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Tag: Presidency

  • Buhari to feature on NTA by 8pm today – Presidency

    Buhari to feature on NTA by 8pm today – Presidency

    President Muhammadu Buhari will on Friday evening feature in an exclusive interview on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

    This was disclosed by Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, in a statement he issued.

    Adesina said the president’s latest interview session is expected to be on air from about 8:30pm.

    According to Adesina, the latest interview would be revealing.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari grants Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) an exclusive interview, from 8.30 pm, Friday, June 11, 2021.

    “It promises to be revealing and educating. Kindly keep a date,” the statement said.

    Just a few days ago, the president had an interview with Arise Television.

  • Presidency Commissions BokoHaram Attacked Government Girls Secondary School Chibok

    Presidency Commissions BokoHaram Attacked Government Girls Secondary School Chibok

    BY Dauda R PamMaiduguri

    The newly remodeled Government Girls Secondary school Chibok, which was hitherto attacked by the dreaded Boko Haram sect on April 14, 2014, has been commissioned, several years after.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, who was in Chibok town, the headquarters of Chibok local council, on Monday, where he commissioned the remodeled government  secondary school, which will now accommodate both boys and girls.


    Represented by the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, commended  the BORNO state governor, Prof. Babagana UMARA Zulum, who  single-handedly  remodeled the school,, stressing that government is ever ready to provide qualitative education, especially the down trodden in the society.

    The Minister used the occasion to convey the goodwill message of President Muhammadu Buhari to the government and people of BORNO especially the Chibok community and pledged to improve on the quality of the girl child education.


    She noted that the present administration is determined to root out insurgency in the North-East region and the country as a whole to enable citizens return to normal life.

    “We sympathize with the Chibok community. We know what you are going through. But I want to assure you that we are working day and night to make sure that life returns to normal both in your community and all others affected by terrorism.

    “I want to appeal to Chibok leaders and the community to continue give their maximum support to the present administration under the leadership of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum who is ever willing to give girl child education the desire it needs”. The minister stated.

    In his remarks, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, thanked president Buhari for his support and co-operation to the state Government for releasing  the required funds which led to the completion of all the destroyed structures, and pledged his administration’s commitment to uplifting the education sector in the state.

    He prayed God Almighty to rescue the remaining schools Girls and all those still in the captivity of Boko Haram. 

    “The reconstructed Chibok school have a state of the art classrooms, library and laboratory, computer and ICT Center, a sports arena and a clinic. 

    “For security, it has a gate house and observation post to be manned by well-equipped security agents.


    “This administration promised to rebuild the Government Secondary School in Chibok which was destroyed by terrorists. Today, I am glad that we are all witnessing the official commissioning of the completed befitting projects.

    “We want our students to go back to school. We want them to get the education they need to live a decent life. We will support them and we will do everything we can to support their parents and the entire community.

    “We will also not forget the Chibok girls. We are working hard to ensure that they return home. As a father, I can feel the pain of the parents. What happened was tragic. But I want you to know that this administration cares. We will not abandon our children. We are with you”.

    He used the opportunity to commission numerous projects executed by the state government to mark his two years anniversary. 

    The projects executed by Zulum’s administration and lined up for commissioning included, the newly constructed Government Lodges in Chibok and Askira Uba LGA,  Mbabala Technical College also in Chibok, Primary Health Care Centres in Mbalala and Wamdeo in Askira Uba, 200 Housing Units in Chibok town, 20 double classrooms in Damboa, boreholes in Mboa community as well as distribution of palliatives among others.

    The Principal of the school, Hajiya Asabe Ali Kwongla, thanked Governor Zulum for the gesture, and solicited for the  re-equipping of the school laboratory, provision of school bus/Tricycle for emergency/ eventuality and additional teachers to meet the demands of the students.

    It was gathered that over 3,000 students in Chibok have been unable to return to school since the deadly attack by Boko Haram in the community, but with the re-opening of the new edifices, hundreds of students have been enrolled into various classes amidst tight security.

  • Presidency Declares support for Isa Pantami

    Presidency Declares support for Isa Pantami

    The Muhammadu Buhari administration has declared its support for the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, amid calls for his resignation or removal.

    Mr Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, made the position of the government known in a statement on Thursday.

    “The administration stands behind Minister Pantami and all Nigerian citizens to ensure they receive fair treatment, fair prices, and fair protection in ICT services,” he said.

    Pantami was widely criticised recently for the comments he made in the past in support of extremist groups.

    The remarks he was said to have made many years ago sparked debate and controversy just recently, with many calling for his resignation while others called on President Muhammadu Buhari to relieve him of his duties.

