Earlier today, President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned 748 Housing Units of Federal Housing Authority Estate in Zuba, Abuja.
The entire estate covers a total of 18.5 hectares of land area. In the course of executing the estate project, over 13,000 Nigerians were employed directly and indirectly.
President Muhammadu Buhari at the commissioning presented keys to some new homeowners at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Estate Zuba who subscribed through FHA Rent-to-Own delivery model, urging them to live together in peace and harmony.
Commending the Chairman, Managing Director, Members of the Board and Staff of FHA on the successful completion of the Estate, the President noted that the project was another testament of his administration’s commitment to lift people out of poverty.
In his address, Minister Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola said “we now have 748 completed housing units for Nigerians and their families to shelter,’’ adding that 75 contractors were engaged in the course of the project.
The Managing Director of FHA, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, described the commissioning of the project as a manifestation of the visionary and deliberate housing policy of the President, who in keeping with the promise of providing shelter to Nigerians approved the grant to FHA.
Ashafa disclosed that the Authority has also commenced the development of Bwari Estate, Abuja near the Nigeria Law School, which will deliver 336 units of various houses under the first phase of the project.
The notice of her reappointment was contained in a letter written by the President to the Senate requesting the Upper Chamber to confirm her reappointment.
In November 2018, the President first named Dabiri-Erewa as NIDCOM chair. She was the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora before the appointment.
Dabiri-Erewa was also a member of the House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in Lagos from 2003-2015. While she was at the House of Representatives, Dabiri-Erewa chaired of the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs.
President Muhammadu Buhari heartily congratulates the winner of the (2023) Presidential Election, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Reacting to the results just announced, President Buhari said:
“I congratulate His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory. Elected by the people, he is the best person for the job. I shall now work with him and his team to ensure an orderly handover of power.
“The election was Africa’s largest democratic exercise. In a region that has undergone backsliding and military coups in recent years, this election demonstrates democracy’s continued relevance and capability to deliver for the people it serves.
“Within Nigeria, the results reveal democracy’s ripening in our country. Never has the electoral map shifted so drastically in one cycle. In the presidential elections, states in all regions across the nation changed colour. Some amongst you may have noticed my home state amongst them. The winning candidate did not carry his own home state either. That happens during a competitive election. Votes and those that cast them cannot be taken for granted. Each must be earned. Competition is good for our democracy. There is no doubt the people’s decision has been rendered in the results we look at today.
“That is not to say the exercise was without fault. For instance, there were technical problems with electronic transmission of the results. Of course, there will be areas that need work to bring further transparency and credibility to the voting procedure. However, none of the issues registered represent a challenge to the freeness and fairness of the elections.
“I know some politicians and candidates may not agree with this view. That too is fine. If any candidate believes they can prove the fraud they claim is committed against them, then bring forward the evidence. If they cannot, then we must conclude that the election was indeed the people’s will – no matter how hard that may be for the losers to accept. If they feel the need to challenge, please take it to the courts, not to the streets.
“However, to do the latter means they are not doing it in the interest of the people, but rather to inflame, to put people in harm’s way and all for personal, selfish gains.
“After a degree of polarization that necessarily accompanies any election, it is now time to come together and act responsibly. I call on all candidates to remember the peace pledge they signed just days before the election. Do not undermine the credibility of INEC. Let us now move forward as one. The people have spoken.”
Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) March 1, 2023
It’s indeed a privilege and all sense of humility to welcome the Grand Commander of the Nigerian Armed Forces President Muhammadu Buhari to the Youth Hub of Africa and the Center of Excellence Lagos State on a working visit.
The working visit which is aim to inaugurate/ flag off some Mega project within the state would further cement the status of Lagos as the thriving epic Center of the country and a destination of choice for all,
The provision of this massive infrastructure which include Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lagos Rice Mill, Imota, Lagos Blue Lite project, among others would further increase the ease of doing business, increase food security and Improve transportation network for the old and the everly charged younger generation
The youths of Lagos are indeed proud of the sterling work of our Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and inded welcome ypur execllency to the Land of Aquatic splendor.
I on behalf of the Nigeria Youth Parliament and youths in Lagos state welcome President Muhammadu Buhari to our Lagos, the land where dreams become TRUE
Rt Hon Dr Azeezat Yishawu Speaker Nigerian Youth Parliament
When the news about the Federal Government of Nigeria Commissioning the Mfum-Ekok border broke out to my notice, I quickly recall a first hand experience I have had about the place called Ajassor and a very important question that came to my mind was that “Why have you travelled so far from Lagos to that end part of Nigeria”?
Fantastically, The National Youth Service Corps came to my mind even though a debate has been on as to why the scheme was introduced by the Government of General Yakubu Gowon in 1973? Has the scheme achieved its reason?
The Programme according to sources was established to enable Nigerian Youth acquire the spirit of self reliance by encouraging them to develop skills for self employment, to also contribute to the accelerated growth of the National Economy, to develop common ties among the Nigerian Youth and promote National unity and integration, it has also been argued to be at the fore front of National development efforts, as well as serve as profitable platform for imparting in our youths values of Nationalism, Patriotism, Loyalty and accountable leadership.
Let me state here that my adventure to the Ajassor community was a result of communal conflict that engulfed Riyom in Plateau state in 2012 where I was first deployed to enable me participate in the scheme. The conflict was so intense that our 3 weeks orientation program was full of fear despite report going around the the NYSC camp has been attacked, unknown to many who paraded the news it was few meters away from the Bukuru camp that was attacked leading to a repraisal mob attack that led to the killing of Senator Gyang Dantong and several others in 2012.
The news going around that period was very alarming why many Nigerians call for their wards be posted to states within their region of abode or the scheme be cancelled. Going forward, this lead to mass redeployment of corps members after our compulsory orientation and fortunately, though it was not my sole wish at that time, I was redeployed to cross river state where I completed my service year.
From the above, I can boldly say my service year was full of acquired knowledge in all spheres of life making me conclude that the National Youth Corps even though with many shortcoming has come to achieve its aim but may need to be re-modify to cater for emerging challenges of our time. That spirit was self-reliant was re-engineered into my system which has continued to help my career growth till date, should we then say the scheme has achieved nothing?
The National Youth Service corps indeed expose me to many life experiences from hospitality, culture and tourism to include many others. It also helped a Political Science graduate like me who is from Lagos and have learnt about theories and historical and political development of Nigeria having well over 250 ethnic groups, our party system before and after independence particularly The National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons (NCNC) which later became National Convention of Nigerian citizens after both northern and southern cameroon were taken out of Nigeria.
Upon my resumption to the National Youth Service Corps office in Calabar while those of us who were redeployed from various states with different reasons also showed up, a fellow corps member who was deployed to Boki Local Government of Cross river with tears on his face crying rejecting the place, we quickly sat him down and raised too many questions of why he was shedding tears after his posting? He narrated experience on his way to his place of primary assignment, he was acousted from behind by a monkey who removed his cap.
At this point many of us became very curious and sceptical to know much about local government in the state, for those who have been pre-informed, they only prayed to be deployed to about 3 local council which include Calabar South, Calabar Municipal and Odukpani LGAs but for me and many others who do not have the overwhelming influence to mastermind a place of primary assignment, we were introduced to one Mr Idowu who was the only Yoruba man working in the Calabar office of the NYSC, we were made to understand he is practically in-charge of posting but our simple approach to him only met a dust of sand as he said nothing came be done as everyone cannot remain in Calabar and that the essence of the scheme was for National unity and not selective posting.
While many of us were waiting to get a posting, shelter was another challenge for those who have been deployed to various place of primary assignment within Calabar, it became very tough that prices of accommodation doubled the entire allowance we will receive for a whole year, a few of us stared making contact while some already lodged in hotels. At this point religion also played a vital role of rescue as those of us from the Muslim faith resorted to the Muslim Association of Corpers lodge located at Goldiee road (arguably one of the longest street in Calabar) those who are Christians also found refuge at the Christian Association of Corpers lodge until our posting came out.
Consequently, I contacted my former lecturer and mentor Dr. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine who then linked me up with a felllow Comrade Dr. Edwin Madunagu who is the Editor of Guardian newspaper in Calabar, he invited me after a phone conversation and instructed his driver to pick me up to his Library where we had discussions about NYSC and Nigeria’s socio-economic and political challenges of our time, he told me frankly “I do not cut corner, where ever you are posted to is your final destination” he also gave me some books to read together with his biography and gave me an unfettered access to the Library any time I so desire to do so, his driver also took some time to take me around the city of Calabar such as Atim-Mbo, Marian road, bogobiri and the University of Calabar finally, he gave words of admonition and mobilized me to face the coming challenges of the scheme.
Few later, the much awaited posting was released where I was posted to Goodwill Secondary School in Ajassor, Etung Local Government of cross river state, there I met another colleague who was posted to Government secondary school Ikom, we started discussion and proceeded the next day. On our way, it was like a journey of no return to include bad roads travelling along Odukpani, Abi, Yakkur, Obubra (where their NYSC orientation camp is located) and Akamkpa before getting Ikom. It took us about 5 hours from Calabar. We both departed in Ikom which is a major town before Etung, it is a 27kilometers journey on a motorcycle which a major means of transportation along the tarred road at that time.
Days after I had settled down at my place of primary assignment, I engaged fellow corps members on getting to know more about the community whose people are very hospitable to visitors with all they have, we took a swipe on a visit to the mfum border to have a first hand site seeing of house the place looks like, I feel so ashamed of what we saw as a border linking Nigeria and Cameroon, here I equally agreed with those proponents who have who keep raising questions as to the porous nature of our land borders. There the law enforcement agents do not allow for pictures to be take with mobile phones, so you have to keep them away while you approached the border. This is not a good omen for us as a Nation.
