₦airaland Forum

The Nigerian government says it has spent N250 billion on its Social Investment Programme (N-SIPS) since the beginning of the scheme in 2016.

This claim was made on Thursday at a media roundtable by the presidential aide on N-SIPS, Mariam Uwais, in Abuja.

N-SIPS was set up by the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration to improve the living conditions of millions of Nigerians across the country.

According to Mrs Uwais, N500 billion was requested by the Social Investment Programmes Office for its four component programmes in 2016, 2017 and 2018 budgets.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/294838-buhari-govt-spends-n250bn-on-social-investment-programme-since-2016-official.html

However, only N250 billion has so far been released, she said.

The programmes include N-Power, National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP), National Cash Transfer Project (NCTP), and Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP).

Mrs Uwais said over 9,300,892 children in 49,837 government schools in 26 states are being fed under the School Feeding Programme. She said this requires 6.8 million eggs, 594 cattle and 83 metric tons of fish to be supplied to cooks every week.

”We have also engaged 96,972 cooks with over a 100,000 small-scale farmers being part of the value chain, supplying locally sourced ingredients. It is noteworthy that currently, public schools require 6.8 milion eggs, 594 cattle and 83 metric tons of fish to be supplied to the cooks, every week.

”The Home Grown School Feeding Programme is a programme that is aimed at feeding young children in our public primary schools, with the aim of improving their nutrition, increasing school enrollment and reducing the incidence of malnutrition.

”So far, we are feeding over 9,300,892 children in 49,837 government schools in 26 States. Being a programme that also aims at empowering communities, we have also engaged 96,972 cooks with over a 100,000 small-scale farmers being part of the value chain, supplying locally sourced ingredients.

‘”These statistics do not take into account the boost that is evident in the production and supply of rice, wheat, soya bean, orange-flesh potatoes, fruit and vegetable by farmers, to mention a few,” Mrs Uwais said.

She furthered said the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme is giving out N5,000 monthly to 297,973 households in Nigeria and is being implemented in 20 states, adding that they have trained 3,000 community cash transfer facilitators in every ward where the programme is ongoing.

”This programme is giving out 5,000 Naira monthly to 297,973 households in Nigeria. It is currently being implemented in 20 States.

”We have trained almost 3,000 community cash transfer facilitators in every ward where the programme is ongoing, to build the capacities of our beneficiaries and support them to become productive and take ownership of their lives.

”The methodology of selecting our beneficiaries is deliberate, tried and tested to assure of credibility, as well as aimed at enabling the capturing of biometric data for financial and social inclusion.

”Beneficiary households are selected by the communities directly, with their household and community data being uploaded onto Social Registers by trained enumerators at State and LGA levels, as a means of ensuring that we continue to keep a keen eye on their progress, towards weaning them out of poverty.”

She said that the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) which comprises the MarketMoni, FarmerMoni and the TraderMoni have spent N27.4 Billion in interest-free loans reaching over 1.1 million beneficiaries across the 36 states of the Federation, with N27.4 billion in interest-free loans

”The Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) comprises the MarketMoni, FarmerMoni and the TraderMoni. We are making available to micro-businesses credit facilities to improve their businesses through this scheme. It is managed by the Bank of Industry, who have the wherewithal to recover loans.

”We have so far reached over 1.1 Million Beneficiaries across the 36 States of the Federation, with N27.4 Billion in interest-free loans, ranging from N10,000 Naira to N350,000 Naira disbursed so far. In particular, the aim of the Trader Moni programme is to take financial inclusion to the grassroots, considering the daily contributions of millions of petty traders to our economic prosperity and development.

”Indeed, especially because this category of citizens has hitherto had no access to credit to support their businesses, this is a deliberate effort at assuring of financial credit and a sense of belonging as an entitlement of these citizens, who are also Nigerians deserving of support. She said.

According to Mrs Uwais, the N-power scheme has employed 500,000 youth graduates which are paid a monthly stipend of N30,000

“N-Power is currently employing 500,000 youth graduates. It is the largest post-tertiary employment programme in Africa, where beneficiaries are paid a monthly stipend of N30,000 and deployed as volunteers into various sectors of need in the public space, such as health, agriculture, education and public finance.

”They are given devices to facilitate their service delivery, and as a continuous learning avenue. We have also supported 20,000 N-Power non-graduate volunteers, who have been trained in skill centres in every State, and given tool boxes to enable them to apply their newly-acquired expertise in the building and automotive industries.

