₦airaland Forum

EFCC's RECRUITMENT. Result of the last examination of Detective Inspector Cadre into the EFCC is ready and names of successful candidates have been published on the EFCC's website. Successful candidates will also be contacted through SMS - (Scroll Down to See Full List of Successful Candidates)

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Sequel to the Physical Screening / Aptitude Test which was conducted between 20-25 June, 2016 in various Centers across Nigeria, kindly be informed that the candidates from the SSCE (Detective Assistant) Cadre with the under-listed EXAMINATION NUMBERS were successful.

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In view of the foregoing, the candidates are expected to report for Interview and Comprehensive Medical screening at the Air Force Base Ground Training Center, Mando, Kaduna - (Scroll Down to See Full List of Successful Candidates)

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JOINING INSTRUCTIONS (Scroll Down to See Full List of Successful Candidates)
1. TWO COLOURED PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPHS
2. TWO PAIRS OF WHITE SPORTS WEAR (PLAIN WHITE SHORTS AND WHITE T-SHIRTS)
3. WHITE SNEAKERS
4. ORIGINAL CREDENTIALS

NB: All Successful candidates from this phase of the exercise will commence training
immediately. For further enquiries contact:

08164874654, 08182817506, 08160226158, 08182817498, 08142371811 (Scroll Down to See Full List of Successful Candidates)

Successful candidates for the Detective Superintendent Cadre will be contacted as soon as the process is concluded. #EFCCRECRUITMENT. #EFCC. Website: www.efccnigeria.org

EXAMINATION NUMBERS FOR SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES DETECTIVE ASSISTANT (SSCE) CADRE ONLY

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES FOR THE DETECTIVE ASSISTANT CADRE (SSCE HOLDERS) ONLY

NAMES OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES DETECTIVE INSPECTORATE (DIPLOMA CADRE ONLY)

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/2016-efcc-recruitment-list-successful-candidates-released-see-list/

Nigeria Super Eagles climed three places and now occupy the 64th position in the latest FIFA rankings released this morning by the world football governing body - FIFA. Nigeria now occupy the 11th position in Africa rankings, Côte d'Ivoire, Algeria and Senegal occupy the 1st, 2nd and 3rd position respectively in African ranking.

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The three points earned came from the Nigeria VS Tanzania match which the Super Eagles won by a loan goal.

The large number of qualifying fixtures for continental competitions (26 matches) and the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ (61 matches) over September is reflected in significant movement in the latest edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

Despite the shifts up and down the ranking, however, Argentina and Belgium remain fixed in first and second place respectively, cementing their positions at the summit of the World Ranking for another month. Elsewhere in the top five, Germany (3, up 1) and Colombia (4, down 1) traded places while a rejuvenated Brazil, under new coach Tite, moved into joint fourth place thanks largely due to victories against Colombia and Ecuador in World Cup qualifiers.

A little further down, Uruguay (9, up 3) and Wales (10, up 1) muscled their way into the top ten at the expense of Spain (11, down 3) and Italy (13, down 3). While Brazil are the month’s biggest points scorers, Bolivia climbed furthest (75, up 35), followed by Malawi (99, up 28), Faroe Islands (111, up 24) and the Dominican Republic (114, up 24)

Newcomers to world stage
The two most recent member associations to join FIFA, Gibraltar and Kosovo, participated in their first ever World Cup preliminary matches in September. With only two A-games to their name in ranking history, Kosovo (168, up 22) were the fifth-biggest climbers this month. In contrast, Gibraltar (205) secured no points from their two matches, the first of which was against newly crowned European champions Portugal (7, down 1).

This month, the following teams reached their best ever position on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking: Guinea-Bissau (73, up 2), St Kitts and Nevis (77, up 4), Kazakhstan (83, up 13), Comoros (152, up 3), and Kosovo (168, up 22).

A notable mention goes to the four teams breaking into the top 50: Scotland (44, up 7), Australia (45, up 12), Greece (48, up 4), and Uzbekistan (49, up 6). A total of 126 international A-matches were played over the past few weeks, bringing the total number of games for the 2016 to 632.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 20 October 2016.

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/september-2016-fifa-ranking-nigeria-moved-3-places-occupies-64th-position-world-ranking/

Femi Oke of AJ Stream - a popular social media programme on Aljazeera tweets: This kid grew up to be Finance Minister of her country & a MD at the World Bank. Her story next @AJEnglish.

