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Tag: President Buhari

  • Buhari inaugurates Eyemark to empower citizens to monitor capital projects real-time

    Buhari inaugurates Eyemark to empower citizens to monitor capital projects real-time

    President Muhammadu Buhari says the government is edging forward in promoting sustainable development by creating a digital application, Eyemark, that enables citizens to monitor and evaluate capital projects in real-time.

    Eyemark is an application that provides unimpeded access to information on stakeholders including contract terms and the contractors.

    The president stated this on Wednesday when he inaugurated the digital application at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

    He said the innovation would help to forestall the practice of abandoning projects as all stakeholders such as the communities, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), contractors, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and citizens would continually interact on one platform.

    The president said Eyemark would provide a regular update on the status of capital projects across the country through bottom-up interactive processes.

    He said that the application would also be fully involved at every stage including knowing the cost, structure, benefit, and framework for maintenance after completion.

    ”The Eyemark application tackles the two major constraints we have faced as a country in our monitoring and evaluation efforts.

    ”Eyemark introduces a digital approach to monitoring and evaluation in the Federal Government that gives MDAs the ability to harness geospatial and project implementation data on a continuous basis.

    “Furthermore, the constraint of limited monitoring and evaluation personnel is addressed by utilising a bottom-up approach through crowdsourcing geotagged data from Nigerians in every part of the country.

    ”Not only does this address the pressing monitoring and evaluation issues but it also institutes accountability and transparency in the system, in line with my commitment to Nigerians and the Open Government Partnership.

    ”With the Eyemark application, Nigerians worldwide can access project information with the click of a button.”

    According to him, the project data such as its status, timeline, executing contractors, the amount appropriated and spent so far, amongst others, are now available in the public space.

    “With the ability for citizens to give reviews and feedback in real-time on projects around them, we are closing the existing gaps and promoting participation in governance.”

    He said due to its decentralised nature, the Eyemark application brings together all project stakeholders to the table,m such as contractors and CSCs in addition to MDAs and citizens.

    “This means that we must all play our roles in the success of project implementation through Eyemark. As such, the Eyemark application should be used by all Federal MDAs as the primary tool for project monitoring and evaluation,’’ he said.

    Buhari implored all MDAs to furnish the application with the relevant data and information for all current and future projects.

    He said this had become imperative as the Eyemark application offered an opportunity to sensitise and advertise to the world the goals and magnitude of infrastructure projects being carried out by the government.

    He, therefore, urged the MDAs to work closely with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning through the National Monitoring and Evaluation Department to continually build upon current efforts.

    “On their part, the contractors should similarly utilise the platform as a means to keep citizens abreast of your good works, updating them regularly as projects progress or unforeseen circumstances arise.

    “We are spotlighting our collaboration on infrastructure delivery, and your role in this cannot be understated.

    ”To my fellow Nigerians and CSOs that speak on behalf of those that cannot, you are the main stakeholders in every project we undertake.

    ”As I encourage you to review our projects, I also assure you that your constructive feedback will not be met with deaf ears but an M&E team eagerly ready to respond to you and take action.”

    The president commended the Minister and Minister of State of Finance, Budget and National Planning, ”their dedicated team and the brilliant minds that made this a reality.”

    The president charged MDAs and the State Governments to work together in extending the effort across all tiers of government to promote a more robust and contextual database of projects.

    “I am extremely delighted to launch and deploy the Eyemark application as the primary tool for Monitoring and Evaluating Federal Government Projects.

    ”I do this remembering the words of the Global CEO of the Open Government Partnership as he mentioned that the Eyemark application is “the first nationally coordinated citizens’ driven web application that aligns with Open Governance Partnership Strategy that he has come across in the World.”

    According to the president, the application is an excellent innovation that Nigeria can share with other nations of the world, saying ”let us make the system work”.

    The president said Eyemark would remain an official tool for Monitoring and Evaluating Federal Government’s capital projects.

