₦airaland Forum

Federal Ministry Of Finance

Headquarters, CBD, Ahmadu Bello Way, Abuja

News Release
September 11, 2018

Federal Government Explains Paris Club Refund To States

The Federal Ministry of Finance on Tuesday provided some clarifications on the Paris Club Refund approved for the 36 States of the Federation.

2. It will be recalled that the issue of Paris Club loan over-deduction had been a long standing dispute between the Federal Government and the State Governments which dated back to the period of 1995 to 2002. In response to the dispute, President Muhammadu Buhari directed that the claims of over-deduction should be formally and individually reconciled by the Debt Management Office (DMO). This reconciliation commenced in November 2016.

3. As an interim measure to alleviate the financial challenges of the States during the 2016 recession, the President had approved that fifty percent (50%) of the amounts claimed by States be paid to enable the States clear salary and pension arrears. This was released between 1st December, 2016 and 29th September, 2017. This refund was part of the Government’s fiscal stimulus to ensure the financial health of Sub-National Governments.

4. The DMO led the reconciliation process under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Finance. The final approval of US$2.689 billion is subject to the following conditions:
(i) Salary and staff related arrears must be paid as a priority;
(ii) Commitment to the commencement of the repayment of Budget Support Loans granted in 2016, to be made by all States;
(iii) Clearing of amounts due to the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative,
(iv) Commitment to clear matching grants from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) where some States have available funds which could be used to improve primary education and learning outcomes.

5. The payment of the approved amount is to be made in phased tranches to the States.

Signed:
Hassan Dodo
Director (Information)

Remarks By President Muhammadu Buhari During Audience With Nigerian Consolidation Ambassadors Network (NCAN) At The State House, Abuja On 11th September 2018

1. As I look around this room today, I am pleased to see many familiar faces as well as new ones. All united by a common vision of having a united, prosperous and secured Nigeria.

2. As a movement, our political journey started as far back as 2002. At that time, the country was still recovering from military rule. Although the country was united to protect its democracy, majority of Nigerians felt the then democratically elected government did not focus on addressing the challenges of the average Nigerian man and woman.

3. I recall some of you in this room visiting me in Kaduna and demanding that I come out of my second retirement to participate in politics. At that time, we felt our young democracy and indeed, our country was heading in the wrong direction. Our resources were being wasted. The future of our children and their children was at risk.

4. I was a bit reluctant to be honest. You all remember my first retirement in 1985 started in small bungalow in Benin City. After which I relocated to Kaduna to a slightly bigger house where I mostly stayed until 1994.

5. In 1994, I was asked by a Head of State to come out of retirement and serve my country as the Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund popularly known as the PTF. I was at the PTF until 1999 when I was asked to proceed to my second retirement.

6. Both retirements had one thing in common, the organisation I was heading was abruptly disbanded and my family life significantly disrupted. So naturally in 2002, I was reluctant to come out of this second retirement which I was enjoying in Kaduna with my family.

7. However, the argument put forward then was very compelling. The selfish-interest of our elected leaders superseded national interest. This needed to be changed. this change must be through democratic process as prescribed by our constitution. So we went to work. We campaigned hard and formed a credible opposition.

8. Nigerians voted. But when the results came out, we had lost by close to 12 million votes. The statistics did not add up.

9. We fought in the courts for over 2 years. Finally, the Supreme Court ruling went against us. We accepted the results and I went back to Kaduna with the hope that we had seen the worst and like all of us in this room, continued to pray for better days ahead.

10. In 2006, many associates including some of you once again convened in Kaduna. This time, it was clear for all to see. The country was getting worst. The system remained engineered to favour the voted at the expense of the voter.

11. We came out once again with our simple mission to CHANGE things, since it is our desire that the dividends of democracy must be felt by all and not just a hand full.

12. When the 2007 election results came out, we were told we lost by over 18 million votes. This election was a national disgrace. The international observers called it a “charade”, “flawed” and “illegitimate”. Even the declared winners were embarrassed by the results.

13. Again, we decided to do the right thing. We went to court. And like in 2003, the Supreme Court upheld the results. This time, Nigerians were not deprived of their basic right, it was actually stolen from them right in front of their eyes in broad daylight.

14. In the 2011 elections, things got a bit better compared to 2007. We only lost by 10 million votes although according to the electoral commission.

15. However, by this time, many Nigerians had lost hope. Our country was deteriorating at a very fast pace. The gap between the wealthy rent seeking ruling class and the rest of the country was astronomical.

16. By 2014, Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa and the largest economy by Gross Domestic Product could not feed itself or protect itself. It got to a state where government was borrowing to pay salaries although they had record breaking oil revenues.

17. As our country moved backwards, the world continued to push ahead.

18. Whether it was by design or through divine intervention, the Permanent Voters Card (PVC), was introduced for the 2015 elections.

19. The PVC became the saviour for Nigerians. This meant every Nigerian now had an equal voice. This brought an end to the impunity of the past.

20. Finally, the people’s voices could be heard and eventually, was heard through the ballot box. Our dream for change, which started in 2002, became a reality.

21. We have come a long way in 3 years.

22. On the national security front, we have regained lost territory in the North East. We are decisively addressing new security challenges locally while maintaining our regional and international commitments.

23. On infrastructure development;

- we are completing old rail and road projects and starting new ones;
- we are reviving power projects which have been abandoned for decades;
- we are developing affordable housing projects across the country;
- we have commenced the long overdue repairs and upgrades of our sea and air ports facilities

24. On food security, we have supported our farmers to produce. We have rehabilitated abandoned fertiliser plants. We have seen unprecedented investments in food processing. All these have led to a decline in food and other agricultural imports.

25. Our fight against corruption is also yielding results. The strict implementation of the treasury single account has stopped the leakages in government activities. Our aggressive anti-corruption campaign has shown that it is no longer business as usual.

26. Our social investment program is;

- feeding children in schools;
- giving micro credit loans to entrepreneurs in the rural economy;
- providing jobs for unemployed graduates;
- providing cash to the most vulnerable and poorest Nigerians

27. Our economic recovery and growth plan has created the platform for a diversified, sustainable and inclusive economy for future generations.

28. We also engage the oil and gas sector to ensure investments continue in the upstream sector while at the same time, we reduce scarcity and shortages of products in the downstream.

29. Ladies and gentlemen, these achievements over the past 3 years have not been easy. Corruption has been fighting back from both within and outside. But we held our ground.

30. Today, I am pleased to say the weakest amongst us, whose selfish expectations did not align with our selfless vision, have exited our party.

31. We now have a party of strong and patriotic individuals who are ready, willing and able to continue on this journey of building a strong, secure, self-sufficient and corruption free Nigeria.

32. I am honoured today to receive this nomination form which your members, from all over the country, contributed to buy. It is a gesture from an association of patriotic Nigerians which I was made to believe compromises of over three million members that believe in our principles of bringing the desired positive CHANGE in Nigeria.

33. Since my protest at the APC secretariat a few weeks back on the very expensive cost of the presidential nomination form, I have received many offers from many different associations and organisations whose members were ready to pool in their resources to buy me the form.

34. The 12 million members of the Rice Farmers Association offered to buy me a form. The members of the Fertiliser Producers Association also contacted my office with the same offer. Some members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association also offered to buy the nomination form. I can go on and on.

35. I am very touched by these gestures. And I want to assure you all that my commitment to our CHANGE agenda is as strong as ever.

36. As I accept this nomination form from the NCAN today, I want to ask all the other groups who have offered to buy my nomination form to reassign their contributions to the Not Too Young To Run wing of the APC.

37. Nigeria is blessed with many talented and visionary youth who have a lot to contribute. Many of them may not be able to afford the nomination fees set by our party. Your contributions will go a long way in supporting the next generation of leaders.

38. I, therefore, would request that any remaining funds raised to buy my presidential nomination form be used to support these young, competent and dynamic future leaders.

39. Once again, I thank you very much for this donation as I pray to God to give us all the strength and wisdom to continue to deliver our promises.

State House Press Release

Corruption Allegation Against Abba Kyari Hinged On Fiction

The Presidency takes strong offence to the improbable and outlandish publication by Punch Newspaper today (Saturday) in a dig at presidential aide Abba Kyari who was alleged to have collected a 29 million naira bribe for the awarding of a contract.

We wish to state with full authority that the allegation is wrong and the Chief of Staff did not have any private meetings with the person making those allegations.

What is even more surprising is the decision by the newspaper to run the cooked up lies despite obvious loopholes in the story, such as the Bureau of Public Procurement’s denial that a major source for the story was a member of their staff. With a slew of crucial elections ahead, some politicians and their media agents appear to be working together to build pressure on the Buhari administration by wielding non-existent scandals against it.

We equally note that the supply of 15 Hilux vehicles for the Presidency was an unlikely contract to have been awarded, as it did not exist anywhere in the 2016 and 2017 budgets. Checking the appropriation for 2016 and 2017, that request is not even there. How could Abba Kyari have asked for money to award a contract that did not exist anywhere at all?