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http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/throw-back-photo-ngozi-okonjo-iweala/

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On Tuesday 19th of July, 2016, President Buhari and VP Osinbajo met with Team Nigeria to the Rio Olympics. Our cameramen caught the President and VP's reaction when the Sport Minister told the gathering that Nigeria will claim 5 gold medals.....See Photo:

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Nigerian Commercial lender, Zenith Bank, has denied funding the election of Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose. In a statement signed by its Head of Corporate Communication on Monday, Zenith Bank said it did not fund Fayose’s election or any other election in the country.

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Just last month, Fayose had challenged the management of Zenith Bank Plc to officially deny that the bank funded his election in 2014. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has been on the governor’s tail after investigations linked him to the $2.1 billion arms money reportedly diverted by the former Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Shortly after, the anti-graft body froze the personal accounts of Governor Fayose and those of some of his associates. Governor Fayose has since denied the allegations, accusing the EFCC of being corrupt.

See full statement below:
The issue involved in this case has to do with investigation bordering on the account of the Governor of Ekiti State by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The bank was never a party to the matter.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) wrote to the bank, in the course of its investigation to make enquires and also directed that the bank temporarily suspend operations on the account pending conclusion of the investigation, which the bank complied with.

Zenith Bank did not fund the Governorship election of Ekiti State or indeed any other election in the country. As a policy the bank does not make political donations or fund any political association or party. Zenith Bank Plc as a foremost financial institution maintains a very cordial relationship with the Authorities of all its host states where it has business offices including Ekiti State.

The bank’s only branch in Ekiti State predates the assumption of office of the current Administration. Moreover, the bank does not hold any business account of Ekiti State till date. There was therefore, no incentive to fund the election as alleged. Zenith Bank Management would like to reassure and state that it will continue to conduct its business in line with best practices and extant banking laws and regulations.

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/zenith-bank-issue-press-statement-denies-funding-fayoses-election-read-full-speech/

Senator Dino Melaye tweeted few minutes ago..........Nice weekend in Lagos...meaning he landed at the MM2 Lagos on a Medview flight from Abuja to Lagos - See photos

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more photos shortly....

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http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/dino-melaye-proves-critics-wrong-visit-lagos-see-photo-and-tweet/

Osinbajo Clears the Air on the Call for Restructuring Nigeria; 2014 Confab Report (Read Full Interview; Watch Video)

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday gave his support for the introduction of state police just as he affirmed that the Muhammadu Buhari administration has implemented some of the recommendations of the 2014 Constitutional Conference. The vice president spoke on a radio programme hosted by Journalist Hangout Crew of TVC. He spoke against differing interpretations of the vice president’s intervention in the ongoing debate about the restructuring of the country - READ FULL INTERVIEW BELOW:

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Nigeria is a major concept, it’s a huge thing, there are many issues surrounding it. For example, I have always been a strong believer in fiscal federalism that is to say, that the states must have more resources and we went to the Supreme Court. I actually went to the Supreme Court as Attorney-General of Lagos State, no less than ten times on issues of fiscal federalism.
As a matter of fact, one of the things we said at that point was that we are trying to structure Nigeria’s federalism by court action. We went to court several times. For example on the issue of whether states have the right to certain degrees of autonomy, we fully supported that and said the state have right of autonomy with (regards) even to their resources.
VAT for example: we believe VAT must be a state matter, sales tax ought to be a state matter. I strongly believe in that and we’ve always fought for those issues.

State police: I strongly believe that we must have state police.
Dividing Nigeria, going back to regions and all of those kinds of things, I do not believe that at all. I don’t think that we need to go back to regions. So, if there are people who believe that we must structure ourselves again along ethnic lines I don’t accept that that is the right way to go. So, when you say restructuring, even seated there with you (the interviewers on the tv set) I am sure that for many of us there are certain aspects of this restructuring that you may agree with or that you may not agree with. But as a general position, Nigeria always needs to be re- 2 engineered, we have to keep restructuring, re-engineering.
For example look at (some of the current) questions today, around whether or not a state should have rule over its resources. That is a major point.

