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Politics•Termux•9mons ago
just-in election tribunal disqualifies tinubu from 2023 polls
💥JUST-IN Election Tribunal Disqualifies Tinubu From 2023 Presidential Polls The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Monday has Disqualified the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu from participating in the general elections in 2023. Bola Ahmed Tinubu who scored 1271 votes in the just concluded presidential primaries of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), who emerged as the party's flag bearer has been disqualified for inability to provide his certificate. Mr Tinubu told INEC on Friday that he's certificates were stolen by unknown soldiers, as of now the only certificate he brought before them was a NEPA bill certificate. A five-man panel of the Tribunal unanimously refused his request of running for the office of the President with a NEPA bill certificate, and disqualified Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu from taking part in the general election in 2023. The judges said the tribunal cannot deive into those issue at the interlocutory stage. The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal thereby directs the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), to replace me Bola Ahmed Tinubu with another sellable candidate with immediate effect. Details later...

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
tension in apc national headquarters as court is about to disqualify tinubu (pix)
Happening NOW Tension In APC National Headquarters as Court is about to Disqualify Tinubu, Ask APC To replace another candidate 👇 Tinubu group stormed APC National Secretariat as Election Tribunal set to Disqualify Tinubu on Monday from the general elections in 2023. Details later...

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
president buhari departs kigali and arrives abuja (photos)
President Muhammadu Buhari departs Kigali and arrives Abuja after his participation at CHOGM on 26th June 2022 President Buhari receives a presentation from Nigeria's High Commissioner to Rwanda Aishatu Musa alongside other staff of the Nigerian Mission to Rwanda shortly before departing Kigali on 26th June 2022 The presidential jet conveying the president and members of his entourage landed at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azkiew International airport, Abuja at about 3:15 pm local time the president was received by other top government officials.

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
vp osinbajo spotted having wonderful time playing basketball (photos)
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN spotted having wonderful time playing Basketball today been Sunday...

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
vice president yemi osinbajo (san) flexing, having wonderful time (photos)
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN seen having wonderful time playing Basketball today been Sunday...

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
president buhari meets nigerians living in rwanda, says; i am proud of our youths
PRESIDENT BUHARI MEETS NIGERIANS LIVING IN RWANDA, SAYS; I AM PROUD OF OUR YOUTHS EXCELLING AT HOME, ABROAD President Muhammadu Buhari Saturday in Kigali, Rwanda, hailed Nigerian youths excelling at home and abroad, saying the country will welcome inputs and investments from compatriots with international exposure for the economy to thrive. The President spoke at a town hall meeting with Nigerians in the Diaspora on the margins of the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). ‘‘It gives me great pleasure to be in Kigali, Rwanda and to meet with you, members of the Nigerian Diaspora as part of my regular meetings with Nigerians wherever I visit other countries. ‘‘Let me begin by congratulating and commending Yewande Adebowale for emerging as one of the top four winners at the Commonwealth Youth competition at the Kigali Startup Festival 2022 at the Commonwealth Youth Forum. ‘‘I also commend Esther Olanrewaju and Favour Aderinto who are recipients of the Lakshmi Subramanian CMU-Africa Student Excellence Awards for Masters in Information Technology and Electrical and Computer Engineering respectively. ‘‘I am proud of you all, and I remain ever proud of our Nigerian youths excelling, at home and abroad,’’ he said. The Nigerian leader, who commended the level of professionalism of Nigerians living in Rwanda and the amiable nature of their interactions with each other, added that living peacefully and in obedience to the laws of the host nation was also paramount as it gives Nigeria a good name. ‘‘Remember, that you are our ambassadors-at-large while here. People would read and know Nigeria by your actions and activities. ‘‘Our government is determined to work with Nigerians both at home and abroad to develop our economy and create a nation that is productive, peaceful, and caters to the needs of its citizens. ‘‘We are also working assiduously to protect all Nigerians whether at home or abroad to feel safe and attain their full potentials in life.’’ President Buhari noted that with the establishment of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Nigerians abroad can now seamlessly contribute their quota to national development, especially in the areas of investments in the economy. ‘‘Our agriculture, housing and real estate, ICT, healthcare, education and services sectors among others are waiting for your inputs and investments considering your global exposure. ‘‘Let me urge you to key into the programmes of NIDCOM to make your contributions,’’ he said, adding that they should continue to uphold the good image of Nigeria by obeying the laws of their host country. The Nigerian High Commissioner to Rwanda, Ambassador Aishatu Musa, told President Buhari that Nigerians in the country were generally well behaved, and their population has swelled from 100 to 400 in recent years, “and they are in various fields like banking, agriculture, education, telecommunications, and others.” She added that President of the Association of Nigerians was Professor Umaru Wali, a Dean at the University of Rwanda, who hails from Sokoto State. The event, coordinated by Chairman NIDCOM, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, saw the following Nigerians interacting with the President: Kelechi Reginald, Chief Executive Officer of an investment firm, Uduak Udoh, who runs an architectural consultancy, Muyiwa Omololu, Managing Director of Rope Ways Transit, a company that builds cable cars, Favour Aderinto and Esther Olanrewaju, Lakshmi Subramaniam Excellence Award Winners, and Yewande Adebowale, who runs Salubata, an outfit that makes shoes from recycled plastic waste. Also at the event were Mr Geoffrey Onyeama and Chief Sunday Dare, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and Youth and Sports Development, respectively. Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) June 25, 2022

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
primaries: borno apc sets up committee to reconcile grievances
Primaries: Borno APC sets up committee to reconcile grievances … Dalori says unity is paramount … Committee begins work The All Progressive Congress, APC, in Borno State on Friday inaugurated a reconciliation committee that will reach out to all members aggrieved by outcome of primary elections to national and state assemblies seats across the state. Ali Bukar Dalori, Chairman of the APC in Borno State, inaugurated the committee at the party’s headquarters in Maiduguri, giving them mandate of working towards APC’s unity, ahead of the 2023 general elections. The committee is chaired by Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Barrister M.T Monguno. Dalori, during the inauguration, said the committee was crucial given the need to reach out to party members who aspired for offices but are unhappy with the outcome of the primaries. "Constitution of the committee becomes necessary following the just concluded primary elections by our great party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, and the need to meet all aspirants and make all necessary efforts in order to keep the party united, strong and in one piece”, Dalori said. Aside Monguno and Adamu, the committee members include QS Mohammed Makinta, Alhaji Kaumi Damboa, Babagana Malarima, Sani Kuli Askira, Modu Kawu Ngamdu, Babagana Tijjani Banki and Zakari Dali Bayo. The inauguration ceremony was witnessed by state's APC secretary, Bello Ayuba, and top officials of the party including Alhaji Kalla Maina Monguno, Baba Kura Habib and other senior chieftains. … Committee begins work Soon after the brief ceremony, the committee held its inaugural meeting signaling the commencement of work.