In addition to that, the amount allegedly given in bribe was also suspicious, as the office of the presidential aide had been known in the past to receive imprest of 200 million naira and above every month, with no one expected to give account. It was only since Abba Kyari occupied that position that things changed. In blunt terms, it is difficult to make a case of N29 million bribery against an official who spurned a monthly payment of N200 million to his office, money for which he didn’t need to account to anyone.

Once again, we wish to caution against the media's haste to publish unverified accusations against government officials simply for the sensationalism value, without journalists doing the due diligence required of them by their profession.

The Punch was notified of the various falsehoods contained in the allegations but still went ahead to publish the weak accusations. They should be prepared to face Abba Kyari in court.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
September 8, 2018

Highlights Of President Buhari’s 6-Day Official Visit To China

While in the People’s Republic of China, President Muhammadu Buhari participated in the 7th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) between September 3 – 4 2018 in Beijing, China. The President led Nigeria’s delegation in bilateral meetings with President Xi Jinping, as well as in business engagements with the Chinese private sector.

President Buhari was accompanied to China by Ministers of Finance Kemi Adeosun; Transportation Rotimi Amaechi; Power, Works & Housing Babatunde Fashola; Budget & National Planning Udom Udo Udoma; Petroleum Ibe Kachukwu; Industry, Trade & Investment Okechukwu Enelamah; and Minister of State, Aviation Hadi Sirika.

During the Bilateral Meeting led by Presidents Buhari and Xi, two important Agreements were signed:
1. MOU for the ‘One Belt One Road’ Initiative (OBOR).
2. $328m financing agreement for the National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone.

At that meeting, Nigeria received the blessings of the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, for the construction of the Mambilla Project, Nigeria’s largest hydroelectric power plant. Work on the power project will commence on the site in early 2019.

During the President’s visit to China, the Nigerian delegation signed a total of thirteen agreements, valued at more than US$10bn, with more to be signed subsequently by the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) and the Attorney-General & Minister of Justice of the Federation.

The Agreements were signed between the Nigerian Government and Chinese businesses, and between Nigerian businesses and their Chinese counterparts.

Office Of The Vice President

Press Release

Tradermoni Spreading: VP Osinbajo Launches N10,000 Collateral Free Loans To Petty Traders In Abuja

*Restates FG’s commitment to uplifting Nigerians

In line with its agenda to spread prosperity and reduce poverty, the Federal Government will continue to initiate and sustain programmes aimed at uplifting Nigerians at the bottom of the pyramid, especially petty traders regardless of socio-political background, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

The Vice President stated this earlier today at the formal launch of the FCT TraderMoni programme, a collateral and interest free loan scheme initiated by the Federal Government to assist petty traders across the country. The scheme is part of the Social Investment Programme of the Buhari administration.

So far, the programme has been launched in Lagos, Kano, Katsina, Abia and Osun states and would be extended, in quick succession, to traders in all the States of the federation by the end of 2018.

Speaking to traders at the Utako market shortly after witnessing the disbursement of funds to beneficiaries, the Vice President said every petty trader was eligible to benefit from the scheme and urged petty traders across the country to take advantage of the scheme to improve their businesses.

According to him, “This programme is for the petty traders selling in the markets, it is not for bigger traders. It is for the petty traders to improve their businesses. For now, we are giving you N10, 000, if you pay back in six months or less, you will get another N15, 000. We want to encourage petty traders, so that they can have sufficient amount to improve their businesses.”

He assured beneficiaries that the amount given to them would be increased if they paid back their loans within the stipulated period, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari himself was interested in the welfare of the traders.

According to the Vice President, “The one we did before was for big traders under the GEEP programme, we gave them as much as N100, 000. If you do well with this one we are giving you now, we will increase the amount.

“Everybody can benefit from this scheme, the President himself has said that he wants to make sure that those who are selling small items in the markets benefit from this programme.

“When we give you this money, we want you to pay back and no interest is involved.”

Earlier on arrival at the market, Prof. Osinbajo went round interacting with petty traders before he proceeded to address traders who had thronged access roads around the market to receive him.

The Vice President was accompanied to the programme by two Ministers of State: Industry Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar and Zainab Ahmed among other top government officials.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
06 September, 2018

Letter To The Editor, Premium Times, By Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, Vice President Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria (Sept 4, 2018)

RE: Osinbajo Got It Wrong On Restructuring - Atiku

Dear Editor,

Kindly permit me a response to a piece in your publication, titled “Osinbajo got it wrong on Restructuring,” written, we are told, by my illustrious predecessor in office, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

First, let me say that I really would have expected Alhaji Abubakar to at least get the full text of my comments before his public refutal of my views. But I understand; we are in that season where everything is seen as fair game! He quoted me as saying that “the problem with our country is not a matter of restructuring… and we must not allow ourselves to be drawn into the argument that our problems stem from some geographic re-structuring”.

Yes, I said so.

As the quote shows, I rejected the notion that geographical restructuring was a solution to our national problems. Geographical restructuring is either taking us back to regional governments or increasing the number of States that make up the Nigerian federation.

As we all may recall, the 2014 National Conference actually recommended the creation of 18 more States. And I argued that, with several States struggling or unable to pay salaries, any further tinkering with our geographical structure would not benefit us.

We should rather ask ourselves why the States are underperforming, revenue and development wise. I gave the example of the Western Region (comprising even more than what is now known as the South West Zone), where, without oil money, and using capitation tax and revenues from agriculture and mining, the government funded free education for over 800,000 pupils in 1955, built several roads, farm settlements, industrial estates, the first TV station in Africa, and the tallest building in Nigeria, while still giving up fifty percent of its earnings from mining and minerals for allocation to the Federal Government and other regions.

I then argued that what we required now was not geographical restructuring but good governance, honest management of public resources, deeper fiscal Federalism, and a clear vision for development.

On the issue of deeper fiscal Federalism or restructuring, I explained how the then Lagos State Government, led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, decided to fight for greater autonomy of States.

As Attorney-General at the time, it was my duty and privilege to lead the legal team against the then Federal government, in our arguments at the Supreme Court. I am sure that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar would remember these cases on greater autonomy for States that I cite below, as he was Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the time.

At the Supreme Court, we won several landmark decisions on restructuring Nigeria through deeper fiscal federalism, some of which our late converts to the concept, now wish to score political points on.

It was our counter-claims alongside those of other littoral States, that first addressed so comprehensively the issue of resource control. We agreed with the oil producing States that they had a right to control their resources. We argued, though unsuccessfully, that the Ports of Lagos were also a resource, which should enable Lagos State, in the worst case, to be paid the derivation percentage for proceeds of its natural resources. Years later, we also filed an action at the Supreme Court arguing that the Value Added Tax, being a consumption tax, should exclusively belong to the States.

On the issue of who, between the Federal and State governments, should have authority to grant building permits and other development control permits, the Supreme Court, by a slim majority, ruled in our favour. It held that, even with respect to federal land, States had exclusive authority to grant building or other developments control permits.

In 2004, we created 37 new local governments in Lagos State. We believed that we had a Constitutional right to do so and that in any event, a State should have a right to create its own administrative units. Several other States joined us and created theirs.

The Federal government’s response was to seize the funds meant for our local governments, thus strangulating States like Lagos, which had created new local governments. We challenged this at the Supreme Court. The court held that the President had no right under the Constitution to withhold or seize funds meant for the States. The allocations were not a gift of the Federal Government to the States. They were the Constitutional right of the States and local governments.

The court also agreed that States had a Constitutional right to create local governments, pursuant to section 8 of the Constitution, but that the creation remained inchoate until the National Assembly, by resolution, amended the existing list of local governments to capture the newly created LGs.

In response, we created by State Law, Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), to accommodate the newly created Local Government Councils until such a time as the National Assembly would complete the process. But the Lagos State Government took up the challenge to re-engineer its revenue service, making it autonomous. With innovative management, tax collection in Lagos became more efficient, and tax revenues continued to grow geometrically. Today, the State earns more IGR than 30 States of Nigeria put together!

Further, we contested the attempts of the then Federal Government to create supervisory authority over the Finances of Local Governments by the signing into law of the Monitoring of Revenue Allocation to Local Governments Act, 2005. The Supreme Court also ruled in our favour, striking down many provisions of the law that sought to give the Federal government control over local government funding.

I have been an advocate, both in court and outside, of fiscal Federalism and stronger State Governments. I have argued in favour of State Police, for the simple reason that policing is a local function. You simply cannot effectively police Nigeria from Abuja. Only recently, in my speech at the Anniversary of the Lagos State House of Assembly, I made the point that stronger, more autonomous States would more efficiently eradicate poverty. So I do not believe that geographical restructuring is an answer to Nigeria’s socio economic circumstances. That would only result in greater administrative costs. But there can be no doubt that we need deeper fiscal Federalism and good governance.

