Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has described those who spread rumour recently that he slapped his deputy, Barnabas Bala Bantex as unintelligent.
Speaking at an interactive session with journalists last night in Kaduna, El-Rufai laughed over the rumour, saying they (the rumour mongers) are “not quite intelligent enough.”
According to him, if the alleged fisticuffs took place in the executive meeting as portrayed by the rumour mongers, there would have been video evident of the fight by some executive members of the State councils, “because nobody is prevented from entering the meeting with his or her phone.
“I have never slapped anyone in my life, I have never argued with Bantex, I don’t slap people, I fight people with mouth.”
Governor El-Rufai said that if there is anybody he so much trusted and respected, it is Bantex who he said he had known closely for the past 40 years at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. El-Rufai explained that it was based on the trust he has for his deputy that whenever he travelled out of the country, he usually allowed him the rights of an acting governor.
He said that these rights of acting governor were never observed by past governors, adding that as acting governor, Bantex signed documents and chaired security and executive council meetings.
“We chair executive council meeting together, we operate like partners, and now people want to create enemity between us. I am of age, I can’t descend so low. This rumour is completely false, it is created to cause division.
“We never discussed retrenchment of workers in the State as claimed by the rumour mongers.” [myad]
Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has drawn the attention of British government to the fact that he is a British citizen and that Britain should help him get justice in Nigeria.
In a petition he wrote through his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, to the British Government over his plight in the hands of the Nigeria Federal Government, Kanu said: “it is repeating the obvious to state that Our Client is a full British citizen, by virtue of which position he is entitled to all Rights, Privileges and Protections, guaranteed under the British Laws and conventions. “We are therefore constrained in the circumstance, to formally notify the British Government vide this medium, of our well informed reservations, and apprehension, that Our Client is undergoing persecution in the charge above referred, and deliberate design by the persecutors to frustrate every effort of the Defence team aimed at giving Our Client a fair trial.” His lawyer said the unlawful detention of his client from October 14, 2015 till January 20, 2016 without any lawful orders of court and in flagrant disobedience of orders of courts of competent jurisdiction, all directing for his unconstitutional release and discharge, amounts to a gross violation of his fundamental human rights. Ejiofor, who chronicled all the alleged abuses of Kanu’s fundamental human rights, recalled the Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja specified in the First Information Report originally filed against him had discharged his client of all bogus and frivolous allegations against him, adding: “The Department of State Security Services that dragged him to court refused to obey the orders of the same court.” According to the letter: “It is the position of our Law, that dual citizenship is a constitutional right of the citizens of Nigeria, clearly provided for under section 28 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended 2011. Dual citizenship is not a crime under our Law. “Our reservations on the President’s comment was underpinned by the findings made in the ruling delivered on the 29th day of February 2016, by Hon. Justice John Tsoho, wherein Our Client and the two other Defendants were denied bail. “Recalled that on December 29, 2015, during the Presidential Media Chat, the President told the whole world that Nnamdi Kanu cannot be granted bail, alleging that he came into the country without a valid travelling passport. This pronouncement was roundly condemned by both local and international commentators. His pronouncement was viewed as a clear usurpation of the functions and powers if the judiciary. “Though very regrettable and extremely unfortunate, Nnamdi Kanu was refused bail on 29 January, 2016. In refusing him and other defendants bail, the court also cited the facts of his possession of dual passports as a flight risk, and as such held that he cannot be granted bail.” This position, according to Ejiofor “was in keeping in line with the pronouncement of the President if the Federal Republic if Nigeria in his media chat telecasted live on December 29, 2015. It is a case of a witch crying in the night and a baby dying in the morning.” It will be recalled that Justice John Tsoho had on January 29 denied bail to Kanu and two other pro-Biafra agitators, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, who are facing trial with him. The trio are answering to a six-count treason charge that was preferred against them by the Federal Government. Kanu, who was the Director of Radio Biafra and Television, has been in detention since October 14, 2015 when he was arrested by security operatives upon his arrival to Nigeria from his base in the United Kingdom. The defendants were in the charge that was signed by the Director of Public Prosecution, Mohammed Diri, alleged to have committed treasonable felony, an offence punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. The Federal Government alleged that they were the ones managing the affairs of the IPOB, which it described as “an unlawful society.” Specifically, Kanu was alleged to have illegally smuggled radio transmitters into Nigeria, which he used to disseminate “hate broadcasts” encouraging the “secession of the Republic of Biafra” from Nigeria. [myad]
