President Buhari’s Address at the Commissioning of Sunti Golden Sugar Estate in Niger State

I am very pleased to be here today to formally commission the Sunti Golden Sugar Estate.

This project is timely as Nigeria makes her journey out of recession and the economy continues to show considerable progress. We are reminded of one of the cardinal objectives of this administration which is to look inwards as we focus on our natural endowments in agriculture, and other non-oil sectors for inclusive growth and development.

The level of work and magnitude of investment that we are witnessing here today is a clear demonstration that our policies on economic diversification are attracting the right kind of support and engagement. On that note, I must congratulate the entire members of the board, management and staff of Flour Mills for such a major step in expanding the business and creating more jobs for our people.

Since the establishment of Flour Mills in 1960, the company has repeatedly shown commitment to Nigeria, through good times and bad.

The Sunti Golden Sugar Estate, as I am told, was built at a cost of over fifty billion naira making it one of the largest Agro-allied investments in Nigeria today, with a capacity to produce 100,000 metric tons of sugar annually.

I am informed the Estate will engage up to 10,000 people directly including a network of over 3,000 small-scale out growers of Sugar cane. This to my mind is central to our administration’s determination to have an inclusive economy. The socio-economic impact of such a massive investment, in rural area of Nigeria, cannot be quantified.

Lives will change for thousands in these localities. And the impact on the national economy will be significant.

The location of the Sunti Sugar Estate on the banks of the River Niger is as notable as it is commendable. The enormous economic possibilities inherent here have perhaps been overlooked for far too long. It is on record that the Niger River Basin has played an essential role in the lives of the people who have had to depend on the basin for their subsistence.

And when we take into cognizance the tributaries of the river and the proximity to the Kainji dam and the ecosystem, it is time we explore how this massive body of resources can be converted to a hub for industry and commerce. To that end, I call on other investors to take a cue from what we are witnessing today and come and invest heavily in this area.

Let me reassure Nigerians, that this administration is fully committed to the transformation and diversification of the economy. We will continue to support businesses by creating enabling business environment.

I wish to assure Nigerians that this government will continue to focus on the improvement of security and critical infrastructure, like roads, construction of rails and power generation across the country as a vital pre-requisite to economic progress.

We all know that Government cannot do everything alone. We will need to partner with the private sector. Therefore, we expect that the company would seize this opportunity to further develop the Sunti-Mokwa Road through its corporate social responsibility programs. This will complement the flour mills ongoing rebuilding of the critical Apapa-Wharf Road in conjunction with other private and public-sector stakeholders.

The world over, Sugar has been identified as a key commodity that is critical to national food security. Other than the development of local content, an investment of this size in the sugar value chain will not only help to stem the tide of importation of sugar and save foreign exchange, but enhance rural industrialization and create wealth amidst rural poverty. For this, I must commend the Flour Mills of Nigeria.

Once again I say congratulations to the Board, the Management and staff of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc for this landmark project.

I thank you most sincerely for your attention.

Press Release: Dapchi Update: Search for Dapchi Girls Extended to Neighbouring Countries – FG

The ongoing search for the 110 girls who were abducted from the Government Girls Science and Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, Yobe State, has been extended to the neighbouring countries, the Federal Government has announced.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said top military and security officials on Thursday travelled to the North-east to add more urgency to the search, which has now been extended beyond the North-east theatre.

The officials include the nation’s top military officer and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; Chief of Army Staff; Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Alhaji Lawal Daura.

They joined the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who had earlier relocated to the North-east, as well as the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd), who has also visited the theatre.

The Federal Government had earlier released the names and other details of the 110 girls who have yet to be accounted for, following the attack on the GGSTC, Dapchi, Yobe State, on 19 Feb. 2018.

The panel set up by the Federal Government to unravel the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the girls was inaugurated on Thursday by the NSA.

Segun Adeyemi
SA To Hon Minister of Information and Culture
Abuja
2 March 2018

Factsheet: Planned Conduct of Exercise Ayem Akpatuma by the Nigerian Army from February 15 – March 31, 2018

Background:

On February 7, 2018, the Nigerian Army announced that they will be commencing the Exercise Ayem Akpatuma in Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger states.

The exercise is set to last from February 15, 2018 to March 31, 2018 and is aimed at curbing all cases of kidnapping, armed banditry, cattle rustling in Kaduna and Niger states, sundry crimes in Kogi state and herdsmen/farmers clashes in all respective states, especially in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states.  

The exercise will be part of efforts by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) to achieve its vision for the Nigerian Army which is “ A Professionally Responsive Nigerian Army in the Discharge of its Constitutional Roles” and will be conducted with the support of other security agencies such as the Department of State Sciences, Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The exercise will involve training of military personnel and establishment of Step-Up Brigade Headquarters in the respective states. Focus will be placed on raids, search operations, anti-kidnapping drills, road blocks, check points and humanitarian activities such as medical outreaches.

The Nigerian Army also encourages the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest military formation or any other security agency in the state. Contact details of all Brigade Commanders in addition to the Nigerian Army short code Information and Call Centre 193 will be made public at the start of the exercise.

Press Release: President Buhari Set To Participate in Counter-Terrorism Meeting in Jordan

President Muhammadu Buhari will December 2-3, 2017, join other Heads of State in Aqaba, Jordan, to review strategies in fighting terrorism, and reinforce joint security structures that will be more proactive in preventing attacks.

Tagged, AQABA RETREAT, the meeting, hosted by His Majesty, King Abdullah II of Jordan, is expected to be attended by West African Heads of State, representatives of governments of 48 countries and a number of key Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

At the meeting, the President is expected to share Nigeria’s experience on terrorism and its spread across West Africa, with a view to soliciting more support for pre-emptive measures that will neutralise the activities of insurgents in the sub-region.

The Nigerian leader will also hold bilateral meetings with some Heads of State to strengthen relations.

President Buhari and his delegation will attend the official dinner to be hosted by King Abdullah II in honour of visiting Heads of State and their delegations.

The President will be accompanied to Jordan by the governors of Kogi, Osun and Niger States; the Ministers of Defence, Education, Foreign Affairs; the National Security Adviser, and the Acting Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity)
November 30, 2017