Buhari mourns Abba Kyari
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by ismaila chafe7 president muhammadu buhari has extended his condolences over the passing of former military governor of the defunct north central state retired brig.-gen. abba kyari1 president buharis condolence message is contained in a statement by his senior special assistant on media and publicity malam garba shehu in abuja on sunday evening1 the president also condoled with the government and people of kaduna katsina and borno states over the demise of the elder statesman1 he said we are extremely saddened by the news of gen. abba kyaris passing away an officer and a gentleman for whom we have a lot respect1 president buhari prayed to god to accept his soul and grant fortitude to the family and friends he left behind to bear the loss1

N30,000 minimum wage: President Buhari meets governors
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by ismaila chafe7 president muhammadu buhari on monday met behind closed doors with representatives of nigerian governors forum ngf over the disagreement between the organised labour and state governors on the proposed n30000 minimum wage1 the news agency of nigeria nan recalls that the amal pepple tripartite committee on the review of national minimum wage had on nov. 6 submitted its report to president buhari where it recommended n30000 as the new national minimum wage1 while receiving the report the president expressed his commitment to ensuring the implementation of a new national minimum wage and pledged to transmit an executive bill on national minimum wage to the national assembly for its passage within the shortest possible time1 he expressed delight that the committee had successfully completed its assignment in a peaceful and non-controversial manner1 president buhari said that the federal government would soon transmit an executive bill on national minimum wage to the national assembly for its passage within the shortest possible time1 however the 36 state governors had since expressed reservations over the proposed n30000 new minimum wage by the amal pepple committee saying the state governments were not in a stable financial position to pay the new minimum wage1 the chairman of the governors forum and governor of zamfara alhaji abdulaziz yari had on nov. 15 told newsmen at the end of an emergency meeting of the governors in abuja that payment of n30 000 wage was impracticable1 nan reports that representatives of the governors forum who met with the president over the issue included governors of zamfara lagos kaduna and enugu while the minister of labour and employment chris ngige was also in attendance1

Buhari wants stiff penalty for illicit financial deal
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by ismaila chafe7 he therefore assured that this task would be focused on strengthening international cooperation on asset tracing recovery and repatriation and enhancing cooperation between the african union and the united nations anti-corruption monitoring mechanisms. nan1 he also called for a crackdown on safe heavens of such perpetrators1 mr femi adesina the presidents special adviser on media and publicity in a statement in abuja said buhari made the call at the first edition of the paris peace forum held on the sidelines of the centenary of armistice day1 buhari warned that continuous impunity would encourage more pilfering of countries resources to the detriment of poor and vulnerable populace1 the president said nigeria had strengthened its laws and institutions to fight corruption fast-track recovery of stolen assets and punish offenders urging more commitment from governments and international institutions1 he delivered his statement on illicit financial flows iffs and corruption the challenge of global governance during the event attended by about 70 world leaders and governments1 he said we must crack down on safe havens for corrupt assets1 i also advocate sanctions by professional bodies against transactional middlemen lawyers bankers brokers public officials etc. who facilitate illicit financial flows1 i would like to reiterate that the government of nigeria remains open and is ever willing to continue to identify and share experiences and strategies to give life to the ideas that will lead to winning the fight against corruption1 the nigerian leader noted that illicit financial flows posed a risk to the realisation of the sustainable development goals sdgs1 according to him this is so as many countries grapple with the challenge of gathering resources to improve their human development index while a few privileged individuals continue to explore the weaknesses in financial systems1 our experience in nigeria is that financial crimes such as corruption and fraudulent activities generate enormous unlawful profits which often prove so lucrative that the threat of a jail term is not sufficient to deter perpetrators1 president muhammadu buhari currently attending the paris peace forum has called for stringent actions against perpetrators of illicit financial flows1 this is not to under-estimate the value of strong institutions. it only indicates that asset recovery represents significant deterrence compared to the traditional focus on obtaining conviction by the law enforcement agencies of the countries of origin he said1 the president urged world leaders and global institutions to remain resolute on the global declaration against corruption made in london in 20161 he observed that the declaration had encapsulated the collective commitment to the principles of open government partnership especially the national action plans to actualize beneficial ownership transparency and enhance the capacity of financial intelligence units fius1 buhari said the independent reporting mechanisms and support for the activities of the global forum on transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes should be reinforced1 as we take stock of the strengths and weaknesses of domestic regional and international mechanisms against illicit financial flows i seize this opportunity to recall the global declaration against corruption made in london in 2016 and our commitment thereto he added1 he said said tremendous progress had been achieved through the enactment of global instruments noting that some fundamental technical issues remain unresolved1 these revolve around the formulation of policy and regulatory frameworks that cut across different jurisdictions1 we must not lose sight of the role played by secret companies banks and law firms all too often based in developed economies and their related offshore centres1 recent studies reveal that flaws in the global financial system enable corrupt individuals to hide details of their financial dealings under the noses of governments and law enforcement agencies1 this underscores the need to urgently address the issue of mutual legal assistance as well as continental legal frameworks in the context of safe havens for illicit transfers he said1 the president disclosed that the whistle-blowing policy had facilitated recovery of billions of naira from corrupt persons which had been redirected to the development of critical infrastructure and programmes that would benefit all nigerians and realisation of the sdgs1 at the continental level the president said the african union had bestowed on him the honour to champion the fight against corruption across the continent1 a more powerful deterrent is to ensure that profits and assets generated from illicit financial flows and corruption are recovered and returned to countries of origin1

Buharis promise to APC aspirants who lost primaries
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by ismaila chafe7 the leader of the apc aspirants forum hon. yusuf banki gave assurance that the network of 7000 members would work to ensure president buharis victory at the polls in 20192 a statement issued by the presidents special adviser on media and publicity mr femi adesina on wednesday said buhari gave the charge at a dinner with the apc aspirants forum at the presidential villa abuja on tuesday night2 the president said the primary motivation to contest elections should be to improve the country and not for pecuniary reasons2 we must maintain our faith in the country he told the coalition of party members who contested the primaries2 president buhari said he contested presidential elections three times before coming to power in 20152 he therefore promised them that providence will always pave the way for the just committed and patient politician who wants to truly serve the country2 he told the aspirants that those who mismanaged the resources of the country are still very much around with incredible wealth2 he warned them to be vigilant and circumspect in making choices saying the future would only be salvaged by those who love the country2 president muhammadu buhari has urged aspirants of the all progressives congress apc who lost out in the primaries to remain faithful and hold fast on integrity to the nation2 and sometimes we met for two and half hours on ensuring internal democracy during the primaries2 he pointed out that in spite of all efforts to appease everyone and give them a chance at the polls some aspirants were still not treated fairly2 i urge you to stay faithful if your objective is to serve the country2 i came back to power in this agbada to convince nigerians to make sacrifices that the country needs now for a better future he added2 in his remarks the minister of justice and attorney general of the federation abubakar malami said the meeting was organised to address grievances and fallout of the apc primary elections across the country2 he said it would be unfortunate to allow the grievances overshadow the challenges before the country assuring the aspirants that government would assuage their yearnings to serve the country2 malami said they should work collectively with the president in building the party and setting up a framework that would ensure healthier relationships and better internal democracy2 he said i spoke with the apc party chairman almost every other day at least for an hour during the primaries2

