Press Release: Vice President Osinbajo To Attend EITI Conference In Jakarta, Indonesia

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is embarking on a two-day working visit to the Republic of Indonesia, during which he will address the opening plenary of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Beneficial Ownership Conference taking place in Jakarta, Indonesia, from Monday 23rd October to Tuesday 24th October, 2017.

At the conference, the Vice President will speak on a range of issues concerning Nigeria’s extractive industry and general reforms embarked upon by the Buhari administration in the extractive sector of the economy, among other issues. Other world leaders and top government dignitaries speaking at the event include the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo; Minister of National Development Planning in Indonesia, Bambang Brodjonegoro; EITI Chair, Fredrik Reinfeldt; among others.

This year’s conference, which will focus on using beneficial ownership information to achieve national priorities for the extractive sector and to improve natural resource governance, has as its theme: “Opening up ownership – sharing practice, building systems”.

Hosted by the Government of Indonesia and other partners committed to working on beneficial ownership reform to showcase best practices so far, the conference will discuss challenges, provide peer learning and exchange experiences.

According to the organisers, the conference is coming in the aftermath of the Panama papers scandal that implicated some highly placed individuals with links to the extractive sector across the world. The EITI last year agreed to adopt new rules on disclosing beneficial ownership for all extractive companies operating in its 52 member countries.

Nigeria joined the EITI to promote prudent management of revenues from its abundant natural resources to reduce poverty and ensure sustainable development. The NEITI is the Nigerian national sub-set of the global EITI.

Moreover, the Buhari administration is renowned globally for its position on anti-graft issues, and its campaign against corruption, which is manifest in the reforms initiated across spheres of government business and in key segments of the private sector.

The EITI has held a global conference at least every three years since 2003, bringing together all stakeholders of the EITI. So far, there have been seven conferences till date.

While in Jakarta, the Vice President will also hold bilateral talks with his Indonesian counterpart, Jusuf Kalla.

Prof. Osinbajo will be hosted to a state reception by the government of Indonesia. He will also meet with representatives of the Indonesian business community, the Chairman, International Board of EITI, and African Group of Ambassadors accredited to Indonesia.

The Vice President, who has left for Jakarta, is expected back in Abuja later on Tuesday.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
22 October, 2017

Press Release: President Buhari Admonishes African Leaders On Development Agenda

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that African leaders must speak ‘with one voice’, independent of foreign influence, to achieve economic integration, development, peace, and security on the continent.

Speaking at a bilateral meeting with President Alpha Conde of Guinea on Friday night in Istanbul, Turkey, President Buhari said leaders should learn from history to effectively tackle conflicts, violent extremism, and proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

The two Presidents, who met on the margins of the ninth D8 Summit in Istanbul, exchanged views on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

President Buhari assured his Guinean counterpart, who is also the current Chairman of AU that Nigeria would continue to strengthen its engagement with all AU member states to address current security challenges in restive areas such as South Sudan and Libya, and the political crisis in Togo.

In his remarks, Conde praised Nigeria’s leadership on the continent, particularly President Buhari’s great job on anti-corruption and his strong voice on African issues at the international stage.

The Guinean leader stressed the need for Guinea and Nigeria to accelerate economic cooperation, particularly in the natural resources sector, where Guinea boasts of 25 percent or more of the world’s known bauxite reserves.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 21, 2017

Press Release: President Buhari Urges D-8 To Prioritize Incentives For Trade, Investments Among Member Countries

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Istanbul urged D-8 leaders to prioritize incentives and measures aimed at increasing trade and investments among member countries.

Speaking at the ninth summit of the D-8, President Buhari said the private sector and business communities in the economic organization must be assisted with incentives to widen economic cooperation among member-states.

‘‘As the D-8, we need to intensify our activities with a view to enhancing various measures and incentives introduced to promote trade and assist the business communities from Member States to invest in our countries and widen our cooperation.

‘‘We need to work hard to establish integrated manufacturing structures and markets. I will like to reiterate the importance of increasing trade and investment among our Member States,’’ he said,

President Buhari also used the occasion of his speech to reiterate Nigeria’s commitment to international trade and development even as he affirmed the country’s readiness to host the Meeting of D8 Ministers of Industry from November 14 – 17 in Abuja.

Highlighting the attractive business and investment opportunities in the country, the President stressed the need for prospective investors to take advantage of the Federal Government’s new policies on trade facilitation.

‘‘Nigeria is committed to, and is actively pursuing a policy of trade and investment facilitation for growth. The gains from trade are reflected in greater competitiveness, improved productivity, job creation, consumer welfare and prosperity.

‘‘Economies that grow fastest and at more sustainable rates are those that actively promote trade and attract investment. We are committed to creating an enabling environment and making Nigeria an attractive place for business and investment,’’ he said.

The President also urged D-8 member countries to support the efforts of the African Union (AU) to establish the first ever single market for trade in goods and services on the continent.

He described the AU-backed Continental Free Trade Area for Africa as a ‘’win-win for all, including member countries of the D-8.’’

‘‘I am pleased to inform you of positive market developments currently in Africa, that will support our efforts as Members of the D-8 to enlarge our markets, facilitate our trade and investments, and develop our economies.

‘‘In Africa, we are on the threshold of finalizing negotiations to establish the first ever Single Market for Trade in Goods and Services on our Continent, in the Continental Free Trade Area for Africa. This will be a win-win for all, including member countries of the D-8.

‘‘As partners, I urge that we work together to support this effort of the African Union that will have a positive effect on global economic development and integration,’’ he said.

Earlier, President Buhari had congratulated the outgoing Chairman of D8, Pakistani government, and Dr. Seyed Ali Mohammad Mousavi, the outgoing Secretary-General, on their commitment and strong resolve to forge the organization ahead even in the face of serious challenges.

He also congratulated Turkey on assuming the new leadership of the economic organization.

He assured D-8 leaders that Nigeria would continue to support the Secretariat in its assignments to achieve the visions and objectives of the organization.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 20, 2017

Press Release: 81st NEC Meeting

Both the Federal Government and State governments would be working together to forge a common front in the nation’s bid for industrialisation.

This was one of the highlights at the National Economic Council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, earlier today at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa.

The Council had received a presentation on the work of the recently inaugurated Advisory Council that has top private sector and public sector officials, and industry chieftains as members. The Council is chaired by Prof. Osinbajo and has the mandate to identify key and practical areas where both public and private sectors can work together to significantly accelerate Nigeria’s industrial drive.

After the presentation was made to the Council, a committee of Governors from the nation’s six geo-political zones was formed to work with the Council in order to get the States actively involved in the national industrialisation effort by receiving and reviewing recommendations of the Council and fashioning out how best to implement them.

Highlights of the Meeting:

A. Presentation From The Nigeria Industrial Policy And Competitiveness Advisory Council (NIPCAC) By The Honourable Minister Of State, Industry, Trade and Investment

NIPCAC identifies obstacles to industrialization, recommend new measures.

The Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment made a presentation to the Council on the activities of the Nigeria Industrial Policy and Competitiveness Advisory Council (NIPCAC) thereafter referred to as the NIPCAC.

She informed the Council that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the establishment of NIPCAC in March 2017 as a vehicle for partnering with the private sector to drive Nigeria’s industrialization agenda.

Giving the Council an update on the work of NIPCAC, the Minister said NIPCAC has identified eight critical areas requiring urgent government intervention to move the country’s industrialization to the next level. These include:

-Improving broadband penetration nationwide.
-Resolving the nagging issue of multiple taxation.
-Facilitating access to land.
-Providing security to investments.
-Standardizing regulatory requirements.
-Facilitating interacted business linkages.
-Collaborating on project development and maintenance.
-Providing shared facilities.
-Informing the Council that the key role private sector plays in the telecom sector has committed to deploy an additional 18,000km of fibre cables nationwide over the next 12 – 18 months, the Minister prayed the Council to, among others, approve the following:
-Harmonization of Right of Way charges on State and Local Government highways with the Federal Government, which currently charges N145/m.
-Improve access to fibre installation across the States.
-Adopt the 2015 approved list of taxes and levels.
-Discontinue the use of unorthodox means of collection.
-Fast track automation of the entire tax administration and process to eliminate leakages and ensure ease of payment.
-Set up a single collection point for States and Local Government’s fees and levels.
-Develop a digitized land acquisition system.
-Establish a peer review Committee on industrialization ranking of all States of the Federation.

