Connect with us

News

Buhari begs Nigerians for forgiveness over bad governance

Published

on

Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari has apologized to those who believed he has hurt them in his administration, stressing that he can’t wait to go home after eight years of being at the helm of affairs in the country, serving the people.

“I think this is a very good coincidence for me to say goodbye to you and to thank you for tolerating me for more than seven and half years now.

“I assure you, I have deliberately arranged to be as far away from you as possible not because I don’t appreciate the love you’ve shown to me, but because I think I’ve gotten what I have asked and I would rather quietly retire to my hometown.”

Continuing, he said “I can’t wait to go home…I deliberately arranged to be as far away as possible from you people.”

Buhari spoke at the 9th and final Sallah homage which took place, Friday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The outgoing President described himself as a lucky man, to have led Nigeria in various capacity – governor, minister, head of state and crowning it as President.

He also thanked the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja for indulging and tolerating him in the last seven and half years.

He said the Sallah occasion has afforded him a good coincidence to say “goodbye and to thank you for tolerating me for eight years.”

“I am counting the days. Democracy is a good thing otherwise how can somebody from the other side be a president for two terms? My home town to Niger Republic is 8 kilometers.

“I honestly consider myself very lucky, I was made a governor, minister of petroleum, head of state in uniform, then after three attempts, God through technology and PVC, I became president. I tried 2007, 2011 and 2015 and ended up at Supreme Court three times.”

The President chided those who said they cannot get justice at the court, recalling that all Supreme Court justices in all the election cases he took to court were all from the north and Muslims and yet he lost, saying “Thanks to technology and the permanent voters card (PVC)”, which made it possible for him to be President in 2015.

“Having been a Governor, Minister and the President twice, I think God has given me an incredible opportunity to serve as your president. And I thank God for that. So, please whoever feels I have done wrong to, we are all humans.

“There is no doubt I hurt some people and I wish you will pardon me. And those that think that I have hurt them so much, please pardon me.”

Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, noted that in a few weeks Buhari will conclude a very successful tenure with tremendous infrastructure transformation in the FCT.

He described Senator Philip Aduda as a bridge builder despite being in the opposition party.
The highlight of the celebration was the presentation of the giant Sallah greeting card to the president.

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (FCT) chapter, Rev. Timothy Amakon, thanked God for using Buhari to transform the nation as well as to maintain peace and development of the country.

While praying to God to continue to strengthen him even after he leaves office to continue to play the role of an elder statesman, the cleric also prayed that God will help the incoming administration to continue the works President Buhari administration began.

Executive Director Al-Halbbiya Foundation Adeyemi Faud said that Christians and Muslims live peacefully in the FCT and commended the cordial relationship between residents of the federal capital of different religions.

Senator Aduda on his part congratulated President Buhari for a successful tenure and thanked God for granting him wisdom to lead the nation.

He commended Buhari for tolerating the opposition and prayed for good health for President Buhari so that he will always be available to provide wise counsel.

Notable personalities present during the occasion were Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, Service Chiefs, Cabinet members, presidential aides, traditional rulers, and the business community among others.

News

NCC commences pre-enforcement action on Starlink over price hike

Published

on

The Coalition on Transparency and Rule of Law (CTRL) has commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for its commitmen

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says the decision by Starlink to unilaterally review its subscription packages upwards did not receive the approval of the commission.

In a statement signed by its Director, Public Affairs, Reuben Mouka said the action of the company is in contravention of Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003, and Starlink’s Licence Conditions regarding tariffs.

The Commission commenced pre-enforcement action on the licensee on the 3rd of October, 2024.

 

 

Continue Reading

News

FG to begin $750m rural electrification project November

Published

on

FG to begin $750m rural electrification project November

The Federal Government has announced that it will commence implementation of the $750m World Bank-funded rural electricity project in November.

It said the project will provide over 17.5m Nigerians with new or improved access to electricity through distributed renewable energy solutions.

The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, disclosed this when he appeared on Channels Television’s Sunrise daily programme on Thursday.

Recall that in December 2023, the World Bank announced the approval of Nigeria Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up project, being financed by $750m International Development Association credit and would leverage over $1bn of private capital and significant parallel financing from development partners.

The financing from development partners includes $100m from the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet and $200m from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Other development partners collaborating on the programme include the United States Agency for International Development, the German Development Agency, SEforAll, and the African Development Bank.

But 10 months after its approval, the REA MD noted that the project would begin implementation next month without stating reasons for the delay.

He explained that three million anticipated beneficiaries would be connected through the isolated mini-grid, 1.5 million Nigerians through the inter-connected mini-grip, and 12 million would be electrified using a merged grid and solar stand-alone system.

Aliyu said, “There is a new project that we are starting next month called the Distributed Renewable Energy Scale-up project which is a $750 million financed by the World Bank.”

“The target of that project is to electrify 17.5 million Nigerians, and I must say that this is one of the most ambitious projects in the world based on my understanding from India that has moved many unelectrified people to have access to electricity.

“Three million of them through the isolated mini-grid, 1.5 million Nigerians through the interconnected mini grip, 12 million would be electrified using a merged grid and solar stand-alone system.”

Aliyu further said the project is estimated to last for five years and was built on successes recorded from similar projects in the past which cost $550 million and were funded by the World Bank and the African Development Bank.

