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Tag: Nigerians

  • Nigeria @57: APC congratulates Nigerians, affirms commitment to restructuring

    Nigeria @57: APC congratulates Nigerians, affirms commitment to restructuring

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated Nigerians on the attainment of 57 years of nationhood.

    The party also reiterated commitment to the cause of a united Nigeria and affirmed its commitment to restructuring the country.

    In its independence message to Nigerians signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the its current efforts is geared towards addressing the various agitations and some of the underlying concerns that have emerged.

    The party asked Nigerians to use independence to reflect on the many challenges that the country has faced over the years and use it those to strengthen ” our resolve to build a strong, virile and united country; even as we celebrate our many triumphs over the years.”

    The statement reads: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) felicitates with Nigerians on the joyous occasion of the country’s 57th independence anniversary. Indeed, Nigeria’s journey since independence in 1960 has been eventful in many respects. The fact that we have come this far as one united country gives us a reason to celebrate.

    “However, we urge citizens to use this occasion to reflect on the many challenges that we have faced over the years and use those to strengthen our resolve to build a strong, virile and united country; even as we celebrate our many triumphs over the years.

    Certainly, one of the great achievements of our country was the historic Presidential election of 2015. With that election, we were able to prove to the rest of the world that our democracy has come of age. That election also provided opportunity for Nigerians to press the reset buttons in the governance of our country.

    “While there is still so much work to be done to achieve the Nigeria of our dreams; the All Progressives Congress (APC), is delighted with the enormous strides that have been made in the last two years under President Muhammadu Buhari to bring our nation back to the path of rectitude and sanity away from the wanton profligacy and impunity of recent years.

    “The Party is confident that with the support of all Nigerians, we can reach our economic development goals sooner than sceptics believe is possible. With diversification of the Nigerian economy by the current administration, with special focus on agriculture, the creative industry, solid minerals and other viable sectors, the hidden potential of the nation will come to full bloom sooner rather than later.

    “The ongoing implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) must be supported by all as a basis for realizing social inclusion objectives, such as employment generation and eradication of poverty and inequality. Such safety net initiatives as the Home Grown School Feeding Programme, conditional cash transfer scheme and N-Power will guarantee that the poor and vulnerable directly benefit from economic development.

    “Happily, the economy has started responding to these policy initiatives of the government as evidenced in the improvement and stability of the naira exchange rate; increase in the country’s foreign reserves and the recent announcement by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that the country has officially come out of recession.

    “In relation to recent ethnic-based agitations, we reiterate our belief that it is in our collective interest to support and remain steadfast to the cause of a united Nigeria as our strength remains in our diversity. We reaffirm our party’s commitment to restructuring and we believe that our ongoing efforts in that direction will address some of the underlying concerns that have emerged.

    “As we celebrate our 57th independence anniversary, we must sustain the hope that brighter days are ahead of us. Let us join in the effort to build a more vibrant nation that every Nigerian will be proud of. The future holds great dividends.”

  • Hurricanes: FG evacuates Nigerians in Caribbean Islands

    The Federal Government has ordered the evacuation of Nigerians in some countries in the Caribbean Islands especially in the Commonwealth of Dominica following the devastating effects of the recent hurricane in the area.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday that efforts were on to “ensure that all Nigerians are safe in their various locations and where necessary, they should be evacuated, especially as it is in the case of Nigerians in the Commonwealth of Dominica.”

    There has been no reported death of any Nigerian so far in the disaster,spokesman for the ministry, Tope Elias-Fatile, said in a statement.

    He said:“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been following the situation of Nigerians in the Commonwealth of Dominica that experienced the most severe impact of Hurricane Maria.

    “There are approximately 500 Nigerians living in Roseau, the capital of that country, most of whom are medical students at the All Saints University.”

    He said the ministry’s permanent secretary, Olukunle Bamgbose, also directed the Nigerian High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago to effect the evacuation of Nigerians in the area.

    Mr. Bamgbose said the mission would work closely with the International Organisation for Migration, and other relevant authorities in that country to evacuate them.

    Mr. Fatile said Nigerian Mission in Trinidad and Tobago had been working to verify these Nigerians and issue relevant travelling documents to them to facilitate their relocation.

    He said 236 Nigerians, who are students of All Saint University, were evacuated on September 27 with a ferry named “L-Express” to the neighbouring St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

    “It is expected that the last batch of these students would be evacuated today implying that all Nigerian students in that country would have been evacuated by the end of the day,” he said.

    Mr. Fatile said that prior to their relocation the Mission was in constant touch with the President of All Saint University, Joshua Yusuf.