”Both schemes have assured of volunteers in all the Local Government Areas of the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT.

Mrs Uwais noted that government was having challenges of some beneficiaries not getting the stipends because they did not enter their correct details.

She also said government learnt some people who posed as Social Investment Programme staff threatened to remove beneficiaries out of the system just to extort money from them.

She, however, asserted nobody can remove anyone from the system who has been registered in it.

I hope the coming Government after this administration in 2023 will learn from this, it is glaring that Buhari is the only man with a very good intention for this country, among all the president Nigeria ever had. The president's campaign team decision to to latch onto this scheme of 'completion' as an affront for his accomplishments is really commendable.

This is the change we voted for, Kudos to the minister on this project, it is good that this government has decided to work on abandoned projects instead of introducing a new elephant project that will take years to complete, embarking on projects like this will lead to the development of this country. Things are gradually falling in place in this country.

I appreciate the government effort in making sure that projects abandoned by the previous government is been completed by his administration not minding the fact that it was not started by his administration. Nigeria would have been a better place if previous government carried out such process in the past.

Every patriotic Nigerian knows that the president inherited a mismanaged country, and so far his administration has done a lot in making sure that they put the country in a better shape for every Nigerian to live in despite the forces trying to frustrate his administration effort.

I agree with Akpabio on this one, he have been saying this even when he was in the party, its unfortunate that some people are still not getting it, he was referring to the 16 years of the pdp rule not the state, he was not part of the federal movement.

President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration is trying its best to organise the country after mind-boggling mismanagement of past administrations.

Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, said Mr Buhari stated this when he received a group from the South-eastern part of Nigeria under the aegis of One-on-One Nigeria, Tuesday night.

Mr Adesina, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, quoted the president as saying: “We are trying to organise the country. The extent of mismanagement we met when we came was mind-boggling.

“Many times, I have spoken about the tremendous resources available to us between 1999 and 2014, and how it was frittered.

“If only they had used just 25 per cent of it on infrastructure; road, rail, power, Nigerians would mind their own businesses, and not bother about whoever was in power.

“The casualty figure on our roads daily is simply scandalous. No wonder they are in opposition now, despite all the power they thought they had.”

The group, led by Chido Obidiegwu, said it had keenly observed the strides of the Buhari administration nationwide, particularly in the South-east, “and it is now pay-back time”.

He said: “We have seen the work being done on the long-abandoned Second Niger Bridge, roads are being constructed in many parts of the region, and we believe there is every reason to support you for a second term.’’

While describing Mr Buhari as the “grandfather of war against indiscipline and corruption, nightmare of insurgents, Mr Food Security, consolation to pensioners and Mr Frugality,” the group said it was going to mobilise South-easterners to massively vote for him.

The group also believed that ”one good turn would then deserve another in 2023”.



One-on-One Nigeria also promised to mobilise youth groups, women, artisans, traders and religious groups to massively vote for Buhari, adding that it has all it takes – “courage, drive, verve and vitality”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that seven men and two women represented the group during the visit.

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The Nigerians National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said it transferred the sum of N128.40billion into the federation account in August.

The Corporation disclosed this in its monthly Financial and Operational report released in Abuja on Wednesday.

It said that between August 2017 and August 2018, the federation and joint ventures (JV) received the sum of N879.02billion and N651.4billion respectively.

The NNPC explained that the Federation Crude Oil and Gas Revenue, Federation Crude Oil and Gas lifting, were classified into Equity Export and Domestic crude.

It explained that this crude were lifted and marketed by corporation and the proceeds remitted into the Federation Account.

It noted that Equity Export receipts, after adjusting for Joint Venture Cash Calls, were paid directly into the Federation Account domiciled in Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The corporation explained that domestic crude oil of 445,000 bpd was allocated for refining to meet domestic products supply, and payments were effected to the Federation Account by NNPC.

This, it said was done after adjusting crude and product losses and pipeline repairs and management costs incurred during the period.

On the crude oil and gas export sales, the report noted that sales for the month of August stood at 470 million dollars.

According to the report, the sales indicate an upsurge of about 78million dollars in relation to July oil and gas export figures of 391.91million dollars.



It further indicated that crude oil export sales contributed 337.62million dollars which represented 71.83 per cent of the dollar transactions compared with 283.43million dollars contribution in the previous month.