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
refugees/idps' resettlement: zulum's working group reports to osinbajo
Refugees/IDPs’ resettlement: Zulum’s working group reports to Osinbajo Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, yesterday, Thursday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, submitted his technical working group’s report to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The technical working group was set up by the Presidential Committee on Repatriation, Return and Resettlement of displaced persons in the North-East, which Osinbajo chairs. President Muhammadu Buhari had, in February, 2022, inaugurated the committee and appointed the Vice President as Chairman and Borno’s Governor Zulum as Vice Chairman. The Vice President had on March 7, 2022, convened the committee’s inaugural meeting at the Villa, during which a number of resolutions were adopted, among which was to establish three technical working groups for effective coordination. The technical working groups were on developing a “roadmap for the restoration of peace and development in the North-East”, on “Repatriation, return and resettlement of displaced persons and restoration of livelihood” and on “Strengthening existing programmes for repentant Boko Haram members”. On March 15, Governor Zulum chaired inaugural meeting of the working group and charged members to be dedicated and put in their best towards supporting successful repatriation of over 190,000 Nigerian refugees in neighbouring countries eager to return home. The working group met for weeks before producing a workplan which Zulum submitted to the VP. The technical working group comprised representatives from office of Vice President, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states’ Governments. It also comprised of representatives of National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Attorney General's Office, North-East Development Commission, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, as well as the Nigerian Correctional Service. Responding to State House journalists after the report’s submission, Governor Zulum disclosed that so far about 50,000 Nigerians from the North-East who were refugees in Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic had been repatriated. “This afternoon, we presented the report to the vice president with a view to ensuring that the repatriation exercise from Cameroon will continue immediately while the repatriation of Nigerians that are living in the Republic of Niger and the Republic of Chad will resume very soon. “Within the last few years, we have repatriated no fewer than 50,000 people but we still have more than 200,000.’’ He expressed optimism that indigenes of Borno and other states in the North-East who were willing to return would be re-established. The Governor said that the security situation in the region had improved as he hoped that the president would make the needed approvals for the repartitions. “So, what we are looking now is to see how we can repatriate indigenes of Borno State that are living in Niger especially those that are from Malumfatori, Abadam Local Government Area, that are willing to come back. “While we have those from Gwoza Local Government Area, Bama Local Government Area mainly those leaving from Cameroon; they are also willing to come. “We also have indigenes of Kukawa and Marte Local Government Areas that are living in Chad. “So, I think the vice president will do the needful to ensure that the president gives immediate approval in terms of funding and other logistics required for the re-establishment of these communities in Borno State; the security situation has greatly improved’’, he added.

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
tinubu inspects campaign office in abuja
Tinubu Inspects Campaign Office in Abuja This is a complete presidential campaign office and situation room. Serious business! No distractions! Eyes on the ball!

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
photo news: president buhari participates at the opening ceremony of chogm
President Muhammadu Buhari participates at the Opening Ceremony of CHOGM in Kigali, Rwanda on 24th June 2022 President Buhari alongside Prince Charles of Wales, Commonwealth Secretary-General Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and other Commonwealth Heads of Government during the Opening Ceremony of CHOGM in Kigali, Rwanda on 24th June 2022