    He said that Mr. Yusuf had consistently confirmed that logistics and other arrangements had been put in place for the students in the temporary accommodation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

    He noted that Hurricane Maria destroyed 90 per cent of the Island country of Dominica, which is a popular destination for International Medical students.

    “Subsequently, the country was cut off from the outside world, the international airport has been closed for commercial flight and the people have no basic food items, portable water or means of identification.

    “Meanwhile, the government of that country is canvassing for foreign aid to address these problems,” he said.

     

  • Independence: Senate congratulates Nigerians, sues for peace

    The Senate on Thursday, congratulated Nigerians on the celebration of the country’s 57th Independent Anniversary, on Oct. 1, and cautioned the people to avoid violence and anything that would threaten the peace and unity of the country.

    This followed a Point of Order by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, on the floor of the Senate.

    While raising the point of order, Ekweremadu said though the country had witnessed several challenges since independence, it was making progress in various sectors.

    He also urged Nigerians to continue to tow the path of peace and always entrench values that would move the country forward.

    “I congratulate my colleagues and constituents on this year’s anniversary and I call on us all to continue to work for the growth of the economy.

    “I am optimistic that this country will get over its challenges and continue to maintain its place in the comity of nations.

    “Shortly before the 2015 elections, we were the fastest growing economy and I know we are making progress,’’ he said.

    Contributing, the Minority Leader, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, said the sacrifices of the country’s founding fathers and all those who brought the country to its present position would not be forgotten.

    “We must remember our heroes that died during the civil war, never again will the country experience another civil war because it is difficult to recover from war.

    “At a point in our history as a country, we were looked at as a country with motion and no movement, but I am happy we have overcome all that.

    “However, our leaders must ensure justice for all. We must not allow marginalistion because it leads to agitation.

    “The current trend in the country shows that we need restructuring,’’ he said.

    The minority leader called on the legislature to play its part in restructuring the economy.

    Akpabio, who also congratulated Nigerians on the celebration, said there was need to “rejig’’ the country and urged all hands to be on deck to achieve that.

    The Chairman Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Sen. Shehu Sani, said there was no doubt that the journey through independence had not been easy.

    He, however, expressed hope that in spite the problems the country had gone through, it would forge ahead.

    Sani called on Nigerians to use the opportunity of this year’s celebration “to carry out the necessary adjustments needed to strengthen all sectors of the economy.’’

    Sen. Atai Aidoko (PDP-Kogi), called on Nigerians to use the occasion to reflect on areas Nigeria ought to take advantage of, to compete favourably with other countries.

    He lamented that despite the country’s political, social and economic might, it had not been able to compete favourably with countries like Malaysia that it had independence with.

    Aidoko said, “as leaders, we need to redirect our agenda for this great country and be more focused toward making a mark, globally.

    “I urge us to take a critical look at the present situation and work on our weaknesses so that we can catch up with countries Nigeria started with.’’

    In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said there was something to be happy for as a country.

    Saraki, who acknowledged that the country had gone through trying times, assured that hope was not lost.

    He called on all and sundry to work for peace and unity, rather than fan the embers of discord.

    The Senate stressed that “ rather than seeing the cup as half empty, we should see it as half full because there is assurance that things will get better.

    “Nigeria is a work in progress and we must all come together to take it to where it ought to be.

    Saraki congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and all Nigerians as the country prepare to celebrate another anniversary.

     

     

    NAN

  • BREAKING [Video]: Fayose declares presidential ambition, says Nigerians tired of packaged ‘presidents’

    Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State on Thursday, publicly declared his presidential ambition, saying he is ready to contest the 2019 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP).

    Fayose who assured his supporters that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP will takeover power from the Buhari-led government come 2019 said that Nigerians are tired of ‘packaged president’.

    The problem with us in Nigeria, is because we have not invested in a president that care about the people. He said although the Vice President of the incumbent government is trying to cover up for his superior but insists the people deserve more than that.

    “We are tired of ‘Baba so-pe’ kind of politics, I am not ‘Baba’ I am still young I have the interest of my people at heart.

    PDP needs a candidate like me who have penchant for defeating incumbent,

    Buhari almost gave up on his ambition of being the president of Nigeria, but whether we like it or not, he is now the president.

    Jonathan was a quiet deputy governor and never thought to be President, but God put him there.

    Yar’ Adua was sitting at home, when former President Olusegun Obasanjo told me to go and tell him he will be Nigeria’s President, the man said no when I spoke with him in his residence, but God said ‘yes’..so he became president.

    He urged that people those in the PDP fold who are criticising his declaration should rather come out and challenge him.

