9News Nigeria

President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, Baba-Othman Ngelzarma, has revealed how President Muhammadu Buhari disappointed pastoralists despite publicly endorsing and supporting his reelection bid in 2019, saying he abandoned them after securing victory at the polls.

Ngelzarma, who briefed journalists in Abuja during the Weekend, also accused the Federal Government of neglecting livestock production in the disbursement of N500 billion spent on agronomy by the Federal Government in the past seven years.According to him, “On the eve of the last election that brought in Buhari for the second term, we endorsed him.

We showed the world that we are with him but thereafter, up till now as I speak to you, nothing has been done.

“Buhari has abandoned the pastoralists. This is very clear, whether Buhari or his lieutenants, the pastoralists have been abandoned by the government.

In the last eight years, nothing tangible was done for pastoralists. While over N500 billion was spent on agronomy, nothing was spent on livestock, almost nothing.

“Go and check all the state government’s budgetary provisions including the federal government’s budgetary provisions. If you see what is budgeted for livestock, you will be surprised.

Livestock is being neglected completely.“How can a multi-trillion Naira business be left in the hands of literate without any form of organization? The government is getting nothing instead of benefiting a lot. This is next to oil. Livestock is next to oil. It can sustain the economy of this country with very good harnessing and organization.

There’s nothing wasteful on the cow. Imagine the value chain – everything on the cow is money.

”Ngelzarma, a former secretary of MACBAN who was recently elected president, regretted that while the rest of the country perceived MACBAN members as criminals who enjoyed special support and protection from the government, they have been at the receiving end of extortion, kidnapping, farmer-herder conflict, cattle rustling and banditry.He also said that there has been a general loss of sense of belonging among the pastoralists in recent times; adding that many of them were seeking to leave the country for more peaceful and saner climes.

Consequently, he blamed the menace on urbanisation and the high demand for land, which he said is not growing, on the encroachment of grazing reserves, national and international cattle routes.

“Pastoralists deserve protection and protection as well against cattle rustlers, kidnappers, bandits and so on. So, we are also under threat, Our trade is also under threat, but for somebody because of crime perpetrated by a few among us, to put us in one basket and say all Fulani are criminals is not fair.

Cattle rearing is a business. We are a trade group doing our legitimate business. MACBAN is not a criminal group.“We are open to attack by all sorts of thieves. We are at the receiving end of these crises including farmers-herders clashes and cattle rustling because pastoralists are the sole owners of the cattle.

98 percent of the cattle in this country are owned by the Fulani and they are victims of kidnapping too. There has never been a time when the pastoralists were supported or assisted after losing their means of livelihood. We also need protection from the government,” Ngelzarma said.

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

A political group under the aegis of Citizens Network for Peace and Development has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to support Dr Goodluck Jonathan to succeed him in 2023.

While calling on the former president. Dr Goodluck Jonathan to join the All Progressives Congress to contest the 2023 Presidential election, the organisation said it was ready to mobilize no less than eight million Nigerians to vote for Jonathan.

They said that from all indications, Jonathan had the experience to salvage the rot to which Nigeria had been sunk in recent years.

The CNPD also advised the Independent National Commission to ensure that all infrastructure required for a hitch-free process for 2023 elections were put in place ahead of the exercise.

The national coordinator of CNPD, Raphael Okorie, stated these in his speech titled: ‘2023- Goodluck Ebele Jonathan: The most viable candidate’, delivered during a press conference held in Abuja on Friday.

According to him, Nigeria deserves a leader who is respected even beyond the nation’s borders, passionate, and puts the interests of the citizenry above his own demonstrated by the moral principle hinged on nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.

Okorie said, “This is a rescue mission you cannot refuse to lead sir! Finally, we call on none other than our father and incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari, who has done so much in his few years in office to throw his support behind the candidature of Goodluck Jonathan, should he accept to vie for the office of the President.

“Coming at the heels of the end of his tenure, we are confident that Jonathan more than any other candidate will ensure continuity, stability, and fair play across the polity. We say to Mr. President that you have sacrificed so much for this nation. Your Excellency’s greatest legacy yet will be in the fact that you left Nigeria in capable hands.

“For us, it does not matter which political party endorses Jonathan’s candidature. He shouldn’t reject APC if approached. Our concern is for him to accept the call of millions of Nigerians to run for office is all that matters!

“We are ready to mobilize no less than 8 million Nigerians towards the 2023 polls. We say so with all sense of responsibility. Having carefully scanned the political firmament in search of a credible, knowledgeable, selfless, trusted, and patriotic candidate to occupy the exalted position of President of Nigeria, it is not in doubt that Nigeria is at a crossroad between discontent, fear, and suspicion and the propensity for peace, reconciliation, and hope.

“Our searchlight has fallen on none other than former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. His antecedents speak volumes. His compassion and passion for peace and Nigeria’s development cannot be overlooked.

“We hereby lend our voice to the increasing calls by various groups on the need for former President Jonathan to run for office. We encourage Nigerians to come together in their numbers to support any initiative that will lead to the return of our much-respected former President to the Office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

“We also call on former President Jonathan to once again avail himself to be of service to the country he loves so much! He should bear in mind the popular Latin saying; Vox populi, vox Dei! The voice of the people is the voice of God!

“Those who vigorously criticized his administration and misunderstood his conciliatory and transformative approach to governance have soon realized that his patriotism and love for Nigeria is unflinching. For President Goodluck Jonathan has shown that the interest of Nigeria comes first.”

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, has declared that Nigeria’s longstanding battle with insecurity can be won within the next 17 months.

While speaking on a show with Channels Television, the presidential spokesman quoted the Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka as a case study.

He said; “Nothing is impossible. I always refer to the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka.

“That rebellion lasted for 28 years. But one day, the mastermind of that rebellion was taken out and that was the automatic ending of it.

“Those who are behind this insurgency will be taken out. They are being taken out one after the other and it will get to a point that the last of them will be taken out, and then we’ll get to the end of it. It can be done within 17 months that remains for this administration.”

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari publicly condemned the killings by bandits in Kaduna state over the week, vowing to crush the activities of the bandits.

The President disclosed this in a statement on Sunday evening after Saturday’s killings in Kauran Fawa, Marke and Ruhiya villages in Idasu Ward of Giwa Local Government Area of the state, according to NAN.

Adding that the security forces are “getting frustrated” by the killings of innocent Nigerians and are dedicated to eradicating the acts of terrorism.

In the statement issued by the President’s media aide, Garba Shehu, President Buhari condemned the increased attacks on villagers in the state.

Expressing condolences to the Government of Kaduna State, the people of Zonkwa Chiefdom and the family of His Highness Nuhu Bature, the Agwam Kajju on his demise, the President prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased.

He also added that Nigeria’s security threats are “getting frustrated and are soft-targeting innocent citizens, looting their assets, burning their homes and killing them indiscriminately’’, and ordered the armed forces and intelligence to root out the remaining bandits in the area.

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has felicitated President Muhammadu Buhari on his 79th birthday celebration

Governor Abiodun, who expressed gratitude to God for granting the president good health as he advances in age, described him as a quintessential leader who has transformed the country.

He noted that the president has provided sterling leadership and displayed uncommon valour in the face of challenges confronting the nation.

Abiodun, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin,on Friday, Gov. Abiodun further said that Nigeria under the watch of President Buhari, has witnessed great infrastructure transformation, industrial growth and improved economy.

The governor added that the president’s economic policy of eat-what-you-grow has indeed enhanced agriculture and given boon to local production of food.

“On behalf of my family and the good people of Ogun state, I congratulate Mr. President on his 79th birthday. You are a indeed a quintessential and fearless leader who had led the country with uncommon valour.
“Mr. President, your tenure has brought unprecedented development to the country despite the global economic downturn. Your stance on issues of international importance has further entrenched Nigeria as not only a continental leader, but emerging global leader.
“As you add another year on earth, I pray God should grant you good health and more wisdom to lead our country to the Promised Land. May your days be long, Mr. President”, Abiodun was quoted to have said in the statement.

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday in Abuja approved the sum of $5,803,364,553.50 USD and a grant component of N10 million USD under the 2018-2020 External Borrowing (Rolling) plan as requested by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The approval followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, chaired by Senator Clifford Ordia (PDP Edo Central) during Wednesday’s plenary.

In his presentation, Senator Ordia said the $2,300,000,000 would be sourced from the World Bank, $2,300,000,000 from the German Consortium, $90,000,000 from the Islamic Development Bank, $786,382,967 from the China Exim Bank, $276,981,586.50 from the Bank of China, and $50,000,000 from the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD.

He recalled that President Buhari in a communication dated May 6, 2021, had requested the Senate to consider and approve the Federal Government 2018-2020 External Borrowing (Rolling) plan.

According to him, the borrowing plan contained a request for approval in the sum of $36,837,281,256 (Thirty-Six Billion, Eight Hundred and Thirty-Seven Million, Two Hundred and Eighty-One Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty-Six United States Dollars) plus €910,000,000 (Nine Hundred and Ten Euros) and Grant Component of $10,000,000 (Ten Million United State Dollars).

Senator Ordia noted that a report was laid by his committee before the Senate in July 2021 recommending approval of the sum of $8,575,526,537 (Eight Billion, Five Hundred and Seventy-Five Million, Five Hundred and Twenty Six Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty-Seven United States Dollars) and €490,000,000 (Four Hundred and Ninety Million Euro).

Senate approves Buhari’s $2.6bn foreign loan request

He further recalled that the Senate at plenary in July 2021 approved financing for projects as recommended by the committee above whilst the committee continued further legislative action and consideration of the outstanding request.

The chairman added that on September 15, 2021, the Senate President read another communication from the President containing an addendum to the 2018-2020 External Borrowing (Rolling) Plan in the sum of $4,054,476,863, €710,000,000 and Grant Component of $125,000, 000 for various projects and same was also referred to the committee for further legislative action.

Consequently, he stated that a second report was laid by the committee before the Senate in November 2021 recommending approval of the sum of $16,229,577,718 (Sixteen Billion, Two Hundred and Twenty Nine Million, Five Hundred and Seventy-Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Eighteen usd), €1,020,000,000 (One Billion and Twenty Million euros) and a Grant component of $125,000,000 (One Hundred and Twenty Five Million USD).

In accordance with the recommendation of the committee, the Senate at plenary in November 2021 approved the sum as financing for projects as recommended by the panel.

He explained that the request for the approval of $5.8 billion USD was part of the mandate of the Committee in respect of the 2018-2020 External Borrowing (Rolling) plan.

The committee, in its observations, noted the genuine concerns of Nigerians about the level of sustainability and serviceability of Nigeria’s borrowing within the last decade.

It nevertheless reiterated its stance on the need for a more proactive and broad based approach to revenue enhancement related issues, adding that, “there are noticeable improvements in the country’s revenues.”

The committee underscored the need for rapid infrastructural and human capital development.

It noted that the projects to be financed with the loan would have a great multiplier effect on stimulating economic growth through infrastructure development, job creation, poverty alleviation, health care and improvement of the nation’s security architecture.

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday, reacted to a remark by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that President Muhammadu Buhari has nothing more to offer in tackling banditry, kidnapping, and general insecurity in the country.

Mohammed said the remark that Buhari can’t tackle insecurity in Nigeria is fallacious and untrue.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the minister stressed that Buhari is doing a lot to keep Nigerians safe.

He pointed out that the president is equipping the military to effectively tackle insecurity in the country.

Gentlemen, President Buhari has done so much, under very difficult economic and social conditions, to tackle insecurity in our country. Not only has he done so much. President Buhari continues to do much more to keep Nigerians safe. To say he has nothing more to offer is untrue, fallacious and smacks of dirty politicking.

By boosting the number and capacity of our fighting forces, Mr President is putting them in good stead to tackle insecurity not just during the life of his Administration but long after he would have left office. President Buhari is leaving a legacy of security, infrastructural development, economic prosperity and social cohesion for Nigeria. This may not seem obvious today, amidst daunting challenges, but posterity will be kind to this President.

“Yes, banditry and kidnapping have added to the state of insecurity, President Buhari has also continued to provide quality leadership in order to ensure that our security agencies decisively tackle the cankerworm of insecurity of any hue,” Lai Mohammed said.

“No administration in Nigeria’s recent history has provided the security agencies with the hardware needed to tackle insecurity as that of President Buhari, in addition to raising the morale of our security men and women.

