Connect with us

NEWS

Review of Official Engagements of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Last Week

Published

on

Share

President Muhammadu Buhari commenced his weekly activities at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Feb. 15 on a joyous mood after receiving the news of the election of former Minister of Finance and Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.

The president immediately issued a statement via his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, felicitating with Okonjo-Iweala, saying that by the development had brought joy and honour to Nigeria.

According to Buhari, the Harvard-educated economist takes up another onerous task of service to the world.
“Her track record of integrity, diligence and passion for development will continue to yield positive results and rewards to mankind.

’’

Buhari affirmed that Okonjo-Iweala, who over the years had set major records of economic reforms in Nigeria as Minister of Finance and later Minister of Foreign Affairs, would excel in her new position.

He expressed his optimism that the former minister would validate the global mandate of repositioning and strengthening the multilateral institution for the greater good of all.

The president joined family, friends and colleagues in wishing Okonjo-Iweala well in her new endeavour.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okonjo-Iweala’s election follows months of deadlocked discussions among WTO members on who should be chosen as the next director-general of the world body.

The defunct Trump administration favoured South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee.

However, after Joe Biden assumed the presidency, the South Korean minister decided to quit the race, paving the way for Okonjo-Iweala.

On Feb. 16, Buhari asked the Senate to confirm Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa as substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, confirmed the development in a statement.

In a letter to the President of the Senate, Mr Ahmad Lawan, the president said he was acting in accordance with Paragraph 2(3) of Part1, CAP E1 of EFCC Act, 2004.

Bawa, 40, is a trained EFCC investigator with vast experience in investigation and prosecution of advanced fee fraud cases, official corruption, bank fraud, money laundering and other economic crimes.

He has undergone several specialised courses in different parts of the world and was one of the pioneer EFCC cadet officers in 2005.

Bawa holds a B.Sc. degree in Economics and Master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy.

The EFCC Director of Operations, Muhammad Umar, has been acting as EFCC boss since suspension and subsequent removal of Ibrahim Magu by Buhari on July 7, 2020.

Also on Feb. 16, Buhari in a video goodwill message to the Ehingbeti Lagos Economic Summit, with theme: ‘‘For a Greater Lagos: Setting the Tone for the Next Decade’’, pledged that the Federal Government would support massive investments in Lagos State to boost its economic potential as one of the world’s fastest growing megacities.

According to him, his administration recognises Lagos as central to the economic fortunes of Nigeria and has in the last few years demonstrated commitment to supporting the unleashing of the full socio-economic potential of the state.

”One of the significant ways in which our support has manifested to Lagos State is in the special federal funding that we approved in 2020 in acknowledgement of the state being an epi-centre of the coronavirus pandemic.

”The challenges of Lagos must therefore, be very clearly seen as part of the challenges of Nigeria, and the Federal Government will support Lagos to overcome its challenges and to thrive socially and economically.

”The Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) is investing in the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, while the Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki Expressway is a flagship project of our Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, also known as Executive Order 7 of 2019.

”It was also this administration which granted approval to the Lagos State Government to rebuild the International Airport Road, a major road that links the busiest airport in sub-Saharan Africa to the continent’s fifth largest economy.

”The Federal Government is today completing the Standard Gauge Railway Line that will link Lagos to Ibadan in the first instance and from there connect to Abuja and Kano and bring ease and efficiency to what is Nigeria’s busiest transportation corridor.

”Just last month, this new Rail Line achieved a milestone extension into the Port Complex in Apapa, setting the stage for a long overdue decongestion in that area,” he said.
On the investment plan to revamp the National Theatre, the president told the 8th Economic Summit that his

administration had granted approval for the temporary transfer of the iconic federal asset on the Lagos landscape to the Bankers Committee.

He said the committee would invest in upgrading the National Theatre and developing it into a world-class creative hub.

Later on Feb. 16, the president participated virtually in the induction /orientation for ambassadors-designate, consuls-general and charge d’ affaires entitre, held at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) auditorium in Abuja.

At the event, the Nigerian leader urged the ambassadors-designate, consuls-general, charge d’ affaires entitre to continually project the strengths of Nigeria, showcase priorities of the government and uphold standards that will bring honour to the country.

He told the diplomats to always be mindful of the policy direction of the government, particularly the nine priorities it had listed.