     

     

  • Operations Python Dance, Crocodile Smile launched in Nigerians’ interest – Army

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said that the Operation Python Dance II embarked upon by the Nigerian Army in the South East as well as the Operation Crocodile Smile II in the South South and South West zones were launched to guarantee the safety of Nigerians irrespective of tribe or religion.

    He assured that the Nigerian Army would continue to remain apolitical, professional and responsive in the discharge of its constitutional duties while it would continue to obey the rule of law and remain guided by the rules of engagement.

    Buratai revealed this in a paper he presented on Friday at the executive session of the second day of the 13th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) and Extraordinary Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    The Chief of Army Staff, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Maj. Gen. Enobong Udoh, said: “The Nigerian Army belongs to the Nigerian people and it is poised to remain the pride of the nation and the last man in its defence.

    “In order to maintain the pride, I have laid structures for effective leadership and personnel management, because the Nigerian Army must strive to remain an institution of authority that creates responsibilities, provide direction, inspiration, vision and communicate same to personnel at all times.

    “By going in this direction, the Nigerian Army is poised to confront evolving internal and external threats, in order to guarantee the sovereignty of our dear country.

    “In so doing, we are avowed to remain firmly apolitical in order to always find ourselves in a good stead to defend our constitution by providing the needed security environment as a guarantee for the survival of our democracy.”

    Buratai also stated that his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff on July 13, 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari came at a time Boko Haram insurgents had instilled fear in the psyche of Nigerians and most of the troops’ locations were lost to the control of the Boko Haram terrorists.

    He noted that quite unfortunately, many officers and men of the Nigerian army lost their lives to insurgency, leading to a general dampening of troops’ morale and fighting spirit across the entire theatre.

    The army chief stressed that upon his appointment, he was naturally confronted with the urgent need to take workable measures aimed at reversing the ugly trend and begin a positive drive towards winning a decisive victory against the Boko Haram terrorists.

    He said: “On December 22, 2016, our gallant troops decimated the insurgents and took over Camp Zairo in Sambisa Forest from them, in what was definitely a landmark development in the ongoing fight against insurgency in the Northeast, as Camp Zairo, which was hitherto the command headquarters of the Boko Haram leadership, was captured by our gallant troops.

    “The location is now a training area designated Lt. Col. Abu Ali Shooting Range. The troops are almost through with ongoing efforts at completely flushing out remnants of the insurgents from their hideouts in other parts of the forest.

    “The challenges of cattle rustling, herdsmen and farmers’ clashes and kidnappings in some Northern states and the Middle Belt are being tackled through the conduct of Operation MESA in all the states in the country.

    “The challenges of increased militancy, pipeline vandalism and kidnapping in the Southern part of the country have been accorded appropriate attention.”

    Buratai also stated that under his watch, the performances of troops in assigned operational tasks were being complemented by sustainable welfare programmes.

    He lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his immense support for the Nigerian Army while reassuring him of the unflinching loyalty and commitment of the Nigerian Army to the defence of democratic governance in Nigeria.

    The session was chaired by a former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba. It also had in attendance a former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari; President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhaji Waheed Odusile; and the President of NGE, Funke Egbemode, among other eminent personalities.

    Papers were also presented by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who was represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, and the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Mr. Ebisintei Awudu, among others.

     

  • Please monitor our truck drivers on the high way – Dangote begs Nigerians

    …sets up hotline for reports

    Worried by incessant road accidents and usage of its trucks for conveying contraband products, the management of Dangote Industries Limited (Dangote Group) on Tuesday appealed to members of the general public to help monitor drivers of its truck on the highway.

    The company appealed to the public to report such erring drivers to a dedicated hotline with a promise to compensate genuine callers whose petitions lead to the arrest of defiant drivers.

    It specifically noted that trucks belonging to it Dangote Cement are only allowed to carry Cement, High-Grade Gypsum and Coal while those belonging to Dangote Sugar (NASCON) are authorized to carry only Salt and Dan Q seasoning.

    The company explained further that trucks belonging to Agrosacks, the bags producing arm of Dangote group, can only carry bags, belonging to Dangote flour Mills, Wheat, Flour and Danvita.

    This was revealed in a statement on Tuesday released by Dangote Group.

    The statement reads in part: “Please call Dangote Industries Limited Management hotline on all information regarding illegal haulage activities on 01- 2123567, 08070188000, 08170023846, 08152093133 and or email customercare@dangote.com

    “Dangote Industries Limited also wishes to warn those that illegally transport materials on Dangote truck that such unauthorized goods, when found, shall be confiscated and such owners prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the company recently intercepted one of the company’s truck loaded with contrabands in Ibadan, arrested the drivers and handed them over the Nigerian customs for further investigations and prosecutions. The arrest was effected by a crack team of the company’s security personnel led by its Chief Security Officer who acted on intelligence, bordering on misconduct by some of its drivers.

