News / politics

President Buhari presides over Police Council meeting

President Muhammadu Buhari is currently presiding over the Police Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting would likely discuss the confirmation of the Acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, and the current security situation in the country.

According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), those in attendance at the meeting include Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Executive Governor of Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

Others physically attending the meeting are the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammed Bello and the Chairman Police Service Commission, Musiliu Smith.

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It can be recalled that President Buhari on May 25, directed the postponement of the Police Council meeting, which was earlier scheduled for Thursday, May 27, to Thursday, June 3, in honour of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and ten other senior military officers and servicemen, who died in a plane crash on Friday, May 21, 2021.President Buhari had on April 6 approved the appointment of DIG Usman Alkali Baba as acting Inspector-General of Police to replace Mr Mohammed Adamu whose tenure was extended by 3 months in February by the President.…

News / politics

Buhari meets Governors of Cross River, Kogi

President Muhammadu Buhari has met behind closed doors with Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State and Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State at the Presidential Villa, Abuja,

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the President met separately with the two governors as Ayade was visiting the Presidential Villa for the first time since his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to All Progressives Congress two weeks ago.

Fielding questions from State House correspondents after the meeting, Ayade emphasised that he left the PDP for the sake of Buhari, adding that the President’s virtues attracted him to the APC.

He said: I moved into the APC because of my personal relationship with Mr. President.“I have watched him and I found honesty, integrity and I see his wish and commitment to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“To that extent, I have a leader that I trust.

“Opposition in the third world means let everything happen that will make the other party look bad.

“I am one of the strong Nigerian Governors who has risen beyond party lines and ethnic lines by virtue of my education and exposure.”

According to Ayade, his decision to join the APC is generating a lot of concern for the PDP occasioned by the fact that it came as a rude shock.

He said: “And sincerely, it is indeed a rude shock because until I defected, I was a very strong member of the party in truth and in spirit.

“And the reality is that PDP had the best result in Cross River – of all the elected offices, all the chairmen of council, all the counsellors, all the National Assembly members, but one, all the chairmen of the local governments, all commissioners, all the appointees, all of them were PDP before I defected.

“So, in terms of performance of PDP, it should be highest performance in the last election in Cross River, which means of all the elected offices, except for one office, PDP cleared all.

“So, for such a governor who led PDP to …

News / politics

Those who want to destroy my government have shock coming their way — Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday issued a stern warning to those bent on destroying the country through promoting insurrection and burning down critical national assets: a rude shock awaits them, and very soon too.

The President spoke after he received briefing from the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, on series of attacks on facilities of the electoral body round the country.

“I receive daily security reports on the attacks, and it is very clear that those behind them want this administration to fail,” President Buhari said.

“Insecurity in Nigeria is now mentioned all over the world.

President Buhari recalled that he visited all the 36 states of the country before the 2019 election, “and majority of the people believed me, and the election proved it.”

He promised to continue leading the country in accordance with Constitutional provisions.

He said those misbehaving in certain parts of the country were obviously too young to know the travails and loss of lives that attended the Nigerian Civil War, adding: “Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand.

“We are going to be very hard sooner than later.”

The President said the Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police have been changed, “and we will demand security from them.”

On the dangers posed to future elections by the burning of INEC facilities, President Buhari said he would give the electoral commission all it needed to operate “so that no one would say we don’t want to go, or that we want a third term.

“There will be no excuse for failure. We’ll meet all INEC’s demands.”

“Most of the attacks happened in the last seven months, and they are unrelated to protest against previous elections.

“From the pattern and frequency of the most recent attacks, they appear to be targeted at future elections.

“The intention is to incapacitate the Commission, undermine the nation’s democracy and precipitate a national crisis.”…

News

Buhari to security agencies: Expedite action towards release of 200 Tegina students

President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the nation’s security and intelligence agencies to expedite efforts towards the recovery of the 200 children kidnapped from an Islamic school in Niger.

The President gave the order in a statement by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Monday.

According to the presidential aide, Buhari, who received briefing on the latest incident of school kidnapping, condemned it.

He urged all the agencies involved in the rescue operation to do their utmost in securing their immediate release.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Niger State Police Command had on Sunday confirmed the abduction of school children and some residents of Tegina in Rafi Local Government Area of the state.

Adamu Usman, the Commissioner of Police in the state, told NAN in Minna that the children were abducted from Salihu Tanko Islamiya School. He also confirmed that the abductors killed one person in the process.

