President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed anger over attempts by terrorists and bandits to destroy public school system through kidnapping of students and workers in schools
In a statement today, March 13 by the senior special assistant to the President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President, stressed that his government will not sit by and watch criminals disrupt the school system.
The President commended efforts of the Kaduna State government and early response of the military which led to the rescue of 180 students, including eight staff members and urged that the others declared missing be found and returned safely to their families.
He also commended efforts and contributions of local intelligence in significantly thwarting the kidnappers’ move.
“Our military may be efficient and well-armed but it needs good efforts for the nation’s defense and the local population must rise to this challenge of the moment.” This was even as he expressed sympathy with the victims of the incident and hoped for an early end to the ordeal of those still held captive.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has made it clear that no one can cause disintegration of Nigeria under whatever guise.
Professor Osinbajo, who delivered the Convocation Lecture of the Sokoto State University today, March 12, recalled with concern, some groups and a cross section of citizens that have been clamouring for the country’s breakup or regional system of government.
According to him, proponents of the disintegration have been citing issues and challenges such as ethnic clashes, insecurity, resource control, infrastructure deficit, project funding, unemployment, disregard for federal character, among others.
Osinbajo advised citizens to consider the importance of national unity, saying that the country is more than a sum of its many parts.
“Its diversity – ethnic diversity, cultural diversity, religious diversity – is a value-add for our nation. Difference should not mean division.”
The Vice President advocated a culture of tolerance, open-mindedness and acceptance of people of all cultures and creeds, adding that there is unity to be found even in the face of differences.
“There is a Nigerianness that binds us all, there is a shared commitment – no matter how suppressed – to build a better Nigeria for ourselves and future generations.”
Soldiers of Quick Response Force of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army have foiled attempt by bandits to kidnap students of Turkish International Secondary School located in Rigachikun, Kaduna State, the Military has said.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, in a statement today, March 12, said: “acting on a tip off on the impending abduction of the school children, troops quickly mobilized to protect the school from the bandits.
“However, while the troops were securing the secondary school, another distress call came that bandits had stormed the Federal School of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Igabi Local Government Area of the state with aim of kidnapping the staff and students. The troops swiftly moved to Afaka and decisively engaged the armed bandits.
“Following the fire fight, troops were able to rescue 180 persons, comprising of 132 male students, 40 female students and 8 civilian staff.
“The bandits were said to have broken into the institution by breaching the perimeter fence of the school.
“The rescued students have been evacuated to a safe place while the injured are presently receiving medical attention at a military facility.
“Meanwhile, a combined team of Army, Air Force, Police and DSS are currently combining the forest in pursuit of the bandits.”
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State has said that labour unions are dead in Nigeria, accusing them of being indifference to the incessant increment in pump price of petroleum products, electricity tariff and insecurity in the country.
He emphasized that labour movement in the country is dead because it has lost its force of engagement with government and hardly can achieve anything good for the generality of the workforce and Nigerians.
Governor Wike, who spoke today, March 12 at the inauguration of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Secretariat Building, in Ozuoba Town of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, observed that the leadership of labour has left substance to pursue shadows and hardly can speak in a manner that can change or achieve reversal of the many anti-people policies being implemented by the Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government. Governor Wike said that under former President Goodluck Jonathan, the leadership of labour mobilized Nigeria workers against some of his policies because he is from a minority ethnic group, but have lost their voice under a majority tribe president.
“It is unfortunate that labour has abandoned their role in this country. You are chasing things that are personal to you. All over the world, when government is not going the right way, it is labour that comes out to say we cannot allow it. Majority of our people are civil servants and have others to cater for. But since the inception of this government, labour has died.
“Under Former President Goodluck Jonathan, labour was alive. They said the country must come down because he is from a minority area. But look at what is happening. There’s increase in fuel pump price, insecurity and increase of electricity tariff. Where is labour? Where is TUC, where is NLC? The only thing I hear is minimum wage.
“Let the world hear it, labour has died. Nigerians cannot get anything substantive from you. Labour is like an opposition party. Labour does not work for any ruling government, no. But now you people are working for ruling government, but under Jonathan, occupy Nigeria. And that is why we say there is so much injustice in this country. Because I come from a place, a minority area, you can treat me any how, but when you come from the other side nobody can touch you. That is not how this country should move forward. Be firm and take decision and know that was is wrong is wrong and let Nigerians have confidence in you.”