    While handing over the drivers and his motor boy to the Customs Authority, Assistant General Manager, in charge of Security Services, CSP Ali Garba explained that the company has a surveillance section that monitors all his trucks and drivers’ activities.

  • Brace up for more flooding, Basin Authority tells Nigerians

    The Niger Basin Authority on Tuesday warned of more flooding in Nigeria.

    The NBA noted that any progressive increase in water levels could have significant impacts on people and property in flood prone areas.

    The agency is a regional body of nine-member countries in West and Central Africa, namely – Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Chad, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.

    The NBA said it noticed progressive increase in water level in River Niger at 580 cm, a development that culminated in its Yellow alert issued on September 7.

    In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) urged the Federal and state governments to prepare sites for a possible flood situation.

    The statement reads: “Since September 1, 2017, a yellow alert on water level was reached at the hydrometric station of Niamey. This yellow alert lasted seven days until September 7, 2017 with a progressive increase of water level until reaching the yellow level limit of 580 cm.

    “The Orange alert level was reached on September 7, 2017. Forecasts and gages reading from upstream Niamey showed that this orange alert situation will last the next three days.

    “It should be noted that at this orange alert level, any progressive increase of water levels could have significant impacts on people and property in areas of flood risk.

    “In this situation of orange alert, it is suggested to prepare sites for a possible flood situation.

    “The rise of water level at Niamey will propagate downstream toward Malanville station in Republic of Benin and the station of Jidere Bode upstream Kainji Dam in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Riparian people should be particularly vigilant, especially those living in areas at flood risk.”

  • Evil, bitter, unpatriotic Nigerians angry at news of recession exit – Presidency

    …Says restructure your minds before asking for nation’s restructure

    The presidency on Saturday accused some bitter, unpatriotic and evil Nigerians of expressing sadness at the news of the country’s exit from recession which was announced on Tuesday by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.

    This was revealed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina in a special piece he wrote to lash out at those expressing divergent views ever since the news of the exit from economic recession broke.

    The presidential aide urged those category of Nigerians to seek a restructure of their minds before demanding that the nation should be restructured.

    In his words: “The sing-song in the country today is restructuring of the polity. We want more states. We want a return to regional structure. We want a revision of the revenue allocation formula. We want six vice presidents, one from each geo-political zone. We want those zones to be the federating units, rather than the states. And so on, and so forth.


    In fact, so loud is the cacophony of voices over restructuring that if you ask 100 people what they mean, they give you 100 different explanations. But as a country, I believe we will get there someday. And soon.


    However, is political restructuring the most urgent thing Nigeria needs now? I don’t think so. For me, what is more urgent is the restructuring of the Nigerian mind. A mind that sees the country as one, that believes that we have a future and a hope, that believes that we are one people under God. But what we see now is ruinous for any country. It is hemlock, bound to poison the entire polity, and send it to a premature perdition”.

    Adesina explained that while these few but bitter Nigerians who are probably still pained by their 2015 political loss happily received the news of the nation slippering into recession in 2016 without questioning, they have however stoop so low to question the news of the exit from recession.

    “On Tuesday, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced that we had exited from economic recession. It was cheery news for majority of Nigerians, save for those in the gall of bitterness. They spat in the sky, and collected the spittle with their faces. Who gave Nigeria the permission to exit recession? Who gave her the audacity of hope? How can the economy attempt to rebound, when it should sink deeper and deeper into the miry clay? They were in the doldrums, unhappy because good news came for the country. In their befuddled minds, Nigeria must never see a silver lining in the sky. The ravening clouds must ever remain victorious, must forever possess the sky, simply because of primordial reasons.

    The party in power is not my own, so why should Nigeria make progress under it? The President in office was not the one I voted for, so why should he succeed? He does not speak my language, he is not of my religion or ethnic stock, so why must Nigeria prosper under him? They, therefore, throw all sorts of tantrums, like a child whose lollipop is taken away, and attempt to rubbish the news on exit from recession. And those same people would canvass for a restructuring of the polity. Big mistake. Wrong priority. They need to have their minds restructured first, so that they have goodwill towards their own country, and towards all men. Left to them, they wish that when NBS releases results for the next quarter, Nigeria should have gone back into recession. Filthy dreamers! Awful imaginations! They need a restructuring of their minds, and quickly, too,” Adesina said.

