Press Release: President Buhari Felicitates With King Charles Ayemi-Bolu on his 70th Birthday
President Muhammadu Buhari joins all the illustrious sons and daughters of Seimbiri Kingdom in celebrating the 70th birthday of King (Dr) Charles Ayemi-Botu, which interestingly marks his 24th anniversary on the throne of his fathers.
President Buhari congratulates the paramount ruler of the Seimbiri Kingdom, his family and friends on the milestones, both lined with narratives of courage, diligence and care for his domain and humanity, earning him the appellation of “Lion of the Niger.’’
The President salutes King Ayemi-Botu for his visionary, reconciliatory and selfless leadership style of always looking at the big picture of national unity and encouraging all his subjects to uphold and project patriotism in all their endeavours.
As His Majesty turns a septuagenarian, President Buhari believes the wealth of wisdom and experience he has acquired, working as the former National Chairman of Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON) and serving as the National Leader of Pan Niger Delta People’s Congress, would be most useful in fostering peace and stability in the region, and the development of the nation.
The President prays that the almighty God will grant “the Lion of the Niger’’ longer life, good health and prosperity to keep serving his people and the nation.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity)
January 19th, 2018
Press Release: The Economist Disowns Publication
The Economist, a London-based magazine, has disowned a publication which claims that Nigerians have shown unprecedented level of patience with President Muhammadu Buhari. The publication has been making rounds on the social media and on some websites in the country, and beyond.
A letter dated January 18, 2018, written and signed by Jonathan Rosenthal, the Africa Editor of the magazine , reads: “It has come to my attention that an article has been circulating on social media and been published on various websites that purports to have been written or published by The Economist.
“The article with the headline ‘The Unprecedented Level of Patience Shown to Buhari’ was not written nor published by The Economist. Any claims connecting it to The Economist are false.”
The Presidency enjoins Nigerians to be very watchful and circumspect about the kind of information they are exposed to, and share, especially in this period when purveyors of fake news abound.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity)
January 18, 2018
Press Release: We Are Making Steady, Remarkable Progress In Agriculture, Says President Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja said the agricultural sector had witnessed steady and remarkable progress in the last two years, significantly reducing the food import bill of the country.
At a ceremony to receive Letters of Credence from the Ambassadors of Democratic Republic of Greece, People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Republic of Portugal, President Buhari said the commendable performance in the agricultural sector had further fuelled the government’s effort at repositioning the economy, with more focus on export of commodities.
“We are very busy in the agricultural sector, and more Nigerians are getting involved,’’ the President told the Ambassador of the Republic of Bangladesh, His Excellency, Maj. Gen. Kazi Sharif Kaikoband.
President Buhari said the boom in the agricultural sector had also attracted more people, especially younger Nigerians, to pick interest in farming with long term plans for large scale farming and export of products.
In his remark, the Ambassador of Bangladesh commended the President for the courageous steps he has taken in eliminating terrorism in the country.
“We have had the terrorism problem in Bangladesh for more than 36 years,’’ he said, “Bangladesh denounces terrorism in all forms irrespective of colour or country.’’
Kaikoband said education and sports provide new opportunities for improved relations as more Nigerians in Bangladesh are in schools or into sports, especially football.
The President also received Letters of Credence from Her Excellency, Ms. Maria Saranto, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Greece and His Excellency, Mr. Anthonio Pedro Da Vinha Da Silva, Ambassador of the Republic of Portugal.
In separate meetings, the President congratulated the ambassadors on their postings to Nigeria, urging them to use the opportunity to explore the potentials of the country and improve on the good relations that had been built over the years.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President(Media & Publicity)
January 18, 2018
Press Release: UNILAG Commends President Buhari For Approval Of TV Station
Management of the University of Lagos on Thursday in Abuja commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the approval of a TV license, UNILAG TV, that will enhance research-oriented education and ease communication within and outside the university campus.
In a meeting with the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, and the Senior Special Assistant, Garba Shehu, at the Presidential Villa, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said the TV station would completely alter the communication style in the university, and enhance its visibility across the continent.
The Vice Chancellor, who was accompanied by the Chair and Head of UNILAG Mass Communication Department, Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, said the approval of the TV station further confirms the President’s position on promoting free press, and unhindered access to information that promotes development.
“It is now on record that the present administration signed the first campus TV license and we remain deeply grateful to the President.
“The university is a brand. We want the university to be the research hub in Africa, and we are working towards being among the best three in the entire continent,’’ the Vice Chancellor added.