Alhaji Atiku’s concept of restructuring is understandably vague, because he seeks to cover every aspect of human existence in that definition. He says it means a “cultural revolution”. Of course, he does not bother to unravel this concept. He says we need a structure that gives everyone an opportunity to work, a private sector driven economy. Yes, I agree. These are critical pillars of our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), including our Ease of Doing Business Programme.

If, however, this is what he describes as restructuring, then it is clear that he has mixed up all the issues of good governance and diversification of the economy with the argument on restructuring.

Good governance involves, inter alia, transparency and prudence in public finance. It involves social justice, investing in the poor, and jobs for young people; which explains our School Feeding Programme, providing a meal a day to over 9 million public school children in 25 States as of today. Our NPower is now employing 500,000 graduates; our TraderMoni that will be giving microcredit to 2 million petty traders; our Conditional Cash Transfers giving monthly grants to over 400,000 of the poorest in Nigeria. The plan is to cover a million households.

Surprisingly, Alhaji Atiku leaves out the elephant in the room – corruption. And how grand corruption, fueled by a rentier economic structure that benefits those who can use political positions or access to either loot the treasury or get favorable concessions to enrich themselves. This was a main part of my presentations the Minnesota Town Hall meeting.

In arguing for good governance, I made the point that our greatest problem was corruption. I pointed out that grand corruption, namely the unbelievable looting of the treasury by simply making huge cash withdrawals in local and foreign currency, was the first travesty that President Buhari stopped.

I showed the OPEC figures from oil revenues since 1990. In four years from 2010 to 2014 the PDP government earned the highest oil revenues in Nigeria’s history, USD381.9billion. By contrast the Buhari Administration has earned USD121 billion from May 2015 to June 2018, less than 1/3 of what Jonathan Administration earned at the same period in that administration’s life. Despite earning so much less, we are still able to invest more in infrastructure than any government in Nigeria’s history. The difference is good governance, and fiscal prudence.

In the final analysis, restructuring in whatever shape or form, will not mean much if our political leaders see public resources as an extension of their bank accounts.

This, I believe, is the real issue.

President Muhammadu Buhari arrived Beijing on Saturday to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation FOCAC 2018 holding between September 3 - 4, 2018.

During the 6-day official visit, President Buhari is expected to join President Xi Jinping to witness the signing of an agreement on the $328m National Information & Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone Phase 11 (NICTIB 11), between Galaxy Backbone Limited & Huawei Technologies Ltd.

The Funding for the NICTIB 11 project will be provided by the Chinese EXIM Bank. The project is consistent with the Buhari Administration’s commitment to incorporating the development of ICT into national strategic planning under the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

Presidents Buhari and Xi will also witness the signing of the MOU on One Belt One Road Initiative (OBOR), proposed by President Xi in 2013 with a view to integrating the development strategies of partnering countries

During the High-Level Dialogue between Chinese & African Leaders and Business Reps on the margins of #FOCAC2018, the Nigerian delegation is also expected to sign no fewer than 25 MOUs, including those proposed by Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and NACCIMA.

On arrival at Capital International Airport, Beijing, at about 9:04 am (Nigerian time) on Saturday, President Buhari was received by top Chinese government officials including the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Zhou Pingjian.

Yesterday September 2nd, the President met with a delegation of Nigerians living in China.

FOCAC 2018 kicked off today, Monday. President Buhari will join President Xi and other African leaders for roundtable sessions, which will essentially discuss the report of FOCAC since the 2015 Jo’burg Summit, including the implementation of the “ten cooperation plans” adopted at the last meeting.

The FOCAC 2018 Summit is also expected to adopt the Beijing Declaration and the Action Plan for the development of China-Africa cooperation and fashion out new opportunities to grow Nigeria-China comprehensive strategic partnership from 2019 to 2021.

Key Initiatives / Announcements / Partnerships Following UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s Visit To Nigeria

1. Nigeria and the UK signed a Security and Defence Partnership, the first between the two countries. The Partnership provides for the following:

Provision of equipment and training for the Nigerian military;

Launch of a £13 million education programme that will provide training for teachers, school equipment, and security for schools, for 100,000 children living in parts of the Northeast affected by Boko Haram;

Roll out a new crisis response mechanism for Nigeria, similar to the UK’s Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms (COBR) system;

A framework to strengthen policing, reduce piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, tackle organized crime, and tackle corruption;

Establishment of a new civil asset recovery task force will help Nigeria recover stolen assets held in Britain and stop criminals from using the UK as a safe haven for the proceeds of corruption;

Establishment of an enhanced human rights dialogue to ensure that collaborative efforts by both countries are in line with international human rights protocols;

Establishment of a regular forum for UK and Nigerian Ministers to meet and discuss solutions and responses to common security challenges and priorities.

2. Business/Economic Support:

Signed MoU for the launch of the UK-Nigeria Economic Development Forum.

One of the objectives of the Agreement is to set in motion plans for the establishment of a UK-Nigeria Bilateral Commission, which will oversee cooperation in trade and security and other matters of mutual benefit to both countries, as well as oversee bilateral meetings to be hosted interchangeably in the UK and Nigeria.

Launched a new programme that will support innovative businesses in Northeast Nigeria, with the goal of raising the incomes of 3 million people and helping create 100,000 jobs;

Launch of a new Innovation Partnerships in Nigeria, which will create linkages between UK and Nigerian tech professionals/innovators, and also provide opportunities for skills-building, education, access to investment to Nigerian innovators;

Launch of a UK-Africa FinTech partnership (Nigerian entrepreneurs will be connected with UK FinTech investors and business mentors, for financing and mentoring), alongside a dedicated £2 million Fund to support Nigerian innovators;

Launch of new initiatives to collaborate with and support the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Provision of up to £750 million in financing for Nigerian businesses buying British products, by UK Export Finance.

3. Other Highlights:

Launch of a 12-month skill sharing programme — ‘Legal Services are GREAT’ — which will bring UK and Nigerian legal professionals together to build capacity within the Nigerian legal industry.

Dangote Cement reiterated commitment to list on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

State House Press Release following Prime Minister May’s Visit to the State House (August 29, 2018):

https://statehouse.gov.ng/news/2019-election-will-be-free-fair-credible-president-buhari-assures-uk-prime-minister/

State House Press Release: Speech by Vice President Osinbajo following event with British Secretary for Africa & International Development, Rt. Hon. Harriett Baldwin, at Ventures Platform Hub, Abuja:

https://statehouse.gov.ng/news/how-young-nigerians-opened-innovation-hubs-start-ups-during-recession-by-vp-osinbajo/


Sources: [url]GOV.UK[/url], [url]StateHouse.gov.ng[/url]

Office Of The Vice President

Press Release

How Young Nigerians Opened Innovation Hubs, Start-ups During Recession, By VP Osinbajo

*Commends the entrepreneurial drive of young Nigerians

In line with its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan to boost job creation and the economy, the Buhari administration will continue to create the right environment for the growth of technology companies, startups, and for innovation to thrive, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo said this on Wednesday during his visit to Ventures Platform Hub, Abuja, alongside the British Secretary for Africa & International Development, Rt. Hon. Harriett Baldwin.

The Vice President further commended the entrepreneurial drive of young Nigerians to create value in the technology sector, noting that the Federal Government is supporting technology and innovation because it is the “future starting today’.

According to him, “The fact is that a lot of these entrepreneurs actually started while we were in recession, and it is not just evidence of their resilience, hard work and creativity; but also, the fact that there is so much opportunity and so much talent here; and there is so much that can be done.”

Prof. Osinbajo added, “I think just looking at what has happened with some of the startups that we’ve seen today, many of them actually started in the recession, while the recession was on, and they proved, by just the number of jobs they have created, the value and wealth they’ve created, that this is really the future starting today.

“They’ve done so much work and innovation, so for us it is a no-brainer (why the Federal Government is supporting technology hubs); because obviously what we need to do is to create the right environment for these technology companies and for innovation to thrive, which is why we have started up first with the creativity and technology advisory group. Many of these young startups are members of these creativity and technology advisory group where they help to formulate policy with federal government policy makers. So, they help also to formulate policy in many of these new areas, especially in Fintech, which are some of the new areas where we need to formulate new policies.

“I think that, again, underscores the fact that technology, especially the startups that we are seeing, is the future of business in Nigeria and will lead us to the Nigeria, which is an excellent place, to do a lot of very creative and innovative things. We’ve seen so much already, I think we are in a very good place to make the real difference in those things that we want to see.”

The Vice President then thanked the UK government for its cooperation in boosting technology and innovation in the country through its partnership.

“I just want to say a very big “thank you” to the UK DFID for all the great support that we are getting and to say that, as they say, ‘the sky is no longer the limit,’ because technology seems to have gone way beyond the skies and we are very prepared as a government to support innovation in every way,” he said.

In the same vein, the British Secretary for Africa & International Development, Harriett Baldwin, said the UK was going to invest more in Nigeria’s technology sector because it “has seen a wide range of different ways in which the technology sector can really drive the economy forward, raise the income of people and also create jobs.”