“Export gas sales during the period amounted to 132.38million dollars.

“The August 2017 to August 2018 crude oil and gas transactions involved crude oil and gas export worth 5.26billion dollars,” it said.

The report explained that based on the above sales figures, a total export receipt of 450.24million dollars was recorded in August 2018 as receipt against 382.65million dollars in July 2018.

“Contribution from crude oil during the period, amounted to 336.43 million dollars, while gas and miscellaneous receipt stood at 101.33million dollars and 12.48million dollars respectively,” the report noted.

A further breakdown of the figures showed that out of the export receipts, 142.31million dollars was remitted to the Federation Account.

The sum of 307.93million dollars was remitted to fund the JV cost recovery for the month of August, 2018 to guarantee current and future production.

“Total export crude oil and gas receipt for the period August 2017 to August 2018 stood at 5.23billion dollars out of which 3.74 billion dollars was transferred to JV Cash Call as first line charge and the balance of 1.49 billion dollars paid into the Federation Account,” it added.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/294632-nnpc-pays-n128-4-bn-into-federation-account.html

The inclusion of Nigerian content in the animation film festival will create adequate employment and contribute to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy, Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture has said. Alhaji Lai Mohammed at The 61st Meeting of UNWTO CAF Held at The Congress Hall of The Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja Mohammed said this at the opening ceremony of the 4th French and Japanese Embassies Animated Film Festival at the Institut francais du Nigeria in Abuja. He said, “It is worthy to note that with the inclusion of Nigerian content in the animation film festival, it will create adequate employment and contribute to the growth and development of the nation economy. Mohammed, wo aws was represented at the occasion by Deacon Grace Gekpe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, said animation had the potential in promoting culture, creating jobs for youths and promote economic empowerment in the country. The minister described animation film as a platform to champion and support film makers to use animation in the production of unique cinematic visions and promote culture to younger generations. He added that economically, animation employed hundreds of thousands of artists, animators, producers and technicians to produce huge demand for diverse content in the world. “Artistically, the craft of animation has spurred amazing advancements in storytelling since its inception and it has proven to be one of the best forms of impacting knowledge and creative ideas to its audiences. “Animation industry has a great role to play in shaping the minds of our children and instilling in them our diverse cultural heritage. “It will be hard for us to imagine a childhood without all of the animated characters that fill our imagination. “The government, in its efforts to diversify the economy, has recognised the film industry as a sector of focus in its diversification agenda through the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan,’’ he said. Also speaking at the event, Yutaka Kikuta, the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria stressed the importance of culture to any society, adding that it remaines the strength of a country. He said that Japan and French cultural collaboration had resulted in annual animation film festival aimed at promoting their cultures to Nigerian people and enhanced cultural exchange between them and Nigeria. “We strongly believe that creating a deep connection with the Nigerian people in the area of cultural exchange is no less important than the area of political and economic exchange. “This is why we have the line-up of Nigerian short films at this animated film festival for the promotion and betterment of this growing industry in Nigeria. He said two Japanese animated films: Pop in Q’’ and “ Doraemon the Movie; Nobita’s Dinosaur, created in 2006, would be screened at the occasion mainly for the young audience. He said the theme of Pop in Q is “An adventure of teenage girls“ with full of fantasy, adding that the second film, “Doraemon’’ is about Doraemon and Nobita, showing young boys who were able to travel across time, using Time Machine. He further explained that Nobita found himself a baby dinosaur after bringing an egg to the modern world from an ancient era. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the festival ends on Nov.9 and is expected to showcase short and long animated films, produced by Nigerian, French and Japan Embassies in Nigeria. (NAN) ETIM/DUA Related Criticism will not stop broadcasting code amendment to empower Nigerians - Lai Mohammed July 28, 2017 Igniting a Nigerian Socio-Economic Revolution Via Digital Animation, by Lai Mohammed May 27, 2017 All entertainment, other programmes for Nigeria's consumption must be produced here, Lai Mohammed insists

The man is definitely not talking on behalf of Yoruba but on his own. it is only an ignorant Yoruba that will vote for Atiku\Obi come 2019, Igbo people refused to vote for Buhari just because of Osinbajo, They will never forget how the easterners were mocking yoruba people during Abiola's lost mandate and called yoruba people cowards and started paying visits to Abacha.Even during GEJ corrupt govt,the then secretary of the faderation ( Anyim Pius) was mocking the yoruba elders and sideline the entire SW.