    ”The aim of this Government is to secure its people through providing a strong economy, protection from external forces and an enabling environment for citizens and businesses to thrive.

    ”To achieve this goal, we embark on multiple large, medium, and small-scale projects, running into tens of thousands of projects yearly. These projects are carefully planned collaborative efforts, each aimed at achieving a predetermined goal.

    “To ensure that these projects are successful and impactful to Nigerians and our economy, I believe it is critical for their implementation to be monitored and evaluated at their various stages,” he added.

    The president, however, noted that the state of the country’s monitoring and evaluation method had seen thousands of well-meaning capital projects abandoned or poorly implemented over the years.

    ‘Although corruption, which this administration has fought and continues to fight, has played a role in the alarming number of poorly executed and abandoned projects in the country, we must look beyond it and simultaneously tackle the other contributing factors.

    ”Top of which is our current paper-based method of monitoring and evaluation coupled with the overwhelming ratio of projects to monitoring and evaluation personnel.

    ”We cannot realistically expect a few individuals to effectively monitor tens of thousands of projects appropriated for during each budgetary cycle,’’ he said.

    The president noted that his administration had invested more than any administration in infrastructure, adding, “but unless we closely monitor our investments, they will yield less value.’

    “It was with this backdrop that I mandated the Minister and Minister of State, Finance, Budget, and National Planning in 2019 to address our issues and constraints of monitoring and evaluating capital projects.

    “I am delighted to say that the mandate has been delivered through the deployment of EYEMARK,’’ he said.

    In his remarks, the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba said the Eyemark project was inspired by the monitoring and evaluation during the COVID-19 pandemic by the ministry and realized by talented young Nigerians.

    He said the “homegrown and nationally coordinated’’ application had transited governments from the era of “earmarking’’ projects with little or no monitoring tools to “eye marking’’, where all stakeholders would be fully involved at every stage.

    Agba explained that “citizen empowerment begins with ownership, where people can freely take photographs of projects, upload them for review and also post comments, and the feedback loop will be sustained by all stakeholders.”

    The minister thanked the president for his interest and endorsement of the project, which practically reflected his position on transparency and accountability, particularly with citizen participation.

    Agba said the digital application would  be extended to states and development partners for free.

  • Guards Brigade celebrates Buhari @ 80, presents gifts

    Guards Brigade celebrates Buhari @ 80, presents gifts

    As part of activities to celebrate President Muhammadu Buhari’s 80th Birthday, the Commander, Guards Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Usman has led his officers on a special visit to the president.

    The Assistant Director Army Public Relations, Guards Brigade, Capt. Godfrey Abakpa, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Usman said the visit was to specially congratulate the Commander-in- Chief as he clocked 80 and to further wish him many more years of celebration in good health.

    He used the opportunity to appreciate Buhari for providing the Brigade with the requisite platforms needed to secure the Federal Capital and the environs.

    The commander said the support had gone a long way towards ensuring the security of neighbouring states of Niger, Kogi, Kaduna and Nasarawa.

    Responding, the president thanked the commander and his team for their service, sacrifice as well as dedication.

    Buhari further reminded them of the tenets of the military service which he said requires self-sacrifice and commitment.

    He added that he was grateful to God almighty for keeping him so far since he became the president.

    Buhari said that the Armed Forces had lived up to expectations in addressing the several security challenges.

    He assured Nigerians of his unwavering commitment to the service of the father land to continue to serve the nation.

    Buhari used the event to congratulate the Commander Guards Brigade and other senior officers of the Nigerian Army, who benefited from the recent promotion for the rank of Brigadier to Major General.

    The highpoint of the visit was the presentation of gift items to the president by the Guards Brigade team.

    The event was witnessed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and Permanent Secretary, State House, Tijani Idris.

    Also in attendance were the Commanding officers of the various Guards Battalion under the Brigade.