At the event, VP Osinbajo interacted with technology start-ups and entrepreneurs. Accompanying the Vice President to Ventures Park were the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; and the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola. The Lord Mayor of London, Mr. Charles Bowman, was also at the event.

Meanwhile, the Vice President also attended the National Last Days Gathering - LDG of the Calvary Ministries (CAPRO), on Wednesday. The event, with the theme: Confronting this Darkness, held at NOWA Education Centre, Karshi, Abuja.


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
30th August, 2018

State House Press Release

2019 Election Will Be Free, Fair, Credible, President Buhari Assures UK Prime Minister

President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday in Abuja assured the UK Prime Minister Theresa May of his commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections in 2019.

In a bilateral meeting with the visiting Prime Minister, President Buhari welcomed UK's support at strengthening democratic institutions in the country.

‘‘I assure you that I’m all out for free, fair and credible elections. I’m very pleased that my party is doing very well. The High Commissioner will brief you more. The recent successes in polls in Katsina, Bauchi, and Kogi have boosted our morale greatly.

‘‘Nigeria has accepted multiparty democracy and that is putting politicians on their toes, forcing them to work harder,’’ he said.

On the anti-corruption campaign, the President applauded the British support to the country, noting that the success of the fight was very important to ordinary people in the country.

"We had great opportunities and resources between 1999 and 2014, due to high oil prices. But when we came in 2015, oil prices plunged to as low as 37 dollars per barrel.

‘‘What we have been doing since 2015 is to focus on infrastructure development, despite low earnings. Work is ongoing in roads, rail, power, and many others."

On Brexit, President Buhari noted that it provides an opportunity to strengthen the historic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

‘‘We are nervously watching the development about Brexit because we know that the relationship had been on for a long time. I assure you that I am prepared to strengthen the relationship between our two countries.’’

The President also thanked the UK government for the support on security and the fight against insurgency in the North Eastern part of Nigeria, as well as the improved trade relations between both countries.

‘‘I am very grateful to the British government under you leadership for the help in security, particularly your training team that is in our institution in Kaduna,’’ he said.

Earlier, in remarks before the bilateral meeting, the Nigerian leader underscored the need for UK support on reviving of Lake Chad, which is a means of livelihood for millions of people.

The President told the visiting Prime Minister that Europe and China were already conducting an in-depth study on recharging the Lake through inter-basin transfer from the Central African Republic.

In her remarks, Prime Minister May, who welcomed the assurance by the Nigerian government on credible elections in 2019, said she was pleased to be in Abuja to continue the ‘‘excellent discussions’’ she started with President Buhari in London in April, this year, particularly on security, trade, asset recovery and the fight against corruption.

‘‘Security and defence cooperation are very important steps to address Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa,’’ May said.

On asset recovery, the Prime Minister told President Buhari: ‘‘we do not want to hold anything that belongs to Nigeria people, but we follow the judicial process, which can be slow.’’

The Prime Minister appealed to President Buhari to use his position as ECOWAS Chair to keep the issue of human trafficking on the front burner in the sub-region.

President Buhari and Prime Minister May witnessed the signing of two agreements: Security and Defence Partnership and Economic Development Forum Agreement.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
August 29, 2018

7 Things You Need To Know About NIRSAL’s Groundbreaking Transportation System- Secured Agricultural Commodity Route (SACR)

The Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing system for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) is a public-private initiative by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) aimed at defining, measuring, pricing and sharing agribusiness related credit risk.

NIRSAL “reduces the risks of financing institutions while granting agricultural loans by building the capacities of both banks and value chain actors on good practices in agricultural financing, loans utilization and repayment”.

1. On August 26, 2018, the NIRSAL revealed that it will soon unveil an innovative transportation system known as Secured Agricultural Commodity Route (SACR), designed to cut cost of moving farm produce from one place to another.

2. The Secured Agricultural Commodity Route (SACR) is a national transportation network designed for distribution of agricultural produce across Nigeria and is currently undergoing an in-depth internal testing process before its formal deployment.

3. SACR will seek to remove the holdups in Nigeria’s transport system for agricultural products and significantly reduce the prices of agricultural commodities by limiting the level of losses which occur post-harvest.

4. The SACR will cut across the eleven states in the Lakaji corridor including Katsina, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Lagos and will take three months to implement starting from August 2018.

5. The system is built around four complementary components:

(a) Agro-runner — This system will aid farmers to call and book for their produce to be transported to markets/designated aggregated zones.

(b) Secured commodity aggregation zones — These are areas selected for harvested agricultural produce.

(c ) Specialized haulage services — These are courier companies with specialized vehicles earmarked meant for transporting a collection of agricultural produce around the country. It is noteworthy that security personnel will be made aware of these companies to facilitate tax and regulatory checks on haulage vehicles.

(d) Dedicated commodity route — These are routes designated for transporting agricultural produce.

6. SACR will create a partnership with various stakeholders such as the Transport Unions (i.e. NURTW, NARTO), Agro Dealers, Produce Aggregators, Retailers, Smallholder Farmers, Logistic service providers, State and Local Governments, etc.

7. To ensure timely and effective implementation, NIRSAL will collaborate with the following MDAs and organisations: the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment (FMITI), Federal Produce Inspectorate Services (FPIS), Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS), Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Custom Services (NCS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Source: Business Day Newspaper

Lagos — Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail

156km-long Double-Track, Standard Gauge Railway Line from Lagos to Ibadan.

Construction commenced in 2017, after the flag-off by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in March 2017. (Track-laying commenced in 2018).

24 million square meters of earthwork, 314km Main Rail (double track), 60km Station Rail, 1.2 million cubic meters of ballast.

10 Stations in all: Apapa Harbour, Ebute Metta, Agege, Agbado, Kajola, Papalanto, Abeokuta, Olodo, Omi Adio, Ibadan.

More than 8,000 workers mobilized to site so far.

Construction has commenced on the Ebute Metta Station, which will be the biggest station on the line. It is located within the Railway Compound in Yaba. Apapa Harbour Station will have a Hotel and a Shopping Mall on the premises.

Papalanto is home to the Project Headquarters: a large construction yard is sited there, where manufacturing and fabrication of the construction materials is done. It is also the Project Management Office.

Office Of The Vice President

Press Release

Managing Resources Better & Providing For The People Properly, Will Move Nigeria Forward, Says VP Osinbajo

*Adds: Geographical restructuring not the problem

In contrast to simple geographical restructuring of the country, prudent management of national resources and providing for the people properly, are better ideas for Nigeria's development challenges, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo who stated this while fielding questions from a cross-section of Nigerians at a town hall meeting in Minnesota, the United States of America on Sunday, spoke on a wide range of issues covering the economy, anti-corruption, health, agriculture among others.

According to the Vice President, “the problem with our country is not a matter of restructuring and we must not allow ourselves to be drawn into the argument that our problems stem from some geographical restructuring. It is about managing resources properly and providing for the people properly, that is what it is all about.”

“I served for eight years as Attorney General in Lagos State and one of the chief issues that we fought for in Lagos state was what you call fiscal federalism. We felt that there was a need for the states to be stronger, for states to more or less determine their fortunes.

“So, for example, we went to court to contest the idea that every state should control, to a certain extent, its own resources (the so-called resource control debate). We were in court at that time up to the Supreme Court and the court ruled that oil-producing states should continue to get 13% derivation.

“While we were at the Supreme Court only the oil-producing states and Lagos were interested in resource control, everybody else was not interested in resource control for obvious reasons. Now, that is the way the argument has always gone, those who have the resources want to take all of it, while those who do not have want to share from others.”

Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo said, “My view is that we must create the environment that allows for people to realise themselves economically because that truly is what the challenge is with our country.”

The Vice President added that Buhari-led Federal Government has put in place an economic structure that is able to function properly despite previous challenges, particularly corruption that led to a slowdown in the economy.

On the impact of corruption on the economy and the solution adopted by the Buhari administration, Prof. Osinbajo noted that “Unless we are able to deal with the fundamental questions especially around corruption, our economic circumstance will keep going one step forward, two steps backwards”.

According to him, “When you talk about corruption in Nigeria, the truth is stranger than fiction. It is the kind of thing that would cripple an economy anywhere because you simply don’t have the resources for the graft and the greed of the numbers of people who want to steal the resources.

“All that we have been able to deal with is grand corruption. When we started the TSA, the whole point was to aggregate all of the funds of government that were in private banks. So we put all of the money in the central bank so that we could at least see the movement of money and by doing so, we were able to save 50% of the corruption that was going on then.”

He assured Nigerians in the US that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari could be trusted, noting that “we can say for sure that the President is not going to sign off money and just bring it out to share.”

Relying on OPEC statistics on oil revenues accruable to Nigeria under successive administrations between 1990 and 2014, the Vice President said not much had been done in terms of infrastructure development despite the huge oil revenues realized by the country.