The inauguration of the TUC Secretariat Building was performed by the National President of TUC, Comrade Quadri Olaleye.
President Muhammadu Buhari has confessed that he is an active supporter of football game.
The position of the President was made known today, March 12, in a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, congratulating the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick on his election into the FIFA Executive Council, the highest decision-making organ in world football.
The statement said: “as an active supporter of the round leather game, the President joins other enthusiastic fans in Nigeria and across the continent in wishing the NFF president the best in his new position.”
The President advised Pinnick to see his new assignment as an opportunity to enhance Nigeria’s reputation and identity as a football loving country-sides and optimally utilise the role of sports, through football, as a driving force to engender development, peace and stability at the regional and international levels.
Buhari said that by dint of hardwork, dedication and consistency, Pinnick has proven to be an efficient football administrator and the world has taken notice of his competency skills by electing him into the FIFA Council and one of the Vice Presidents of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
According the President, this feat of enhanced visibility and prestige of Nigeria in the international community is coming on the heels of recent elections of other well qualified and endowed Nigerians into strategic leadership positions in international organisations.
The minister of state for petroleum, Timipre Sylva, has asked Nigerians to disregard news about purported increase in the pump price of petro, even as he also cautioned marketers to desist from arbitrary petrol price increase
In a statement today, March 12, Sylva said that there will be no increment in the pump price of petrol until the organized labour is consulted.
The minister’s statement was a reaction to the pricing template published by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) which pegged the new pump price of petrol at N212.61 per litre.
The minister said: ‘irrespective of the source of that information, I want to assure you that it is completely untrue.
“Neither Mr. President who is the Minister of Petroleum Resources nor myself who deputize for him as minister of state has approved that petrol price should be increased by one naira.
“I therefore urge you to disregard this misleading information.”
The minister explained that the federal government would continue to consult with the organized labour and other stakeholders to arrive at a reasonable price regime for petrol.
Sylva said until an agreement is reached, all marketers are to maintain the current pump price of petrol.
PPPRA had on Thursday night, March 11, published a template on its website announcing an increase in the retail price of petrol.
Federal Government, via the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has announced what it called: “projecting” an increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), better known as petrol, from barely N160 to N212.11 per litre. The agency, which announced the new price this morning, March 12, in its pricing template for the month of March, said that it based the price on the average costs of imported petroleum products. It said that the average littering expenses were put at N4.81 per litre; Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) charge N2.49 per litre; NIMASA charge N0.23 per litre; Jetty Thru put of N1.61 per litre and Storage charge of N2.58 per litre and average finance cost of N2.17 per litre, translating to an expected landing cost per litre of N189.61. The agency said that the wholesale margin has been fixed at N4.03 per litre; administration charge, N1.23 per litre; transporters’ allowance (NTA) of N3.89 per litre; Bridging Fund cost of N7.51 per litre and Marine transport average (MTA) of N0.15 per litre. The projection of PPPRA does not necessarily translate to a pump price increase for Nigerians as an official announcement has to be given for any increase to take effect. The agency released templates in January and February, yet fuel price was not increased officially. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) recently said there would not be fuel price increase this month of March.
A self-acclaimed Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho has come out to say that he is now agitating for a Yoruba nation and that there is no going back on this.
In a statement, Igboho said that former Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode is one of the stakeholders who identified with the group on the struggle of Yoruba Nation agitation.
The statement, which was issued by the group’s media aide, Olayomi Koiki, quoted Igboho as asking on anyone willing to join the agitation for Yoruba nation to join the group.
“Anyone who is willing to support the agitation for Yoruba Nation is highly welcome, the goal is ‘Yoruba nation now.’
“We know what we want and no going back. Every other side talk is nothing but a distraction. we are fully focused, Yoruba nation is the goal.
“Let me reiterate, anything you did not hear from I, Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho) or my spokesperson Olayomi Koiki of Koiki Media is not a fact,” he said.
“He can give his own advice at anytime as regards the agitation and there’s no reason to doubt him. We have a 100 percent confidence in him. Lets not talk with envy. We must unite and stay strong in one voice.
“Therefore, we want to identify with Chief Femi Fani Kayode and any other person that stands for the Yoruba race irrespective of their religion or political party affiliation. Thank you and God bless.”
The Sultan of Sokoto, the Ooni of Ife, the Obi of Onitsha and other notable traditional rulers across the country have stormed the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, demanding specific roles in the constitution for the purpose of stamping out all forms of criminalities in Nigeria.