Apart from the TV Station, Prof. Ogundipe noted that the Federal Government’s Independent Power Plant to improve electricity was already ongoing, while the NEEDS assessment fund for training of academic staff had already been received.
In his remark, Prof. Akinfeleye said it took the university 25 years to get the first campus Radio station license, but the TV station license was processed in three years.
“It is interesting that President Buhari signed the first TV station license for a university. We will use the TV station for pedagogical purity of education,’’ he said.
Adesina, who congratulated the Vice Chancellor on his recent appointment, said President Buhari is fully committed to improving the standard of education in the country, urging the management team to take the university to higher heights.
in his remark, Shehu reiterated that President Buhari would always work towards creating an enabling environment for purposeful and visionary projects.
“It’s a signal of the President’s clear thinking. He will never put an obstacle on the path of progress. If you are ready with a project that will bring good to society, the President will instantly approve and support you to do it,’’ he said.
Attah Esa
Deputy Director (Information)
State House
Press Release: Why We Insisted On Respect For Constitutional Change in the Gambia – President Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja expressed disappointment that he and other leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had to use strong-arm tactics to get Yahya Jammeh, the former Gambian president out of office after failing to win re-election.
“We had to go through those actions because it was the only option for Nigeria and ECOWAS,” President Buhari told Mr. Adama Barrow, the President of the Gambia who succeeded Jammeh.
President Buhari recalled that in spite of all entreaties, the former
President refused to accept the outcome of the election he superintended which was widely accepted as credible.
“We thank God for the role He allowed us to play in the Gambia. We believe in multi-party democracy. In Africa, it is absolutely necessary but for the system to work and one to come out of it clean, there is need for patience.
‘‘Patience on the part of leaders is also necessary in view of ethnic and religious diversities that prevail. Leaders must be patient, hardworking and resourceful,” he said.
President Buhari counselled that if African countries can get the institutional structures of democracy working properly, the continent will emerge from the process of development successfully.
He urged the Gambian leader to uphold the legacy of free and fair elections which he described as the biggest guarantee for democracy.
Comparing experiences with the new leader of the Gambia, the Nigerian leader said one of the biggest challenges facing Nigeria is unemployment.
“Sixty percent of the 180 million people are under 25 years. They all wish for a secure future. Those of them who are educated feel they are more qualified for employment.
“We have studied the problem and are doing our best to stabilize the situation.
‘‘We took over from a party that had been in power for 16 years. During those years, the country earned an unprecedented amount of money as revenue, never seen at any time before. It is noteworthy that, no matter how grudgingly, the people are accepting that we are doing our best,” he said.
At the end of the meeting, the President announced that representatives of both countries will deliberate and advise the leaders on how best to strengthen the existing level of cooperation between the two states.
President Barrow said he came to thank Nigeria and its leader in person for ensuring the completion of the democratic process in his country which had stalled back then following the refusal of Jammeh to accept the election results.
The Gambian leader said his country received the support of Nigeria in many spheres, citing education, administration, justice and security sectors and requested President Buhari to continue to be of assistance.
“We will never forget Nigeria for the help it has rendered to us since independence,” the visiting Gambian leader said.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity
January 16, 2018
Press Release: VP Osinbajo To Speak At Harvard As US Ivy School Starts Business Lecture Titled “Africa Rising”
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on the invitation of Harvard University, Boston, United States, would be delivering the inaugural, keynote lecture on “Africa Rising” at Harvard Business School on Tuesday, January 16, 2018.
In extending its invitation to the Vice President, the university noted that it deeply admired the immense progress that Nigeria has made by the Buhari presidency including the work of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).
“It would be the highest honour for us were you to accept our invitation as we deeply admire the immense progress that Nigeria has made,” the Harvard invitation noted, commending in particular the work of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council.
Nigeria’s rise in world economic rankings and the vast range of business initiatives in the country were also noted.
The top US university further describes the lecture as “a historic moment” as it would be the first time that an Africa-focused course will be offered at Harvard Business School.
During the lecture, Prof. Osinbajo would highlight the progress made by the Buhari administration in the area of improving the country’s economy and investment climate.
In the latest World Bank Doing Business index, Nigeria climbed up 24 places and was placed on the list of 10 most reformed economies globally.
Alongside the President, the VP has been a strong advocate in the future of a greater Africa, and has proffered solutions on how to make the continent work better for its people and the rest of the world.
In a keynote address at the Financial Times Summit in London recently, the Vice President emphasised the depth of talent and innovation across Agriculture, ICT, Hospitality, Fashion, Energy, Manufacturing, Entertainment, and many other fields.