According to him, “Under the IBB / Abacha administrations (1990 - 1998) Nigeria realized $199.8 billion; under the Obasanjo / Yar’Adua governments (1999 – 2009), the country got $401.1 billion; and during the Jonathan administration (2010 – 2014), Nigeria got $381.9 billion from oil revenues.”

“The question that we must all ask is that what exactly happened to resources? The question that I asked is that where is the infrastructure.

“One of the critical things that we must bear in mind and see is that this government despite earning $94 billion, up until 2017, we are spending more on infrastructure and capital than any previous government, so we are spending N1.5 trillion on capital, that is the highest we have spent since 1990,” he added.

Responding to concerns on how government is utilizing recovered funds, the Vice President disclosed that the Buhari administration is committed to a transparent use of the funds in providing infrastructure.

He said: “What we are doing with the proceeds of corruption is by making it a line in the budget so that it can be accounted for properly; it is not a special fund somewhere that is just being used in any way, but as a single line in the budget for infrastructure which is our major spend.”

In the area of agriculture, Prof. Osinbajo said, the target was to attain self-sufficiency in the production of rice, tomato etc.

According to him, “We are doing a lot of work in agriculture. Take rice, for instance, we are doing a lot in rice production and we have increased local production such that we are no longer spending $5 million daily on rice import.

“Today, we are doing 11 million metric tons of paddy rice and are now importing only 2 per cent of what we used to import.”

On Nigeria’s rise on the World Bank’s ease of doing business index, Prof. Osinbajo said though the challenges are daunting, the government was committed to going beyond the 24 places it moved up to in the last rankings.

The Vice President added that reforming Nigeria’s port system was top on the agenda of government as
efforts were underway to improve the turnaround time for cargo clearance at the ports.

According to him, “If you look at the port issue, for example, we must be able to clear our port system; people must be able to import and export their goods in hours not weeks and months.

“So, we have to work our port system and one of the things we have been able to do is what we call the National Trading Platform or the single window. We are getting to the point where we are going to launch the national trading platform where the whole port system is integrated into one.”

On improving the health budget at both the state and federal levels, the Vice President said the focus is on trying to do National Health Insurance because funding health care through budgeting has proved to be practically impossible.

According to him, “We simply do not have the resources, the states and Federal Government cannot do enough. So, the National Health Insurance is a very basic part of it and we are currently working now with the World Bank and with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to establish a proper National Health Insurance Scheme.”

Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S., Mr Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor led other Nigerians within and outside the state of Minnesota to the meeting held in Minneapolis.


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
27th August, 2018

FG Releases List Of 69 Ongoing Road, Bridge Projects In The South-East

The Federal Government has released the list of the 69 ongoing road and bridge projects in the South-east (please see attached list).

In a statement in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said though the contracts for many of the roads were awarded before the advent of this Administration, they were either poorly funded or not funded at all, hence work on the roads has lingered.

The Minister said the 69 roads and bridges, which are spread across the five states in the South-east, are now in different stages of completion, thanks to the funding sourced by the present Administration from budgetary allocations, the Sukuk Bond and the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund.

He said the government is also looking into the possibility of using a part of the recovered looted funds to fund the development of infrastructure across the country.

While announcing the projects, which include the rehabilitation of the existing Niger Bridge as well as the construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge last week, Alhaji Mohammed promised to publish the full list of the roads and bridges, as well as give a state-by-state breakdown of the total figure.

Segun Adeyemi
SA To Hon Minister of Information and Culture
Abuja
27 Aug. 2018

State House Press Release

Opposition Cannot Distract Us From The Good Work We Are Doing – President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Daura said the combined efforts of defectors and their backers in the opposition will not distract his administration from the good work it is doing for the benefit and development of Nigeria.

President Buhari stressed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has the full understanding of Nigeria’s challenges and is encouraged by the support of Nigerians in addressing them.

The President spoke at a lunch with some APC Governors accompanied by some members of the National and State assemblies and commissioners.

‘‘We are always encouraged when all our constituents are happy with the work we are doing and our genuine efforts to make sure that what we campaigned for in 2015 is still very much in our minds and we have not lost focus.

‘‘In terms of security, economy and the fight against corruption we have maintained focus. Even the opposition with all their resources cannot fault our identification of Nigeria’s priorities and the efforts being made to better them.

‘‘We will continue to do what we ought to do in the leadership position God has placed us and we thank the constituents for the support,’’ he said.

On the defections within the major political parties, the President reiterated his earlier message to them: ‘‘for those who have decided to change camp for whatever reason, we wish them good luck.’’

In his remarks, the leader of the delegation and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State commended the President for his great efforts in the keeping the nation together through visionary leadership.

He noted that President Buhari had remained focused and unshaken by situations and circumstances, adding that ‘‘it shows that your administration is approved by God.’’

Okorocha told the President, ‘‘we are here to encourage you to keep doing what you are doing you as Nigerians are very very pleased with you.

‘‘We also want to inform you that we had wonderful and peaceful Sallah celebration across the country because of security of lives and property you have guaranteed in our nation.’’

Governor Okorocha was accompanied by the Governors of Katsina, Kebbi, Kano and Niger States.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
August 23, 2018

State House Press Release

Security: FG, Governors Ready To Decentralise Policing In Nigeria

*There is relative calm in Benue, says Deputy Governor

Short of constitutional amendment, the Federal Government and State Governors have resolved to explore how the operations of the Nigeria Police can be decentralised in order to improve the level of policing and security in the country.

This is one of the highlights of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting today where a Committee of state governors and the Inspector-General of Police has been set up to ensure the decentralisation.
Members of the Committee include the Governors of Zamfara, Ondo, Plateau, Ebonyi, Katsina, Edo and Borno states, who will work with the IGP, Ibrahim Idris.

At the NEC meeting, the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.), assured that the Intelligence Community and Security Agencies will continue to sustain current efforts to mitigate the security challenges across the country.

Monguno had earlier briefed the Council on security matters.

Briefing State House correspondents, the Deputy Governor of Benue state, Mr. Benson Abounu, commended the efforts of the security agencies at mitigating the spate of insecurity in the state.

He especially thanked the security agencies for the thoroughness of Operation Whirl-Stroke, mounted by the Nigerian Army, in Benue State for their decisive operation which, according to him, has brought relative peace to the state.

Abounu, who spoke to reporters, said, “The security situation in Benue State has improved significantly. Now many Internally Displaced Persons have returned home, the State is relatively calm”.

At the NEC meeting also, presentations were made on Value Added Tax (VAT) and Withholding Tax by States and MDAs by the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Babatunde Fowler.

Dr. Fowler informed Council that the audit of the States MDAs has commenced with respective Governors and Finance Commissioners duly notified, adding that the total outstanding VAT and Withholding debt of States’ MDAs stand at N41,047,661,213.66 for the period 2008 to 2016.

Below are highlights of NEC deliberations:

NEC (8TH IN 2018) 91ST NEC MEETING – THURSDAY, 16TH AUGUST, 2018

A. Security Briefing By The National Security Adviser (NSA)

· The National Security Adviser (NSA), on behalf of the Security Chiefs in the country, briefed Council on the current security challenges across the country, particularly in the North West, North East, Middle Belt, South East and South-South.

· He informed Council on efforts being made by the Federal Government and urged the State Governments to support Federal Government’s efforts in dealing with the challenges in their respective States, particularly those with local perspectives.

· The NSA assured that the Intelligence Community and Security Agencies will continue to sustain current efforts to mitigate the security challenges across the country.

Council Decision
Cases of bandits should be prosecuted and adequately publicised by the States and Attorney-General encouraged to personally lead the prosecution.
Council recommended that a Committee of NEC with representatives from the geopolitical zones, including Zamfara, Ondo, Plateau, Ebonyi, Katsina, Edo and Borno States be set up to meet with the IG of Police, to determined how to ensure the decentralization of the police operations as quickly as possible.
Council also thanked the NSA and the Service Chiefs for their efforts

B. Presentation On Strategies For Optimising The Contribution Of MSMEs To The Country's Tax Revenue Profile By The Executive Chairman Of The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)

Highlights of the presentation, among others, are:

· The presentation centred on the contribution of MSMEs to GDP, National Export and to Tax collection for 2015 – 2018.
· It also highlighted the challenges impeding the optimization of MSMEs contribution to Tax Revenue.
· MSMEs are classified into: Micro Enterprises, Small Enterprises and Medium Enterprises.
· National Bureau of Statistics, in partnership with the MSMEs, gave the number of MSMEs in Nigeria as 37,067,419.
· When adequately harnessed, MSMEs can have much impact on the profile tax revenue for the country – especially considering their direct correlation with personal Income Tax, VAT and Withholding Taxes.

Challenges Impeding Optimization of MSMEs Contribution to Tax Revenue: among others
· Poor record-keeping and information management.
· Inability to distinguish personal capital from business money.
· Low awareness of Nigerian Tax Laws.
· Little or no business research leading to close of business.