He explained that the incident occurred at about 3pm when a large number of bandits on motorcycles attacked the town.…

Covid 19 / News / politics

Buhari receives second dose of COVID-19 vaccine

President Muhammadu Buhari has taken the second dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at the State House, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that president’s personal physician, Dr Suhayb Rafidadi, administered the vaccine on the president at his official residence, State House, Abuja on Saturday.

Buhari had received the first jab of the vaccination on March 6 where he was presented with his COVID-19 vaccination card by officials of the Federal Ministry of Health, who supervised the exercise.
The President is the ECOWAS Champion on the Fight against COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) had disclosed that 1,945, 273 eligible Nigerians had so far taken the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

It also said that 22,162 of Nigerians vaccinated with the first dose had also taken the second dose.

NAN reports that Nigeria has so far received over 3.92 million doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines delivered under the international Covax scheme.

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Military

Buhari directs national flag to fly at half-mast, approves Monday work-free day for the military

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast in all public buildings, facilities, and official residences across the country from Monday, May 24, 2021, to Wednesday, May 26, 2021.

The presidential directive is in honour of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, as well as the other senior military officers and servicemen who died in a plane crash on Friday, May 21, 2021.

This disclosure is contained in a statement issued and signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, on Sunday, May 23, 2021.

Mustapha, in the statement, said that the President also approved Monday as a work-free day for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

President Buhari speaks with the wife of the late Chief of Army Staff

President Buhari described Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, the late Chief of Army Staff, as an outstanding soldier and an institution builder, who fought valiantly for Nigeria until he breathed his last.

In a telephone conversation on Sunday evening with Mrs Fati Ibrahim Attahiru, wife of the late COAS, and the spouses of the other deceased officers through her, President Buhari hailed the sacrifices of the military men who lost their lives, and the Armed Forces in general, saying that Nigerians would continue to appreciate and support the fearlessness with which the country’s courageous soldiers were confronting the threats facing the nation.

He gave the grieving spouses assurances that the nation would never forget the supreme sacrifice of their spouses, urging them to take solace in the surge of extraordinary feelings of emotions across regions, religions, and tribes all over the country in appreciation of their sacrifices.…

News

I Am A Very Slow Reader – President Buhari

President Buhari Of Nigeria Yesterday said I “Am A Very Slow Ready”

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted to being a very slow reader. The President anchored his claim on the fact that he is an ex-soldier.

Buhari made the disclosure while explaining his delay in signing the $3 trillion African Free-Trade Agreement, during a joint press conference with the visiting South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa.

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According to Buhari, “I am very careful about what I sign, whether it is my cheque book or agreements, especially when it involves nations and states. As your President has said, we are so populated and have so many young unemployed citizens and our industries are just coming up.

“So, in trying to guarantee employment, goods and services in our country, we have to be careful with agreements that will compete, maybe successfully, against our upcoming industries.

“I was presented with the document; I am a very slow reader maybe because I am an ex-soldier. I didn’t read it fast enough before my officials saw that it was all right for signature. I kept it on my table. I will soon sign it.”…

News

My security chiefs racking their brains to stop the killings – President Buhari

President Buhari has appealed to Nigerians to be patient with him as his security chiefs are cracking their brains to come up with a lasting solution to the wanton killings recorded in some parts of the country.

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement released, quoted the President as saying this while condemning killings of many people, including a district head, in and around Gandi village in Rabah Local Government of Sokoto State by bandits.

“I wish to assure all Nigerians that their security is receiving the greatest attention from this administration and there is no compromise in this commitment. I appeal for your patience while my security teams crack their brains to put an end to this horrendous violence,” Shehu quoted Buhari as saying.

Shehu quoted President Buhari as saying the Federal government will no longer tolerate the killings

“This wanton violence against innocent people won’t be tolerated by this government, and we are working round the clock to identify the people sponsoring these heartless attacks. It is curious why any group of mass murderers would be targeting and killing innocent people for no just reason. Make no mistake about it, my administration remains committed to security as one of its core objectives, and any attempt to test our will by any group of anarchists and troublemakers will be met with equal force. Identifying and defeating these callous killers is receiving priority from this administration, and we shall spare no effort in tracing the root of this evil, especially their sources of funding and arms.”…

News

Lagos Tanker Explosion : President Buhari Expresses Shock And Sorrow

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed shock and sorrow over the fire incident that claimed no fewer vehicles and lives on Otedola Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Thursday.

A fully loaded fuel tanker had spilled its content on the road after it lost control, causing at least 54 vehicles to get burnt beyond repair.