    Although the embattled minister has since renounced his comments and said he was a changed person, it was not enough to calm the call for his removal.

    In his reaction, Shehu claimed that Pantami was being subjected to a “cancel campaign” instigated by those who seek his removal.

    According to him, such persons do not really care what he may or may not have said in the past because they will profit should the minister be stopped from making decisions that improve the lives of everyday Nigerians.

    The President’s spokesman stated that Pantami had publicly and permanently condemned his earlier utterances as wrong and would not repeat them.

    Despite the calls for his removal, the minister attended the virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) which was presided by President Muhammadu Buhari On Wednesday.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had told reporters at the end of the meeting that the issue of Pantami’s removal was not discussed.

    Read the statement below:

    STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

    STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENCY ON RECENT CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL ECONOMY

    Today, there is an unfortunate fashion in public discourse that makes leaders in politics, religion, and civil society liable in the present for every statement they have ever made in the past – no matter how long ago, and even after they have later rejected them.

    This insidious phenomenon seeks to cancel the careers of others on the basis of a thing they have said, regardless of when they said it.

    The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami is, currently, subject to a “cancel campaign” instigated by those who seek his removal.

    They do not really care what he may or may not have said some 20 years ago: that is merely the instrument they are using to attempt to “cancel” him. But they will profit should he be stopped from making decisions that improve the lives of everyday Nigerians.

    The Minister has, rightly, apologised for what he said in the early 2000s. The views were absolutely unacceptable then, and would be equally unacceptable today, were he to repeat them. But he will not repeat them – for he has publicly and permanently condemned his earlier utterances as wrong.

    In the 2000s, the Minister was a man in his twenties; next year he will be 50. Time has passed, and people and their opinions – often rightly – change.

    But all discerning Nigerians know this manufactured dispute is nothing to do with the Minister’s prior words, but solely concern his actions in the present.

    This Administration is committed to improving the lives of all Nigerians – and that includes ensuring they are not over-charged or under-protected for those services on which modern life depends.

    The Minister has been leading the charge against illegal data deductions and pricing; he has revolutionised the government’s virtual public engagement to respond to COVID-19 and save taxpayers’ money; he has established ICT start-up centres to boost youth entrepreneurship and create jobs; he has changed policy to ensure locally produced ICT content is used by ministries, starting with his own; and he has deregistered some 9.2 million SIMs – ending the ability for criminals and terrorists to flagrantly use mobile networks undetected.

    In two short years, Minister Pantami has driven the contribution of the ICT sector to the GDP to more than 18 percent, making it one of the top two playing a critical role in the emergence of the economy from the COVID 19-induced recession.

    In putting people first, the Minister and this administration have made enemies. There are those in the opposition who see success and want it halted by any means.

    And there is now well-reported information that alleges newspaper editors rebuffed an attempt to financially induce them to run a smear campaign against the minister by some ICT companies, many of which do indeed stand to lose financially through lower prices and greater consumer protections.

    The government is now investigating the veracity behind these claims of attempted inducement, and – should they be found to hold credence – police and judicial action must be expected.

    The Administration stands behind Minister Pantami and all Nigerian citizens to ensure they receive fair treatment, fair prices, and fair protection in ICT services.

    Garba Shehu
    Senior Special Assistant to the President
    (Media & Publicity)
    April 22, 2021

  • Those calling for secession are Nigeria’s greatest problem – Presidency

    Those calling for secession are Nigeria’s greatest problem – Presidency

    Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media, says those calling for secession from the country are its problem.

    He said this on Tuesday in Abuja at an event organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Professional Forum to showcase the achievements of the President Buhari-led administration.

    Shehu added that Buhari would, however, not be intimidated by the calls for secession by some persons, pointing out that the country will remain united no matter what.

    “For those saying that the presidency has not been talking, our position is clearly that this country is one and will remain united by the grace of God.

    “You can’t intimidate Buhari, you can’t bully him, a lot of these people who are calling for secession are the problem of this country, I am happy that reasonable voices are now rising,” he said.

    Shehu expressed delight that Afenifere, Ohanaze Ndigbo and other socio-cultural regional groups are beginning to speak against secession.

    “We have heard the governors in the South-West, they have denounced all of these things, so it’s a sham, Nigerians want to be one and united,” he said.

    He expressed optimism that whatever challenges the country might be having, with unity and love, such challenges would be addressed.

    On agitation for a national conference to address the country’s challenges, Shehu said there was no need for that as it would not do more than a parliament which was mandated to ensure the sovereignty of Nigerians.

