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Tag: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

  • Tinubu condemns Borno, Kaduna abductions, directs rescue of captives

    Tinubu condemns Borno, Kaduna abductions, directs rescue of captives

    President Bola Tinubu has condemned the abductions of  vulnerable persons, internally-displaced persons in Borno and students in Kaduna State.

    Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    Ngalale said the President had directed the security and intelligence agencies to immediately rescue the victims and ensure that justice was served against the perpetrators of the acts.

    “I have received briefing from security chiefs on the two incidents, and I am confident that the victims will be rescued.

    “Nothing else is acceptable to me and the waiting family members of these abducted citizens. Justice will be decisively administered,” he quoted President Tinubu as saying .

    According to him, President sympathises with the families of the victims, assuring them that they will soon be reunited with their loved ones.

  • Pres. Tinubu signs executive orders for oil, gas investments

    Pres. Tinubu signs executive orders for oil, gas investments

    President Bola Tinubu has signed an executive order to improve the investment climate and position of Nigeria as the preferred investment destination for the oil and gas sector in Africa.

    This is in keeping with his commitment to remove obstacles to investments in Nigeria, harness the nation’s resources and diversify the economy for the benefit of all Nigerians.

    Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The order, Ngelale said, followed the President’s initiation of amendments of primary legislation to introduce fiscal incentives for oil and gas projects, reduce contracting costs and timelines, and promote cost efficiency in local content requirements.

    He said that Tinubu, in recognising the urgency to accelerate investments in these sectors, has directed the introduction of fiscal incentives for non-associated gas, midstream and deepwater developments.

    He also directed the streamlining of contracting process to compress the contracting cycle to six months and the application of the local content requirements without hindering investments or the cost competitiveness.

    The presidential spokesman said that details of these Policy Directives would be gazetted and communicated by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.

    He said the incentives were developed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Petroleum, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

    Other agencies in the collaboration are the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd., the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.

    Ngelale said the Special Adviser to the President on Energy had been directed to continue coordinating the stakeholders to ensure implementation of the directives.

  • NASS leadership to meet Pres. Tinubu on nation’s insecurity

    NASS leadership to meet Pres. Tinubu on nation’s insecurity

    The Senate, says leadership of the National Assembly will meet President Bola Tinubu over resolutions and recommendations toward curbing killings and general insecurity nationwide.

    The senate said the recommendations were those made by the eight, ninth and 10th  assemblies.

    The senate resolution followed adoption of a motion at plenary on Wednesday.

    The motion, titled, ”Continued killings by suspected terrorists parading as herdsmen and increasing insecurity in Kwande, Ukum, Logo and Katsina Ala local government areas of Benue ” was sponsored by Sen. Emmamuel Udende (APC-Benue).

    Udende in his lead debate, said it was sad that no fewer than 50 persons were killed in fresh attacks on several communities in Kwande, Ukum, Logo and Katsina Ala local government areas of Benue by terrorists.

    He said the affected communities, some of which were attacked on March 5, included Tyuluv, Borikyo, Kundav, Ugbaam, Uyam, Udedeku, Yaaiwa, Nyihemba, Tomatar , Menakwagh , Yiase and Agura all in the Benue North- East senatorial district.

    Udende said residents of the villages and communities now found themselves as targets  of  heavily armed terrorists on daily basis.

    This, he said, left many homes completely burnt down and numerous residents still missing, while the perpetrators, however, remained elusive and had not been apprehended.

    He said the pathetic situation and development had inflicted untold hardship on women, children and the long lived, who were trekking long distances in search of a safe haven and awaiting intervention of security operatives.

    Udende said the situation had impacted negatively on the economic lives of the people and the resultant effect of shortage of farm produce was one of the reasons for astronomical rise in prices of agricultural produce and inflation in Nigeria.

    He expressed worry that despite the public outcry and previous resolutions of the national assembly on criminal activities of the terrorists, their activities had continued.

    The senate in its further resolutions,  urged the Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police and heads of other security agencies to as a matter of urgency, deploy security personnel to address continuing and ongoing attacks by terrorists in the affected communities.

    This, senate said, was to flush out and stop the killings and restore normalcy to the affected communities.

    Senate also called for heightened surveillance and investment in surveillance technology and equipment to detect and prevent future attacks.

    It also called for a review of  the security architecture in the areas affected to forestall the continuous attacks.

    It further requested the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA),  to immediately mobilise relief materials to the people displaced by the recent attacks in the communities of Benue.

    It mandated its relevant committees of the whole to ensure compliance.

    It also conveyed condolence message to people of Benue North -East senatorial district and resolved to send a delegation to the Governor of Benue to find out his efforts on the challenges .

    Senate, thereafter, observed a minute silence in honour of the deceased persons.