FIRS Strategies and Rates – among others

Actions
Adequate man-power has been deployed to promptly attend to all tax related challenges by MSMEs.
Respective organs of Government saddled with disbursement and utilization of tax revenue should endeavour to be transparent and accountability in order to motivate Voluntary Tax Compliance by the MSMEs.
Government at all levels should endeavour to provide infrastructural facilities and enabling business environment to allow MSMEs Business to thrive.

C. Report On Value Added Tax (VAT) And Withholding Tax (WHT) By States Of The Federation, MDAs Of Government By The Chairman, FIRS


Highlights of the report among others are;
It is a report to Council on critical issues on the Value Added Tax (VAT) and Withholding Tax (WHT), status report on States Tax Audit exercise, total remittances by the States’ MDAs and contribution to non-import VAT.
Council is informed that the total outstanding debt of States’ MDAs stands at N41,047,661,213.66 for the period 2008 to 2016.
Process of bringing up-to-date status of VAT and WHT remittances by all States and MDAs by the FIRS is on.
For ease of VAT/WHT collection and automatic remittances of deductions to TSA, FIRS has deployed a Software Payment Platform (SPP) to facilitate States, MDAs computerisation and remittances.
The report informed Council that remittances from States (January to July 2018) stands at N40,299,839,092.79.
FIRS has duly notified the Governors and Finance Commissioners of the ongoing audit exercise and requests the cooperation and collaboration of the States for the success and timely conduct and completion of the exercise.
The report noted that the Honourable Minister of Finance has directed the Federal MDAs and States to verify the authenticity of Tax Clearance Certificates (TCC) online as presented by contractors before awarding contracts.
Federal and States MDAs are enjoined to send copies of Manual TCCs issues before August 22, 207 to FIRS for verification before awarding and making payments.
Action Points
All States MDAs are encouraged to adopt the use of the Payment platform or a comparative alternative – Governors to ensure compliance.
Action Points
· All States MDAs are encouraged to adopt the use of the Payment platform or a comparative alternative – Governors to ensure compliance.
· States Governors should direct their MDAs to cooperate with FIRS Auditors for timely completion of the States Audit exercise.

D. FAAC Update:

Report On Excess Crude Account (ECA)

Honourable Minister of Finance also reported to the Council that the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) as at August 14, 2018 stands at $2,250,434,918.00.

Update On Stabilization Fund Account:

Honourable Minister of Finance reported to the Council that the current balance in the Stabilization Account as at August 14, 2018 stands at N21,591,091,564.37.

Update On Natural Resources Development Fund

Honourable Minister of Finance equally reported to the Council that the current balance in the Natural Resources Development Fund as at August 14, 2018 stands at N143,479,688,711.25.

Released by:

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity)
Office of the Acting President
16th August, 2018

State House Press Release

Acting President Orders Immediate Overhaul Of The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Of The Nigeria Police

*Directs investigation on alleged violations of the squad

Following persistent complaints and reports on the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) that border on allegations of human rights violations, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to, with immediate effect, overhaul the management and activities of SARS and ensure that any Unit that will emerge from the process, will be intelligence-driven and restricted to the prevention and detection of armed robbery and kidnapping, and apprehension of offenders linked to the stated offences, and nothing more.

The Acting President has also directed the IGP to ensure that all operatives in the emerging Unit conduct their operations in strict adherence to the rule of law and with due regard to International Human Rights Law and the constitutionally guaranteed rights of suspects. The operatives should also bear proper identification anytime they are on duty.
In the meantime, the Acting President has directed the National Human Rights Commission to set up a Special Panel that will conduct an investigation of the alleged unlawful activities of SARS in order to afford members of the general public the opportunity to present their grievances with a view to ensuring redress.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President
on Media & Publicity
Office of the Acting President
14 August 2018

Press Release

FCTA Announces Abuja Rail Train Fares; Appreciate Residents For Patronising Free Train Services

The Secretary, Transportation Secretariat, Comrade Kayode Opeifa has announced fares as approved by the Federal Capital Territory Administration for Abuja Train Services from one point of the Stations to the other with effect from Monday,13th August, 2018 signalling the end of one month commercial free ride.

*A. Abuja Metro to and from the Airport Station*
Adults - N1000 (One Thousand Naira only)
Children and physically challenged - N700.00 (Seven Hundred Naira only)

*B. Abuja Metro to and from Idu Station, and Idu Station to and from Airport Station*
Adults - N500
Children and physically challenged - N300

TRIP specific ticket purchases will be done electronically at the Departure Lounge of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and at all our Operating stations Viz: Abuja Metro, Idu and Airport stations from ticket dispensing Kiosks, Ticketers and provided POS Machines.

Payment verification system is also provided at all the stations to control and count passengers after payment have been made.

Comrade Opeifa also appreciated Residents of the Federal Capital Territory and Visitors who patronised the Train services during the one month free train ride services provided by the Administration to commute through Metro- Idu- and Airport Stations of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit Services.

The Administration had announced the commencement of one month free train services a day after the commissioning of the project on the 12th of July, 2018.

Many Federal Capital Territory Residents, visitors and tourists alike utilised the opportunity to savour the beauties of the train services.

The Administration enjoins the public to cooperate with it for the payment innovation being deployed for the train services in the Federal Capital Territory.

Ifeanyi Ughamadu
Assistant Director, Information, Transportation Secretariat.

Acting President Condemns Unauthorized Takeover Of The National Assembly

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has described the unauthorized takeover of the National Assembly complex earlier today as a gross violation of constitutional order, rule of law and all accepted notions of law and order.

According to him, the unlawful act which was done without the knowledge of the Presidency is condemnable and completely unacceptable.

By this statement, Professor Osinbajo is consequently assuring Nigerians that all persons within the law enforcement apparatus who participated in this travesty will be identified and subjected to appropriate disciplinary action.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity,
Office of the Acting President,
07 August, 2018

Itakpe – Ajaokuta – Warri Rail Line

327km standard-gauge rail line to link Itakpe in Kogi State to Ajaokuta and then on to Warri, Delta State (Itakpe to Ajaokuta, 50km; Ajaokuta to Warri, 277km)

Conceived in the 1980s, construction commenced in 1987. Subsequent administrations failed to complete it and put it to use. President Buhari takes it as a priority project and is committed to completing it by 2019.

Originally envisioned as a freight-only line, to link key industries and ports in Nigeria’s iron ore and steel producing belt. Now being reconfigured into a Passenger and Freight rail line, to form the Central Line of Nigeria’s National Rail Network. There are plans to in the near future extend the line to reach Lokoja and Abuja, where it will connect with the Kaduna-Abuja Rail Line.

When completed, it will halve travel time between the Niger Delta and the Northern part of Nigeria, as well as open up several towns and villages along the rail corridor.

12 Stations in all, across Kogi, Edo and Delta States. Agbor in Edo State will be the central hub of the line, home to the biggest passenger station, as well as a Railway Village. Agbor is 60km from Asaba, 70km from Benin and 75km from Onitsha.

State House Press Release

President Buhari Commiserates With Kebbi State On Flood Disasters

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his sympathy with the people of Kebbi State on the flood disasters that have destroyed farmlands and engendered considerable losses of crops and homes.

Reacting to the latest outbreak of the natural disaster that has affected a number of states in this year’s rainy season, President Buhari said he was "highly touched by the sheer scale of the losses suffered by our hard working farmers in Kebbi State."

According to President Buhari, "this sad news couldn't have come at a worse time for this administration because of the role of Kebbi State farmers in supporting the government's initiative to promote local rice production as part of efforts to reduce Nigeria's dependence on importation of the commodity. This flood disaster represents a setback for the efforts to boost local rice production in the country, for which Kebbi State is playing a leading role."

Apart from creating job opportunities and decent incomes for our farmers, President Buhari noted that agriculture plays a key role in the economy of any country.

"When our farmers are hit by these kinds of large scale losses on account of natural disasters, the government should be genuinely concerned, especially as this unfortunate event occurred at a critical time when my administration is pursuing a policy to restore the primacy of agriculture in our national life", the President added.

President Buhari urged the affected farmers not to despair, assuring them that they will not be forgotten by the federal government. He commended the state government led by Senator Abubakar Bagudu for the swift measures put into action to alleviate the hardship of the victims and equally directed emergency federal aid in support.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 28, 2018

State House Press Release

Law Enforcement Agencies Should Be Allowed To Do Their Work – Presidency

The Presidency has taken note of the orchestrated campaign against President Muhammadu Buhari each time a Very Important Person (VIP) is invited by the law enforcement agencies, in the discharge of their legitimate duties and functions. The law of the land is intended for all, not for the poor or those at the lowest rungs of the social ladder. It is odd, strange and bizarre that while ordinary citizens can be called up to answer questions or be interrogated, the VIP cannot be questioned without the annoying insinuations of partisanship, persecution or outright politicization.