  • Buhari’s foresight gave Nigeria Correctional Service a new face – official

    Buhari’s foresight gave Nigeria Correctional Service a new face – official

    The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s foresight gave the service a new face that has enhanced commitment to duty.

    The National Public Relations Officer (NPRO) Assistant Controller of Corrections, (ACC) Umar Abubakar said this in an interview on Sunday in Abuja.

    Abubakar said that President Buhari’s massive support has brought about a lot of changes that were evident in the service, adding that the new face currently unveiling was a work in progress.

    He said ” I want to use this opportunity to appreciate President Buhari for his foresight in ensuring that there is a new face of NCoS.

    “There are a lot of changes that have been done and still ongoing.

    “I will refer to it as a work in progress because it is just part of the 2019 NCoS Act that was signed into law that brings about some of these changes.

    “This is not a change in just uniform of the officers and men, or that of the inmates or even the change of logo, but a change in attitude, foresight, strength, energy to bring out the best from the service.

    “So the personnel are ready to work and I’m sure that with this new changes, it will enable us give to the country the best in terms of security management of our dear nation, “he said.

    Speaking about the the current status of the new custodial centres being constructed, Abubakar said that the one in Kano which was 3000 capacity facility was expected to be commissioned soon.

    The NPRO said that the Kano custodial centre was almost 90 per cent completed while that of Karshi, in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was also near completion.

    “The Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola put it at almost 65 to 70 per cent level of completion the last time he visited.

    “It is expected that before the end of May, when the current president would be leaving  office, it will be completed.

    “Also the one taking place in Bori, Port Harcourt has gone far, but I think there is more work to be done there.

    “Above all, I’m sure the three should be completed possibly before the end of the present administration,” he said.

    Newsmen report that President Muhammadu Buhari changed the name of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) to Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) after signing the NCoS Act 2019 into law.

    Newsmen also reports that the Federal Government said it would establish six modern custodial facilities in the six geo-political zones in the country to address curreny congestion in custodial centers .

  • Wike challenges President Buhari to release names of governors diverting LG funds

    Wike challenges President Buhari to release names of governors diverting LG funds

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has asked President Buhari to release names of governors who diverted local government allocations in the country.

    Recall that the President on Tuesday, accused some governors of diverting funds meant for local governments councils sent from the federation’s account.

    He also noted that State governors make council chairmen sign undertakings for money not received.

    However, during the commissioning of a project in Port Harcourt on Friday, Gov. Wike claimed that he has never touched monies meant for the local government since he came on board in 2015.

    The governor also claimed that none of the G5 governors in the Peoples Democratic Party has ever touched local government allocations.

    He then challenged the President to name the governors who tamper with local government allocations.

    Wike said ” I challenge Mr. President, you must come out and tell Nigerians those committing this offence.

    “You said the Governors are taking local government funds. I want to say, in the name of Almighty God, I’ve never touched local government funds one day. I have never and I have no reason to do that.

    “So Mr President, tell us who are those people? You know them, tell us.

    “I’m not one of those governors. Mr President tells Nigerians that the Integrity Governors are not part of them.

    “Do us a favour to announce all those states that are taking local government funds”.

  • President Buhari returns from two-week medical trip to UK

    President Buhari returns from two-week medical trip to UK

    Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has returned to the country after embarking on a two-week medical trip to the United Kingdom.

    Recall that President Buhari made the trip to London on the 31st of October, 2022 for a medical check up.

    The President had presided over an emergency National Security Council meeting in the State House, Abuja, where he and his security chiefs had reviewed the security advisory issued by the United States Government to her employees in Nigeria.

    He attended the opening ceremony of the conference and retreat organized for Senior police officers in Owerri, Imo State before jetting out.

    While abroad on medical trip, Buhari used the opportunity to visit the King of England, King Charles lll

    Buhari and King Charles  engaged in a heart to heart talk, where King Charles was reported to have jokingly asked Buhari if he had a residential building in the UK.