    President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio in his remarks, said the primary responsibility of the state government was to use security vote to ensure security of lives and property.

    ” We expect that the state government will marshall out plans with the immediate security operatives within the affected states and see what they can do before bringing it to the President.

    “And I want to assure you that President Bola Tinubu though he has not stayed long in office,  is supportive of the activities of the armed forces.

    “And by the time the senate meets with him in conjunction with the House of Representatives, I believe that the resolutions that we come out with, will benefit the entire country.

    “It is a fact that since his assumption of duties, insecurity has abated, major attacks are no longer taking place but this one is just an abberation, and it will be brought to an end.

    “I assure people of the areas affected that the senate is taking serious actions with the presidency to ensure that normalcy is restored to the areas and victims are also taken care of.”

  • Tinubu congratulates Adesina on Awolowo leadership award

    Tinubu congratulates Adesina on Awolowo leadership award

    President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), on the award of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership.

    Adesina joined the pantheon of other previous winners of the award such as Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, and lawyer-educationist, Chief Afe Babalola.

    Tinubu commended the AfDB president for his visionary and noble endeavour to transform agriculture in Africa and ensure food security on the continent.

    The President recalled the Growth Enhancement Schemes revolutionising Nigeria’s agriculture value chains, that  Adesina introduced as the then minister of agriculture and rural development.

    Tinubu acknowledged Adesina’s unblemished records, tried and tested integrity, as well as his immense leadership and development strides, particularly in the agricultural sector.

    He said these efforts had earned the AfDB president, numerous honours and recognitions globally, including the World Food Prize in 2017.

    Tinubu wished the AfDB president more success at AfDB and strength in his service to Africa and to humanity at large.

  • Alia denies receiving N44bn from FG

    Alia denies receiving N44bn from FG

    Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue has denied receiving N44 billion from the Federal Government, as part of President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to address food shortage in the country.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue, had alleged that Alia received N44 billion special intervention grants from the Federal Government between August 2023 to 2024.

    This is contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula in Makurdi on Tuesday.

    Kula said some members of the APC and PDP were demanding accountability from the Governor over an imaginary N44bn.

    He said the Governor never received such an amount of money from anybody since assumption of office, adding that he was focused and would not be distracted.

    Kula said that the governor since assumption of office has been transparent, and accountable to the people of Benue and will not hide such a windfall from his people.

    He said that the Senate President, Godswil Akpabio who first made the allegation has since apologised to the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).

    “The Senate President, who made the allegation that state governors were given N30 billion each, has since apologised to the NGF.

    “But in an attempt to give Alia a bad name so as to hang him, the stakeholders who are fully aware of these facts still went public repeating the same lie.

    “Alia has never hidden any funds released to his administration. When the N2 billion, out of the N5 billion palliative support was given to Benue, he was among the first governors to announce the receipt of the money,”he said.

    He said that this group of stakeholders had stood in the way of progress of the state for a long time, adding that they  prefer party politics to governance.

    The spokesman said that past governors who served the interest of stakeholders in Benue, only left the state highly impoverished and starved of basic developments,”he said.

  • Tinubu calls for the regulation of social media

    Tinubu calls for the regulation of social media

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for the regulation of social media, describing it as a societal menace.

    The President who released this statement through his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, at an event in Lagos State stressed the importance of accurate information in policy formulation and national development.

    President Tinubu berated the menace of social media in the dissemination of fake and wrong information which he believes has divided the country, emphasising on the need to regularize the framework of news dissemination on social media to avoid mis-information in the country.

    He noted the importance of data in policy formulation for the growth of the country, stating that no developing country can succeed without adequate and well-informed data.

    He went on to say his administration has an obligation to engage in evidence-based discussion and data reliant decision making, hence the need for accurate data that will be used for better policy formulation and execution.

    “The social media has become a societal menace and must be regulated. As many people do not understand that once the send button is hit, there is a potential to reach millions of people around the world which is capable of causing a great danger not just in the society but even unintended consequences to the individuals that are receiving information which may include security of life.

    As citizens become more interested in governance, it is the government’s obligation to ensure that engagement with citizens springs with shared agreement on what the truth is, what is real and what is not,” he said.

  • President Tinubu mourns Asagba of Asaba

    President Tinubu mourns Asagba of Asaba

    President Bola Tinubu has received with deep sadness the news of the death of Obi Joseph Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba.

    This is contained in a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said that Tinubu condoled with the family, Delta Traditional Rulers’ Council, the government and the people of the state on this painful loss.

    The Presidential aide said Tinubu celebrated the life of the late traditional ruler and an eminent Professor of Medicine, acknowledging his advocacy for peaceful co-existence among Nigerians and role in forging partnerships across divides.