A 31 year old female business development manager, Miss Danielle Saul who had been unable to find a man that would marry her, has committed suicide. Miss Danielle was said to have began to sink into depression as her friends started to wed while she lived alone with her cat. She eventually took her life after hopes of reconciling with her ex- boyfriend were shattered. Reports had it that the deceased was always being invited to friends’ wedding parties where she was asked to be a bridesmaid. Miss Danielle was said to have sent messages to her best friend saying: “I feel like dying” with a photograph of her crying. It was learnt that tragedy struck in June last year after she went out partying with friends in Manchester city centre when she bumped into a former long-term boyfriend. She was said to have invited the unnamed man and his friends back to the flat she lived in. She asked the friend for drinks but became upset when he left the following day without them reconciling. Danielle was found dead three days later when a concerned friend visited the apartment when no one heard from her. Tests later revealed that she was twice the drink-drive limit and it is feared she “impulsively” took the decision as a “cry for help.” Her mother, Karen, from Preston, Lancs told a Manchester hearing: “She had had a couple of long-term relationships, one of which was around five years ago. And then that broke up but she still had feelings for him and found it difficult. “I think she had an overload that weekend with the upset from her previous relationship. “She had a difficult time at work a few months prior to that. At the time he quite, a number of her friends were getting married and she was going to hen parties and she was going to be bridesmaid and I think she got overloaded with these things and emotionally things became exaggerated.” Danielle’s best friend, Lucy Nixon, who had known her for 15 years, said she met up with Danielle before their planned night out on the Saturday before her death. She said: “She was very down. She always used very intensive words and we were expressive with one another. Saying, “I feel like dying” would not be unusual. She sent me a photo of herself crying on Saturday.” A post-mortem examination revealed Danielle had 162mg of alcohol in 100mg of blood. The legal limit is 80mg. No note was found with her body.
The National Assembly Committee on Appropriation has admitted that the National Assembly actually sent the 2016 national budget to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent without the details, but that it was done to stop the economy from stagnating.
The Presidency had earlier said that the budget was transmitted to it with only the highlights but without details, resulting in the President withholding his signature to it for now.
Speaking to news men today, the Co-Chairman of Appropriation in National Assembly, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, said that it would be unpatriotic of National Assembly to forward the budget details without being extra-careful, meticulous and cautious in discharging its duties. “In order for the nation to move forward and avoid stagnation of administrative processes, the tradition is that the bill is passed and forwarded to the Presidency for assent, while the lawmakers continue to work on the details. “There is nothing abnormal about this practice and yet nothing abnormal about a President assenting a budget before or after seeing the details. “In any case, the budget details is usual sent within a week or two after passing the budget. “In view of the inconsistencies, errors, omissions and padding that characterised the 2016 Budget, it would be unpatriotic of the National Assembly to forward the budget details without being extra-careful, meticulous and cautious in discharging its duties. “This is to ensure we do not make same mistake that the executive made. “The Appropriation committee needs to scrutinize the original proposal sent by the President vis-à-vis the reports of various Standing Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate to arrive at a clean copy of the budget details. “This will in no way affect any envelop already passed or the aggregate expenditure. The National Assembly holds the President in high esteem and will continue to support him. “There were several instances where we demonstrated our support to the present administration in the past. “At the risk of sounding immodest, the National Assembly approved the President’s Special Advisers without hitch, approved ministerial nominees without rancour, approved Supplementary Budget without delay and displayed a rare show of patriotism in the receipt and passage of the 2016 MTEF and Budget. “The 2016 Budget is the most challenging budget the National Assembly has ever passed in its recent history. “Taking into account the many controversies and omissions, particularly in NYSC, Prisons, Pensions, personnel shortfalls, among others, the budget failed in many respects to connect with the policy thrust of the government. “The National Assembly Appropriation Committees worked round the clock to address some of the omissions, bring up to date allocations in the budget towards the policy direction of Mr. President, particularly issues relating to security, anti-corruption and economic diversification. “Given the foregoing efforts, it is therefore unfair for accusing fingers to be pointed at the National Assembly when the Presidency defers or delays assent to the budget. “Nowhere in the world that a budget is presented to the Parliament and expect it to be passed warts and all without subjecting it to the rigours of scrutiny, debate and painstaking processes and inputs of the parliament. “The National Assembly will continue to exercise its constitutional duty of appropriation to the latter. “While recognizing the President’s power to withhold assent, the National Assembly is also constitutionally required and has power to veto. “But we don’t want that to happen and we don’t see this happening in this case. “It is obvious that some fifth columnists are crying wolf where there is none and are also bent on creating friction and disharmony between the National Assembly and the Presidency.” [myad]
The Pharaohs of Egypt, today, in Alexandria in the second leg of the double-header AFCON qualifier, sent the Nigeria Super Eagles out of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon by a lone goal.
