The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has announced ‘Nigeria Air’ as the new national air carrier.
He spoke as he unveiled the airline to investors at the ongoing Farnborough International Air Show in UK today, Wednesday with the colour as green white green.
Detail later. [myad]
Former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido has made it clear that as a bona-fide Nigerian, he has no reason to fear anybody.
Lamido, who is a Presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said: “Nigeria is my country, I should not be afraid, I fear nobody.
“If you fear then you are doomed. If I die then I have died for the youth. I have been to the prison four or five times so why should I fear?”
The former Jigawa state governor, who spoke to news men after a consultative meeting with the PDP in Kaduna today, Tuesday, said that he and other aspirants on the PDP platform are ready to surrender to whoever emerges as the party’s candidate for the 2019 election.
“Those aspirants in the PDP and the coalition are ready to make any sacrifice for the sake of our future generations. I feel sad for them, I feel sad for Nigerians because people just took over power without being prepared for it.” [myad]
Yakubu DogaraHouse of Representatives has embarked on investigating the looted funds and assets recovered from politicians and public officers from 1999 to date. The total value of recovered funds and assets are said to be in the neighbourhood of $2 Trillion.
The investigation being carried out by the House Joint Committee on Public Accounts and Finance, is expected to among others, investigate whether any crimes have been committed in the course of the management and disbursement of funds recovered by the Federal Government in the last 12 years.
At the public hearing of the House Joint Committee on Public Accounts and Finance today, Tuesday, the House speaker, Yakubu Dogara stressed the need for the committee to ascertain the status of recovered public funds and assets from 1999 to date.
“It is common knowledge that there are a lot of conflicting reports and claims from various agencies of government concerning the status of the funds and assets recovered from some citizens and corporate entities by law enforcement agencies. As a Parliament, we cannot fold our arms and allow the confusion trailing the whereabouts of the recovered funds and assets to continue. This is why the House of Representatives resolved to mandate this Joint Committee to investigate the issue in the interest of accountability and transparency.”
He said that the investigation has become necessary in order to ascertain how resources are being appropriated, and that it is in line with the duties of the National Assembly as stated in the Constitution.
“We believe that as a Parliament, we owe the people of Nigeria the duty to ascertain the resources available to government and how they are being appropriated in their interest. This is in line with the exercise of our Constitutional powers in Sections 88 and 89 of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 as amended.”
Speaker Dogara called on the stakeholders present to be patriotic, truthful and honourable in their submissions even as he advised the committee to handle the matter with utmost seriousness as it is capable of eroding the credibility of the present administration. [myad]
Former Lagos State governor and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the decision of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) for adopting a direct primary for electing the candidate in Osun State, saying that it will deepen internal democracy in the party.
“When the history of this moment is written, those looking back on this decision will say that it was an inevitable natural consequence of party evolution.”
Tinubu, in a statement reacting to the decision by the party’s NWC to pick the Osun State governorship candidate of the party through direct primaries, said that despite that the APC Constitution provides for both direct and indirect primaries, but that the direct option is more democratic and more participatory.
Asiwaju Tinubu also commended the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for leading the party toward greater democracy, which means increased participation of all party members in key decisions that affect them.
“From its inception, our party has held to principles of internal democracy and, by the open and fair conduct of our conventions, we have distinguished ourselves from all other political parties. While we have achieved more than others with regard to internal democracy, there is still more to be done in order to perfect our internal procedures and mechanisms.
“This consideration was a key factor in the election of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as party chairman. Core to that mandate is the improvement of democracy within the party so that we may become even better representatives of the people.
“The decision of the National Working Committee approving a direct primary to elect the party’s candidate for Osun election is a ground-breaking step toward achieving this fine objective. By this decision, the party affirms its democratic inclinations. When the history of this moment is written, those looking back on this decision will say that it was an inevitable natural consequence of party evolution.
“However, I know differently. This decision took courage and conviction because it bucked the old ways in order to bring about something better and new. Comrade Oshiomhole deserves commendation for leading the party toward greater democracy, which means increased participation of all party members in key decisions that affect them.
“The involvement of all APC members in candidate nomination will ensure that the party chooses the candidate of the people. It will also serve to galvanize the party membership for the general election that lies ahead. Moreover, direct primaries will serve as a future deterrent to those who might have tried to corrupt the delegate system of obtaining nominations. With that system, the temptation to ‘buy’ delegates was an ever-present weakness. Now, such a venal undertaking will prove much too costly and uncertain to be entertained as feasible strategy.