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
you can reject names of candidates who did note emerge from party primaries - falana tells inec
*‘You Can Reject Names Of Candidates Who Did Not Emerge From Party Primaries’ — Falana SAN Tells INEC* By Unini Chioma -June 22, 2022 *Reacts To Comments By INEC Commissioner Denying Commission’s Power To Reject Candidates Illegally Nominated By Political Parties *Argues That By Virtue Of Sections 84 (13) And 29 (1) Of The Electoral Act The Powers Of INEC Have Gone Beyond “Merely To Monitor” Party Primaries. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and renowned Human Rights Activist, Femi Falana SAN has reacted to recent comments by a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Haruna Mohammed justifying the acceptance of the purported nominations of APC candidates who did not take part in party primaries in Yobe and Akwa Ibom States. According to Falana, contrary to the position taken by the National Commisioner, under the amended Electoral Act, the Commission has the power to reject candidates who were not properly nominated through a valid primary monitored by INEC. In his response to the issue which has attracted growing attention in the past few days, Falana berated Senators Godswill Akpabio and Ahmed Lawan for what he described as their “utter breach of the Electoral Act” given that they did not purchase forms for their Senatorial primaries, neither did they participate in the said primaries. According to him, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan under whose watch the new Electoral Act was passed and Godswill Akpabio, a Senior Lawyer are expected to be familiar with the provisions of the law on substitution of candidates. Falana wrote: “It is common knowledge that both Senators Ahmed Lawan and Godswill Akpabio did not purchase the All Progressives Congress’ expression of interest forms for the Senate and were not screened for same and did not participate in the party primaries. Indeed, each of the duo purchased the nomination forms for the presidential primary for N100 million and were screened for the position by the APC. They proceeded to participate in the well televised presidential primary election of the APC held in Abuja and monitored by INEC. Meanwhile, in the senatorial primaries conducted by the APC and monitored by INEC, Rtd. DIG. Udom Ekpoudom and Bashir Machina emerged the candidates for Akwa Ibom West Senatorial District and Yobe North Senatorial District respectively. Even though both candidates have not withdrawn from the senatorial race the APC has submitted the names of Senators Godswill Akpabio and Ahmed Lawan for the two Districts in utter breach of the Electoral Act, 2022. Apart from the brazen impunity of the APC, Dr. Ahmed Lawan superintended the passage of the Electoral Act by the national assembly while Senator Godswill Akpabio is a senior lawyer who ought to have familiarised with the provisions of the Act” The vocal social commentator continued: “In his characteristic audacious manner, the Akwa Ibom Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mike Igini has questioned the nomination of Mr. Godswill Akpabio as a senatorial candidate. In the same vein, Mr. Igini has maintained that the APC primary for the election of the governorship candidate was not monitored by the INEC as it was cancelled for security reasons. As far as Mr. Igini is concerned, the candidates did not emerge from valid primaries. But while purporting to distance INEC from the position of Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mohammed Haruna, a National Commissioner of INEC, stated that “Igini’s remarks paint only a partial picture of the relevant regulations. He merely mentioned Section 31 that deals with the issue of withdrawal of candidate. For some inexplicable reason, he forgot to mention the section which mandates INEC to monitor only the primary of the State party executive recognised by the party’s National Headquarters. So if anyone was picking and choosing it was Igini & not INEC.” Falana proceeded to address the position put up by Mr Haruna as the basis for INEC’s acceptance of Akpabio and Lawan as duly nominated candidates by their political parties for their respective constituencies despite not participating in the primaries. Mr. Haruna who currently serves as a National Commissioner in the Commission had earlier said that “INEC has no powers to reject names sent by political parties.” Further noting that “Primaries are the sole prerogatives of parties. INEC’s responsibility is merely to monitor the primaries and make sure they abide by their own regulations, the Electoral Act & the Constitution.” Mr. Haruna also claimed that “Our power in that regard rests on the fact that our reports are admissible as evidence whenever an aggrieved candidate petitions his party or the courts. It is therefore up to an aggrieved candidate to apply for the certified true copy (CTC) of our reports for presentation as evidence that his party did not abide by any or all of the three sets of regulations mentioned.” Responding, Falana said that party primaries and nomination process are governed by the Electoral Act, 2022 particularly Sections 29 and 84 therein. He continued that it is the responsibility of the National Working Committee (NWC) of political parties to conduct primary elections by setting up Party Primary Election Committees for all States while State Executive provides the venue. He stated: Section 84 (1) clearly states that “A political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this Act shall hold primaries for aspirants to all elective positions which shall be monitored by the commission.” The monitoring by INEC is mandatory. To that extent, any primary of a political party not monitored by officials of INEC is illegal. According to Falana, “Contrary to the views credited to Mr. Haruna, the powers of INEC have gone beyond “merely to monitor” party primaries. For the avoidance of doubt, Section: 84 (13) unequivocally provides that “Where a political party fails to comply with the provisions of this Act in the conduct of its primaries, its candidate for election shall not be included in the election for the particular position in issue”. The legal implication of the provision is that INEC shall not include the candidate for the particular election. Furthermore, Section 29 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 which provides for the submission of lists of candidates and their affidavits by political parties states that “Every political party shall, not later than 180 days before the date appointed for a general election under this Act, submit to the Commission, in the prescribed Forms, the list of the candidates the party proposes to sponsor at the elections, who must have emerged from valid primaries conducted by the political party”. Falana further opined that the implication of the foregoing is that section 29(1) thereof has imposed a duty on political parties to ensure that the candidates whose names are submitted to INEC have emerged from valid primaries. He said this position is quite different from the provision in Section 31 of the repealed Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) which provided that INEC could not reject the name of any candidate submitted by the parties for any reason whatsoever. “Thus, in the present law the parties can only submit for the Commission’s acceptance the names of candidates who emerged from valid primaries conducted by the parties and monitored by INEC. This position is clearly fortified by Section 84(13). Thus, INEC having sent a team of monitors across its 36 States offices and the Federal Capital Territory, to monitor the primaries, is legally obligated to check the names submitted to it and ensure they are confirmed by the various reports compiled by its officials.” He further submitted that if the candidates whose names are submitted to INEC have not emerged from the primaries, the Commission will reject such names in exercise of its power under Section 84(13) of the Electoral Act 2022. “That was what INEC did in Zamfara State when that power was not even expressly provided for.” He remarked. “It is therefore, most shocking to read in the social media, statements attributed to some INEC National Commissioners that to the effect that INEC is bound to accept the names of candidates who did not participate in valid party primaries. With respect, the statement that INEC does not have power to reject names of persons submitted by political parties that did not emerge from valid primaries is grossly misleading. In fact, the embarrassing statement amounts to abdication of statutory duty under the above quoted provision of the Electoral Act aimed at sanitizing the process of nomination of candidates for national elections in Nigeria.” The Senior Advocate also argued that in recognition of the power of INEC to regulate the operations of political parties by taking decisions (including rejection of candidates) section 285 (14)(b) and (c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides as follows: “(b) an aspirant challenging the actions, decisions or activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission in respect of his participation in an election or who complains that the provisions of the Electoral Act or any Act of the National Assembly regulating elections in Nigeria has not been complied with by the Independent National Electoral Commission in respect of selection or nomination of candidates and participation in an election; and (c) a political party challenging the actions, decisions or activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission disqualifying its candidates from participating in an election or a complaint that the provisions of the Electoral Act or any other applicable law has not been complied with by the Independent National Electoral Commission in respect of the nomination of candidates of political parties for an election, timetable for an election, registration of voters and other activities of the Commission in respect of preparation for an election.” He therefore concluded that under the Constitution and the 2022 Act, INEC has undoubted powers to reject candidates that did not emerge from valid primaries. In other words, the decision of INEC to disqualify a candidate who did not take part in a party primary may be challenged in the Federal High Court by a political party or aspirant who complains that “the provisions of the Electoral Act or any Act of the National Assembly regulating elections in Nigeria has not been complied with by the Independent National Electoral Commission in respect of selection or nomination of candidates and participation in an election”. “In view of the foregoing, INEC should not be misled to shirk its statutory duty to sanitise the democratic process. INEC ought to realise that the nation has moved away from the era of imposition or illegal substitution of the names of candidates. Hence, INEC has been empowered to reject the names of candidates who did not emerge from valid primaries conducted by political parties and monitored by INEC. In particular, individuals who contested presidential primaries and lost cannot be permitted to replace candidates who won senatorial primaries. Unless the winners of party primaries voluntarily withdraw from the electoral process political parties lack the power to engage in any form of substitution. Therefore, INEC should desist from promoting pre-election litigation by falling to exercise its enormous powers under the Electoral Act and the Constitution.”