This was even as the nation’s football ruling body, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) expressed sadness for the loss, asking Nigerian football fans not to lose faith in the national team.
With Chad’s withdrawal from the race, Egypt top the table with 7 points, with a game left against Tanzania in June, while Nigeria follow with mere two points and a game left against Tanzania in September. The Tanzanians, on their part, have two points with two games to spare.
Teenager Radwan Sobhi grabbed the all-important goal in the 65th minute when his toed effort from just inside the box trickled behind a sea of Nigerian legs and past goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.
Egypt deserved their win, having dominated the game and making several attempts at goal but with Akpeyi often coming to the rescue. Nigeria rarely threatened, except for the cracking shot from Victor Moses in 83 minutes that hit the bar and bounced back into play.
The dismal result means that Nigeria, despite the array of stars invited for the double-header, will not be participating in the second AFCON competition in a row, after winning the trophy in South Africa in 2013, the last time she participated.
And in a statement today, the NFF said that like most Nigerians, it was saddened by the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final competition, following a 1-0 defeat by seven-time African champions Egypt in Alexandria on Tuesday, 29th March 2016. “ We see this failure to qualify as an unfortunate turn of events, because it came despite the undoubted efforts of the Coaching crew led by Coach Samson Siasia and the players led by the captain, Mikel Obi, and the efforts of the NFF leadership who not only supported the technical crew but also provided necessary support regarding comfortable traveling arrangement and accommodation for the team’s home and away matches. “Football being the paramount national pastime in our dear country, we understand and share the disappointment in the land. But we crave the indulgence of all to continue to support the team and the NFF going forward as we continue to nurture and navigate a painful but positive path towards a glorious future for Nigeria football. “ It is rather unfortunate that Chad, one of the teams in the qualification group, suddenly pulled out of the race, leaving only three teams left in the group, and only the winner of the the group guaranteed qualification. This appeared to have taken away our worst-case scenario of qualification. However, our legal unit is looking at the propriety of changing the rules midstream. “In the next one week, the Technical and Development Committee will meet to make recommendations to the NFF Board on the way forward for the Super Eagles, but already, we can disclose that the NFF has now fully shifted its focus to activating its already prepared plan to give the team all the support it needs to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, while continuing to build a sustainable football culture for Nigeria in order to make Nigerian football once more a force to be reckoned with. “Failure to reach the Africa Cup of Nations remains a gnawing pain, but we have decided to take a number of positives from the unsuccessful campaign and in particular the two matches against Egypt. The development of a new and youthful team playing swashbuckling, strong, resolute and exciting kind of football Nigeria has been known for was a soothing balm even in the face of the challenging campaign. “In preparing for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers starting later this year, the NFF will ensure that it utilizes all FIFA windows for international friendlies for the Super Eagles, starting in June with two games against teams of high ranking. The outstanding Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania in September would also serve as a tune-up for the World Cup qualification games. “We want to use this medium to commend the efforts of Samson Siasia and Emmanuel Amuneke, who took very seriously and professionally the job of preparing the Super Eagles for the matches, with only three weeks to do the job. They have shown extraordinary courage and purposefulness, and the NFF will never forget their contributions to Nigeria football. “As it is, Nigeria is one of only three teams that will represent Africa at this year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, having won the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations in Senegal in December 2015. The NFF will give Coach Siasia all the support to excel at the Games, by winning the football gold. We will also continue to support the U-20 men squad, managed by Amuneke, in order to ensure the team’s qualification for the 2017 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations and the U-20 World Cup, as well as the U-17 boys for the 2017 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations and the U-17 World Cup, for which we are the defending champions. “We are also working on maximum support for the women’s National Teams ahead of the African Women Cup of Nations, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – all taking place this year. “Our sincere appreciation goes to the Federal Government for continued support for Nigeria football, and our sponsors for the invaluable role they play in the nation’s football development. We particularly commend the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, for their very kind gesture and solid support for the Super Eagles in both matches against Egypt, and indeed other matches before these. “The NFF Board remains united and resolute in its commitment to building a sustainable football culture for our dear country, by employing resources at its disposal diligently, purposefully and responsibly.” [myad]
The Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has said that no female student of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, was abducted by members of Boko Haram, and that the story was invented by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a political ploy to defeat former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said he viewed with amusement the advocacy by Dr. Oby Ezekwesili-driven Bring Back Our Girls movement, which has been pressing for the recovery of the missing girls, saying: “you can’t get what is not missing.”