Only last week, Mr President commissioned an armada of naval boats and ships in the latest effort to enhance our nation’s maritime security. The army, the air force and the police, among others, have also been receiving modern hardware to strengthen their arsenal.”

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari has on Tuesday, 13th October 2021 tasked his executive ministers on Project Delivery and directed SGFs to convene Quarterly Coordination Meetings on nine priority areas.

In a press statement released on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari has directed the cabinet ministers and permanent secretaries to redouble their efforts and work in synergy toward total delivery of this Administration’s set target to improve the livelihood of all Nigerians.

The President, who gave the directive at the end of the two-day Mid-term Ministerial performance review retreat, also instructed the ministers to ‘‘ramp up implementation’’ of their mandates along with the Nine Priority Areas of this Administration.

The President also stressed the need for synergy between the fiscal and monetary authorities in the country to keep the economy on the trajectory of growth.

He noted that intensive discussions at the retreat provided an opportunity to reflect on what this administration has done and areas it needs to improve and refocus attention.

‘‘The retreat provided an opportunity for us to undertake an objective assessment of our stewardship in line with the contract we signed with the Nigerian people to deliver on our electoral promises.

‘‘From the assessment report and discussions at this retreat, I am glad to note that progress has been made towards the achievement of our objectives.

‘‘The independent performance assessment report presented on day one of the retreats, indicates that significant progress has been achieved in the delivery of the Ministerial Mandates.

‘‘Distinguished participants, the discussions at the retreat have prompted the need for us to ramp up implementation on the deliverables.
‘‘We must close the gaps in our implementation efforts to ensure that we attain set targets by 2023,’’ the President said.

To achieve this, President Buhari, therefore, directed the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to immediately begin the process of convening quarterly coordination meetings for each priority area based on the collaborative results framework.

He explained that the aim of these meetings is to ascertain the status of implementation across the nine priority areas, identify bottlenecks, and proffer immediate solutions.

‘‘All Ministers and Permanent Secretaries must be in attendance. These are not meetings to delegate,’’ he said.

Further, the President instructed the Office of the SGF to immediately commence engagement with stakeholders to agree and push forward a framework for the institutionalization of the Central Delivery Coordinating Unit.

‘‘All Ministers and Permanent Secretaries are to promote a robust performance culture across the Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) by setting up intra-ministerial delivery task teams,” he said.

Similarly, the President directed the Head of Service to, as a matter of urgency, invest in capacity strengthening of the Planning, Research and Statistics departments in all MDAs.

‘‘This should be done in collaboration with the Central Delivery Coordinating Unit,’’ he said.

Underscoring the need for synergy between the fiscal and monetary authorities, the President assured Nigerians that this Administration will continue to implement fiscal measures to improve domestic revenues and mobilize external funding support to build a more resilient economy.

President Buhari pledged that issues around expanding access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity of Nigerians will be given priority attention within the period of this administration.

‘‘We will sustain all ongoing efforts in rebuilding our health system through targeted investment in the health sector, especially our vaccination drive to halt the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

‘‘This Administration remains committed to providing the education and training required for employment and entrepreneurship, particularly using technology to impact the relevant skills on our youths.

‘‘Our Social Investment Programmes will be sustained in the coming years.

‘‘We will continue to reach out to the poorest and most vulnerable households through the National Cash Transfer Programme and other initiatives of Government,’’ he said.

According to the President, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has been directed to come up with a legislative framework for social protection that also guarantees its funding stream.

He added that in view of the critical role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in economic growth and development, efforts will be geared towards removing all bottlenecks that militate against access to government support schemes by SMEs.

‘‘Government will adopt a holistic approach to industrialization that is aligned with Nigeria’s aspirations and requirements, working closely with key stakeholders in the private sector. We will continue to support SMEs in view of their multiplier effect on the economy,” he said.

On the National Single Window Project, the President also directed the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning to ensure all relevant MDAs involved in the implementation of the project complete all processes needed for effective take-off of the National Single Window platform by first quarter of 2022.

The President also spoke on the administration’s determination to build systems to fight corruption and improve governance, saying:
‘‘We will continue to address the issues that foster corruption and impair transparency in the management of public resources.

Efforts will be geared towards improving coordination and synergy between anti-corruption agencies.’’

On infrastructure, the President promised that the Federal Government will prioritize funding and ensure that all high-priority ongoing infrastructure projects are completed before the end of this Administration.

He announced that the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund would continue to support the delivery of legacy infrastructure projects across the country.

On his assessment of the retreat, the President said:

‘‘I am confident that the lessons we have learned in the last two years of implementing our policies, programmes and projects will serve as the needed tool to propel every Ministry to remain committed, towards the achievement of our developmental objectives.”

The President commended the SGF, Boss Mustapha, and his team for successfully organizing the retreat, as well as the resource persons that added immense value to the process.

The Nine Priority areas set out by the administration include: building a thriving and sustainable economy, enhancing social inclusion and poverty reduction; enlarging agricultural output for food security and export as well as attaining energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products.

Others are expanding transport and other infrastructural development, business growth, entrepreneurship and industrialization; access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity of Nigerians.

The administration has also prioritised building a system to fight corruption, improve governance and create social cohesion as well as security for all.

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

This is a full text of Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari’s speech during a live broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 61st Independence Day celebration.

INDEPENDENCE DAY ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE OCCASION OF NIGERIA’S SIXTY FIRST INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY, FRIDAY 1ST OCTOBER, 2021.

Citizens of Nigeria.

It is with full gratitude to God that today, we celebrate Nigeria’s sixty first Independence Anniversary.

2.​For 1st of October 1960 to happen, all hands were on deck. East, West, North all came together to celebrate freedom. Today should not only serve as a reminder of the day the British handed over the reins of power to Nigerians, but also unified Nigerians from all ethnic groups, religions and regions.

3.​Today, despite the challenges we face, most Nigerians still maintain the spirit of 1st October. That positive outlook and determination to make Nigeria a peaceful and prosperous nation. It is due to this collective attitude that Nigeria doggedly continues to remain a united and indivisible nation.

4.​Fellow Nigerians, the past eighteen months have been some of the most difficult periods in the history of Nigeria. Since the civil war, I doubt whether we have seen a period of more heightened challenges than what we have witnessed in this period.

5.​Our original priorities for 2020 were to continue stabilising our economy following the deep recession while restoring peace in areas confronted with security challenges. But the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impact on all nations meant we needed to shift gears and re-strategise.

6.​Nigerians came together as one to fight against COVID-19. It is this attitude and by the special grace of God, we continue to survive the pandemic as a nation and indeed, provide leadership and example at regional and international levels.

7.​The doomsday scenario predicted for our country never came. Even as the Delta variant continues to spread, we have built the capacity we need to respond now and into the future.

8.​I will therefore appeal to Nigerians not to take COVID lightly, adhere to public health and social measures, put your mask on and get vaccinated. We can control this pandemic, but it requires effort on everybody’s part. The investments we made in response to COVID-19 will also serve our country to tackle any future disease outbreaks or pandemics.

9.​Despite the global inequity in access to vaccines, the Government of Nigeria has continued to explore all available options to ensure Nigerians have free access to safe and effective vaccines.

10.​Some five million vaccine doses have been administered to Nigerians through efforts led by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and we will continue to explore options for purchase or acquisition of vaccines such as through COVAX and the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust.

11.​I will take this opportunity to remind the global community that the current state of access to COVID-19 vaccines is unacceptable. We cannot afford a situation where a handful of countries keep the global vaccine supply to themselves at the expense of other nations.

12.​We must act now to accelerate equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. This is the message I conveyed to the international community in New York last week.

13.​As we push to source vaccines for our immediate needs, we shall invest more to support our pharmaceutical and research agencies to come up with ideas for locally developed vaccines. Should another pandemic arise in the future, Our question is simple; will Nigeria be ready?

14.​Accordingly, I have directed the Ministries of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Health, Education and Science and Technology to work with Nigerian and International pharmaceutical companies and research organisations to enhance Nigeria’s domestic pharmaceutical capacity.

15.​Already, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority is raising a $200 million fund for this initiative that will complement the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ongoing N85 billion Healthcare Sector Research and Development Intervention Scheme to support local researchers in the development of vaccines and drugs to combat communicable and non-communicable diseases, including COVID-19.

Fellow Nigerians, this is just the beginning.
16.​Similarly, on our approach to food security, I am proud to announce Nigeria has commenced its journey to pharmaceutical independence.
17.​This journey, which will take years to achieve but will ultimately result in Nigerian based companies developing the Active Pharmaceutical substances and competence needed for us to make our own drugs and vaccines.

Fellow Nigerians,

18.​As our economy continues to open after the COVID-19 related lockdowns, we have also seen the resurgence of insecurity in certain parts of the country.

19.​In the last four months, the gallant men and women of the Military and Security Agencies have made tremendous progress in addressing these new security challenges. We are taking the fight to our enemies from all angles and we are winning.

20.​Earlier this year, I launched the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, the Deep Blue Project, which is designed to secure Nigerian waters up to the Gulf of Guinea. I am happy to inform Nigerians that we have taken delivery of key assets for this project and very soon, its impact will be felt.

21.​In the North East region alone, over eight thousand Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered.

22.​To support our surge approach to fighting banditry, the Nigerian Armed Forces have recruited over 17,000 personnel across all ranks. Furthermore, I have also approved for the Nigerian Police Force to recruit 10,000 police officers annually over the next six years.

23.​I am also pleased to note that most of the Air Force platforms we acquired over the past three years have started to arrive in Nigeria. These will positively impact our security operations in all parts of the country.

24.​In line with section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the security and welfare of Nigerians continue to be the prime focus on which programmes and projects of our government revolves.

25.​Therefore, as a Government, we are ready to arrest and prosecute all persons inciting violence through words or action. Our resolve for a peaceful, united and one Nigeria remains resolute and unwavering.

26.​That said, our hope is not to fight for peace. We can always settle our grievances peacefully without spilling any blood.

27.​I will therefore take this opportunity, on this special day that symbolises the unity and oneness of our great nation, to ask all Nigerians to embrace peace and dialogue, whatever your grievances.

28.​The seeds of violence are planted in people’s heads through words. Reckless utterances of a few have led to losses of many innocent lives and destruction of properties.

29.​Such unfiltered and unsubstantiated lies and hate speeches by a few evil persons must be stopped. Our media houses and commentators must move away from just reporting irresponsible remarks to investigating the truth behind all statements and presenting the facts to readers.

30.​We must all come out and speak against the lies being peddled. At this point, I would want to sincerely appreciate the large number of our Traditional, Religious and Community leaders as well as other well-meaning Nigerians who, in their various fora are openly spreading the message of peaceful co-existence and conflict settlement through dialogue in their respective communities.

31.​Nigeria is for all of us. Its unity is not negotiable. And its ultimate success can only be achieved if we all come together with a common goal of having peace and prosperity for our nation.

32.​We shall continue to work on dialogue based solutions to address legitimate grievances. But we remain ready to take decisive actions against secessionist agitators and their sponsors who threaten our national security.

33.​The recent arrests of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Adeyemo, and the ongoing investigations being conducted have revealed certain high-profile financiers behind these individuals. We are vigorously pursuing these financiers including one identified as a serving member of the national assembly.

Fellow Nigerians,
34.​This is a clear example of how people abandon their national leadership positions for their selfish gains. Instead of preaching unity, they are funding and misleading our youth to conduct criminal acts that sometimes lead to unfortunate and unnecessary loss of lives and property.

35.​As the so-called leaders run abroad to hide, our innocent youths are misled and left in the streets to fight for their senseless and destructive causes.

36.​Government will continue, with greater level of peoples’ participation and in collaboration with our international partners, to improve the security architecture, reduce enabling environment for criminality to thrive and eliminate opportunities for terrorism financing.

37.​Fellow Nigerians, our unrelenting effort at resolving an almost two-decade stalling on the management of our Petroleum resources and ensuring equitable consideration to our host communities has resulted in the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

38.​This Act not only overhauls the Institutional, regulatory and fiscal framework of the Petroleum Industry but also reduces the previous opacity associated with this sector.

39.​This is the first step to the reforms as the process is a continuous one. Already, to further improve the governance framework, I have sought for an amendment of sections 11(2)(b) and 34(2)(b). We will also continue to review and amend as appropriate.

40.​At this juncture, it is very appropriate that I salute the leadership and members of the Ninth Assembly for their patriotism, dedication to duty, candour and most importantly the dispatch with which they have enacted legacy legislations for this nation. I do not take such level of cooperation for granted and hope it continues for the overall efficiency of the Federal machinery.