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
investing more in our people is most important - osinbajo
INVESTING MORE IN OUR PEOPLE IS MOST IMPORTANT - OSINBAJO *VP headlines launch of Human Capital Development Strategy Documents in Abuja *Says: Nothing else is as important as "the happiness, security and general welfare of our populations" Being the greatest asset for any nation, the most important objectives for Nigeria and other governments particularly in West Africa should be the improvement of the quality of life, living standards and livelihoods of its people, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. Prof. Osinbajo stated this today in Abuja, at the launch of the Integrated Regional Human Capital Development Strategy documents of the Human Capital Development -HCD-Programmes for both ECOWAS and Nigeria, by the Core Working Group on Human Capital Development of the National Economic Council (NEC). At the event which held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, the VP was joined by the Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau, Mr Nuno Gomes Nabiam; representatives of the Vice Presidents of Sierra Leone and Senegal; and the Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Finda Koroma. There were also several State Governors, Deputy Governors and members of the Federal Executive Council. In his speech, the Vice President emphasised that "nothing is as important as "the happiness, security and general welfare of our populations." Highlighting the importance of investing in Human Capital Development in any nation, the VP stated that "our people are central to all that governments, private sector and civil society partners do. The most important pieces of work that we can do are on planning and investing in human capital development, healthcare, nutrition, quality education, skills, and jobs." Butressing the reasons why government should make more investments on its Human Capital Development, including in areas of Health, Education, nutrition, the Vice President noted for instance that "inadequate nourishment results in suboptimal learning outcomes and a lifetime of disadvantage especially in what is becoming a fiercely competitive Knowledge economy." "Also because idle, youthful populations portend an increased risk of social instability; we must invest in relevant skills as we provide good paying jobs and opportunities." According to the VP, "the effective use of scarce resources is the thin line between demographic dividend and a demographic disaster." Whether those resources are judiciously use or used in a manner "that best benefit our people or whether those resources are squandered is what will mean the difference in the dividends we expect for our population or just misery and disaster," the VP added. Speaking further, Prof. Osinbajo stated that investments in HCD is more crucial at a time when the African continent has the youngest and growing population at about double the rate compared to the rest of the world. "By 2050 West Africa will have 650 million people. Almost 400m will be young people. And we will have to provide quality basic education and healthcare for them and nutrition," the VP noted. Observing that Nigeria and other African countries are in a race against time, Prof. Osinbajo further observed that "all these mean that Governments face huge public expenditures, and these expenditures grow as our populations increase daily." However, despite local and global macroeconomic challenges, there are also opportunities for African governments to harness the potential of its people for further development, Prof. Osinbajo emphasised. "In these massive challenges lie the incredible opportunities of being the most profitable investment frontier in the world, of becoming the global food basket, of becoming the greatest source of highly trained Human Resources in technology, engineering , sciences and in the creative sector among others," he noted. The Vice President also recalled that in 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari had initiated the National Human Capital Development Programme charging NEC with the task of addressing the critical issues of citizens’ well being holistically and in an enduring manner. This directive led to the formation of the NEC HCD Steering Committee and the Core Working Group on Human Capital Development. "The Core Working Group conducted the landscape analysis and baseline studies. Perhaps one the best development in the journey was the complete buy-in and commitment of the 36 States to the process and the implementation of the strategy, so the future looks good," Prof. Osinbajo added. Now that the strategy documents has been launched, the Vice President urged governments to show requisite political will and action towards the development of its people as its greatest resource. "All of these great hopes and aspirations stand or fall around governments and governance. It is the commitment of national and subnational leaders that will determine whether these strategy documents will gather dust or gather momentum. "Political will and action is what stand between rising poverty and misery of our people, on the one hand, and good governance and judicious use, effective judicious use of scarce resources on the other," the VP noted. The Vice President then commended the HCD development partners "for their generous donation of time and resources towards the crafting and finalisation of this report." The development partners include the ECOWAS, World Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the UK, the United Nations Children’s Fund, African Development Bank, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, and the Nigeria Governors Forum who are members of the Core Working Group . The VP also acknowledged the support and contributions of "the core line Ministries of Health, Education and Labour and Productivity who have oversight functions for the Human Capital Development Programme’s thematic areas as well as the National Bureau of Statistics ." In her remarks, Ms. Yosola Akinbi, Head of the NEC HCD Core Working Group , noted that the HCD programme was designed in recognition of the crucial role that Human Capital Development plays in addressing poverty and ensuring sustainable economic growth. Besides the VP and other ECOWAS leaders present, the event also had goodwill messages and remarks from the Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Finda Koroma; Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed; British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing; World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mr Shubham Chaudhuri; representative of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Hajiya Fatima Wali; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President in the Office of the Vice President, Mr Ade Ipaye; among others. Other dignitaries included traditional rulers, senior officials in the public and private sectors across the ECOWAS sub-region, international agencies; and members of the diplomatic corps. Awards were later presented to the winners of the HCD National School Competition/Essay and Poetry recitation competitions. Laolu Akande Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity Office of the Vice President 23rd June, 2022

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
johnson boris ask buhari to seek re-election again in 2023
BUHARI TO BORIS JOHNSON: ANOTHER TERM FOR ME? NO! THE FIRST PERSON WHO TRIED IT DIDN’T END VERY WELL President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Great Britain on the margins of the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda, during which he once again reiterated his resolve to respect the maximum term limit in the Nigerian Constitution. The PM, obviously not quite familiar with the maximum two terms limit, had asked if President Buhari would run for office again. To which the latter responded: “Another term for me? No! The first person who tried it didn’t end very well.” (General laughter). On the leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, not being allowed to see his lawyers privately, the President dispelled such insinuation, saying the detained separatist was being given every opportunity under the law “to justify all the uncomplimentary things he had been saying against Nigeria in Britain.” Said President Buhari: “He felt very safe in Britain, and said awful things against Nigeria. We eventually got him when he stepped out of the United Kingdom, and we sent him to court. Let him defend all that he has said there. His lawyers have access to him. Remember he jumped bail before, how are we sure he won’t do it again, if he’s admitted to bail?” On the keenness expressed by the PM to help Nigeria in the area of security, the President said helping to stabilize Libya could be an initial good step, as the fall of Muammar Gadaffi after 42 years in power unleashed his armed guards on countries in the Sahel, “and they are causing havoc everywhere, as the only thing they know how to do is to shoot guns.” On Boko Haram insurgency, President Buhari said there was serious effort to educate the people on the fact that only an unserious person could kill innocent people, “and say Allah Akbar (God is Great). God is justice. You can’t take innocent souls, and ascribe it to God. And the education process is working, the people now understand Boko Haram as anti-God, and not about religion.” PM Johnson said he was delighted about the good news on trade between the two countries, adding that the UK was further reducing tariffs on some goods going to Nigeria. He described the relationship between the countries as “very strong attachment,” adding: “I just want to be sure that we are doing enough. It’s a massive partnership for us, and we need to capitalize on it.” The Prime Minister offered condolences on some recent attacks in Nigeria, particularly on churches. Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) June 23, 2022

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
president buhari extols nigeria, jamaica relations
PRESIDENT BUHARI EXTOLS NIGERIA, JAMAICA RELATIONS President Muhammadu Buhari met with Jamaican Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, Thursday in Kigali, Rwanda, on the sidelines of the 26th edition of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), and lauded the relations between both countries. “Our relationship dates back in time, to generations ago. Thank you for strengthening it, particularly on the economic and political fronts,” President Buhari said. PM Holness said Nigeria had been very supportive of Jamaica, with the two countries having commercial agreements in place. “The maiden flight from Lagos to Jamaica about two years ago was well received. We equally have relationships in the creative industry, sports and finance,” the Jamaican PM said. Referring to a recent opinion article written by President Buhari, and published in international newspapers, Holness said he agreed that the Commonwealth could be more than just a club of friends who have affinity with the United Kingdom, “and become an economic powerhouse. All the elements are there; common language, large market, and many others. It can become a serious economic force.” Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) June 23, 2022

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
president buhari visits kigali genocide in rwanda (photos)
President Muhammadu Buhari visits Kigali Genocide Memorial, Lays Wreath in Kigali, Rwanda on 23rd June 2022

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
nigerians need to be tolerant of one another, president buhari says
NIGERIANS NEED TO BE TOLERANT OF ONE ANOTHER, PRESIDENT BUHARI SAYS AFTER LAYING WREATH AT KIGALI GENOCIDE MEMORIAL After visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda on Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari made a passionate appeal to Nigerians to be tolerant of one another and embrace peace. The President toured the permanent exhibitions at the Memorial and laid a wreath at the mass graves where more than 250,000 victims of the genocide were buried. He also paid tribute to the memory of the victims and prayed for healing for the survivors. After the historic visit, the President told journalists that the lessons from his visit were the need for Nigerians to continue to be tolerant of one another, and for the nation to also preserve its own historical antecedents from the Nigeria Civil War (1967-1970). ‘‘I went through all the experiences from 15 January 1966 to date. I was a Governor, Minister, and Head of State and went through detention. I returned to partisan politics and will finish my two-terms as constitutionally allowed. ‘‘We fought a 30-month bitter civil war and we killed about a million of each other. Nigeria went through this kind of terrible development process,’’ he said. Before departing, the President also wrote in the visitors’ book: ‘‘Remembering the victims of this dark history of the Rwanda Genocide, we pray that humanity will never experience this kind of hatred, wickedness and violence toward others because of their ethnic background, religion, and beliefs. ‘‘Nigeria is strongly committed to the prevention of mass atrocity anywhere in the world and believes that perpetrators of such crimes; and their enablers, anywhere in the world must be held accountable.’’ President Buhari is in Kigali, Rwanda to participate in the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). He will hold bilateral talks with the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson on Thursday and attend the official opening of CHOGM on Friday, followed by high-level meetings of Heads of State and Government. Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) June 23, 2022

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
ned nwoko needs another young girl to marry, wike fires ned nwoko
Ned Nwoko Needs Another Young Girl to Marry; Wike fires Ned “One man who has been busy marrying all the young girls in Nigeria came out and was talking nonsense about me in BBC news interview that Atiku dumped me because i am a trouble maker. “Ned Nwoko should tell Nigerians what he has done or achieved ever since he joined politics other than jumping from one little girl to another. A Pedophile coming to talk to me a sitting Governor, he should hide his face in shame. “I joined PDP before him, he has no political structure in PDP. I have higher stake in PDP than him. If he’s man enough let him contest for PDP Presidential primary election and watch if he will get one single vote. “This is a man after drinking Ogogoro mixed with burukutu, he will go in search of little girls to defile. His only achievements since he joined politics is marrying different kinds of women and this is the type of person PDP Delta State gave the mandate to contest for Senatorial position in the forthcoming election. Is that how Nigeria is going to change for better. “Ned Nwoko should face the pyramid of wives he gathered in his house and leave Wike alone. It’s obvious he no longer think straight like a normal human being. Tell me, how can one man marry over 6 wives and still have his brain intact.”

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
just-in president buhari arrives kigali, rwanda for chogm 2022
President Muhammadu Buhari arrives Kigali, Rwanda for CHOGM 2022 on 22nd June 2022 President Buhari with L-R: Rwandan Minister of Justice and Attorney General Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, Nigeria's High Commissioner to Rwanda Aishatu Musa and Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama as he arrives Kigali, Rwanda for CHOGM 2022 on 22nd June 2022 President Buhari with L-R: UN DSG Amina Mohammed, Minister of State Trade & Investment Amb. Mariam Katagum, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Sadiya Umar Farouq as he arrives Kigali, Rwanda for CHOGM 2022 on 22nd June 2022

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
osinbajo receives prime minister of guinea in aso rock photos
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN receives in audience Prime minister of Guinea Bissau Nuno Gomes Nabiam at the Statehouse, Abuja, 22nd June, 2022.

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
federal government flags-off cng-powered bus service for civil servants
FG Flags-off CNG-Powered Bus Service for Civil Servants The Federal Government on Tuesday 21st June, 2022 flagged-off the Federal Civil Service Bus Scheme in Abuja with a pilot phase and a pledge to remain committed to the welfare of civil servants. Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, while speaking during the launch of the scheme, said the bus service was part of a comprehensive Staff Welfare Programme being implemented by the Federal Government through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. She said “the Federal Civil Service Bus Scheme is aimed at providing efficient transportation system for our workers living within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its outskirts. Another overarching goal of the scheme is to increase the disposable incomes of civil servants within the FCT, by reducing the cost of transportation to and from their workplaces”. In this phase 20 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered mass transit buses are to be operated on the following routes: Karu-Jikwoyi/Orozo/Karshi; AYA/Nyanya/Mararaba/Ado/Masaka; Berger/ Kado/Gwagwa/Karmo; Kado Estate/Gwarimpa; Airport Road; and Kubwa/Dutse Alhaji. Dr. Yemi-Esan also disclosed that the number of buses will be scaled up to 40 in the next stage. The scheme is being implemented in collaboration with private sector operators.

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
breaking: president buhari directs urgency in dealing with kidnapped railway passengers case
PRESIDENT BUHARI DIRECTS URGENCY IN DEALING WITH KIDNAPPED RAILWAY PASSENGERS’ CASE As the government continues to review the issue of the kidnapped railway passengers and making all efforts to trace and bring back the 51 or more still being held in custody, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed increased efforts - kinetic and non-kinetic to bring the case to a closure. Upon the President’s approval, the Government is continuing on the two-lane approach, kinetic and non-kinetic to secure the passengers’ safe release. The kidnappers made a demand for the release of their own children and upon the settlement of that issue, they let go eleven of the victims, even though more were expected. The setback notwithstanding, the Government is not leaving any stone unturned in the efforts to bring all of the hostages back. The Defence, Security and Intelligence Agencies have given assurances to intensify operational engagements geared towards securing the rescue of all hostages and restoring peace to all parts of the country. Government is also mindful of efforts of some patriotic and influential persons and institutions that are helping in securing the safe release of the hostages. President Buhari welcomes the return of the recently released passengers back to their families and loved ones, while expressing his solemn commitment to the families of those still in captivity, assuring that there will be no let-up until they are reunited with their families in the shortest time possible. The President’s clear directive on the issue is that the hostages must be brought home alive. The country’s military and security agencies are aware of their duty to the nation and are determined to give effect to the President’s charge with increased urgency.

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
president buhari to attend chogm 2022 in kigali, rwanda
PRESIDENT BUHARI TO ATTEND CHOGM 2022 IN KIGALI, RWANDA President Muhammadu Buhari departs Abuja Wednesday, June 22, for Kigali, Rwanda, to attend the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), being held from June 20 to 26, 2022. At CHOGM 2022, the President will join other leaders to participate in discussions focused on the progress and prosperity of the more than 2 billion people living in the 54 independent countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific that make up the Commonwealth. The theme for CHOGM 2022 is 'Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming,' and the Heads of Government are expected to reaffirm their commitment to upholding the Commonwealth Charter, which focuses on democracy, human rights, the rule of law, as well as economic opportunities and sustainable development. President Buhari will attend the official opening ceremony on June 24, followed by high-level meetings of Heads of State and Government on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 June. The leaders are expected to consider a range of topical issues including post COVID-19 economic recovery, debt sustainability, climate change, poverty reduction, youth entrepreneurship and employment, trade and food security. Prior to this, the Nigerian delegation drawn from the public, private and youth organisations participated in four forums covering youth, women, business and civil society; and will engage in ministerial meetings and several side events. On the margins of the meeting, the Nigerian leader is scheduled to deliver remarks at the High-Level Session of Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Summit and participate in an Intergenerational Dialogue for Youth. President Buhari is also expected to hold bilateral talks with some leaders from the Commonwealth countries. Ahead of the biennial meeting, which was due to take place in June 2020 but was postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, President Buhari, in an article published in The Telegraph, London, stressed that the Commonwealth can become a real global power with improved collaborations on trade and security, lending weight to each other in international bodies. The President will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire; the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi and the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami. Others in the President’s entourage are the National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd) Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar and the Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NidCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa. The President will return to the country on Sunday, June 26, 2022. Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) June 22, 2022

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
president buhari presides over fec meeting (photos)
President Muhammadu Buhari presides over the Federal Executive Council at the Statehouse, Abuja. 22nd June, 2022. Photos ;Tolani Alli

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
osundecides2022: apc names 60 - member campaign council
NOTICE: The inauguration of the All Progressive Congress (APC) National Campaign Council for the Osun State Governorship Election will be held on Thursday, 23rd, June 2022 by 2:00pm at APC National Headquarters, Abuja. Details later...

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
soludo offers 1million naira each to arrest unknown gunmen (photos)
Anambra State Government Unveils faces of Unknown Gunmen, declare Them wanted.. more details shortly...

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
breaking news: buhari replaces ex-ministers, send nominees list to senate
Buhari replaces ex-ministers, sends nominees List to SenatePublished on June 21, 2022 By Samson Atekojo Usman The Nigerian Senate has received the executive communication with the nomination of six names as replacements for ministers that resigned to contest the presidential election. In a letter that was read by the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, on Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari said the nominees would replace the former ministers that resigned from his cabinet. The letter read: "In accordance with Section 8 Subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria as amended, I hereby forward the underlisted ministerial nominees for your confirmation". The nominees are: Henry Ikechuwu Ikoh - Abia State Umana Okon Umana - Akwa Ibom State Egwumakama Joseph Nkama - Ebonyi State Goodluck Nnana Opiah - Imo State Ademola Adewole Adegoroye - Ondo State Odum Odih - Rivers State

Politics•Termux•9mons ago
nigerian president buhari's q&a with bloomberg news: transcript
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-21/nigerian-president-buhari-s-q-a-with-bloomberg-news-transcript NIGERIAN PRESIDENT BUHARI’S Q&A WITH BLOOMBERG NEWS: TRANSCRIPT Below is the full, unedited text of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s written responses to questions posed by Bloomberg News: Q1. You campaigned for office with a pledge to fight corruption, secure the country and fix the economy. How would you rate your performance in fulfilling those pledges during your eight years in office? Why has insecurity been so hard to tackle? Are you making headway? A: We leave Nigeria in a far better place than we found it. Corruption is less hidden for Nigerians feel empowered to report it without fear, while money is returned; terrorists no longer hold any territory in Nigeria, and their leaders are deceased; and vast infrastructure development sets the country on course for sustainable and equitable growth. Security In 2015, Boko Haram held territory the size of Belgium within the borders of Nigeria. Today they are close to extinct as a military force. The leader of ISWAP was eliminated by a Nigerian Airforce airstrike in March. The jets acquired from the US and intelligence shared by British were not provided to previous administrations and stand as testament to renewed trust re-built between Nigeria and our traditional western allies under my government. We urge those same international partners to take additional steps costing them nothing, by proscribing another group – IPOB - as a terrorist organization. Their leadership enjoys safe haven in the West, broadcasting hate speech into Nigeria from London, spending millions lobbying members of the US Congress, and freely using international financial networks to arm agitators on the ground. This must stop. My administration is the only in Nigeria’s history to implement a solution to decades-long herder-farmer conflicts, exacerbated by desertification and demographic growth. The National Livestock Transformation Plan, putting ranching at its core, is the only way to deplete the competition for resources at the core of the clashes. Governors from some individual states have sought to play politics where ranches have been established; but where they have been disputes have dramatically reduced. Economy How prescient our policies for boosting domestic production have become! For years we have been criticised by the likes of the FT, the Economist, and others for supposedly mistaken attempts to de-globalise and re-localize food production and boost manufacturing. Now with the war in Ukraine breaking global food supply chains “Davos Man” is in retreat as the energy crisis makes countries everywhere think again about energy independence and security. We have spent our two terms investing heavily in national road, rail, and transport infrastructure set to unleash growth, connect communities, and lessen inequality. This is structural transformation. It may not show on standard economic metrics now, but the results will be apparent in good time. Corruption Starting with our Whistleblowing Policy enacted in my first year in office hundreds of millions in stolen funds have been returned within Nigeria. Working with our international partners, hundreds of millions of various currencies have been returned from abroad – primarily from the UK, US, and Switzerland – and used as social and welfare funds distributed directly to the poorest during the Covid pandemic and the provision of long-delayed infrastructure-roads, bridges, rail, and power. As an illustration, Monetary recoveries (January-December) 2021 show that more N152 billion has been recovered. Dollar recoveries for the year amount to over USD 386 million; GBP, more than 1.1 million; Euro, about 157,000; Saudi Riyals about 1.7 million some more in Digital and other currencies. Those partners refused to return these monies held for decades to previous Nigerian administrations in the certainty they would simply be re-stolen. They changed their approach with us because they knew my administration could be trusted. Q2. Food inflation has risen by double digits since 2015, despite the government’s efforts to boost agricultural production. Why has your administration battled to counter pricing pressures? What will it take for Nigeria to achieve food security? How concerned are you about food shortages in Nigeria and the broader region, given the drought that it is currently experiencing? A: We can only imagine what food inflation would be today had we not initiated organized programmes to boost domestic production. And still, we do not grow enough domestically. Initiatives such as the Nigeria Anchor Borrower’s programme, helping farmers compete against artificially lowered imports has boosted rice production to 9 million metric tonnes in 2021 from around 5.4 million metric tonnes in 2015. Even in the years of drought, rice production outstripped pre-2015 levels. Imports have fallen to near zero. We are making progress. Against these advances international trade remains rigged against food security in Africa. The EU’s policies in particular (see: It’s time for a new economic deal between the EU and Africa) are all rhetoric of open trade – yet their Common Agricultural Policy subsidy programmes and export of those subsidized goods create dependence, undermine Africa’s self-sufficiency, and cause food poverty and starvation. If only out of enlightened self-interest the West – and particularly Europe - must step up. The moral if not economic case for doing so is unarguable. Do nothing, and more migrants from across the Sahel will attempt dangerous journeys to reach Europe. Q3. Nigeria continues to confront electricity shortages, and your government has faced calls to modernize the grid, or make the sector economical for stakeholders up and down the chain. Do you think you have done enough to address the nation’s energy shortfall? What else needs to be done? A: First, we need for more input. Our legislative framework has been a drag. The landmark PIA (see later answers) will bolster input, raise capital, and bring transparency to the system. On grid modernization, there are hundreds of ongoing projects and initiatives attracting funding from investors. Take my Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), a government-to-government initiative between the Governments of Nigeria and Germany, with Siemens AG, to upgrade the electricity grid with a $2 billion investment. Once signed into law the constitutional amendment bill – recently voted through parliament – will allow state governments to generate and transmit their own electricity, further facilitating investor participation in our market and enabling states and local businesses to transmit excess supply to the grid. We are also decentralizing the national grid through renewable driven mini-grids. The $550 million Nigeria Electrification Project has deployed more than 20,000 Standalone Solar Systems (SHS), as well as Solar Hybrid mini-grids in over 250 locations. Q4. The IMF and World Bank and many leading economists have urged you for years to remove the fuel subsidy and to unify the exchange rate. Why have you not heeded such calls? A: Most western countries are today implementing fuel subsidies. Why would we remove ours now? What is good for the goose is good for the gander! What our western allies are learning the hard way is what looks good on paper and the human consequences are two different things. My government set in motion plans to remove the subsidy late last year. After further consultation with stakeholders, and as events unfolded this year, such a move became increasingly untenable. Boosting internal production for refined products shall also help. Capacity is due to step up markedly later this year and next, as private players and modular refineries (Dangote Refinery, BUA Group Refinery, Waltersmith Refinery) come on board. The exchange rate is still susceptible to external shocks that can suddenly and severely affect Nigerian citizens. As we step up domestic production – both in fuel (enabled by PIA) and food (agricultural policies) – the inflationary threat shall diminish, and we can move toward unification. Q5. The sharp rise in borrowing since 2015 has left the country now spending almost all of its revenue servicing debt. What will that level of debt servicing costs mean for the country going forward? Do you think you have done enough to try and bring debt under control? A: A narrow focus on debt misses the point. What it fills is Nigeria’s longstanding infrastructure deficit by constructing a foundation for sustainable growth - spreading opportunity to ensure no part of the country is left behind, which has led to insecurity in the past. Our infrastructure developments have been the most ambitious since Nigeria’s independence. Over 800 federal roads are being constructed or undergoing rehabilitation and 650km of rail line have been laid, helping alleviate food inflation pressures, given most food is produced in the north. Had the infrastructure gap not been filled it will only grow, become more costly to repair what little we have while lacking more on infrastructure on which to build growth, negatively impacting progress towards UN Sustainable Development Goals. Q6. Nigeria has one of the lowest tax-to-revenues ratios in the world. Is there more your administration could have done to boost tax collection? A: Though we have the largest economy in Africa, it is true that translating that wealth into revenue generation is challenging. We raised VAT in 2020, and the IMF wanted us to raise it further, but this is a complex issue that cannot be addressed by tax hikes alone. Around 80% of Nigerians work in the so-called informal economy – a situation exacerbated by the pandemic. It is difficult to tax the informally employed, and no country has yet found an adequate solution. Still, we are striving to find one, including the roll out of a national ID card which has grown from 7 million in 2015 to between 90-100 million today – including a tax code and, at the same time combined with access to various government services. In 2016 I launched the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), making Nigeria an easier place to start and grow a business. PEBEC’s policies, as with our national ID card rollout help integrate the informal sector. We also work closely with ECOWAS to implement initiatives like the Support Programme for Tax Transition in West Africa (PATF), improving the management of domestic taxation and ensuring better coordination of taxation in the ECOWAS and West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) regions. Q7. You serve as oil minister in addition to president. Why has the country’s crude production been slumping, with Nigeria unable to meet its OPEC quota for almost a year despite elevated prices? What are you doing to bolster output? A: Four years ago, we unveiled plans for a new gas pipeline connecting Nigeria to Europe. Last week (2nd June) – in record time - the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) entered into an agreement with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for its construction. Concurrently on 1st July the NNPC will become a Limited Liability Company and be subject to more robust auditing and commercial disclosure obligations. It will help stimulate investment and boost transparency, where corruption has deterred the former and stymied the latter. My administration is the first to pass this landmark reform in our oil and gas sector, after two decades of predecessors’ failure to do so – no doubt due to vested interests. Criminality and terrorism in oil-producing regions hamper production, and it would help if our western allies designated IPOB as a terrorist group, given their complicity in damage to pipelines and infrastructure. We have invested in our security forces, including the $1 billion military deal with the U.S. for the acquisition of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft. These efforts are making an impact: wells that had to be closed due to criminality have now re-opened. With these efforts, OPEC has raised our quota for next month. Q8. What is Nigeria doing to take advantage of the gas supply crisis in Europe? How fast do you think Nigeria will be in a position to fill in on some of the European demand? A: We need long term partnership not inconsistency and contradiction on green energy policy from the UK and European Union. Investment is hampered by their broad-brush moratorium on overseas gas projects, while at home the same projects are classified as green. It does not help their energy security, it does not help Nigeria’s economy, and it does not help the environment. It is a hypocrisy that must end. To change, the UK and EU countries should invest in our planned 4000 km pipeline to bring Nigerian gas – the largest reserves in Africa – via Morocco, then onto Europe. Q9. Are you concerned about the debate around the central bank’s independence following the governor showing interest in running for president? How are you going to resolve that? A: The CBN governor is appointed by the President. But this appointment is subject to confirmation by the Nigerian Senate. Ultimately, it will be for the CBN’s board of directors to determine whether a CBN governor’s actions have fallen foul of the laws in place to ensure he can most effectively carry out his duties. But there is a subtext to the accusations. Because the governor follows a model outside of the economic orthodoxy, he is labelled political. But the orthodoxy has proved wrong time and again. Instead, the governor is following an alternative economic model that puts people at the heart of policy. Nigeria should be free to choose its development model and how to construct our economy, so it functions for Nigerians. Q10. Do you plan to endorse a candidate for president? If so, who? A: Yes. I will endorse the APC candidate for president. Q11. You have suggested that members of the Commonwealth, who are due to meet in Rwanda next month, cooperate more closely on matters of defense and security. What do you have in mind? A: African nations make up the largest contingent of Commonwealth members. There is no reason why one of the world’s foremost arms manufacturers should not sell more widely to this club – a group of allies. If they don’t get them from Britain, they shall necessarily get them from elsewhere. This only creates a mosaic of different systems across Commonwealth members on the continent. Instead, we should aspire to interoperability, which would have a material impact on the ground. Commonwealth members in Africa often find themselves in the same missions. Operating with the same hardware and systems, collaborating troops would be more effective. Such collaboration could also open doors to deeper intelligence sharing. I also believe the club can be used far more effectively as a voting bloc at intergovernmental bodies to deliver outcomes for the whole of the Commonwealth - and individual members when they ask for backing on matters from the rest of the group on issues of importance to them. The Non-Aligned Movement present common voting positions, and they have far less in common than Commonwealth members. Why would we not try to do this? We can also do far more to reduce barriers to trade between members. When the UK remained in the EU that was less possible; now with the Commonwealth’s largest economy able to strike trade deals of its own, much has changed. The UK’s move to become the first country to sign a deal with the AfCFTA is an obvious example. With the 19 Commonwealth African members making up the majority of the African economy, a UK-AfCFTA deal is substantially a UK-Commonwealth deal. It should act as a spur for other leading non-African Commonwealth countries such as Australia and Canada to sign compatible agreements. Q12. Are you concerned that people accused of blasphemy still get stoned to death on the streets in northern Nigeria? What do these long-standing religious divisions mean for Nigeria’s future? A: No person has the right to take the law into his or her own hands. Christianity and Islam, our two Great Faiths and their Great Books have far more in common than they have apart. Nigeria has a long tradition of tolerance that we must draw on, and we must strive to find common ground. What comes out of this tragedy is to cherish what we share, while at the same time respect our differences. -ENDS-

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