“I am sure party members in Osun welcome this decision for it shines the rays of democracy more fully upon them. May this decision not be peculiar to Osun but stand as the new way of our party. The nation and the APC will both be better for it.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has requested the Senate’s approval of N242.45 billion for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enable it to commence preparations for 2019 general elections.
Part of the funds, according to the President’s request, will also be given to the Department of State Service (DSS) and other security agencies for the same purpose.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, dated July 11 and personally signed by Buhari.
The letter, which was read by Saraki at plenary today, Tuesday, indicated that Buhari said that out of the needed figure, N164.10 billion should be provided through virement or supplementation of 2018 Budget. It added that the balance of N78.34 billion, mostly related to personnel allowances, fuelling and other costs not required until election proper, be provided for in the 2019 budget.
The sum of N189.21 billion is earmarked for INEC, N4.3 billion for Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA; N12.21 billion for DSS and N3.6 billion for Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The Nigeria Police Force will get a proposal of N30.5 billion while N2.6 billion is earmarked for Nigeria Immigration Service.
The president requested that N164.10 billion of total funds proposed for the elections should be funded from the N578.31 billion inserted in the 2018 budget by the National Assembly.
Also to be funded from the “inserted funds,” the President said, is additional N64.75 billion for reinstatement of critical project cuts in 2018 budget, bringing the total figure to get from the “inserted funds” to N228.85 billion.
The letter said that the request to deduct N228.85 billion from the N578.31 billion is in view of fiscal constraint, which would not allow for over-burdening of the 2018 budget.
“You will also recall that when I signed the 2018 Appropriation Act, I indicated the need to request the reinstatement of certain cuts made to certain critical projects provided in the original Executive Bill.
“I am therefore submitting for your consideration the reinstatement of the most critical of such cuts totalling N64, 749, 216, 150.
“The total amount required to be provided for in the 2018 budget for the 2019 general elections and to restore the identified critical projects to the amount earlier proposed is therefore N228, 854, 008, 215.
“Implementing budget of N9.12 trillion for 2018 will be extremely challenging and therefore, I do not consider it expedient to propose further increase to the 2018 Expenditure Framework to fund these very important and critical expenditure items.
“Accordingly, I urge the Distinguished Senate to consider, in national interest, relocating some of the funds appropriated for new projects inserted into 2018 Budget totalling N578,319,951,904 to cover the N228, 854, 008, 215 required as indicated.
“While hoping that this request will receive the expeditious consideration of the Distinguished Senate, please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.”
CBN-Office-AbujaThe Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has again, injected the sum of $210 million into the inter-bank foreign exchange (forex) market.
The Bank offered $100 million to authorized dealers in the wholesale segment of the market, while the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment got the sum of $55 million, just as $55 million was also allocated for invisibles such as tuition fees, medical payments and Basic Travel allowance (BTA).
In a statement, the Bank’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications Department, Isaac Okorafor said that the apex bank would continue to intervene in the interbank foreign exchange market, in line with its pledge to sustain liquidity in the market and maintain stability.
Okorafor maintained that the continued forex intervention is to ensure that the Bank meetsgenuine customers’ requests in various segments of the market.
It will be recalled that Tuesday last week, the CBN intervened to the tune of $210 million, to cater for requests in the wholesale segment of the market.
Meanwhile, the naira continued to exchange at an average of N360/$1in the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment of the market today, Tuesday.
Presidnet Muhammadu Buhari, delivering speech on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary Celebration Of The International Criminal Court, The Hague, Netherlands | state House PhotoPresident Muhammadu Buhari has cautioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to avoid even a hint of bias or political motivations in its dealings with member states.
“The goals and responsibilities of the Court are no doubt very challenging and daunting but with the cooperation of all, coupled with the high calibre of Judges and staff of the Court, the challenges are not insurmountable. I, therefore, urge all States not to politicize the decisions of the Court but to always bear in mind the rationale for the establishment of the Court in the first place.
In a keynote address he delivered today, Tuesday, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Court in Hague, Netherlands, President Buhari advised the Court to accept all constructive criticisms and allay lingering fears and concern through targeted messaging, awareness raising and possible modification of some legal provisions.
He said that if properly articulated, communication and awareness raising would engender trust and encourage greater cooperation of Member States with the Court and even encourage non–Member States to decide to become Members.
“It must avoid even a hint of bias or political motivations.”
President Buhari said that Nigeria has cooperated with, and supported the Court at all times, saying: “this we have demonstrated by our full and transparent cooperation on matters on which we are being investigated and also in our several Country statements at the sessions of the Court.
“Our cooperation with the Court is borne out of our strong belief in the respect for the rule of law and human rights, and in our firm commitment to the sanctity of fundamental freedoms at international and domestic levels, as ingrained in the objectives for establishing the Court.”