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the nation’s public service to embrace the use of ICT so as to effectively drive government programmes and policies and foster the digital economy in Nigeria.

President Buhari said this at a national conference on Promoting Digital Economy in an Era of Disruptive Technologies through Effective Regulations, organised by the National Information Technology Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with eNigeria at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Mr Buhari explained that the ICT “has performed well in the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by recording 11.81 per cent in the second quarter of 2018″.

”This administration’s commitment towards delivering good governance and development to our people is as strong as ever, considering the huge role ICT is playing in the successes recorded in the past three and a half years.

”You may recall that in my address at last year’s event, I raised a number of issues relating to ICT’s role in fostering the digital economy in Nigeria, including the sector’s contribution of about 10 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

”I am pleased to note that this has been taken seriously and stakeholders’ efforts resulted in ICT emerging as one of the key performers of the second quarter of 2018 by recording 11.81 per cent growth,” he said.

Mr Buhari also flayed the over-reliance on foreign hardware which he noted has resulted in the importation of about 80 per cent of the country’s ICT hardware products.

He explained that there are efforts in place to ensure that Nigeria becomes the leading export hub for ICT hardware in Sub-Saharan Africa.

”We challenged the country’s reliance on foreign hardware resulting in the importation of about 80 per cent of ICT hardware through local distributors of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) by MDAs and other government establishments. We stressed the need for concerted efforts aimed at reversing the trend.

”It is pleasing to note the efforts by all relevant stakeholders in forging strategic partnerships towards ensuring that Nigeria becomes an export hub for ICT hardware in Sub-Saharan Africa,” Mr Buhari said.



Leading Export Hub
Similarly, he identified efforts taken by NITDA itself to ensure Nigeria becomes a leading export Hub for ICT in Africa.

”The efforts of NITDA aimed at reorganising the registration and certification process for OEMs to ensure adherence to world-class standards as well as guarantee quality and durable devices are highly commendable.

”The agency is encouraged to work with relevant regulatory agencies to ensure strict compliance with these new regulatory instruments”

Mr Buhari also commended NITDA impact of ICT in strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure, education reform, skills development and research also its support for the ecosystem,

”Furthermore, the agency’s work on the Nigerian ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship Vision that focuses on the development of digital infrastructure, education reform, skills development and research and development as well as supporting the ecosystem is highly commendable.

”I understand that the agency worked with relevant stakeholders in developing the document. I continue to encourage the agency to use its regulatory instruments in ensuring full socialisation and implementation of this document.”

He, however, urged the public service to adopt the current digital world strategies so as to effectively drive government programs and policies.

”We emphasised the need for the public service to be highly competitive,
innovative and digitally-enabled to deliver public services and effectively drive government programs and policies,” Mr Buhari added.

According to him, NITDA and other relevant agencies had already taken steps in the drafting and development of the new policies through a series of stakeholder engagements.

”I note that NITDA and other relevant government agencies have taken this up by creating the enabling environment through the development of policies, frameworks, standards and guidelines.



”I am aware that some of these regulatory instruments have been subjected to critical scrutiny and revision through a series of stakeholder engagements.

”Efforts should be intensified at making them public as well as sensitising public servants and the general public about the value of these regulatory instruments.

Impact On TSA, IPPIS
Mr Buhari noted that ICT had made impact on the use of policy on Treasury Single Account (TSA), the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and the Bank Verification Number (BVN)

”The enforcement of the use of the policy on Treasury Single Account (TSA), the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and the impact they have made on the administration’s public financial management reforms.

“Also, the consolidation of accounts and elimination of ghost workers that resulted in a combined monthly savings of about N24.7 billion, the TSA facilitated the recovery of huge sums of money including the recent N1.6 billion from a single account.”

Mr Buhari highlighted other achievements made via use of ICT.

”You may recall the issuance of Presidential Executive Order 003 mandating all ministries, departments and agencies to give preference to locally manufactured goods and services in their procurement of information technology services, in order to strengthen its implementation as well as provide clear policy directions.

”Presidential Executive Order 005 was also issued in February this year. This is part of the administration’s deliberate efforts and strong commitment at strengthening the role of Science, Technology and Innovation in the country’s socio-economic development.