The Vice President, who will leave for Boston today, is expected back in Abuja later on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Prof. Osinbajo had, alongside President Muhammadu Buhari, laid wreaths in honour of fallen heroes of the Nigerian Army at the National Arcade, Abuja to mark the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
15 January, 2017
Press Release: President Buhari Calls For Restraint in Benue, Assures of Government’s Commitment To Resolve Crisis
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Abuja called on the government and people of Benue State to exercise restraint following the recent attacks on some communities, assuring that all the perpetrators of violence in the state will be made to face the wrath of the law.
Receiving a delegation of political leaders, traditional rulers and elders of the state led by Governor Samuel Ortom at the Presidential Villa, President Buhari said all those involved in the conflict that culminated in loss of lives would not escape justice, including any illegally armed militia in the state.
The President commiserated with all the victims of the attacks, and the families who lost loved ones and properties, noting that the government would make efforts to ameliorate the situation of all the victims.
President Buhari said relevant agencies had been directed to start catering for the humanitarian needs.
“Your Excellency, the governor, and all the leaders here, I am appealing to you to try to restrain your people. I assure you that the Police, the Department of State Service and other security agencies had been directed to ensure that all those behind the mayhem get punished.
“I ask you in the name of God to accommodate your country men. You can also be assured that I am just as worried, and concerned with the situation,’’ he said.
The President told the delegation that his administration had already begun a process of finding lasting solution to the perennial challenge of herdsmen conflict with farmers and communities around the country.
President Buhari said the Inspector General of Police had been directed to relocate to the state to provide security for lives and properties, urging all Benue indigenes to trust the security agencies and report all suspicious cases of movements in the state.
In his remarks, the Benue State Governor said the tension would be reduced with the Federal Government’s intervention to find a lasting solution to the herdsmen attacks.
“We will leave here to rebuild confidence in our people,’’ he said.
The Tor-Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, said his entire domain had been thrown into mourning due to the incessant attacks.
“We want you to put an end to the gruesome situation,’’ he added.
Present at the meeting were Benue State Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu, former Senate President, David Mark, former Benue State Governor, Sen. George Akume and Sen. Barnabas Gemade. Others include Sen. Joseph Waku, Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd), Brig. Gen. John Atom Kpera (rtd), former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa, Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, Terkimbir Kyambe, and other members of the National and State Assemblies from the State.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity)
January 15th, 2018
Press Statement: Reports That Vice President Ignored Benue Governor’s Letter on Benue Attacks are Absolutely False
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, was shocked by a news report ostensibly quoting the Benue State Governor Sam Ortom as saying that the VP was warned of the savage and inhumane killings by alleged herdsmen in Logo and Guma local government areas which took place on the 1st of January 2018.
Although the Vice President, Prof. Osinbajo, does not believe that the Governor could ever have said so, it will be a terrible falsehood to suggest that the VP was ever informed by the Governor or anyone else of the imminence of the killing of citizens of our country in those or any other local governments in Benue State.
Governor Ortom wrote to the Vice President, then Acting President, on 7th June 2017 protesting a newspaper publication where the leadership of Miyetti Allah was reported to have stated that it was opposed to the Open Grazing Prohibition law of the State and that they would mobilize to resist the law. The Miyetti Allah had written to the Vice President on the 5th of June 2017 on the same law protesting several sections of the law. The Governor went on to say that the leadership of Miyetti Allah should be arrested because they used words such as “wicked, obnoxious and repressive,” to describe the law, and because these were “utterances that are capable of undermining the peace…”
The Vice President subsequently met with the Governor, discussed the matter and the security situation in the State and then ordered law enforcement agencies to be on the alert to prevent any attacks or violence. This was in June 2017!
In the said letter written by the Governor, there was no mention of any threat to any specific one of the 23 local governments of Benue State, so the best the law enforcement agencies could do even then was to await information or intelligence of an imminent attack. None came. Since then the VP has held several meetings with the Benue State Governor, including a visit to the State on the 6th of September, last year at the behest of Mr. President during the tragic floods in the state last year. At all such meetings, the Vice President discussed the security situation of the State with the Governor.
Following that, the then Acting President convened a major national security retreat which was attended by all State Governors, service chiefs and heads of security agencies. The Retreat featured very detailed discussions on the herdsmen/ farmers’ clashes.
To the best of our knowledge, neither Governor Ortom nor the Federal Government was aware of the imminence of the cowardly attack on Logo and Guma on the 1st of January, and therefore any suggestion that the President or the Vice President ignored the State Governor’s warning is both absolutely false and certainly misleading.