41.​Nigeria’s Roadmap on Local Refining is on track with the Commissioning of a Modular refinery in Imo State.

42.​A second is scheduled for commissioning by the end of this year in Edo State and the third one in Bayelsa State by 2022.

43.​In addition to the modular projects, we also have the two mega refinery projects coming up in Lagos and Akwa Ibom States.

44.​As these refineries are commissioned, more employment opportunities are created and there would be increased petroleum products available for local consumption which will significantly reduce our reliance on importation.

45.​In further demonstrating our plan to reduce our dependence on oil and tapping from our enormous gas resources, this administration remains committed to the “Decade of Gas” Initiative, which is aimed at bringing to focus the utilization of our huge gas resources.

46.​Already, we are supporting and promoting various gas-based projects including NLNG Train 7 and the mega urea and ammonia projects in the South-South region.

47.​As we continue to optimise and enhance our oil and gas sector, I am also proud and delighted to state that our economic diversification strategy remains on course with the persistent increase in Non-Oil Sector contribution to GDP.

48.​We recovered from economic recession in quarter four of 2020 with a GDP growth rate of 0.11%, and grew by 0.51% and 5.01% in real terms in the first and second quarters of 2021.

49.​The Agricultural sector remains key to our economic diversification efforts as the sector has been a consistent driver of the non-oil sector contributing 22.35% and 23.78% to the overall GDP in the first and second quarter of 2021.

50.​We have seen significant private sector investments in almost all areas of the agricultural value chain. And these have continued even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

51.​Unfortunately, as our food production capacity has increased, food prices have been going up due to artificial shortages created by middlemen who have been buying and hoarding these essential commodities for profiteering.

52.​To address this, I am hereby directing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to rehabilitate the National Food Reserve Agency and also work with security agencies, the Nigerian Commodity Exchange, and the National Assembly to find a lasting solution to these disruptive and unpatriotic hoarding activities.

53.​To further enhance food production, we have completed several new dams and are in the process of rehabilitating several River Basin Development Authorities to enhance ground water supply for rainfed agriculture as well as surface water for irrigation agriculture.

54.​The water projects we completed between 2015 to 2020 have improved Nigerian’s access to potable water to 71% between 2015 and 2020. This means 12.5 million additional Nigerians now have direct access to potable water.

Fellow Nigerians,
55.​This Government remains concerned by the significant transportation infrastructure deficit we have. Addressing the challenges our commuters and lorry drivers face on the motorways is still a high priority to us.

56.​To complement our budgetary allocations, the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund and the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, we recently established a N15trillion Infrastructural Corporation of Nigeria Limited (INFRACO), which is expected to begin operation by the fourth quarter of this year.

57.​INFRACO will also focus on leveraging resources on a public-private sector basis for infrastructural development in Nigeria.

58.​We hope through these innovative programs, the additional cost burden on individuals and businesses because of inefficient logistics operations will be reduced and ultimately, eliminated.

59.​We currently have over 13,000 kilometres of roads and bridges under construction all over the country of which a fair percentage have been completed.

60.​As we fix our roads, we also continue to extend and upgrade Nigeria’s railway network with the notable opening of the Warri- Itakpe standard gauge rail line.

61.​To increase capacity, we have introduced more locomotives, coaches and wagons including the establishment of a Wagon Assembly in Kajola, Ogun State.

62.​The sea ports however still remain problematic. The effect of our various interventions to reduce the gridlocks and inefficiencies have been slower than expected.

63.​However, the implementation of the Electronic Call-Up System as well as the conversion of the Lillypond Container Terminal to a Vehicle Transit Area will further enhance the ease of cargo evacuation.

64.​Our prioritisation of developing Nigeria’s Digital Economy has positively impacted the contribution of the ICT sector to our GDP.

65.​We hope our present efforts to ensure all Nigerians use a National Identification Number as well as our planned roll-out of the fifth generation (5G) network technology will ensure we stay in line with the global innovation curve as a Nation.

66.​As we embrace the digital economy in Nigeria, we are fully aware of the prospects and the perils. Our policies have been developed to enable Nigerians to take advantage of the prospects and avoid the perils of digital technologies.

67.​Social media is a very useful platform that has enabled millions of Nigerians to connect with loved ones, promote their businesses, socialise, and access news and other information.

68.​However, recent events have shown that the platform is not just an innocuous platform for information dissemination.

69.​Rather some users have misused the platform to organise, coordinate, and execute criminal activities, propagate fake news, and promote ethnic and religious sentiments.

70.​To address these negative trends, the Federal Government of Nigeria suspended the operations of Twitter in Nigeria on June 5, 2021 to allow the Government put measures in place to address these challenges.

71.​Following the suspension of Twitter operations, Twitter Inc. reached out to the Federal Government of Nigeria to resolve the impasse. Subsequently, I constituted a Presidential Committee to engage Twitter to explore the possibility of resolving the issue.

72.​The Committee, along with its Technical Team, has engaged with Twitter and have addressed a number of key issues. These are:

a. National Security and Cohesion;
b. Registration, Physical presence and Representation;
c. Fair Taxation;
d. Dispute Resolution; and
e. Local Content.

73.​Following the extensive engagements, the issues are being addressed and I have directed that the suspension be lifted but only if the conditions are met to allow our citizens continue the use of the platform for business and positive engagements.

74.​As a country, we are committed to ensuring that digital companies use their platform to enhance the lives of our citizens, respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, cultural values and promote online safety.

75.​Nigeria’s progressive diplomacy continues to manifest through growing numbers of highly placed Nigerians in positions of regional and global influences. Very recently, Nigeria won election for the position of Commissioner for the expanded Political, Peace and Security Affairs of the African Union.

76.​Our persistent calls for a reorganized and reformed ECOWAS, to make the organization citizens-sensitive, paid off with the acceptance by the Authority of Heads of State and Governments of ECOWAS to commence the agreed reforms in the organization ahead of the next elections of the organization’s principal officers in December this year.

77.​At the African Development Bank, World Trade Organization and indeed, the United Nations, footprints of Nigeria’s Diplomacy are clearly evident.

78.​We remain confident that our goal of lifting 100million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years is achievable.

79.​Considering the positive impact of our Social Investment Programs, I recently approved an increase in the number of N-Power program beneficiaries from 500,000 to 1,000,000.

80.​Out of this, 510,000 have started the programme while the competitive selection process for onboarding the outstanding 490,000 beneficiaries is in progress.

81.​The National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme is currently being implemented in 35 States of the Federation and the FCT. Over 103,000 women have been engaged and empowered as cooks under the programme, while about 10 million pupils are being fed across public primary schools in the country.

82.​To grant increased access to credit to the most poor and vulnerable, I have directed an increase in the disbursement of Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme loans to an additional one million beneficiaries laying more emphasis on the smallholding farmers through the farmers Moni program.

Fellow Nigerians,
83.​For far too long we have neglected the centrality of the civil service as the engine of governance and this has manifested in ineffective service delivery.

84.​There is widespread discontent and disillusion about the efficiency and probity of our civil service.

85.​It is for this reason that we are refocusing the Nigerian Civil Service to provide World class service to run our country.

86.​The youths of this great country remain propellants for our today and provide guarantees that we would have a secure tomorrow.

87.​It is for this reason that I remain focused on expanding opportunities for their participation in politics and governance.

88.​Recent appointments of young people into positions of authority and their track record so far, gives me confidence that we need to bring more of them into governance and this I promise to do.

89.​More specifically, to encourage Girl-Child Education, female scholarship schemes, life skills and digital literacy skills to boost girl’s enrolment, retention and completion of schooling, are all initiatives put in place to ensure gender balance in appropriately positioning our youths for positions of leadership.

90.​The commitment of this Administration to the well-being of people living with disabilities remains unwavering.

91.​Government recognises their contributions to development and I have, in this regard, directed that all relevant Government Agencies pay special attention to the peculiarities of different abilities in the implementation of policies and programmes.

92.​Rape and Gender Based Violence remains a sore point in our Nation as in many countries worldwide and this was worsened during and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

93.​We are currently engaging Heads of Courts to establish Specialised Courts for the speedy and seamless trial of Rape/Gender-Based offences especially to ensure that justice is done for child victims of sexual violence.

94.​On the other hand, work has advanced in the reformation, reintegration and reunification of Minors involved in one crime or the other.

95.​The reformation in our Correctional Services has manifested in an increase in modernised custodial centres and a transformation from strictly punitive to attitudinal changes so that criminals do not relapse into their previous lifestyle.

96.​As we begin to celebrate our sixty one years as a Nation, we need to be conscious that Nigeria does not start and end with the Federal Government. This country is a great collective where Government at all arms and levels as well as the private sector, and more importantly individuals, have a role to play.

97.​In particular, security is a bottom to top undertaking. Joining hands and hearts together would enable us to secure ourselves and our country.

98.​I fully understand the anxiety of many Nigerians on the inability of this country to go beyond a never-ending potential for becoming a great nation to an actually great one.

99.​A lot has been achieved in the last six years on many fronts: in infrastructure, social care, governance, Nigeria’s image and influence in Africa and the international community.

100.​But critics misdiagnose incremental progress as stagnation. Since coming to power, this Administration has tackled our problems head-on in spite of the meagre resources. No government since 1999 has done what we have done in six years to put Nigeria back on track.

101.​We shall continue to serve the country: listen to all and protect our democracy and country.

Thank you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Owerri said that he would want to be remembered as the President who stabilised Nigeria in the area of security, economic prosperity and triumph over corruption.

The President, who spoke at a town hall meeting with South-East leaders during his one-day official visit to Imo State, said with less than two years left in his eight-year tenure as President, security still remains a major priority for his administration.

‘‘If there is no security, there is nothing anyone can do no matter how much you try or the initiative you have.

‘‘Security is the number one priority and then the economy. When people feel secure they will mind their own business,’’ he said.
The President told South-East leaders that while fighting corruption in Nigeria had become very sophisticated and difficult, he would continue to strive to leave a lasting legacy of integrity and accountability in the system.

‘‘Nobody can accuse me of having companies or mansions anywhere in the country and I thank God that I try to keep myself as clean as possible, so that I cannot be taken hostage.

‘‘I will do my best to ensure that Nigerians that try hard, succeed in their efforts,’’ he said.

On the forthcoming 2023 elections, the President reaffirmed his commitment to free, fair and credible polls, urging the leaders to honestly educate their constituencies on the need to hold their elected representatives accountable.

Acknowledging the resourcefulness and enterprising spirit of Igbo people, the President said:

‘‘The fundamental thing about the Igbo people is that there is no town you will visit in Nigeria without seeing the Igbos being in-charge of either infrastructure or pharmaceutical industry.

‘‘Therefore, it is unthinkable for me that any Igbo man would consider himself not to be a part of Nigeria.
‘‘The evidence is there for everyone to see that Igbos are in charge of Nigeria’s economy.’’

Noting that no country can make any meaningful progress without the development of infrastructure, the President expressed regret that successive governments at the Federal level contributed to the decay of critical infrastructure in the country.

He promised that the Federal Government would complete ongoing key projects in the South East, including the 2nd Niger Bridge as well as the railway lines and routes linking the region with other parts of the country.

‘‘I firmly believe that when you get infrastructure right, Nigerians will mind their own businesses,’’ he said, adding that as a group, the Igbos stand to benefit more from the ongoing development of infrastructure in the country because ‘‘they are more enterprising.’’

President Buhari had earlier commissioned four projects executed by Governor Hope Uzodinma, including the Naze/Ihiagwa/Nekede/Obinze link road, the Balloon Driven/Flood Control drainage at Dick Tiger Road, the Egbeada Bypass road and the New Exco-Chambers, Government House, Owerri.

Addressing Imo residents at the commissioning of Egbeada bypass named after a prominent son of the State, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President said he was very impressed with the level of work done by the State government.

‘‘I am very pleased with what I have seen and I assure you that I will support Imo State within the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’’ he said.

In his remarks at the town hall meeting, Governor Uzodinma said Ndigbo believe in a united Nigeria predicated on ‘‘justice, equity and fairness.’’

He thanked the President for addressing the interests of Ndi Igbo through deliberate policy initiatives designed to give the people a true sense of belonging, including the ongoing construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge, among others.

Governor Uzodinma said the people of South East would remain grateful to the President for approving the establishment of a Naval Base in Oguta Local Government Area of the State, adding that as time unfolds, the economic benefits of the base would manifest.

