cannot afford to fail”.

  • Buhari approves reconstruction of Benin-Sapele-Warri expressway

    Buhari approves reconstruction of Benin-Sapele-Warri expressway

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reconstruction of the Benin-Sapele-Warri expressway, according to the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr Clem Agba.

    According to Mr Agba, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja issued by Mr Sufuyan Ojeifo, Special Adviser on Media to the Minister, President Buhari approved the road reconstruction during Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

    Agba disclosed that the reconstruction was approved under the Federal Government Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

    The report revealed a breakdown of the sections of the road that had been awarded for reconstruction.

    “Section one, made up of the 28.275 kilometre long Benin – Imasabor in favour of Messrs Levant Construction Company Limited in the sum of N98,916,451,227.28 inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT with a 24 months completion period.

    “Section two, made up of 38.525 kilometre long Imasabor-Ibada Elume in favour of Messrs GELD Construction Company Limited/Triata Limited in the sum of N127,648,926,047.37 inclusive of 7.5 percent VAT with a 36 month completion period.

    “Section three made up of 23.2 kilometre long Ibada Elume-Warri in favour of Messrs SKECC Nigeria Limited in the sum of N89,142,998,919.59 inclusive of 7.5 percent VAT with a 42 month completion period”.

    Agba said that he was delighted that the contract was fresh unlike the Benin-Okene road contract that had existed for years and was yet to be completed.

    He, however, said that the contractors in charge of the Benin-Okene road work were yet to mobilise due to inflationary trend that had affected the original costs of the project.

    He said that augmentation of the rates is currently being processed by the Ministry of Works.

  • Buhari returns to Nigeria 8 days after visit to Saudi Arabia

    Buhari returns to Nigeria 8 days after visit to Saudi Arabia

    President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Abuja after an eight-day official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he also performed the Umrah (Lesser Hajj).

    The Nigerian leader departed Saudi Arabia via King Abdulaziz International Airport Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday.

    Saudi Government officials, traditional and spiritual leaders from Nigeria as well as some senior staff of the Nigerian Embassy in the Kingdom were at the airport to bid farewell to the president.

    The president had successfully performed Umrah rituals, amid tight security, upon his arrival at the Grand Mosque in Makkah from Madinah on Thursday morning.

    The president had along side members of his entourage as well as some traditional and religious leaders from the six geopolitical zones of the country were led by a delegation from the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque in the performance of the rituals.

    The Nigerian leader had earlier visited some historic religious places in Madinah on Tuesday and Wednesday before he proceeded to Makkah for the Umrah.

    The president also received updates on developments at home from some government officials including Governors of Borno and Yobe States.

    Also while in Makkah, President Buhari hosted some traditional and religious leaders to Iftar dinner (breaking of fast).

    The Emirs of Kano and Bichi in Kano State, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero who spoke after the event both said only a united country could move forward and attain its goals.

    The religious leaders in attendance were Malam Abubakar Sulaiman, the Chief Imam of the Aso Rock Villa, Sheikh Al-Kanawi Alhassan Ahmed, Dr. Bashir Umar, Muhammad Kamaluddeen Lemu and Nuruddeen Danesi Asunogie.

    The others were Alhaji Ibrahim Kasuwar Magani, Prof. Shehu Galadanchi, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Adiatu, Sheikh Haroun Ogbonnia Ajah and Alhaji Bala Lau.

    The president had also met the Otaru of Auchi, Dr. Aliru Momoh, Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Mamman Bage, Emir of Bauchi, Rilwan Adamu Sulaiman, Akadiri Saliu Momoh, Abdulfatah Chimaeze Emetumah, Fatima Ijeoma Emetumah and Alhaji Isa Sanusi Bayero.

    Prayer were offered for peace in the country, the successful end of term of the President and for the success of the incoming administration.

    President Buhari had earlier visited and prayed at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

    He also met with elder statesman, philanthropist and patriarch of the Dantata family, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, in Makkah where he once again expressed his condolences over the demise of his wife, Hajiya Rabi Dantata.

    The Kano-based businessman had on April 9 lost his wife, Rabi Dantata, at a medical centre in Saudi Arabia.

  • How we will spend N320bn approved by President Buhari – TETFund

    How we will spend N320bn approved by President Buhari – TETFund

    The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has disclosed how the 2023 intervention budget of N320 billion recently approved by President Muhammadu Buhari would be spent.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Executive Secretary of TETFund, Mr Sonny Echono made the disclosure on Thursday at a news conference in Abuja, where he gave a further breakdown of the N320 billion.

    Mr Echono disclosed that TETFund has allocated N30 billion for disbursement to six universities, six polytechnics and six colleges of education under its 2023 Special High Impact intervention.

    Echono said that each of the six beneficiary universities would get N3 billion, while each of the six selected polytechnics and six colleges of education would receive N1 billion.

    ”For this year, six universities, six polytechnics and six Colleges of Education (COE) will benefit from the special high impact project.