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the President
Office of the Vice President
15 January 2018
Press Release: All Those Found Guilty in Osborne Towers Scandal Will Be Sanctioned – President Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja said all those found culpable in the Osborne Towers scandal will be made to account and appropriately sanctioned.
Receiving a report of the panel established to review the operational, technical and administrative structure of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), President Buhari described the discovery of monies in the flat at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, in April this year, as an ‘‘unfortunate incident which rightly aroused public interest and outcry.’’
‘‘All the circumstances surrounding the obtaining, keeping custody and disbursement of the funds have been examined by the Vice President’s Committee and all those found to be culpable will be made to account and appropriately sanctioned.
‘‘However, it must be understood that this cannot be done in a manner that jeopardises national security or exposes the operations of any intelligence Agency, which must, by nature be conducted in secrecy.
‘‘Suffice it for me to assure all that justice will be done consistent with our anti-corruption policies,’’ the President said.
President Buhari, while commending the Presidential Review Panel on NIA led by Amb. Babagana Kingibe, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, for completing their assignment expeditiously, expressed the hope that the recommendations of the panel and that of an earlier Committee headed by the Vice President to look into the Osborne matter will assist Government in improving the operations of the NIA and the overall National Security architecture.
‘‘Your Panel’s recommendation, informed as they are by your collective experience and expertise in this field, should in particular help to reposition the NIA to better perform its vital functions with greater professionalism.
‘‘The Osborne Tower incident and its aftermath has also brought to the fore the need to review the entire National Security Architecture, which has now been in operation as established 31 years ago.
‘‘Once again, I thank you very much for undertaking this national assignment, ’’ he said.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was present at the presentation of the report by the panel which has Chief Albert Horsfall, Amb. Zakari Ibrahim and Amb. Ezekiel Oladeji, as members.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity)
December 19, 2017
Press Release: President Buhari Stresses Accountability, Good Neighbourliness In Meetings With ECOWAS and AU Commission
President Muhammadu Buhari Friday met with the President of ECOWAS Commission and Chairperson of the African Union Commission, at State House, Abuja, during which he emphasized the need for accountability and good neighbourliness in both the sub-region, and on the African continent.
Receiving first His Excellency Marcel A. de Souza, president of the ECOWAS Commission, President Buhari said it was gladdening that the organization was demanding accountability from its headquarters staff, which made it recently invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from Nigeria, to look into its books.
“Thanks for being firm, and for insisting on transparency and accountability at the ECOWAS headquarters,” President Buhari said, adding that Nigeria would continue to fulfill its obligations to the sub-regional body.
Nigeria hosts the 52nd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government Saturday, December 16, 2017, in Abuja.
President Buhari said he expected a formal report on the situation in Guinea Bissau at the meeting, noting: “We need our troops back home, and I hope the President of that country will accept a constitutional way to resolve the situation there.”
The ECOWAS Commission boss thanked Nigeria for agreeing to host the 52nd Ordinary Session at short notice, adding that the impact of Nigeria was quite strong in the organization.
“We are under financial pressure due to terrorist attacks in the sub-region, but Nigeria being out of recession will have an impact on the entire region,” de Souza said.
He noted that Nigeria was the highest contributor of troops to Guinea Bissau, but admitted that “the troops can’t be there endlessly.”
At the meeting with His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat of the African Union Commission, President Buhari said good neighbourliness and relationship were important for security and economic development.
“That was why I visited all our neighbours. Such relationship is crucial for security, and economic development, so that our youths can get jobs,” the President noted.
On the situation in Libya, President Buhari reiterated that not every Black man was a Nigerian, and it was, therefore, important to authenticate the origin of the people in distress, before they were evacuated.
“We are trying to bring as many as possible from Libya. But not every Black man is a Nigerian. Others claim to be Nigerian, when they are not, and because they have destroyed their travel papers, we can’t claim them, except there is proper documentation,” the President said.
On recharging of the Lake Chad, which he has been in the vanguard of across the world, the President submitted: “The earlier we get it done, the better, so that our youths don’t continue to dare the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea.”
The AU Commission boss congratulated President Buhari for what he was doing for Nigeria, and for Africa. His words:
“Without President Buhari, and without Nigeria, many things would not have been possible. I appreciate the role you played in my election, and all that you do in ECOWAS, Lake Chad Basin Commission, and the entire continent.
“We follow your battle against corruption, and it is not by chance that you have been chosen by other African leaders to champion the battle in 2018.
“Your commitment is notable, and I seek your support for reforms that we intend to introduce in AU. Your guidance is vital. We need Africa to speak with one voice, and the voice of Nigeria is preponderant.”
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity)
December 15, 2017