YANZU YANZU! TA TABBATA SHUGABA BUHARI PRESIDENTBUHARI TO SEEK RE-ELECTION IN 2019

 

President Muhammadu Monday in Abuja declared his intention to seek re-election in 2019.

President Buhari made the declaration at a closed-door meeting of the National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The President said he was responding to the clamour by Nigerians to recontest in 2019, adding that he wanted to give NEC the honour of notifying them first.

Shortly before making the declaration, the President presented a speech on the report submitted by the APC National Executive Technical Committee.

His remarks:

REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, ON THE REPORT SUBMITTED BY THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS NATIONAL EXECUTIVE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE 9TH APRIL, 2018

I am delighted to welcome you all to this very important meeting in the affairs of our party and our country. I want to specifically thank members of the Technical Committee for a job well done within the limited time frame.

2.      It shows a great sense of commitment to the ideals of our party with a view to consolidating and positioning the party to continue delivering good governance in the overall interest of Nigerians.

3.      With the present state of the party and based on the report submitted by the Technical Committee, It is important to focus on how to move the party forward by avoiding actions detrimental to the interest of the party. Considering that politics is a game of numbers, we must not be a house divided against itself and must try to note, appreciate and accommodate our differences as far as the law permits.



4.      Upon my review of the Report, my position is to ensure that the party tows the path of unity, legality and cohesion and not that of division.

5.       Therefore, I am stressing that we should strengthen our internal democracy by organising the Party’s Congresses and Convention where election of National Executive Committee members would be held. This will automatically end the cases filed by members seeking orders of Court compelling the party to hold its Congresses.

6.      I also believe that the current executives should be free to vie for elective positions in the party if they so wish as permitted by our Party constitution.

7.       However, considering the provision of Article 31(1)(iii) of the APC Constitution which requires any serving officer desirous of seeking re-election to resign from office 30 days before election, I am not sure of the practicality of present serving officers’ ability to meet this condition.

8.      Accordingly, the party may consider granting waivers to party executives at all levels so that they are not disenfranchised from participating in the elections should they wish to do so, provided this does not violate our rules.

9.      Necessary waiver(s) should also be extended to executives at the Ward level whose tenures may have elapsed, and indeed to anyone knocking at our doors from other political parties. This is in the spirit of the Right to Freedom of Association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). 



10.     In this circumstance, the party should officially issue a statement on the above Waivers so that our house may be full. We all must not be ignorant of the times, and the journey that is ahead of us.

11.     Just like our party symbol; “the Broom,” which typifies strength in unity, let us strive to remain united in our purpose. Victory is sure by the Grace of God, and together we must continue to sanitize Nigeria’s political environment.

12.     Once again, I welcome you all to this meeting with the hope that we will, in our deliberations today, conduct ourselves without rancour and promote the highest interest of the party and the nation.

Thank you.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
Media & Publicity
April 9, 2018

JUST IN: NPower Volunteers Payment of 30,000 is not reliable. Finance Minister Starves President Buhari’s NPower Volunteers Of Their Salaries, By Tunde Daniel

No doubt, Nigerians are beginning to reap the benefits of the CHANGE mantra as many young unemployed people have found reasons to believe in Muhamadu Buhari-led administration especially as millions of Nigerians have benefited directly and indirectly from each of the various schemes of the National Social Investment Programmes.

The federal government, in 2016, established the NSIP to tackle poverty and hunger across the country. The NSIP programme comprises NPower, National Home Grown School Feeding (NHGSF), Government and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), and the National (Conditional) Cash Transfer Programme.

Till date, over 7.9 million beneficiaries have been recorded since the inception of the programme with presence in the 36 states of the federation and federal capital territory. One of the most important aspects of the programme is that beneficiaries are being paid directly with their Bank Verification Numbers used to prevent fraud.

Unlike in the past where schemes like these are manipulated to favour politicians, beneficiaries of the NSIP programmes have applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for not bowing to pressure from politicians to turn the program into another political jamboree for political office holders to ‘settle’ cronies and loyalists.
With the huge success recorded in this programe, one would begin to wonder why beneficiaries are being starved of their monthly stipends.

A quick background check revealed that a total of N900 billion was appropriated for the NSIP in 2016 and 2017; with N500 billion appropriated for 2016 and N400 billion appropriated for 2017.