Buhari said in statement by his media aide Garba Shehu, that the incident was one of the greatest tragedies witnessed in the country in recent times.

He expressed his condolences to the government and people of Lagos State on the tragic loss of lives, tens of vehicles, property and other valuables in the petrol tanker fire.

“Sadly, this seems to be one of the greatest tragedies we have seen in recent times,” the president said.

He urged the emergency services and law enforcement officials to do their best to save those people who could still be in danger.…

News

Photos: Moroccans file out to give President Buhari a rousing welcome

President Buhari yesterday departed Nigeria for Morocco on a two-day visit. Moroccans filed out to give him a rousing welcome.

See more photos below;

According to a statement on Saturday by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, the visit, which is at the invitation of His Royal Majesty, King Mohammed VI, will see the two leaders discuss socio-economic matters affecting their countries.

It follows prior engagements in December 2016, during the official visit of His Majesty to Nigeria.

In Rabat, discussions will focus on strengthening existing agreements on the fertilizer industry, education cooperation, the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project and establishing a basic chemical platform to harness Nigeria’s vast natural gas resources and support Morocco’s diammonium phosphate industry.

“It is noteworthy that following the signing of a collaboration agreement between Nigeria and Morocco in December 2016 to revive the abandoned Nigerian fertilizer blending plants, 14 plants have been revitalized so far under the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI); with a total capacity of 2.3 million MT of NPK fertilizers.

“The President will be accompanied on the trip by Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State and other senior government officials,” the statement read in part.

The President also shared via his Twitter page, upon arrival the below:

I arrived the Kingdom of Morocco earlier today, on a 2-day Official Visit at the invitation of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Nigeria’s relationship with Morocco is a very important and mutually beneficial one, and we will continue to work to deepen it and expand our cooperation.…

News

President Buhari cancels May 29 as democracy day, declares June 12 as new date

President Muhammadu Buhari has announced the cancellation of May 29 as the country’s annual Democracy Day and presented June 12 as the new date in which it will be celebrated.

In a tweet by President Buhari on his official handle, he released a statement saying that the annual celebration will now hold on June 12, saying that June 12, 1993, the date of the election popularly adjudged to be the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history  “was far more symbolic of democracy in the Nigerian context than May 29 or even October 1”.

Buhari also announced that Chief MKO Abiola, winner of the annulled election, will be posthumously bestowed the highest honour in the land, GCFR.

President Buhari further conferred a national honour on Baba Gana Kingibe and recognised late Gani Fawehinmi for his role in the actualisation of June 12 elections.

See statement below:

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News

National Assembly Threatens To Impeach Buhari

After a three-hour closed door session, the National Assembly on Tuesday threatened President Muhammadu Buhari if he fails to prosecute those involved in the mace snatching saga in the Senate and address other issues raised by the lawmakers.
The lawmakers in the resolution read, passed a vote of confidence on the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, and affirmed their position that the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, is not fit to hold public office and also passed vote of no confidence on him.
They said if the President fails to meet their demands, they will invoke the relevant section of the constitution, which has been largely interpreted to mean impeachment.
The lawmakers said: “We also hereby reaffirm our earlier resolution on the vote of no confidence on the Inspector General of Police, who does nothing but preside over innocent Nigerians with an outright disregard for constitutional authority of both the executive and the legislature.
“The Security Agencies must be given marching orders to curtail the sustained killings of Nigerians across the country and protect life and properties of Nigerians as this is the primary duty of any responsible Government.
“The systematic harassment and humiliation by the Executive of perceived political opponents, people with contrary opinions including Legislators and Judiciary by the police and other security agencies must stop.
“There must be strict adherence to the Rule of Law and protection for all citizens by the President and his appointees.
“The President must be held accountable for the actions of his appointees and must be ready to sanction those that carry out any act which will ridicule or endanger our country and democracy.
“The Government should show sincerity in the fight against corruption by not being selective, also prosecute current appointees that have cases pending against them.
“The sanctity of the National Assembly should be protected and preserved by the Federal Government of Nigeria by not interfering in its business and prosecuting those who invaded …