The Council decided that a Committee of Governors be set up to receive and review recommendations from the Advisory Council.

The Council also nominated 6 State Governors to be members of the Committee representing the 6 geopolitical zones to work with the NIPCAC in order to advance the course of national industrialization and competitiveness.

The States are Kaduna (N/W), Kwara (N/C), Ogun (S/W), Abia (S/E), Edo (S/S) and Adamawa (N/E). The Kaduna State Governor will chair the Committee.

B. Presentation On Flood Outlook And Current Flood Situation In The Country By The Director-General Of The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

The Director-General of NEMA briefed Council on the flood situation in Nigeria since the 2012 flood disaster in the country, disclosing that the FG has released N1.6 billion for flood relief, which will be used for intervention in the coming weeks in the affected states.

He told the Council that the 2012 flood affected over 7 million people, while 597,476 houses were destroyed/damaged and over 363 people killed. The total estimate of damages and losses was put at N2.6 trillion.

On the current flood situation in the country, the DG informed Council that 9 States have so far benefitted from relief interventions. They are Benue, Kebbi, Ekiti, Kogi, Edo, Ondo, Sokoto, Niger and Enugu.

Other States affected by the 2017 flood will receive relief materials in the coming weeks.

The DG appealed to all 36 States of the Federation and the 774 Local Government areas to establish functional State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and Local Council Emergency Management Committees (LEMEs) and provide professional training, adequate equipment, funding and early Warning Systems in order to combat future emergencies.

The Council noted that NEMA is a second respondent to disaster only when they are found to be well beyond the capacity of States and Local Governments to manage.

C. Presentation On Some Aspects Of The Nation’s Health Status By Honourable Minister Of Health

The Honourable Minister of Health presented a National Health Status report, informing Council as to where we are, where we want to be, and what can be done to take us where should be.

The Minister also dispelled rumours of Monkey Pox allegedly ravaging 7 States of the Federation.

He informed the Council that only Bayelsa State has 3 confirmed cases of Monkey Pox.

He told the Council that the Military is not involved in Vaccination in any State of the Federation and that any information to the contrary is false.

Addressing the Council, the face of Polio eradication campaign in Nigeria, His Eminence, told the Council that his presence in Council today implies total commitment by the traditional institution in Nigeria to the eradication of Polio in the country.

His Eminence was also accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Foundation and other Development Partners engaged in the fight against Polio and other related diseases such as Measles and Yellow Fever.

The Council particularly applauded His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad for his commitment to the eradication of Polio in the country.

The Council noted that Nigeria is making very good progress in Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization, but urged States to honour their counterpart funds so as to take immunization in the country to the next level.

D. An Update On Polio Eradication Initiatives And Strengthening Of Routine Immunization Presented By The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHDA)

Federal Government rolls out measles vaccination plans ahead of 2017/2018 dry season.

The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) briefed the council on preparations for measles Vaccination ahead of the 2017/2018 dry season, the period normally associated with outbreaks of measles.

He informed the Council that the Campaign is to be conducted in two phases, with phase one taking care of all the 19 Northern States and the FCT as follows:

N/W 26th – 31st October, 2017 and 2nd – 7th November, 2017

N/E 30th November, – 5th December, 2017 and 7th December, – 12th December, 2017

N/C FCT 1st – 6th February, 2018 and 8th – 13th February, 2018.

Phase two will take care of 17 Southern States from 8th – 13th and 15th – 20th March, 2018.

The Executive Director also told Council that 12 States have already paid their counterpart funding for the exercise.

He listed the States to include; Bayelsa, Borno, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Osun, Sokoto and Zamfara.

24 states are yet to meet their obligation for the vaccination campaign.

He requested the Council to appeal to States who are yet to meet their obligations to act urgently to enable the campaign take off on schedule in all States of the Federation.

He also appealed to the Council to support:

a. Quarterly release of funds for routine immunization activities.

b. States to set up Emergency routine immunization Coordination Centres as a platform to coordinate and manage routine immunization activities.

c. Directly support and commit to the implementation of the 2017/2018 Measles Vaccination Campaign.

E. Update On Excess Crude Account And Budget Support Loan Facility

The Honourable Minister of Finance briefed the Council on the Excess Crude Account (ECA) and the Budget Support Loan Facility to States of the Federation.