    He noted further: “The National Bureau of Statistics announced our descent into recession. They embraced the news, almost with sickening glee. Now, the same agency has announced exit, and they begin to question its impartiality. What kind of people are they? They want to hear only bad news?

    May their minds be restructured, lest bad news dog their footsteps. Malediction? Am I cursing anybody? Not at all. Just a warning, and a call to new attitude, new thoughts, new conduct. The things we expect have a way of coming upon us. Ask the biblical Job. “What I feared has come upon me. What I dreaded has happened to me.”(Job 3:25).

    The seasoned journalist further explained that while the news of the exit from recession is cheering, President Muhammadu Buhari and the NBS had clearly warned that the nation’s economic team should not relax on their oars as there was still a lot to be achieved to finally put the nation on the path of greatness.

    “President Buhari says exit from recession is cheery news, but until the life of the average Nigerian is positively touched by the economy, he doesn’t consider the job done.

    Very good. Even the NBS, which brought the good news, says the economy is still fragile, and the good work must continue, so that we don’t slide back. That is exactly what this government would do. That is the motive behind the ERGP (Economic Reconstruction and Growth Plan). So, let nobody be filled with diabolic thoughts. Government does not feel it is there yet. Action stations! All hands on deck,” he explained.

  • South Africa releases five Nigerians from prison – Union

    South Africa releases five Nigerians from prison – Union

    The Nigeria Union, South Africa, (NUSA) says five Nigerians detained by the police for protesting the killing of a businessman, have been released.

    Clement Kalu, 35, a native of Obosi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra, was allegedly killed by the police while being interrogated for being in possession of drugs, at Springs town, near Johannesburg on Sept.5.

    The Nigerians protested in front of the police station in the town, prompting the police to shoot rubber bullets to disperse them.

    Some of the protesters were allegedly wounded and treated in the hospital.

    Mr Adetola Olubajo, President of the Union, told newsmen in Pretoria, South Africa, on Friday that the Nigerians were arrested on Sept. 6.

    “They were arrested for protesting the killing of a member of the Nigerian community in the town.

    “Following our intervention, they were released on Sept. 7. We urge Nigerians in the town to remain law abiding while we await the outcome of the post mortem on the deceased,” he said.

    Olubajo said that the union had informed the Nigerian mission in South Africa on the latest development and would continue to monitor the situation.

    He said that the union was on top of the situation and expressed shock on the alleged killing of the businessman.

     

     

    NAN

  • Your claim of exiting recession meaningless, Nigerians still can’t afford 3 square meals – Fayose blasts Buhari

    Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has said President Muhammadu Buhari does not deserve accolades for the nation’s recent exit from the economic recession because Nigerians in their large numbers are still hungry and sick with no food nor drugs in sight.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the National Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday confirmed that Nigeria had finally exited recession.

    However, Fayose in a reaction through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka: “Claiming that Nigeria is out of economic recession without any corresponding effect on the living condition of the people is just like they said Boko Haram had been defeated and over 400 people were killed by the insurgents in the last five months.”

    The governor, who also described the reason given for the cancellation of Federal Executive Council meeting slated for today as funny, said; “Is it not funny that the same federal government that declared public holiday forgot that there would be a Tuesday after the public holiday and FEC meeting will be held on Wednesday?

    “I think they should look for another lie next week because the reality is that President Muhammadu Buhari does not have the required mental capacity and strength to rule Nigeria and I maintain that he should consider his health as well as the overall interests of Nigeria and resign.”

    On the news of Nigeria exiting recession being promoted by the federal government, Governor Fayose asked; “If Nigeria is indeed out of economic recession, has price of foodstuffs like rice reduced to N7, 000 per bag that it was when Buhari took over power? Is dollar now N197 to $1? Is petrol now back to N87 per litre that Buhari met it in May 2015? Are Nigerians now feeding comfortably, even if it is once in a day?

    “Most importantly, are States now getting enough allocation from the federation account to be able to meet their obligations, especially payment of salary?”

    He said the claim was nothing but another attempt by the President Buhari-led APC to deceive Nigerians ahead of the 2019 elections.

    “It must be stated that Nigeria’s foreign reserves, which stood at $28.6 billion by May 2015 that President Buhari took over power declined steadily to $23.89 billion by the last quarter of 2016. It was in 2016 that Nigeria slipped into recession, owing to the bad economic policies and repressive actions of President Buhari

    “It is sad that the APC government has remained on the path of lies and propaganda and I wonder why the government can’t be truthful for once.

    “However, if this latest lie is about 2019 general elections, they have missed it because Nigerians can no longer be received by the APC lying government.

    “Nigerians should, therefore, disregard their lies and keep praying for God intervention in the affairs of the country,” the governor concluded.