I never referred to IPOB or Yoruba Nation group members, says Gbajabiamila
APPEAL TO MEDIA TO FOCUS ON CORE ISSUES AS PRESIDENT BUHARI GOES TO THE UNITED NATIONS
For Nigerian diaspora groups to use the world’s largest platform – the United Nations General Assembly – to garner attention to their causes is not unexpected.
It was, however shocking, to see “Yoruba Nation” advocates yesterday unequivocally throw their lot in with Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
IPOB is a designated terrorist organisation. It has now publicly revealed a 50,000 strong paramilitary organisation.
It regularly murders security services and innocent civilians, with a significant uptick of violent attacks this year. And it is currently attempting to hold Nigerian states hostage with orders to stay at home under threat of terror.
Without doubt, Nigerians and the entire world will judge Yoruba Nation by the company it keeps.
No one can take seriously this organisation if it continues its IPOB association. When their allies systematically trample human rights, it raises sober questions about their claims to uphold the values of the UN.
The cooperation is a worrying development, once parsed with Yoruba Nation’s increasingly violent rallies in Nigeria.
Actions and associations speak louder than words. Yoruba Nation’s talk of human rights promotion must therefore be ignored.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government will continue its work at the UN- to fight against corruption and illicit financial flows, and international cooperation.
If we want to see stolen funds returned to their rightful home in Nigeria, the government must continue to campaign for and coordinate global action on asset recovery.
The government will remain the leading regional actor in the fight against global terror – particularly against threats emanating from the Sahel. Through the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps programme, the country also shares technical expertise with countries from the Caribbean, Africa and the Pacific.
At the same time, the administration is implementing a programme of environmental sustainability to combat developments which destroys Nigerian communities in vulnerable regions.
Only through the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development can we secure a prosperous future for Nigeria.
As the largest country in Africa, the government takes seriously its leadership role and will continue to strive for continental unity, cooperation, and shared prosperity.
Our expectation is therefore for the media to work with the government to focus attention on the core issues the President, the leader of the country has on his Programme.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
September 15, 2021
PRESIDENT BUHARI SAYS 1.6M HOUSEHOLDS, 8M INDIVIDUALS BENEFITTING FROM CONDITIONAL CASH TRANSFERS
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja said ongoing efforts to reduce poverty in the country continue to grow, with 1.6 million poor and vulnerable households, comprising more than 8 million individuals currently benefiting from the Conditional Cash Transfer program, while N300 billion has been disbursed to farmers.
Speaking virtually at the opening ceremony of the 14th Annual Banking and Finance Conference of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, the President said the National Social Register of poor and vulnerable Nigerians had 32.6 million persons from 7 million poor and vulnerable households identified, imploring bankers to play a stronger role in improving livelihoods.
“From this number, 1.6 million poor and vulnerable households, comprising more than 8 million individuals are currently benefiting from the Conditional Cash Transfer program, which pays a bi-monthly stipend of N10, 000 per household,’’ he said.
President Buhari said the National Social Investment Programme was biggest in Sub-Sahara Africa and one of the largest in the world.
According to him, “Some of the various initiatives embarked upon to boost agric trade in Nigeria include the Anchor Borrowers Programme through which the Central Bank of Nigeria had made more than 300 billion Naira available to over 3.1 million smallholder farmers of 21 different commodities including Rice, Wheat, Maize, Cotton, Cassava, Poultry, Soybeans, Groundnut, Fish, cultivating over 3.8 million hectares of farmland.
“It is on record that 80% of rice consumed in Nigeria is now produced locally.’’
To further strengthen recovery and enable more Nigerians, President Buhari said, last year, he approved the establishment of InfraCo Plc, a world-class infrastructure development vehicle, wholly focused on Nigeria, with combined debt and equity take-off capital of N15 trillion, managed by an independent infrastructure Fund Manager.
“The Solar Power Naija project was launched in April 2021 with the aim of delivering 5 million off-grid solar connections to Nigerian households. In May 2021, the Rural Electrification Agency announced the planned deployment of solar-powered grids to 200 Primary Health Centres and 104 Unity Schools nationwide.
“Under the Family Homes Fund Limited, Social Housing programme incorporated by the Federal Government of Nigeria, more than two thousand hectares of land with title documents have been issued by 24 states with the capacity to accommodate about 65,000 new homes. The Central Bank of Nigeria is providing a N200 Billion financing facility, with a guarantee by the Federal Government,’’ he said.
The President affirmed that the theme of the conference, “Economic Recovery, Inclusion, and Transformation: The Role of Banking and Finance’’ was most appropriate, following the global shocks from Covid-19.
“I salute the Institute and the entire banking and finance industry for the commitment towards charting a practical path for economic recovery and transformation of our country, Nigeria, and by extension Africa as epitomized by the theme of your conference.
“I commend the financial services industry for its interventions and contributions towards the promotion of financial inclusion and literacy in our country. And more importantly, the roles played by the banks in fostering economic growth of the country.
“I am confident that the speakers that have been carefully selected to contribute to conference will share insights that will help individuals, businesses and governments at all levels make necessary adjustments and take the right steps towards our collective resolve to position Nigeria as one of the top economies in the world,’’ he added.
The President said a report from the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product grew 5.01 per cent in the second quarter of 2021; the strongest rise since the fourth quarter of 2014.
“This is cheery news and an indication that the efforts of this administration at repositioning the economy is paying off,’’ he said, urging bankers and financial institutions to leverage on the abundant business opportunities to grow the economy.
President Buhari implored financial institutions to play stronger role in making sure the Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises were fit for purpose, with support in full implementation of “Agreement”.
“Indeed financial intermediary could not be any more relevant than at a time like this. We need you, the banks to drive value creation by developing new technologies, scaling payment infrastructure to serve the diversified economies expected to benefit from this Agreement,’’ the President noted.
He said technological innovation was also important in the modern business terrain, noting that most transactions now take place online given the advent of the “Internet of Things”.
“As we continue to progress towards the next frontiers of digitization, we must harness all opportunities while being mindful of the inherent risks. For example, the protection of data is now of utmost importance to provide users with more secure access to the online space.’’
President Buhari said the Covid-19 pandemic changed everything in the world, from interaction, work, communication to general lifestyle, noting that the epidemic also triggered new opportunities which helped to reshape the economy in the areas of digital transformation, trans-African trade, financial inclusion, security, workforce of the future, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, processing, supply, and logistics.
“As we look beyond the effects of the pandemic to the future, there are bountiful opportunities ahead of us. As you all may know, the African Continental Free Trade Area, of which Nigeria is subscribed, is not only an opportunity for the growth of trade but also the growth of Pan African businesses.
“It portends opportunities for our teeming youth population, the women, the creative industry, the digital economy, the financial services sector, agricultural value chain, commerce, industry, education and indeed every aspect of the economy as Nigerians will have unfettered access to the over 1.3billion consumer market,’’ he said.
The President commended CBN, working in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee, for providing single-digit financing to young Nigerians in the fields of fashion, film, music and Information Technology through establishment of the Creative Industry Financing Initiative.
In a goodwill message, President Paul Kagame of Republic of Rwanda said exploring new technology in the banking sector, with more focus on innovation, will enhance financial inclusion.
“The banking sector can lead the way in integration. Banking is about trust,’’ he said.
CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele said the regulatory body had been working with the Bankers Committee to scale the challenges posed by Covid-19, which include reduction of interest rates on loans, increasing the moratorium for payments, and injecting N3 trillion loans in the private sector.
“We do expect that the pace of inflation will moderate as we approach the harvest season,’’ he added, assuring that banks remain strong, resilient and healthy.
He said the N15 trillion infrastructure fund will be launched in October, 2021, while innovations like the Nigeria/International Financial will provide a gateway for capital and investments, and digital currency, e-naira, will enhance inclusion.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
September 14, 2021
LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
SANWO-OLU INAUGURATES STATE ROAD SAFETY ADVISORY COUNCIL
In line with his administration’s commitment to Traffic Management and Transportation, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday inaugurated a 12-member State Road Safety Advisory Council (SaRSAC), to further work on solving the challenges of road safety in the State.
Speaking during the official inauguration of the State Road Safety Advisory Council (SaRSAC) held at the Lagos House, Marina on Wednesday, Governor Sanwo-Olu who chairs the Council with his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat as an alternate chairman, said the initiative demonstrated the commitment and premium his administration places on the lives of the citizens and to ensure safety on Lagos roads.
Other members of the 12-man Committee are; Commissioners for Transportation (Dr. Frederic Oladeinde), Health (Prof. Akin Abayomi) Education (Mrs Folasade Adefisayo), Environment (Mr. Tunji Bello), Finance (Dr. Rabiu Olowo), Justice and Attorney-General of the State (Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN), Economic Planning and Budget (Mr. Sam Egube); Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyooye; Director of Vehicle Inspection Services (VIS), Akin-George Fashola; Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Olusegun Ogungbemide and member, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Olutosin Ogunmola.
The Governor said setting up of the SaRSAC is demonstration of his administration’s commitment to ensuring safety on Lagos roads through the implementation of the National Road Safety Strategy II, which encapsulates the key strategic elements that will provide direction for the 2019 – 2023 plan period.
He said objectives of the board included ensuring road infrastructure, comply with global standards, drafting the implementation of the road safety strategy, ensuring coordination between the state and local governments, development of funding plan for road safety, monitoring of funds disbursed for the initiative and ensuring representation at the national working group among other duties.
“Our administration places premium on safety of lives and property of the citizens and we have continued to demonstrate this commitment through the implementation of various policies and strategies aimed at making our roads safer for all.
As a sub-national government, we have been in the fore-front in the implementation of global road safety strategies including the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety, which ended in 2020.
“Part of the strategies we are implementing include ensuring that our roads infrastructure complies with global standard for safety, capacity improvement of relevant agencies including Vehicle Inspection Services (VIS), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) and the State Fire Service.
“The primary responsibility of this Council which comprises principal road safety stakeholders is to drive the implementation of the National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS) in the State,” the Governor said.
The Governor charged members of the State Road Safety Advisory Council to contribute their quota to make the road safer.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Transport, said the board was committed to address road safety challenges in line with the THEMES agenda.
Dr. Oladehinde urged Lagosians to support the Council in every way possible as they take ownership of the brainchild, which was created to save lives and property.
He said: “Lagos State as a trailblazing state and in line with its THEMES agenda is today inaugurating a 12-man Lagos State Road Safety Advisory Council which will not only come forward with clear Road Safety blueprints but also stem the tide of road traffic crashes and its attendant socio-economic losses through fatalities and injuries in the South-West Region.
“The gathering of today bears eloquent testimony to unflinching determination of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to walk the talk in the Transport Sector and see to the actualisation of tangible deliverables in the sector. Little wonder that the Governor is by himself chairing this Advisory Council. That is a pointer to the Governor’s hands-on approach to leadership.”
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
SEPTEMBER 15, 2021
Top government functionaries, traditional rulers, others storm Lagos for Obanikoro
Top government functionaries, major players in the economic spheres, traditional rulers and chiefs in Nigeria are expected on Thursday, September 16, 2021 in Isale Eko, Lagos Island.
The eminent persons are expected at the 20th anniversary of the coronation of the Obanikoro of Lagos.
The celebration will begin at 10:00am.
The Obanikoro of Lagos is the head of the Ogalade class of Lagos traditional white cap chiefs.
Known as Adi-Fanikoro (The Chief Priest), High Chief Adesoji Adeniji Ajayibembe 11, the Obanikoro of Lagos Island and Idoluwoile, was crowned September 16, 2001.
‘’The good people of Lagos State will roll out the drums on Thursday, September 16, 2021 to mark the 20th anniversary of High Chief Adesoji Adeniji Ajayibembe 11, the Obanikoro of Lagos. Also, an open air service will take place at Obanikoro’s Palace, 38, Obun Eko Street, Isale Eko, from 10:00am’’ a statement by Lagos All Progressives Congress (APC) Leader, Hon. Adeyinka Adedoyin said.
‘’The service will be conducted by churches in Lagos Island’’.
The statement praised the Obanikoro of Lagos for demonstrating exemplary leadership, promoting the culture and tradition of the Yoruba people, ensuring socio-cultural cooperation, communal living and peaceful co-existence among the Yoruba and other ethnic groups in Lagos State.
The statement underscored Obanikoro’s high and noble service to the people, his role in ensuring a better future for progress, prosperity and well-being for the people of Lagos State.
‘’In twenty years, the Obanikoro of Lagos served the people with unerring grace, dignity and decency’’
The statement also commended the Lagos High Chief for living above board, serving as a source of strength and inspiration for many within and outside Lagos State.
“On behalf of myself, family and the good people of Lagos Island, I congratulate the Obanikoro of Lagos on the occasion of his 20th coronation anniversary. I also wish him good health, long life and God’s protection” Adeyinka Adedoyin added.
PRINCE ARTHUR EZE LAUDS PRESIDENT BUHARI FOR DEVELOPMENT STRIDES IN SOUTH-EAST
President Muhammadu Buhari has received accolades on the infrastructural development in the South-East, particularly the second Niger Bridge, which has attained about 70% completion and slated for commissioning before the end of 2022.
Oil tycoon, Prince Arthur Eze, gave the plaudits during a private visit to the President Tuesday night at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The businessman urged Nigerians to always preach peace as against hate, and draw lessons from countries suffering the effect of war.
He pledged loyalty and commitment to the unity, peace and indivisibility of Nigeria, urging President Buhari to stay focused and not be distracted by agitations for separatism rocking some parts of the country.
“There are countless Igbos scattered around the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, who live happily in peace, and do their legitimate businesses without complaint of marginalization. No matter what, let’s tolerate one another and always embrace the spirit of peace, forgiveness and reconciliation. God that brought us together has not made a mistake. I have no other country than Nigeria, let’s join hands and solve our problems ourselves,” Prince Eze said.
He commended the President on the successes recorded in the North-East where Boko Haram fighters are surrendering in droves, urging more efforts in the North-West against bandits and other criminals.
Prince Eze counselled government to give more opportunities to local outfits like the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Corporation, to print election ballot papers, sensitive security documents, certificates, local, state and Federal Government revenue and treasury receipts, passports, and others, since it had the capacity to do so.
President Buhari thanked Prince Eze for visiting and for his good wishes for the country and government at all times.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
September 15, 2021
PRESIDENT BUHARI GREETS POET, AUTHOR, JOURNALIST, LINDSAY BARRETT AT 80
President Muhammadu Buhari rejoices with consummate author, journalist, poet, essayist, photographer, and Pan-Africanist, Lindsay Barrett, as he turns 80 September 15, 2021.
Jamaica-born Barrett took on Nigerian citizenship in the 1980s, and the President recalls meeting him at the war front in 1968, while he covered the Nigeria-Biafra War as a journalist.
“I remember the day he was almost killed in an ambush. He survived by a stroke of luck. I wish him well as he turns the milestone age of 80,” President Buhari says.
He salutes the about six-decade commitment to creative writing and journalism put in by Barrett, urging the younger generation to learn from his doggedness to his craft.
The President extends felicitations to the Barrett family, the media, and the pen fraternity at large, wishing the celebrated writer longer life and good health.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
September 14, 2021
We must articulate political, economic, military, policing strategy to address emerging security threats — Gbajabiamila
…says House ready to do more despite successes recorded
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that all efforts must be made to articulate a political, economic, military and policing strategy to address both the manifestations and root causes of the emerging security threats in the country.
Gbajabiamila noted with concern, how some “miscreants and criminals masquerading as separationist activists have emerged to wreak havoc, take lives and commit economic sabotage against fellow Nigerians and the state.”
In an address to welcome members back from their annual recess, the Speaker said the activities of such groups presented a clear and present danger in the southern part of the country, adding that there was no difference between them and Boko Haram as well as ISWAP.
He stated, “These people, in their inclination for devastating violence against fellow citizens, their appetite for the destruction of private property, their disruption of academic activities, commerce, and industry, their propensity for defiling institutions of the state, society and community, their refusal to engage in debate, or to consider the possibility of dissenting opinions and alternative viewpoints, are no different from Boko Haram and ISWAP. Given space and time, they will take our nation down the same path of destruction.
“We know from experience that neither appeasement nor overwhelming violence alone will work. We have been down this road before; we know what the consequences of inaction can be. We also know that we cannot afford to be reactionary in our approach. This is the time to convene our best efforts to articulate a political, economic, military and policing strategy to address both the manifestations and root causes of this emerging threat.
“Let nobody be under the impression that there is a political opportunity in exploiting this moment. This is a time for statesmen to act beyond the petty considerations of politics, to do the hard things and achieve greatness.
Gbajabiamila said the House had rightly focused its “national security concerns on the machinations of extremist insurgents who seek to remake our world in the image of their discredited theocracy and bandits who maraud and terrorise whole regions for profit.
“Insecurity remains an overwhelming threat to all our nation’s people and a hindrance that further delays the attainment of the critical development objectives necessary to put our country on the path to peaceful prosperity.
“Therefore, the 9th House of Representatives will continue to take action as required to address statutory deficiencies that limit the ability of our national security apparatus to respond effectively to the myriad manifestations of insecurity in our country.”
The Speaker said despite the passage of several important bills by the House, some of which had been assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, the House was ready to do more as that was part of the reasons members were elected.
He listed some of the important bills passed by the House to include the Petroleum Industry Bill, which is already an Act of Parliament, the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill, the Companies and Allied Matters Act, the Finance Bill, the Deep Offshore & Inland Basin PSC (Amendment) Act, among others.
“Already, in this 9th House of Representatives, we have done a lot of what we said we would do, and we have made giant strides towards keeping the promises we made to the Nigerian people in our Legislative Agenda. Yet, with every new accomplishment, we confront the unavoidable truth that our work is not nearly done, and the cares that concern us and animate our governing efforts have not been met.
“But rather than be discouraged, we draw inspiration from the things we have achieved, we learn the lessons from the times we tried and failed, and we endeavour with each new day and each new effort to do better than our previous best. In this way, through our individual and joint efforts, we will ensure that in the final judgment of history, it will be said that in the time we had, we strived, and we kept the faith to the best of our abilities” , he told his colleagues.
Gbajabiamila commended his colleagues for their commitment and dedication to the work of Parliament, which he said made it possible for the House to record such achievements in two years.
He said the National Security Summit organised by the House led to the introduction of some key bills and urged the relevant committee chairmen working on them to “act quickly and conscientiously to bring those bills to the floor as soon as is practicable.”
He also said the House would follow through to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the security summit submitted to President Buhari.
On media reports that tend to measure the performance of lawmakers based on the bills they sponsor, Gbajabiamila said: “Often, Members are most effective when advocating for their constituents in the arenas of government where decisions are made. They fulfil their role in the Committees when their measured contributions help to ensure that Bills are of the highest quality and solve the intended problems.
“Legislators also honour their mandate when through meticulous oversight of public spending and incisive questioning of public officials, they ensure that government resources are efficiently utilised to meet governing objectives.
“Therefore, reducing the sum of a legislator’s contributions to the number of Bills sponsored is uninspired journalism that reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of the legislative function and the role of members in ensuring that parliament delivers on its objectives to the Nigerian people. It is an unhealthy practice, and it should not be encouraged.”
He said the House Committee on Health Services would soon present the report on the Infectious Diseases Bill, noting that, “I sincerely hope that our debate this time will be a marked improvement from what came before.”
I never referred to IPOB or Yoruba Nation group members, says Gbajabiamila
Yoruba Diaspora Group, Yoruba One Voice (YOV), on Wednesday, said the statement credited to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Yoruba nation agitators are not different from Boko Haram, is an evidence that the speaker has lost touch with the realities of the present situation in the country.
But Gbajabiamila in a Facebook post denied the statement.
‘’My attention has been drawn to the misinterpretation of my speech on the floor of the House today. I never referred to IPOB or Yoruba Nation group members. My message was directed at the criminal elements who seem to have taken advantage of their legitimate agitations as a decoy to extort, kill and commit acts of terror’’.
YOV, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Omoladun Orolugbagbe, said the speaker was part of the conspiracy that brought Nigeria to its kneels, disclosing that Gbajabiamila had always been a sell out with no history of commitment to the ideals of the common people in Nigeria.
Orolugbagbe said:”The statement was a testimony of where he was coming from. Having being in the Green Chambers as a lawmaker for a period of four terms consecutively, and reaching the highest position of a speaker of the lower Chambers, it speaks volume of Gbajabiamila’s failures and that of his political allies who have deliberately put Nigeria to its abyss”
“He surely has his eyes in the presidency in 2023 that is why he is always doing the bid of his political masters,
“Yesterday, President Muhammadu Buhari sought another $4 billion loan, the lawmakers under Gbajabiamila as a Speaker had apparently approved loan sought by President Buhari up to the tune of about $45 billion without a single idea or thought of the backlog of loans and the amount involved in servicing these loans. This is ridiculous, however, it is the duty of the lawmakers to check the excesses of the executive, especially, when it has to do with the future of the country”
“Yoruba nation agitators are law-abiding people, and they carry out their activities with precautions and moderation, so it is purely an understatement for a lawyer and law maker to describe the law-abiding people of our race spreading across the world as terrorists just because of his political ambition.
But saying IPOB and Yoruba nation agitators are not different from Boko Haram is nothing but a blackmail and complete misjudgement. He is a politician without political ideology and beliefs. And Gbajabiamila should note that Yoruba will always remember him for this, either now or in the future”, the YOV Publicity scribe said.