    President Buhari is expected to join in the All Progressive Congress presidential campaign team to rally support for the party.

  • Analysing the potential issues confronting Nigeria’s 2023 census

    Analysing the potential issues confronting Nigeria’s 2023 census

    Population census to cost N227 billion more than the general elections budget…

    At a time of serious fiscal challenges, Nigeria’s decision to spend N532.7 billion for the conduct of a population census in 2023 has remained a subject of controversy, with many questioning the need for a census in view of the widespread insecurity and the availability of alternative population information sources.

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has flagged insecurity as a serious risk that was taking a toll on data collection for field surveys and can affect the quality and reliability of statistical information in the country.

    However, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, has given approval for the conduct of the country’s first digital census in April 2023, barely a month before the end of his eight-year administration, a timing which analysts say is a miscalculation.

    Defending the conduct of the exercise, President Buhari said the deployment of digital technology will ensure the census data is more accurate, just as the national census will help in the fight against insecurity.

    “The country’s inability to conduct a population census in the last 16 years has created an information vacuum as the data from the last census conducted in 2006 has been rendered out of date for planning purposes.

    “It has therefore become imperative for the nation to conduct another national census to produce a new set of demographic and socio-economic data that will provide the basis for national planning and sustainable development, the President said.

    Ideally, a national census provides important information on a country’s population that is used in government planning, administrating and underpinning the national statistical system. Nigeria has a long history of census takings spanning over a century, as the first census was conducted in 1866.

    The 2023 national census will be the first to be conducted in the last 16 years and the National Population Commission (NPC) announced it has successfully completed the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) in 772 Local Government Areas (LGAs) out of the 774 LGAs in Nigeria as well as the 1st and 2nd Census Pretest in the selected Enumeration Areas in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

    Chairman of the NPC Nasir Isa Kwarra, said the methodology for the next census has been designed to produce not only accurate, reliable and acceptable census but also inclusive and user-friendly census data. The NPC is also targeting to recruit about 1.5 million ad-hoc staff for the conduct of the exercise.

    “I am confident that the Commission will deliver a credible and reliable census that will meet international standard and global acceptability,” said Kwarra.

    Reacting to the issue of insecurity, Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Nigeria Ulla Mueller, said that insecurity in Nigeria should not be the basis for opposition to the conduct of the Population and Housing Census in 2023.

    Mueller noted that if a census could be conducted in Afghanistan during the war, it can also be replicated in Nigeria, promising that the Fund would deploy various kinds of assistance to ensure the 2023 census has a credible outcome with quality and transformational data that can drive Nigeria’s attainment of the drive Nigeria’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    “If we have data, we have an accountability framework for what it is we want to achieve. When we have data, we can hold governments and ourselves accountable to the commitment and pledges that we have made.

    “Data also supports effective formulation of policies. It is the backbone of good governance. It is the backbone of good planning,” she said.

    While Nigerians acknowledge the benefits of a population census, many query the amount involved which far exceeds the N305 billion budgeted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the 2023 general election.

    “I agree that knowing how many we are and the age distribution and structure of the population is desirable, spending such a colossal sum of money on an exercise that will always be disputed should not be a priority at this time,” a public servant Bukky Adebisi told this newspaper.

    Former Senator for Kaduna Central Shehu Sani, has also urged the Federal Government not to borrow or print money to fund next year’s census budget.

    “Nigeria’s census budget will cost over half a trillion Naira. This means each of the 36 state and Abuja will consume over N12 Billion. I hope we will not borrow or print money to do this,” he said.

  • Buhari will leave legacies of credible elections – Gambari

    Buhari will leave legacies of credible elections – Gambari

    The Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, says President Muhammadu Buhari will be remembered for leaving a legacy of free and fair elections as well as massive investments in infrastructure across the country.

    A statement issued by Patience Tilley-Gyado, Assistant Director, Information, State House, Abuja, on Sunday, said Gambari stated this when members of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI) visited the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The chief of staff, who lauded the president for his respect for the constitutional term limit, said Buhari had laid a solid foundation for youth empowerment across the country, and will be remembered for his commitment to free and fair elections in this country.

    ”He has said it many times that Nigerians must be respected, their votes must count and he is committed to leaving by the time the administration comes to an end on May 29, 2023.”

    According to him, President Buhari has led by example on probity and accountability in governance, stressing that the nation will also remember him for that.

    ”When people talk about the legacies President Buhari is leaving behind, it is important to mention the infrastructure legacy – the 2nd Niger Bridge, the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the Abuja-Kano expressway, the network of roads and railways across the country, the ports and the power sector.

    ”It is important to emphasize power, because without it and infrastructure the full stature of a nation cannot be realized.”

    On the president’s commitment to youth development, Gambari noted that ”the recently signed Startup Act 2022 has the youth as major beneficiary, as it recognizes the creativity of youths and seeks to empower them as productive entrepreneurs.”

    He described the projected contribution of the Act to the national economy as tremendous, citing successes recorded in Morocco, Tunisia and India.

    On Nigeria’s quest for the expansion of the 15-member Security Council, Gambari said Nigeria could not be ignored in international affairs, considering its contributions to international peacekeeping and economic potential.

    According to him, with Nigeria projected to be the third most populated nation in the world after India and China by 2050, the country deserves a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.

    Gambari, who has served as Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Permanent Representative to the UN in New York and first Under Secretary-General and Special Adviser to UN Secretary-General on Africa (1999-2005), told the young people on excursion to the State House:

    ”I think you are fortunate to be born a Nigerian. By the year 2050, according to UN statistics, Nigeria will be the third most populous country in the world after India and China.

    ”A country that is the third most populated in the world must remain united, strong and prosperous and cannot be ignored in international affairs.

    ”If you are the third most populous country in the world, then the campaign for a permanent seat in the United National Security Council is one that we will find enormous support because you cannot ignore its people and potentials.”

    Gambari commended the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Founder of LMI, Femi Gbajabiamilla, for making an impact in the lives of young people through training and mentoring the next generation of legislators and ethical public sector leaders.

    He urged the LMI fellows to maintain close contacts with each other, remain focused and united in order to overcome the challenges facing the nation.

    ”People refer to you as leaders of tomorrow. I think it is a misnomer. You are already leaders of today because Nigeria depends on what you do and the part you have taken.

    ”You are Fellows-in-Training that are already leaders of today because you have been selected from over millions of other possibilities, shows that you are already making a mark.

    ”Do not be intimidated by titles like ‘Chief of Staff, because we all started from somewhere’,” Gambari told the LMI programme fellows, recounting his humble beginnings from a ‘village primary school in Ilorin, Kwara.

    While welcoming the Fellows-in-Training to State House, the Permanent Secretary, Tijjani Umar, engaged them on the history, role and priorities of State House in providing top notch services to the President and Vice President towards the effective discharge of their responsibilities to Nigeria.

    The permanent secretary also explained the functions of the Principal Officers to the President and the Vice President.

    Umar expressed the willingness of the top management of State House to support the process of building a new generation of public sector leaders.

    Mr Dapo Oyewole, Director LMI, who represented the Speaker, commended the Chief of Staff and the Permanent Secretary for hosting the LMI Fellows-in-Training.

    ”By opening the doors of State House and allowing the Fellows-in-Training to come in on the last day of their intensive training, opens a massive door of possibilities and opportunities to them,” he said.

  • No President like Buhari in Nigeria’s history – APC spokesperson

    No President like Buhari in Nigeria’s history – APC spokesperson

    Alhaji Yusuf Idris, the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara said  there was no President like Buhari in the history of Nigeria.

    idris told newsmen in Abuja on Sunday,” the president has really performed creditably in the last seven years.