The Governor also commended the President for strongly supporting the appointment of two prominent Igbos into two key international organisations-Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Assistant Director-General of Health Emergency Intelligence, World Health Organisation (WHO).

In his remarks, the President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor assured the President of the continuous support of Ndigbo.

‘‘Ndigbo are committed to Nigerian unity and there is news for those trying to push us out of Nigeria.

‘‘Ndigbo in Nigeria are like fish in the ocean and no matter how rough the storm is, it cannot drive the fish out of the ocean.

‘‘Mr President, it is in this context, that we see a new dawn in your distinguished presence in Igbo land and believe that on your return to Abuja the significance and substance of this visit will form new foundation of a platform for meaningful dialogue on critical issues of concern to the Igbo nation,’’ he said.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
September 9, 2021

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

Highlights

• Say they wasted their fortune to bring him to power, the president in turn, disappointed them
• Consider Hon. Saad MC Tahir as a mad person, a political misfortune and not Yola South APC card carrying member/candidate
• Buhari has achieved nothing in Adamawa in the last six years
• APC in Adamawa thrives on the legacies of Bindow
• Buhari used to be extremely happy whenever he learnt someone has gone bankrupt

Alhaji Sulaiman Adamu, the caretaker chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State’s Yola South local government, has taken a jab at President Muhammadu Buhari, stating that if wishes were horses, he would wish for coronavirus to kill the president.

Adamu, who made the disparaging remark, stated that if he had to choose between Buhari and his Vice President, Yemi Osinbanjo, he would select the latter without hesitation.

According to reliable sources, the APC chairman made the statement during a meeting with some high-profile APC stakeholders, including Senator Muhammadu Umar Jibrilla Bindow, the immediate past Governor of Adamawa State, and the immediate past Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, who is the incumbent member representing Yola south constituency in the state house of assembly.

Yusha’u Adamu, who functioned as Bindow’s counsel, and Abubakar Umar Sirimbai, a former development area chairman, were also present at the meeting.

According to sources familiar with the situation, the meeting took place between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 8, 2021, at the residence of Mustapha Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, the former commissioner of local government and chieftaincy affairs under the Bindow administration.

In an available audio clip, the APC leaders can be heard making bitter and derogatory remarks about President Muhammadu Buhari’s person without being interrupted.

“I don’t know why Coronavirus did not kill Buhari. If the president is placed side by side with Osinbajo, I would pick Osinbajo and leave Buhari,” the voice credited to the Yola South APC chairman was heard lamenting in the viral audio clip, spoken in Fulfulde.

Another smirking vituperation directed at the president came from a voice identified as Abubakar Sirimbai, who claimed it was preferable for the accursed president to die so that Osinbajo could seize power.

“It is better for the accursed president to die so that his vice can take over the leadership.

“We sold our properties to help the president win the election. We bought underwears, braziers, and cosmetics, which we used to give him a makeup.

“If I’m averse to Osinbajo becoming the president, may God not give me the privilege of living till evening.

“Buhari has achieved nothing in Adamawa in the last six years.

“APC in Adamawa thrives on the legacies of Bindow.

We heard that Buhari used to be extremely happy whenever he learnt someone has gone bankrupt. We can’t be worshipping him like others,” Sirimbai said.

“Osinbajo is our own,” stated the voice credited to the former speaker of the state house of assembly, Mijinyawa, in apparent acceptance of what others had said.

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

Abuja (9News Nigeria) – President Muhammadu Buhari has shown appreciation to the Nigerian Military saying that Nigeria owes them a debt of gratitude.

According to a press release by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu said that President Buhari has charged the Military to give no breathing space to criminals and terrorists.

“We owe you a debt of gratitude, give no breathing space to terrorists, criminals, president Buhari tells military, security agencies”

IMAGE GALLERY

PRESS RELEASE BY GARBA SHEHU

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Maiduguri, Borno State, said the nation owes a debt of gratitude to military men and women, and security agencies currently tackling security challenges in the country, particularly the many who paid the supreme price, assuring family members that the government will continue to support all the loved ones.

The President, on an official visit to personnel of the Armed Forces and security agencies in Operation HADIN KAI at the Maimalari Cantonment, charged the military and security agencies not to give breathing space to terrorists and criminals in various parts of the country, saying the war must be concluded with the restoration of peace and reconstruction of all the affected areas.

“I am delighted to be with you this afternoon, to address you on this special occasion of my official visit to Borno State. I want to seize this opportunity to put it on record that our nation will forever be indebted to you, for your patriotic commitment to the defence of our fatherland against insurgency and criminality.

“I, therefore, commend you and remember all the personnel who have paid the supreme sacrifice in ensuring that Nigeria remains an indivisible and secure entity.

“As I send my heartfelt condolences to the families of our fallen heroes and pray for the souls of the departed, I want to assure you that my administration will spare no effort or resources to ensure that the widows and children of our fallen heroes who paid the supreme price in defence of our beloved country are well cared for,” he said.

The President said wounded comrades will get the best medical attention towards their full recovery.
“While acknowledging your collective efforts at decimating and degrading the terrorists and reaffirming the inviolable sovereignty of our nation, I also wish to extol your steadfastness and untiring efforts in the face of the difficulties you experience in the Theatres of Operation.

“Your collective efforts have resulted in the relative peace being enjoyed in the region today. Under my watch, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have been provided with a firm strategy and a clear sense of direction to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

“We should not allow our adversaries the opportunity or breathing space to challenge or undermine our national interests and core values. The defence and security agencies should rest assured of the Federal Government’s unalloyed commitment to winning the battle against terror and criminality,” he added.

President Buhari commended the military and security agencies for the synergy that translated into successes in restoring peace and order.

“I am particularly happy to note the increasing understanding and cooperation within the military, as well as the inter-agency cooperation in the fight against the terrorists and other criminal elements in the North East.”

“The outcome of this synergy is evidenced by the successes recorded in the ongoing Operation TURA TAKAIBANGO which has so far degraded the insurgents’ capabilities in the Timbuktu Triangle, Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad Region.”

“I am therefore pleased to acknowledge that the military and other security agencies including civilian stakeholders are adhering to the true spirit of Operation HADIN KAI which implies jointness, synergy and cooperation.”

“By pooling together the collective resources and comparative advantages of the Armed Forces and other security agencies, we hope the enemy will now feel the ferocity of our firepower and the weight of our resolve,” the President said.

Side by side with the efforts of the Armed Forces and security agencies, President Buhari assured that his administration is developing a strategy for post-war reconstruction and peace building.

“Concerted efforts are being made to fast-track reconstruction and development programmes in the affected communities in the North East.”

“I am hopeful that this will lead to the speedy resettlement of displaced persons, as well as the restoration of bubbling community life as people return to their homes.”

“Alongside investment in development and reconstruction, we will sustain our investment in the Armed Forces in a manner that balances the carrot and stick,” he said.

The President said several interventions by the Federal Government had led to the procurement and delivery of large consignments of critical combat enablers, including high calibre weapons and ammunition: “Many have been injected into the Theatre and soon other equipment that has just arrived in the country would also be deployed to the Theatre of operations.

Much more equipment will be procured for the Armed Forces to cater for both the short and long-term requirements.

“I would like, at this point, to also commend the hierarchy of our Armed Forces for their strategic foresight in ensuring that some of our critical military equipment are fabricated locally.”

President Buhari also noted that repairs and maintenance of some of the vital weapons were now being carried out in the country thereby saving the nation a lot of foreign exchange and also creating jobs for our teeming population.

“As personnel of our Armed Forces and security agencies, you must understand that these items of equipment must be put to good use against the terrorists and other criminal elements. There is no room for complacency, and no need to be less than 100 per cent alert at all times.”

“As your Commander-in-Chief, I want to assure you that my government will continue to work towards the provision of timely funding and procurement of equipment for the Armed Forces and other security agencies. This is intended to boost the prosecution of the ongoing war to a logical conclusion and also to serve our collective interests and well-being.”

“In addition, your welfare is of utmost importance and concern to this government. I am glad that the gradual rotation of the troops in the field has commenced, as I directed. I am sure that this will minimize and possibly eliminate battle fatigue, as well as enhance troops’ morale,” he added.

The President thanked the military and security agencies for unalloyed loyalty and selfless sacrifices towards the defence of our country, adding: “Your courage and gallantry will continue to inspire others, as they echo into the future.”

“While I commend your resilience, let me remind you that there is still a lot of work to be done, to completely restore peace to the North East, stem the activities of armed bandits in the North West and North Central, as well as deal with other security challenges across the country.”

“You must therefore remain steadfast and see this war to a conclusive end. In doing so, you must rely on inter-agency cooperation, and strengthen your cohesion with the troops of neighbouring Republics of Cameroon, Chad and Niger in our collective fight against the terrorists, under the auspices of the Multinational Joint Task Force. This will consolidate our efforts and facilitate the speedy return of peace and stability to the region,” the President said.

He urged the military and security agencies to continue to make Nigeria proud.

President Buhari also interacted with some of the wounded soldiers assuring them that the government was fully committed to their recovery and welfare.

In his remarks, the Commander of Theatre Operations HADIN KAI, Maj Gen. Felix Omoigui, assured troops of the President’s confidence and commitment to their welfare, especially in bringing the war to a conclusive end.

The Commander thanked the President for the visit to the troops, which he said will greatly boost the morale of all those fighting to keep the country in peace.

Governors of Borno and Yobe State, Babagana Zulum and Mai Bunu respectively, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Leo Irabor, Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen Farouk Yahaya, Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo, Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao and National Security Adviser, Maj Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), were also at the event.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
June 17, 2021

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

In spite of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s ban on Twitter, there has been an unprecedented surge in the usage of the tweeting social media platform among Nigerians in the diaspora as well as those living locally in Nigeria.

A report revealed that out of 192 Million daily Twitter users around the world, Nigeria shares among the 17th highest user countries in the world with the U.S being the first and then Japan, India, United Kingdom, Brazil and other developed and developing countries.

As 9News Nigeria Tech correspondent carried out research on the impact of the ban on Nigerians, it was discovered that Nigerians have rather, out of sheer curiosity used the social media brand mostly yesterday and today compared to any other day in May 2021.

Checking Twitter handles of Top Nigerian politicians, celebrities and influencers it was discovered that the social media users have managed to beat the odds and still used Twitter more than ever.

Some of the tweets were mocking the Federal Government of Nigeria for their ignorance about globalisation enhanced by technology without boundaries.

One Nigerian user tweeted: “President Buhari should block Nigerians from using the Naira. Its value is harmful to national sanctity and Nigerians.”

Another Tweeted: “Thanks to VPN, Nigerians have messed up the Twitter trends of many countries.”

9News Nigeria had reported on June 4th 2021 that President Muhammadu Buhari led administration has banned Twitter in Nigeria after the social media platform deleted his genocidal tweet against people from the South-East of Nigeria.

The Federal Government’s ban on Twitter was made known in a statement signed by the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed on Friday.

READ ALSO: BREAKING!!! President Buhari Bans Twitter In Nigeria, Moves To Sanction Facebook, Others

In another vein, another Social Media Giant, Facebook as well deleted President Buhari’s post on the platform which they considered a genocidal threat against a people.

It is a thing of the past that any country could successfully ban the use of the internet even if they close down their telecommunication networks. This is owing to the availability of satellite driven gadgets and Virtual Private Network (VPN) and many more alternative seamless networks.

READ ALSO: PRESIDENT BUHARI SPITS FIRE ON SOUTH-EAST ATTACKS, BUT MUTE ON BOKO-HARAM CUM FULANI HERDSMEN ATTACKS

Meanwhile, seeing that Nigerians have defied the ban, the Nigerian Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has directed for the immediate prosecution of offenders of the Federal Government ban on Twitter operations in Nigeria.

The direction by the Minister was contained in a statement by his spokesperson, Umar Gwandu who said that Mr Malami has directed the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, DPPF, at the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, to swing into action and commence in earnest the process of prosecution of violators of the Federal Government de-activation of operations of Twitter in Nigeria.

He said that: “Mr Malami directed the DPPF to liaise with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, National Communication Communication, NCC and other relevant government agencies to ensure the speedy prosecution of offenders without any further delay.”

In the past, the Nigerian government of Muhammadu Buhari had made several attempts to make laws restricting freedom of speech by restricting social media usage and other new media applications.