Buharis promise to APC aspirants who lost primaries
News & Trends •
by ismaila chafe7 the leader of the apc aspirants forum hon. yusuf banki gave assurance that the network of 7000 members would work to ensure president buharis victory at the polls in 20192 a statement issued by the presidents special adviser on media and publicity mr femi adesina on wednesday said buhari gave the charge at a dinner with the apc aspirants forum at the presidential villa abuja on tuesday night2 the president said the primary motivation to contest elections should be to improve the country and not for pecuniary reasons2 we must maintain our faith in the country he told the coalition of party members who contested the primaries2 president buhari said he contested presidential elections three times before coming to power in 20152 he therefore promised them that providence will always pave the way for the just committed and patient politician who wants to truly serve the country2 he told the aspirants that those who mismanaged the resources of the country are still very much around with incredible wealth2 he warned them to be vigilant and circumspect in making choices saying the future would only be salvaged by those who love the country2 president muhammadu buhari has urged aspirants of the all progressives congress apc who lost out in the primaries to remain faithful and hold fast on integrity to the nation2 and sometimes we met for two and half hours on ensuring internal democracy during the primaries2 he pointed out that in spite of all efforts to appease everyone and give them a chance at the polls some aspirants were still not treated fairly2 i urge you to stay faithful if your objective is to serve the country2 i came back to power in this agbada to convince nigerians to make sacrifices that the country needs now for a better future he added2 in his remarks the minister of justice and attorney general of the federation abubakar malami said the meeting was organised to address grievances and fallout of the apc primary elections across the country2 he said it would be unfortunate to allow the grievances overshadow the challenges before the country assuring the aspirants that government would assuage their yearnings to serve the country2 malami said they should work collectively with the president in building the party and setting up a framework that would ensure healthier relationships and better internal democracy2 he said i spoke with the apc party chairman almost every other day at least for an hour during the primaries2

Buhari visits injured NAF Pilots
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by ismaila chafe7 president muhammadu buhari on sunday evening paid a get-well-quick visit to the two nigerian air force pilots involved in a crash last week at the defence intelligence agency hospital in abuja1 mr femi adesina the presidential spokesman in a statement in abuja said the president was at the hospital as a morale booster to the injured officers1 the president rejoiced with sqn. ldr. batuba and flt.-lt. andy and gave glory to god for sparing their lives1 he also commiserated with them on the loss of their colleague sqn. ldr. bello baba-ari1 he prayed that god would give the family of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss1 chief of medical services at the hospital avm saleh shinkafi assured buhari that the medical condition of the officers was improving steadily1 he added that they were being kept for further rest and counseling as part of the rehabilitation process1 the chief of air staff air marshal sadique abubakar who was also on hand to receive the president explained that the three pilots ejected successfully from their jets after the collision1 he however added that the helmet of baba-ari flew open which led to a head injuries that turned fatal. nan1

Police not involved in NASS invasion IGP Idris
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by ismaila chafe7 the nigeria police force will continue to ensure that the rule of law prevails sustain unflinching respect support and protection of all constituent authorities and democratic institutions in the country while maintaining law and order protection of lives and property nationwide1 idris stated this after a closed door meeting with the acting president yemi osinbajo at the presidential villa abuja on tuesday1 he said the blockade of the nass complex was a surprise to him adding that the police would soon issue a statement on the incident1 obviously like i said i have not got a detailed brief on that. so when i get the brief in fact we are going to issue a press release he said1 osinbajo had on tuesday sacked the director general department of state service lawal daura with immediate effect over the invasion of the premises of the national assembly1 osinbajo condemned the unauthorized takeover of the national assembly complex describing it as a gross violation of constitutional order rule of law and all acceptable notions of law and order1 the inspector-general of police igp alhaji ibrahim idris has exonerated the nigeria police force from the tuesdays blockade of the national assembly nass by security operatives1 the acting president assured nigerians that all persons within the law enforcement apparatus who participated in this travesty would be identified and subjected to appropriate disciplinary action1 the sacked dss boss had earlier met behind closed door with the acting president with the igp idris and the chief of staff to the president malam abba kyari in attendance1 in a statement later on tuesday by acting deputy commissioner jimoh moshood the police categorically denied the involvement of their men in the blockade at the assembly1 the nigeria police force wishes to categorically state that its personnel was not involved in any way whatsoever in the blockade of the national assembly in the early hours of today 7th august 20181 the force was not informed and has no pre-knowledge of the blockade1 the nigeria police force hereby implores the media and the general public to disregard in entirety insinuations that police personnel were involved in the blockade as untrue misleading and a misinformation1 he maintained that the unlawful act which was done without the knowledge of the presidency is condemnable and completely unacceptable1