”Of particular note is NITDA’s initiative focused on the registration of IT contractors and service providers in collaboration with other regulatory bodies with a special emphasis on competencies. This will ensure the delivery of quality IT projects, as well as facilitate the development of indigenous IT companies in line with global best practices.

”You may also recall the remark about NITDA’s efforts at enforcing the Federal Government’s directive on ensuring that all ICT projects in the country are cleared by it before implementation.

”This will ensure that government’s ICT procurements are transparent, aligned with government’s IT shared vision and policy, lead to cost savings through the promotion of shared services, avoid duplication, ensure compatibility of IT systems and improve efficiency in government business.”

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/294346-what-were-doing-to-strengthen-ict-in-public-service-delivery-buhari.html

President Muhammadu Buhari says he is “distressed and depressed” by the ethno-religious killings in the country, appealing to Nigerians to learn to live together in peace and harmony.

The president said this when he received leaders of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), led by Dachollom Datiri at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday.

Mr Buhari urged religious, community and traditional leaders to do more in promoting peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

“As an organised institution (COCIN), I have no reason to doubt your report on the atrocities being committed in your communities including the killing of Idris Alkali, a retired Maj.-Gen., the dumping of his car into a pond and the body of the deceased thrown into a disused well.

“The communities (in Plateau) have lived long enough to know that there is nothing they can do without each other than to live together in harmony.

“As leaders, we must persuade the upcoming generation, using every channel particularly the educational institutions to live together with our neighbours,” Mr Buhari said.

Mr Buhari, who used the occasion to underscore the important role religious leaders’ play in engendering peace, lauded the exemplary role of the Imam in Plateau State who risked his life to save hundreds of Christian families fleeing attacks in June.

“It is not all Muslims that are against Christians and neither are all Christians against Muslims.

“The leadership in the respective religions have to work harder to make sure they convince the coming generation that they have to live together in the same country,’’ he said.

Mr Buhari assured the Christian delegation that he would continue to exert pressure on the Nigeria Police to do the needful in protecting lives and property.



“In our security arrangement, the police is in the front line in making sure that communities irrespective of ethnic or religious bias, live together in peace,’’ he said.

He added that Nigeria could not afford to take its unity for granted and allow a return to the unfortunate perils of a civil war.

In his remarks, Mr Datiri, while condemning the recent killing of an army general in the state, chronicled recent attacks against Christian communities in Plateau and neighbouring states, resulting in the displacement of thousands of persons.

The cleric appealed to the Federal Government to ensure the safe return and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their communities, in addition to the rebuilding of places of worship destroyed in the unfortunate incidents.

The COCIN president also called on the Federal Government to take adequate measures in ensuring the release of school girl, Leah Sharibu and other abductees of Boko Haram terrorists.

Mr Datiri also requested the President to persuade some northern states to allocate land titles to churches, in addition to directing the Ministry of Education to allow the teaching of Christian Religious Knowledge in schools in the region.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/294365-im-distressed-depressed-by-killings-in-nigeria-buhari.html

Madam Ezekwesili must be a joker, Tinubu has influence today because he does what was expected of him when he was the Governor of Lagos state, Ezekwesili is good at her advocacy job, but definitely not the presidential position.

This is a plus to the APC, the movement for change has actually come to stay, this is happening at Wike's backyard, and some people say APC is dying.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says President Muhammadu Buhari has kept Nigeria “safer than it was before the advent of his Administration in 2015”.

The minister stated this on Monday in Abuja at a ceremony to bid farewell to foreign bikers who had undergone a tour of the nation’s monuments, museums and other cultural heritage and tourist sites.

The bikers, under the aegis of Latin America Motorcycle Association (LAMA), had undertaken the tour with the theme: “Rediscover Heritage Bikers Tour Project”.

The tour, inaugurated by the minister in Abuja on October 23, had taken the bikers to eight states – Niger, Kogi, Enugu, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Oyo Lagos – and the Federal Capital Territory, during which they visited many sites.

Speaking at the event, the minister said the tour had been a success from the accounts of the bikers and it was an attestation that Nigeria is safer that when Mr Buhari took over in 2015.

“From the report that I have received, this tour is a great success.

“It is also an attestation to the fact that Nigeria is indeed a safe destination for tourists and business people alike.

“Yes, there are security challenges here and there, and this is not peculiar to Nigeria.