She informed the Council that the balance in the Excess Crude Account as at 16th October, 2017 stands at $2,309,636,457.88 billion.

On the Budget Support Loan Facility, the HMF told the Council that there was no budget support loan facility for last month to any State, because the FAAC was in excess of N600 billion. It has been agreed that beyond that threshold there will be no budget support loan facility.

F. Update On Stabilization Fund Account And Natural Resources Development Fund

The Accountant General of the Federation briefed the Council on the current balances in the Stabilization Fund Account and the Natural Resources Development Fund.

He told Council that the balance in the Stabilization Fund Account as at 16th October, 2017 stands at N5,853,204,804.11 billion.

He also informed Council that the balance in the Natural Resources Development Account as at 16th October, 2017 stands at N93,114,896,509.12 billion.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
19 October 2017

Press Release: President Buhari Visits Mausoleum Of Turkey’s Founding Father, Lauds Relations Between Nigeria, Turkey

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Turkey’s founding father, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, before meeting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace.

Accompanied by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Turkey, Iliyasu Paragalda and other senior government officials, President Buhari laid the wreath in red and white colours of the Turkish flag at the tomb of Ataturk and later observed a minute silence.

Afterwards, the President signed the official Anitkabir memorial Book of Honour at the Misaki-i Milli Kulesi (National Pact Tower), within the precincts of the mausoleum, and toured the museum.

He wrote: ‘‘It is an honour and privilege to visit Anitkabir, the mausoleum of a great patriotic, visionary and courageous leader who shaped modern Turkey, during my official working visit to Ankara and the ninth D-8 summit in Istanbul.

“I pay my profound respect to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Turkey and the first President from 1923 until his death in 1938.

‘‘I am pleased with the friendly relations between Turkey and Nigeria, which has grown in leaps and bounds over the years. I look forward to a more fruitful cooperation between our governments and people in areas of mutual concern and interests, for the benefit of our people.’’

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 19, 2017

Press Release: Nigerian Army Issues Disclaimer on Immunization Of Children

1. The attention of Headquarters 6 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to some rumours making the rounds that some Nigerian Army Personnel are going round schools in Rivers State dressed in Military Camouflage uniforms with the intention of forcefully vaccinating students with an unknown substance. The callous and unpatriotic rumours spread by these enemies of State are, to say the least, despicable, deplorable and highly condemnable by all well meaning Nigerians as they are intended to cause pandemonium among the general public.

2. The authorities of 6 Division Nigerian Army wishes to inform the general public that while the Nigerian Army plans to undertake such gestures like free medical outreaches, sanitation exercises in host communities and distribution of educational materials as part of our community relations activities during the ongoing Operation CROCODILE SMILE II, these activities are yet to be conducted and will eventually be conducted with the consent of relevant authorities of designated communities and at venues and dates that will be duly communicated to the general public through future press releases and relevant posters.

3. For the purpose of emphasis, the Nigerian Army does not and will never carry out its medical outreaches or vaccination exercises for that matter in Schools. We can therefore categorically inform the public that the ongoing rumours about Nigerian Army Personnel going round schools in military camouflage to forcefully immunize school children are not true and should therefore be discountenanced with.
Additionally, members of the public are please requested to call 09072509436-8 to report any case of any impostor(s) that may be seen actually trying to commit such atrocities.

4. You are kindly requested to disseminate this information to the general public through your medium. Thank you for your usual cooperation.

AMINU ILIYASU
Colonel
Deputy Director
Army Public Relations

Press Release: President Buhari To Attend D-8 Summit In Instanbul; Visit Ankara

President Muhammadu Buhari will Wednesday depart for Istanbul, Turkey to participate in the ninth Summit of the Developing 8 (D-8) on Friday, October 20, 2017.

Prior to the D-8 Summit, President Buhari, at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, will participate in an official working visit to Ankara, the capital city. 

In Ankara, the President will have a tete-a-tete with his Turkish counterpart while delegations from both countries will hold discussions in various fields including defence cooperation, security, educational and migration issues.

The Nigerian leader will also visit the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey in Ankara where he will meet with the Speaker, Ismail Kahraman.