This country cannot achieve development in peace when important cases are viewed through a political prism and the law is considered as being applicable to some, and not applicable to others. The workings of law enforcement agencies are set out in the constitution and the laws of the country. If they worked at the discretion of past presidents, who decided who to question and who to detain, Nigerians should get used to the fact that this President is different. President Buhari does not and will not influence or interfere with cases. The constitution clearly directs law enforcement agencies to promptly report and investigate any actual or potential infringement of the law and also initiate proceedings against all those involved. This President is not the one who directs them on what to do.

President Buhari does not stand in the way of law enforcement either. Under our constitution, he has no powers to stop the investigation of anyone or institution. When they are set to investigate anything and anyone, the best friend of the law is the one who lets them do their work. The President’s constant refrain is that he will not tolerate any form of illegality including corruption and the law enforcement agencies have been given complete freedom to identify and bring all culprits to justice. His instructions to them are very clear: Anyone with a case to answer or found guilty should not be spared. Accused persons should approach the courts to plead their innocence rather than going to the public to plead persecution.

The country is better served when the law enforcement agencies are allowed to do their work and we must stop the actors of this dangerous game of politicizing law enforcement.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 24, 2018

State House Press Release

President Buhari Expresses Total Commitment To Democracy, Wishes Decamped Members Well

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his total commitment to the values of democracy, freedom of choice as well as total willingness to work with all members of the National Assembly, irrespective of their political party, for the benefit of the nation.

In his reaction to the developments Tuesday morning at the National Assembly, the President noted that none of the defecting federal lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had any specific grievances against him or the government he leads; neither did he harbour anything against any of them.

“As the saying goes, all politics is local. We understand that some of the distinguished and honourable lawmakers have issues with their home states, especially on zoning which bars some of them from seeking another term in their constituencies,” he said.

Noting that the APC had done its utmost to stop the defections, the President commended the leadership of the party for relentlessly working for its unity and ensuring success in the upcoming elections.

President Buhari assured members of the APC of his total support and urged party faithful not to despair but to see the defections as a seasonal occurrence that happens on election eve.

He expressed confidence that no harm or injury will be done to the party and its aspirations by the movements.

President Buhari wished all the decamped members the best in their future undertakings.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 24, 2018

PMB At International Criminal Court (ICC): Proud To Be Nigerian by Femi Adesina

I've seen him address the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Seen him speak at AU (African Union) summits. Seen him address the European Parliament at Salzburg, France. Watched him speak to the world a number of times at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). And on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, he stood ramrod straight to address the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands. It was a time one felt tremendously proud to be Nigerian.

I have been on the entourage of President Muhammadu Buhari to scores of countries round the world, I have seen how he is well respected by global leaders, and how that reverence rubs off on Nigeria. I tell you, despite all the challenges our country currently faces, we have a leader the world adulates. His honesty, integrity, transparency, love for his country, personal discipline, and many others, are stuff that fairy tales are made of.

At 9.35 am Tuesday, President Buhari was ushered into the main hall of the ICC. He stood straight, in a way that belies his age of 75. Before taking his seat, he bowed reverently to the 17 judges, resplendent in their blue robes and white mufflers. The judges were picked from all regions of the world, and four of them were Blacks. Out of those four, the President, Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, is Nigerian. All hail our own dear native land!

Judge Eboe-Osuji gave the opening remarks, which dwelt on the history of ICC, its successes, and how it could do a lot better in the immediate future. Turning 20 was a landmark, he stressed, and that was why the Nigerian leader had been invited to present a Keynote Address.

President Buhari was invited to the podium. Another bow, and those brisk strides again! A man they said, had died, and had been secretly buried this time last year! God is awesome.

That familiar voice came, and one never felt prouder to be Nigerian. The Fulani man, whom some people have tried (and still keep trying) to demonize, demean, and de-market, was addressing the world again. He was addressing a global audience, and people who mattered on this terra firma, were all ears, catching his every word. Again, really proud to be Nigerian.

What did the keynote speaker say? He first commended Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, saying Nigeria was proud of him. He then delved into the history of the ICC, saying it was inspired by the Nuremberg trials after World War 2, which held people accountable for crimes against humanity, war crimes, crimes of genocide, and aggression. Such court, President Buhari noted, signposts hope for justice to many, and the world surely needs it.

A strong ICC, the keynote speaker added, is a catalyst for other justice efforts, expanding the reach of accountability. And then his prescriptions, going forward:

Let the court make room for hearing serious cases of corruption by state actors that severely compromise the development efforts of countries and throw citizens into greater poverty.

Also, the court could include cases of illicit financial flows where countries are complicit and obstruct repatriation of stolen assets.

"As AU Champion of Anti-corruption, these are issues dear to my heart," President Buhari stressed.

Before concluding his address, the Nigerian President urged the ICC to avoid bias or political motivations in its dealings, and also challenged more states to accede to the Rome Statute, the 20th Anniversary of which was being marked.

He ended on a bright and cheery note. As Nigeria prepares for general elections next year, the process would be free and fair. There would be no repeat of the 2011 post-election riots and loss of lives, which led the ICC to commence preliminary investigations against Nigeria.

The applause was thunderous, as a man of integrity, Mai Gaskiya (the honest man) concluded his address. It was a day of glory for Nigeria, and all Nigerians of goodwill. Truly, a prophet often has more honour outside, than in his own country. But then, this prophet undoubtedly has honour everywhere.

Adesina is Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity.

Photos: Yesterday, Minister of State, Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika unveils Nigeria Air to be operational in December 2018 at the Farnborough International Air Show taking place in the United Kingdom.

Office Of The Vice President

Press Release

FG Will Provide Support, Relief Materials For Those Affected, VP Osinbajo Commiserates With Flood Victims During Unscheduled Stop In Katsina

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has expressed the condolences of the Federal Government to the people affected by the tragic flooding in Katsina State on Monday, stating that the Buhari administration will ensure that it provides relief materials and support for those affected.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Tuesday night when he made an unscheduled stop at the border town of Jibia in Katsina State, where 44 lives were lost following the rainstorms that wreaked havoc in the area on Monday.

He said, “I am here on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari to extend his sincere condolences to you all and to say that we are all very sorry and very sad that this has happened here. But I want to assure on behalf of Mr. President that we will support you in every way.”
The Vice President also stated that the Federal Government will ensure that the victims are compensated. Whatever damage that has been done,
Prof. Osinbajo said, “We will be working with the state government and with the DG, NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency) to provide all of the facilities and all of the necessary relief materials that is needed here.
“We are working with the state government to make sure that all of what is required to make these places safe is done so that the drainage is clear and all of the necessary drainage facilities are provided. And that where people are building on drainage, we’’ll also make sure that we relocate them so that they are not building on drainage anymore.
“I pray that this sort of thing will never happen again, and that we will ever see this kind of tragedy again. Let us continue to be steadfast. We believe the Almighty God that there will always be peace and calm in our cities.”


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity,
Office of the Vice President,
18th July, 2018

Office Of The Vice President

Press Release

Private Sector Chieftains Endorse Buhari's Economic Policies, Direction‎

*VP Osinbajo attributes progress in economy to effective public-private partnership

The 8th version of the Presidential Business Forum hosted quarterly by the Buhari administration today witnessed notable endorsement of the country’s economic policies and direction from private sector chieftains, offering commendation and praise for ongoing Federal Government reforms.

Chief Nike Akande, the honorary life Vice-President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture and Engr. Ibrahim Usman, the Vice President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in the Northwest zone, both expressed their commendations during the interactive session of the forum, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. The chieftains said the economic initiatives of the Federal Government have recorded steady improvements, particularly in power, infrastructure and ease of doing business reforms.

Speaking on the general business environment in the country, Mrs Nike Akande said “first I have to recognize the efforts of the government. The ease of doing business is working and I can attest to that myself.” She also expressed optimism that “things will continue to improve as a lot had already improved in the country especially in the area of power.”

In the area of port operation, Mrs Akande said there was need to improve access to Tin can and Apapa ports to complement government’s ease of doing business initiative. On his part, Engr. Ibrahim commended the Federal Government’s initiative to address the power generation and supply challenges in the country, which according to him, “has helped the growth of commerce and trade in Nigeria”. He said: “We know this government is doing very well on infrastructure especially in power, roads and railway sectors.”

The Vice President of MAN added that “there is much to be done to make our goods and services to be more competitive and that is the only way we can benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area.”

In his remarks at the meeting, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the crucial component of the present administration’s economic policy has been, from the onset, “our partnership with the private sector and a rigorous process of engagement with them”.

According to him, “this is neither merely ideological nor rhetorical, it is simply the only way to go. Our 2018 budget is N9 trillion, and if you add the budgets of all 36 States, you may add probably another N12-15 trillion. This is barely 10% of GDP. Meanwhile private sector investment in the economy is in the order of 60-70% of GDP. How do you plan when most of your economy is not factored in?

“This is why in practically every detail of the implementation of our ERGP, we have ensured a rigorous process of engagement with the private sector.He added that the development of FG’s policies around exports and other aspects of trade have also taken the same route of constant engagement with the private sector.

The 8th edition of the Presidential Quarterly Business Forum focused on Export.
According to the Vice President, “we have dedicated groups looking at a variety of issues important to our export strategies. Our trade policy motives are to use the appropriate tools and instruments to strengthen the export potential within the economy and exporters who add value to goods; and apply incentives that promote and support investments and exporters who add value to goods.”

On Nigeria’s negotiations regarding the African Continental Free Trade Agreement the Vice President said “there are clearly huge gains for us. The rest of Africa also naturally see the enormous advantage of Nigeria’s participation. But we must be sure that we get the best possible terms for Nigerian trade and commerce.”

He however urged stakeholders “to be careful not to give the impression that there are minimum preconditions for continuous engagement with the process of signing the AfCTA”. “Our focus is to create a strong economy that is friendly to investment and that is conducive for growth and resilient to shocks.

“To grow additional investments, we are also developing a systematic and data-driven approach towards engaging with international trade partners which will ensure that we are focused in our approach to entering bilateral trade engagements and we realise maximum returns from this,” Prof Osinbajo explained. On the government’s efforts to improve infrastructure in the country, the Vice President said “the difference in substance in this administration, is the President's commitment to getting infrastructure done.”

According to him, “not only are we investing more than ever before on infrastructure, we are also ensuring that we complete projects like the Kaduna-Abuja railway, Abuja light rail, started in 2007, stalled in 2010, meant to have been completed in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, it was abandoned, we just completed it in 2018. Although our opponents criticise us and say we are shameless, for even completing the project! The Mambilla Hydro Project is 40 years old in planning, but we have now budgeted for it and we are raising the capital.”

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
16 July, 2018

State House Press Release

President Buhari Orders Repatriation Of Nigerians Stranded In Russia

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, to commence the process of repatriating Nigerians who travelled to Russia for the FIFA 2018 World Cup and got stranded after the competition.

The Nigerian football fans got stranded in the country following the activities of some unscrupulous travel agents who cancelled their return tickets and abandoned them to their fate.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Aviation have in compliance with the President’s directive taken the necessary actions to bring the Nigerians back.

The Presidential directive is in line with the policy of the current administration to ensure the welfare of all Nigerians in every part of the world.

It would be recalled that the President Buhari administration has on several occasions ensured the repatriation of Nigerians from foreign countries like Libya and other conflict zones.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media and Publicity)
16th July 2018

State House Press Release

President Buhari Lauds Quality Of Nigerian Professionals In Netherlands

"I am pleased with the quality of people I am seeing. You are high quality people. Congratulations on your personal achievements."

Those were the words of President Muhammadu Buhari as he met with members of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO), the Netherlands Chapter, Monday, on the sidelines of his Official Visit to The Hague, Netherlands.

Saying he was quite pleased with their intellectual and professional achievements, the President lauded them for representing Nigeria well, and for always being in touch with their motherland.

Among those who met President Buhari were Julius Nnamdi Nwankpa, Chairman NIDO, Dr Mustapha Gidado, a specialist in tuberculosis, having oversight over management of the disease in 22 countries, Lola Visser Mabogunje, a performance monitoring expert, Dr Peter Ngene, a research scientist and Assistant Professor at Utrecht University, Engineer Cornelius Obot, a software expert, and Toyin Loyo, an artist and culture enthusiast of international repute.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Nwankpa, the NIDO Chairman, commended President Buhari for the war against corruption, "for which you have earned respect around the world," high improvement in infrastructural development, and for signing into law the Diaspora Commission Bill, which he hoped would "become effective as soon as possible."

On the security situation in Nigeria, the NIDO Chairman urged the government and security team to accelerate stoppage of unfortunate killings, while also calling on Nigerians "to play their roles in breaking the cycle of violence, which usually has no winner."

The delegation presented the gift of an artwork called Light to President Buhari, with Toyin Loyo, the creator of the work saying: "The work is illuminating. You bring light, which will never go out, and which will shine round the clock."

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
July 16, 2018

State House Press Release

Combating Insecurity In The Country: Lest We Forget – Presidency

A popular refrain from some quarters is that the President is not doing enough to combat the insecurity that has beleaguered the country in recent times.

Lest that untruth begins to wear a garb of reality, let us consider some initiatives taken under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to rein in the security situation, particularly since January, 2018.

January 2018

Ø Leadership of the police deployed to Benue State, after mass killings reportedly committed by herdsmen. This was followed by a fact-finding team led by the Minister of Interior, and deployment of Special Forces of the military, to restore law and order.

Ø National Economic Council sets up 10-man committee on farmers/herdsmen clashes, headed by the Vice President.

Ø The 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, launched a special operation, Karamin Goro (Small Kolanut), in collaboration with the Air Force, Police, Department of State Services, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC; to tackle kidnapping, robbery and cattle rustling in parts of Kaduna and Niger States (Minna-Birnin Gwari-Pandogari and Minna-Sarkin Pawa general areas)

February 2018

Ø The Nigerian Army commenced Exercise Ayem Akpatuma covering Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger States, in order to tackle the cases of kidnappings, herdsmen/farmers’ clashes, among others.

Ø The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) inducted its first indigenous operational Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Tsaigumi. The newly-inducted UAV has day and night capability, an operational endurance in excess of 10 hours, a service ceiling of 15,000 feet and a mission radius of 100km, and is capable of being used for policing operations, disaster management, convoy protection, maritime patrol, pipeline, power line monitoring as well as mapping and border patrol duties.

Ø The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) established a total of 10 new Units as NAF had concluded plans to set up Quick Response Wings (QRWs) across Nasarawa State, in a bid to tackle the herders/farmers clashes plaguing some states within the axis.

March 2018

Ø President Buhari began sympathy visits to states that had

experienced wanton killings in the country.

Ø The Nigerian Army extended Exercise Ayem Akpatuma in Taraba State by two months.

Ø The committee set up by the National Economic Council on farmers/herdsmen clashes submits report, making far reaching recommendations for peace, including ranching in five states.

April 2018

Ø The Nigerian Air Force took delivery of a second batch of 2 brand new Mi-35N helicopter gunships to boost internal security.

Ø Deployed Special Force to Zamfara State to combat criminality

May 2018

Ø The Nigerian Police Force inaugurated a Mobile Squadron in Takum, Taraba State.

Ø The Nigerian Air Force established 3 new Quick Response Wings (QRW) in Taraba, Nasarawa and Benue States respectively, and deployed Special Forces personnel to these new bases. (Taraba State QRW is located in Nguroje; Nasarawa State QRW in Doma; and Benue State QRW in Agatu).

Ø Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris ordered the deployment of 200 policemen, and 10 patrol vehicles to Birnin Gwari (Kaduna-Zamfara axis) to tackle armed banditry in the area.

Ø President Buhari approved the establishment of a new Battalion of the Nigerian Army, as well as a new Police Area Command, in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State, as part of measures to scale up the security response to the banditry affecting the area. Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai, has since flagged off the new Battalion (2 Battalion Forward Operating Base, FOB) in Kanfanin Doka Village, Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State.

Ø The Defence Headquarters assembled a Special Military Intervention Force comprising more than 1,000 personnel, drawn from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Police, DSS and NSCDC, to respond to the security challenges in the North Central and North West. On May 8, 2018, the Force launched Operation WHIRL STROKE, as a full-scale military operation to completely restore law, order and stability in the affected communities. The Whirl Stroke Operational Force Commander is Major General Adeyemi Yekini.

Ø Chief of Army Staff inducted a mix of 49 Toyota Land Cruisers and Innoson gun trucks, at the HQ of the 133 Special Forces Battalion of the Nigerian Army at Azare, to support the ongoing OPERATION LAST HOLD in Northern Borno.

Ø NAF launched newly-constructed accommodation for the 205 Combat Search and Rescue Group (CSARG) — established in 2017 to provide aid and operational assistance to wounded and distressed troops serving in combat units — in Kerang, Plateau State.

Ø The Air Task Force of NAF commenced Operation THUNDER STRIKE to attack selected locations of Boko Haram Terrorists in the North-East.

Ø The Nigerian Army commissioned its new Forward Operating Base in Epe, Lagos State

June 2018

Ø NAF deployed combat helicopter to its 207 Quick Response Group (QRG) in Gusau, Zamfara State to support the fight against armed banditry in the town and its environs.

July 2018

Ø President Buhari approved the establishment of Operation WHIRL STROKE II, for deployment in Zamfara and Kaduna States.

Securing the length and breadth of the country is a continuing commitment. It is one of the key pledges of the Buhari administration, which it is carrying out night and day.

In May 2015, when the administration emerged, the security situation was in tatters. It pulled up its bootstraps, rolled up its sleeves, set to work, and the Boko Haram insurgency was beaten back. It was eventually degraded.

Other security challenges are being tackled and will subsequently become history. Not doing enough, as some critics claim, is not part of the deal, nor is it reality, no, not by any stretch of the imagination. A lot is being done, and success is guaranteed.


Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
July 16, 2018

Attached is a sequence of Federal Government Interventions in Plateau State following recent killings in the State.