Buhari

By Ogechi Okorie

KATSINA – Former President Muhammadu Buhari joins family members of the deceased and the entire nation in mourning the demise of a notable politician, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the first civilian governor of Abia state and former minister of Science, Technology and Innovation under his administration.

Buhari’s condolence message was contained in a statement released via the X account of his spokesman, Garba Shehu.

According to the statement, in his reaction to the news of the death of the former chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, a party that once fielded him as a presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari said the nation had lost “one of its most outstanding scientific minds and intellectuals.

He was an intellectual giant. My heart goes out to his family, the government and people of Abia State and the country at large. May his soul rest in peace.”

By Simplicius Josiah

KATSINA – As muslims fathful in Nigeria join the rest of the world to celebrate eid-el-fitr, former President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians, in a Sallah message, to support our leaders from the lowest to the topmost, at this crucial juncture of our democracy.

Speaking to journalists in Daura, shortly after observing the Eid prayer on Wednesday morning, the former president congratulated fellow Muslims on the successful completion of the 30-day Ramadan fasting and the performance of the Eid, and urged “all citizens to support our leaders from the local government level to the highest at the center, in their efforts to transform the development landscape of the nation.”

According to the statement signed by his Media Adviser, Garba Shehu released via X account of Muhammadu Buhari, the former president said “Support for our leaders,” he further stated, “is a vote for a better tomorrow.”

“It is imperative that we stand united in safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of our nation,” he said, calling on contestants to political offices “to always ensure a smooth succession from one administration to another without stoking communal tensions and obstructing development, irrespective of political party affiliation.”

The former President expressed his appreciation to the people of Daura, his hometown, and the State in general, for according him a warm welcome as indicated by the massive crowd at the Eid prayer ground.

He expressed his happiness at being in the midst of his people after finishing his term as President.

By Chris Udochukwu

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has extolled the virtues of former President Muhammadu Buhari on his 81st birthday.

Senator Barau, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, described former President Buhari as an untiring promoter of peace and unity in the country.

Born on December 17, 1942, the former President Buhari will clock 81 tomorrow. The Deputy President of the Senate, while extending warm birthday wishes to the former president, said he remains one of Nigeria’s Distinguished leaders.

According to him, from his military to political career, the former president had a clear vision for Nigeria – the unity and progress of the country.

He noted that throughout his eight-year tenure, former President Buhari intensified efforts and worked towards addressing the security challenges, revival of the economy and promotion of good governance. This he said, endeared him to the masses across the country.

” As we celebrate the 81st birthday of the 15th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, I pray Allah SWT to grant him enduring health and happiness for us to continue to tap from his fountain of knowledge and wisdom for the benefit of the country,” he said.

President Buhari has said that he is happy that he will be leaving Nigeria in the competent hands of his successor, President-elect Bola Tinubu. 

While speaking at a function in Lagos state on Monday, May 22, President Buhari said he is confident that Tinubu will “strengthen the framework of Nigeria’s public-private partnership policies to accelerate the pace of her economic growth and development.”

‘‘I am happy to leave our economy in very competent hands. I am confident that my successor, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will sustain the improvement in our economic and business environment,” Buhari said

Abuja, – President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reappointment of members of the Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) for a final term of three years.

The Ministry of Police Affairs stated on Friday in Abuja that the renewed appointment takes effect from May 19, pursuant to the NPTF (Establishment) Act, 2019.

It added that the reappointment followed the remarkable performance of the board as evident in the deepening of policing and internal security in Nigeria.

Members of the board were first appointed in May 2020 for an initial term of three years.

They are Mr Suleiman Abba, Chairman and Mr Abdullahi Bala, Executive Secretary and a representative each of the Ministries of Police Affairs, Justice and that of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

Others are Mr Mansur Ahmed, representing the Organised Private Sector, Mr Michael Adebiyi, representing Civil Society Organisations and the Inspector-General of Police, representing the Nigeria Police Force. (NAN) 

President Muhammadu Buhari has stated his government ensured press freedom during his tenure, as the United Nations marks the World Press Freedom Day, celebrated worldwide every May 3.

Commenting on this year’s theme, “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights”, President Buhari, in a statement, expressed delight that the ‘’rights of Nigerian journalists have been protected and upheld in the past eight years.”

“We have kept the faith. We have ensured that Nigerian journalists have had unfettered freedom to practice their art, and on this occasion of World Press Freedom Day, we recommit to that resolution, even as we wind down in office”.

He charged media professionals to continue to be patriotic, work for the cohesion of the country, and exercise their freedom with a high deal of responsibility.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said that President Buhari delivered on his promise to leave a legacy of a free and fair election.

 While speaking to international media organizations in Washington on Tuesday, March 4, Mohammed said results from some of the elections held across the country showed there was no federal interference in the electoral process.

In his words;

“A proof of this resolution is that the President’s party lost the presidential election in Katsina, his home state. Equally, the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, lost in his state, Lagos, while the chairman of the Party, Abdulah8i Adamu, lost in Nasarawa State to the Labour Party. The Director-General of the Campaign Organisation of our party also lost to PDP in Plateau State. Nothing gives these  elections more credence than those facts because there was no rigging in states where our big wigs come from” he said

The minister added that APC lost in the four states with the highest number of votes in the elections – Katsina, Kano, Kaduna and Lagos even when they were the ruling party’s controlled states.

By Chris Udochukwu

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday reversed his earlier directive and has ordered the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammed Haruna, to immediately hand over his office to the next most senior officer in the establishment.

The Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation disclosed this in a statement Tuesday by its Director, Information, Willie Bassey.

According to Bassey, this follows the reversal of the extension in office granted by the President from April 2, 2023 to April 2, 2025 due to the fact that the EVC had completed two tenures of five years each in the organisation.

“The President appreciates the contributions of Professor Haruna in the development of the engineering infrastructure sub-sector of the economy, and wishes him success in his future endeavours,” the statement added.

Abuja (Sundiata Post) – President Muhammmadu Buhari on Friday chaired the National Council of State meeting to address the current upheaval regarding the naira redesign and the currency swap.

In attendance are the former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan; Yakubu Gowon, and Abdulsalami Abubakar as well as ex-President, Olusegun Obasanjo who attended virtually.

Also present at the chamber is the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Governors in attendance are Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Darius Ishaku (Taraba), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), and Babagana Zulum (Borno). Other governors that are virtually in attendance are Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Simon Lalong (Plateau) and the Deputy Governors Nasarawa state and Bauchi state.

The Minister of the FCT, Mohammed Bello; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele also attended the meeting.

The INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu is also physically in attendance and is expected to brief the council on the preparations ahead of the 2023 elections.

All the Service Chiefs and Heads of security agencies were also physically present.

(Punch)

By Naomi Sharang

Abuja, – President Muhammadu Buhari has written the Senate seeking the confirmation of the appointment of former Inspector-General (I-G) of Police Solomon Arase (retd), as Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC).

The request is contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan and read during plenary on Tuesday.

The letter is titled “Confirmation of Appointment of Chairman of Police Service Commission”

The letter reads:”In accordance with the provision of Section 154(1) of 1999. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), I write to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of Solomon Arase (retd) Inspector-General of Police, as Chairman, Police Service Commission.

“It is my hope that the Senate will consider and confirm the appointment in the usual expeditious manner”.(NAN)(

By Deji Abdulwahab
Abuja, – The Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Mr Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua as acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Mr Abido Jator, National Coordinator of NDYC, gave the commendation in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.

He described Audu-Ohwavborua’s appointment as the best thing that had happened to the commission and the region at large.

Jator urged stakeholders to give the new NDDC chief all the necessary support as they positively await the new board.

“We, as an umbrella organisation for all the youth groups in the region, call on relevant stakeholders especially governors, lawmakers, contractors and others to rally support for t Audu-Ohwavborua

“This call became necessary in order to transform the commission before the coming of a substantive Managing Director,” he said.

On abandoned projects, Jator called on Audu-Ohwavborua to embark on projects inspection to ensure all projects of the commission were completed.

He cited the Omadino, Ukpokiti Escravos bridge projects, emergency repairs of roads affected by floods as some of the projects.

“We understand that many projects were abandoned by contractors under the previous administrations.

“We call on you to immediately use your good office to inspect, mobilise and send contractors back to site and hold those who misappropriated funds accountable.

“We pledge our continued support towards making your tenure a success,’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN)reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Oct.20 announced the appointment of Audu-Ohwavborua after Mr Effiong Akwa was sacked as NDDC boss. (NAN)

By Ismaila Chafe
Abuja, – President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Chinese leader, President Xi Jinping,
on his historic re-election for a third term as leader of the Communist Party of China.

The President’s congratulatory message is contained in a statement issued by Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant
to the President on Media and Publicity on Monday in Abuja.

Buhari said “I hope your re-election would pave the way for deeper and enduring  partnership and strategic cooperation
that would be mutually beneficial to our two countries.

“I believe that the development of infrastructure, such as railways, dams and roads construction, power generating
plants, as well as trade exchanges would receive strong boost.”(NAN)