Fayose, who spoke in Ado Ekiti at a two-day workshop organized by Women Arise for Change Initiative, said that the rumour of the missing girls was mere political fabrication meant to get Jonathan out of office at all costs.
“The cries over missing girls were just a political strategy. What could Boko Haram have used to carry those girls? However, if truly missing, they should be recovered. One thing I know is that what is not missing you cannot get.”
The girls were kidnapped in April, 2014 by Boko Haram and had since been declared missing by the federal government. [myad]
Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, has, through his lawyers, asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to apologize to him over its allegation that he is illegally trading in foreign exchange, or face them in court soon.
The Presidential spokesman, through Cherish Solicitors, wrote to the national PDP chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff, asking him to write a letter of apology and a retraction of the publication within 72 hours of the receipt of the letter.
“We shall be left with no option than to have recourse to our client’s rights under the law. We condemn your defamatory and libellous actions in the strongest terms and we state that this is least expected from an organization of your standing which produced past and present crops of leaders, expected to be role model in the country.”
The letter was, signed by Aliyu Abdullahi.
The PDP, through its twitter handle @PDPNigeria, had accused Garba Shehu of buying USD800, 000 from the Central Bank of Nigeria at official rate, and selling it off the same day at black market rate.
The Presidential spokesman quickly denied the allegation and said: “the day I choose to start trading in FOREX I will resign as a presidential spokesman.”
He then threatened legal action if he knew the “coward and psychopath” behind the @PDPNigeria handle. [myad]
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has ordered the release of the sum of N1,679,825,308.1 as bailout to the six Area Councils of the Capital Territory. The fund, according to the minister, is meant for the payment of two months salaries owed the workers by the Councils. Musa Bello who made the order at a news briefing in his office insisted that the bailout fund must not be diverted for purpose other than the payment of staff salaries. According to the minister, the bail out to the six Area Councils would be recovered by the FCT Administration from the10 percent of the internally generated revenue (IGR) statutorily due to the Councils. The funds would be disbursed to the Councils as follows: Kwali N251,120,125.32 Bwari N289,724,550.00 Abaji N267,724,550.00 Kuje N295,708,856.60 Gwagwalada N262,559,501.26 Abuja Municipal N312,987,740.12 Also speaking, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye said that the Administration has been able to give this bailout because of its strict fiscal management even as he advised the Councils to imbibe discipline in funds management. The Permanent Secretary further advised the Councils to cut down on their unnecessary expenditure, reminding them that the era of frivolities is gone forever. He warned that the bailout must be used strictly for the payment of staff salaries as contained in the agreement between the FCT Administration and the Area Councils. Dr. Ajakaiye said that due process and necessary legal steps were followed in the approval and subsequent release of the bailout funds. He said that the Administration approached the National Assembly for virement of its funds for this purpose, while Area Councils’ Legislative arms also gave their nod to the Chairmen to secure the bailout via letters to the FCT Administration. The FCT ALGON Chairman who is also the Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Mr. Micah Jiba, spoke on behalf of his colleagues and thanked the FCT Minister and the Permanent Secretary for their fatherly disposition. He promised that the money would be used for the purpose it is meant. Also the Chairman of the FCT NULGE, Comrade Tanko Shemdi, appreciated the FCT Administration for intervening in the salary crisis of the Councils through such bailout. [myad]
Information reaching us has shown that the National Assembly has finally transmitted the controversial 2016 national budget to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent, but that there are still some grey areas that needed to be tackled before the Presidential assent. Informed source at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, confirmed that the budget was ‘transmitted’ to the President but that he cannot sign it without details. The source hinted that what was presented to the President was what he called: “highlights of the document” without the required “details.” The new development, according to the Presidency, has confirmed the speculation that the National Assembly either did not complete work on the budget or is playing politics with the documents. The President, the source said, is very anxious to sign the budget so that implementation can start immediately to ease the tension in the economy and polity, but that he is afraid not to sign a budget whose details later, would make it impossible to implement. The Presidency accused the National Assembly of trying to shift the blame for the delay in