    He added that any democrat in heart and practice should believe in the tripartite structure of government, noting that a lot of those calling for secession are unelectable, adding that they should contest election if they felt otherwise.

    On the spate of kidnappings and banditry in the country, Shehu said though it was not a commendable development, the act had been on for long, even before the country gained independence.

    He blamed the development on bad eggs in our communities who revealed military secrets to bandits.

    He recalled how a tea seller in a particular state near the airport always revealed the movement of military personnel to bandits whenever they moved their aircraft to attack.

    “The sponsors of bandits hired him, built a house for him, bought him a Golf car and gave him money to do bigger tea business.

    “Each time an aircraft took off from Katsina Airport to go and operate in Zamfara, he will call them on phone and say they are coming, by the time they get there, the target have disappeared,” he said.

    Shehu said there was need for all hands to be on deck to rid out communities of such informants because the military were as human as we are with blood running in their veins.

    “We are all in this together and we just have to work together to rid this country of these elements,” he said.

    Speaking on the current unrest in the South-East, Shehu said though criminals were fighting to gain upper hand, no criminal or terrorist was bigger than the country.

    “None of them is mightier than our armed forces, this structure has been there, they were certificated and praised, they stabilised the entire West Africa region,” he said.

    He noted the role the Nigeria military played in ensuring peace and stability in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Gambia, saying they stood out.

    He added that all the military needed to combat terrorism and acts of banditry in the country was time, support and prayers from Nigerians.

    He further noted that as at today, Boko Haram was no longer fighting for Islamic Caliphate, but for food and weapons which they want to replenish and money, adding that they had turned to armed robbers, attacking soft spots.

    Shehu said the military was getting ready not only to stop Boko Haram from coming to the towns, but to stop them on their tracks in the forest.

    He, however, appealed to the media to have a rethink on how they reported acts of terrorism in the country in the name of balancing stories.

    He stressed that a terrorist and a bandit could not be equated with a legitimate government, adding that publicity is oxygen to terrorism and banditry.

    Shehu therefore charged Nigerians to begin to see the country as half full instead of half empty.

  • Chibok Girls: Release Of Schoolgirls Is Work In Progress – Presidency

    Chibok Girls: Release Of Schoolgirls Is Work In Progress – Presidency

    The Presidency on Wednesday reiterated its commitment to securing the release of the missing students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, saying rescue efforts is a work in progress.

    A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu, reassured parents and all concerned citizens that the safe return of the students “remain constantly on the minds of government as they are always on the minds of their parents.”

    Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents had on April 14, 2014 stormed the school facilities and whisked away over 276 schoolgirls, an incident that drew widespread condemnation across the world.

    Although most of the 276 girls escaped or were later released, more than 112 girls are still missing.

    Today marks the seventh anniversary of that tragic incident, with calls being renewed for the Federal Government to step up its efforts in facilitating the return of the schoolgirls.

    But the presidential spokesman called on Nigerians to continue to remember the nation’s military in their prayers.

    He said, “No one is giving up hope here. Efforts to secure their release through various channels and activities of the security and intelligence agencies remain on course.

    “The recent decisive push by the military against the terrorists gives hope that a breakthrough is possible and could happen anytime soon.

    “The Presidency asks for support, understanding and prayers for the military as they discharge their historic mandate to quickly finish off the insurgency war and free all citizens held hostage.”

  • UK Medical Trip: Buhari does not need to transmit power to Osinbajo – Presidency

    UK Medical Trip: Buhari does not need to transmit power to Osinbajo – Presidency

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Tuesday said it was not necessary for President Muhammadu Buhari to transmit power to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo because he would be away for a few days.

    It is unnecessary for President Muhammadu Buhari to transmit power to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has said.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, stated this on Tuesday when he featured as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

    He explained that President Buhari has not contravened the laws of the land by not transmitting power to Professor Osinbajo while away from the country for a number of days.

    “He (Buhari) will continue from wherever he is,” Shehu said when asked if the President had transferred duties to the vice president.

    He added, “The requirement of the law is that the President is going to be absent in the country for 21 days and more, then that transmission is warranted. In this particular instance, it is not warranted.”

  • Criminal Herdsmen Are Being Tried And Convicted Across the Nation – Presidency

    Criminal Herdsmen Are Being Tried And Convicted Across the Nation – Presidency

    The Presidency on Monday said “thousands of” herdsmen are being tried and convicted across the country for illegal activities.

    President Muhammadu Buhari has faced criticism for taking a soft approach to the herdsmen crisis based on ethnic affiliations.

    Most herdsmen are Fulani, the same ethnicity as the President.