On 5th November 2019, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria introduced an Anti-social Media Bill that was purported to criminalise the use of social media in peddling false or malicious information. The bill was harshly criticised by Nigerians, local and international Human Rights Groups citing that it was an insidious move to hamper and impede citizens rights to freedom of speech. Following the opposing reactions from Nigerians and politicians, the bill was quashed or momentarily left to lie low.

@obinna_ejianya (9News Nigeria)

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

BY PRINCELY ONYENWE,IMO

The president of the federal republic of NIGERIA, His Excellency PRESIDENT BUHARI has EXPRESSED OUTRAGE AND SADNESS OVER GULAK’S MURDER on Sunday morning in Owerri while heading to the airport to catch up with his flight.

The President has therefy expressed outrage and disgust over what he called “the heinous murder of Adamawa politician Ahmed Gulak in Owerri, Imo State by yet to be identified gunmen.”

In a release signed by Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant to the President Media & Publicity on Sunday May 30, 2021,the President said: “I’m repulsed by such premeditated and gruesome murder of Gulak by evil people who are determined to undermine the peace, unity and territorial integrity of our country.

He futher stated warned however that nobody or group of people who engages in such despicable acts should expect to go free.

The number one citizen of NIGERIA assured that the country will deploy all resources at her disposal to ensure that such callous and criminal elements are brought to justice.”

Finally, President Buhari expressed his “deep condolences to the family of the deceased, the people and government of Adamawa State as well as his friends and associates all over the country.

9News Nigeria (Owerri)
For inquiries on this news contact 9News Nigeria Imo State @08036856526

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

BY PRINCELY ONYENWE,IMO

THE PRESIDENT’S SPECIAL ADVISER ON MEDIA AND PUBLICITY, FEMI ADESINA HAS MAINTAINED “THAT BUHARI PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION AT 6 YEARS HAS DONE ALOT TO SALVAGE THE COUNTRY WHICH EVEN THE BLIND CAN SEE”

In this articulated piece, Adesina @FemAdesina enumerated the achievements of this administration to inform the public on the way to follow and the happenings in the APC Administration.

The original copy reads as thus:

This day six years ago, Muhammadu Buhari @MBuhari was inaugurated into office as President. One can vividly recall the spectacle as he stood ramrod straight on the dais at Eagle Square, taking the oath of allegiance to Nigeria, and promising to belong to everybody, and to nobody.

Well, as they say, a lot of waters have passed under the bridge since then. Nigeria has seen a lot of good. Lots and lots of it. The country has equally seen the bad. Lots and lots of it. Seen the ugly too. Lots and lots of it. That’s the way life often goes. A mixed bag. Like being out there on the sea, calm and serene at times, tempestuous and rambunctious at other times.

As the Buhari administration clocks six, revisionists will want to paint just a picture of woes, thoroughfare of woes. But reality says no. In the words of former British Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, “Truth is incontrovertible. Ignorance may deride it, panic may resent it, malice may destroy it, but there it is.”

No doubt, Nigeria faces a lot of challenges, particularly in the areas of security and the economy. And it has affected the quality of lives of the people. Will we pull back? Yes, we are pulling back already, and our country is being retrieved. Soon, we will arrive Canaan, flowing with milk and honey.

President Buhari inherited a land that was badly riven, a boat filled with holes, and taking in water massively. He struggled, and stabilized the craft. Things got better, as the battle was taken to the enemies of the country. Then, suddenly, it got worse again. If insurgency was the main problem, banditry joined. Kidnapping for ransom threw its hat into the ring. Murders, mayhem, cult killings, violent criminalities, all joined, till it began to seem that nothing else was happening in the land, except killings, and more killings. True? False.

Despite the overwhelming nature of security challenges, the Muhammadu Buhari administration is taking some giant strides that make one believe that happier days lay ahead of the country. But that is for those who choose to see the bright, and not perpetually gloomy side of things.

A Fact Sheet has been released by the media office of the President, chronicling some of the achievements of the government in the past six years. And it is still work in progress, with two more years to go.

Before it breasts the tape, the Administration will lay the security challenges to rest. Peace and calm will return to this country, from north to south, east to west. And what will easily pedestal this government among the greats (in fact, greatest) are strides in infrastructure. The deficits in infrastructure would have been significantly reversed, and such is evident even now.

Join me on a voyage of discovery, and we’ll have things to see. The blind would see it, and the deaf would hear. Come on, let’s go.

Some achievements in the area of rail development:

• 156km Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail set for commissioning
• 327km Itakpe-Warri Standard Gauge Rail completed and commissioned 33 years after construction began.
• Abuja Light Rail completed in 2018.
• Ground-breaking done for construction of Kano-Maradi Standard Gauge Rail, and revamp of Port-Harcourt-Maiduguri Narrow Gauge Rail.
• Financing negotiations ongoing for Ibadan-Kano Standard Gauge Rail project

ROADS

• Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), investing over a billion dollars in three flagship projects: Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway.
• Executive Order 7 mobilizing private investment into the development of key roads and bridges like Bodo-Bonny in Rivers and Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki-Ojota in Lagos
• Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI), a public-private partnership program to mobilise, in its first Phase, over a Trillion Naira in private investment into the development and maintenance of 12 Roads, amounting to 1,963km in length.
• More than 360 billion Naira worth of Sukuk Bonds raised since 2017 for dozens of critical road projects across all six geopolitical zones.

PORTS

• Completion of New Terminals for International Airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt
• Construction of New Runway for Abuja and Enugu International Airports
• Presidential approval for four International Airports as Special Economic Zones: Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
• Approval for new private-sector funded deep sea ports: Lekki Deep Sea Port (Construction already well underway, for completion in 2022); Bonny Deep Sea Port (Ground-breaking done in March 2021); Ibom Deep Sea Port; and Warri Deep Sea Port
• Development of capacity at the Eastern Ports:

In December 2017, Calabar Port commenced export of bulk cement to Tema Port in Ghana.

In 2019, three container ships berthed at Calabar Port, for the first time in eleven years.

Dredging of Warri Port (Escravos Bar—Warri Port channel) completed in 2018.

On October 30, 2019, an LPG Tanker operated by NLNG, berthed in Port Harcourt – the first time ever an LPG ship berthed in any of the Eastern Ports.

On December 8, 2019, Onne Port received JPO VOLANS (owned by Maersk), the FIRST gearless and largest container vessel (265.07 metres) to call at any Eastern Port in Nigeria.

On August 1, 2019, Onne Port’s Brawal Terminal received MSC GRACE, its first container vessel since 2012.

POWER

Energizing Education Programme: Taking clean and reliable energy (Solar and Gas) to Federal Universities and Teaching Hospitals across the country. Four Universities completed and commissioned already: BUK (Kano), FUNAI (Ebonyi), ATBU (Bauchi) and FUPRE (Delta); others ongoing.
Energizing Economies Programme: Taking clean and reliable energy (Solar and Gas) to markets across the country.

Completed projects include Sabon-Gari Market in Kano, Ariaria Market in Aba, and Sura Shopping Complex in Lagos.
National Mass Metering Programme: Nationwide rollout of electricity meters to all on-grid consumers, launched in August 2020. The Central Bank of Nigeria is providing 60 billion Naira for the first phase, with a target of 1 million meter installations. So far more than 500,000 meters have been delivered to the Discos, and more than 280,000 installed.
Solar Power Naija: Launched in April 2021 to deliver 5 million off-grid solar connections to Nigerian households.

The program is expected to generate an additional N7 billion increase in tax revenues per annum and $10 million in annual import substitution. In May 2021, the Rural Electrification Agency announced the planned deployment of solar-powered grids to 200 Primary Health Centres (PHC) and 104 Unity Schools nationwide.
Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), aka Siemens Power Program:

There is a overnment-to-Government initiative involving the Governments of Nigeria and Germany, and Siemens AG of Germany, to upgrade and modernize Nigeria’s electricity grid. Contract for the pre-engineering phase of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) was signed in February 2021, following the 2020 approval for the payment of FGN’s counterpart funding for that phase.
Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) has provided grants for the deployment of 200,000 Solar Home Systems, impacting one million Nigerians. The NEP is also delivering mini-grids across the country.

HOUSING

• The Family Homes Fund Limited (FHFL), incorporated by the Federal Government of Nigeria in September 2016, is the implementing agency for the Buhari Administration’s National Social Housing scheme.
• More than two thousand (2,000) hectares of land with titled documents have been given by 24 States for the Buhari administration’s Social Housing programme, with the capacity to accommodate about 65,000 new homes.
• Under the National Social Housing programme, Nigerians will be given at least a 15-year period with a monthly payment at 6 percent interest rate, to pay for each housing unit. The Central Bank of Nigeria is providing a N200 Billion financing facility, with a guarantee by the FGN.

OIL AND GAS

The Buhari Administration has declared this decade the “Decade of Gas.”

• Ground-breaking on 614km Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Project.
• Successful completion of Nigeria’s first Marginal Field Bid Round in almost 20 years, expected to raise in excess of half a billion dollars, and open up a new vista of investment in oil and gas.
• Launch of National LPG Expansion Programme (including Removal of VAT from the domestic pricing of LPG)
• Financial close and signing of contract for NLNG Train 7, which will grow Nigeria’s production capacity by about 35%
• Nigeria and Morocco have in 2021 signed an agreement to develop a US$1.4 billion multipurpose industrial platform (Ammonia and Di-Ammonium Phosphate production plants) that will utilize Nigerian gas and Moroccan phosphate to produce 750,000 tons of ammonia and 1 million tons of phosphate fertilizers annually by 2025. It will be located in Ikot-Abasi, Akwa-Ibom State.
• Commissioning, in December 2020, of the new NPDC Integrated Gas Handling Facility in Edo State, the largest onshore LPG plant in the country, with a processing capacity of 100 million standard cubic feet of gas daily, producing 330 tonnes of LPG, 345 tonnes of propane and 2,600 barrels of condensate, daily.
• Establishment of a $350m Nigerian Content Intervention Fund, to finance manufacturing, contracts and assets in the oil and gas industry
• Financial Close on the following NNPC-involved projects:

A 10,000 tonnes per day methanol plant and a 500 million standard cubic feet per day gas processing plant, in Odeama, Brass, Bayelsa State.

The ANOH gas processing plant, with a processing capacity of 300 million standard cubic feet of gas, in Imo State.

It is a Joint Venture between Seplat Petroleum Development Company and the Nigerian Gas Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). It also has the potential to deliver 1,200MW of power when completed.

Comprehensive Rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery (PHRC).

Sign-off Ceremony of Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) Contract held in April 2021, marking the commencement of site handover and full mobilization to site.

• Policy, Regulatory and Funding Support for the establishment of Modular Refineries across the Niger Delta. When the Administration took office in 2015 Nigeria had only one functioning Modular Refinery. Today there are at least six ongoing brownfield and greenfield Modular Refinery Projects across the Niger Delta.

In 2020 President Buhari commissioned the first phase of the Waltersmith Modular Refinery, in Imo State.

• Launch of the Nigerian Upstream Cost Optimization Programme (NUCOP), to reduce operating expenses through process enhancement and industry collaboration.

AGRICULTURE

• Anchor Borrowers Program (ABP): The Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) of the Central Bank of Nigeria, launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 17, 2015, has made more than 300 billion Naira available to more than 3.1 million smallholder farmers of 21 different commodities (including Rice, Wheat, Maize, Cotton, Cassava, Poultry, Soy Beans, Groundnut, Fish), cultivating over 3.8 million hectares of farmland.
• Presidential Fertilizer Initiative: Launched as a government-to-government partnership between the Nigerian and Moroccan Governments, in December 2016, the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI) produced ~12million 50kg bags of NPK 20:10:10 equivalent in 2020, bringing total production since inception to over 30 million 50kg bags equivalent; and number of participating blending plants increased to 44 from three at inception.
• Special-Agro Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme:

A partnership between FGN, AfDB Group, and other stakeholders including IFAD and BOI. Under the SAPZ programme, agro-processing centres will be established across the country.

The agro-processing centres will be provided with basic infrastructure such as water, electricity and roads as well as facilities for skills training.

Seven (7) States and the FCT selected for the pilot phase, due to commence 2021: Ogun, Oyo, Imo, Cross River, Kano, Kaduna, Kwara.

• The Green Imperative – a Nigeria-Brazil Agricultural Mechanisation Programme aimed at boosting agricultural production in Nigeria.

The National Assembly has approved a loan for the financing of the program, which will involve the development of 632 privately-operated primary production (mechanisation) Service Centers and 142 Agro processing (value addition) service Centres across the 774 LGAs, and the reactivation of 6 privately owned partially-operational or moribund tractor assembly plants nationwide. It will also train 100,000 new extension workers.