“But our country is safer today than it was before the advent of this Administration in 2015, thanks to the political will showed by the administration and the commitment of our security agencies,” he said.

The minister said unlike armchair analysts who had labelled Nigeria unsafe, the bikers had crisscrossed the country by road and returned safe and sound.



“They are practical men and women who zoomed across the country on their power bikes.

“No one can tell the story better than them. And the feedback we have received is overwhelmingly positive.

“I congratulate you all for this great adventure. I thank you for ignoring the naysayers and for having the courage and the confidence and the open mind to see things for yourselves.

“As you go, I urge you all to become great ambassadors of our great country, Nigeria. And I hope you will come back here in the not-too-distant future,” he said.

The minister thanked the President of LAMA, Marip Nieves; the President of LAMA Nigeria, Ernest Akhikpemelo; the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, the NTA and the sponsors of the event.

He wished all the foreign bikers a safe journey back to their various countries.

On his part, Mr Nieves said the tour had been “a trip of my life” coming from the Caribbean to discover his root.

He said Nigeria is safe contrary to the reports in international media and the government should endeavour to promote its tourism potentials to attract more tourists.

Mr Nieves said from their experiences and what they learn from the museums, monuments and heritage sites they visited, Nigeria like other African countries has a rich history and heritage.

“Africa has incredible civilisation which we have been able to witness from this trip.



“Besides having a great time, we have used this tour to promote peace, love, harmony and tourism in line with our objectives,” he said.

Akhikpemelo, the President of LAMA, Nigeria chapter, said the vision behind the tour was to promote Nigeria tourism and show to the world that the country is safe for investments and tourism.

The bikers had travelled to Gurara Falls in Niger; The coal city of Enugu, the Millennium Park, Slave History Museum, Tinapa Lake Resort all in Cross River; the national museum in Port Harcourt and Rivers State.

They also toured the ancient city of Benin in Edo State where they visited the
National Museum, among others; the ancient city of Ibadan in Oyo State; Lagos Mega City and of course many sites in the FCT.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/294204-nigeria-safer-under-buhari-lai-mohammed.html

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday reassured Nigerians that his administration would sustain massive investments to upgrade and develop the country’s transport and power infrastructure.

President Buhari gave this assurance when he received members of the Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria (ARCAN) led by Oladapo Fafowora, at the State House, Abuja.

The president told the retired ambassadors that Nigerians will never forget the ‘‘lost opportunity between 1999 and 2015,’’ when the nation had huge resources at its disposal.

He said: ”There is no part of the country I haven’t been to, having attempted to be president four times.

”I know the condition of our roads. The rails were literally killed, there was no power despite the admittance of some previous leadership that they spent $16 billion on the sector.

”Today, we are getting our priorities right and we believe that of the three fundamental issues we campaigned on – security, the economy and fighting corruption – we have remained very relevant and Nigerians believe we have achieved something.”

He also used the occasion to appreciate the People’s Republic of China for financing some of the rail and power projects in the country through concessionary loans.

”I will do my best to see that where there are possibilities of making a quick improvement on infrastructure, we will do it,” he said.

Mr Buhari also appealed to the organised labour to consider what this government inherited and ”the more it is doing with fewer resources in putting the economy right”.

The president took note of some concerns raised by the retired ambassadors.



The concerns include an appeal for the adjustment of their pension entitlements, retention of diplomatic passport for retired career ambassadors, allocation of land for ARCAN headquarters in Abuja and adequate funding of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/294233-well-sustain-massive-investment-on-infrastructure-buhari.html

Madam ezekwesili must not be president to contribute her quota to the development of this country. she should stop this desperate move.

I agree with this post based on the fact that he has done what will make him come out victorious come 2019.

Anybody that has the interest of this country at heart will never support Atiku over the working president, because voting for him is like dragging Nigeria back to where it used to be.

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, announced in Abuja on Sunday that Prince Charles would engage in peace-building activities, including addressing the persistent attacks of herdsmen on farming communities in Nigeria.

The Prince of Wales and his wife, Princess Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, are expected in Nigeria from November 6 to November 8 in a high profile visit during which the royals would also have audience with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) ahead of the visit, Mr Arkwright said that one of the events on the agenda was for the prince to discuss practical solutions to alleviating the tensions, arising from the activities of herdsmen.