The Nigerian leader, who asked all members States as a matter of deliberate State policy, accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court so that it can become a universal treaty, said that the world, more than ever before, needs the ICC.
He recalled that ICC was established twenty years ago as a global court, inspired by the Nuremberg trials of World War II war criminals, to hold people accountable for crimes against humanity, war crimes, crimes of genocide and aggression.
“In addition to preventing impunity, promoting adherence and respect for the rule of law and fundamental freedoms worldwide and to punishing those in leadership positions responsible for the most appalling crimes and atrocities, the ICC has given hope for justice to so many, by demanding strict adherence to the rules of international humanitarian law.
“With the alarming proliferation of the most serious crimes around the world, the ICC, and all that it stands for, is now needed more than ever, in ways that were unforeseeable to its founders. The ICC may have been created at a time of optimism that it would not need to be utilized frequently, but, unfortunately, the increase in international crimes has only increased the Court’s relevance.”
President Buhari said that a strong and effective ICC has the potential to send a powerful message about the international community’s commitment to accountability, a message that will be heard by both victims and perpetrators.
According to him, a strong and effective ICC demonstrates the international community’s commitment to the rule of law, adding that it can also act as a catalyst for other justice efforts, expanding the reach of accountability. “These could include serious cases of corruption by state actors that severely compromise the development efforts of countries and throw citizens into greater poverty.
“These could also include cases of illicit financial flows where countries are complicit and obstruct repatriation of stolen assets. As the African Union Champion on Anti-corruption, these are issues dear to my heart.
“The Rome Statute created more than a court; it created the outline for a system of justice for horrific crimes rooted first in national courts doing their job, and where they fail to do so, the ICC stepping in only as “the court of the last resort”
Buhari said that the ICC also needs increased cooperation and financial resources from its member states, saying that State parties should express their commitment to increasing efforts in these areas, including pledging concrete assistance.
He noted that 20 years of the Court’s existence have witnessed several challenges, some of which had threatened the very existence of the Court itself.
“Most notable were the withdrawals and threats of withdrawals of membership of the Court by some States, as well as accusations of bias in the exercise of the jurisdiction of the Court. Thankfully, the Court has addressed these challenges in a dignified and commendable way.
“Nonetheless, the Court needs to take on board all constructive criticisms and allay lingering fears and concern through targeted messaging, awareness raising and possible modification of some legal provisions. If properly articulated, communication and awareness raising would surely engender trust and encourage greater cooperation of Member States with the Court and even encourage non – Member States to decide to become Members.”
On the Nigerian general elections coming up next year, President Buhari gave assurance that all hands are on deck to prevent any recurrence of the 2011 tragic election incidents, stressing that his government would do everything possible to ensure that Nigeria witness the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections in 2019.
FCT Minister, Muhammed Musa Bello and some officialsNigeria’s Federal Capital Territory Administration has proposed an expenditure framework of N271.532 Billion for the 2018 fiscal year.
The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, who presented the budget to the Senate Committee on FCT today, Tuesday, said that the figure showed an increase of N49.171 Billion over the appropriation for 2017 which was at N222. 360 Billion.
The Minister gave a breakdown of the sectoral allocations which showed priority being given to Capital Expenditure, which got N154.232 Billion representing 56.8 percent of the estimate.
Overhead cost came second with N61 billion or 22.5 percent, while Personnel was estimated to cost N56 billion representing 20.68 percent of the total.
The increase, the Minister said, is based on the expected higher revenue generation by the FCT in view of the take-off of the FCT Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and expected increased funds from the federation account.
He said that the Administration would pay attention to the completion of ongoing infrastructure projects to make the city more liveable, adding that N70 billion has been earmarked for this purpose.
In the same vein, N4.7 billion will go to on-going critical new projects, while N21.1 billion is proposed for ongoing as well as new infrastructure projects in satellite towns.
Amount of N37.96 billion has been set aside for the education Sector while the Health Sector received N22.8 billion.
Other major expenditure areas include Resettlement & Compensation – N8.9Billion and Transportation Sector – N20.5Billion. Of this amount, the Abuja Light Rail Project would gulp N12.3Billion. Environment, Water and Agriculture sectors together have been allocated approximately N16.3Billion among others.
The Budget which has been described as a balanced budget would be funded from the 1 percent of the 52.68 percent Statutory Allocation to the Federal Government from the Federation Account, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and other sources as contained in the Fiscal Framework of the Federal Government.