The traditional rulers, under the canopy of National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, met with President Muhammadu Buhari today, March 11, and asked the President to assign definite roles, particularly on peace and security, within the ambit of the Constitution to them in addition to regular engagements with the National Assembly on multiple fronts.
Speaking separately as President Muhammadu Buhari challenged them to monitor everybody coming into their domains for proper security accountability, the traditional rulers stressed the urgent need to stem the insecurity that has been claiming lives across the country
Among the rulers who visited the President are the Sultan of Sokoto, the Ooni of Ife, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the Etsu Nupe, Alh. (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar, King Jaja of Opobo, Dr. Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu, Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammad Iliyasu and the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi.
The Council is co-chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
Meanwhile, President Buhari had solicited the greater cooperation of the royal fathers in the attempts at controlling the plethora of insecurity in various parts of the country.
The President apprised the traditional rulers with efforts by to stem the plethora of insecurity across Nigeria.
‘‘But what surprises is what is happening now in the North West where the same people, with the same culture are killing each other, taking their livestock and burning properties.
‘‘As a result of that, we had a four-hour meeting of the National Security Council attended by the Ministers of Internal Affairs, Defence, Foreign Affairs, Service Chiefs, Chief of Defence Staff, the Inspector-General of Police and others and we gave clear instructions.
‘‘One thing that got to the press which I read myself was that anyone with an AK-47 will be shot.
‘‘This is because AK-47 is supposed to be registered and it is only given to security officials.
‘‘We closed the borders for some years but the intelligence report I’m getting on a daily basis is that those who are conducting the abductions, the killings and so on are still not short of arms and ammunition,’’ he said.
The President expressed dismay on the attacks on police stations and killings of security personnel by criminals, warning that no investor will invest in a country that is unsafe.President Buhari also stressed the need for traditional rulers to use their roles and positions as bridge builders in each of their communities to complement government efforts at ensuring peace and security.
He appealed to the traditional leaders to deploy their reach and influence in the best interest of assisting the Government to root out those whose sole objective remains to cause trouble and destruction of livelihoods and families across the nation. The President, who listened to various interventions from representatives of the traditional rulers from each of the six- geo-political zones in the country, pledged that his administration would continue to support and work collaboratively with them to ensure peace and stability.
Restating his marching orders to the newly appointed Service Chiefs to bring the security situation under control, the President noted that closer control can only be achieved with the cooperation and collaboration of traditional rulers and authorities, who occupy a critical role in our society. ‘‘By your role and positions with history dating back hundred years, the people trust you implicitly and in return you provide them with comfort and guidance in accordance with our cultural heritage and traditions.
‘‘You are the bridge builders in each of your communities. No one is better placed with your strength of moral authority to ensure that people who visit your communities for either business, leisure or any honest and credible reason are protected and made to feel at home.”
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa has said that the commission has identified about N70 billion fraud perpetrated through the federal government fuel subsidy programme.
The EFCC boss, who spoke today, March 10, in a chat with news men in Lagos, after testifying in an alleged N1.4billion fuel subsidy trial involving an oil firm, Nadabo Energy, said that so far, only about N20 billion of the money has been recovered by the agency.
“We have identified fraud of about N70billion perpetrated through the fuel subsidy.
“So far the commission has recovered N20billion from the N70billion and we are working to recover the rest.”
Abdulrasheed Bawa expressed worry at the slow pace of some of the fuel subsidy trials, even as he assured that the commission will continue to rigorously pursue all it cases in court.
“Yes, we are worried about the slow pace of some of the fuel subsidy cases we charged to court since 2012 when investigations were concluded.
“Criminal trials are guided by statutes and procedures and we will continue to follow them. I have been a witness in this particular trial involving Nadabo Energy for five years and hopefully, we will get a conviction.”
He said that the EFCC is working so tirelessly to arrest an alleged fuel subsidy suspect, Seun Ogunbambo who was arraigned in 2012 but jumped bail and fled the country.
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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has made it clear that no one can cause disintegration of Nigeria under whatever guise.
Soldiers of Quick Response Force of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army have foiled attempt by bandits to kidnap students of Turkish International Secondary School located in Rigachikun, Kaduna State, the Military has said.
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State has said that labour unions are dead in Nigeria, accusing them of being indifference to the incessant increment in pump price of petroleum products, electricity tariff and insecurity in the country.