    “However, more publicity needs to be given to the myriad programmes and policies, as well as the achievements of the Buhari-led Federal Government.”

    Idris said that in the history of the Nigerian presidency, it is only Buhari that initiated a social investments programme that has various components.

    He added that these components had tangibly touched the lives of the common man across the country.

    He listed these components to include: N-Power, Conditional Cash. Transfer, TraderMoni and Senior Citizens’ programe, among others.

    “If you check you will find out that a lot of people had benefitted, but more public awareness is needed.

    “For instance, in Zamfara, more than 200,000 people have benefited from these programmes in the last seven years.

    “This feat is being replicated across the country and already, trillions of naira had been sunk into these invaluable programmes.

    “People are being credited directly from the banks including some of them criticising the government.

    *The president has good plans for the country,but more needs to be done in terms of Implementation and publicity,”Idris said.

    On economic development, the APC top official said that Buhari has empowered many Nigerian farmers through the Anchor Borrower’s Programme (ABP), saying, “this is glaring not hidden.”

    According to Idris, the farmers were given improved seeds and farm implements, among other items, saying, “the president has done a wonderful job.

    “That is why the country is not suffering from the much expected hunger occasioned by the effects of COVID-19 and other disturbing global economic downturns.

    “Buhari has also done a lot in the anti corruption fight and there are sustained efforts to combat the various security challenges facing the country.”

  • Terror Alert: Buhari urges Nigerians to be calm and Vigilant

    Terror Alert: Buhari urges Nigerians to be calm and Vigilant

    Nigeria’s president  Muhammadu Buhari has urged citizens  to be calm following the United States and United Kingdom terror alert.

    The president also advised the people to be very vigilant and observant, saying everything is under control.

    This was contained in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu on Friday.

    According Shehu, president Buhari  has maintained that Nigerians’ safety remains the highest priority of the government noted that security agents are proactively rooting out threats to keep citizens safe.

    The President expressed optimism that given the ongoing efforts on the part of the military and other security and intelligence agencies with the active support of the civilian population, the nation will emerge victorious against the current challenges facing it.

    Buhari said “Nigeria is no exception in having terror threats listed in foreign government’s travel advice to their citizens. UK and US travel advisories also state there is a high likelihood of terror attacks in many Western European nations. Indeed, the UK and US advice to their respective citizens for travel to one another’s countries contain the same warning. Unfortunately, terror is a reality all over the world.

    “However, it does not mean an attack in Abuja is imminent. Since the July prison raid, security measures have been reinforced in and around the FCT.

    “Heightened monitoring and interception of terrorist communications ensure potential threats are caught further upstream. Attacks are being foiled. Security agents are proactively rooting out threats to keep citizens safe – much of their work unseen and necessarily confidential.

    “Nigerians’ safety remains the highest priority of the government. Security services are working around the clock to keep harm at bay.”

    The President stressed that while being security conscious, alert and careful, it is also important that responsible members of the society do not create situations leading to unnecessary panic.

    He commended the military and other security agencies for the recent turnaround in the nation’s security and directed that additional precautionary measures be put in place and during the upcoming festive period.

  • APC said I have done well – Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike

    APC said I have done well – Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has expressed happiness for being deemed fit to receive an award from the country’s president,  Muhammadu Buhari, adding that he’s a proud man to have been certified okay by the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) despite being in the opposition.

    Governor Wike made this statement in Port Harcourt on Monday during a dinner/reception in his honour to celebrate the ‘Distinguished Award in Infrastructure Delivery’ bestowed on him by President Buhari.

    “So I thank all of you and I dedicate this Award to God Almighty and to all of you who prayed for us to achieve what we have achieved. The Award is not to me, it is to all of you. I feel proud to say if the ruling party can say you have done well, who is that person? Let them come and campaign here,” he said.

    Wike added that he would leverage his award to campaign in the forthcoming general elections, revealing that no other party can come to Rivers State to campaign.