 While in Istanbul, the Turkish commercial centre, President Buhari will use the occasion of the D-8 Summit to bolster warm and growing ties across a broad range of areas of cooperation with leaders of the D8-member countries, namely Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan and Turkey.

The Summit with the theme, ‘‘Expanding Opportunities through Cooperation’’, will among other things, focus on cooperation in the areas of agriculture, trade, transport, energy and increased private sector participation among member-countries.

During the ninth Summit of the D-8, which will also mark the 20th anniversary of the organisation established to improve the developing countries’ positions in the world economy, the President will highlight the significant show of confidence in Nigeria’s business environment and economy.

He will also affirm Nigeria’s resolve to work with D-8 member-countries on many key areas, including peace and security, economy and trade.

At the end of the Summit, the Heads of State and Government will adopt a Communiqué, also known as the ‘Istanbul Declaration’. 

The President will be accompanied on the trip by ministers, top government officials, including the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Hameed Ali.

FEMI ADESINA

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

October 17, 2017.

Update: Nigeria Elected To UN Human Rights Council

Nigeria is part of the 15 states to be elected by secret ballot to serve on the Human Rights Council of the United Nations. Nigeria is expected to serve on matters involving the protection of human rights globally.

Other countries elected into the Human Rights Council alongside Nigeria include Afghanistan, Angola, Australia, Chile, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Qatar, Senegal, Slovakia, Spain and Ukraine.

The tenure for Nigeria and all the other countries is three years and it starts on January 1, 2018.

Meetings will be held at the Geneva Office of the United Nations with the aim of preventing and acting against human rights violations, strengthening human rights policies and providing necessary suggestions on human rights matters when necessary.

Press Release: President Buhari Asks Army, Police To Halt Return Of Madness To Plateau State

President Muhammadu Buhari has received with deep sadness and regret, news of the recent killings of at least 20 people in Plateau State, during what has been described as a reprisal attack by some herdsmen.

President Buhari believes that this madness has gone too far. He has instructed the military and the police to not only bring the violence to an instant end, but to draw up a plan to ensure that there are no further attacks and reprisal attacks by one group against the other.

President Buhari is devoted to the sanctity of Nigeria’s unity, and he encourages Nigerians of all groups to learn to live together in peace and harmony..

He commiserates with the governor and people of Plateau State, and with those who lost their loved ones, friends and family: May God comfort them as only He can.

GARBA SHEHU
SSAP(Media and Publicity).
16-10-17.

Press Release: President Buhari Receives Young Admirers: Maya, Nicole and Aisha

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Abuja received three young admirers in the State House, who have demonstrated high interest in his administration, and prayed for his recovery during ill-health.

Three-year old Maya Jammal became an internet sensation when her videoed prayer for the President’s recovery went viral, while 10 year-old Aisha Aliyu Gebbi penned a personal letter to President Buhari describing herself as his “biggest fan’’.

Nicole Benson, 12 years old, had contributed N5,785 to the President’s campaign in 2015, which was all saved up from her lunch allowance and pocket money.

 “I am very impressed by what the children have been able to do,’’ President Buhari said, “I can see the little Maya is shy. I watched her video where she was praying for my recovery when I was ill.’’

 The President attributed his victory at the polls to the contributions of good hearted Nigerians, like young Nicole, who is from Lagos State, and showed her support by sending her personal savings.

 “Nicole, I congratulate you, and myself for being here today. Your contribution made a great impact. As you can see, I am here in the Presidential Villa. Thank you,’’ he said.  

President Buhari told Aisha that her letter was heart-warming, noting that he felt re-assured knowing he had fans amongst the children.

“Thank you very much for the letter,’’ he said.

The President said he looked forward to more visits from the children. “I am hoping that it will not be the first and last time we will be meeting while I am here. We will continue to meet even after I have left here.’’

Speaking on behalf of the parents, Hon. Aliyu Ibrahim Gebbi, said the President’s gesture of inviting the children to the Presidential Villa was a dream come true.  

Gebbi said the invitation also added to the President’s long standing record of good heartedness and fairness.

“In a nation with few legends and accuracy of truth, we look up to you, Mr. President, and our children are looking up to you,’’ he added.

Maya lives in the FCT, while Aisha came in from Bauchi State.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

October 16, 2017