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Tag: President Buhari

  • Buhari to present 2023 budget estimates to National Assembly on Friday

    Buhari to present 2023 budget estimates to National Assembly on Friday

    President Muhammadu Buhari will on Friday present the 2023 budget estimates to the joint session of the National Assembly by 10 am.

    This is contained in a letter written to the President of Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan by President Buhari and read at plenary on Tuesday.

    Lawan said the venue for presentation of the 2023 budget estimates by Buhari would be at the temporary chamber of the House of Representatives.

    According to him, arrangements would be made to accommodate all the senators, adding that senators would proceed to the venue in procession .

    Newsmen reports that Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed said the federal government was proposing an aggregate expenditure of N19.76 trillion for the 2023 fiscal year.

    The minister who made this known at the 2023-2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) interaction with the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, however said she may not be able to make provision for treasury funded capital projects in the 2023 fiscal year.

    Newsmen reports that Ahmed also said the budget deficit for the 2023 fiscal year may be between N11.30 trillion and N12.41 trillion, depending on the choice that would be made by the federal government on the issue of fuel subsidy payment.

    She stated that the federal government was projecting total revenue of N8.46 trillion, out of which N1.9 trillion was expected to come from oil-related sources while the balance would come from non-oil sources.

    Ahmed explained that the benchmark crude oil price was pegged at 70 dollars per barrel and at an exchange rate of N435.57 to a dollar, oil production was put at 1.69 million barrel per day, real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth was projected at 3.7 per cent while inflation was put at 17.16 per cent in the MTEF.

    She said petrol subsidy would remain up to mid-2023, based on the 18-month extension announced early 2021, in which case only N3.36 trillion would be provided for it in next financial year.

    The minister also pointed out that Nigeria has been able to consistently without defaulting, service her debt, adding that the country does not have any projections even in the near future, to fail in its debt obligation.

    Speaking further, Ahmed said although the amount currently used to service the country’s debt had overshot what was appropriated for in the budget, measures have been put in place to manage the situation.

  • Umahi hails Buhari at Nigeria’s 62nd independence anniversary

    Umahi hails Buhari at Nigeria’s 62nd independence anniversary

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and  Nigerians on the occasion of  the nation’s 62nd Independence Day anniversary celebration.

    Umahi made the felicitation in a goodwill message he sent to the President and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki on Saturday by Mr Chooks Oko, Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Strategy.

    Umahi thanked Nigerians for the sacrifices they have been making to ensure the unity of the nation, despite daunting economic and security challenges in parts of the country.

    “As we mark this symbolic celebration of Nigeria at 62 and Ebonyi  at 26, we have the honour to convey our profound felicitations to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari.

    “We thank God for the unity of purpose and shared vision in our democratic journey as an independent nation.

    “We congratulate fellow Nigerians for their commitment toward a progressive Nigeria, despite daunting challenges,” he added.

    The governor, while recalling the various fruitful sacrifices of Ebonyi founding fathers for the creation of the state, paid glowing tributes to them and prayed posterity to reward them accordingly.

    “We specially felicitate with the good people of Ebonyi on this remarkable moment of the celebration of our emancipation as a people that were once criminally neglected.

    “Our founding fathers passed through thick and thin to give us freedom and a sense of hope. We, therefore,  pay homage to them as the standard bearers of the vision we share for the development of our state,’ he said.

    The governor who clarified that the gamut of extraordinary achievements of his administration was in line with his convenant with God, assured that he would scale up delivery of democracy dividends within the remainder of the lifecycle of his administration.

    “Our stewardship is inspired by our covenant with God to make the state one of the best economies of the nation.

    “By God’s grace, we have remained faithful to our promise to deliver transparent and God-fearing governance that is based on integrity and dignity.

    “We value and cherish the collaborations that stimulated our achievements and we therefore,  use this medium to convey our deepest appreciation to all who stood by us,” he added.

    Umahi wished Nigerians and Ebonyi residents a memorable Independence and creation anniversary celebration.

  • Just in: President Buhari’s ally, Rotimi Fasakin is Dead

    Just in: President Buhari’s ally, Rotimi Fasakin is Dead

    An ally of President Muhammadu Buhari and chieftain of the All Progressive Congress(APC) Rotimi Fasakin is dead.