    But speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said there is no substance to such criticism.

    “I hope that the police will take responsibility and publish the full list of Fulani herders who are undergoing trial in various states, particularly in Benue State,” Mr. Shehu said. “Trials are going on, convictions are being made and the President cannot be complicit in the kind of things that are being said of him.”

    Mr. Shehu also said the President is fully aware of the country’s security situation and is working to ensure the safety of lives and properties.

    “The President is more than concerned about the ongoing situation,” he said “And he is fully conscious of the fact that it is the responsibility of his government to work with all Nigerians to secure lives and stop the ongoing crises, whether they are kidnapping or ethnic hatred and violence. He condemns it.

    “It is for community leaders – local, traditional, and elected – to work with the President.

    “The country’s military, as we speak, is overstretched because they are active in at least 34 of the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT.

    “The Air Force, the police, they are recruiting, day and night; people are being trained in special operations and are being sent to the forest.”

  • Announcement Date Of New IGP still Unknown – Presidency

    Announcement Date Of New IGP still Unknown – Presidency

    The Presidency on Monday said there was no date set, yet, for the announcement of a new Inspector-General of Police.

    Current IGP Mohammed Adamu is expected to leave office today, Monday, as he attains the retirement age.

    But, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said he is not aware of the imminent announcement of a new police chief.

    “The President returns to Abuja on Tuesday,” he said. “He should be on his desk by Wednesday. I don’t know when he will do this. One thing I can assure you is that in places sensitive like that, there is no vacuum that will subsist, so therefore the system will take care of itself.”

    Mr. Shehu also stressed that the appointment of the next IGP will not be based on ethnic considerations.

    “The President will rather have an Inspector-General of Police who will make you and I safer, protect life and property than one who is more pronounced by his tribal marks,” he said.

  • FG Can’t Appoint IGP Base On Ethnicity or Region – Presidency

    FG Can’t Appoint IGP Base On Ethnicity or Region – Presidency

    The Presidency on Monday said the appointment of the next Inspector-General of Police will not be based on ethnic considerations.

    Current IGP Mohammed Adamu is expected to leave office today, Monday, as he attains the retirement age and speculations have emerged on who his successor will be.

    Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said it is impracticable for top security appointment to be made based on factors such as ethnicity or regions.

    “If you are going to appoint the service chiefs from every ethnic group in this country, you are going to have more than 250 Inspector-General of Police, 250 Chief of Army Staff, 250 Chief of Naval Staff,” he said. “It’s not going to work like that. And they have their own systems of producing leadership.

    “If we say we are going to use ethnicity or region as the basis, then we have lost it. This is about law and order, it is not about ethnic identity. This country finished with tribalism in the 1960s, why are we back to it now?

    “But if you have two, three positions – look at what happened with the service chiefs just appointed: two from the South, two from the North. If you are talking about religion, two Muslims, two Christians. So what do you want again?”

    The spokesman added that the appointment will be based on who can best help to protect lives and property across the country.

    “The President will rather have an Inspector-General of Police who will make you and I safer, protect life and property than one who is more pronounced by his tribal marks,” he said.

  • TI Report: Buhari has reduced corruption in Govt – Presidency slams report

    TI Report: Buhari has reduced corruption in Govt – Presidency slams report

    The presidency said President Muhammadu Buhari deserves credit for diminishing corruption in the public service.

    Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, in a statement Thurday night, assured that Buhari will continue to support anti-corruption agencies.

    Shehu condemned the latest Transparency International (TI) report on Corruption Perceptions Index in Nigeria.

    The presidency declared it was not an accurate portrayal of the facts on ground.

    The Buhari administration said the Technical Unit on Governance Research (TUGAR) will provide more detailed information on the sources of the TI data.

    The statement said the government was aware of “the characters” behind the body’s verdict, adding that their opposition “is not hidden”.

    “We have repeatedly challenged TI to provide indices and statistics of its own to justify its sensational and baseless rating on Nigeria and the fight against corruption.”

    The presidency dared the watchdog to “come clean and desist from further rehashing of old tales.”

    Shehu pointed out that N1.2trillion was recovered by EFCC between 2009 and 2019.

    “N939bn of that total was recovered between 2015 – 2019 with less than N300billion recovered in the first six years”, he noted.

    The aide further cited preventative instruments deployed by the Buhari administration.

    It listed the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) coverage expansion, and the removal of 54,000 ghost workers from federal civil service “saving N200bn annually”.

    The presidency advised Nigerians to stand with the APC administration that has “done so much” on asset recovery, prosecution, legislation, and shown will in the fight against corruption.