Of course, states ought to have a good measure of control over their resources but we must have to agree how do you then ensure that the federal government itself functions. Do you need a federal government or do you not need a federal government? But to say restructuring, I am sure that even Mr. Otitoju, with whom we ‘ye worked very closely will agree with me, even if he does not agree, I don’t think he wants Nigeria to be restructured along ethnic lines. Is that the restructure we want?

POWER SHARING
What do you mean by power sharing, you must be specific. Is it the rotation of the presidency? As far as I am concerned whatever the political arrangement the political party makes, wherever they want the presidency to go should be left entirely with the political parties and should be a political arrangement. But I don’t believe that we should go and write it in our constitution that there must be... that the presidency must go from zone to zone. I dont think that should be a constitutional issue. I think we should leave that to the parties themselves. If a party decides that we want zoning its a party thing, let it be so. But I don’t think we should go and write that into our constitution.

And I very strongly believe that the time will come when we will no longer be emphasizing geo-political zone and that is the kind of Nigeria I will like to see. I like to see a Nigeria where we are all able to work together, where we are able to de-emphasize ethnicity, de-emphasize geo-political zone. That is the kind of Nigeria that I’ll like to see. I believe that sometimes, you know, we pre-occupy ourselves with some of these issues you know, but let’s take a close look at today when we’ve had problems in this country. Whatever problems we had today, we have serious economic problems. Is it on account of geo-political arrangement that we have serious economic problems? Corruption for example, which is crippling Nigeria, is corruption a geo-political problem?

Because what I have seen, just looking at the case files, what I have seen is that when there is corruption in Nigeria, any case of corruption, you will find federal character, every geop olitical zone is represented. If somebody steals today, if you find somebody stealing $200m or $2b as we see, you will find that everybody is represented. You will find Yoruba man, Housa man, the man from South-South, you find the lgbo man. There is equal representation. I think we must also interrogate our elites, Nigerian elites.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dzIJZd7FcQ

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
Let me say that you know, with respect to constitutional reform I’m one for continuously reviewing our constitution especially because there are many faults that are in the constitution. There are many different problems, many different issues.
I believe that we must continue to take a look at the constitution and look for ways of modifying it, we should not be shying away from constitutional amendment or revisiting our constitution but what I am against is anything that is vague.

You know for example, if you take a look at our constitution, and say well let us just look at it again. Some people say it is not our constitution because it does not originate from the people. Most constitutions as you see all over the world, are usually from elites. The elites come together draw up a set of rules and regulations, and everybody accepts it. There are very few places where even a man on the street don’t understand half of what you are saying in the constitutional document.

So what our elites and our representative ought to do is to provide for the people the very best that will ensure the welfare, the safety of the vast majority of the people. That is the responsibility of the elites. I’m a constitutional lawyer, I know that regarding the constitution, generally speaking, how many people get involved? Even if you do a referendum you, you can’t do a yes or no on a constitutional document.

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/osinbajo-clears-air-call-restructuring-nigeria-2014-confab-report-full-interview/

When you realise #ENG beat all four #Euro2016 semi-finalists this season. #FRA #GER #POR #WAL

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Another #Rio2016 friendly loss #Nigeria U-23 side lost 1-0 to #Mexico in a international friendly match played in Aguascalientes on Sunday.

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/friendly-matches-not-best-judgement-strength-team-see-photo/

Venezuela police arrest 400 for looting in food shortage

At least 400 people have been arrested in Venezuela after rioting and looting over food shortages. Over 100 shops in the coastal town of Cumana were hit and at least one person died according to local media. Venezuela has one of the world's highest inflation rates at 180% and people can queue for hours for subsidised food.

Opposition politicians blame government mismanagement for the shortages. But the government says the shortages are part of an economic war being waged to drive President Nicolas Maduro from office. Most of the shops were looted for food according to opposition congresswoman Milagros Paz.

She is quoted in Venezuelan newspaper El Universal as saying that the authorities "have not admitted the food distribution emergency". But according to the socialist governor of Sucre state, Luis Acuna, it was off licenses, opticians and clothes shops that were targeted in the looting, reports El Nacional.

Food and medicine are in short supply and street protests have become increasingly agitated. More than 10 attempts of looting happen every day, according to the non-governmental organisation Venezuelan Violence Observatory.

Diosdado Cabello, a lawmaker from Mr Maduro's PSUV party, blamed the opposition for inciting violent protest.

"These are fascist groups which are generating unrest," he said.

