President Buhari makes new appointment

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Rev Yakubu Pam as the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC).

Until his appointment, Rev Pam was the Chairman of the Plateau State Christian Pilgrims Board.

Born on 20th February, 1960 in Gyel, Jos South LGA of Plateau State, Rev Pam holds a first degree in Christian Education.

As an ordained Minister, Rev Pam brings to the position more than 30 years of leadership experience in the Christian community, coupled with a deep understanding of promoting inter-religious harmony and conflict resolution in the northern parts of the country.

The cleric has held many leadership positions in the Church, including Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of Northern Nigeria (which includes the 19 Northern States and Abuja) from 2016 to date, Vice President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, 2013 to date and District Superintendent, Jos mainland Assemblies of Nigeria, 2010 to date.

He also served as Chairman, Plateau State Inter-Religious Council; and Chairman, Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Committee, Plateau State.

A statement was obtained on Saturday by Garba Shehu, the President’s Spokesman, said the appointment took effect from 26th June, 2020 for a period of five years.

It added that “President Buhari urges the Executive Secretary NCPC to sustain his reconciliatory pre-disposition in his new position.”

Credit to Dailytrust

PMB Has Approved The Termination Of The Appointment Of Prof Charles Uwakwe As The Registrar Of NECO and Three Members.

The President also dismissed four members of the management for various offences bordering on financial impropriety.

Prof. Charles Uwakwe had been suspended since May 2018 by the Federal Government over alleged financial mismanagement and abuse of office.

Mr Abubakar Gana was appointed as the acting Registrar.

Uwakwe and some top officials allegedly awarded contracts in the council to the tune of N25billion without following the due process.

NECO in a release on Wednesday confirmed that the suspended registrar had been relieved of his appointment by the President, while four members of the management had also been dismissed.

The President’s directive was conveyed in a letter, dated May 11, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, which said Uwakwe was accused of violating the Public Procurement Act (2007) and pursuant to PSR 030402 and Part 1 schedule 4 (i) of NECO Establishment Act.

Echono said, “After due consideration of the investigative panel on the allegation of unsatisfactory conduct levelled against you and some management staff of the council, Mr. President in exercise of his powers, has approved your removal as the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of National Examinations Council with effect from the date of your suspension from duty.”

The former Registrar was also directed to hand over all the government property in his custody to the acting Registrar.

In another letter, FME/S/1419/C.3/T/98, on May 11, by the Permanent Secretary, the President approved the dismissal from service of four Management workers.

The letter partly reads, “After due consideration of the Financial Report of the Review Committee, Mr. President has approved the recommendations as follows; Bamidele Olure, dismissal from the service with effect from the date of his suspension from office having been found guilty of financial impropriety and not qualified to Head the Finance and Accounts Department.

“Dr. Shina Adetona was dismissed from service with effect from the date he was suspended from office for acts tantamount to fraudulent practices, sabotage and suppression of official records.”

Tanko Yakassai — Buhari is incompetent, can’t fix Nigeria

A former Presidential Adviser, Tanko Yakassai, has insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari is incompetent.

Yakassai said Buhari’s inability to fix some of the issues he met as president has exposed him as an incompetent president.

The elder statesman explained that his long-held conviction that Buhari can’t fix Nigeria’s problems was responsible for his refusal to support all his presidential campaigns.

Yakassai, who is based in Kano while speaking via zoom at a video conference organised by governance index, maintained that the past five years of Buhari administration has shown he can’t fix Nigeria.

He stressed that the president has failed in the area of electricity, creation of jobs for Nigerians.

The former presidential aide said the issues affecting Nigerians which Buhari met are still there five years after assuming power.

According to Yakasai: “I have never supported Buhari. I have been against him because I felt he was not competent to handle the job, and I have been proven right.

“When President Muhammadu Buhari was elected, I was hoping that at least, we will get stable power all over the country. This is his fifth year. He has only two more active years because the last one year will be for election.

“I don’t know what are his plans, when will Kano get electricity to restore its industrial might, so that every man in Kano will be gainfully employed as a result of provision in Kano, likewise Enugu and Lagos among others? Those were the key issues from the time Buhari was elected and they are still the issues of today.”

FG: First phase of gradual easing of lockdown ends tomorrow

The task force members led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, met with President Muhammmadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja. (Punch)

The Presidency has said the first phase of gradual easing of lockdown measures announced by President Muhammadu Buhari will end on Monday, May 18, 2020.

Special Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, Tolu Ogunlesi disclosed this via his Twitter handle on Sunday, May 17, 2020, while announcing the meeting between the president and the COVID-19 Task Force.

The task force members led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, met with Buhari at the State House, ahead of this week’s review of the current easing of the lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja.