    Confirming the death, his close ally Eyitayo Ajayi wrote on his Facebook page, “I lost my brother Engr Rotimi Fashakin last night. I pray God to give the family the fortitude to bear the loss”.

    It was reported that Faskin passed away on Saturday in London, United Kingdom

    The deceased was the spokesman for the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). The CPC later merged with the Action Congress of Nigeria and All Nigeria Peoples Party to form the APC.

    He also served as a member of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation and was the immediate Executive Director, Operation of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    He was said to be studying Law at the University of Buckingham in London and billed to graduate in December 2022.

  • Buhari returns to Abuja after outing at UNGA77 in New York

    Buhari returns to Abuja after outing at UNGA77 in New York

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday morning returned to Abuja, after a successful participation in the 77th session of the high-level meetings of the UN General Assembly in New York, United States.

    Newsmen reports that the presidential jet conveying the president and other members of the entourage landed at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja at about 6.25 a.m.

    While in New York, President Buhari participated in no fewer than 12 High level events, including bilateral meetings.

    Buhari attended the opening of Transforming Education Summit on Sept 19 ahead of the General Debate and attended Leaders Roundtable segment of the Summit where he delivered Nigeria’s statement.

    The Nigerian leader was also the first speaker, on Wednesday, to deliver Nigeria’s statement to the world leaders, assuring them of leaving lasting legacies and restated commitment to constitutional term.

    He told the global body that his administration was determined to entrench a process of free, fair, transparent and credible elections through which Nigerians would elect their leaders.

    The president also engaged in various bilateral talks with some world leaders on the margins of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly.

    He also alerted the world leaders on the danger of escalation of the war in Ukraine, saying the conflict further justified Nigeria’s resolute calls for a nuclear-free world and a universal Arms Trade Treaty.

    Buhari said the call had become necessary to prevent global human disasters.

    He, therefore, demanded that world leaders must find quick means to reach consensus on the nuclear non-proliferation Treaty with related commitments by nuclear weapon states.

    The president also at the Nigeria International Economic Partnership Forum held on the margins of the UNGA77 in New York on Sept. 22, expressed delight that Nigeria’s investments in improving security were yielding fruitful results.

    He, therefore, lauded the Nigeria military for making significant progress in the fight against insecurity and building the momentum in reducing challenges to its barest minimum.

    Buhari also spoke at a ‘Leaders’ Closed-Door Meeting on Climate Change’ convened by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Antonio Guterres.

    He restated the commitment of the Nigerian government towards ensuring a rapid and strategic transition to renewable energy.

    He said this would be in response to the world-wide efforts for the preservation of the environment.

    Also at a meeting with the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) at the Nigeria International Economic Partnership Forum on Sept. 23, Buhari described the United States as Nigeria’s main trading partner and one of ‘‘our most important diplomatic partners’’.

    This, he said, underscored the need for concerted efforts to increase the volume of bilateral trade.

    The Nigerian leader told the gathering that in 2020, Nigeria exported more than $1.69 billion worth of goods to the U.S., adding that these exports were primarily made up of crude oil and other petroleum products.

    Buhari also held bilateral talks with the President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, in New York on Wednesday, where he called on African countries and their Arab partners to work hard and be more united to realise common objectives.

    He said the actualisation of the UN resolution, which proposed a two-state solution to the crisis between Israel and Palestine, required a platform to think creatively on how to engage the rest of the world on the matter.

    The president also engaged in various bilateral talks with some world leaders on the margins of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly.

    At a meeting with the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Buhari urged for a closer partnership with Nigeria in education, health, security, and non-oil and gas sectors.

    While stressing the importance of education and knowledge, he said the time had come to begin to look at practical ways of tackling health challenges coming without notice.

    The president also on Friday in New York called for more private sector participation in the humanitarian sector in Nigeria.

    Buhari made the call against the backdrop of lingering challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, catastrophic weather events and conflicts.

    The Nigerian leader also stressed the need for efficient collaboration among stakeholders involved in humanitarian action and disaster mitigation in the country.

    Buhari at a High-Level side event on ”Food Security Response: Combating Illicit Financial Flows and Securing Asset Returns for Sustainable Development’‘, urged African leaders to fight tirelessly to get rid of corruption.