"Don't come to me with this fairy tale that these are spontaneous protests," he said on his television programme.

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/financial-crisis-citizens-venezuela-now-steal-eat-read/

Address Delivered By His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor Of Lagos State At The Swearing-In Ceremony Of Newly Appointed Sole Administartors On Monday 13th June 2016 At The Banquet Hall Of Lagos House, Alausa

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Today’s event is another step by our administration to give governance back to the people of this State by making the Local Governments and Local Councils a vibrant, responsive and viable part of the Lagos State Government.

You will recollect that the Lagos State House of Assembly recently passed a resolution that the previous local government committee’s be dissolved and Sole Administrators appointed in their place. In line with this, we have today sworn in Sole Administrators to manage the affairs of our Local Governments and Councils.

The hallmark of any good Government is to provide basic services to the communities at the grassroots. This is the only way the real dividends of good governance can spread downwards and touch the hearts and minds of its people.

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Our State is growing so fast that the concept of the rural area will not be applicable to any part of Lagos very soon. Our government is working hard to meet the yearnings of our people who live in what I term semi-urban areas by providing them with services like water, good roads, street lights, efficient refuse collection, cleaning of drainage and roads, primary healthcare, recreational parks and sports facilities to make those areas liveable and economically viable. We are dedicated to this and will deliver on our promise of a Government of inclusion where no one is left behind.

This government is committed to Local Government reforms and in August last year during our meeting with Community Development Associations, we promised to embark on reforms with the aim of making the 57 Local Government and Development Areas more responsive to the needs of the people. In furtherance of this, early this year we assented to Three Bills on Local Government reform and elections passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

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The message behind these new laws is that our administration is set to restore standards, create opportunities, instill pride, honour, service, accountability and responsiveness to the Local Government system in Lagos State. It will no longer be business as usual. Rather it will be a tough journey requiring character, leadership, commitment and resilience of those at the helm of affairs to actualize our dreams.

Your appointment today as Sole Administrators should therefore be seen as a call to service of our people. You are relay runners on a journey of reform that will ultimately culminate in the election of accountable people that will carry on the baton of good governance for our people. For the duration of your race, I urge you to run the race efficiently with diligence so you do not betray the trust that has been placed in you.

Your job is to go to the Local Governments you have been posted and make a difference to the lives of the people. You must touch lives and be prepared to have your lives also touched by our people. You must interact with the people, share their joys and pain, and reside among them. It is only through this symbiotic relationship that we can truly say we have begun to understand and serve our people.

Let me seize this opportunity to warn that we will not hesitate to remove and replace any Administrator who fails to serve the people diligently or abuses his/her office. A strict monitoring, control and feedback process will be put in place to ensure that there are no excesses or excuses. Strict accountability must be your watchword. Lagosians will be watching you and we will be watching you too.

The Secretary to the State Government will announce the postings shortly.

On a final note I congratulate you on your appointments and wish you success in carrying out your assignments.

Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Lojemilogun Lojewalogun

Akinwunmi Ambode

Governor Lagos State

June 13, 2016

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/ambode-sworn-in-sole-administrators-for-lagos-lgas-and-councils-see-photos/

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The Management of the National Youth Service Corps wishes to inform all prospective Corps members that the President, Commander-in-chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved and released funds to the Scheme to hold its planned Orientation course.

Consequently, Management of the Scheme has scheduled the 2016 Batch A Stream 11 Orientation course to commence from MONDAY 13th JUNE to WEDNESDAY 29th JUNE 2016 Nationwide.

Prospective Corps members are expected to log on to the NYSC Portal to commence printing of their Call-up letters from TUESDAY, 7th JUNE 2016 by 12noon as the earlier printed Call-up letters are now invalid. While those who did not subscribe for online printing should start collection of Call-up letters from THURSDAY 9th JUNE from their various institutions of graduation.

Management also wishes to thank all stakeholders in exercising patience for this new date and wishes all prospective Corps members a hitch free orientation exercise.

SIGNED
Management

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/nysc-2016-batch-stream-ii-orientation-commence-monday-june-13-2016/

https://web.facebook.com/officialnysc/

[size=15pt]OK.....I dey come....

The main list will be released by Monday![/size]

The MTN concert holding at the Unilorin witnessed few students who turn up to see what MTN has to offer. The University of Ilorin has been known as one of the University in Nigeria where premium is placed on academic rather than social events.

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MTN had to use the social media to create awareness - Read tweet: If you are in Ilorin you don't want to miss our free concert going down now in UNILORIN Permanent Site! #ItsWhoWeAre

@ http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/mtn-concert-university-ilorin-students-show-see-photos/

ganisucks:
Another example of talking before thinking. PostUme was set up by a law, and can only be stopped after wide consultations between NASS and the respective tertiary institutions. This government is clueless, unintelligent and useless. ASUU strike loading.

When you don't think before you talk....No law in Nigeria established post utme...Site the section of the constitution....

Hen hehe....no one is talking about smartweb.com ....my host...but I am leaving them soon.....

Qserver was my host before now...

[size=15pt]Get clearer HD Video link of the Persident's Speech Here - http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/download/president-buharis-democracy-speech-may-29-2016-download-full-speech-video/[/size]

Sunnycliff:
But he did not mention the names of those who returned Nigeria loot as he earlier said in London!

The Ministry of Infromation will be doing that in the course of the week.....read the speech....

President buhari's democracy speech.may 29,2016.

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My compatriots,

It is one year today since our administration came into office. It has been a year of triumph, consolidation, pains and achievements. By age, instinct and experience, my preference is to look forward, to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead and rededicate the administration to the task of fixing nigeria. But i believe we can also learn from the obstacles we have overcome and the progress we made thus far, to help strengthen the plans that we have in place to put nigeria back on the path of progress.

We affirm our belief in democracy as the form of government that best assures the active participation and actual benefit of the people. Despite the many years of hardship and disappointment the people of this nation have proved inherently good, industrious tolerant, patient and generous.

The past years have witnessed huge flows of oil revenues. From 2010 average oil prices were $100 per barrel. But economic and security conditions were deteriorating. We campaigned and won the election on the platform of restoring security, tackling corruption and restructuring the economy. On our arrival, the oil price had collapsed to as low as $30 per barrel and we found nothing had been kept for the rainy day. Oil prices have been declining since 2014 but due to the neglect of the past, the country was not equipped to halt the economy from declining.

The infrastructure, notably rail, power, roads were in a decrepit state. All the four refineries were in a state of disrepair, the pipelines and depots neglected.

Huge debts owed to contractors and suppliers had accumulated. Twenty-seven states could not pay salaries for months. In the north-east, boko haram had captured 14 local governments, driven the local authorities out, hoisted their flags. Elsewhere, insecurity was palpable; corruption and impunity were the order of the day. In short, we inherited a state near collapse.

On the economic front, all oil dependent countries, nigeria included, have been struggling since the drop in prices. Many oil rich states have had to take tough decisions similar to what we are doing. The world, nigeria included has been dealing with the effects of three significant and simultaneous global shocks starting in 2014:
a 70% drop in oil prices.

Global growth slowdown. Normalization of monetary policy by the united states federal reserve.

Our problems as a government are like that of a farmer who in a good season harvests ten bags of produce. The proceeds enable him to get by for rest of the year. However, this year he could only manage 3 bags from his farm. He must now think of other ways to make ends meet.

From day one, we purposely set out to correct our condition, to change nigeria. We reinforced and galvanized our armed forces with new leadership and resources. We marshaled our neighbours in a joint task force to tackle and defeat boko haram. By the end of december 2015, all but pockets and remnants had been routed by our gallant armed forces. Our immediate focus is for a gradual and safe return of internally displaced persons in safety and dignity and for the resumption of normalcy in the lives of people living in these areas.

Efcc was given the freedom to pursue corrupt officials and the judiciary was alerted on what nigerians expect of them in the fight against corruption. On the economy, in particular foreign exchange and fuel shortages, our plan is to save foreign exchange by fast tracking repair of the refineries and producing most of our fuel requirements at home. And by growing more food in nigeria, mainly rice, wheat and sugar we will save billions of dollars in foreign exchange and drastically reduce our food import bill.

We resolved to keep the naira steady, as in the past, devaluation had done dreadful harm to the nigerian economy. Furthermore, i support the monetary authority’s decision to ensure alignment between monetary policy and fiscal policy. We shall keep a close look on how the recent measures affect the naira and the economy. But we cannot get away from the fact that a strong currency is predicated on a strong economy.

And a strong economy pre-supposes an industrial productive base and a steady export market. The measures we must take, may lead to hardships. The problems nigerians have faced over the last year have been many and varied. But the real challenge for this government has been reconstructing the spine of the nigerian state.

The last twelve months have been spent collaborating with all arms of government torevive our institutions so that they are more efficient and fit for purpose: that means a bureaucracy better able to develop and deliver policy that means an independent judiciary, above suspicion and able to defend citizen’s rights and dispense justice equitably. That means a legislature that actually legislates effectively and above all; that means political parties and politicians committed to serving the nigerian people rather than themselves.

These are the pillars of the state on which democracy can take root and thrive. But only if they are strong and incorruptible. Accordingly, we are working very hard to introduce some vital structural reforms in the way we conduct government business and lay a solid foundation on which we can build enduring change.

An important first step has been to get our housekeeping right. So we have reduced the extravagant spending of the past. We started boldly with the treasury single account, stopping the leakages in public expenditure.

We then identified forty-three thousand ghost workers through the integrated payroll and personal information system. That represents pay packets totaling N4.2 billion stolen every month. In addition, we will save twenty-three billion per annum from official travelling and sitting allowances alone.

Furthermore, the efficiency unit will cut costs and eliminate duplications in ministries and departments. Every little saving helps. The reduction in the number of ministries and work on restructuring and rationalization of the mdas is well underway. When this work is complete we will have a leaner, more efficient public service that is fit for the purpose of changing nigeria for the good and for good.

As well as making savings, we have changed the way public money is spent. In all my years as a public servant, i have never come across the practice of padding budgets. I am glad to tell you now we not only have a budget, but more importantly, we have a budget process that is more transparent, more inclusive and more closely tied to our development priorities than in the recent past. 30% of the expenditure in this budget is devoted to capital items. Furthermore, we are projecting non-oil revenues to surpass proceeds from oil. Some critics have described the budget exercise as clumsy. Perhaps. But it was an example of consensus building, which is integral to democratic government. In the end we resolved our differences.

We have, therefore, delivered significant milestones on security, corruption and the economy. In respect of the economy, i would like to directly address you on the very painful but inevitable decisions we had to make in the last few weeks specifically on the pump price of fuel and the more flexible exchange rate policy announced by the central bank. It is even more painful for me that a major producer of crude oil with four refineries that once exported refined products is today having to import all of its domestic needs. This is what corruption and mismanagement has done to us and that is why we must fight these ills.

As part of the foundation of the new economy we have had to reform how fuel prices had traditionally been fixed. This step was taken only after protracted consideration of its pros and cons. After comprehensive investigation my advisers and i concluded that the mechanism was unsustainable.

We are also engaged in making recoveries of stolen assets some of which are in different jurisdictions. The processes of recovery can be tedious and time consuming, but today i can confirm that thus far: significant amount of assets have been recovered. A considerable portion of these are at different stages of recovery. Full details of the status and categories of the assets will now be published by the ministry of information and updated periodically. When forfeiture formalities are completed these monies will be credited to the treasury and be openly and transparently used in funding developmental projects and the public will be informed.

On the niger delta, we are committed to implementing the united nations environment programme report and are advancing clean-up operations. I believe the way forward is to take a sustainable approach to address the issues that affect the delta communities. Re-engineering the amnesty programmes is an example of this. The recent spate of attacks by militants disrupting oil and power installations will not distract us from engaging leaders in the region in addressing niger delta problems. If the militants and vandals are testing our resolve, they are much mistaken. We shall apprehend the perpetrators and their sponsors and bring them to justice.

The policy measures and actions taken so far are not to be seen as some experiment in governance. We are fully aware that those vested interests who have held nigeria back for so long will not give up without a fight. They will sow divisions, sponsor vile press criticisms at home and abroad, incite the public in an effort to create chaos rather than relinquish the vice-like grip they have held on nigeria.

The economic misfortune we are experiencing in the shape of very low oil prices has provided us with an opportunity to restructure our economy and diversify. We are in the process of promoting agriculture, livestocks, exploiting our solid mineral resources and expanding our industrial and manufacturing base. That way, we will import less and make the social investments necessary to allow us to produce a large and skilled workforce.

Central bank of nigeria will offer more fiscal incentives for business that prove capable of manufacturing products that are internationally competitive. We remain committed to reforming the regulatory framework, for investors by improving the ease of doing business in nigeria.

Meanwhile, the first steps along the path of self-sufficiency in rice, wheat and sugar – big users of our scarce foreign exchange – have been taken. The labour intensive farming enterprise (life), will boost the economy and ensure inclusive growth in long neglected communities. Special intervention funds through the bank of agriculture will provide targeted support. Concerns remain about rising cost of foods such as maize, rice, millet, beans and gari. Farmers tell me that they are worried about the cost of fertilizers, pesticides and the absence of extension services. The federal and state governments are on the same page in tackling these hurdles in our efforts at increased food production and ultimately food security.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the increasing role that our women are playing in revitalizing the agricultural sector. Modern farming is still hard and heavy work and i salute our nigerian women in sharing this burden. In this respect i am very pleased to announce that the government will shortly be launching the national women’s empowerment fund, which i have approved to provide n1.6 billion in micro-finance loans to women across the nation to assist in rehabilitating the economies of rural communities, particularly those impacted by the insurgency and conflict.

With respect to solid minerals, the minister has produced a roadmap where we will work closely with the world bank and major international investors to ensure through best practices and due diligence that we choose the right partners. Illegal mining remains a problem and we have set up a special security team to protect our assets. Special measures will be in place to protect miners in their work environment.

For too long, ours has been a society that neglects the poor and victimizes the weak. A society that promotes profit and growth over development and freedom. A society that fails to recognize that, to quote the distinguished economist amartya sen “ poverty is not just lack of money. It is not having the capability to realize one’s full potential as a human being.”

So, today, i am happy to formally launch, by far the most ambitious social protection programme in our history. A programme that both seeks to start the process of lifting many from poverty, while at the same time creating the opportunity for people to fend for themselves. In this regard, five hundred billion naira has been appropriated in the 2016 budget for social intervention programmes in five key areas. We are committed to providing job creation opportunities for five hundred thousand teachers and one hundred thousand artisans across the nation. 5.5 million children are to be provided with nutritious meals through our school feeding programme to improve learning outcomes, as well as enrolment and completion rates. The conditional cash transfer scheme will provide financial support for up to 1 million vulnerable beneficiaries, and complement the enterprise programme – which will target up to 1 million market women; four hundred and sixty thousand artisans; and two hundred thousand agricultural workers, nationwide. Finally, through the education grant scheme, we will encourage students studying sciences, technology, engineering and maths, and lay a foundation for human capital development for the next generation

I would like to pay a special tribute to our gallant men and women of the armed forces who are in harm’s way so that the rest of us can live and go about our business in safety. Their work is almost done. The nation owes them a debt of gratitude.

Abroad, we want to assure our neighbours, friends and development partners that nigeria is firmly committed to democratic principles. We are ready partners in combating terrorism, cyber crimes, control of communicable diseases and protection of the environment. Following on the paris agreement, cop 21, we are fully committed to halting and reversing desertification. Elsewhere, we will intensify efforts to tackle erosion, ocean surge, flooding and oil spillage which i referred to earlier by implementing the united nations environment programme (unep) report.

We are grateful to the international community notably france, the us, uk and china for their quick response in helping to tackle the recent ebola outbreak in our sub-region. We also acknowledge the humanity shown by the italian and german governments in the treatment of boat people, many fleeing from our sub-region because of lack of economic opportunity. We thank all our partners especially several countries in the eu.

We appreciate the valuable work that the un agencies, particularly unicef, icrc, the world food program have been doing. We must also appreciate the world bank, the gates foundation, the global fund and educate a child of qatar are for the excellent work in our health, education and other sectors.

Fellow citizens let me end on a happy note. To the delight of all, two of the abducted chibok girls have regained their freedom. During the last one year, not a single day passed without my agonizing about these girls. Our efforts have centred around negotiations to free them safely from their, mindless, captors. We are still pursuing that course. Their safety is of paramount concern to me and i am sure to most nigerians. I am very worried about the conditions those still captured might be in. Today i re-affirm our commitment to rescuing our girls. We will never stop until we bring them home safely. As i said before, no girl should be put through the brutality of forced marriage and every nigerian girl has the right to an education and a life choice.

I thank you and appeal to you to continue supporting the government’s efforts to fix nigeria.

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/president-buharis-democracy-speech-may-29-2016-read-full-speech/

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