He tweeted, “Presidential briefing from the Covid-19 Task Force, this afternoon at the State House. Phase 1 of 3 phases of the 6-week gradual-easing-of-the-lockdown ends tomorrow”.

The task force is expected to discuss the success or otherwise of the first phase of the lockdown measures with the president to decide on what measures to consider on the second phase of the efforts being taken to tackle the pandemic in Nigeria.

Personal Assistant on New Media to the President on New Media, Bashir Ahmad also confirmed that President Buhari received briefing from the Presidential Task Force on COVID–19, on Saturday.

He tweeted, “President @MBuhari receives briefing from the Presidential Task Force on COVID–19, led by SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha, today at the State House, Abuja”.

Recall that President Buhari approved a gradual easing of lockdown measures in Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja on Monday, April 27, 2020.

Post-COVID-19: Presidency releases Buhari’s plans for Nigeria

 

The Presidency has released the actions and measures being taken by President Muhammadu Buhari to reduce the suffering of Nigerians after the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an article made available to DAILY POST on Thursday by Femi Adesina, the President’s Spokesman noted that Buhari is focusing on the future.

“There is global anxiety on what the future holds for humanity post-COVID-19, particularly in respect of the economy, healthcare, job security, and general wellbeing,” he said.

He noted that Nigerians are not immune from the disquietude since they belong to the global community.

According to the Presidency, there is a checklist of some measures that President Buhari has taken, and will further take, to make life abundant for Nigerians.

Adesina said he hopes this would assuage the apprehension of Nigerians.

“An economic team, headed by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning has been set up to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the economy.

“Economic Sustainability Committee headed by the Vice President to define a post-COVID-19 economy for Nigeria.

“Taskforce set up on the free movement of farm produce headed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“Plans afoot to tackle weak health systems and infrastructure through the establishment of standard laboratories, intensive care units, and isolation centres in all states of the Federation. The health infrastructure will eventually be recalibrated for the good of the people, and in readiness for future emergencies.

“As a long term measure, emphasis will be placed on integrating local content in proven researches in the cure, and production of materials in the health sector.

“A Fiscal Sustainability Plan to complement the suite of monetary and banking interventions recently announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“A mass agricultural programme to be put in place.

“Major rural road construction and mass housing programmes.

“Large scale installation of residential solar systems, utilizing mainly local materials.

“Expansion of the Social Investment Programme.

“The 2020-2022 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the Budget 2020 assumptions and targets have already been revised.

“Time-sensitive expenditures are to be prioritized over less critical spending.

“Extant financial controls are to be strengthened to detect, eliminate and sanction instances of waste, funds misappropriation and corruption.”

New Chief of Staff Speaks On What Nigerians Should Expect From His New Role

The new Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, has said his primary allegiance would be to President Muhammadu Buhari and not the public.

The Chief of staff stated this on Wednesday when he spoke briefly to State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa.

He started out by thanking President Buhari for deeming him worthy to serve in the new capacity, adding that he would serve the President to the best of his ability.

About what he has to offer the President, he said “my loyalty, competence and support”, adding that his guiding principle as Chief of Staff would be “to serve the President to the best of my ability”

“I thank the President of the Federal Republic for giving me the opportunity to serve him and of course, the country”, he said.

Asked what Nigerians should expect from him as Chief of Staff, he said “we have not started, I’ll have to find out. I don’t report directly to the nation, I report to the President”.

Professor Agboola Ibrahim Gambari has been appointed as the new chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Prof. Gambari, a Nigerian scholar, diplomat and an indigene of Kwara State was appointed to replace the late Abba Kyari on Tuesday, May 12.

 PROFILE OF PRESIDENT BUHARI'S NEW CHIEF OF STAFF, PROF. IBRAHIM GAMBARI!

Ambassador Gambari, a Nigerian scholar-diplomat, was the first Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Africa (1999-2005). In that capacity, he worked closely with heads of government, key policy makers as well as institutions on the continent to develop the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). 

During this period, he was concurrently the Resident Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission to Angola (2002-2003). He has been a delegate to the Assembly of the African Union as a national delegate (1984-1985) and as a member of the UN Secretary-General’s delegation (2000-2012).

Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari, is currently the Founder/Chairman of Savannah Center External link in Abuja, Nigeria, a think-tank for research, training and public policy debate on the nexus between diplomacy (conflict resolution), democracy and development in Africa. 

His last assignment at the United Nations was as the Joint Special Representative of the Secretary General and Chairperson of the African Union Commission/Head of the UN and AU Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) from January 2010 to July 2012. During Ambassador Gambari’s tenure, UNAMID was the world’s largest international peacekeeping mission.

Ambassador Gambari has held several leadership positions at the national, regional and international levels and has built extensive contacts with governments as well as public and private institutions, especially in Africa. He was the Chairman of the United Nations Special Committee Against Apartheid (1990-1994) during which he worked closely with African governments to coordinate UN policy to eradicate apartheid, thereby building trust and confidence with governments and policymakers in member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

At the global level, Ambassador Gambari was Under-Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Department of Political Affairs (2005-2007). In that period, he also operated as UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Cyprus, Zimbabwe and Myanmar. On May 22, 2007, the Secretary-General entrusted him with the Good Offices Mandate on Myanmar. He was also appointed in 2007 by the Secretary-General as Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Iraq Compact and Other Issues, positions he held until 2009. 

Before joining the United Nations, he served his country as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations (1990-1999). He was also Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria (1984-1985) and worked closely with regional leaders, institutions and governments, particularly within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the economic and political development of the sub-region. Prior to this, he was the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.

As a scholar, Ambassador Gambari is the author of several books and scholarly articles. He began his teaching career as a Lecturer at the Queen’s College, City University of New York (1969-1974), followed by an Assistant Professorship at the State University of New York (1974-1977). Upon returning to Nigeria, he was appointed Senior Lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, (1977-1980), and rose to become an Associate Professor (Reader), (1980-1983) and subsequently full Professor at the same University (1983 –present–currently on leave of absence). Ambassador Gambari was a visiting Professor at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of the Johns Hopkins University, Georgetown University and Howard University in Washington, D.C. from 1986 to 1989. Ambassador Gambari was also a Research Fellow at the Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C., as well as a Resident Scholar with the Rockefeller Foundation Centre in Bellagio, Italy.

A recipient of the third highest national honour, Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR), Ambassador Gambari has also been awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) form the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut (2002) and Farleigh Dickinson University, New Jersey (2006). Others include: Honorary Doctorate of Public Service, Chatham University (May 2008) and Honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt), University of Ibadan, Nigeria (November 2011). He has also received the Special Recognition for International Development and Diplomacy Award conferred by the Africa-America Institute (September 2007), the Distinguished (Foreign) Service Award by the Federal Government of Nigeria (April 2008), the International House Harry Edmonds Award for Lifetime Achievement, New York (May 2009) and the Campaign Against Genocide Medal by the Republic of Rwanda (July 2010). 

Ambassador Gambari received South Africa’s highest national honour conferred on non-citizens, the Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo, which was conferred to him personally by President Jacob Zuma on October 26, 2012. Professor Gambari was elected to the Johns Hopkins University Society of Scholars in 2002 and has since 2005 served as a member of the International Advisory Board of the Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance at Africa University, Zimbabwe. He was appointed as First Chancellor, Kwara State University in Nigeria, March 2013.

Are u an eyewitness? And you want your story to be published

Send your stories to:

Whatsapp number:- +2348161164458

Email:- olamipaul@gmail.com

Full list of President Buhari’s Ambassadorial nominees.

President Muhammadu Buhari today submitted 42 names to the Senate for confirmation as career ambassadors.

Below is the full list:

C.O. Nwachukwu (Abia);

A. Kefas (Adamawa);

R.U Brown (Akwa Ibom);

G.A Odudigbo (Anambra);

O.C Onowu (Anambra);

Y.S. Suleiman (Bauchi);

E.S. Agbana (Bayelsa);

B.B.M. Okoyen (Bayelsa);

G.M. Okoko (Benue);

A.M. Garba (Borno);

M.I. Bashir (Borno);

M.O. Abam (Cross River);

A.E. Allotey (Cross River);

G. E. Edokpa (Edo);

A. N. Madubuike (Enugu);

Adamu Lamuwa (Gombe);

Mr. Innocent A. Iwejuo (Imo);

M. S. Abubakar (Jigawa);

Y. A. Ahmed (Jigawa);

S. D. Umar (Kaduna);

A. Sule (Kano);

G. Y. Hamza (Kano).

N. Rimi (Katsina);

L. S. Ahmed-Remawa (Katsina);

M. Manu (Kebbi);

l. R. Ocheni (Kogi);

l. A. Yusuf (Kogi);

M. Abdulraheem (Kwara);

W. A. Adedeji (Lagos);

A. U. Ogah (Nasarawa);

A. A. Musa (Niger);

N. A. Kolo (Niger);

S.O. Olaniyan (Ogun);

A. R. Adejola (Ogun);

O. E. Awe (Ondo);

O. O. Aluko (Osun);

I. A. Alatishe (Osun);

V. A. Adeleke (Oyo);

M. S. Adamu (Plateau)

l. N. Charles (Rivers);

Z M. lfu (Taraba);

B. B. Hamman (Yobe)

Are u an eyewitness? And you want your story to be published

Send your stories to:

Whatsapp number:- +2348161164458

Email:- olamipaul@gmail.com