Despite the approval of the N900 billion budget by the National Assembly, Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, for reasons best known to her, has released only a total sum of N109 billion with a deficit of N791 billion.
Information available to us shows that the GEEP expenditure gulped N11,700,200,466, while the CCT gulped N5,235,401,087.


Between October 2016 and November 2017, N22,370,719,017 was expended for the Home-grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP); while N69,731,256,122 was expended on N-power.”

If anything, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, should understand better that the NSIP is one of the many successes of this administration with millions of young people lifted off the poverty level and given life changing opportunities.
Sadly, Adeosun’s continued deliberate poor releases of funds to NSIP is coming at a time beneficiaries are hopeful that a scheme that has provided a temporary relief from unemployment in the country will be put on the front burner in the finance ministry’s list of priorities.

Most of the beneficiaries live on the N30,000 stipend and it would not augur well to keep delaying payment without recourse to their plights and needs.

Mrs Adeosun should not be too comfortable with her juicy office and starve beneficiaries of the NSIP of their monthly stipends. If anything, the NSIP budget should be prioritized. Yes, there are many capital projects to be completed but this is a scheme the Minister must not play politics with as it is a cardinal project of Mr President and speaks directly to Mr President’s love for the masses.

In December 2017, beneficiaries protested delay in payment of their monthly stipends due to Adeosun’s inaction.

Presently, many are yet to get paid for the month of March 2018. Should we wait till beneficiaries begin to carry placards and embarrass the federal government before Adeosun sees the need to prioritize NSIP budget?

Or is Adeosun tilting towards Senator Danjuma Goje’s call to scrap the National Social Investment Programme by deliberately starving beneficiaries of their stipends?

I would like to hope that this is not true. The NSIP is touching lives and by God’s grace, more lives would be touched this year. More so, Adeosun should note that the programme is in line with the manifesto of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In all, while the nation is investing in more capital projects than ever before, Adeosun should support FG’s position and commitment to invest in the people just as Bill Gates mentioned at a special session of the National Economic Council held at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

In conclusion, I urge President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), and all party Chieftains to call Mrs. Kemi Adesoun to order to immediately release NSIP funds so beneficiaries can again have reason to smile and meet their urgent needs.

NPOWER BENEFICIARIES ARE IN BATTLE FIELD WITH THE SENATES

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

 It's really shocking to hear how Senate are lamenting over the ineffectiveness of Social Intervention Program (SIP) Most especially the senator from Gombe saying I quote "I have never seen any person in my constituency that has benefited from this program" A whole senator from the federal republic of Nigeria saying this! Shame on him. If I were in the shoe of Mrs. Mariam, the SSA to the President on Social Intervention Program, I will first of all refer all of them to thr social media of social intervention program to see success stories recorded by all beneficiaries from various arms of the program which include Npower before saying any other thing because this isn't the first time they will summon them.

 I am really scared of all the bunch of leaders we have most especially at the upper chamber. The fact that this Government was transparent in selecting beneficiaries across the federation is really frustrating them cos their people are on their neck. If that is the case, how about the money collected for constituency project, what have they use the money for? Only 10% of those senators have judiciously used the money to carry out various constituency project while others embezzled the fund and they have the gut to query the SIP when they are supposed to access their constituency performance. This callous, inhuman and frivolous senators are the real cause of the problems we 're facing in this country and if care is not taken, the SIP will seize to exist.

 That is why at time, one must be political especially when it comes to issue of this nature, we must not allow this set of leaders who got to the position through rigging process continue to rubbish this program, enough is enough. If they really want to see the positive effect of this program, let them leave Abuja and take a tour to their various constituency and ask the beneficiaires themselves instead of coming to national television and consistently rubbishing this program as if the officials didn't know that they are doing. It also sad to note that not even up to 200billion has been released for this program so far and 500billion has been budgeted for it.

Project was initiated by volunteers across the federation this can be attested to through their various social media and to worsen the whole matter, they are now comparing sure p to SIP, really! I mean really!!! Democracy they say is the Government of the people, by the people and for the people. If these leaders are not ready to work for the people, then let them leave the position and allow new breed of leaders take over, enough is enough. Most they politicize everything? Why can't they be human for ones and let go this non challenge attitude of theirs. Well, as far as Npower program is concern, it has recorded a lot of success stories and the impact is being felt by the state's especially by the Head of our various PPA. So we call on all the senators of the federal republic of Nigeria to take a tour to their various constituency and find our for themselves the impact/success this program has recorded.

NPOWER BENEFICIARIES STATE COORDINATORS RETALIATE BACK TO SENATE

*AN OPEN LETTER TO THE LAW MAKERS/SENATORS OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA*

Dear senators, the 36 States N-power Beneficiaries coordinators wish to write to address some senators making claims that they are not aware of N-power and other social investment program's existence in their States, or felt the impact of the programmes is not just an insult but shows how the said law makers are very far from the people they represent.

_N-power Beneficiaries Nationwide alone have initiated projects and programmes in their various states, touching lives and impacting to this new generation. These beneficiaries works tirelessly in ensuring that they drop thumb print in their various Primary Place of Assignment (PPA) We have concrete evidence and hearing from our respected Senators that they have not felt the impact is unacceptable by the entire N-power beneficiaries Nationwide._

*Comparing N-power to Sure-p is not only embarrassing but an insult to us because most Headmasters, principals, heads of primary health cares and State agricultural firms can't do without us because of the level of our commitment in discharging our duties. Today, most public schools, healthcares and agricultural parastatals can compete with their counterparts in the private sectors due to how serious and dedicated N-power Beneficiaries are in their Primary Places of Assignment (PPA)*

_On this note, the 36 States N-power Beneficiaries coordinators are calling on an emergency meeting with The special adviser to the president on social investment program Mrs. Maryam Uwais, Barr. Ahmad isma'eel  and their team members_.

THE NPOWER STATE COORDINATORS HEREBY ALSO CHALLENGE THE SENATE TO CALL/INVITE THEM FOR PUBLIC HEARING.

*JOINTLY SIGNED BY*:
*36 STATES N-POWER BENEFICIARIES COORDINATORS*

INSPIRED by George Weah’s feat, Nigeria’s two-time African Player of the Year has announced intention to contest the  Presidency of Nigeria in 2019, vowing to improve the country’s standard of living. According to Goal.com,the former Nigeria international, who once played for Ajax, Inter Milan and Arsenal during his active days, said he had the dream to transform the most populous black nation.
 The 1995 Champions League winner has not hidden his love for politics after ending his professional career at Portsmouth in 2012. While announcing his intention to run for president, the 1996 and 1999 African Player of the Year addressed a number of his
supporters.

He said: “My presence here today is about the future of our country and the happiness of our people. “The last 18 years of leadership has witnessed a decline in all critical sectors of life in Nigeria, plus general insecurity in the land.

“Also, I’ll do all it takes to wrestle corruption which has become blatant and widespread. The rest of the world looks at Nigeria as the home of corruption. “If I get your mandate, I promise to do things differently and restore honour and integrity to public service by keeping the best and attracting the best.

“George Weah’s victory in Liberia is a pointer that this dream is very realistic with you all on my side.” Kanu is hoping to become Nigeria’s fifth president in the fourth Republic by unseating incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.

JUST IN: Senate writes off N1.5tr social investment project*

Senate writes off N1.5tr social investment project*

The Senate Thursday rated the implementation of the N1.5triilion National Social Investment programme low.

The upper chamber said that from all indications, it is obvious that Nigerians were not feeling the impact of the programme.

It cautioned that the National Social Investment programme was gradually going the way of the disbanded Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

It threatened to drastically reduce the yearly allocation of N500 billion to NSIO if performance failed to improve.

Funds for NSIO are provided under the Service Wide Vote under the Presidency.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje, made the threat when the Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment, Mrs. Maryam Uwais, appeared before the committee to provide clarification on proposed budget implementation.

The Presidential Aide however told the committee that NSIO has received N175 billion in 2016 and 2017 fiscal year.

Mrs. Uwais said: “You may kindly recall that a sum of N500 billion was appropriated for the NSIP budget in 2017, out of which N100 billion was allocated for the Social Housing Scheme under the Federal Ministry of Finance.

“Furthermore, out of the balance N400 billion, only N90 billion was released to the NSIO for the year 2017.”