In his brief remark at the occasion, the Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Dino Melaye, expressed delight at the remarkable improvement recorded in the Budget performance for the 2017 Fiscal year which showed a 62 percent level of accomplishment.
He congratulated the FCT Administration for the successful commissioning of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit System, while harping on the necessity for honesty, prudence and transparency in the management of government resources.
After much pertinacious ballyhoo, conquistadorial rodomontade and political saber-rattling by the outgoing governor of Ekiti state, Mr. Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that he had his imprimatur audaciously stamped in the sun, evidencing his allodia ownership to the land title of Ekiti, the outcome of the July 14, 2018 governorship election had shattered the false claim and opened a new vista in the surefooted political evolution that is set to redefine the state now and in futuro.
Fayose’s Goebbelian irritabilities, innuendoes and direct assaults on the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari and the security agencies all in a bid to psyche himself up and manipulate public perception about his popularity and invincibility in the governorship politics of Ekiti state have come to naught in the face of the facts and election figures that were summative of the essential mandate by the people that tilted the pendulum of victory and legitimacy in favour of Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
Fayemi, who was governor in the state from October 16, 2010 to October 16, 2014, now has a better title, following his victory in the weekend’s governorship election. There is an emphatic change of ownership and with that change comes a new orientation in terms of the sublime and pragmatic socio-political and economic interactions and appreciation of the place of leadership in keeping fidelity to the social contract that has been forged with the elements of APC’s robust manifestoes on which Fayemi’s electioneering was anchored.
The era of Fayose’s peculiar political gambadoism that questions the cosmopolitan and enlightened spirit of Ekiti and its intelligentsia is fast approaching a euphoric terminus. All of us in the APC are in a celebratory mood that on October 16, 2018, Fayose would be hoisted in his own petard and the process of exorcising Ekiti of his negative politics and influence will begin in earnest. That is one task that holds a great promise for Ekiti under the watch of the urbane, unassuming and affable Fayemi.
But beyond the demystification of Fayose and the dislodgement of PDP in Ekiti is the domino effect of this political Risorgimento on the national reputation and acceptability of the APC brand by Nigerians. The APC has come under existential attacks by the opposition elements who have hurled all manner of propaganda to de-market it ahead of the 2019 general elections. In their desperate and diabolical schema, they have continued to portray the APC and President Buhari as incompetent in the enormous task of cleansing the Augean stables of corruption which they had inflicted on the nation in their 16 years of clueless and rapacious government.
As Buhari continues to put his nose to the grindstone, the PDP-led oppositions and other retrogressive centrifugal and centripetal forces that are uncomfortable with the administration’s anti-corruption war and moves to correct the age-long appropriation of our commonwealth by a few powerful individuals have unconscionably and consistently sponsored killings in parts of the country in order to discredit the government. That has been the original sin of Buhari: his commitment to take back our country from the vice-like grips or strangleholds of those that have privatized it.
Understandably, the anti-Buhari elements have committed themselves to obfuscate the gradual but consistent progress towards good governance and integrity in government. Except for mischief makers, there is a national consensus that the level of rot inherited by Buhari is monumentally abysmal. It is such that it can overwhelm a revolutionary approach to governance. The necessity to systematically deal with the contending and problematic issues has, in fact, put a strain on a government that is eager to deliver.
The matter becomes more difficult in a situation where the president, as the poster child of the anti-corruption war, appears to be the only one that is committed to the war in terms of his antecedents, pedigrees, credible verbal exhortations and even body language. This has been globally acknowledged. Recently, he was conferred with the honour of anti-corruption champion on the continent of Africa by the African Union (AU). On the corruption issue, Buhari is on top of his game with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under the watch of Ibrahim Magu doing a yeoman job.
On the other governance issues like the economy and security which the oppositions take delight to criticise, the president has entrusted qualified individuals to superintend them and he is providing the requisite leadership gravitas. He is disposed to retool and re-kit his administrative infrastructure as time goes on for better efficient service delivery. That is the essence of government and governance.
For close to four years, Buhari has been working persistently and steadfastly at rebuilding a better and greater Nigeria from the ruins of 16 years that he inherited from the PDP. It will be unfair to expect him to clear the age-long mess in a jiffy. It does not work that way. He has to conscientiously work at it. That explains the series of executive orders he has signed to bolster administrative actions that would conduce to good governance. With the direction that he is headed clearly defined as the president and head of the executive, it will be salutary to get the buy-in of the legislature and the judiciary, the two other arms that make up the federal government. Once cooperation and synergy are emplaced, the federal government will be home and dry.