    “His Majesty lived a full life defined by the loftiest ideals of peace, unity, patriotism, honesty, and dignity. This is a sad loss, coming at a time when Nigeria needs more peace-builders and bridge-builders,” Ngelale quoted the president as saying.

    He said Tinubu prayed for the peaceful repose of the beloved departed and urged the Royal Family and all those who mourn this loss to take solace in the legacies of His Royal Majesty.

  • FG intensifies protection of consumers, businesses

    FG intensifies protection of consumers, businesses

    The Federal Government has taken further steps to protect consumers and businesses against  losses and inaccurate measurements.

    Amb. Nura Rimi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, said this during the Weights and Measures Department Quarterly Assembly in Abuja on Thursday.

    According to Rimi, this is being done through enforcement of the Standard Operating Procedure of businesses.

    He said that the duties of the weights and measures department were essential and significant to the nation’s economy.

    “The first priority area of President Bola Tinubu is to reform the economy to deliver sustained inclusive growth.

    “ I was pleased when I was informed of the theme of this assembly: ‘Reviewing the Legal Metrology Standard Operating Procedures for a Sustainable Economic Growth’.

    “Enforcement of legal metrology in virtually every sector of the economy does not just protect consumers but also assists Nigerian businesses to avoid unnecessary losses from inaccurate measurements, and accords them the badge of traceability that enables healthy competition both in local and international markets,” he said.

    According to Rimi, the Federal Government  is making eefforts to correct the conflicting sections of the Petroleum Industry Act  which is causing challenges in the execution of duties in the oil and gas sector.

    He also reiterated the Federal Government’s plan to upgrade the weight and measurement department into an agency to enable  it to achieve its mandate better.

    The permanent secretary charged the participants to achieve robust and progressive  roadmaps.

    On his part, the Director of Weights and Measures Department, Mr Olajide Bamidele, urged the participants to reflect on their mandate, be diligent and uphold professionalism.

    “The theme we have chosen underscores the vital role that legal metrology plays in shaping the economic landscape of Nigeria.

    “By adhering to rigorous standard operating procedures, we will not only safeguard the interests of consumers and businesses, but also lay the foundation for a thriving and equitable economy.

    “Our economy, like any other, is dynamic and constantly evolving.

    “It is also necessary that our legal metrology practices evolve,” he said.

    He said that there was the need to overcome challenges and achieve set goals.

    “We must be proactive in our approach to reviewing and refining our standard operating procedures, ensuring that they are not only compliant with current regulations, but are also responsive enough to adapt to emerging trends.

    “This adaptability is key to fostering an environment where businesses can flourish, consumers can trust, and the economy can thrive,” he said.

  • Tinubu needs our collective support not negative criticism — APC Chieftain

    Tinubu needs our collective support not negative criticism — APC Chieftain

    Chief Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, has called on Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu in the fight against insecurity in the country.

    Oyintiloye, while speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, said that insecurity in the country was becoming alarming and this call for a sober reflection.

    He said that this was the period Nigerians needed to rally round the president and its administration to find a lasting solution to the various insecurity challenges facing the country.

    Oyintiloye, a former member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), condemned the recent killings, banditry, kidnapping and other criminalities across the country.

    He said that there was no doubt that the president was doing everything humanly possible to restore peace to the country, urging Nigerians to desist from negative criticism that can distract him.

    According to him, this is a trying period for all Nigerians, who are greatly sad with the latest multiple killings and kidnapping ravaging the country.

    He urged Nigerians to take solace in God and designed a better way of addressing the situation, instead of negative criticism that will not solve the problem.

    “No one is happy with the recent killings, banditry, kidnapping and other criminalities across the country, but negative criticism and name-calling by the leaders of the opposition parties is not the way forward.

    “What we need at this critical period is for us as stakeholders to come together, irrespective of our political affiliation, religion and give the present administration the needed boost and encouragement.

    “Security is a collective responsibility of everyone and that is why I am appealing to leaders of the opposition parties to stop playing cheap politics with security issues and narratives that can divide the country,” he advised.

    Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, commended the president for the prompt approval of funds to security agencies for the purchase of modern equipment to fight insecurity.

    He said the recent release of N50 billion security vote to five northern states was a show of commitment by the president to minimise the spate of insecurity, “but we need to extent the gesture across the country.”

    Oyintiloye, who noted that the primary responsibility of any government was to protect lives and property, said that was the more reason the larger percentage of 2024 budget was committed to security.

    The APC Chieftain, however, called on the president to look into developing security architectural framework that are community based.

    He called for bottom-up approach security framework that would integrate every social strata of the society, traditional rulers, religious leaders, non conventional security groups and opinion leaders in assisting security agencies in combating insecurity in their domains.