These are just teeny-weeny bits of what the Buhari government has done in these spheres of national life. Others abound.

Yet you hear some people say: we don’t know what they are doing. We don’t see it. Really? Except one chooses to be willfully blind, and willfully deaf, these achievements are evident, and speak for themselves. They are also trumpeted by different organs of government. And as it is said, there’s more where that came from. Wonders will still be seen in the remaining two years of this Administration.

9News Nigeria (Owerri)
For inquiries on this news contact 9News Nigeria Imo State @08036856526

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina has said that although there are tough times, the country will surely get there.

Femi Adesina made the statement which he posted on his social media timeline after a very brief meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday 14th May 2021.

The SA to President Buhari said that after visiting the president, he left his office with buoyed hopes, with the joy kiln kindled in his heart afresh. He said “Nigeria will surely get there. And soon, too.”

In another statement, Femi Adesina said that President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that the ravening cloud in the country shall not long be victorious. “They shall not long possess the sky,” he added in the message.

Femi ended the message of hope by singing a praise song for the president in the Yoruba in language:

 "Baba o Baba o Baba o, Olorun da Baba si fun was…"

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

The National Coordinator of the PDP Youth Alliance, Dr Charles Omini has described President Muhammdu Buhari and the All Progressive Congress Party as running a terrorists and bandits federal government.

In a press statement sent to 9News Nigeria, Omini described recent developments of insecurity, terrorism and killings across the country as one that is grossly inconceivable in any country but Nigeria.

The PDP National Youth Coordinator said that there is no responsible government in the whole world that would allow its citizens to suffer such a level of hunger, frustration and insecurity the way Nigerians are suffering under the APC leadership of Muhammadu Buhari.

Omini warned the All Progressives Congress Party and The President not to push Nigerians too far – “Don’t push Nigerians too far,” he said.

He further called on the Minister of Communication and digital economy Alh Isa Pantami to step down immediately and face investigation over allegations of involvement and promoting of terror organisations.

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

The Nigerian office of the Presidency has released information of the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari at the Abuja International Airport on Thursday afternoon.

In a short press statement made available to 9News Nigeria, the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President said “President Buhari returns to Abuja after Private trip to London on 15th April 2021,” and released some of the photos taken of his arrival.

After over two weeks of stay in London, United Kingdom, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), arrived at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday evening.

The President had travelled to London on March 30 for a “routine medical check-up”, according to presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina.

However, Buhari’s “short rest” at the Abuja House in London has been marred with the #HarassBuhariOutOfLondon protest organised by Reno Omokri, an ex-aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan. A counter-protest or a solidarity protest was soon organised in support of the Nigerian president in what could be described as absurd drama.

Buhari has been criticised for his medical trips abroad despite the huge amount allocated to the Aso Rock clinic annually.

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the deadly insurgent attack that took place on the Police Command Headquarters and the Correctional Facility in Owerri, Imo State, on Monday, calling it an act of terrorism.

In his reaction to the incident early on Monday, President Buhari praised the initial response by security guards and security forces for preventing greater loss of life and the destruction of public property.

The President directed security and intelligence agencies in the state and the geo-political zone to fully mobilize and go after the terrorists, apprehend them and get them punished under the full weight of the law.

He also called for the best efforts to be made to rearrest fleeing prison detainees, many of whom are believed to be deadly criminals.
President Buhari then appealed to members of the public to assist the law enforcement agencies with any relevant information that could lead to the apprehension of these criminals who perpetrated this despicable act.

He also urged members of the public to be vigilant as all of us have a stake in preserving our way of life from disruption by terrorists and anarchists while the Federal Government will use every available tool at its disposal to confront and terminate this bare-faced anarchy.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
April 05, 2021

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

Information made available to 9News Nigeria foreign correspondent has it that some Nigerian “Buhari Must Go” #BuhariMustGo protesters have stormed the Nigeria House in London where President Buhari was lodging.

The protesters who were chanting “Tell Nigeria the truth, Buhari Must Go” during the last era of the #EndSars protest, London version, were said to have regrouped again after hearing that the president was in London for a routine medical check-up.

The angry Nigerians in their large numbers stormed the Nigeria House after they confirmed that the president was lodging there and caused a lot of commotion that led to the president allegedly fleeing the location in a bid to escape the mob.

A social media user posted this earlier today: “Hundreds of protesters of Nigeria descent have stormed the Nigeria House in London, awaiting the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari who is on a two weeks medical trip.” #BuhariMustGo

A Twitter account with AfricaConnect username also posted: “Nigerians in the UK waited for Buhari outside Wellington Hospital in London,
They wanted him to go back to Nigeria for his medical check-up. #Buharimustgo”

Meanwhile, Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore @YeleSowore also posted: “Nigerians in the UK camp out outside Wellington Hospital in London, waiting to chase @mbuhari out of the UK to come back to Nigeria for his medical check-up. #Buharimustgo”

Sahara Reporters @SaharaReporters had earlier made a post on their Twitter account quoting Sowore @YeleSowore to be urging Nigerians in London to Occupy London Hospital Where Buhari’ll Have Medical Checkup.

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

Nigerians woke to a shocker when they realized that their president , President Muhammadu Buhari had locked his social media account on a microblog app known as Twitter from replying to his tweets unless if the handle mentions a particular handle .

Checks by our reporters revealed that in the past months , President Muhammadu Buhari has come under serious ridicule on the social media app where commentators either reply his tweets whether on serious or unserious matters with comments like “IFB” ( I follow back ) or “Tolu hand over the account back to the owner” .

This shows that contrary to the impression the media handlers of the Nigerian President wants to sell to the public that he is loved, it is clear that Nigerians are not only disappointed but also regard his government as a clownish government in the last 5 years.

President Muhammadu Buhari who has been away from the public eye in the last 10 months since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic is even giving more rise to suspicions that all may not be well with the governance in Nigeria as a country .

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

“A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE”

From the onset PMB did expect that his regime will have a rough ride in his duty as the President of Nigeria because he was prepared to tame the big men who see themselves as the owners of Nigeria. He was not really bothered about the courses & consequences of the implications of his actions on them. He was fully equipped & prepared to serve the ordinary people of Nigeria.

PMB was much more interested in the affairs of the masses who had been denied every opportunity to feel the real taste of good & qualitative governance by providing infrastructural developments, palliative & succour in time of difficult situations.

PMB was undeterred in his pursuit of mass oriented policies that eventually began to turn things around in Nigeria for good.

The PDP as a party in power before the advent of PMB didn’t reckon that they will loose power to the opposition (APC) with ease because the foresaw with their binoculars a bright future for them as they believed that the will be in power for 60yrs.

Although GEJ accepted defeat & rejected the temptation to go court, other big shots & the rest of his teeming supporters were not prepared to be bystanders in a government that will surely not dance to their tunes.

And so immediately after the 2015 Presidential election has been won & lost the owners of Nigeria & their cohorts commissioned the naysayers to start laying potholes, landmines & bumpy traps for this administration & especially against the person of PMB.

First, they came up with the islamisation agenda & we killed it.

They turned to Fulani herdsmen & accused them of the phantom killings & wanton destruction of farmland all over Nigeria. That one failed too.
They toyed with fulanisation of Nigeria & it didn’t survive the test of time.

In February 2018 scores of school girls were abducted at Dapchi Yobe State all in an attempt to smear the person of PMB & his government but unlike the previous government before him, when Chibok girls were kidnapped, behaved differently & swung into action, went after abductors & got all the girls released with the exception of girl Leah Sharibu who refused to denounce her faith.

They brought the back end Server in 2019 in their election petition case against PMB/APC, it was jettisoned & killed on arrival because it only existed in the realm of their imagination.

They brought the Endsars in 2020, we crushed it.

And just recently about 333 #Kankara school boys were abducted in every way similar to the abduction of Chibok & Dapchi girls all in an attempt to despise PMB. PMB swung into action & as usual rescued the boys.

According to Femi Adesina “there are many thoughts in the heart of man, but it is the counsel of God that shall stand.

As the government worked, fervent prayers were also being made by people of goodwill. Everything coalesced and worked together for the good of the country, of the boys, their parents, and of President Buhari. The boys were brought back, intact, unharmed, and not a hair was missing from their heads. To God be the glory. The enemies had lost las las.”

Some people joined the mad rush to destabilize the government due to
1: ignorance
2: Arrogance
3: illiteracy
4: poverty
5: Dishonesty
6: Hate

Many thanks for people with good conscience, the Buharist, the IPANs, the masses, professionals with good understanding etc who fought gallantry to weather the storm that were gathered by the vultures, the imperialist of Nigeria origin, the self assumed owners of Nigeria & their overseas collaborators.

At the end of it all, & with the help of the Almighty God the shenanigans failed in their grandstanding. PMB has continued to deliver mass-oriented programs to the glory of God.

According to Mike Ogueke “Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake” — Isaiah 54:15(KJV)
Kukah, Oyedepo, Obasanjo, Sheik Gumi, PDP & all their serpentine alliances in the media & entertainment industry had better study their scriptures because “the destruction of the transgressors shall be together”.

I will continue to pray fervently for the success of this administration. All the draw backs of 2020 will not rear it’s ugly head in 2021.
May PMB survive & succeed in 2021 & beyond in God’s name I pray.

In conclusion therefore, it’s noteworthy to mention the names of few comrades who despite their busy schedule have contributed free of charge to course of Buharism.

They’re:
Engr Yinka Williams
(President, President Muhammadu Buhari Solidarity Movement)

Mr Lawrence Onuzulike
(President Igbos For Progressive Nigeria, IPAN)

Prof Mike Ogueke
(President Renaissance Initiative For New Consciousness)

Dr Ugo Egbujo,

Hajara Usman,

Shina Oyetona,

Alhaji Rabiu Aliko Lawal,
(VP north: President Muhammadu Buhari Solidarity Movement)

Nwachukwu Chukwkuemeka
(VP Igbos For Progressive Nigeria, IPAN)

Pius Adesakin,

Sunny Sylvester Moniedafe

Lanre Rasheed,

Ohimai Sunny

Obinna Ejianya
(Publisher 9News Nigeria) etc.

I salute you all.
God will bless our effort & the effort of numerous others who are committed to good governance as being espoused by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Our commitment will not be a waste.

May God bless PMB & Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Mr Oliver Okeke is a socio-political analyst & commentator on contemporary issues.

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

This is what controversial critic and activist, IG Wala posted to thousands of his followers on his facebook wall.

IG Wala whose facebook’s profile described as an Anti-corruption & Human Rights Activist as well as Environmentalists & Entrepreneur took to his facebook timeline to make the post.

He wrote:

THIS IS NOT THE BUHARI WE ALL VOTED AND CELEBRATED HIS VICTORY.
At exactly when people buried their relations without their heads attached to their bodies.
When mothers and fathers are crying like babies because they are hopelessly seeking for the rescue of their children, this is exactly the time when some heartless political apologists to PMB are saying Nigeria is better than other countries.

How do you want to see Nigeria before you regain your sense of compassion?
May your family not witness what Nigeria is witnessing!
At what point can we save one single soul from dying?
How do you want us to tap from the citizens contract signed with those we elected?
Is’t when many lovers and fans to Buhari must have been buried in their graves?
Is the graveyard part of our democratic landscape where dividend can be enjoyed?

Haba don Allah ku kara imani mana!!!

The most insensitive human beings around the president are those that are whispering to him that all is well.
If only Buhari was not in Government and not on the seat as President, he is among the 1st 5 Nigerians that will fight whomever allowed this level of deterioration in this country.

Check all his videos and statements prior to his election.
So, why are you making him look like he is not the Buhari we all endeared to his achievements in the past & celebrated his victory?

😭 Why oh why???😭😭😭

WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE DOING TO THIS OLD MAN THAT NIGERIANS ARE NOT AWARE OF?
NO MATTER WHAT, #WeWantOurChildrenBack & #KeepYourServiceChiefs.

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

[post-views]

Background to my story.

Buhari is the most hated Politician in Southeast and the highest Infrastructural builder and Developer in Southeast

Goodluck Jonathan is the Most Loved Politician in Southeast but the worst President who couldn’t commission even one Borehole in Southeast

This life no Balance.

This is the prevailing situation in the South East before the three wise with Lion heart erupted & took the bull by the horn.