Herdsmen have launched a deadly onslaught on farming communities in Nigeria in recent years, raising concerns over the future of agriculture in a nation, having majority of its populace engaged in subsistence agriculture.

“People do want to come together and if we can provide that kind of environment then hopefully, we can come up with some ideas and solutions to resolving some of these conflicts.

“Some of the issues like the farmers/herders crisis are deep-rooted and are about the economy, land resource, climate change and cultural issues.

“The Prince of Wales will be looking at the causes, talking to people who are working in this area and together, seeing if we can find solutions and move on.”

Mr Arkwright said that addressing the root causes of conflicts would lead to a peaceful and more prosperous Nigeria and also become beneficial to the relations between Nigeria and Britain.

He noted that the visit was also aimed at strengthening the existing ties between Nigeria and Britain as members of the Commonwealth.

The prince, who took over as the Head of the 53-member Commonwealth of Nations last April, succeeding his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, has already visited 44 African nations.



“Prince Charles has not been here since the past 12 years. 2006 was the last time he was here and the Duchess of Cornwall, has never been to Nigeria. So it is about strengthening ties, particularly people-to-people ties.

“We want to ensure that through the Commonwealth, which is another theme of the prince’s visit, we develop links to develop relationships whether in trade, environment or in education, all of which are important to the future of the Commonwealth and to the future of Nigeria.”

The top diplomat said that other events lined up on the agenda of the visit would focus on culture, music, fashion, among others.

“Prince Charles will be talking about rural livelihoods, agriculture, the environment, some of the passions that he has which is so relevant to Nigeria today and to young people and the importance of getting young people into jobs.

“One of his passions as well is how do we build the skills of young people so that they will be equipped for the world.

“There is a whole range of interests that he has and I think Nigeria is a wonderful place to come to because it brings together all of these interests.”

The duchess is also to engage in literary activities with children and some Nigerian authors, while the prince would meet with traditional rulers and hold peace-building meeting with Nigeria Working Group on Peacebuilding and Governance.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/294077-prince-charles-to-address-herdsmen-attacks-during-nigeria-visit-official.html

ASABA-EXECUTIVE Director of Projects EDP on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Engr Samuel Adjogbe, yesterday said that numerous completed and ongoing projects of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration were unmatchable by any standard. President Buhari Fielding questions from newsmen, shortly after being honoured for ‘Outstanding Performance in Leading Change’, Adjogbe said President Buhari’s commitment to infrastructural development is clearly visible in the Niger Delta region and the nation at large. the EDP who was represented by his Technical Assistant, Mr Nelson Onwo said “with the spate of completed projects so far, one must agree that such commitment to infrastructural project development has never been demonstrated before now.” While thanking the organizers of the event for the recognition, he said it was a call to do more. Alluding to the newly commissioned Port Harcourt International Airport Terminal by the Federal Government, Adjogbe said that: “Just like the newly commissioned Port Harcourt International Airport Terminal and several other mega projects by the Federal Government, NDDC shall continue in the likes of the recently completed Ogbia – Nembe road project. “Furthermore, the Okerenekoko-Omadino-Escravos road project which is currently at contracting stage, is a reflection of this relentless drive on the part of NDDC”. Abonema 10 kidnap : Abductors collect N3M, release two, raise ransom to N10M Presenting the Award, Keynote Speaker at the event Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi said the Award was in recognition of the recipient’s continual support and exceptional contributions to the advancement of the nation. Noting that Engr Samuel Adjogbe has exuded astute value and exemplary leadership role as an Executive Director, Projects NDDC, he said that such attributes were worthy of emulation. Niger Delta Group calls for restructuring, fiscal federalism.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/buharis-completed-ongoing-projects-are-unmatchable-adjogbe/

It is indeed no news that this administration's policy of diversifying the economy brought light to the economy of the nation and kudos to the FG for being able to manage the economy from the doom of the 16 years of the PDP.