the budget implementation to President Buhari, a situation the Presidency described as “sabotage”. The source said: “the President has just received the transmission of the Appropriation Bill (2016 budget) from the National Assembly and is very anxious to sign it into law, but the National Assembly only sent in the highlights without the details. “As a result, the president has been handicapped in signing the bill because he does not know what is contained in the details and what adjustments the National Assembly must have made to the proposal sent to them. “Although he is anxious to sign the document so that implementation of the provisions could start immediately and ease the tension in the economy and polity, he is afraid he may later discover, when the details are sent, the what is contained therein is not implementable. “He (President Buhari) wishes the National Assembly could send in the details speedily so that it could be considered for assent. “Ministers are also eager that the budget be signed so they could start implementing their programmes, but they are unable to push the President to sign what has been transmitted because they also do not know what is contained in the details. “They are particularly worried that the year is gradually aging and the provision of the law in respect of spending the previous year’s budget is not helping matters because of the low capital provision for 2015. “Because of the low provision made last year for capital expenditure, spending 50 percent of that provision for the first half of this year will make no impact on provision of infrastructure. “The Budget Office cannot also work on the Budget for implementation because it is the details, and not the highlights, that they convert into implementable templates for the respective ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). “This development confirms speculations that the National Assembly either did not complete work on the budget or are playing politics with the documents which affects the life of both the country and its citizens. “The National Assembly may just have passed the bill to pass the buck to the executive and escape the wrath of the public which was gradually suspecting it of sabotage.” Source: Daily Trust. [myad]
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has spoken on behalf of over 170 million Nigerian about the kind of story they would want to hear from President Muhammadu Buhari. The Asiwaju, who spoke in Abuja at a colloquium to mark his 64th birthday, said: “permit me to speak for the vast majority of Nigerians who dream of the same change of which you speak Mr. President: We are with you. We are determined. We have resolved to re-build this country together.” Tinubu stressed that the real story Nigerians want to hear is that our farmers and their land must become more productive and that they also must be secured with better pay for their increased output. “The real story is that our produce must not go to waste but much more of it must be turned into processed goods for domestic consumption.” He said that Nigerians had heard many excellent ideas and suggestions in the past even as he said that he foresaw much of what Nigerians heard would soon be implemented, adding: “the nation will soon enjoy a rebirth of this vital economic sector.” The Asiwaju noted that through it all, “we need remember that what we have discussed cannot be reduced to a gaggle of aggregate economic figures. It is not about this or that rate of GDP growth. Those are numbers intended to help us read the story but we should never see them as the true story itself.” He insisted that the real quest is to strive to provide the people with sufficient food at affordable prices. He asked Buhari and his team as well as the APC to strive to make this country a land where no child goes to bed in want and hunger. “A land where no loving mother or father is brought to tears because they have not a grain of rice or slice of bread to feed their family. A country where no farmer is made poorer the more he works. “Let us move from where we now are into becoming that nation that feeds not only its people but has a surplus to bolster its neighbors and beyond. “Let us arrive at the place where our country side can feed our cities and our cities can produce the manufactured goods needed in both the city and countryside. Nigeria’s detractors want to label us a wobbly basket case. Well, let us show them that we can become a vibrant bread basket for this region and the continent. “I know this is the Nigeria that this administration wants. I know this is the Nigeria the people want. I know this is the Nigeria that is to come. As such, I thank you all for this wonderful birthday present you have given me.” Full text of Asiwaju’s speech is reproduced here: 1. I thank everyone for taking part in this important symposium. The importance of this event is not that it comes on my birthday. It is due to the topic explored and the richness of the contributions made in this regard. I am simply honored that you would use my birthday as a platform for this vital national discourse. 