First among the wise men with Lion heart is Orji Uzor Kalu, popularly known & referred to as OUK. He was a the governor of Abia State for eight years & an early entrant to the APC from South East. He was formerly of People’s Democratic Party(PDP) & later later Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA). He caught the vision of a resurgent Nigeria.

The second musketeer is Chief Hope Uzodinma, Onwa Onuma, executive governor of Imo State. He is another Lion hearted man from the East. He as others used to belong to PDP, “he had a Damascus road experience like the biblical Saul, who became Paul.

And comes the man of the moment, Chief Engr Dave Umahi, governor of Ebonyi State. Like Orji Uzor Kalu he has not been a PDP man throughout his political career. He was a deputy governor to Martin Elechi for eight years & succeeded Elechi as governor. According to Femi Adesina, Presidential spokesman, Umahi had always loved & respected President Muhammadu Buhari, and never hid it, though they were of different political parties. His movement to APC is done & dusted after several years of speculation & only a man with Lion Heart can do it.

According to Femi Adesina “What Umahi exhibited last month in crossing from PDP to APC can best be described as the heart of a lion. We know how the region he hails from has long been overtaken by the PDP, and with little to show for it. Their roads were dilapidated, bridges rickety, and in fact, the second bridge over the River Niger was built by mouth for the 16 years PDP held sway. Now, President Buhari is building the bridge, and is poised to complete it in 2022. Holy Moses!

Why did the South East hold tenaciously to PDP, despite being given the shorter end of the stick? Nobody knows. Till people like Orji Uzor Kalu, Hope Uzodimma, and now, Dave Umahi, began to ask questions, and followed it with pragmatic action.

Umahi has displayed a courage of conviction. He said the South East has been let down by the PDP in the last 21 years, so it was time to switch camp. It takes the heart of a lion to change course in such setting. Some people said it was because he wanted to run for President in 2023. And why not? The party has not come out with its zoning formula, but in a democracy, anyone can aspire for any position, as long as he can muster the needed support and momentum for victory.

I’ve always said it. The South East must play better politics to get the ultimate office in the country. Sleeping and facing the same direction may not be the best option. The Orji Kalus, Hope Uzodimmas, Chris Ngiges, Dave Umahis, Dr Ogbonia Onu and many others, are now shining the light, so that their people can find the way.
And so let it be.”

The big masquerades mentioned above are the musketeers, men of means & valor & men of timber & calibre who are working tenaciously to take Ndigbo to the centre of attraction.

Compiled by Mr Oliver Okeke.
A business man, political commentator & public opinion analyst.

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

By Wale Fasade – 9News Nigeria

2021 Budget of Economic Recovery and Resilience as delivered by His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, at the Joint Session of the National Assembly, Abuja on Thursday, 8th October 2020.

PROTOCOLS

1. It is with pleasure that I present the 2021 Federal Budget Proposals to this Joint Session of the National Assembly.
2. Distinguished and Honourable Leaders, and Members of the National Assembly, at this juncture, I wish to commend your tremendous efforts in approving the revision of the 2020 – 2022 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, and passage of the 2020 Appropriation (Repeal and Amendment) Act, in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
3. Today marks an important occasion in our quest to accord the federal budget process the seriousness it deserves. In line with our commitment, we have worked extra hard to ensure early submission of the 2021 –2023 Medium-term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, as well as the 2021 Appropriation Bill. It is my sincere hope that the National Assembly will pass this Bill into law early enough to enable implementation by 1st January 2021, given the collaborative manner in which the budget was prepared.
4. In the course of this address, I will present the highlights of our budget proposals for the next fiscal year. The Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning will, later, provide the full details of these proposals.

Recent Developments

1. The 2021 Budget was prepared amidst a challenging global and domestic environment due to the persistent headwinds from the Coronavirus Pandemic. The resulting global economic recession, low oil prices and heightened global economic uncertainty have had important implications for our economy.
2. The Nigerian economy is currently facing serious challenges, with the macroeconomic environment being significantly disrupted by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Real Gross Domestic Product (‘GDP’) growth declined by 6.1 percent in the second quarter of 2020. This ended the 3-year trend of positive, but modest, real GDP growth recorded since the second quarter of 2017. I am glad to note that, through our collective efforts, our economy performed relatively better than that of many other developed and emerging economies.
3. GDP growth is projected to be negative in the third quarter of this year. As such, our economy may lapse into the second recession in four years, with significant adverse consequences. However, we are working assiduously to ensure a rapid recovery in 2021. We remain committed to implementing programmes to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty over the next 10 years.
4. As skills’ deficits limit employment opportunities in the formal economy, various skills’ development programmes are being implemented simultaneously to address this problem frontally. For instance, the Government is implementing the Special Public Works programme to provide employment opportunities to 774,000 youths across the 774 local government areas of Nigeria. We have also recently introduced the N75 billion Nigeria Youth Investment Fund, of which N25 billion have been provided in 2021 Budget.
5. We thank all Nigerians, for your perseverance and continued support during these difficult times. We remain unwavering in our commitment to actualize our vision of a bright future for everyone.

Performance of the 2020 Budget

6. Distinguished and Honourable Members of the National Assembly, you will recall that the 2020 ‘Budget of Sustaining Growth and Job Creation’ was amended in response to recent fiscal pressures. I am glad to report that these efforts enabled us to effectively respond to the public health challenge of Coronavirus outbreak and moderate economic impact.
7. Pursuant to our revised assumptions, the amended 2020 Budget was based on a benchmark oil price of 28 US Dollars per barrel; oil production of 1.80 million barrels per day; and exchange rate of N360 to the US Dollar.
8. Based on these budget parameters, aggregate revenue of N5.84 trillion was projected to fund N10.81 trillion in expenditure. The projected deficit of N4.98 trillion, or 3.57 percent of GDP, is expected to be financed mainly by borrowing.
9. In 2020, average daily oil production was 1.88 mbpd up to June, as against the revised estimate of 1.80 mbpd for the entire year. However, the market price of Bonny Light crude averaged 40.79 US Dollars per barrel, significantly higher than the revised benchmark price of 28 US Dollars.
10. As at July 2020, the Federal Government’s actual revenue available for the budget was N2.10 trillion. This revenue performance was only 68 percent of our pro-rated target in the revised 2020 budget. At N992.45 billion, oil revenue performed well above our budget target, by 168 percent. Non-oil tax revenues totalled N692.83 billion, which was 73 percent of the revised target.
11. To improve independent revenue performance, I have directed that the cost profiles of Government Owned Enterprises (‘GOEs’) should be scrutinized and limits imposed on their cost-to-revenue ratios. Supervising Ministers have also been directed to ensure closer monitoring of the revenue generating activities and expenditures of the Government Owned Enterprises.
12. On the expenditure side, as at end of July 2020, a total of N5.37 trillion had been spent as against the pro-rated expenditure of N5.82 trillion. Accordingly, the deficit was N3.27 trillion. This represents 66 percent of the revised budgeted deficit for the full year.
13. Despite these challenges, we met our debt service obligations. We are also up to date on the payment of statutory transfers and staff salaries, while overhead costs have been significantly covered.
14. For the first time in recent years, we commenced the implementation of this year’s capital budget in the first quarter. As at 15th September 2020 a total of about N1.2 trillion had been released for capital projects. Every Federal MDA has received at least 50 percent of its 2020 capital expenditure budget, in line with my earlier directives.
15. Let me emphasise that revenue generation remains our major challenge. Nevertheless, Government is determined to tackle the persisting problems with domestic resource mobilization, as there is a limit to deficit financing through borrowing. The time has come for us to maintain a healthy balance between meeting our growing expenditure commitments and our long-term public financial health.

Key Achievements in the 2020 Fiscal Year

34. Over the last year, this Administration has implemented several priority projects. I am happy to report that much progress has been made on several fronts and our Government has delivered on key policies, programmes and projects in these priority areas.
35. In agriculture, we have recorded appreciable success in rice and other crops mainly through the Anchor Borrowers Programme and the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative, anchored by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, respectively. We are also accelerating the construction of 337 rural roads around key agricultural corridors to enhance access to market and reduce post-harvest losses. These efforts have reduced the adverse impact of Coronavirus on our food availability, prices and security.
36. We have made progress on the railway projects connecting different parts of the country. The Lagos-Ibadan Line will soon be operational. The Abuja-Kaduna Line is running efficiently. The Itakpe-Ajaokuta Line was finally completed after over 30 years since it was initiated and commissioned in September 2020.
37. Arrangements are underway to complete the Ibadan-Kano Line. Also, work will soon commence on the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Line and Calabar-Lagos Coastal Line, which will connect the Southern and Eastern States to the North, and the South-South as well as South-East to the North, and South-West, respectively.
38. The Second Niger Bridge is at about 46 percent completion. We hope to commission the project before the end of our tenure in 2023. We have awarded several contracts to rehabilitate, reconstruct and construct major arterial roads, in order to reduce the hardship to commuters and increase economic activity.
39. To bridge the infrastructure deficit, we are also implementing innovative financing strategies to pull-in private sector investment. The Infrastructure Company, which I recently approved, will become a world-class infrastructure development vehicle, wholly focused on making critical infrastructural investments in Nigeria. This Infrastructure Company will raise funding from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, the Africa Finance Corporation, pension funds as well as local and foreign private sector development financiers.
40. Under the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, we are undertaking the construction and rehabilitation of over 780km of roads and bridges, nationwide, to be financed by the grant of tax credits to investing business. Ongoing projects under this scheme include:

a. Construction and Rehabilitation of Lokoja-Obajana-Kabba-Ilorin Road Section II (Obajana-Kabba) in Kogi and Kwara States;
b. Construction of Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway in Lagos State; and
c. Construction of Bodo-Bonny road with a Bridge across the Opobo Channel in Rivers State.

22. To enhance good governance, we strengthened our anti-corruption agencies to ensure they work independently and jointly, while respecting the rule of law. We have also worked to address emergent cases of insecurity and insurgency, nationwide, with innovative approaches. Our security operations in the Niger Delta, North Central and North West are yielding desired results. We are determined to get rid of bandits, kidnappers and criminal behaviour from our midst.

Theme & Priorities of the 2021 Budget

23. Distinguished Senators; Honourable Members; let me now turn to the 2021 Appropriation Bill, which is designed to further deliver on the goals of our Economic Sustainability Plan. This Plan provides a clear road map for our post- Coronavirus economic recovery as a transitional plan to take us from the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (2017 – 2020) to the successor Medium-Term National Development Plan (2021 – 2025).
24. In view of the many challenges confronting us, we must accelerate our economic recovery process, promote social inclusion and strengthen the resilience of the economy. The 2021 Appropriation has, therefore, been themed the ‘Budget of Economic Recovery and Resilience’. It is expected to accelerate the pace of our economic recovery, promote economic diversification, enhance competitiveness and ensure social inclusion.

Parameters & Fiscal Assumptions Underpinning the 2021 Appropriation

25. Distinguished Members of the National Assembly, the 2021 – 2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper set out the parameters for the 2021 Budget, which include:

a. Benchmark oil price of 40 US Dollars per barrel;
b. Daily oil production estimate of 1.86 million barrels (inclusive of Condensates of 300,000 to 400,000 barrels per day);
c. Exchange rate of N379 per US Dollar; and
d. GDP growth projected at 3.0 percent and inflation closing at 11.95 percent.
Finance Bill 2020

26. Distinguished and Honourable Members; I have directed the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning to finalise the Finance Bill 2020, which will be forwarded for your kind consideration and passage into law, shortly after today’s 2021 Budget presentation. The Finance Bill is to support the realization of our 2021 revenue projections, adopt appropriate counter-cyclical fiscal policies and enhance the efficiency of fiscal incentives.

Tax Expenditure Statement

27. In compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007, we will prepare and publish, a Tax Expenditures Statement for 2019. The 2019 Statement will be the first of these annual Statements, setting out the estimated cost of tax exemptions, incentives and rebates provided under Nigeria’s revenue and other laws. The 2019 Statement is expected to contribute to public discussion on the use of our tax policies and system to achieve socio-economic development.

Federal Government Revenue Estimates

28. Based on the foregoing fiscal assumptions and parameters, total federally distributable revenue is estimated at N8.433 trillion in 2021. Total revenue available to fund the 2021 Federal Budget is estimated at N7.886 trillion. This includes Grants and Aid of N354.85 billion as well as the revenues of 60 Government-Owned Enterprises.
29. Oil revenue is projected at N2.01 trillion. Non-oil revenue is estimated at N1.49 trillion. As you will observe, the format of the 2021 Appropriation Bill has been modified to include budgeted revenues, no matter how small, for each MDA, to focus on internal revenue generation. Accordingly, I implore you to pay as much attention to the revenue side as you do to the expenditure side.