News

How Buhari-Led Administration Has Contained Militancy – Iyamu

Edobor Iyamu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, on Tuesday said that militancy in the Niger Delta region was being contained by the present administration through series of people-oriented programmes.
He said this while addressing State House correspondents after the unveiling of the Niger Delta Vision website: www.ndnewvision.gov.ng, by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja.
The ceremony was held during the 2018 World Environment Day.
Iyamu said: “It (militancy) is being contained, this administration is doing a lot to ensure that we are in tune with all of the agreements reached and all of the things that we need to do to ensure that peace is maintained in the region.”
According to the presidential aide, following the palliative to the people of the region oil exploration has increased and has been sustained over a long period of time for almost a year or there about.
He said: “I think that to a very large extent militancy has been contained by this administration and I think there is peace and calm in the region and we are moving forward.”
The Presidential aide recalled that since the United Nations Environmental Protection report was produced on Ogoni cleanup in 2011 nothing was done until the Buhari administration intervened.
He said: “Since this administration came into power, it has commenced a number of activities in fulfillment of the UNEP report.”
According to him, the report says some preliminary steps should be taken, one of which is that a health impact assessment test, water contamination test and other medical outreaches must be carried out.
Iyamu said that such preliminaries were to bring in some kind of palliatives to the region.
He noted that Hypre, the agency in charge of the Ogoniland cleanup, had done a number of medical outreaches as well as a number of assessments in respect of water pollution extent.
He observed that the cleanup was at a point where advertisements had been published for interested companies to bid from where no fewer than 120 companies
…
News

‘Nigeria is safe and secure for tourism’ – President Buhari, Says

President Buhari today in Abuja declared that Nigeria is safe and secure for tourism, citing improved security and country’s burgeoning economy.

Receiving Zurab Pololikashvili, the Secretary-General of United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) at the Presidential Villa, the President said it would have been inconceivable to host an international tourism conference in Abuja four years ago, because of security concerns.

‘‘I am pleased that the country is now sufficiently safe and secure, and the message should go out to the world for all tourists and business travellers. The first thing tourists look out for is security and I am happy we have it now. Minister Lai Mohammed has been trying to convince the world that Nigeria is safe and has great potentials for tourism and investment. I am glad that you and your team have come here to see things for yourself,’’ the President told the UN tourism chief, who is in Abuja for the 61st UNWTO Commission for Africa (CAF) conference.

Highlighting the nexus between tourism and sustainable development, the President said Nigeria would not be left behind in ensuring that communities and businesses benefit from tourism development.

In his remarks, Pololikashvili commended Nigeria for the successful hosting of the conference which brings together African Ministers of Tourism, principal executives of the global tourism body and other stakeholders in the tourism sector.

The UN tourism chief told the President Nigeria had huge potential to develop the tourism sector considering its large economy.

‘‘We can do it in Nigeria, we can create, convert Nigeria to the main tourist destination in Africa. There is a huge potential here. Culture, nature, food you have everything here. You are investing in agriculture, improving seamless travel through visa-on-arrival programme, reforming the economy and doing so much on security. Nigeria is safe,’’ Pololikashvili said.

Also speaking, the Information and Culture Minister said 166 delegates, including 26 tourism ministers from Africa are attending the UN tourism conference, holding from June 4 to June 6 in Abuja.

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News

Why Nigerian Army Was Not Hard On Biafrans – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday adduced reasons why the Nigerian Army was not hard on Biafrans agitating for separation during the 30 months civil war that wracked the country.
The President gave the reasons on Monday during his investiture as the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
He said the Nigerian Army, which he was part of, had strict and formal instructions to exercise restraint against Biafrans during the three-year civil war.
He said every military commander had instructions in dispatches handed to them from the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, that the Biafrans, were not enemies but brothers and sisters of the rest of Nigerians.
Buhari, who promised to assist the organisation secure a permanent office accommodation in Abuja, showered praises on Gowon for that gesture and also the role of the Red Cross in bringing succour to victims of the war even in dangerous circumstances.
He said: “Earlier in my profession, during the civil war, I know how much sacrifice members of the Nigerian Red Cross and their international counterparts did both in the real front of operations and at the rear, on both sides.
“I think it is a lot of sacrifice because anything can happen to you in the operational areas.
“The risks they faced were real and I admire their courage and commitment to helping people who were in distress and were virtually in millions.
“Those photographs of people from the Biafra enclave spoke a lot.
“I remember with nostalgia the performance of the Commander-in-Chief, General Gowon.
“Every commander was given a copy of the Commander-in-Chief’s instructions that we were not fighting enemies but that we were fighting our brothers.
“And thus, people were constrained to show a lot of restraint.
“The international observer teams were allowed to go as far as possible within and outside the front and I think this was generous and very considerate of General Gowon.
“He is a highly committed Nigerian.
“I have taken note of your logistics especially your request for office here.
“I assure …