She also said that they received the sum of N85 billion in 2016

Goje who stressed the importance of the programme noted that by the end of three years, the NSIO would have handled unprecedented sum of N1.5 trillion.

He said, “Many people are complaining that they have not seen the impact of the programme considering the magnitude of the fund involved.

“I am from Gombe State, I represent Gombe Central. I am yet to see one single boy who came to tell me that he has benefited from your N500 billion.

‘Many other Nigerians are saying the same thing. N500 billion for 36 states is about N13 billion. If you spend N13 billion in one year in Gombe State, there is no way I would not have known, other people will also know.

“If you spend N500 billion in one year in Nigeria, Nigerians will know. No single All Progressives Congress PERSON IN Gombe State has benefitted from your School Feeding programme. No single person from Gombe State has benefitted from your N-Power. We don’t know about your N-Power. As far as many of us are concerned, we are completely dissatisfied with what you are doing.”

Goje also said that there was no indication to show that N100 billion is deducted from source for Social Housing Scheme by the Ministry of Finance.

He said, “Senate does not know about N100 billion going for Housing Scheme. The money is given to you for social investment.”

Mrs. Uwais insisted that “Unfortunately, N100 billion is deducted at source for Housing Scheme by the Federal Ministry of Finance.”

The budget defence almost degenerated into shouting match between the committee members and Mrs. Uwais.

A member of the committee, Senator Tayo Alasuadura noted that they for saw the problem at the beginning of the programme.

Alasuadura said, “Those of us who approve the budget, we don’t know what is happening. We should know what is happening in our constituencies.

“You have spent N85 billion this year. You spent N90 billion in the first year 2016 making it N175 billion. A programme that has been on for two years, and I don’t know what is happening. It is terrible.

“The governors you say are also complaining did not allocate money for this programme. We did.”

Alasuadura said that the programme should be scrapped if its implementation would continue to be a source of worry.

Goje intervened and insisted that his interest was for the programme to succeed “because I am also APC. We called you because you are handling big money. N500 billion is half a trillion. The National Assembly has been approving N500 with deduction. Unfortunately most Nigerians do not know what you are doing. Your publicity is zero. Most importantly, the people who are approving the money do not also know what you are doing.

We have asked you to give us detailed report of all you are doing. If we get the report, we will know whether to give you N500 billion.

“In 2017fiscal year, we appropriated N500 billion. In 2018 we will appropriate according to performance. We are going out of our way to make this programme to succeed. We are not against the programme, we want it to succeed.”

Senator Francis Alimekhena warned that if care was not taken the programme would go the way of SURE-P.

He noted that NSIO should not use World Bank template in the country because it would not work.

Senator Sunny Ogbuoji noted that for two years, NSIO had accessed N175 billion out of N1 trillion.

He demanded to know if the NSIO has to capacity to use N500 billion judiciously.

Mrs. Uwais said that they have the capacity especially when they also work in conjunction with some ministries.

On N150 billion recurrent and N350 capital expenditure, the committee wondered why a ministry with permanent secretary and directors would receive N3 to N5 billion recurrent expenditure, while NSIO without permanent secretary and directors would receive a whopping N150 billion recurrent expenditure.

The committee asked the presidential aide to submit names of beneficiaries of its programme today for its verification.

The committee said that names of beneficiaries became necessary to ensure that the money was not going into wrong hands.

NIGERIA FARM LAB 2018

INVITATION TO APPLY:

The Ministry of Agriculture, in conjunction with State Partnerships for Agriculture is hosting an Agriculture Boot Camp on Livestock Farming, named "Youth Farm Lab".

This Lab will give interested young Nigerians between ages 18 and 35, the opportunity to become Agribusiness entrepreneurs, at no cost.

Registrations for Batches 1, 2 and 3 are scheduled as follow:

Batch 1: Opens 14th March, 2018 & closes 21st March, 2018

Batch 2: Opens 26th March, 2018 & closes  2nd April, 2018.

Batch 3: Opens 9th April, 2018 & closes 16th April, 2018.

To register, go to:   http://bit.do/youthfarmlab

For more enquiries:
Email: youthfarmlab@gmail.com
Call:   0909 000 8752
          0909 000 8754