    The president, who spoke in his capacity as the African Union Champion on efforts to eliminate corruption on the continent, lamented that the continent had remained at the far end of global development index because of its menace.

    The event, held at the margins of UNGA77 on Sept. 24, was co-hosted by African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    While providing his perspectives on the effects of corruption on the continent and the way forward, the Nigerian leader said he was honoured to serve as AU Champion on anti-corruption since 2018.

    Buhari also on Friday inaugurated Nigeria’s Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) for Sustainable Development.

  • Buhari urges more private sector participation in humanitarian sector

    Buhari urges more private sector participation in humanitarian sector

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in New York called for more private sector participation in the humanitarian sector in Nigeria.

    The Nigerian leader made the call against the backdrop of lingering challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, catastrophic weather events and conflicts.

    The president, according to his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina in a statement, spoke at a side event at the 77th UN General Assembly in New York, United States, on Friday.

    The event was hosted by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, entitled ”Strengthening Resilience and Sustaining Development: A Humanitarian Development Peace Approach to Leaving No One Behind.”

    The president also stressed the need for efficient collaboration among stakeholders involved in humanitarian action and disaster mitigation in the country.

    He urged the bilateral and multilateral development partners to continue to provide technical support to well-planned policies and programmes in the sector.

    The president described the creation of the Humanitarian Ministry in August 2019 as a strategic intervention,

    Buhari said it underscored Nigeria’s commitment to consistently strengthen resilience and sustain development through improved coordination and synergy between international, regional and national humanitarian and development actors, partners and governments.

    He told the meeting that in the 37 months the Ministry had been operational, it has worked with national governments, Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

    ”It has also organised private sector, the United Nations, Local and International Non-Governmental Organisations and security actors to widen dialogue, reinforce existing capacities and strengthen coping strategies:

    ”The Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management & Social Development, its Agencies and Programmes, have developed policies, frameworks, programmes and plans that form the foundation necessary to build resilience.

    ”Some of these include the Civil Security Cooperation in Humanitarian Action, which created the National Humanitarian Coordination Committee, the development of LIFE Coordination Framework and the National Humanitarian Committee Technical Working Group.

    ”Other policies, frameworks, programmes and plans that support the agenda 2030 and resilience building of our citizenry are the National Internally Displaced Persons Policy, the Revised National Emergency Management Plan, the National Emergency Flood and Response Plan.

    ”Others are; the National Policy for Aging for Elderly Persons, the Poverty Reduction Plan, and the revised National Policy on disability, all aimed at supporting our Administration’s strategy to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.”

    According to him, the Ministry has also led the administration’s efforts to tackle poverty and ensure social inclusion through the Social Investment Programmes.

    These include; the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, the N-Power Programme and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme.

    According to the president, Nigeria has also brought to the fore the inclusion of Persons with Disability and elderly persons in the social protection space by the creation of agencies that will lay emphasis on these populations in the country.

    He, therefore, urged the meeting to analyse the shared experiences over the years and devise possible transformational solutions for the future.

    In her welcome address, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, thanked President Buhari for his support since the creation of the Ministry in 2019.

    Goodwill messages were delivered by Prof. Babagana Zulum on behalf of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Amina J Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations as well as Development Partners.

  • UNGA77: Buhari appeals for debt cancellation for Nigeria, other poor debtor nations

    UNGA77: Buhari appeals for debt cancellation for Nigeria, other poor debtor nations

    Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, has appeled to the global community to consider “outright debt cancellation” for countries facing severe fiscal challenges.

    The Nigerian leader made this appeal while speaking at the ongoing 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York.

    In his words: “Nigeria, therefore, implores our global partners to do more to complement our endeavours.

    “Indeed, the multifaceted challenges facing most developing countries have placed a debilitating chokehold on their fiscal space.

    “This equally calls for the need to address the burden of unsustainable external debts by a global commitment to the expansion and extension of the debt service suspension initiative to countries facing fiscal and liquidity challenges as well as outright cancellation for countries facing the most severe challenges.”

    President Buhari’s call for debt cancellation for developing countries with fiscal challenges comes as Nigeria’s debt profile continues to rise under his watch.

    In nearly eight years under President Buhari, Nigeria’s debt profile has risen up to N42 trillion, according to the Debt Management Office.