Continue Reading

News

VIO does not have power to stop, impound, fine vehicles again – Court

Published

on

Court bars VIO from stopping, impounding, confiscating vehicles

A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order barring the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (otherwise known as VIO) from further stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating vehicles, and imposing fines on motorists.

Justice Evelyn Maha issued the order in a judgment on a fundamental rights enforcement suit: FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023 filed by a human rights activist and public interest attorney, Abubakar Marshal.

Also affected by the order are the Director of Road Transport; the Area Commander, Jabi, and the Team Leader, Jabi, and the Minister of the FCT, also listed as respondents.

In the judgment delivered on Wednesday, October 2, Justice Maha upheld Marshal’s argument that no law empowers respondents to stop, impound, confiscate, seize, or impose fines on motorists.

The judge declared that the first to the 4th respondents, who are under the control of the 5th respondent (Minister of the FCT) are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, or confiscate the vehicles of motorists and or impose fines on motorists.

She proceeded to issue an order restraining the 1st to 4th respondents either through their agents, servants, and or assigns from impounding, confiscating the vehicle of motorists, and or imposing a fine on any motorist as doing so is wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful by themselves.

Justice Maha further made an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents whether by themselves, agents, privies, allies or anybody acting on behalf of the 1st respondent from further violating the rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence and right to own property without lawful justification.

 

Continue Reading

News

Naira redesign didn’t follow standard procedure, ex-acting CBN boss tells court

Published

on

Naira redesign didn’t follow standard procedure, ex-acting CBN boss tells court

Folashodun Shonubi, a witness in the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor Godwin Emefiele, told the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday that the naira redesign policy did not follow standard procedure.

Shonubi, a former CBN Acting Governor, said there were intrigues and politics around the 2022 redesign policy.

The former Deputy Governor (Operations) said: “When we had meetings with the defendant (Emefiele), he said there were politics and intrigues around the whole exercise.”

Led in evidence by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the witness said the redesigned naira notes produced by the CBN under Emefiele were not the same as those approved by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said the memo presented to the president for the redesign was solely prepared by Emefiele.

Shonubi said the normal procedure was for the Currency Management Department to recommend a redesign, after which a paper would be submitted to the Committee of Governors (COG) for consideration.

Upon the COG’s approval, the CBN Board would make a recommendation to the President.

The witness said after the President’s approval was received, the bank would then set up an internal committee to execute the currency redesign.

Shonubi, a member of both the COG and CBN Board, told the court that Emefiele killed the recommendation made in early 2021 by the bank’s Currency Department for a redesign.

He said: “The CBN did not follow the procedures (for redesigning the currency). I was a member of the CBN Board as Deputy Governor.

“The chairman of both the COG and board was the governor. In early 2021, the Currency Department recommended the redesign of the currency notes.

“A paper was presented to me and on the instruction of the governor (Emefiele). It was stepped down.

“In 2022, we again represented the paper and were asked to hold on.

“In mid-October 2022, the Deputy Governors were invited to a meeting in the office of the Governor where he (Emefiele) informed us that he had presidential approval for currency redesign.

“He showed us the memo, Mr President’s signature and instruction on the last page.”

Shonubi said under cross-examination by ace defence counsel Olalekan Ojo (SAN) that he was not aware of the discussions between the defendant and the former President over the redesign policy.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is trying Emefiele on a four-count charge of illegal acts causing public injury.

He pleaded not guilty.

Justice Maryanne Anenih adjourned till Tuesday.

Continue Reading

News

Senate invites Umahi over Old Oyo-Ogbomosho road

Published

on

Section One Of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway To Be Commissioned May 2025

The Senate yesterday summoned the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, over the deplorable condition of the Old Oyo-Ogbomosho Road.

The resolution of the Senate’s consideration of a motion of urgent public importance was moved by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai (APC – Oyo-North), who drew his colleagues’ attention to the worsening condition of the road.

Abdulfatai said the road, a major link between the South and North, had caused untold hardship for travellers, most of who were frequently stranded due to the poor state of the road.

For over 10 years after the Federal Government began major repairs on the road, Buhari said it had remained deplorable, causing regular accidents and daily gridlock by articulated vehicles.

Buhari in his lead debate underscored the im portance of good roads, saying apart from preventing avoidable accidents, it makes movement of goods and services easy.

He said: “The Senate is aware that transportation ensures stable prices in different markets and enables traders to regulate the supply of goods at locations, based on changing demands.’’

Continue Reading

News

UPDATED: Tinubu off to UK for two-week annual leave

Published

on

President Bola Tinubu will on Wednesday depart Abuja for the United Kingdom to begin a two-week vacation.

The vacation is “part of his yearly leave,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed in a statement he signed Wednesday.

The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu goes on annual leave.’

“He will use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.

“He will return to the country after the leave expires,” the statement read in part.

Sources close to the President had confirmed to our correspondent that Tinubu was taking the two-week break as part of his annual leave.

Wednesday’s trip comes two weeks after the President returned from London where he met with King Charles III.

The UK becomes Tinubu’s 27th foreign destination since he assumed office about 16 months ago and his fourth trip to the country.

So far, he has visited Equatorial Guinea, London (four times), the United Kingdom (twice); Bissau, Guinea-Bissau (twice); Nairobi, Kenya; Porto Norvo, Benin Republic; Pretoria, South Africa; Accra, Ghana; New Delhi, India; Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; New York, the United States of America; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (twice); Berlin, Germany; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Dakar, Senegal and Doha, Qatar.

Continue Reading

Top Stories