After much ado, I took time to study the behaviour and culture of the good people of Ajassor, their food, culture of discipline where I saw that it was a taboo for a young person to engage in any form of gambling and particularly their marriage rites. Mfum is a town in Cross River State where it is not uncommon to find traders and articulated lorries crossing the lines that separate Nigeria and Cameroon. Items like foods, fruits and petrol are conveyed across the border. But these are not the only things that exchanged between the two countries as one could add marriage ties to the list. Inter-marriage between them and the neighbouring Cameroon town is very rampant and both speak Ejagam which is one of the dominant spoken language in Cross river, they eat similar food and share many other good things.
Very importantly in 2018 when I heard about the federal government plan to re-construct the Mfum-Ekok link bridge, I was so happy to hear because it will foster more trade and development for both countries and the economic community of west African state who also supported this development plan, quoting from the minister of works and housing Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola who says Nigeria, Cameroon border will facilitate free trade, yes I do agree with according to the 2022 United Nations COMTRADE database whose report that says Nigeria exports to Cameroon was about US$550.58 Million in 2021. Free trade can also boast standards of living, raise incomes and reduces inequality, boast employment.
Hence, it is equal to say that life time experience which the National Youth Service Corps have afforded me is not just only an eye-opener opportunity but also an effort towards Nation building, it has also increase my frontier of knowledge, the socio-cultural, economic and political relations that may exist between two countries. More importantly, it is also a push forward for any serious government who has the political will to bring about development to clearly understand the for infrastructure to drive it and finally, the just commissioned link bridge will have a comparative economic advantages for both countries.
…13th Bola Tinubu Colloquium to examine new world order, Good Governance
Organisers of the annual Bola Tinubu Colloquium have announced that this year’s edition will examine emerging global development issues and the importance of good governance for Nigeria to be an influential and respected member of the international community.
The colloquium, which is in its 13th edition, will take place on Tuesday 29th March 2022, at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. It will be presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari as Chairman. Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is the chief host.
Professor Olufemi Bamiro, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, the keynote speaker, is expected to engage the central theme, ‘Pivoting Nigeria into the new world order: Imperatives of Good Governance’
A press statement signed by the Chairman of the Media and Publicity sub-committee, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, stated that the colloquium will also feature a panel session where some of Nigeria’s leading technology entrepreneurs will discuss “Technology, Entrepreneurship and the future of work”.
The panel discussion to be moderated by Tomilayo Akanni-Aluko will have Bosun Tijani, Chief Executive Officer of Co-Creation Hub, as the Lead Discussant. Other panelists include Samson Ogbole, Managing Director, Soiless Farms, Temie Giwa-Tubosun, Group Chief Executive, Life Bank, Kikelomo Fola-Ogunniya, Co-founder, Jand2Gidi and Lot Madaki, Chief Executive Officer, Madaki Shoes.
Speaking on the theme of the colloquium and the planning, Omotoso noted that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the man in whose honour the annual event is being organised, is an extraordinary statesman who has committed himself to making Nigeria one of the most prosperous nations.
His words: “The theme speaks to the person and values of Asiwaju Tinubu. To celebrate his 70th birthday, this year’s colloquium theme is most appropriate. We are talking about an outstanding public servant, who is an advocate of good governance in Nigeria and Africa. He demonstrated this as Governor of Lagos in eight years where he laid the solid foundation for the progress and prosperity of Lagos State that we all talk about today.”
President Buhari today received in audience them Board and Management of BUA Cement PLC led by BUA Group Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu.
During the visit, the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu used the opportunity to appreciate the President for his support especially the recent Commissioning of its Sokoto Line 4 Cement Factory.
AbdulR Samad Rabiu revealed that BUA Group was currently building more factories in two different parts of the country, which will contribute about six million additional tonnes to cement supply.
He added: “Your presence at the commissioning of our Line 4 sends a strong message of commitment to industrialization of our country. Like you often say, we need to add value to what we produce with locally sourced raw materials, and we remain committed to it. We are ready to work with the Federal Government, and all other relevant stakeholders. The consistent effort of the Government in supporting local capacity has helped us a great deal.”
The BUA Group Chairman said the support of President Buhari for Nigerian enterprise was unflinching, “and we are encouraged to add more value.”
He further thanked the President for what he called his “forthrightness, vision, and passion for Nigeria.”
In his own remarks, President Muhammadu Buhari Friday hailed the BUA Group for its strides in narrowing the gap between demand and supply of cement in the country.
President Buhari had last month visited Sokoto to commission the Line 4 of BUA Cement, which would ensure further availability of cement, of which Nigeria suffers about three million tonnes deficit.
“I want to congratulate you on your success and I thank you for mobilizing senior members of your Group to come and say thank you to me. It is remarkable. What you have done in bridging the gap of cement supply in the country is quite commendable. You have proven that the productive capacity of a country is very important”, Buhari told the chair of BUA group.
AjasaInfo 