    Oyintiloye advised the president to ensure that state governors rise to the occasion by nip insecurity in the bud through the creation of community security network to fortified conventional security agencies.

  • Cyber Crime: Tinubu decries labelling, blanket stereotyping of Nigeria

    Cyber Crime: Tinubu decries labelling, blanket stereotyping of Nigeria

    President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, in Abuja decried the labeling and blanket stereotyping of Nigeria as a country with the prevalence of cybercrime and other forms of corrupt practices.

    Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, made the statement at a Public Engagement on Youth, Religion, and the Fight Against Corruption, organised by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

    The event was a multi-dimensional stakeholders’ involvement in the fight against economic and financial crimes.

    It also featured the launching of the Inter-faith Manual and Fraud Risk Assessment Project for the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    Tinubu said that the stereotyping of Nigerians undermined majority of the citizens to maintain the principles of integrity and diligence.

    He regretted that over the years, the entire Nigerian populace had been linked with internet crimes without statistical proof.

    He said the development was out of tune with the way of life of the typical Nigerian citizen.

    He noted that on the contrary, “Nigerians are meticulous, authentic citizens who have been making significant contributions to innumerable fields of endeavours around the world.

    “Over the decades, Nigerians have been victims of mislabelling. Such gross misrepresentation fails to reflect the true essence of our diverse and resilient nation.

    “The association of internet crimes with the entire Nigerian populace lacks statistical evidence and does not align with the sociology of everyday Nigerians.

    “Our nation comprises hardworking, honest citizens who contribute significantly to various fields globally, from Artificial Intelligence to medicine.”

    Tinubu said “Nigeria rejects blanket stereotyping that undermines the majority upholding principles of integrity and diligence.

    “We must face the fact that we function in an interconnected world where cybercrimes have evolved into a global phenomenon.

    “This poses a threat not only to our nation but to the entire world.”

    Delivering his speech titled, “Youth, Religion, and Our Battle Against Corruption: A Call to Action,” Tinubu lauded the EFCC for remaining a moral compass, persistently rousing the nation’s conscience.

    The President said through its operations, EFCC remained vocal in “telling the world that Nigeria is neither complicit nor complacent in confronting the menace of corruption.”

    He underscored the urgency of combating internet crimes and neutralising the threat caused by other forms of corruption head on.

    The Nigerian leader assured the anti-graft agency of the government’s support in its quest to combat the digital offenses.

    “We must recognise that the commission’s lawful efforts to bring fraudsters to book are imperative for the overall well-being of our society.

    “The government is aware that our ambitious goal of eradicating internet offenses and corruption demands an atmosphere steeped in trust and integrity.

    “We must foster open communication channels and ensure that law enforcement actions align with justice and accountability,” he added.

    The President reminded the Nigerian youths that there were abundant opportunities for lawful enterprises, both within and outside the shores of the country.

    This, he said, was the reason why the Federal Government had taken steps to establish a Students Loan Board to address the financial needs of students.

    “This initiative aims not only to alleviate financial burdens but also to disincentivize criminality by offering a tangible alternative.

    “Our message to the youth is clear: the horizon is wide, and opportunities abound across various sectors.

    “Seize these prospects, embark on lawful enterprises, and let your talents shine.

    “The government encourages you to leverage these opportunities, exhibit your capabilities across all sectors, and contribute to the prosperity of our great nation.”

    Tinubu commended the efforts of the EFCC in tackling corruption through the Inter-Faith and Fraud Risk Assessment Projects.

    He said that the initiative recognises the potential of religion as a tool for ethical reformation and underscores the importance of engaging diverse faith communities in our fight against corruption.

    “Simultaneously, this initiative addresses vulnerabilities within government agencies and acknowledges the critical need to fortify these institutions against corrupt practices.

    “Our nation is deeply rooted in religious values, and it is crucial to acknowledge that both Christianity and Islam vehemently condemn corruption.

    “With these profound teachings in mind, I urge our revered religious leaders to demonstrate a pillar of guidance,” he added.

    Earlier, the Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), emphasised the significance of paying more attention to preventive measures in the renewed fight against corruption.

    He urged religious leaders, traditional rulers, heads of tertiary institutions and youth groups to take ownership of the reinvigorated anti-corruption crusade under the Tinubu administration.

    In attendance were traditional rulers and spiritual, including the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sa’ad Abubakar; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II; the president of CAN, Arcbishop, Daniel Okoh and Bishop John Praise.

    Also in attendance were the Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption, Sen. Emmanuel Udende, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu and Prof. Lilian Salami, Chairperson of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin.

    Others are the Chairman of Channels TV, Mr John Momoh; Former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola; JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and some heads of government agencies and parastatals, among others.