    With the present Nigerian government proposing to borrow over N11 trillion to fund the 2023 budget deficit, President Buhari regime will bequeath over N50 trillion debt on Nigeria when he leaves office next May.

    President Buhari furthered assured the global community that he would leave a legacy of free, fair and transparent elections.

    He told the assembly that Nigeria is committed to the “sanctity of constitutional term limits”, stressing that Nigeria has steadfastly adhered to democratic ethos.

    President Buhari said Nigeria has worked to strengthen democracy and rule of law in the West African region.

    He said: “In Nigeria, not only have we worked to strengthen our democracy, but we have supported it and promoted the rule of law in our sub-region.

    “In The Gambia, we helped guarantee the first democratic transition since independence. In Guinea-Bissau, we stood by the democratically elected Government when it faced mutiny.

    “And in the Republic of Chad, following the tragic death of its President, the late Idris Deby Itno in the battle field, we joined forces with its other neighbours and international partners to stabilize the country and encourage the peaceful transition to democracy, a process which is ongoing.

    “We believe in the sanctity of constitutional term limits and we have steadfastly adhered to it in Nigeria. We have seen the corrosive impact on values when leaders elsewhere seek to change the rules to stay on in power. Indeed, we now are preparing for general elections in Nigeria next February.

    “At the 78th UNGA, there will be a new face at this podium speaking for Nigeria. Ours is a vast country strengthened by its diversity and its common values of hard work, enduring faith and a sense of community.

    “We have invested heavily to strengthen our framework for free and fair elections. I thank our partners for all the support that they have provided our election institutions.

    “As President, I have set the goal that one of the enduring legacies I would like to leave is to entrench a process of free, fair and transparent and credible elections through which Nigerians elect leaders of their choice.”

  • ASUU Strike: Lecturers await Buhari’s approval of new agreement

    ASUU Strike: Lecturers await Buhari’s approval of new agreement

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has agreed to new terms and conditions with the federal government.

    The meeting with the leadership of House of Representatives members lasted for more than four hours, in the end, ASUU reached a new agreement but still awaits the approval of President Buhari.

    President Buhari is currently attending an event at the United Nations General Assembly meeting at the UN.

    The President of ASUU, Emmanuel Osodeke led the Union to the meeting, while the Minister of State for Education, Goodluck Opiah represented the federal government.

    The speaker of the House of Representtatives, Femi Gbajabiamila who presided over the meeting claimed that it reached an agreement but fail to disclose it.

    He added  that the lawmakers will meet the president to discuss the agreement reached and expects ASUU to do so with their own members.

    He said “There were basically seven areas where ASUU has presented what we considered to be requisition for them to go back to strike. We have looked at the seven areas, we have more or less agreed on certain things.

    “Once that is done, the leadership of this house will await the return of Mr President from the ongoing General Assembly. We will meet with Mr President. We will lay the agreement reached by the legislative arm of government. I am hopeful that Mr President will buy into the agreement and with that, I believe that this matter will be speedily brought to a close,” he said.

    The lawmakers will on Thursday meet with National Information Technology Development Agency, the Accountant General of the Federation, the Auditor General for the Federation and National Salaries Incomes and wages Commission to discuss further.

    On his own part, Professor Osodeke assures that the strike will soon be over as long as progress was made at the meeting.

    “It is a good development and we are waiting for what they will send to us to commit our members. We hope that within the immediate future, this issue will be resolved.

    ASUU has been on strike since the 14th of February with no date for resumption in sight.

  • No federal project in Rivers for seven years – Gov Wike

    No federal project in Rivers for seven years – Gov Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said the Federal Government under the President Muhammadu Buhari had yet to carry out any project in the state.

    The governor said the people of Rivers State were impressed by the performance of the Peoples Democratic Party-led government and would not waste their votes on another political party, particularly the All Progressives Congress.

    He reiterated that in the last seven years, the APC-led Federal Government has denied the state basic amenities, saying people of the state will not support any candidate of the party in the 2023 general election.

    Wike made this assertion after inspection of ongoing construction work of the over 13 kilometre Rumuodogo 1 and Rumuodogo 2 road in the Emohua Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor in an emotion-laden voice expressed gratitude to God for the privilege to be the one since the creation of Rivers State in 1967, to make Rumuodogo 1 and Rumuodogo 2 accessible by road.