Indeed, judging by the much the Buhari administration has achieved, in so short a time, I am inclined to believe that another four years in the saddle will enable much more progress. The president will be able to build more physical and administrative infrastructure including institutions that will preserve official mores rather than the characteristic predilection of building individuals. It is in the above context that the president’s decision to seek re-election in 2019 is in apple-pie order: to continue the good work.
It is heartwarming that leaders and members of our party, working in concert with Nigerians, are pushing the apt narrative that a second term in office for Buhari is an opportunity to provide elixir for all of our nation’s fundamental turpitude and putrescence. To realise Buhari’s re-election in pragmatic terms, a vast majority of Nigerians would have to enlist in the campaign to dismantle all manner of shared prejudices, primordial sentiments and fault lines that the opposition elements and those who are determined to truncate his good work have mounted on the trajectory to 2019 victory.
Overall, their diabolic and odious agendas are headed for the political seppuku. Happily, the victory of the APC in Ekiti, under the national chairmanship of Comrade Adams Oshiomhiole, is both a precursor and fillip to the president’s surefooted march to a win in the scheduled February 16, 2019 presidential election. The outcome of the governorship election is a clear statement that the APC is an acceptable national political brand. This is expected to be reconfirmed in the forthcoming Osun governorship election. Meantime, Fayemi’s victory over Fayose’s candidate, Professor Olusola Kolapo, in the poll is a clear pointer to the string of APC’s successes in elections between now and in the scheduled 2019 general elections.
President Buhari At ICC: Proud To Be A Nigerian, By Femi Adesina
I’ve seen him address the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Seen him speak at AU (African Union) summits. Seen him address the European Parliament at Salzburg, France. Watched him speak to the world a number of times at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). And on Tuesday, January 17, 2018, he stood ramrod straight to address the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands. It was a time one felt tremendously proud to be Nigerian.
I have been on the entourage of President Muhammadu Buhari to scores of countries round the world, I have seen how he is well respected by global leaders, and how that reverence rubs off on Nigeria. I tell you, despite all the challenges our country currently faces, we have a leader the world adulates. His honesty, integrity, transparency, love for his country, personal discipline, and many others, are stuff that fairy tales are made of.
At 9.35am Tuesday, President Buhari was ushered into the main hall of the ICC. He stood straight, in a way that belies his age of 75. Before taking his seat, he bowed reverently to the 17 judges, resplendent in their blue robes and white mufflers. The judges were picked from all regions of the world, and four of them were Blacks. Out of those four, the President, Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, is Nigerian. All hail our own dear native land!
Judge Eboe-Osuji gave the opening remarks, which dwelt on the history of ICC, its successes, and how it could do a lot better in the immediate future. Turning 20 was a landmark, he stressed, and that was why the Nigerian leader had been invited to present a Keynote Address.
President Buhari was invited to the podium. Another bow, and those brisk strides again! A man they said, had died, and had been secretly buried this time last year! God is awesome.
That familiar voice came, and one never felt prouder to be Nigerian. The Fulani man, whom some people have tried (and still keep trying) to demonize, demean, and de-market, was addressing the world again. He was addressing a global audience, and people who mattered on this terra firma, were all ears, catching his every word. Again, really proud to be Nigerian.
What did the keynote speaker say? He first commended Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, saying Nigeria was proud of him. He then delved into the history of the ICC, saying it was inspired by the Nuremberg trials after World War 2, which held people accountable for crimes against humanity, war crimes, crimes of genocide, and aggression. Such court, President Buhari noted, signposts hope for justice to many, and the world surely needs it.
A strong ICC, the keynote speaker added, is a catalyst for other justice efforts, expanding the reach of accountability. And then his prescriptions, going forward:
Let the court make room for hearing serious cases of corruption by state actors that severely compromise the development efforts of countries and throw citizens into greater poverty.
Also, the court could include cases of illicit financial flows where countries are complicit and obstruct repatriation of stolen assets.
“As AU Champion of Anti-corruption, these are issues dear to my heart,” President Buhari stressed.
Before concluding his address, the Nigerian President urged the ICC to avoid bias or political motivations in its dealings, and also challenged more states to accede to the Rome Statute, the 20th Anniversary of which was being marked.
He ended on a bright and cheery note. As Nigeria prepares for general elections next year, the process would be free and fair. There would be no repeat of the 2011 post-election riots and loss of lives, which led the ICC to commence preliminary investigations against Nigeria.
The applause was thunderous, as a man of integrity, Mai Gaskiya (the honest man) concluded his address. It was a day of glory for Nigeria, and all Nigerians of goodwill. Truly, a prophet often has more honour outside, than in his own country. But then, this prophet undoubtedly has honour everywhere.
Adesina is Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity