₦airaland Forum

State House Press Release

President Buhari Lauds Educational Ties Between Nigeria And Belarus

Education is the veritable doorway through which the boundless potentials of youths can be positively harnessed for the benefit of society, and the country at large, said President Muhammadu Buhari. The President made the declaration Thursday at State House, Abuja, while receiving the outgoing Ambassador of Belarus, His Excellency Vyacheslav Beskosty, who has spent over six years in Nigeria as the pioneer Ambassador of his country.

"I am impressed by your successful tour of duty, particularly in the area of educational ties between our countries. Over 600 young Nigerians are in your country, trying to guarantee a better future for themselves through education," President Buhari said. He added that the relationship between Nigeria and Belarus was sure to grow stronger in the years ahead.

Ambassador Beskosty said Nigeria had "big potential for economic cooperation" with his country, adding that military and technical ties were equally proceeding satisfactorily. Noting that agricultural development was on the priority list of the Buhari administration, he added that Belarus, as the world's biggest producer of fertilizers, and a giant in production of tractors "has a great role to play in the bid to achieve food self-sufficiency" in Nigeria.

The outgoing Ambassador commended the Buhari administration for its service to the nation, noting that people were already seeing significant changes in the country.


Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
July 12, 2018

Keynote Address By His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President, Federal Republic Of Nigeria, On The Occasion Of The Commissioning Of The Abuja Light Rail System, Thursday, July 12, 2018.

Protocols:

I am very pleased to be here today to formally Commission the Abuja Light Rail System. The completion of this very important project is a dream come-true . I commend the Hon. Minister of F.C.T for the hard work and sense of purpose towards the realization of this long awaited modern transportation system for both FCT residents and visitors.

2. This accomplishment clearly demonstrates our commitment to addressing critical infrastructural projects and keeping with the ideals of the Change Agenda to ensure prudence in the management of public resources, value for money considering the huge investments in this project.

3. Transportation is the live wire of any city. I am very optimistic that a modern rail service would bring about a boost to the FCT economy and greatly enhance social life. I am aware that what we have on ground today are coaches meant to provide skeletal services as we await the main set of the rolling stock for full operations.

4. I have been briefed on the outcome of the Hon. Ministers of F.C.T and Finance recent visit to China, during which the MOUs and agreements for the procurements of the main rolling stock were signed.

5. May I therefore assure Nigerians of Federal Government’s continued support for all the negotiations towards the realization of the Abuja Light Rail system.

6. Today, what we have in the Federal Capital Territory is another evidence that we are a government that delivers on its promises. I have observed keenly other milestones that this Administration has achieved, especially in the areas of education, public utilities and infrastructure development.

7. I commend the efforts of the Hon. Minister of F.C.T. as well as the support and patience of the residents, while we are working to improve the city’s transportation service.

8. I am thankful to the Government and people of China for their investment in the Nigerian economy. I commend the CCECC Limited – the Contracting Firm, for the quality of work and timely delivery of this project.

9. Let me place on record the Nigerian government’s appreciation to the Government of China and the EXIM Bank of China for their support on this and many other projects currently being executed in the country. This gesture further cements the already existing cordial relations and developmental partnership between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China.

10. I would also like to thank our Nigerian Consultants, Messrs Transurb Technirail Consult Limited for their services.

11. Let me conclude by urging the FCT Administration, especially, the management of the rail services, to ensure efficient operations, good customer service and maintenance culture in the operations punctuality of the rail.

12. Now it is my honour and sincere pleasure to commission the Abuja Light Rail System.

Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Office Of The Vice President

Press Release

Fact Sheet: Global Opportunities In Nigeria's Technology Hub

*As VP Osinbajo leads roadshow to showcase growth of Nigeria’s technology & entertainment sectors

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, will be leading a public-private sector collaborative investment roadshow to the United States, where he will be speaking to global industry leaders in information technology and entertainment at the Silicon Valley in San Francisco and Hollywood in Los Angeles, California, from Monday, July 9 to Wednesday, July 11, 2018.

It would be recalled that in recognition of the central role of innovation and technology in the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery & Growth Plan, the Vice President has spoken extensively about the commitment of Government to supporting the growth of technology and creative industries in the country through its policies and reforms.

Find below highlights of the growth of technology, creative industry in Nigeria
Lagos is one of Africa’s largest markets, with GDP of over $136 billion and significant young population
Lagos startups are also building to serve the entire African market, with high quality and relatively lower cost talent
Startups like Andela, NESA, and Data Science Nigeria are training developers and Data Scientists
Strong community and support system through incubators, accelerators & dev communities
Nigeria has recorded significant progress made in recent years with local and international VC funds emerging with over $100 million invested in 2017.

Over $100 million raised from VC investors by Nigerian startups.

Over $ 40 million raised each by Flutterwave and Andela, and SureRemit recently raised $7 million in an ICO.

Government led initiatives (LSETF, Startup Mambilla etc) also providing early stage capital
Nigeria’s young population have strong entrepreneurial and risk taking culture, evident in the growing number of innovative companies leveraging technology to solve locally relevant problems
Several global technology leaders have launched initiatives aimed at Nigeria, including:
Google Launchpad for Nigeria, the first ever Launchpad outside San Francisco
Facebook recently launched physical hub space in Lagos
GE operates a GE Lagos garage for startups

Growth of technology hubs in Lagos has attracted gloabl attention with recent visits by CEOs of Google, Facebook, Microsoft
Significant growth in number of Nigerian startups accepted into global accelerators- Y-Combinator, 500 Startups
FinTech’s with significant Nigerian operations also raising major funding e.g. Cellulant raised $47.5 million
NEW FRONTIERS: Significant strides made by Nigeria’s technology startups:

Online and mobile money payment processors and gateways facilitating web payment through different payment methods (card, bank accounts etc.), e.g. Flutterwave processed over $1.2 billion in transactions in 1 year;
Paga has acquired 8 million customers since inception
Several startups leveraging alternative data sources and data science to lend to the underbanked, e.g. Paylater issuing over 1,000 loans daily with 5-minute disbursements
Players leveraging web payment channels to create alternative automated savings products, e.g. Piggybank grew deposits over 3000% in 2017
NIGERIA’S E-COMMERCE CHAMPIONS
Jumia has emerged as Africa’s first unicorn acquiring over 1 million customers
Innovative players creating new channels in entertainment and media consumption such as Adtech players like Twinpine which has created a mobile ad network for Africa leveraging telco data
IrokoTV is the largest distributor of Nollywood content globally
Players digitizing an offline health industry and increasing access to healthcare for the mass market e.g. Lifebank, which recently raised $1m to help hospitals better access blood & other health supplies
Companies leveraging technology to serve small holder farmers and increase funding for agriculture, e.g. FarmCrowdy has raised over $1 million to build a crowd-funding platform for agriculture and bring Nigeria’s farmers online
Startups solving the problem of easing access to physical goods in Nigeria leveraging tech solutions, e.g. Kobo360 has built the ‘Uber for trucks’- matching truck drivers to companies who need their services, and recently raised $1.2M from Western Technology Investment
Andela is creating the next generation of tech developers across Africa and providing opportunities for global firms to leverage African talent. Has raised over $80 million from several investors including Chan Zuckerberg initiative
Several innovative players building solutions across off grid solar solutions, recycling and environmental protection, e.g. Rensource is building the largest off-grid solar network in Nigeria

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
9th July 2018

Remarks By His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria, On The Occasion Of The Signing Of Executive Order No. 6 Of 2018 On The Preservation Of Assets Connected With Serious Corruption And Other Relevant Offences

I am delighted to welcome you all to this very important occasion which is another milestone in the fight against corruption- a project that is very crucial to the viability and continuous well-being of this country. Whilst there are many reasons why Nigeria has been struggling; regrettably, the most unfortunate cause of great disparity between Nigeria’s wealth and its poverty is endemic corruption.

2. There is also a very strong link between corruption, peace and security. Unfortunately, corruption is everywhere; at all levels of government, and every stratum of our society. Without doubt, corruption constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the well-being, national security, and economy of Nigeria.

3. Mindful of this serious challenge, as you are all aware, before coming into government, this Administration specifically promised Nigerians that it will address the challenges facing our nation in the three areas of:
(a) Security, (b) Economy and (c) Corruption.

4. As a government, and in furtherance of our anti-corruption programme, we have since inception engaged in multi-sectoral reforms on anti-corruption including the enforcement of Treasury Single Account (TSA), strict implementation of the Bank Verification Number Policy, Signing of the Open Government Partnership, and a lot of efforts have gone into building and development of our anti-corruption institutions among others.

5. We have so far kept faith with our promise and shall remain committed thereto until Nigeria triumphs over the evil of corruption, attain a prosperous economic status and surmounts all her security challenges.

6. Like I have many times said, if Nigeria does not kill corruption, corruption will sooner-or later kill Nigeria. Therefore, after three years in office, it is an opportune time to further review our achievements against set goals, and where necessary; re-appraise our strategy in order to achieve our outstanding objectives.

7. As this real battle continues, we still need to strengthen our policies and institutions in order to successfully fight corruption. We recognise that there are more grounds to cover in the war against corruption, and we are prepared to go out to possess those lands by cutting off any means that facilitates corruption and supports its growth.

8. From available records, the aggregate value of funds involved in some on-going prosecution of high profile corruption related cases stands at N595,409,838,452.25k. This amount is in excess of the N500 billion approved for Social Investment Programme in the 2018 Budget, which sum would be applied to cater for home grown school feeding programme, government economic empowerment programme, N-Power Job Creation Programme, Conditional Cash Transfers, etc. Cumulatively, scores of millions of Nigerian citizens would benefit from those programmes.

9. To further put things in perspective, the highest appropriation in the 2018 Budget in the sum of N344 billion went to the Ministry of Works for construction and rehabilitation of several roads nationwide. These roads are:

a. Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Dual Carriageway;
b. Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa Bokani Road;
c. Abuja-Abaji Road;
d. Kano –Maiduguri Road;
e. Enugu-P/Harcourt Dual Carriageway;
f. Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road;
g. Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Kontangora- Makera Road;
h. Dualisation of Obajana to Benin;
i. Calabar-Ugep-Katsina-Ala Road;
j. Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway;
k. Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway;
l. Benin-Ofosu-Ore-Ajebandele-Sagamu Expressway Phase III;
m. Kontagora-Bangi Road.

10. All the foregoing roads are expected to be either constructed or repaired with equivalent of about 57% of the monies recovered by some of the on-going high profile corruption related cases.

11. It has thus become necessary to re-kit and re-tool our arsenal to be able to effectively tackle corruption’s perilous counter-attack against the Nigerian State. Accordingly, the Federal Government of Nigeria has declared a national emergency to deal with that crisis. In this regard, the Federal Government of Nigeria in line with its anti-corruption strategy seeks to ensure that the ends of justice is not defeated or compromised by persons involved in a case or complaint of corruption.

12. It is in consequence of this that I have decided to issue the Executive Order No. 6 of 2018 to inter alia restrict dealings in suspicious assets subject to investigation or inquiry bordering on corruption in order to preserve such assets from dissipation, and to deprive alleged criminals of the proceeds of their illicit activities which can otherwise be employed to allure, pervert and/or intimidate the investigative and judicial processes or for acts of terrorism, financing of terrorism, kidnapping, sponsorship of ethnic or religious violence, economic sabotage and cases of economic and financial crimes, including acts contributing to the economic adversity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and against the overall interest of justice and the welfare of the Nigerian State.

13. Happily, the fight against corruption is gaining more momentum among the African States. We just returned from the African Anti-Corruption Year event at Nouakchott, Mauritania where all African Heads of State were gathered to promote the anti-corruption message.

14. Nigeria and 39 other African States have ratified the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption. I pledge to elevate the African Union anti-corruption agenda at the next session of the United Nations General Assembly in September.

15. Therefore, in order to preserve Nigeria’s political and economic systems, and the continuous progress of the Nigerian State from the serious threat of corruption, I call on all stakeholders, and indeed every Nigerian to give effect to this Executive Order.

16. Agencies of the Federal Government in consultation with the Attorney General of the Federation should identify and adopt best practices, and develop strategies for action. The fight against corruption is one that must be fought by everyone wherever corruption rears its head.

17. I thank you all for your anticipated cooperation and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

State House Press Release

Government Policy In Mining Sector Showing Positive Results – President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja said the Federal Government’s key policy objective of rejuvenating the mining sector was being realised as witnessed by the diversification of the economy and broadening of the country’s revenue base.

Speaking while receiving the National Executive members of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) at the State House, the President also expressed delight with the ongoing formalisation of illegal mining as a way of curbing its implications on national security, revenue generation, the environment, health and safety of the citizens.

President Buhari said his administration has been vindicated in its assumption that the nation’s endowment in mineral resources, the mining and solid minerals sector have the potential to create employment, increase revenue and reduce poverty.

He attributed the successes recorded so far to the Federal Government’s policy of increasing budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development; formalisation of illegal mining; approval of funds from the Natural Resources Development Fund to support small miners; enhancing capacity and human capital development.

The President also noted that the strengthening of the regulatory framework, enhanced transparency in the licensing process, and the ease of doing business played significant roles in the achievements recorded in the mining sector.

He pledged continued government support to the sector.

While introducing the visiting members of the NMGS, the Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Abubakar Bwari, said the favourable government policy in the sector had led to the activation of dormant mining licences, increase in earnings by the government and the prevalence of “mining prosperity” in the country. According to him, “the mining sector has never had it so good.”

The President of the NMGS, Prof. Silas Dada expressed gratitude to President Buhari for being the first Nigerian leader to be conferred with the Society’s Grand Patron ship in person.

He commended the Federal Government for the “revitalisation and rejuvenation” of the mining sector in the country, from its “moribund and chaotic state, following years of neglect and abandonment.”

He joined other members of the delegation to confer the laurel on President Buhari who now becomes Grand Patron of the NMGS.

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

State House Press Release

President Buhari Sympathises With Victims Of Gas Explosion In Kaduna

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sympathy with victims of gas explosion in Kaduna.

President Buhari said he felt their pains at the hour of distress, considering the loss of life and the economic ruin suffered by the “hardworking Nigerians striving to make a living through honest labour.’’

“As a human being, I fully understand the economic impact of this accident on the lives of these hardworking Nigerians,’’ the President said.

President Buhari advised Nigerians to pay greater attention to safety procedures and precautionary measures in keeping their business premises.

He said more attention on safety procedures could help in averting some disasters.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 1, 2018

Ministry Of Budget And National Planning

Press Statement

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Report On Nigeria's Current Poverty Rating Not Based On Any Recent Survey –Budget and National Planning Ministry

The attention of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning has been drawn to a recent publication on the World Poverty Clock by World Data Lab in Vienna, Austria, indicating that Nigeria’s poverty rating was getting worse. The Ministry of Budget and National Planning has reviewed this report and would like to assure Nigerians that the report is not based on any recent surveys of the poverty levels in Nigeria and cannot be relied upon as a factual indication of recent trends in Nigeria.

The authors of the report claim that the Poverty Clock is an online analytical/visualization tool that shows the number of people living in extreme poverty worldwide and count(s) “excess” poverty - the gap between the actual number who have escaped poverty since end-December 2015 and the hypothetical number of who should have escaped in order for the world to be on-track to reach the global target of ending poverty by 2030.

It should be noted that in deriving its poverty estimates, the Poverty Clock does not, and in this case did not, directly rely on household survey data as national statistical offices in most countries do. Instead, as stated in their methodology, they rely on models to estimate poverty rates across countries using data provided by national governments to international agencies.

The models make assumptions on expected future changes in income, IMF medium-term growth forecasts and long-term projections and analysis developed by the OECD, all of which are significantly influenced by uncertainty. It is, in essence, just a model based on a lot of assumptions which cannot substitute for field work involving actual data collected from households in a consistent and representative way.

In the specific case of Nigeria, the Poverty Clock uses as baseline the General Household Survey 2012/13 which was not designed to measure poverty indicators accurately and follows a methodology that can be misleading if relied upon for poverty estimates.

In line with extant laws, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) remains the statutory agency of government with responsibility for producing Nigeria’s official statistics, including poverty estimates. Like several other countries, Nigeria’s poverty estimates are obtained from the National Living Standard Survey (NLSS) undertaken every five years, and which was last conducted in 2010.

While several other household surveys are routinely conducted by the NBS, none are as comprehensive as the NLSS, which is the appropriate household survey to determine poverty estimates. The next round of the NLSS is currently being undertaken by NBS, in collaboration with the World Bank, and this will be concluded in 2019. There is currently no other comprehensive household study on current poverty trends in Nigeria.

It is therefore pertinent to note that the World Poverty Clock is a model-based estimation of poverty, relying on projections and assumptions that cannot substitute for actual household survey approach which most countries adopt.

This implies that it is not possible to conclude Nigerians poverty position until the NBS completes the NLSS, as no comprehensive field work has been done in Nigeria, and among Nigerian households, as is required according to standard international methodology.

It is however important to point out that the Federal Government of Nigeria, in line with strategies outlined in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), remains committed to promoting sustainable economic development through various social investment schemes that will yield positive impacts on poverty and unemployment; and will consequently change the trajectory of poverty in the country.

Apart from the Social Investment Programme (SIP) which has engaged a lot of youths in entrepreneural and skills training alongside the school feeding programme which has provided balanced meals for millions of school children, government believes that the fastest way to reduce the level of poverty and increase social inclusion is to create jobs. In the ERGP this administration is committed to creating 15 million jobs in four years by 2020 by developing labour intensive sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, housing and construction.

Government is also committed, and has been vigorously expanding public works in infrastructure, such as railways, roads and bridges, which is catalysing economic growth, as is evident from the turn-around in the GDP growth numbers.

In order to support and encourage private sector investment, government has placed emphasis on Made-in-Nigeria products; and public procurement is focused on local content and labour-intensive production processes. Government is also enhancing the ease of doing business and tackling power challenges to attract private sector investment that will in turn create jobs and further reduce poverty levels across the country.

The impact of these efforts, amongst others, will certainly translate to a reduction of the poverty levels in Nigeria. After emergence from recession in 2017 all major economic indices have turned positive in the last 12 months. We are therefore optimistic that any poverty survey carried out now will show that this Administration is succeeding in turning around the negative trajectory that the Nigerian economy had been on before we took over. And that this turnaround will succeed in lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty.


Signed
Akpanmdem James
Special Adviser (Media) to the Hon. Minister

Federal Ministry Of Power, Works And Housing
Office of the Special Adviser on Communications
Headquarter,
Mabushi P.M.B. 111,
Garki - Abuja, Nigeria.

Press Release

Fashola Commiserates With Government, People Of Lagos State Over Tragic Tanker Explosion

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN has commiserated with the government and people of Lagos State over the tragic tanker explosion which occurred on Thursday evening outward Lagos towards Ojodu Berger. The fatal mishap which occurred when a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) lost control after descending the stretch of the bridge around the Otedola Estate led to the loss of nine lives and several vehicles. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Communications, Mr Hakeem Bello, Fashola expressed sadness over the incident describing it as painful and most regrettable.

The Minister, who also condoled with families of victims of the accident, said it was a harrowing experience to learn that a family member who had gone to engage in productive activity would never return. “ I wish to extend my sincere condolences to the Government, People of Lagos State and the families of victims who died or suffered burns in this most unwelcome development”, the Minister said. While wishing survivors rapid recovery, Fashola commended the sense of duty of the emergency service providers who promptly responded to bring the resultant fire under control and managed the traffic.

The Minister said it was important for all stakeholders in the private and public sectors, especially owners and operators of articulated vehicles, to renew their commitment to best practices and road safety awareness in order to ensure the stoppage of unnecessary loss of life and property on the nation’s highways. Fashola, while reiterating the resolve of the President Muhammadu Buhari- led administration to continue to work to improve motor ability, journey time and achieve better travel experience on the nation’s roads, noted that available data indicate that excessive speeding was among the highest causes of accident hence the need for all road users to be conversant with traffic rules and regulations which promote safety on the nation’s highways.

The Minister prayed for peaceful repose for the souls of the departed victims of the accident.

Hakeem Bello
Special Adviser to the Hon. Minister
(Communications)
29th June 2018

What has Federal Government done regarding the recent killings in Plateau State, to forestall a recurrence, rebuild affected communities, and promote peace and dialogue?

Federal Government's Response To Plateau Killings Highlighted

June 24
- The Inspector General of Police deployed the Police Special Intervention Force to Plateau State, to Barkin-Ladi, Riyom, and Jos South LGAs, and other flashpoints in the State. The IGP also asked the Deputy Inspector General of Police; (Department of Operations) to relocate to Jos, to coordinate and supervise operations on the ground.

- Police Surveillance Helicopters, 5 Armoured Personnel Carriers, 3 Police Mobile Force Units (PMF), 2 Counter-Terrorism Cells (CTU), Police Intelligence Unit and conventional Police personnel from other States have also been deployed to the affected areas in Plateau.

- A Police Special Investigation Team, comprising the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Special Tactical Squad (STS) and Tactical Intelligence Unit (TIU), led by Commissioner of Police, IGP Monitoring Unit, have been deployed to the State and have commenced investigation.

- The Police Special Intervention Force will ensure full enforcement of the curfew imposed on the affected areas by the Plateau State Government. Its personnel will carry out 24-hour surveillance and patrol; stop and search of vehicles of suspected locations and hideouts of assailants. People in the affected areas and flashpoints, or any other location in Plateau State in distress or with information for the Police Special Intervention Force and the Investigation team can use the following numbers: 07059473022, 08038907662, 08075391844 and 09053872296.

- The Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin authorized the deployment of additional Special Forces to Plateau State to beef up the strength of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH). The additional troops, which arrived Jos, on Monday, June 25 2018 were received and briefed by the Commander OPSH, Major General AM Atolagbe on their new assignment.

June 25
- The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) deployed a Mi-35P combat helicopter and an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to Plateau State in support of efforts aimed at quelling the crisis that recently erupted in the state and restoring normalcy. The deployment of the ISR aircraft is expected to enhance intelligence gathering while the combat helicopter would conduct armed reconnaissance and other combat air support operations in close coordination with surface forces deployed to the State. Meanwhile, other NAF air assets are available at nearby alternate airfields to hasten the process of restoring normalcy in the State, as might be necessary.

- Vice President Yemi Osinbajo visited Plateau to assess the security situation, following the heinous attacks, and to also convey the President and Federal Government’s condolences to the affected communities and the Government and people of Plateau State.

June 26
President Muhammadu Buhari visited Plateau, met with the representatives and leaders of affected communities and stakeholders, State Government officials, led by Governor Simon Lalong, as well as Security chiefs.

Office Of The Vice President

Press Release

Plateau Killings: Promising Justice, VP Osinbajo Says FG Will Find Permanent Solution To Problem

*Advocates give-and-take, concessions to end cycle of violence

*Condemns recent Jos killings, says leaders at all levels must make sacrifices to resolve conflicts

*FG deploys relief materials, offers rehabilitation

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has described recent killings and violence in Plateau State as vicious and horrible, reiterating the resolve of the Federal Government to find permanent solutions to problems of insecurity in the country and ensure that the perpetrators of the recent attacks in the State are brought to book.

Prof. Osinbajo said this on Monday during a visit to the State where he met with leaders and representatives of communities related to the conflicts.

He said, “We must condemn killings of any kind. It doesn’t matter whether these killings are by herdsmen killing villagers, or whether it is villagers who in one way or the other have killed others, including herdsmen. I think it is important that we condemn these killings, in particular these killings that have taken place where so many people have lost their lives in the last few days. There is no reason at all why anyone who commits these offences will escape.”

Noting that security have been beefed up by the deployment of more police and military personnel to the affected areas, the Vice President said justice will be done and those arrested will be duly prosecuted.

“The head of the Operation Safe Haven as well as the DIG (Police) have confirmed to me that some arrests have been made and those persons will face the law, and that more arrests will be made. I think it is important that we ensure that there is justice. I want you to be sure that we will do so, we will make sure that those who have been arrested are duly prosecuted, and that others who are engaged in this heinous conduct are also arrested and prosecuted.”

During the Vice President’s visit, he met with community leaders in the state, noting that government will look at how to implement several suggestions proffered by the leaders in resolving the herdsmen and farmers conflicts in the state. He further said government remains committed to finding permanent solutions to the problems of insecurity.

“It is our duty as community leaders that we do not allow this cycle of violence to continue. As I said to the community leaders, issues like these are dealt with and resolved by men and not spirits. It is those of us who are alive and well today, those of us who are leaders, community leaders, leaders of state, local and federal governments, who must resolve these issues. And we cannot shy away from resolving the issues.”

“We must be bold enough to be able to tell our communities that resolving these disputes is a give-and-take issue. There is no zero sum here, with so many losses, so many deaths over time. But we must find a solution, and the solution is in the type of sacrifices that leaders are prepared to make,” the Vice President said. Prof. Osinbajo further said that one of the most important issues that must be resolved is putting an end to the continuous cycle of killings and violence in the state.

“Those are the issues that happened that I talked about and we hope and pray that we will see an end to these cycles of violence. Again, we express our sincere condolences to all of those who have lost family and friends in this last spate of killing and we pray that the Almighty God will console the families and relations of those who have lost their lives. We pray that we never see again a repeat of these kinds of killings and these deaths,” the Vice President said.

He further emphasized that the Buhari administration is committed to finding a permanent solution to the conflictsProf. Osinbajo added that the federal and state governments would see to the welfare and rehabilitation of dislocated persons from the affected communities.

“One of the critical issues that was raised is that fact that people who have “been dislocated from their villages and from their homesteads and who have not returned to those villages and home steads and those places have been taken over. I think that this is a serious issue, and an issue that the federal government, in collaboration with the state government, must take up, which we’ll ensure that we will take up,” he said.

Adding that relief materials would be made available by the National Emergency Management Agency, the Vice President noted that the N10 Billion fund approved for rehabilitation of farmers of the affected communities by the President would be made available to Plateau State.

Prof. Osinbajo said, “The DG of NEMA will ensure that that is done as relief materials are provided in various areas where they are required. We have also talked about the 10billion fund which the government approved for the rehabilitation of farms and farming communities; the farmers in particular. Fortunately, we have the Deputy Chairman for Food and Security Council who is here with us; the Governor of Kebbi. That fund is to enable farmers who have not been able to farm, but who have lost farmlands to be rehabilitated and we would provide for them inputs, we would provide whatever assistance is required so that they can go back to their farms and go back to farmlands and this we are going to make available also here in Plateau State.

“We will look at how to implement several of those suggestions as we go along. Some include the permanent positioning of security agencies in certain communities that are prone to these types of violence. And we intend to see how we can put in place permanent security, especially the police, and in some cases, military deployment in some of those places where flashpoints tend to be on a frequent basis. And we’ve agreed to some locations where this security deployment ought to be made.”

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity,
Office of the Vice President,
26th June, 2018

INFORMATION:

The Inspector General of Police has since yesterday deployed the Police Special Intervention Force to Plateau State to Barkin-Ladi, Riyom, and Jos South LGAs, and other flash points in the State. The IGP has also asked the Deputy Inspector General of Police; Department of Operations to relocate to Jos, Plateau State to coordinate and supervise operations on the ground.

Police Surveillance Helicopters, 5 Armored Personnel Carriers, 3 Police Mobile Force Units (PMF), 2 Counter Terrorism Cells (CTU ) and Police Intelligence Unit and conventional Police personnel from other States have also been deployed to the affected areas in Plateau State. A Police Special investigation Team, comprising the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Special Tactical Squad (STS) and Tactical Intelligence Unit (TIU), led by Commissioner of Police, IGP Monitoring Unit, have already been deployed to Plateau State & have commenced investigation.

The Police Special Intervention Force will ensure full enforcement of the curfew imposed on the affected areas by the Plateau State Govt. Its personnel will carry out 24-hour surveillance and patrol; stop and search of vehicles and of suspected locations & hideouts of assailants. People in the affected areas and flash points, or any other location in Plateau State in distress or with information for the Police Special Intervention Force & the Investigation Team can use the following numbers: 07059473022, 08038907662, 08075391844 & 09053872296.

State House Press Release

We'll Restore Your Devastated Communities, President Buhari Assures IDPs

President Muhammadu Buhari Friday assured internally displaced persons, IDPs, that his administration will leave no stone unturned in restoring their devastated communities for their immediate and safe return.

While congratulating the 2,000 IDPs at the Kuchingoro Camp, in the Federal Capital Territory who are getting set to return to their communities in the Northeast, the President assured all Nigerians that his administration will not forget citizens in their time of distress and will continue to work for the betterment and security of the people.

Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, who received the IDPs at the precincts of the Aso Rock Villa on his behalf, President Buhari also used the opportunity to thank members of the international community and Nigerians, including Aliko Dangote, General T.Y Danjuma and other philanthropists, for their sustained efforts towards the reconstruction and rehabilitation of destroyed communities in the Northeast.

Mrs. Maryam Nuhu, the leader of the IDPs, who were mainly women and children, thanked the Buhari Administration for the defeat of the Boko Haram terrorists and the ongoing reconstruction of their communities.

“Our towns and villages have been cleared of these terrorists. We can now confidently return home and pick up our lives from the points where we will meet them. Mr President, thanks for making this possible for us to be returning home. Our sad story took a turn for the better because of the calibre of military leaders you appointed,” she said.


Attah Esa
Deputy Director (Information)
State House, Abuja.
June 22, 2018

State House Press Release

Further Clarifications On The Distorted 2018 Budget – Presidency

Sequel to the response of the National Assembly justifying its distortion of the 2018 Budget, the following clarifications have become necessary.

1. Throughout the budget consideration process the executive, through the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, was in touch with the National Assembly. The executive was approached by the National Assembly who indicated that they intended to increase the benchmark price by US$5, from US$45 to US$50. Out of the US$5 increase the National Assembly informed the Executive that they intended to utilize US$2 (amounting to about N170 billion) for projects selected by themselves. They asked the Executive to suggest important projects that could be accommodated with the funds arising from the balance of US$3.

2. After some consideration, the Executive was of the view that an increase in the benchmark price of crude oil to US$50 was not unrealistic and the President decided to accept this in the spirit of compromise required for a successful budget exercise. The Executive had, in that spirit, suggested that from the additional funds arising out of the US$3 increase, $1.25 from the increase should not be appropriated as expenditure, but utilized to reduce the deficit in the budget. The Executive therefore restricted itself to submitting, for the consideration of the National Assembly, important items that could be funded from US$1.75 of the US$3 increase. NASS eventually raised the benchmark price to US$51, apparently to accommodate the additional allocations to Health and NDDC.

3. The Executive is therefore surprised that with an additional sum of N170 billion Naira available for the National Assembly to spend on Constituency Projects, together with the sum of N100 billion Naira, already provided for in the Budget, that the National Assembly should feel it necessary to cut allocations to important national projects, and thereby distort the Budget, in order to further increase their allocation for Constituency projects. How much is enough!

4. The President’s position is clear from paragraph 12k of the President’s speech, where he said “About 70 new road projects have been inserted into the budget of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. In doing so, the National Assembly applied some of the additional funds expected from the upward review of the oil price benchmark to the Ministry’s vote. Regrettably, however, in order to make provision for some of the new roads, the amounts allocated to some strategic major roads have been cut by the National Assembly”.


Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 22, 2018

Kaduna Dry Port Attracts N2bn Investments In 6 Months

Tola Adenubi - Lagos

Kaduna Dr Port The management of the Kaduna Inland Dry Port (KIDP) Ltd has revealed that since the facility was commissioned by President Mohammed Buhari in January 2018, the facility has attracted investments in excess of N2bn.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday in Lagos, Chairman of KIDP, Mr Tope Borisade, explained that many shipping companies have already opened offices in the Kaduna based facility.

According to Mr Borisade, “Since the commissioning of the KIDP on January 4, 2018 by Mr President, the facility has been granted Port Code 02KD Location KD001 by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

“Also, the Nigerian Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS 11) platform has been installed at the KIDP.

“Furthermore, the port has been listed on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Electronic Form M platform. The Federal Ministry of Transportation has also notified the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) of the establishment of the port.

“We have received a lot of enquiries from importers, esporters, shipping companies and freight forwarders who are eager to patronise the port. We are in discussions with them, and we expect this discussions to materialise within the normal international trade cycle. Investments inflow at the facility is over N2bn.”

On access into the port, Mr Borisade explained that the facility is directly connected to a rail line under the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

He expressed optimism in the company’s ability to contribute immensely to national economic integration and growth through employment generation for youths in the host community and other professionals rendering ancillary services.

Borisade lauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s support for the project and added that the port has been enjoying support of other government agencies like Nigeria Shippers Council, Nigeria Railway Corporation and the Kaduna State Government.

He also thanked Governor Nasir El Rufai for his commitment to upgrading all support physical infrastructures like roads to support movement of heavy vehicles in and out of the port.

The dry port, in his words, is also ready to support government’s economic diversification agenda through seamless processing of exports from Northern states, with all documentations completed in Kaduna, to seaports for shipment abroad.

The Kaduna Inland Dry Port was gazetted as a dry port of origin and final destination on May 19, 2015.

It is the first of six other dry ports that has been commissioned and ready for operation pending arrival of rail coaches for the movement of cargoes from the seaports to Kaduna and from Kaduna to the seaports.

INFORMATION:

In the Federal Government's efforts to secure Nigeria, below are security interventions by the Nigerian Army Nigeria Air Force, and Nigerian Police, carried out month by month, this 2018:

JANUARY 2018:
The 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, launched a special operation, Karamin Goro (Small Kola Nut), in collaboration with the Air Force, Police, Department of State Services, and Nigeria 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:
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.

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.

MARCH 2018:
The Nigerian Army extended Exercise Ayem Akpatuma in Taraba State by two months.

APRIL 2018:
The Nigerian Air Force took delivery of a second batch of 2 brand new Mi-35N helicopter gunships to boost internal security.

MAY 2018:
The Nigerian Police Force inaugurated a Mobile Squadron in Takum, Taraba State

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).

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.

President Muhammadu 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.

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.

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

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.

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

Nigerian Army concludes Ayem Akpatuma Exercise in Benue, Taraba and Kogi states
Operation LAFIYA DOYLE troops partnered with Cameroonian Defence Forces and the Civilian Joint Task Force in a Joint Counter-Insurgency Operation to overrun a Boko Haram hideout in Bukar Maryam and Abaganaram villages of Borno state, capturing 11 terrorists and killing 2 others.

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

JUNE 2018:
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) successfully accomplished the first in-country overhaul of one of its helicopter gunships, the Mi-35P NAF 531, employed in the counterinsurgency operations in the Northeast before it was grounded, having become due for scheduled overhaul. This is the first in-country Life Extension Programme of Mi-35P Helicopter Gunship successfully accomplished by NAF. Also restored to serviceability was an EC-135 Helicopter, NAF 548, which became unserviceable in March 2018 because of the need to undergo an engine modular change. The reactivation works on the helicopters -- which brings to 13 the number of aircraft re-activated by the NAF since July 2015 -- were carried out in the hangar of 115 SOG by NAF engineers and technicians, who worked closely with some foreign technical partners. Functional Check Flights (FCFs) have since been carried out on the 2 newly reactivated helicopters, and they will be immediately deployed for operational duties. In-country Periodic Depot Maintenance of another Mi-35 Helicopter will commence immediately.

NAF deploys 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.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) commissioned helipads at the 207 Quick Response Facility Group in Gusau, Zamfara State, which would serve as base for combat ready helicopters that can respond to emergency security needs in the state.

The Nigerian Air Force deployed a combat helicopter to its 207 Quick Response Group (QRG) in Gusau. The deployment of the weaponized EC-135 helicopter is part of efforts aimed at intensifying the fight against armed banditry in Zamfara State and environs.

The Muhammadu Buhari Administration has issued a total of 5 Executive Orders since it assumed office.

1. Executive Order (EO1) on the Promotion of Transparency and Efficiency in the Business Environment:

It is the policy of the Federal Government to create an enabling environment for businesses and entrench measures and strategies aimed at promoting transparency and efficiency. President Muhammadu Buhari constituted the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) to coordinate the implementation of this policy.

2. Executive Order EO2 on Budgets:

All Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) shall, on or before the end May every year, prepare and submit to the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, their schedule of revenue and expenditure estimates for the next three financial years.

3. Executive Order (EO3) on Support for Local Content in Public Procurement by the Federal Government:

All MDAs shall grant preference to local manufacturers of goods and service providers in their procurement of goods and services. Any document issued by any MDA for the solicitation of offers, bids, proposals or quotations for the supply or provision of goods and services shall expressly indicate this preference.

4. Executive Order (EO4) on the Establishment of the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS):

The Constitution imposes a duty on every citizen to declare his/her income fully and honestly to appropriate and lawful agencies and pay taxes promptly. Every taxable person is under obligation to voluntarily declare his/her income from all sources within and outside Nigeria by filing annual tax returns, computing same and paying the tax due to the tax authority.

5. Executive Order (E05) on Planning and Execution of Projects, Promotion of Nigerian Content in Contracts and Science, Engineering and Technology:

This Order will drive national competitiveness, productivity and economic activities in all sectors.

Speech By His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria, At The Signing Into Law, The 2018 Appropriation Bill, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Wednesday, June 20th, 2018

Protocols

I would like to thank the leadership of the National Assembly, particularly the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as all the Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members, for passing the 2018 Appropriation Bill, after seven months.

2. When I submitted the 2018 Budget proposals to the National Assembly on 7th November 2017, I had hoped that the usual legislative review process would be quick, so as to move Nigeria towards a predictable January-December financial year. The importance of this predictability cannot be overemphasized.

3. While the Federal Government’s budget represents less than 10% of aggregate yearly expenditures in the economy, it has a very significant accelerator effect on the financial plans of other tiers of government, and even more importantly, the private sector, which mostly operates on a January-December financial year.


4. Notwithstanding the delay this year, I am determined to continue to work with the National Assembly towards improving the budgeting process and restoring our country to the January-December fiscal cycle.

5. I note, with pleasure, that the National Assembly is working on the enactment of an Organic Budget Law, so as to improve the efficiency of the nation’s budgetary process.

6. As I mentioned during the presentation of the 2018 Appropriation Bill, we intend to use the 2018 Budget to consolidate the achievements of previous budgets and deliver on Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020.

7. It is in this regard that I am concerned about some of the changes that the National Assembly has made to the budget proposals that I presented. The logic behind the Constitutional direction that budgets should be proposed by the Executive is that, it is the Executive that knows and defines its policies and projects.

8. Unfortunately, that has not been given much regard in what has been sent to me. The National Assembly made cuts amounting to 347 billion Naira in the allocations to 4,700 projects submitted to them for consideration and introduced 6,403 projects of their own amounting to 578 billion Naira.

9. Many of the projects cut are critical and may be difficult, if not impossible, to implement with the reduced allocation. Some of the new projects inserted by the National Assembly have not been properly conceptualized, designed and costed and will therefore be difficult to execute.

10. Furthermore, many of these new projects introduced by the National Assembly have been added to the budgets of most MDAs with no consideration for institutional capacity to execute them or the incremental recurrent expenditure that may be required.

11. As it is, some of these projects relate to matters that are the responsibility of the States and Local Governments, and for which the Federal Government should therefore not be unduly burdened.

12. Such examples of projects from which cuts were made are as follows:

a. The provisions for some nationally/regionally strategic infrastructure projects such as Counter-part funding for the Mambilla Power Plant, Second Niger Bridge/ancillary roads, the East-West Road, Bonny-Bodo Road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Itakpe-Ajaokuta Rail Project were cut by an aggregate of 11.5 billion Naira.

b. Similarly, provisions for some ongoing critical infrastructure projects in the FCT, Abuja especially major arterial roads and the mass transit rail project, were cut by a total of 7.5 billion Naira.

c. The provision for Rehabilitation and Additional Security Measures for the United Nations Building by the FCT, Abuja was cut by 3.9 billion Naira from 4 billion Naira to 100 million Naira; this will make it impossible for the Federal Government of Nigeria to fulfill its commitment to the United Nations on this project.

d. The provisions for various Strategic Interventions in the health sector such as the upgrade of some tertiary health institutions, transport and storage of vaccines through the cold chain supply system, provision of anti-retroviral drugs for persons on treatment, establishment of chemotherapy centres and procurement of dialysis consumables were cut by an aggregate amount of 7.45 billion Naira.

e. The provision for security infrastructure in the 104 Unity Schools across the country were cut by 3 billion Naira at a time when securing our students against acts of terrorism ought to be a major concern of government.

f. The provision for the Federal Government’s National Housing Programme was cut by 8.7 billion Naira.

g. At a time when we are working with Labour to address compensation-related issues, a total of 5 billion Naira was cut from the provisions for Pension Redemption Fund and Public Service Wage Adjustment.

h. The provisions for Export Expansion Grant (EEG) and Special Economic Zones/Industrial Parks, which are key industrialization initiatives of this Administration, were cut by a total of 14.5 billion Naira.

i. The provision for Construction of the Terminal Building at Enugu Airport was cut from 2 billion Naira to 500 million Naira which will further delay the completion of this critical project.

j. The Take-off Grant for the Maritime University in Delta State, a key strategic initiative of the Federal Government, was cut from 5 billion Naira to 3.4 billion Naira.

k. About seventy (70) new road projects have been inserted into the budget of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. In doing so, the National Assembly applied some of the additional funds expected from the upward review of the oil price benchmark to the Ministry’s vote. Regrettably, however, in order to make provision for some of the new roads, the amounts allocated to some strategic major roads have been cut by the National Assembly.

13. Another area of concern is the increase by the National Assembly of the provisions for Statutory Transfers by an aggregate of 73.96 billion Naira. Most of these increases are for recurrent expenditure at a time we are trying to keep down the cost of governance.


14. An example of this increase is the budget of the National Assembly itself which has increased by 14.5 billion Naira, from 125 billion Naira to 139.5 billion Naira without any discussion with the Executive.

15. Notwithstanding the above stated observations, I have decided to sign the 2018 Budget in order not to further slowdown the pace of recovery of our economy, which has doubtlessly been affected by the delay in passing the budget.
16. However, it is my intention to seek to remedy some of the most critical of these issues through a supplementary and/or amendment budget which I hope the National Assembly will be able to expeditiously consider.

17. I am pleased with the success recorded in the implementation of the 2017 Budget. A total sum of 1.5 trillion Naira has been released for the implementation of capital projects during the 2017 fiscal year. In response to this and other policy measures implemented, we have observed significant improvement in the performance of the Nigerian economy.

18. To achieve the laudable objectives of the 2018 Budget, we will work very hard to generate the revenues required to finance our projects and programmes. The positive global oil market outlook, as well as continuing improvement in non-oil revenues, make us optimistic about our ability to finance the budget.

19. However, being a deficit budget, the Borrowing Plan will be forwarded to the National Assembly shortly. I crave the indulgence of the National Assembly for a speedy consideration and approval of the Plan.

20. The 2018 Budget I have just signed into law provides for aggregate expenditures of 9.12 trillion Naira, which is 22.6% higher than the 2017 Appropriation. Further details of the approved budget will be provided by the Minister of Budget and National Planning.

21. I thank the Ministers of Budget and National Planning, the Budget Office of the Federation, and everyone who worked tirelessly and sacrificed so much to bring us to this day. However, the job is only partly done.

22. I am sure you will remain committed to advancing our Change Agenda, not only in the preparation of the national budget, but also in ensuring its effective implementation.

I thank you and may God bless Nigeria.

Federal Ministry of Finance

Headquarters, Ahmadu Bello Way, CBD

Press Unit, 4th Floor

News Release Tuesday, June 19, 2018

FG: N1.580 Trillion Capital Cost Released To MDAs For 2017

The Federal Government has announced that a total of N1,580,270,755,084.44(One trillion, five hundred and eighty billion, two hundred and seventy million, seven hundred and fifty-five thousand, eighty-four naira, forty-four kobo) capital cost was released to Ministries, Departments and Agencies for the 2017 federal budget.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun made this known in Abuja on Tuesday.

The N1,580,270,755,084.44 total capital releases for 2017 is remarkably higher than the N1,219,471,747,443.00 total capital releases for 2016.

In the 2017 capital releases, Power, Works and Housing received the highest allocation of N523,011,701,723.25 which was 33.10% of the total capital releases. The sector also received the highest releases in the 2016 capital budget, which was a total of N307,411,749,682.00 (25.21%) of the 2016 capital budget.

Defence and Security received the second highest capital releases of N197,596,016,072.02(12.50%) in 2017, as against N77,532,885,729.00 (6.36%) total releases the sector received in 2016.

Agriculture and Water Resources received a total of N149,485,276,897.37 (9.46%) in 2017. The sector had received N143,121,925,241.00 (11.74%) of the capital releases in 2016. Transportation received a total of N126,253,042,607.50 (7.99%) of the 2017 capital releases as against the N171,900,597,013.00 (14.10%) in 2016.

Health and Education together received a total of N98,190,277,285.69 (6.21%) for 2017 as against N56,270,030,992.00 (4.61%) the sectors received in 2016.

Other sectors combined received a total of N485,734,440,498.61, which was 30.74% of the 2017 capital releases. In 2016, a total of N463,234,558,786.00 (37.99%) was disbursed to these sectors.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said despite the economic challenges in 2017, the Federal Government was able to fully cash-back the capital releases.

She further stressed that the sustained high allocations to key sectors was a reflection of the Federal Government’s commitment to infrastructure development in the country.

The Minister said the Federal Government was working assiduously to attract private capital to complement government spending in these key areas.

Signed
Hassan Dodo
Director (Information)

EFCC Press Release

EFCC Arraigns Five For $4m Global Fund Fraud

The trial of five persons, implicated in the fraudulent diversion of about $4 million of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Nigeria, began on June 12, 2018 before Justice O.O. Goodluck of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Maitama. The defendants – Abimbola Abioye, Wuraola Adebayo, Zubairu Ibrahim, Faturiti Jacob and Azeez Aderemi, are facing a six-count charge that borders on criminal conspiracy, forgery and embezzlement of the grant granted by the Geneva-based agency. It will be recalled that The Global Fund had in March 2016 suspended payments to Nigeria’s AIDS agency, over the diversion of about $3.8 million allegedly stolen by workers and consultants. The grant was also to ensure the establishment of a National Health Information System, a service that could have aided delivery of quality health care services in Nigeria.

The Global Fund had petitioned the EFCC alleging that, “during a recent routine check by the Office of the Inspector General, Global Fund, it was discovered that from 2010 to 2014, the suspects who are employees of Department of Planning, Research and Statistics (DPRS) Federal Ministry of Health conspired among themselves to receive and systematically embezzle the sum amount through the use of fictitious invoices, receipts of hotel stays, air flight tickets and other instruments to access and divert the fund for their own personal gains”.

They all pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. Prosecuting counsel, J.A. Bwala, thereafter, urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of their trial. Counsel to the first, fourth and fifth defendants, O. Odumosun, made an oral application for their bail, and adopted his seven-paragraph affidavit to back his application. Counsel to the second and third defendants aligned themselves to his submission. Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Abimbola Abioye Alamu, whilst being the program officer at the Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal ministry of Health, Mrs Adebayo Wuraola Adejoke, whilst being monitoring and evaluation Officer at the Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Azeez Aderemi Najim, whilst being project coordinator, at the Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics Federal Ministry of Health, Zubairu Kindi Ibrahim, whilst being Assistant project Accountant at the Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Health, Faturoti Oladiti Jacob, whilst being training officer at the Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Health, sometime between 2010 and 2014 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, did conspire amongst ourselves to do an illegal act to wit: convert to yourselves the aggregate sum of N28,802,483.80 (Twenty Eight Million, Eight Hundred and Two Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty Three Naira, Eighty Kobo) property of 'The Global Fund' for the purpose of the implementation of its health improvement program in Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 97 of the Penal Code Act, Cap. 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990”.

The Court thereafter admitted them to bail in the sum of N1million each and one surety each in like sum, who must be level 12 above and must be resident in Abuja. They were further ordered to submit their international passports to the Court. The case has been adjourned to October 11, 17, 23 and 24, 2018, for “commencement of trial."

Remarks By His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari President Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria At The Commemoration And Investiture Honouring The Heroes Of June 12 1993
Wednesday 12th June, 2018

Today, I am very happy to be present and to preside over the Commemoration and Investiture, marking the formal official Federal Government recognition of June 12 as National Democracy Day.

1. The decision and this event is not meant to be and is not an attempt to open old wounds but to put right a national wrong. Nigerians of their own free will voted for Late Chief MKO Abiola and Amb. Baba Gana Kingibe, the Presidential flag bearer and running mate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 1993 elections. The Government of the day inexplicably cancelled the elections when it was clear who were going to be the winners.

2. We cannot rewind the past but we can at least assuage our feelings; recognize that a wrong has been committed and resolve to stand firm now and in the future for the sanctity of free elections. Nigerians would no longer tolerate such perversion of justice.
This retrospective and posthumous recognition is only a symbolic token of redress and recompense for the grievous injury done to the peace and unity of our country.

3. Our decision to recognize and honour June 12 and its actors is in the national interest. It is aimed at setting national healing process and reconciliation of the 25 year festering wound caused by the annulment of the June 12th elections. I earnestly invite all Nigerians across all our national divide to accept it in good faith.

4. Our action today is to bury the negative side of June 12, the side of ill-feelings, hate, frustrations and agony. What we are doing is celebrating and appreciating the positive side of June 12. The June 12, which restate democracy and freedom. The June 12 that overcome our various divide and the June 12 that produced unity and National cohesion. This is the June 12 we are celebrating today and we will nurture it to our next generation.

5. Accordingly, on behalf of the Federal Government, I tender the nation’s apology to the family of Late MKO Abiola, who got the highest votes and to those that lost their loved ones in the cause of June 12 struggle.

6. At this juncture, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like everybody present to stand and observe a minute silence in honour of the memory of Chief MKO Abiola and Chief Fawehinmi and indeed all those who lost their lives in the struggle of June 12 1993.

7. Thank you all and God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2noTp2516KA

State House Press Release

Nigeria, Morocco Sign Agreements On Regional Gas Pipeline, Chemical Plant, Agric Training

The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco on Monday in Rabat, Morocco, signed three agreements, which includes a regional gas pipeline that will see Nigeria providing gas to countries in West Africa sub-region that extend to Morocco and Europe.

The signing of the agreements, witnessed by President Muhammadu Buhari and King of Morocco, His Majesty King Mohammed V1, followed a meeting between the two African leaders that focused on strengthening economic relations in gas resource development, global investments and agricultural training and management.

The feasibility study of the agreement on the pipeline, which was signed by the Group General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Farouq Said Garba, and Mrs Amina Benkhadra, Director General of the National Office of Hydrocarbon and Mines, will be concluded by July 2018.

The construction of the pipeline will be phased and based on increasing needs of the countries crossed, and Europe, for the period of 25 years.

The Nigeria Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP), designed to be 5,660km long, will reduce gas flaring in Nigeria and encourage diversification of energy resources in the country, while cutting down poverty through the creation of more job opportunities.

The NMGP will further encourage utilisation of gas in the sub-region for cooking, and discourage desertification.

At the ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Nigeria Sovereign Wealth Authority, Mr Uche Orji and the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Management of Phosphate in Morocco, Mr Mostafa Terrab signed a Memorandom of Understanding for the development of a chemical plant in Nigeria for producing ammonia and its derivatives.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh and his Moroccan counterpart, Mr Aziz Akhannouch, signed a cooperation agreement on vocational training and technical supervision, which will enhance skills on better management of agricultural outfits in Nigeria.

President Buhari, who was received by a large crowd from the airport to the Rabat Royal Palace, assured the King of Morocco of Nigeria’s full commitment to the actualisation of all the agreements signed.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 11, 2018

Notice:

There have been questions regarding whether or not there will be a FEDERAL public holiday on June 12, 2018.

The answer is NO.

Presidential Order says June 12 “in FUTURE YEARS will replace May 29th as a National Public Holiday in celebration of Nigeria Democracy Day.”

Press Statement

For the past 18 years, Nigerians have been celebrating May 29th, as Democracy Day. That was the date when for the second time in our history, an elected civilian administration took over from a military government. The first time this happened was on October 21st, 1979.

But in the view of Nigerians, as shared by this Administration, June 12th, 1993, was far more symbolic of Democracy in the Nigerian context than May 29th or even the October 1st.

June 12th, 1993 was the day when Nigerians in millions expressed their democratic will in what was undisputedly the freest, fairest and most peaceful elections since our Independence. The fact that the outcome of that election was not upheld by the then military Government does not distract from the democratic credentials of that process.

Accordingly, after due consultations, the Federal Government has decided that henceforth, June 12th will be celebrated as Democracy Day. Therefore, Government has decided to award posthumously the highest honour of the land, GCFR, to late Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12th 1993 cancelled elections. His running mate as Vice President, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, is also to be invested with a GCON. Furthermore, the tireless fighter for human rights and the actualization of the June 12th elections and indeed for Democracy in general, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN is to be awarded posthumously a GCON.

The Commemoration and investiture will take place on Tuesday June 12th, 2018, a date which in future years will replace May 29th as a National Public Holiday in celebration of Nigeria Democracy Day.


Muhammadu Buhari
Wednesday June 6th, 2018.

Office Of The Vice President

Press Release

How We Are Creating Opportunities For Young People - VP Osinbajo

*Adds: Nigeria’s future is in innovation & technology
*FG ready to support innovation hubs nationwide

“I want to say that l am totally convinced, and so l believe, that the way forward for our country is innovation and technology. And the young people who we see every day, who were able to do all these incredible things, represent the future of our country and represent it so dramatically, graphically that we are all confident that where we are going is indeed a place of great prosperity and abundance having regards to all that we see today.

“I emphasize that we must create the opportunities for young people. Some of the concerns that we have as a nation and one of the reasons why this particular place is designed the way it is, is to enable that aspect of introspection, to enable that sort of thinking in an environment that allows it, an environment that is conducive for that kind of thinking and innovation.” – Vice President

Remarks By His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, The Vice President, Federal Republic Of Nigeria, At The Launching Of The North-East Humanitarian Innovation Hub In Yola, Adamawa State, On June 5, 2018.

Let me begin by thanking the Adamawa State government for hosting us, not just hosting us today, but for hosting this Hub. To every cloud, they say there is a silver lining and l think that through the cloud of insurgency in the North East, this is certainly one of those silver linings.

The fact that we have been able to discover creativity and the ability to innovate is so remarkable. There are so many young men and women in the North-East to be celebrated.

I want to say that the North-East Humanitarian Hub is not just an idea, not just something that was stumbled upon as part of the Social Investment Programme (SIP). It is, in my view, a very deliberate attempt to bring innovation and to cultivate innovation all across the country, and this happens to be one of those centres where we intend to cultivate innovation and to cultivate creativity.

I have been around the hub, l have seen, the working spaces, the 3D printing facility, the Makeathon Boat camp, and you know all that is on display here at the hub.

And I’m sure that all of us listening to those who participated in the boot camp and all that they were able to preach - film production; Eliot and Andy tracking devices for children; Daniel and Abubakar using alternative building materials and able to complete building projects in three weeks; All the life-box browsing without the Internet; Letha and Bolus with the Farm integrated system; Abubakar's automated irrigation control; Zainab's hygiene dignity kit for women; and the Maikanti farm-for-market solution; Wandoo, the payment system for delivering aid; Gbenga's Gasman Bio-Centres connected to kitchens; to disposal of human waste and convert it to energy; and Tunde Taiwo's very aggressive speech to persuade us that we have to do something about 8.3 million children throughout the schools. We are trying to make sure the numbers go down and we will be working with you certainly.
Of course, again, the women's textiles initiative, the School Management System and all that; the 3D printing of artificial limbs, and we saw a situation where Mohammed was fitted with one of those artificial limbs.

Before we even formally open this hub, all of these are already possible, and l wonder what we are going to do when we open the hub today. I’m sure we will see even greater creativity and innovations.
I want to say that l am totally convinced, and so l believe, that the way forward for our country is innovation and technology. And the young people who we see every day, who are able to do all these incredible things, represent the future of our country and represent it so dramatically, graphically that we are all confident that where we are going is indeed a place of great prosperity and abundance having regards to all that we see today.

I emphasize that we must create the opportunities for young people. In fact, for all of us to be introspective, the opportunity to think, to just sit down somewhere and think, we have to think about some of the issues. Some of the concerns that we have as a nation and one of the reasons why this particular place is designed the way it is, is to enable that aspect of introspection, to enable that sort of thinking in an environment that allows it, an environment that is conducive for that kind of thinking and innovation.

And what follows, of course, is the rigour of planning and execution and I’m very pleased to see that this is not just about ideas, but also that so much has gone into actual planning and so much has also been done in execution.The Federal Government is really determined to work through with these innovation hubs. We plan to have six innovation hubs across the country; this is just one. In a couple of weeks, we will be opening a climate change innovation hub at the Pan-African University in Lagos also in collaboration with our Social Intervention Programme.

We are also doing a school challenge, university challenge, university and polytechnic innovations’ challenge which will involve students from across Nigeria, the portal for that has been opened and I’m sure so many have already applied for it.

As part of that, we are building six university connected innovation hubs across the country, starting with the University of Lagos. The building has already started. This is going to be really outstanding hubs with some four floors using containers and there is going to be a lot of innovation. Just the building and the concept alone is extremely innovative and, of course, it's been done by the young men and women who will be using the hub itself.

So we are working and we are trying to do the work very hard and consistently with all of the young men and women who are into innovation. Just last week, l was at the Ventures Hub in Abuja where you know so many incredible things are going on.

Then we talked about the Creativity and Technology Council, which is a council we are setting up as part of our Industrial and Creativity Council. This is where we assemble the well-known business and captains of industry to help shape industrial policy. But we found that we are not bringing on board the young men women who are defining the future by creativity and technology, and even entertainment.

So, we are setting up as part of the competitiveness council on creativity and technology and advisory council which include the young men and women who are into innovation and with all of these various incredible things that we are seeing, so that they can also help shape policy, effective policy around technology, innovation and creativity and to see how we can effectively work with people all over the world. As you can see, so much is happening all over the world, we need to know and understand how that intellectual capacity can been taken within the framework of our own law and the framework of the international law and also of the international practice. So the Creativity Council is going to work closely with us to develop all of these policies.

Let me thank everyone of our partners, especially the ICRC, that work so closely with the Makeathon and the mentors that worked excellently with all of the people who have participated in this Makeathon.

Thank you very much for the time that you have really given not just by coming here today but the time you have given to assist us in thinking through this innovation hub and working with us day by day to make it happen.

So it's therefore my very great pleasure and privilege to formally declare open this North-East Humanitarian Innovation Hub for the benefit of the people of the North-East and also the benefit of all Nigerian people, the whole world and to the glory of God.

Thank you very much.

Released by:

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
Office of the Vice President
5th June, 2018

The Year of Infrastructure:
Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund
One of the big announcements of May 2018: FG Establishes Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund; NEC Approves $650M Seed Funding.
Details here--->> https://statehouse.gov.ng/news/announcement-fg-establishes-presidential-infrastructure-development-fund-nec-approves-650m-seed-funding/

Lagos - Kano Narrow Gauge Rail Revamp
On April 27, 2018, Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi, signed, on behalf of the Government of Nigeria, an Agreement for the commencement of the interim phase of the Concession of Nigeria’s 3,500km Narrow-Gauge Rail network, to a consortium of international companies, led by General Electric (GE), in Washington DC. Read the press release here--->> https://ge.africa-newsroom.com/press/correction-international-consortium-signs-interim-phase-agreement-with-federal-government-of-nigeria-fgn-for-rail-concession?lang=en

Transmission Company of Nigeria
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has been busy. According to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing: “In 2018, TCN has no less than 90 projects -- substations, expansion of old lines, and other projects -- to expand grid capacity. TCN has been moving from state to state expanding the networks..."

These projects include the following:

The Abeokuta Transmission Substation (current capacity: 90MVA) is getting an upgrade, with the installation of a new (additional) 60 MVA transformer, to boost electricity supply to Abeokuta Township, Imeko, Lagos Road, FUNAAB, and part of Sagamu.

Lafia, capital of Nasarawa State, is finally getting a 330/132/33KV Substation. The $18m project will boost power supply not just in Nasarawa but also border communities in Northern Benue, Southeastern Kaduna, and Southern Plateau. Expected completion: End of 2018

Already completed TCN Projects in 2018 include:
A 60MVA transformer in Bida Substation, Niger State
A 60MVA in Suleija Substation, Niger State
2 Nos 60MVA Substations in New Haven Substation, Enugu State
2 Nos 60MVA Substations in Odogunyan Substation, Ikorodu, Lagos
A 60MVA in Zaria Substation in Kaduna
A 60MVA Transformer in Calabar
A 60MVA Transformer in Uyo
A 30MVA Transformer replaced with a 100MVA transformer in Alimosho, Lagos

Ibadan to Kano Standard Gauge Rail Line
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday February 21, 2018 approved a contract worth US$6.7 billion for the construction of the Ibadan—Kaduna standard gauge railway project. The project will be funded by the China Exim Bank. This Contract complements the one earlier awarded to connect Kaduna—Kano. Included in the US$6.7bn Ibadan—Kaduna line project is a new line that will connect Osogbo to Ado-Ekiti, and bring Ekiti State into the national rail network. (Construction has since started on the 156km Lagos—Ibadan leg of the standard gauge rail project).

Apapa Traffic Challenge:
Work is ongoing on the reconstruction of the 4km stretch of the Apapa Wharf Dual Carriageway that is being jointly funded as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project by Dangote Group, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC; to resolve Apapa’s traffic challenges. (Photo taken on June 1, 2018)

The Apapa Solution is a multi-pronged approach involving Road Reconstruction, construction of a Trailer and Truck Park, as well as the extension of the in-progress Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail Line to Apapa Port.

Source: PODECast Newsletter --->>https://mailchi.mp/statehouse/podecast-3-years-of-the-buhari-administration-an-overview

Remarks By H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, President Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria At The Signing Of The Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill, 31st May 2018, State House, Abuja.

1. First, I would like to welcome you all to the State House. Today is a significant day for all of us in Nigeria, and most especially our young people – and the role they play in our democracy, politics and national life.

2. We are gathered here for the signing of the “Not Too Young To Run Bill”, a landmark piece of legislation that was conceived, championed and accomplished by young Nigerians.

3. The coordinators of the Not Too Young To Run movement have now established a formidable legacy – which is that, in our maturing democracy, if you really want to change something in Nigeria, and if you can organise yourselves and work hard towards it – you can achieve it. The outcome of such efforts is this remarkable feat.

4. These efforts have resulted in the heroic task of enshrining in law, a reduction of the minimum ages for elective office in Nigeria.
a. Eligible age for aspirants for members of the State Houses of Assembly will be reduced from 30 to 25 years;
b. Eligible age for aspirants for members of the Federal House of Representatives will be reduced from 30 to 25 years; and
c. Eligible age for aspirants for Office of the President will be lowered from 40 to 35 years.

5. Surprisingly, the age limits for Senators and Governors was not reduced, as originally proposed by the sponsors of this Bill. This is an issue that may need to be addressed going forward.

6. Nevertheless, your focus and contributions have now successfully increased the quality and maturity of Nigerian democracy and expanded the playing field for youth participation in politics.

7. You, the young people of Nigeria, are now set to leave your mark on the political space, just as you have done over the decades in entrepreneurship, sports, art, media entertainment, technology, and several other fields.

8. You are undoubtedly Nigeria’s most important resource – not oil, not agriculture, not solid minerals – but you and all of us. Your energy, intelligence and talent are what will drive and develop Nigeria, long after we are all gone.

9. This is an opportunity for me to affirm that this Administration will continue to do everything in its power to make Nigeria work for you.

10. You may all know that the Bill I just assented now becomes an Act of the National Assembly.

11. Thus, it may be tempting for you to think of this as the end of the journey. However, it is only the beginning; there is still a lot of work ahead, towards ensuring that young people take full advantage of the opportunities provided not only by this constitutional amendment but also through Nigeria’s boundless prospects.

12. You should inculcate the spirit of self-help. Those who complete their training should not just sit down and wait for government or private sector to employ them. You should be innovative and turn your hands to any legitimate work that will enable you to sustain yourself.

13. You may have noticed already that every one of you represents one of our 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory. This is because today is about preparing for the bright future of our country.

14. I am confident each one of you will transform Nigeria in your own way – whether through media, agricultural enterprise, economists, engineers, or as lawmakers in your States or at Federal levels, or as State Governors – and even someday, as President. Why not?
But please, can I ask you to postpone your campaigns until after the 2019 elections!

15. Finally, let me say how proud I am, and how proud the entire country is, of what you have accomplished. Congratulations and best of luck with continuing to work to make Nigeria a greater country for us and future generations of Nigerians.

16. God bless all the young people of Nigeria and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Address By Muhammadu Buhari, President Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria In Commemoration Of The 2018 Democracy Day Celebration, Tuesday, 29th May, 2018

My Dear Nigerians!

Today marks the 19th year of our nascent democracy and the 3rd Anniversary of this administration. I am thankful to Almighty God for bringing us thus far. This administration came at a time that Nigerians needed Change, the Change we promised and the Change we continue to deliver. We have faced a lot of challenges on this journey and Nigerians have stood by us in achieving the three cardinal points of this administration namely; Security, Corruption and the Economy.

2. The commemoration of this year’s Democracy Day is a celebration of freedom, a salute to the resilience and determination of Nigerians and a recommitment by Government to keep its promise to lead Nigeria into a new era of justice and prosperity.

3. Public safety and security remains the primary duty of this Government. Before this Administration came into being 3 years ago, Boko Haram held large areas of land spanning several Local Governments in the North East.

4. Today, the capacity of the insurgents has been degraded leading to the re-establishment of authority of government and the release of captives including, happily, 106 Chibok and 104 Dapchi girls, and over 16,000 other persons held by the Boko Haram.

5. In order to minimize the impact of the insurgency on Internally Displaced Persons, Government has established secure IDP Camps and has improved the mechanism for the distribution of basic aid, foods and essential commodities using various strategies in collaboration with local and international Organizations.

6. Efforts are in process for resettlement of IDPs in their home communities by providing schools, hospitals, clinics, water and sanitation to facilitate a quick return to economic activities. Government is similarly implementing de-radicalization and rehabilitation programmes to facilitate sustainable peace and development.

7. The unfortunate incidences of kidnappings, herdsmen and farmers clashes in several communities which have led to high number of fatalities and loss of properties across the country is being addressed and the identified culprits and their sponsors shall be made to face the full wrath of the law. All the three tiers of Government are presently engaged with communities and religious organizations to restore peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

8. I want to commend members of the Multinational Joint Task Force drawn from Niger, Benin, Chad, Cameroon and our own country in collaboration with the International Community who are assisting in the fight against insurgency in the North East. I also commend the gallantry of members of our Armed Forces and other security agencies that have continued to provide security for lives and properties across the country. State and Local traditional authorities are helping with much needed intelligence in this fight against insurgency.

9. This administration is pained over the grievous loss of lives and properties occasioned by the carnage of insurgency and other forms of criminality in the country. I wish to assure Nigerians that we will not rest until all criminal elements and their sponsors are brought to justice. Government is boosting the capacity of our security agencies through recruitment of more personnel, training and procurement of modern equipment, enhancement of intelligence gathering as well as boosting their morale in the face of daunting challenges.

10. The Niger Delta Region has enjoyed relative peace through social inclusiveness and cooperation of the Elders and the good people of the region. Government is committed to implementing the comprehensive peace, security and development plan for the region. The environmental clean-up of the region which commenced with the launch in Bodo, Ogoni in June, 2016 is progressing satisfactorily. Furthermore farming assets are being revived and investors in cocoa and palm oil plantations are showing serious interest.

11. The second primary object of this Administration is to fight corruption headlong. Like I have always said, if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will destroy the country. Three years into this Administration, Nigerians and the international community have begun to applaud our policies and determination to fight corruption. We are more than ever before determined to win this war, however hard the road is. I therefore appeal to all well-meaning Nigerians to continue to support us in this fight.

12. Various policy measures already put in place to stem the tide of corrupt practices are yielding remarkable results. Some of these key reform policies include:
a. The Treasury Single Account (TSA) has realized Billions of Naira being saved from maintenance fee payable to banks. N200 Billion has also been saved from elimination of ghost workers in public service.
b. The Whistle-Blowing Policy has helped to recover over N500 Billion;
c. The Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit set up with a mandate to validate controls, assess risks, prune personnel costs, ensure compliance with Public Financial Management reforms has helped to identify and remove over 52,000 ghost workers from the Federal Government MDAs Payroll;
d. The Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) aimed at expanding tax education and awareness has offered the opportunity for tax defaulters to regularise their status in order to enjoy the amnesty of forgiveness on overdue interest, penalties and the assurance of non-prosecution or subject to tax investigations.
e. The Sovereign Wealth Fund project portfolio has been expanded with an injection of US$650 million so as to strengthen its investment in local infrastructure, power, health, re-construction of Abuja-Kano road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, East West Road (Section V) and the Mambilla Hydro-electric Power project as well as the construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge.

13. The fight against corruption through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has resulted in recoveries of Billions of Naira, as well as forfeiture of various forms of assets. This alongside other efforts has improved Nigeria’s international image and regional cooperation.

14. We have retained the services of one of the world’s leading assets tracing firms to investigate and trace assets globally. This is in addition to the exploitation of provisions of existing Treaties, Conventions as well as Bilateral Agreements with Multilateral bodies and Nations. Nigeria has also signed Mutual Legal Assistance Agreements to ensure that there is no hiding place for fugitives.

15. This Administration has therefore focused on revamping the ailing economy it inherited in 2015. In 2016, Government executed an expansionary budget and developed the Strategic Implementation Plan. For the first time, 30% of the budget was earmarked for capital expenditure which represents an upward review when compared with the 2015 budget. The SIP was followed by the development of a comprehensive medium term plan – the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan 2017 – 2020.

16. The broad strategic objectives of the ERGP were to; Restore and sustain economic growth; Build a globally competitive economy; and Invest in our people. The implementation of the ERGP has started yielding results. The National Bureau of Statistics reports that the economy grew by 1.95% in 1st quarter 2018, which is a good performance when viewed against -0.91 in 1st quarter 2017 and -0.67% in 1st quarter 2016 respectively.

17. Our foreign reserve has improved significantly to 47.5 billion USD as of May, 2018 as against 29.6 billion USD in 2015. The inflationary rate has consistently declined every month since January, 2017.

18. Recently, Government conducted Focus Labs in three key sectors of the Economy namely, Agriculture & Transport, Manufacturing and Processing as well as Power and Gas. These have yielded significant prospects for investments and Job creation to the tune of US$ 22.5 billion with a potential for creating more than 500,000 jobs by 2020. These investment generation initiatives are expected to increase capital inflows in the form of foreign direct investment. There is a high prospect that the cumulative investments from this first phase of the Labs will hit US$39.2 billion by 2025.

19. Under agriculture, Nigeria continues to pursue a strategic food security programme built around self-sufficiency and minimization of import dependency. As a result, rice importation from other countries has been cut down by 90% which has a direct impact on foreign reserves.

20. The Social Investment Programmes (SIP) has been created as a means to graduating our citizens from poverty through capacity building, investment and direct support. The major strategic objective is to restore livelihood, economic opportunities and sustenance for the poor across the country. The SIP programmes and projects include:
a. Home Grown School Feeding Programme - About 8.2 million pupils are currently being fed from 24 States of the Federation with over 75,000 Catering Staff engaged under the programme.
b. The Conditional Cash Transfer has so far recorded over 297,000 caregivers and being trained by 2,495 Community Facilitators in 21 states. Less privileged Nigerians are now being paid N5,000 monthly stipend in 9 pilot States of Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Osun and Oyo. Eventually the scheme will cover all the 36 states of the federation including the FCT.
c. Under the Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme - About 264,269 loans had been disbursed to 4,822 societies in the 36 States and FCT, while another 370,635 are awaiting release of funds.
d. N-Power Job creation Scheme - is targeted at providing jobs for unemployed young graduates and has so far recruited 200,000 youths while the next batch of 300,000 have been selected, verified and would soon be deployed across the 36 States and the FCT. Furthermore, 20,000 non-graduate volunteers have also been selected to kick off the N-Build programme in collaboration with the National Automotive Design and Development Council and the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria.

21. In the area of power generation, Nigerians from all parts of the country continue to report better power supply and less use of generators. This underscores the effectiveness of the methodical plan to deliver incremental and uninterrupted power supply to our homes, markets, offices and factories.

22. The country achieved 5, 222.3 MW representing the highest peak of power generated onto the national grid and delivered to customers in December, 2017. With new facilities, repairs and rehabilitations by Government and private investors, generation capability now exceeds 7,500 MW.

23. This Administration is committed to lawful interventions to ensure the operators of the distribution business live up to expectations especially in the areas of distribution capacity, service delivery, collection efficiency, and metering to eliminate contentious estimated billing.

24. The Transportation Sector continues to undergo a series of reforms in order to sustain the international best practices and ensure safety and security. The nation's major airports have witnessed reconstruction of runways, installation of navigational equipment and new international terminals due for commissioning in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Enugu. Bilateral Air Services Agreements between Nigeria and the Governments of other countries will significantly open up new flight routes.

25. As a result of strict regulatory and compliance policies, Nigeria retained her Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Category 1 status, after a routine international audit. Recently, a new Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility with capacity for aircraft C-checks and other comprehensive levels of maintenance was established in Lagos. This would save the country an estimated $90m annually.

26. Giant strides have been recorded over the past three years to improve road transport infrastructure in all geopolitical zones of the country.

27. The Railway Sector has also received tremendous attention as this Administration is committed to the goal of linking all State capitals in the Federation by rail network to ease the movement of goods and passengers.

28. The Education Sector especially at tertiary level has continued to witness expansion in order to improve access to higher education by millions of youths in Nigeria. Over the last three years, Government has approved the establishment of 1 new Federal Polytechnic, granted licenses for the establishment of 4 State and 14 private-owned Universities as well as 12 private Polytechnics.

29. Government has also continued to support the implementation of various initiatives aimed at improving the quality of Basic Education delivery. Thus, it has ensured proper funding at the Basic Education level with the disbursement of N42.2 billion UBE Matching Grant to 26 States and the FCT, N851.5 million Special Education Grant disbursed to 23 States and private providers of Special Education and N2.2 billion Teachers Professional Development Fund to 33 States and the FCT.

30. The Federal Government has continued to support fiscal sustainability at the sub-national governments through the implementation of the Budget Support Facility which was accompanied by the 22- point Fiscal Sustainability Plan. Thus, bailouts funds were made available to States to ease their fiscal challenges and other obligations including payment of salaries.

31. In addition, a total of 73 Ecological Fund projects for the control of gully erosion in different communities across all geopolitical zones have been completed in the last three years and are undergoing commissioning while 53 other projects are ongoing. The execution of these projects has generated 357 skilled jobs and 1,350 unskilled jobs during this period.

32. It is pertinent to also make mention of the immeasurable contributions of the Nigerian woman to national development and advancement of democracy, over the last three years. The government and people appreciate you all as mothers of our great country.

33. My dear country men and women, as we all celebrate our democratic experience, let us resolve to avoid hatred and intolerance; we can only achieve our objectives in an atmosphere of harmony and peaceful co-existence.

34. Finally, the up-coming months will usher us into another season of general elections. Let me use this opportunity to urge us all to conduct ourselves, our wards and our constituencies with the utmost sense of fairness, justice and peaceful co-existence such that we will have not only hitch free elections but also a credible and violence free process.

35. In few days to come, I will be joined by many promising young Nigerians to sign into law the “Not Too Young to Run” Bill

36. I thank you for your attention.

37. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Office Of The Vice President

Press Release

School Feeding Programme: Over 8.2M Pupils Now Being Fed In 24 States

*Over 80,000 cooks engaged in 45,394 schools


Following the achievement of its target of 5.5 million pupils being fed free daily under the programme in 2017, the Buhari administration’s National Home-grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) now feeds 8,260,984 pupils in 45,394 public primary schools across 24 states.

The 24 states currently benefitting from the school feeding programme are Anambra, Enugu, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Delta, Abia, Benue, Plateau, Bauchi, Taraba, Kaduna, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Imo, Jigawa, Niger, Kano, Katsina, Gombe, Ondo and Borno.

Similarly, over 80,000 direct jobs have since been created from the School Feeding Programme; with 87,261 cooks currently engaged in the 24 participating states. All 36 states of the Federation and the FCT will eventually benefit from the programme.

The programme’s educational, economic and health benefits have been praised by many.

Not only has the Buhari administration’s School Feeding Programme created jobs for thousands of Nigerians in these communities where the programme is being implemented, it has also helped to boost local economies by linking the local farmers to the school feeding market.

Similarly, the school feeding programme continues to record significant milestones in the classrooms as the scheme has led to an increase in enrolment.

Another important aspect of the School Feeding Programme is that by providing a meal a day for millions of pupils, it addresses the issues of malnutrition and stunting among children, increasing the chances of the pupils making a significant headway in their learning and in life.

The NHGSFP plans to implement feeding in 28 States in the coming months, and all over the country soon after.


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the President
Office of the Vice President
23rd May, 2018

The Nigeria Defence Headquarters has launched a new offensive known as operation whirls stroke to flush out criminal gangs responsible for the killings in Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara states.

In a press briefing at the Tactical Air Command, Nigeria Air Force, Makurdi on Friday, the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General John Agim said the operation Whirls Stroke was established to take care of security challenges in Benue, Taraba. Nasarawa and Zamfara states following spates of reported killings and clashes between farmers and herdsmen.

He said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin in consultation with service chiefs and commanders of other security agencies re-strategised and constituted the operation to ensure peace and security of lives and properties in the affected states returned back to normal.

“On the 8 of May 2018 the Operation started in earnest and deployed in all the flash points in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states. It will subsequently be deployed in Zamfara state; however, aerial reconnaissance is being carried out on daily basis in Zamfara state as well as other states under this operation. Operation Whirl Stroke is a full-scale military operation in collaboration with other security agencies to completely restore law, order, peace and stability in the affected communities. In addition, Operation Whirls Stroke will ensure that all the people in the affected areas go about their lawful duties without fear of molestation from any quarters,” he stated.

He said the operation had so far recorded some successes.

According to him, in “Benue State, the following achievements have been recorded within the period of the operation. The troops raided a local militia camp at Tse Utime Unudu in Mbawa Council Ward of Guma LGA of Benue State. During the raid, one armed militia was killed 6 others were arrested while 2 AK 47 rifles, 14 rounds of 62 MM (special) ammunition and 34 rounds of 762MM (NATO) were recovered from the assailants”

He said the suspects and items were in the custody of the military for further investigation.

He further explained that Ada Kajo James and Tikaa Omen Desmond both close associates of Monday Terwase popularly known as ‘Gana, the most dreaded militia in Benue State were arrested.

Both suspects, he continued, were arrested in connection with their involvement in the financing and provision of information to Gana and his syndicate, “The suspects are in the custody of the State Security Services for further investigation.”

Ajim also disclosed that On 10 May, at about 9pm, troops from Operation Whirl Stroke engaged herdsmen who attacked its troops as they were about crossing River Benue at Azege village in Logo LGA of Benue State heading towards Mbajimba village in Guma LGA. He added that the same herdsmen were believed to have carried out the attack in Takum LGA Taraba Stale before they moved to this location.

He said troops were deployed to the affected villages in Ayilamo and Uzer villages in Logo LGA of Benue State and there is a gradual return of villagers to their villages due to presence of security agencies within the LGA.

The defence spokesman stated that information indicated that about 400 residents of Ayilamo village and about 200 residents of Uzer village had returned; out of about 1,500 and 1,000 residents, respectively who fled the villages in January, 2018, due to increased level of attacks by the suspected herdsmen.

“ln Ugya village of Toto LGA of Nasarawa State, troops engaged the militias and carried out a pursuit, and discovered their camp and destroyed it. Three militias were killed. Items recovered include 1 Mark4 rifle, five dane guns, 1 locally made pistol, two Mark 4 rifle magazines, two AK47 magazines 530 5.56 NATO rounds of ammunition, 127 rounds of 7 62mm special ammunition, 20 Mark 4 ammunition, six rounds of 9mm ammunition, five machetes, one axe, 41 catridges, one locally made revolver mechanism, one mobile phone, charms, herbal medicines,” he narrated.

He said over 140 herdsmen had so far been arrested and were being prosecuted since the crises started.

In his remark, the Whirl stroke Operational Force Commander, Major General Adeyemi Yekini stated that the operation was the first of its kind in the country even as he vowed to successfully clear all the affected areas of criminal elements.

He said the operation was in collaboration with special forces of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, DSS and the Civil Defence.

He solicited for the cooperation of opinion leaders and everybody within the affected states and communities to give workable intelligence in order to permanently crush evil people from among Nigerians.

Source: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/05/19/defence-headquarters-launches-operation-whirls-stroke-to-flush-out-killer-groups-in-benue/

Nigeria Getting Back On Track With Rail Revolution

Just days before President Buhari met with President Trump at the White House, history was made in Washington, DC, with the signing of a landmark infrastructure agreement between the Nigerian Government and a consortium of multinational firms led by the American digital industrial giant, General Electric (GE). The implementation of that agreement, worth US$45 million in the first phase, will ensure that within the next 12 months, passenger travel by rail from Lagos to Kano will be faster and safer, while for the first time in over a decade, contracted and scheduled freight rail services can once again be offered.

This milestone project is the outcome of President Buhari’s single-minded determination to develop, upgrade and modernise Nigeria’s transport infrastructure, as well as the relentless push by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, to fully deliver on the President’s vision.

Since Mr. Amaechi took office in November 2015, as Minister of Transportation, there has been a renaissance in Nigeria’s rail industry, in line with the President’s oft-stated vision. This planned revamp of the Narrow-Gauge Rail Network by the international consortium comprising General Electric, Transnet of South Africa, Sino Hydro of China and APM Terminals (part of the Danish Maersk Group) – after two years of meticulous planning, negotiating and contracting, offers strong proof of the seriousness with which the Buhari Administration is taking its railway modernisation ambitions.

Nigeria’s Narrow-Gauge Rail System was conceived in the 1890s and built between 1898 and 1926, with a total length of 3,500 kilometres. It consists of two primary lines – Lagos to Nguru and Port Harcourt to Maiduguri – with spur lines to Eleme, Baro, Kaura Namoda and other places.

These critical economic assets have since become decrepit, having suffered significant decline due to lack of investments in infrastructure maintenance. A few years ago, a previous administration commenced a rehabilitation programme, which saw the Lagos-Kano line come back to life. But that rehabilitation was not accompanied by corollary improvements in operations and engineering management capacity, thus failing to fully exploit the massive freight and passenger potential of the narrow-gauge network.

The Buhari administration, as part of its infrastructure development vision, has now finally taken the long overdue bold steps to modernise the rail network. On August 18, 2017, the Federal Executive Council, following a competitive procurement process, approved the concession of the Narrow-Gauge Rail System to the GE-led Consortium. The Government is advised by a multidisciplinary consortium led by the Africa Finance Corporation.

The initiation of that concession agreement is what has now finally taken effect following the signing in Washington, DC yesterday, ahead of President Buhari’s bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday.

Sources within the GE Consortium have disclosed that the first set of 3 locomotives and sixty wagons (out of 10 locomotives and 200 wagons) are ready to be shipped to Nigeria.

The benefits of this intervention are immense: increased economic productivity, job creation, private sector investment, human capacity development and much-needed world class expertise. Worldwide, rail infrastructure has been proven to reduce costs and wastage of goods; increase economic trade between farmers/miners and industry and between traders and consumers; and grow business competitiveness and increase operational efficiency.

The Narrow-Gauge Concession with the GE-led Consortium is only one of many projects conceived in the sector. In July 2016, President Buhari commissioned the Abuja (Idu) to Kaduna (Rigasa) Standard-Gauge Rail Line, which runs two round trips daily between the two cities, creating an alternative for the over 20,000 motorists who ply the route.

Also, that month, Minister Amaechi signed a renegotiated agreement with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation that revised the cost – originally negotiated by his predecessors – of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Railway Project downwards by 800 million dollars.

Again, in March 2017, Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo flagged-off construction of the 156-kilometre Lagos-Ibadan Standard-Gauge Line, following the payment of the federal government’s 15 per cent counterpart funds about two hundred million dollars to the Chinese Export Import Bank. The project is expected to be completed within three years and it forms the second phase of the Lagos to Kano Standard Gauge Line, after the Abuja-Kaduna Line. This Standard Gauge project is different from the existing Narrow-Gauge line being concessioned to the GE Consortium.

Furthermore, in December 2017, the Federal Executive Council approved the acquisition of nine locomotives, one hundred and twenty-eight Passenger Coaches, and one hundred and ninety wagons to support Standard Gauge rail operations.

The Abuja Monorail project will be commissioned during the second quarter of 2018. The first phase of the 45-kilometre rail project has 12 rail stations and connects the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to Abuja’s Central Business District.

In his 2018 New Year Speech, President Buhari announced that negotiations were advanced for the construction of the Frontier Rail Line from Kano to Maradi in Niger Republic emanating from Kano through to Kazaure, Katsina, Jibia and finally to Maradi.

Also noteworthy is the development of the Coastal Rail Line from Lagos to Calabar via Lagos-Ore-Benin City-Sapele-Warri-Yenagoa with sidings to Otuoke, Port Harcourt, Aba, Uyo, Calabar and branch line from Benin-City, Obudu, Onitsha including Onitsha rail bridge. These developments are significant, as they will position Nigeria as a major transhipment hub for millions of tons of goods being imported from and exported to land-locked countries including Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso and Cameroon.

For centuries, rail networks have formed the foundation for industrialisation, productivity and economic efficiency for many developed nations. For instance, rail infrastructure stock in the United States of America increased 16-fold from 14,000 kilometres in 1850 to over 220,000 kilometres today. The United States’ rail network has annual revenues of about $60 billion, provides 221,000 jobs and delivers 5 million tons of freight and transports approximately 85,000 passengers every day. One third of all exports from the United States is facilitated by rail transport.

In the 2017 Budget and the 2018 Budget Proposal, the federal government provisioned more than 300 billion naira for railway projects, mainly as 15 per cent counterpart funds to unlock additional concessionary funding from the Chinese Export Import Bank.

This is an unprecedented commitment, which, combined with the GE-led Consortium’s drive to modernising Nigeria’s rail infrastructure, will add immense value to Nigeria’s long term economic growth and productivity.

Ibeleme writes from Abuja

Source: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/05/18/nigeria-getting-back-on-track-with-rail-revolution/

Announcement: FG Establishes Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund; NEC Approves $650M Seed Funding
May 17, 2018

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of a Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), which is to be managed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and invested specifically in critical road and power projects across the country.

The National Economic Council (NEC) has also, today, May 17, 2018, authorised the initial transfer of $650 million dollars to the NSIA from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Dividend Account, as seed funding for PIDF.

This initiative aims to eliminate the risks of project funding, cost variation and completion that have plagued the development of the nation’s critical infrastructure assets — such as the 2nd Niger Bridge, Lagos to Ibadan Expressway, East—West Road, Abuja to Kano Road, Mambilla Hydroelectric Power — over the last few decades.

This commitment by the President and NEC, allows all State Governments to own an economic interest in the project companies that will be professionally developed and managed by the NSIA.

The investments will yield returns, which will diversify revenues to States, improve the fiscal sustainability profile of the Federation and ensure Nigerians benefit from modernised Infrastructure for decades to come.

The PIDF will secure counterpart funds required for projects being co-developed with China Exim and China Development Banks, and mobilize any additional funding required from development partners.

Source: https://statehouse.gov.ng/news/announcement-fg-establishes-presidential-infrastructure-development-fund-nec-approves-650m-seed-funding/