    “Emotionally, I am touched. I can’t thank God enough for giving me the opportunity to be the person to open up this community.

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    “What is governance? The whole essence of governance is for people to be happy and having the feeling that their lives will be turned around,” he stated.

    He asserted that, based on the performance of his administration, Rivers people will in 2023 general election wholeheartedly return the PDP to power in the state.

    “We have shown that we have the capacity and what it takes to govern and to govern very well,” he added.
    chairman of Emohua LGA, Dr Chidi Lloyd, said he remained eternally grateful to Governor Wike for granting his request for the construction of the Rumuodogo 1 and Rumuodogo 2 road.

    Similarly, His Royal Majesty, Nne-Nwe-Eli Emohua XIII (OLO IV), Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse, said by making the remote Rumuodogo 1 and Rumuodogo 2 communities accessible by road, Governor Wike had once again proven that he was indeed a promise keeper.

  • ASUU Strike : Buhari meets committee of Pro-Chancellors in Abuja

    ASUU Strike : Buhari meets committee of Pro-Chancellors in Abuja

    A meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and some selected members of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of the universities owned by the Federal Government is currently holding in Abuja.

    Reports have it that the meeting is taking place at the state house in Abuja and that it’s connected with the lingering industrial action embarked upon by the public university lecturers in the country.

    The Special Assistant to the President on Digital Communications, Bashir Ahmed disclosed this in a post on his official social media handles.

    His post reads in part, “President Muhammadu Buhari is currently meeting with selected members of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of the Federal Universities, at the State House, Abuja”.

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government has held many meetings to resolve the lingering strike but it has all proved abortive.

    Perhaps, fed up with the lecturers  who refused to shift grounds, the Federal Government filed a suit against ASUU at the National Industrial Court (NIC)

    Meanwhile, NIC has adjourned the matter filed before it by the federal Government till September 19, 2023, for a ruling on the case.

    ASUU has embarked on industrial action since February 14, 2022, without any date in sight for resumption.

     

     

  • President Buhari rewards Athletes with national honours, N200m

    President Buhari rewards Athletes with national honours, N200m

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday approved National Honours and N200 million cash rewards  for Team Nigeria contingents to the 2022 Commonwealth Games and World Athletics championships.

    The team was rewarded for their impressive performance at the Birmingham commonwealth games.

    Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume  were conferred with national honours, the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)

    Congratulating all the awardees and recipients, he expressed confidence that this will spur them to greater heights and ginger them and the upcoming ones to do more.

    The President who described the athletes as champions, worthy ambassadors, national heroes and heroines, heaped praises on them for proudly flying the Nigerian flag in nine sporting events.

    ”I watched with millions of Nigerians those exciting moments when you all brought smiles to us and our homes by breaking world, national and games records, as well as achieving personal best in your careers.

    ”Your outstanding performances in recent times are consistent with the determination of a nation always yearning for excellent performance.

    ”You all, members of Team Nigeria have ignited the spirit for victory in our nation but even more, you have been victorious in major sporting championships and games.

    ”I have followed keenly your achievements at the World Championships in Oregon USA and indeed your remarkable performance at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

    ”And I am very pleased that you displayed at both the personal and group levels great sporting talents and delivered for your country great podium performances,” he said.

    The President told the athletes that their hour of sporting glory beamed the ‘‘radar of the world on Nigeria.

    ”Twelve times the world stood still as our green, white green national flag was hoisted and the National Anthem recited. Thirty-five times we made it to the podium. You all Team Nigeria made that possible.

    ”You brought glory and honour to our country. And today, on behalf of the nation- I say, THANK YOU!”

    President Buhari called out the names of the gold winners and other medal winners including the world champion in the 100m hurdles, Tobiloba Amusan, Ese Brume, Blessing Oborodudu , Oluwafemiayo Folashade, Taiwo Liadi, Ikechukwu Obichukwu, Bose Omolayo, Favour Ofili, Nasiru Sule, Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi, Ebikewenimo Welson, Hannah Rueben and Elizabeth Oshoba.
    The president appealed to private individuals and corporate organisations to support government’s investment in sports.
    He added that sports is no longer seen as just recreational activity but now seen as a business in line with modern global practice.