No doubt the President is at its best to instill good governance in the nation and we know that this can not be solely achieved by him alone. Nigerians should joins hands with the President in making Nigeria great again

It is good the FG gives Nigerians this assurance this time...This is commendable

Indeed what past Government has failed to implement especially projects that has to do with affecting the lives of the masses, This administration is making sure that they are fully implemented...Kudos to the FG

It is commendable the FG has given Nigerians the assurance that the outcome of 2019 election will be taken in good faith

President Muhammadu Buhari, Thursday boasted that Nigeria’s economy was good and promised to make it better to please Nigerians. President Buhari In a statement disclosed by the special adviser to Mr. President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari again reiterated his commitment in taking the country to a greater height. “The Nigerian economy is looking good and we look forward to making it better”, he said. He commended Mr Jesper Kamp, new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark, who paid him a courtesy visit at the state house, noting that Nigeria welcomes further strengthening of relations with countries, especially in the areas of agriculture and trade. Efe Martins support entrepreneur with 5million naira President Buhari told the Danish Ambassador he was pleased that relations between Nigeria and Denmark have remained strong; noting that in the economic sphere there is still some more work to do. ‘‘The Nigerian economy is looking good and we look forward to making it better,’’ the President told the Danish Ambassador after receiving his Letter of Credence. President Buhari who also received Letters of Credence from Major General (Retd) Waqar Kingravi, the new High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria, Mr Babacar Ndiaye, the new Ambassador of Senegal to Nigeria and Mr Vyacheslav Beskosky, the new Ambassador of Belarus to Nigeria, told them that Nigeria valued the existing cordial and friendly relations with their countries. Children benefiting from Home Growth School Feeding Programme of the Buhari administration The President described the long-standing military cooperation between Nigeria and Pakistan as very commendable and beneficial to both countries. Onwusoro debuts with message of hope for Nigeria ‘‘Given the vast experience of the Pakistani military, your commitment in assisting us to develop our military is commendable,’’ he told the Pakistani High Commissioner: The Nigerian leader recounted that as a former military officer, several of his colleagues who trained in Pakistan still have very fond memories of the country. Receiving the Senegalese Ambassador, President Buhari commended President Macky Sall of Senegal for his roles in the progress achieved in the political process in Guinea Bissau. Noting that he was aware of the economic progress taking place in Senegal, President Buhari stressed the need for stability in the West African region to ensure rapid socio-economic development, particularly in the key areas of education, health and infrastructure. ‘‘The bigger we are the bigger the problems, so we must continue to do our best to surmount our challenges in the region,’’ President Buhari, who is also the current Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government, told the Senegalese envoy. In his audience with the Belarus Ambassador, President Buhari harped on the need for improved economic ties, while commending the Eastern European country for accommodating international students from Nigeria in their tertiary institutions. The President wished the four Ambassadors very successful tenures, reiterating Nigeria’s commitment to continue to partner with their countries in areas of mutual concerns.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/our-economy-is-good-but-i-will-make-it-better-buhari/

A country like Nigeria cannot be changed over night no doubt,but i commend the Buhari led government on its effort to standardize good governance in this country, the fact is that the security challenges is a serious global issue and of a great concern. Just google and see how many people die daily to terrorism in the USA. The Federal government might decide to fight it but some top people benefiting from these insurgency will always try to outsmart these efforts. We all have a role to play. Maybe one day peace will finally smile on us in this country. People benefit from wars so they will keep making it happen.

A country like Nigeria cannot be changed over night no doubt,but i commend the Buhari led government on its effort to standardize good governance in this country, the fact is that the security challenges is a serious global issue and of a great concern. Just google and see how many people die daily to terrorism in the USA. The Federal government might decide to fight it but some top people benefiting from these insurgency will always try to outsmart these efforts. We all have a role to play. Maybe one day peace will finally smile on us in this country. People benefit from wars so they will keep making it happen..

A country like Nigeria cannot be changed over night no doubt,but i commend the Buhari led government on its effort to standardize good governance in this country, the fact is that the security challenges is a serious global issue and of a great concern. Just google and see how many people die daily to terrorism in the USA. The Federal government might decide to fight it but some top people benefiting from these insurgency will always try to outsmart these efforts. We all have a role to play. Maybe one day peace will finally smile on us in this country. People benefit from wars so they will keep making it happen.

Every patriotic Nigerian that wants the best for this country will definitely want the Buhari led Government to continue come 2019, this is because this administration has actually achieved a lot in less than four years and is still working hard in making Nigeria the best place for all, for the first time the government of the day is seriously embarking on projects abandoned by the previous administration....

Every patriotic Nigerian that wants the best for this country will definitely want the Buhari led Government to continue come 2019, this is because this administration has actually achieved a lot in less than four years and is still working hard in making Nigeria the best place for all, for the first time the government of the day is seriously embarking on projects abandoned by the previous administration.