2. I tender a deep APPRECIATION to Vice President Osinbajo and all others who organized this colloquium. Yours has been a job excellently done. Above all, I thank President Muhammadu Buhari, Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for giving of his precious time to be here today.In so doing, you have provided a most wonderful birthday present. Thank you. 3. You also have given to the people of Nigeria something even more important. Mr. President, in your Easter message, you asked the people to be steadfast and of strong hope because you would not let them down. That you would fulfill your promise to bring positive change to our beloved land. 4. Today, on my birthday, I ask that you allow me to support what you said to the people. I believe in our President and his administration. He is a leader dedicated to the betterment of Nigeria. He needs our support to make this a reality. 5. During the 7th Colloquium which held last year (2015) in Lagos, I recall I made a request. I said the best birthday gift I wanted was for people go out and vote massively to secure election victory. To the glory of God, our party, the APC won a remarkable victory. 6. That historic victory has placed on us a heavy responsibility to right the wrongs of the past years. Our path may be tough at present. But I do not entertain fear because I know our people are more resilient than the challenges we face. Thus, I also ask the people to be of firm conviction and strong hope that we are working for and moving toward a better day. 7. I believe in destiny. Yes, the times that have come upon us are rough. Yet, I cannot help but believe that we have been put here at this appointed place and appointed time for a reason more profound than mere coincidence. 8. The workings of harsh economic reality have revealed the fragility of the economic position we have too long occupied. With the downturn in oil prices, this nation can no longer function as it did. The lack of government performance that has for years been a source of pain is no longer tolerable. This government is committed to reversing the trend towards a positive and progressive outcome. 9. We have reached the point where we can no longer look the other way because there is longer another way. If we are to experience a new growth and development, we must do it ourselves. Nigerians must become Nigeria’s lifeline. 10. Those who came before us believed in weak governance but strong corruption. They were the authors of the malfeasance and ruthless indifference that enchained this nation and its remarkable people. They acted as if their pilferage would never end. But it was ended by the people of this great country. 11. However, destiny does not believe in failure. It would never ask people like that to correct the wrongs they themselves had instituted. We can’t expect the author to burn his own book. That group could no more be the rebuilders of a new Nigeria than wind can turn to rock or mud into gold. 12. That correction has begun. This is why I am gratified to have President Buhari among us today. Upon his shoulders rest the fate of 170 million people. However, he does not carry that burden alone. Permit me to speak for the vast majority of Nigerians who dream of the same change of which you speak Mr. President: We are with you. We are determined. We have resolved to re-build this country together. 13. Here, I beg your indulgence to allow me a few words about the subject matter at hand: Agriculture. We have heard many excellent ideas and suggestions. I foresee much of what we heard will soon be implemented policy. The nation will soon enjoy a rebirth of this vital economic sector. 14. Through it all, we need remember that what we have discussed cannot be reduced to a gaggle of aggregate economic figures. It is not about this or that rate of GDP growth. Those are numbers intended to help us read the story but we should never see them as the true story itself. 15. Our real quest is to strive to provide the people with sufficient food at affordable prices. The real story is that our farmers and their land must become more productive but they also must be secured with better pay for their increased output. The real story is that our produce must not go to waste but much more of it must be turned into processed goods for domestic consumption. 16. In the end, we strive to make this a land where no child goes to bed in want and hunger. A land where no loving mother or father is brought to tears because they have not a grain of rice or slice of bread to feed their family. A country where no farmer is made poorer the more he works. 17. Let us move from where we now are into becoming that nation that feeds not only its people but has a surplus to bolster its neighbors and beyond. Let us arrive at the place where our country side can feed our cities and our cities can produce the manufactured goods needed in both the city and countyside. Nigeria’s detractors want to label us a wobbly basket case. Well, let us show them that we can become a vibrant breadbasket for this region and the continent. I know this is the Nigeria that this administration wants. I know this is the Nigeria the people want. I know this is the Nigeria that is to come. As such, I thank you all for this wonderful birthday present you have given me. May God bless you and may He forever bless the FRN. [myad]
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Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has described those who spread rumour recently that he slapped his deputy, Barnabas Bala Bantex as unintelligent.