“You must not forget that you have been posted to your respective bilateral and multilateral missions to represent and project Nigeria as a great and indivisible nation and a very attractive investment destination.

“In our effort to achieve realistic development oriented domestic and foreign policies, the government has identified nine priority areas to guide our policy directions and thrust within the time frame of 2019-2023.

“These are: building a thriving and sustainable economy; enhancing social inclusion and reducing poverty; enlarging agricultural output for food security and export as well as to attain energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products.

He named others as: expanding transport and other infrastructural development; expanding business opportunities, entrepreneurship and industrialization; expanding access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity of Nigerians.

The president also noted that the priorities include building a system to fight corruption, improve governance and creating social cohesion and improving security for all.

“I, therefore, urge all of you to be guided by these identified priority goals as well as your various Station Charters, which highlight specific mandates and guidelines on government’s expectation.

”We expect you to fight hard for Nigeria and for Nigerians abroad.

“You must strive to promote trade, human capacity development, foreign direct investment and other areas of cooperation with countries at national and multilateral levels to support our national growth and development.’’

Buhari also hosted a delegation of the Borno/Yobe Elders Forum, who paid him a courtesy call at the State House, Abuja on Tuesday, reiterating that the stability of the country is of paramount interest to him and that the Federal Government will continue to work towards it despite the actions of a few people.

“We need this country. We will continue to work for its stability.

”I feel that whatever happens, we will continue to make it and will keep on praying to God so that for those who feel that they don’t need Nigeria, we will succeed over their intentions and actions.”

The president attributed the upheavals in some parts of the country to a few people with resources and influence, assuring that they would be identified and dealt with in due course.

“I am confident that we will eventually convince the small number of people with resource and influence that are a nuisance to this great country.

”God willing, we will identify them and deal with them.

”I am extremely concerned about your constituency like the rest of the country,” he added.

The president noted the request for the upgrade and development of infrastructure in the states and assured that while he would do his best in acceding to the requests, he would, however, prioritise development in education.

“We are aware of the infrastructure deficit.

”Our priorities will be education because all our citizens know that children within a certain age must receive it otherwise, if they miss it, the future is destroyed,” he stated.

On Feb. 17, the president presided over the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), where cabinet members mourned the death of a former Lagos State Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, with a minute silence.

Jakande served in the Federal Executive Council between November, 1993 and March, 1995 as Minister of Works and Housing.
Those in attendance at the council meeting include the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and the National Security Adviser, retired Maj. – Gen. Babagana Monguno.

Others who also physically attended the meeting were six ministers and some senior aides to the president.

The ministers included those of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Talen; Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu; Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Mohammed Bello; Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed as well as Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed.

The Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, and other ministers joined the meeting online from their respective offices in Abuja.

The FCT Minister, Muhammed Bello, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola and that of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, later told State House correspondents that the council approved N103.671Bn for Works, FCT, Works and Housing as well as Water Resources ministries.

Bello said: “The Ministry of the FCT presented five memos at today’s meeting and all have to do with infrastructure; three within the FCT itself while two are in the area councils.

“Within the city, a contract was approved for the provision of an access road to the institutions and research district in Abuja, where we have the Nigerian War College, the Legislative and Judiciary Institute, among other public and private organisations at a contract sum of N3.4 billion.

“The second contract approved was for the construction of an access road and car park for the rail station, located at Kagini, a community just by Kubwa Expressway.

“The access road is to link the community to the expressway, so that commuters can use facilities of the station and the Abuja light rail into the city; and that contract was approved for the sum of N1.8 billion with a completion period of 12 months.

“The third approval was for an augmentation of N16 billion for the existing contract of the Southern parkway currently going on.

“The road stretches from the National Christian Centre, through the NTA, FCDA facility, crossing Muhammadu Buhari Way in Garki and bursting out at the ring road in Kaura District, with a duration of 24 months.”

The minister explained further that two area councils, Bwari and Gwagwalada, also had two roads approved for them.

Fashola also told the correspondents that council had approved more than N10. 2 billion for the completion of some road projects across the country.

According to Fashola, the benefitting states include Edo, Ogun, Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue and the FCT.
Adamu on his part, revealed that his ministry presented two contracts, which were also approved.

He said: “the first one is the Fika-Gadaka Water Project in Yobe. This project which started in 2003 was abandoned in 2007 at 30 per cent completion.

“We sought council’s approval to revive the project and therefore, we had to revise the cost of the project and also change the scope of work to include things like solar power, instead of the diesel generator provided for in 2003 when diesel was quite cheap.

“We have taken a policy in the ministry that going forward, we will be using solar system to power water schemes and accordingly, this was done in the case of this project plus an extension of the pipeline to cover more areas.

“Because between 2003 and now, obviously the two towns would have expanded. So this revised estimated total cost is in the sum of N555.15 million in favour of existing contractors Messrs Atlantic Full Drilling Services Company Ltd.

“Also the second memo is the revision of the consultancy contract for the supervision of Gere Earth Dam in Katsina State. This also is an inherited ongoing project. Council in 2018 approved the revised estimated total cost for the project.

“Council approved the extension of consultancy services of Messers Emplan Group by another 36 months also with augmentation of N310 million in terms of consultancy fees.”

On Wednesday, Feb. 17, Buhari met behind closed doors with Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara, where he was briefed on the security situation in Zamfara State.

The governor, who later briefed State House correspondents after the meeting, said the president had pledged to assist the north-western state to address its lingering challenges.

He said that a presidential intervention toward addressing the challenges facing the state had become necessary “so as to sustain the peace Zamfara is now enjoying’’.

Later on Wednesday night, at his official residence, Buhari hosted Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger, who after the meeting told State House correspondents that he updated the president on the security situation in his state, where some staff and students of Government Science Secondary School (GSSS), Kagara in the Rafi Council Area of the state were abducted by gunmen earlier Wednesday.

The president had earlier in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, condemned the abduction and dispatched a team of top security officials to the state to coordinate the rescue operation in the state.

Buhari also expressed sadness over the killing of one of the students by the kidnappers, vowing not to relent until normalcy is restored in the security situation of the country.

Bello thanked Buhari for swiftly ordering action on the GSSS Kagara school kidnap.
The governor said he had requested for more security personnel and equipment to fast-track results in the rescue operation in the state.

“I came in this evening to thank Mr President for his quick response to the plight of Nigerlites, following two serious kidnap incidents.

“At the same time we rubbed minds on what we think should be done so that we find an everlasting solution to the situation and Mr President has confirmed to me that this matter will be given proper attention.

“We’ll continue engaging the service chiefs so that we can guide and advise them on what we think should be done. So I think it was a wonderful meeting.’’

He also expressed support for the call by the nation’s Upper Chamber for the declaration of a state of emergency on security in the country.

On Feb. 18, Buhari received in audience the ECOWAS Head of Mission on the elections in Niger Republic and former Nigerian Vice-President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo.

The Nigerian leader at the meeting, said the out-going President Mahamadou Issoufou of Republic of Niger and his government deserved accolades for keeping scrupulously to their country’s Constitution with respect to run-off polls, scheduled for Feb. 21, 2021.

Buhari congratulated Sambo on the first round of the elections, which produced no clear winner, thus compelling a run-off set for Feb. 21, as prescribed by the Constitution of the country.
While noting that Niger was Nigeria’s close neighbour, the president said the peace of the country must matter to Nigeria.

“Neigbourliness, whether national or individual, is very important as the peace of your neighbour or lack of it, may also affect your own well-being,” he added.

He wished Republic of Niger, Sambo and his team best of luck as the run-off polls hold on Sunday.

Also on Thursday, Feb. 18, the Yemi Osinbajo, presided over the first physical meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

The meeting, attended by 36 governors (or their representatives) deliberated on national issues, including current security challenges in some parts of the country.

The meeting resolved that henceforth, concerted efforts would be made towards immediate investigation, arrest and prosecution of all perpetrators of crimes in the country, while both the states and the Federal Government should ensure full protection of all Nigerians wherever they reside, without regard to ethnic, religious or regional status.

According to the resolution of the council, both the Federal and State Governments should re-commit to “the protection of all residents of all states, including non-indigenous communities, religious and ethnic minorities within states’ jurisdictions.”

Similarly, it was resolved that in collaboration with federal authorities, there should be the commencement of “the reconstruction of destroyed homes and payment of compensation where appropriate by state authorities for damages to property and livelihoods sustained during targeted attacks on communities within their jurisdictions.”

Buhari concluded the week’s official engagements with closed-door meetings with Gov. Dapo Abiodun and the Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Segun Awolowo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Abiodun, who briefed State House correspondents after the meeting with the president, disclosed that he updated Buhari on the security as well as socio-economic developments before and after the recent crisis in Ogun State.

Crisis broke out in Ogun State recently, following ethnic profiling of a section of the society, occasioned by social discontent.

The governor blamed foreign elements as those responsible for the reported attacks on herdsmen in the state.
The governor, who briefed State House correspondents after his closed-door meeting with the President, blamed foreign elements as those responsible for the reported attacks on herdsmen in the State.

“I came to see Mr President to give him first-hand detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the crisis you all have read about that we witnessed in Ogun State in the past few weeks.

“I thought it was important, as the president and commander-in-chief, that he should hear from me, his governor on what exactly is the true account of what happened in Ogun State.

“I can share that with you, although, I’m sure most of you are aware of what happened.”

The governor, who narrated how intruders came in from Cameroun and other locations to cause problems in his state, said he immediately summoned a stakeholders meeting to address the problems.

Awolowo on his part, after the meeting with Buhari on Friday, assured that given the steps being taken to improve non-oil exports, Nigeria would exit its dependence on crude oil revenue in 10 years.

He expressed optimism that in the next decade, Nigeria could get 30 billion from non-oil export notwithstanding the effect of the current COVID-19 pandemic on the nation’s economy.

The NEPC boss noted with delight Nigeria’s swift recovery from recession in the fourth quarter of 2020 and congratulated the president for his efforts.

“In a now less predictable, less reliable and less generous world, he has definitely demonstrated with his leadership that we are able to build a resilient economy that can absorb all global shocks, whatever they may be, known and unknown,” Awolowo stated. (NAN)

NEWS

MTN, Tier-1 Banks Lift Market Cap by N138bn

Published

on

Share

Recovering from its previous session’s loss, the equity market opened the week bullish, as investors gained N138 billion.

Gains in MTN Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Holding Company(GTCO), Zenith Bank, Access Corporation,  FBN Holdings, Fidelity Bank, Wema Bank, Stanbic IBTC, among other advanced equities, pulled the market up.

Specifically, the Nigerian Exchange Ltd.

(NGX) market capitalisation added N138 billion or 0.
22 per cent to an opening of N61.303 trillion, to close at N61.441 trillion.

The All-Share Index also rose by 0.22 per cent or 227.1 points to close at 101,356.15, against 101,129.09 recorded on Friday.

Consequently, the Year-To-Date (YTD) return rose to 35.

55 per cent.

Market breadth closed positive with 58 gainers and 20 losers on the floor of the exchange.

On the gainers’ chart, Champion Breweries, International Breweries, Axa Mansard, MRS and Okomu Oil led by 10 per cent each, to close at N4.18, N5.50, N8.25, N198 and N403.70 per share, respectively.

Conversely, Austin Laz led the losers’ chart by 9.84 per cent to close at N1.65, Aradel Holdings trailed by 9.64 per cent to close at N600 per share.

Oando lost 8.63 per cent to close at N63.50, Veritas Kapital shed 4.44 per cent to close at N1.29 and Omatek declined by 4.41 per cent to close at 65k per share.

However, trade turnover settled lower, relative to the previous session, with the value of transactions down by 1.31 per cent.

A total of 503.19 million shares valued at N16.27 billion were exchanged in 12,490 deals, compared to 515.56 million shares valued at N16.49 billion traded in 11,554 deals transacted in the previous session.

Meanwhile, GTCO led the activity chart in volume with 39.38 million shares, while Aradel led in value of deals worth N3.71 billion.

In its prediction for the week, Analysts at Cowry Asset Management Ltd., said the equities market is expected to maintain its bullish momentum, supported by year-end window-dressing activities by fund managers.

The analysts said market participants would also closely monitor the impact of the recently published Consumer Price Index (CPI) data on their portfolios and market strategies.

According to them, the optimism surrounding improved macroeconomic indicators and ongoing portfolio rebalancing efforts is likely to sustain market activity.

“As the year draws to a close, strategic positioning is anticipated to guide trading decisions, promising an eventful conclusion to a record breaking year for the local bourse,” the analysts said. (NAN)

Continue Reading

NEWS

Kebbi Doles out 50 Motorcycles to Govt. House Domestic Workers

Published

on

Share

The Kebbi Government has distributed motorcycles to 50 domestic workers in Government House.

Alhaji Zayyanu Umar-Aliero, the State Commissioner for Special Duties, who disclosed this in Birnin Kebbi on Monday, said that the gesture was to promote punctuality to work.

Umar-Aliero told newsmen shortly after the exercise that the move would also encourage the beneficiaries to be more dedicated to their duties.

“We have distributed motorcycles to some of our staff working here in Government House.

“This is to make them punctual in their duty posts.

“We have distributed five today and another set of five will be distributed next week.

“So far, we have distributed more than 50 motorcycles in batches to the Government House domestic staff,” he said.

The commissioner stressed the need to encourage all categories of workers by taking care of some of their burdens, “which in this case was transportation.”

According to him, the gesture is part of Gov. Nasir Idris’ benevolence, directed towards giving all workers a sense of belonging.

“As far as work is concerned, the governor does not segregate, whether big or small and regardless of where you come from.

“He touches all categories of workers and does everything necessary to make everybody happy,” he said. (NAN)

Continue Reading

NEWS

Revocation: Payment for C of O Meant for Development of Infrastructure – FCTA

Published

on

Share

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), says the payment for the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) from land allottees in Maitama II is for the development of infrastructure in the district.

The Director of Land, Mr ChijiokeNwankwoeze, stated this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the FCT Executive Council meeting, in Abuja on Monday.

According to him, the funds are required to provide the needed infrastructure in the district.

“There is no other place you get these money except from the monies that would be paid by the allottees for that purpose.

The FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, has given owners of the 762 revoked plots of land in Maitama two-week grace to pay for their C of O.

The owners of the plots, located in Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, are expected to pay for their C of O or risk final revocation.

Nwankwoeze said that some of the allottees were given the allocation as far back as 2017, with an obligation to pay ground rent and C of O.

He said that the 762 allottees and the 614 others with outstanding payment of C of O have till Jan. 3, 2025, to pay, or have their Right of Ownership (R of O) titles withdrawn.

“Lands are given to people and the people complain that there is no infrastructure, but they don’t want to fulfil their own obligations to the offer.

“So, if you are given land, and you don’t comply with the terms and conditions of the offer of the Right of Ownership (R of O), the Administration would have no choice but to withdraw those offers and give it to people who are ready to comply.

“That was what the administration did.

“However, there were lots of appeals. The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, graciously considered the plights of the people, considered the current economic situation in the country and gave the affected persons another chance.

He insisted that every affected allottee who really intends to develop his or her land and the development of FCT, should make efforts to pay or lose the land. (NAN)

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

POLITICS8 hours ago

Edo Lawmaker Dumps PDP for APC

ShareA two-term member of Edo House of Assembly, Mr Ojezele Osesua, has dumped Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for All Progressives...

NEWS8 hours ago

MTN, Tier-1 Banks Lift Market Cap by N138bn

ShareRecovering from its previous session’s loss, the equity market opened the week bullish, as investors gained N138 billion. Gains in...

NEWS8 hours ago

Kebbi Doles out 50 Motorcycles to Govt. House Domestic Workers

Share The Kebbi Government has distributed motorcycles to 50 domestic workers in Government House. Alhaji Zayyanu Umar-Aliero, the State Commissioner...

NEWS8 hours ago

Revocation: Payment for C of O Meant for Development of Infrastructure – FCTA

Share The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), says the payment for the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) from land...

NEWS8 hours ago

EndSARS Protest one of my Toughest Moments – Sanwo-Olu

Share Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Monday described the October 2020 EndSARS protest period as one of his...

NEWS8 hours ago

Soludo Signs 2025 Anambra N607bn Budget into Law

Share Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra on Monday signed the State 2025 Appropriation Bill of N607 billion into law. Speaking...

NEWS8 hours ago

NDLEA Arrests 284 Suspects, Seizes 5,232,575kg of Drugs in Kogi

ShareThe National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made significant strides in Kogi State by arresting 284 suspects between January...

POLITICS8 hours ago

APC Accuses PDP of Politicising Stampedes

Share The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of politicising the recent stampedes in Abuja,...

NEWS8 hours ago

Tax Reform is Here to Stay – Tinubu

Share President Bola Tinubu said, in his maiden media chat on Monday, that the tax reforms bill before the National...

NEWS8 hours ago

I’ve Confidence in Nigeria’s Security Architecture – Tinubu

SharePresident Bola Tinubu says he has confidence in the security architecture of Nigeria. The President said this during his maiden...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc