The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, GCON, was at the Archibuilt Expo 2022, the annual conference organized by the Nigerian Institute of Architects.

The Vice President, during the Conference, spoke on the goals of the National Infrastructure Plan. He highlighted the exponential population growth in Nigeria and Abuja. The implication according to Professor Osinbajo is that the necessity for sustainable and innovative infrastructural planning is a ‘categorical imperative.’ Capital expenditure and investment in roads, rails, energy pipelines and industry in general both by the public and private sector has become even much more compelling than ever before.

According to the Vice President, the goal of the administration’s National Infrastructure  Plan is to grow the country’s infrastructure stock by at least 70%, which he said is the global best practice. Professor Osinbajo called on the Nigerian Institute of Architects to collaborate with other professionals in the built environment to boost Nigeria’s infrastructure stock for national development.

The Vice President said, the goal of the administration’s National Infrastructure  Plan is to grow the country’s infrastructure stock by at least 70%, which he said is the global best practice. Professor Osinbajo called on the Nigerian Institute of Architects to collaborate with other professionals in the built environment to boost Nigeria’s infrastructure stock for national development.

The General Manager of Julius Berger AFP, Mr Oliver Cohnen who led the company’s team to the conference also received the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, GCON, to the Julius Berger AFP exhibition pavilion at the venue of the event. The Vice President commended APF’s product quality and enjoined AFP to keep up its great product quality and service. Oliver Cohnen thanked the Vice President for his gracious visit and for his kind and encouraging words to AFP.

Other important dignitaries that graced the conference and exhibition included the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, and her husband, Architect Shamsudeen, and the Honourable Minister for Water Resources. The National Coordinator of Nigeria’s Social Investment Programme, Dr. Umar B. Bindir, Professor Uche Uwaleke an exponent of the use of Infrastructure Bonds for infrastructural development, the President of the Sierra Leonean Institute of Architects as well as the current and past presidents of the NIA were in attendance at the event which held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adu Centre Abuja.

Other AFP officials at the conference included the Commercial Manager of AFP, Norbert Kossmann, APublic Relations Officer, Alhaji Kaita Ahmed, Comrade Jamiu Akinola, Sales Consultants Sandra Kyaan and Khadija Usman, and AFP Procurement Manager , Jan Baumgaertener

Archibuilt is a forum that provides a platform for organizers and participants alike a platform for direct communication and value exchange between architects, consultants, contractors, developers, product and other service providers in the built environment. According to the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), “Archibuilt is an annual exhibition and forum organized to bring to the fore trends, technologies, systems, and policy issues that impact the building industry’s intervention and response to everyday living.” Sourcing of Products and services at the expo is a major reason attendees go for the Archibuilt Conference and Exhibition every year. Attendees go the conference and exhibition to evaluate products and services and develop business relationships with the built environment manufacturers.

JULIUS BERGER WINS 7TH CONSECUTIVE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR LEADERSHIP AWARD AT #IAMBRANDNIGERIA’S TOP 50 BRANDS 2022

The Country’s practically most reliable and innovative engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has robustly for the 7^th consecutive time won top rating as “Nigeria’s Most Valuable Brand in the Building and Construction Services Category” at the Top 50 Brands Nigeria Awards.

At a ceremony to unveil the Top 50 business brands in Nigeria last week in Lagos, the highly acclaimed construction experts, again retained its leadership position in Nigeria’s engineering construction sector in recognition of its outstanding and ever trustworthy quality, brilliant innovativeness and operational best international standards and practice in the building and construction industry for the year 2022.

At the eagerly anticipated annual national brands evaluation event anchored in Lagos, where who is who in the various industrial sectors are assessed and named with ranking awards, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc emerged the winner in the building and construction sector with a Brand Strength Measurement, BSM, of 66.5, notching up an additional 6 points to strongly beat and best its own previous brand performance record of 60.5 points at the previous 2021 ratings.

The Chief Executive Officer of Top Brands Nigeria, Taiwo Oluboyede in his opening remarks at the landmark event congratulated Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and other sectoral winners declaring that, “…today, these are the Best Brands in Nigeria”.

According to Mr. Taiwo Oluboyede, the CEO of Top Brands Nigeria, the drivers of the #TOP50BRANDSNIGERIA awards, the Brand Strength Measurement (BSM) ratings of nominated companies are determined by their consistency of corporate mission, professional resilience, individual Brand Identity, Client Retention, Quality Elements, Market Category Leadership as well as a brand’s Diversification activities and Productivity. Other BSM assessment considerations include Innovation, National Spread, Online Engagement and a brand’s Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Consciousness and engagement. According to Taiwo Oluboyede, “…This becomes the objective measurement and merit-driven outcome of the annual brand research endeavour, where we evaluate a brand’s ability to deliver on its promise to its customers or clients who consume its products and services from the customers’ or consumers’ point of view….”

Oluboyede speaking from the citation of Julius Berger from the BrandNigeria 2022 Manual, further said that, among many other fine technical qualities of Julius Berger, the company places emphasis on the deployment of progressive construction methods and innovative technologies to achieve sustainable and value-driven solutions. He said the scope of Julius Berger’s operations covers “…all areas of construction including the pre and post phases. Success is built on the strategy of having vertically integrated operations, which improve efficiency and timelines of project execution”.

To underscore the foregoing, the Top Brands Nigeria CEO said, “Julius Berger is a brand that is unmistakably recognized throughout Nigeria, a brand that has built a track record of delivering the highest level of performance and a brand synonymous with quality and reliability”.

Congratulating Julius Berger at the unveiling of the 2022 awards in Lagos, Taiwo Oluboyede  reiterated that“…the engineering construction leader is a company seized of a progressive and open-minded corporate culture constantly progressively driven by a development and growth-oriented Board and executive management. The company empirically never stands still in its efforts to drive both the Organization and its clients’ developments forward to its sworn allegiance to good success”.

Julius Berger at this year’s event was also again positively cited and commended by Taiwo Oluboyede for its consistent business culture of punctuality and capacity to arrive on schedule and well prepared for maximum productivity in all of its projects and operational tasks with ready clients.

It would be recalled that the Executive Director of Administration of Julius Berger, Alhaji Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi, earlier told news correspondents during one of the company’s media parley events that:  “…In Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, punctuality is the soul of business and, as a propelling operational policy, we seriously work to arrive at every milestone and assignment as planned. That corporate culture proudly and productively underpins our company’s reliability to our clients in every project. That is our proud historical legacy; a tenacity and consistency of purpose that has made us to consistently win the highly coveted construction sector leadership award…” Bayi added that, “…we promise to maintain our matchless productive momentum and remain the trusted and preferred partner when project timelines and success matter most to the client. That is Julius Berger’s lasting and reliable promise.”

With regard to the 2022 construction sector leadership award to Julius Berger, Alhaji Bayi who had to give his remarks on the telephone from offshore where he was for official assignment said: “…On behalf of the Board, Executive Management and entire Staff of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, I wish to appreciate and thank the BrandNigeria organization for this valuable award, and for the objectivity that has continued to define the ratings, keeping the nominations for the awards only merit-driven”.

The CEO of BrandNigeria, Taiwo Oluboyede, had earlier noted that since the advent of Julius Berger in Nigeria for the construction of Eko Bridge in Lagos in 1965, the engineering construction company has historically and decisively stood strong as a preferred partner for project success anywhere there is an engineering challenge in the country

Besides Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, other winners at the 2022 BRANDNIGERIA TOP50BRANDS Award event included the Dangote Group, Globacom, Lafarge, MTN, Oando, FCMB, Access Bank, Coco-Cola, Zenith Bank, First Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, UBA Plc, Nestle, Cadbury, BUA Group, Fidelity Bank, Total energies, Guinness, Airtel, Nigeria Breweries, Toyota, P&G, Channels Television, Samsung, Multichoice, etc.

PRESIDENT BUHARI IN CHAD, ASKS FOR PATHWAY TO ENDURING DEMOCRACY

President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the current Chairman of the Lake Chad Basin Countries, LCBC, Monday joined the celebrations of the people of Republic of Chad in inaugurating their interim administration to lead the country to elections and the formation of a democratic government.

At a bilateral meeting held by the two leaders, shortly before the inauguration of General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno as the Head of the Transition Government and Head of State to oversee the transition process, President Buhari congratulated the country’s leader on behalf of the LCBC for earning the trust of the majority of Chadians to head the transition process to full fruition.

The President equally congratulated the participants of the just-concluded Inclusive National Dialogue for the patriotism they demonstrated in reclaiming their country from the path of instability and repositioning it for sustainable governance and development.

President Buhari expressed hope that the event will, “hopefully bring to closure, the painful phase of the Chadian political history which led to the sad passage of one of Chad’s most illustrious sons, late Marshal Idriss Deby itno.”

President Buhari extolled the Chadian state’s responsible engagement within the sub-region and beyond, citing the country’s “very active involvement in the collective activities for peace within the LCBC and MNJTF, the Sahel and in the reactivation of her relationship with Sudan,” which he said were exemplary.

The President expressed his hope and that of the LCBC, which he chairs, that “today’s event will usher in another period of peace and stability within Chad and our sub-region in order to build on the gains of previous efforts.”

President Buhari urged all stakeholders in the Chadian political process to work towards consolidating and re-establishing a resolute, resilient and sustainable democracy for the benefit of the good people of Chad.

At the ceremony, the Head of the Transition Government, thanked President Buhari for the warmth and friendliness he had demonstrated towards the country and sub-region, especially in ensuring peace and stability.

Itno commended the Chairman of the LCBC for historic interventions in upholding the interest of the Chad Basin, and Africa, assuring that President Buhari’s leadership had been impactful.

He promised to put in place a transition process that would reflect the will of the people, while focusing on ameliorating poverty through provision of quality education, better health facilities and sustainable infrastructure.

President Buhari returned to Abuja after the ceremony in N’Djamena.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

October 10, 2022

2023: TRUE FEDERALISM WILL THRIVE UNDER TINUBU’S PRESIDENCY – GOV AKEREDOLU

• Says APC Candidate Towers Above Atiku, Obi
• Afenifere Doesn’t Speak For The Yorubas

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has identified true federalism as one of the strong pillars that can be used to build a prosperous nation.

Governor Akeredolu said true federalism is important in a diverse nation like Nigeria, adding that it will properly address the fundamentals of nationhood.

The Governor made this known on Sunday evening while speaking on the topic, “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Business of Nation Building”, during a Twitter Space session.

He assured Nigerians that the APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will bring a new vista into governance and ensure that true federalism thrives if voted into power.

Governor Akeredolu said the APC Candidate understands the serious issues affecting the wellbeing of the country.

“If voted into government, Nigerians will see that we have someone in place who had gone through democratic tutelage. He has been Governor. He led a party.

“Asiwaju has deep knowledge about the problems of this nation. He has been part of the struggle to ensure that democracy is enthroned and that a true federal system runs in the country,” Arakunrin Akeredolu said.

The Governor recalled that Asiwaju Tinubu was part of the founders of NADECO and participated in the struggle that led to the return of civil democratic rule in the fourth Republic.

He said: “Tinubu’s contributions in the NADECO struggle can not be denied. As you know, when the 1993 presidential election was held, MKO Abiola was deemed to have won that election. But the military junta canceled the election and set up an interim government.

“Asiwaju Tinubu and few others felt they weren’t going to take it. They formed the NADECO and fought the military. They stood on June 12. Then the whole country conceded that the next President must be from the Southwest. That is why in 1999, only former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Olu Falae ran for the election.

“You can not deny Asiwaju his role. He ran away from the county and set up the Radio-Kudirat. Those were the struggles we had before the forth republic came up.”

On the endorsement of Peter Obi by the Pan Yoruba Socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, the Governor declared that Afenifere doesn’t speak for the Yoruba people.

Arakunrin Akeredolu noted that Afenifere is divided in respect of the purported endorsement and emphasised that the group’s views do not represent the stance of the Yoruba people.

Governor Akeredolu said Asiwaju Tinubu has always remained a progressive despite the prevalence of political prostitution in the country.

“Prostitution in politics is very common. When you have people who stick to their guns and stay in their parties, you must respect them. It is not common. We have seen a situation where governors left their parties and go to other parties. For me, it is integrity. Asiwaju has shown integrity. Asiwaju’s form of politics has taught us that political prostitution is unnecessary.”he stressed.

Governor Akeredolu said Asiwaju Tinubu made efforts to build Lagos State when he was governor of the state, adding that the APC presidential standard bearer was able to make Lagos State a country within the Country.

He noted that Asiwaju Tinubu promoted national unity by appointing people from different ethnic backgrounds across the country into his government.

“Asiwaju was able to make Lagos a country within country. As you know, Asiwaju was in the saddle for eight years in Lagos. And you will find out that because of Lagos peculiarities, people from virtually all parts of the country were part of his government.

“Asiwaju Tinubu assembled the best brains for the job and these people moved from Lagos to become leaders in their respective states. Aregbesola was there as a commissioner and went from there to become governor in Osun State.

“Everybody has its own part to play. Today, we have people who have been senators in Lagos and gone back to their states to contest. Lagos can be described as a mini Nigeria. An Hausa man can thrive in Lagos. An Igbo man thrives in Lagos.

“Aliko Dangote lives in Lagos and his business is in Lagos and he’s thriving. So many other people thrive in Lagos. Our brothers from the East own the whole of Alaba. They have representatives in the National Assembly and Lagos State Assembly . You must give credit to Asiwaju for laying the foundation for such things to thrive in Lagos,” Governor Akeredolu said.

The Governor expressed confidence that the APC Presidential candidate would make state police happen in the country.

He said: “I strongly believe that the Presidency of Tinubu will give chance for State Police. He is lucky. Today, all governors in the 36 states of the federation support creation of state police. That should be a centre piece of his campaign.

“There must be restructuring and Asiwaju is one President that will come and restructure the country in accordance with the APC constitution. I look up to him as a leader who would say come 2023, a state police would happen.

Expressing his view on the Muslim/Muslim ticket, Governor Akeredolu said what is important to the country is capacity and knowledge, not religion and ethnicity.

“There are lots of discussions about the Muslim/Muslim ticket. And some of us have tried to explain to our people. The ticket itself can not be the issue. The main issue is who will serve the country. When you talk about the issue of ticket, you also want to talk about the issue of inclusivism. Should the presidency go back to the north? No!

“And what are we left with? We are left with an Obi and Asiwaju. Then you will weigh the two. Some of us have made a decision about Asiwaju. And the decision is based on what he has to offer.

“When put together on a scale, Tinubu weighs higher. We look at intellect, experience and what we stand to gain from his presidency. Capacity and knowledge are different from religion and ethnicity. We have always voted for experience and capacity.

“We have said it clearly. President must come to the South. It has come to us now to make a choice. In making the choice, we must think about capacity and competence. And the scale tilts towards Asiwaju Tinubu,” He stressed.

The Governor further assured that Asiwaju Tinubu will promote youth inclusion in his government, adding that young Nigerians will have enough participation in the government.

Richard Olatunde

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.

October 10, 2022.

Monday, October 10, 2023

PRESS RELEASE BY THE TINUBU/SHETTIMA CAMPAIGN COUNCIL:

PDP PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN FLAG-OFF IN UYO: A DISASTER FORETOLD

The launch of PDP’s presidential campaign today in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was, as expected, a disaster waiting to happen. Once again, the delinquent PDP continued to treat the now discerning Nigerian public with disdain and disrespect.

Aside from the obscenity of a poorly-scripted farce misnamed a flag-off, Nigerians suffered today additional trauma of having to witness a show of shame, listening to a litany of falsehoods spewed out at the gathering by failed, expired and rejected politicians. Speaker after speaker kept echoing a farrago of incomprehensible political jargons that left most Nigerians wondering whether it was a circus.

For example, if not the loss of the sense of shame, what else could have goaded PDP’s now discredited “sit tight” National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, to be audacious enough to stand on a podium today in Uyo and make any promise to Nigerians? Has he been able to fulfill the promise he made to himself and his party members to step down from office should a Northerner  emerge as  the presidential candidate at their party primaries? How can a party that cannot unite itself promise to unite Nigeria? How can a party that brazenly violates its own constitution on zoning be trusted to obey the constitution of Nigeria if again trusted with power?

When you have a flag-off campaign that is shunned by the National Vice-Chairmen of the South-South, South-West, and five sitting Governors out of thirteen,  that is a definitive and resounding red-flag that Nigerians should not vote the Presidential candidate of the PDP in this coming election. If the people’s representatives at the state levels are so unanimouly against their party’s candidate that they would shun his campaign launch, then indeed, we would say to Nigerians, “A word is enough for the wise”.

Fortunately, to the benefit of Nigerians, there remains a few good men within PDP. These honourable men belonging to the party’s NWC, deemed it right to return hundreds of millions of Naira allegedly transferred into their individual bank accounts as “hush money” to suppress the investigation of the scandal of humongous financial misappropriation levelled against their National Chairman.

It is quite obvious to Nigerians that the PDP is a house that is divided against itself and it sure won’t stand. At their presidential campaign flag-off in Uyo today, the absence of many of the PDP State Governors tells a story to Nigerians that no amount of political jamboree can whitewash PDP’s cracked walls. It tells a story of a budding autocratic leadership, nourished by impunity, which now fans the flame of divisions and absolute disrespect for laid down rules and regulation.

Not much should, therefore, be expected from such a gathering. With the obvious inability of its Presidential Candidate to assuage frayed nerves of disaffected persons within their ranks, how will it be possible for such a person to unite people within such a diverse landscape as Nigeria? You definitely cannot give what you don’t have.

After being voted out of power in 2015 ignominiously, Nigerians had hoped that the PDP would, by now, be contrite as a party. Just as many had expected it would be able to muster the organisational acumen to play a formidable opposition Party, having been at the helm of running the affairs of our dear nation for 16 years prior to its disgraceful fall in 2015.

Alas, such expectations now seem far-fetched. Rather than seize every opportunity to redeemed its battered image, PDP has continued on its free fall, much the same way it bungled the running of the affairs of our country for 16 good years in an orgy of incompetence, unabated corruption and impunity.

The PDP and its self-conceited leadership failed woefully to put its house in order before hitting the streets to ask for the votes of Nigerians and, ironically, telling Nigerians they are on a rescue mission. Till date, their National Secretariat remains uncompleted, whilst the APC, in its relatively shorter existence, now has a permanent headquarters.

Our democracy is young. This Fourth Republic is barely 24 years old. But then, a 24 years old man would be said to be coming of age. At this time, Nigerians are no longer interested in a trial-and-error leadership. Those who have not been proven to be “good enough” leaders should have no access to our highest office. If nothing else speaks to the disaster an Abubakar Atiku presidency will be, this crisis within the PDP does so eloquently.

It is high time Nigerians called out the PDP for their spurious promises and the obnoxious behaviour of their helmsmen. It is highly unfortunate that some of the most honorable of their leaders are being sacrificed on the altar of the greed of a few persons and their inordinate ambition.

Festus Keyamo, SAN, FCIArb(UK)

*Director of Public Affairs and Chief Spokesperson, Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.

* Minister of State, Labour and Employment,

Federal Republic of Nigeria

PRESS STATEMENT

Yakubu Dogara and his band of so-called APC Christian leaders are impostors

Former Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara has apparently lost his mind since he could not realise his self-imposed ambition to be on the presidential ticket of All Progressives Congress. On account of this he has certainly become a reprobate and demagogue, delivering hate speeches and whipping up emotions, with the aim of setting our country ablaze.

The Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council is therefore not surprised by media reports about a meeting of some so-called Northern Christian leaders, who claimed to be members of our All Progressives Congress that was championed by Dogara and his ilks.

The claim was totally fraudulent.

Yakubu Dogara, the peripatetic and politically unstable politician who organised the meeting left our party officially and unceremoniously weeks ago. And those who attended the meeting were representing themselves, their selfish agenda, not Northern Christians.

Before then, the former speaker had spearheaded a campaign of vitriol and hate against our party, using religion as camouflage, after he lost the vice-presidential candidacy to a better qualified Senator Kashim Shettima.

A careful reading of the people who attended the unholy meeting he called also showed that they were all PDP members, masquerading as APC members.

Among the politicians at the unholy consultative meeting were Mukhar Shagari, Boni Haruna, Abdulfattah Ahmed; Damishi Sango; Senator Idris Ahmed Umar; and two former deputy governors of Kogi State, Yomi Awoniyi and Simon Achuba. They are all PDP members working for the presidential ambition of Atiku Abubakar.

We were not surprised by the resolutions adopted. Our surprise was that the media failed to read through their smokescreen.

The APC PCC wondered how the assembly of strange bedfellows hoped to foster unity and cohesion in our country, when their candidate represents the antithesis of the goal, having emerged the greatest divider of our polity, between the north and south.

All Nigerians are aware that Atiku’s emergence as the PDP presidential candidate grossly violated a power rotation code between the north and the south. His insistence on snatching and retaining what righly belongs to another political region has triggered a crisis within his party, making him run from Port Harcourt to London to mend fences.

We want to assure Dogara and his co-travellers fanning hate campaign against our Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, that they will fail spectacularly at the polls.

From the engagements our leaders have had with men of all faiths, bigotry will not win next February election. What will prevail are the track records of our candidates and the solution-driven and all-inclusive progressive programmes the candidates offer Nigerians.

Asiwaju Tinubu and Senator Shettima are going into this campaign with clear objectives to engage Nigerians across the socio-economic brackets on policy actions that will make their lives better. Our candidates will not exploit our country’s fault lines to win election and sell religion as Kool Aid.

Bayo Onanuga

Director, Media & Publicity

Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council

Okowa mourns Ex-LG Chairman, Jonathan Eghweree

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has commiserated with the Eghweree family and people of Oghara over the passing of former Chairman of Ethiope West Local Government Area, Mr Jonathan Eghweree.

The late Eghweree was the first Executive Chairman of Ethiope West Local Government Area between 1991 and 1993, after its creation from the Old Ethiope Local Government Area.

Until his passing, he was a member of Delta State Scholarship Board, and a chieftain of the PDP in Delta.

In the condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, Okowa expressed sadness over the incident, saying that it was a big loss to the deceased’s family, the PDP and Oghara people.

According to him, the passing of the PDP chieftain is a big blow to our party, his family, Oghara community and Ethiope West, considering his immense contributions to the party’s fortunes in the state.

The governor described the late Eghweree as a “fine gentleman”, who contributed to the growth and development of his community and local government area, and stated that he would be greatly missed by his political associates and others close to him.

He said: “On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn the passing of an astute politician and a gentleman of amiable personality.

“Jonathan Eghweree was a renowned party leader, a man of peace who was passionate about the development of his people of Oghara and Ethiope West in general.

“The news of his death was shocking and a great loss because he was a valued asset to PDP in Delta and had distinguished himself in the service of the party and his people.

“His huge contributions to our party’s victories in several elections in Oghara and Ethiope West remains laudable and highly commendable.”

Okowa prayed to God to accept the deceased’s soul and grant fortitude to the family and friends to bear his exit.

How APC can win 2023 polls, by Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has provided insights into how the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) can continue its winning streak in 2023.

He said the party must take advantage of the women population and spread campaigns to the most remotest parts of the country.

He spoke at the inauguration of the Tinubu-Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team, held at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The President, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, also tasked the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Women Affairs to work with the Office of the First Lady to come up with sets of legislations that can be put before the National Assembly to make laws to ensure women receive just recognition for their contributions in society.

Speaking on how the APC could win the presidential and other elections next year, Buhari called the attention of the audience, including the National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and other leaders of the party, to the potentials of the women voters, highlighting the sheer number of votes they contributed in the last two elections, charging the party to court the support of the female voters.

“Considering the strategic role women have played in APC victories, we call on you once again to begin organizing and mobilizing vigorously the electorate at all levels for APC victory at the 2023 polls through the committee in an inclusive and cooperative manner.

“The inauguration of APC Women Presidential Campaign Committee today is the most crucial component of the 2023 campaign. To this end, I call on all members of this committee to take up this great responsibility as a testament of your selfless service to the APC.

“I strongly believe that this committee will take the APC to greater heights by developing and implementing a collective and inclusive party’s strategy to ensure APC victory in the 2023 election because there is no alternative to our victory.

“In the 2015 general elections, about 3.6 million housewives voted in the presidential election. And this figure ranks third next to about 4.4 million students in the 2019 general elections. Women accounted for 47 percent, almost 40 million of the 84 million registered voters throughout the nation.

“We must continuously co-opt and make significant in-road into these demographic and voting segments.

“The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently made a projection that Nigeria’s voting population could be as much as 95 million for the 2023 general elections. For statisticians in the room, you can imagine what that means in terms of potential votes that women could bring to the table.

“Counting today, we are left with approximately 137 days before the Presidential and National Assembly elections, which is scheduled for the 25th of February, 2023. Out of the 36 states of the federation, 30 states will be holding their gubernatorial elections on the 11th of March. The mission that lays ahead of the committee is very clear and time is not on your side,” he said.

The President went further to remind the campaign council and other party functionaries to also work hard to reach the inner recesses of the country in canvassing for votes, warning that the real work in getting votes is not in Abuja, but in the over 8,000 wards across the country.

“As this launch is being hosted in Abuja, we must remember that the real war lies in far flung places away from Abuja. The task ahead lies in over 8000 wards and 774 local governments across the country, where party faithful will have to make a case before fellow citizens on our party’s candidate articulating the vision and the programme for the country.

“The campaign, therefore, should resist the temptation for it to be turned into an Abuja centric activity but establish the connection between the voting public and our presidential candidate, and for other candidates for offices throughout Nigeria, that should be the ultimate objective”, he said.

Buhari noted that women had been the most supportive groups to his administration and throughout his political journey, calling on women of the party to extend same commitment they had shown him all along to the flag bearer of the party and his team.

PRESS RELEASE

SANWO-OLU CONGRATULATES ABIKE DABIRI-EREWA AT 60

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on the occasion of her 60 years birthday.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said the former Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) celebrated broadcaster and three-term federal lawmaker, who clocks 60 on Monday, October 10, has emblazoned her name on the international stage as a respected legislator, lover of truth, advocate of social justice and a loud voice of the voiceless.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said the former Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora is a good ambassador of Lagos State, who has used her experience and position to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria in different sectors.

He said: “On behalf of my family, the good people of Lagos State, leaders and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), I heartily congratulate the Chairman/CEO of Nigerian Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee.

“Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, before venturing into politics in 2006 was a celebrated broadcaster, who worked for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) for 15 years, anchoring the weekly NTA News line programme and taking a particular interest in poverty and social justice issues.

“As a lawmaker, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency between 2003 and 2015, she contributed immensely to legislative business during her 12 years in the House of Representatives. She served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Publicity, and later Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs.

“She was never a ‘sleeping lawmaker’ as she sponsored significant bills that were passed by Parliament, among which were the Freedom of Information Bill, Nigerian Diaspora Commission Bill and a Bill to repeal the Nigerian Press Council Bill and replace it with the Nigerian Press and Journalism Council Bill.

“Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa as the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora and now Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, has been the voice of Nigerians in the Diaspora, championing and working for their interests in a foreign country.

“As you celebrate your 60th birthday, I pray that God will continue to preserve and grant you good health to enable you to render more service to humanity, Nigeria and our beloved state, Lagos.”

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

09 OCTOBER 2022

October 9, 2022

Press Statement

Eid-el Maulud: PDP Felicitates with Nigerians, Urges Faith, Unity, Tolerance

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) felicitates with Nigerians, especially the Muslim Ummah on the celebration of Eid-el Maulud, the birth of Holy Prophet Mohammed (SAW), urging them to use the occasion to strengthen their faith in God as well as the bond of unity among one another.

Indeed, the Eid-el Maulud offers us as a people and humanity the divine reassurance of the mercies, compassion and provision of the Almighty Allah as well as divine call to put our trust in His unending love towards mankind.

The PDP therefore urges Nigerians to use the occasion of the Eid-el Maulud to end all forms of divisiveness, acrimony, strife and sense of hopelessness and embrace a new beginning by rekindling the virtues of love, kindness, forgiveness, tolerance, peaceful co-existence and charity towards the poor in line with the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet.

Our Party charges Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for divine intervention in the country especially as the nation prepares for the 2023 general elections. The PDP also calls on those behind the mindless killings, banditry and other forms of violence to use the occasion to turn a new leaf and end their acts of hostility against humanity.

The PDP felicitates with Nigerians and wishes them a happy Eid-el Maulud celebration.

Signed:

Hon. Debo Ologunagba

National Publicity Secretary