    ”Ibrahim Babangiga University, Lapai; Federal University Wukari, Taraba state; Federal University  Birnin-Kebbi; Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Science; Edo State University and Federal University of Technology, Akure, are to get N3 billion each.

    ”Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara; Federal Polytechnic, Gombe; Federal Polytechnic Kabo, Kano State; Anambra State Polytechnic; Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny; and Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, are to get N1 billion each.

    ”Also, Plateau State COE; Federal COE, Yola; Federal COE, Zaria; Enugu State COE; Delta State COE, and Taiye Solarin COE are to get N1 billion each,” he said.

    According to him, the intervention seek to massively inject funds into selected tertiary institutions to achieve a major turnaround through programme upgrade and improvement in the teaching and learning environment.

    On other intervention lines, Echono disclosed that N500 million had been allocated to some selected COEs from the six geopolitical zones for micro teaching laboratory.

    He listed them as Federal COE, Otukpo, Benue State; Federal COE Jama’are, Bauchi State; Federal COE, Sokoto; Federal COE Isu, Ebonyi State; Federal COE, Ekiadolor, Edo State; and Federal COE, Iwo, Osun State.

    He added that N2 billion had been allocated to teaching practice projects in the COEs, while N1 billion allocated for the establishment of diaspora centre that would be instituted at the University of Ibadan.

    He said the other area of support for the special intervention was students hostels.

    “Many of you have seen the deplorable accommodations our students live in. For a number of years now we commence these interventions and we will encourage schools because we believe the hostels are one of the areas where private sector funding can be attracted.

    “Last year, we released intervention in 20 institutions and the hostels have been completed. Another 20 institutions are ready this year, that is one of the importance of the special impact project,” he said.

    Echono added that 95 per cent of the N320 billion TETFund’s disbursement for 2023 would go directly to beneficiary tertiary institutions.

    He said that the remaining five per cent of the allocation would be used for staff salaries and allowances, project monitoring and zonal capital projects.

    According to him, 62 per cent of the total disbursement (representing N198 billion) constituted the institutions’ annual direct disbursement, while 20 per cent of the disbursement (representing N64.2 billion) is for special disbursement.

    He also said that 10 per cent (representing N32 million) would go for approved designated projects in the institutions, while the remaining three per cent would be for stabilisation fund.

    Echono said the Fund was aware of the challenges facing institutions, especially the issue of people targeting academic centres, kidnapping children and disrupting academic activities.

    He, however, said that N6 billion had been allocated to institutions in security prone areas, especially those institutions with internal security challenges as well as institutions with cases of adoptions.

    He said that there was need to implement projects in institutions within security prone areas to enhance the security of the students and teachers.

    He called on institutions to ensure all resources were utilised judiciously as mechanism had been put in place to check performances.

  • Why Amaechi ensured I was removed from NPA – Hadiza Bala Usman

    Why Amaechi ensured I was removed from NPA – Hadiza Bala Usman

    Former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman has revealed why former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi ensured she was removed as Managing Director of NPA.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Bala-Usman made the revelation in her newly released book, titled, ‘Stepping on Toes: My Odyssey at the Nigerian Ports Authority’.

    She said Amaechi wanted her out of NPA because “two of the most important contracts in the authority were due for renewal”.

    Recall Bala-Usman was suspended as NPA’s Managing Director in 2021, and eventually replaced by Mohammed Bello-Koko in 2022.

    President Muhammadu Buhari approved her suspension after Amaechi alleged that the agency under her watch failed to remit N165 billion operating surplus to the coffers of the federal government.

    The government said the suspension would allow it investigate the allegations against the former MD.

    Usman denied wrongdoing in a February 26, 2021 letter and she was exonerated by an administrative panel of inquiry set up to investigate the alleged mismanagement.

    Speaking on the troubled times, Bala-Usman accused Amaechi of demanding “an extension of tenure of the companies providing capital dredging services without due process”.

    The ex-NPA boss added that Amaechi also “got approval for the restoration of an expired service boat contract” despite the company’s initial deal being terminated for violation of the federal government treasury single account (TSA) policy.

    “At this point, it occurred to me what stakeholder said about the Minister wanting me out of office at the point that two of the most important contracts in the authority were due for renewal. The first of these was the capital dredging contract and the second, was the service boat management contract.

    “While the Minister demanded an extension of tenure of the companies providing capital dredging services without due process, he got approval for the restoration of an expired service boat contract.

    “He got this even though the company was owing the federal government, had violated the treasury single account policy, and above all, no longer had any contract with the NPA. I thought that his desperation to keep me out of office was to an end,” Bala-Usman wrote.

    Bala-Usman also claimed to have had a personal reconciliatory meeting with the Minister during which Amaechi accused her of writing directly to the President without recourse to him as supervising minister.

    She said the former Minister told her that he took the steps against her because he no longer wanted her in the office and asked that she resigned voluntarily or challenge her suspension in court.