Planned 2021 Expenditure

30. An aggregate expenditure of N13.08 trillion is proposed for the Federal Government in 2021. This includes N1.35 trillion spending by Government-Owned Enterprises and Grants and Aid funded expenditures of N354.85 billion. For 2021, the proposed N13.08 trillion expenditure comprises:

a. Non-debt Recurrent Costs of N5.65 trillion;
b. Personnel Costs of N3.76 trillion;
c. Pensions, Gratuities and Retirees’ Benefits of N501.19 billion;
d. Overheads of N625.50 billion;
e. Debt Service of N3.124 trillion;
f. Statutory Transfers of N484.49 billion; and
g. Sinking Fund of N220 billion (to retire certain maturing bonds).
Fiscal Balance

1. The 2021 Budget deficit (inclusive of Government Owned Enterprises and project-tied loans), is projected at N5.20 trillion. This represents 3.64 percent of estimated GDP, slightly above the 3 percent threshold set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007. It is, however, to be noted that we still face the existential challenge of Coronavirus Pandemic and its aftermath; I believe that this provides a justification to exceed the threshold as provided for by this law.
2. The deficit will be financed mainly by new borrowings totalling N4.28 trillion, N205.15 billion from Privatization Proceeds and N709.69 billion in drawdowns on multilateral and bilateral loans secured for specific projects and programmes.

Statutory Transfers

32. The sum of N484.49 billion provided for Statutory Transfers in the 2021 Budget represents an increase of N56.46 billion (or 13 percent) over the revised 2020 provision. The Statutory Transfer provisions are:
    a. Niger Delta Development Commission – N63.51 billion;
    b. North East Development Commission – N29.70 billion;
    c. National Judicial Council – N110.00 billion;
    d. Universal Basic Education Commission – N70.05 billion;
    e. Independent National Electoral Commission – N40.00 billion;
    f. National Assembly – N128.00 billion;
    g. Public Complaints Commission – N5.20 billion;
    h. Human Rights Commission – N3.00 billion; and
    i. Basic Health Care Provision Fund – N35.03 billion.
33. In compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, all beneficiaries of Statutory Transfers will be required to provide the Budget Office of the Federation with periodic reports on the allocation and expenditure of funds for inclusion in the quarterly Budget Implementation Report.
    Recurrent Expenditure
34. In our efforts to enhance national security and human capital development, a major part of the 2021 recurrent cost estimate is allocated to paying salaries and overheads in MDAs providing these critical public services. These include:
    a. N227.02 billion for the Ministry of Interior;
    b. N441.39 billion for the Ministry of Police Affairs;
    c. N545.10 billion for Ministry of Education;
    d. N840.56 billion for Ministry of Defence; and
    e. N380.21 billion for Ministry of Health.
    Personnel Costs
35. Personnel cost is still our largest single item of expenditure. In the 7 months to 31st July 2020, it accounted for 34 percent of total Federal Government spending and is projected at 33 percent of 2021 expenditure.
36. To check the incidence of payments to non-existent personnel and unauthorised allowances, only Federal staff that have been captured on the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (‘IPPIS’) platform will receive salaries.
37. All agencies have been directed to ensure that they obtain all necessary approvals before embarking on any fresh recruitment. Any breach of these directives will be severely sanctioned.

Debt Service

38. We remain committed to meeting our debt service obligations. Hence, we have provisioned N3.12 trillion for this in 2021, representing an increase of N445.57 billion from N2.68 trillion in 2020. A total of N2.183 trillion has been set aside to service domestic debts while N940.89 billion has been provided for foreign debt service. N220 billion is provided for transfers to the Sinking Fund to pay off maturing bonds issued to local contractors and creditors.

Overhead Costs

39. Total overhead costs of MDAs and Government Owned Enterprises are projected to rise to N625.50 billion in 2021, mainly due to the inclusion of the overheads of an additional 50 Government Owned Enterprises. Overhead provisions have also been made for newly created agencies. To keep a tab on running costs, MDAs must adhere to extant expenditure controls.

Capital Expenditure

40. An aggregate sum of N3.85 trillion is expected to be available for capital projects in 2021, as summarised below:
    a. N1.80 trillion for MDAs’ capital expenditure;
    b. N745 billion for Capital Supplementation;
    c. N355 billion for Grants and Aid-funded projects;
    d. N20 billion for the Family Homes Fund;
    e. N25 billion for the Nigeria Youth Investment fund;
    f. N336 billion for 60 Government Owned Enterprises;
    g. N247 billion for capital component of Statutory Transfers; and
    h. N710 billion for projects funded by Multi-lateral and Bi-lateral loans.
41. The 2021 capital budget is N1.15 trillion higher than the 2020 provision of N2.69 trillion. At 29 percent of aggregate expenditure, the provision moves closer to this Administration’s policy target of 30 percent.
42. Capital expenditure in 2021 remains focused on the completion of as many ongoing projects as possible, rather than the commencement of new ones. We have also made efforts to ensure equity in the distribution of projects and programmes in the proposed budget. I will be providing the National Assembly a list of some of the most critical projects which we must work collectively to ensure they receive adequate funding. Until projects reach completion, they do not deliver the dividends of democracy that Nigerians rightly deserve.

Highlights of the 2021 Capital Projects

43. Key capital spending allocations in the 2021 Budget include:
    a. Power: N198 billion (inclusive of N150 billion for the Power Sector Recovery Plan);
    b. Works and Housing: N404 billion;
    c. Transportation: N256 billion;
    d. Defence: N121 billion;
    e. Agriculture and Rural Development: N110 billion;
    f. Water Resources: N153 billion;
    g. Industry, Trade and Investment: N51 billion;
    h. Education: N127 billion;
    i. Universal Basic Education Commission: N70 billion;
    j. Health: N132 billion;
    k. Zonal Intervention Projects: N100 billion; and
    l. Niger Delta Development Commission: N64 billion.
44. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will facilitate the integrated development of its sector by promoting crops’ value chains; as well as providing rural roads, water and sanitation, veterinary and pest controls, grazing, food and strategic reserves, and access to inputs and extension services.
45. The 157 percent increase in the capital allocation to the health sector is to enhance the capacity to deliver healthcare services through the procurement of equipment, vaccines and other facilities. Two centres of excellence, as well as one Accident and Emergency Centre, will be equipped in Federal Teaching Hospitals in each geopolitical zone.
46. In addition, numerous Primary Health Care Centres will be equipped and upgraded across the six geopolitical zones. Furthermore, funds have been allocated for the expansion of Midwives Service Scheme in the six geopolitical zones. To enhance occupational safety, funds have been provided for the provision of Personal Protective Equipment for health workers.
47. The Ministry of Education’s capital allocation has been increased by 65 percent to improve the education of our children. Funds have been provided for the provision of scholarship awards to Nigerian students at home and abroad.
48. We have provided funds for the upgrade of security and other infrastructural facilities in our Unity Colleges nationwide. To improve access to education, we have made provision for the establishment of five new Federal Science and Technical Colleges. We have also provided for the payment of allowances to 5,000 teachers under the Federal Teachers Scheme.
49. In line with our commitment to invest in Transportation Infrastructure, capital allocation to the Works and Housing sector is to facilitate the completion of several critical projects in 2021. I have directed the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning to provide a detailed breakdown of key infrastructural projects in her subsequent Press Briefing.
50. Key projects for implementation in the Power sector include several Rural Electrification Projects in the 36 States and Abuja, Rural Electrification Access Programme in Federal Universities, the Kaduna LPFO Gas Fired power Plant, the Mambilla Hydro Power Project and the Zungeru Hydropower Project.
51. Provisions have been made for legacy debts owed to local contractors compensation and resettlement of project-affected communities, the Renewable Energy Micro Utility (Solar) project, and the construction of transmission lines and substations nationwide. These project’s implementation is expected to have positive impact on electricity supply nationwide, as well as boost productivity and employment.
52. Projects to be implemented by the Ministry of Water Resources in 2021 include provision of potable water in the North East, construction of irrigation and dams across the country, and the provision of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene facilities.
53. The Ministry of Transportation has earmarked funds for projects such as the Lagos-Ibadan-Kano Line, Abuja-Kaduna Line, Port-Harcourt-Maiduguri Line and Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri Line. These projects, when completed, will minimize the cost of transporting people and goods around the country.
54. To maintain the peace in the Niger Delta region for economic and social activities to thrive, the provision of N65 billion for the Presidential Amnesty Programme has been retained in the 2021 Budget. In addition, the sum of N63.51 billion has been appropriated for the Niger Delta Development Commission and N24.27 billion has been provided for the capital projects of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. These allocations should further support the development of the region by facilitating the completion of important ongoing projects, such as the East-West Road.

Government Fiscal Strategy in 2021

55. The government is already implementing several measures to overcome our fiscal constraints. In addition to the Strategic Revenue Growth Initiatives, we are leveraging technology and automation, as well as more effective monitoring of Independently Generated Revenues. Our efforts are aimed at addressing revenue leakages and redirecting scarce resources to the poor and vulnerable. These efforts include:

a. Deregulation of the price of petroleum products;
b. Ongoing verification exercise with IPPIS; and
c. Implementation of service-based electricity tariffs.

56. The new petrol pricing regime has freed up resources that was allocated to subsidise petroleum products. Similarly, the ongoing IPPIS verification exercise has closed gaps that encourage ghost workers or pensioners. The service reflective electricity tariffs will help resolve liquidity crisis in the power sector and make the sector attractive to foreign investment. These reforms have released trillions of Naira for allocation to other priority areas.
57. Distinguished Senators, Honourable Members, permit me to reiterate that the main thrust of our capital spending programme in 2021 is the completion of as many ongoing projects as possible across the country. Accordingly, we have prioritized projects that can be rapidly completed to benefit our people.
58. Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members, I note, with satisfaction, your determination to promptly consider and pass the Petroleum Industry Bill into law. The enactment of this Bill will boost confidence and attract further investments into our oil and gas sector, as well as increase revenues.
59. I fully understand the difficulties many of our people are going through with the implementation of our reform agenda. However, the measures we are implementing are necessary for sustainable public finance, better allocation of our scarce resources and improved public service delivery. As we implement these reforms, social safety nets will be implemented to cushion the effect of the most vulnerable of our citizens as well as business owners.
60. In furtherance of our inclusiveness agenda, the sum of N420 billion has been provided to sustain the Social Investment Programme. N20 billion has also been set aside for the Family Homes Fund, our Social Housing Programme. We have expanded our National Social Register, to include an additional one million Nigerians following the onset of Coronavirus. We recently introduced the N75 billion Survival Fund Programme to support and protect businesses from potential vulnerabilities. Furthermore, the Central Bank of Nigeria is reducing the interest rate on its intervention facilities from 9% to 5% with a 1-year moratorium till 31st March 2021, to provide concessional lending of: . N100 billion to households and small businesses;
    a. N100 billion to the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry; and
    b. N1 trillion to large agricultural and manufacturing businesses.
61. We urge Nigerian businesses and individuals to make the most of these concessional credit facilities and other such opportunities.

Conclusion

62. Mr. Senate President, Mr. Speaker, Distinguished and Honourable Members of the 9th National Assembly; let me use this opportunity to, again, commend your firm commitment towards ensuring a very harmonious and productive relationship with the Executive. It is important to further deepen this relationship in the interest of our people.
63. As you review the 2021 Budget estimates, we believe the legislative process will be expedited to ensure its prompt passage to sustain the restoration of a predictable January – December fiscal year. In this regard, I have directed all Ministers and Heads of Agencies to be personally available for budget defence.
64. Let me re-emphasize that Nigerians expect that the 2021 Budget will contain only implementable and critical projects, which when completed, will significantly address current structural challenges of the economy, improve the business environment and accelerate economic recovery.
65. May I conclude my remarks by commending the National Assembly for its support in steering our economy during these very challenging times. We remain committed to sustaining this partnership. We believe that as we work together, we will jointly deliver on our joint mandate to our people.
66. It is with great pleasure, therefore, that I lay, before this Distinguished Joint Session of the National Assembly, the 2021 Budget Proposals of the Federal Government of Nigeria, for your consideration.
67. I thank you for your attention.
68. May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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