Buhari meets Saraki, Dogara; to meet Benue leaders January 15, 2018Sani Tukur and Agency Report

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday met, behind closed doors, with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

This information was posted on twitter account of the Presidency Nigeria; @NGRPresident on Sunday in Abuja.

The post read: “President Muhammadu Buhari meeting with Senate President and the speaker Yakubu Dogara.’’

The meeting was expected to deliberate on national issues including the recent killings reported in Benue, Taraba, Kaduna and Rivers.

President Buhari had condemned the reported killings in Benue and ordered the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act for prosecution.

The President had on January 2 expressed shock and outrage at reports of killings of innocent persons in Omoku, Rivers, and the traditional ruler of Numana, Kaduna State, Gambo Makama, and his wife.

The traditional ruler and his wife were killed in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State in the New Year, while 10 villagers were reported killed at Dangaji and Ungwan Gajere villages, both in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state on Friday night by suspected gunmen.

MEETS BENUE DELEGATION MONDAY

Meanwhile, Mr. Buhari will on Monday meet with a delegation comprising political, traditional and opinion leaders from Benue State to comprehensively address the security challenges facing the state.

A source in the presidency said the urgent meeting was inevitable because of the frequency and scale of violence in the state and the reactions that have trailed the incidents.

According to the source, the presidency has been embarrassed by the large scale loss of lives caused by such repeated violence against innocent people.

The source who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not permitted to speak with the press ahead of the meeting said the discussions will address the issue of herdsmen attacks adding “ it may go beyond their menace to include the issue of the arming, training and financing of militia groups by some state governments.”

When contacted on the development, Mr. Buhari’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said although he was aware of the expected parley with Benue leaders, he had not been briefed about the issues being brought to the table for discussions.

He said the government welcomes any initiative by any group that would provide lasting solutions to the country’s security problems.

Mr. Shehu said security entails collective participation of all and it was, in his view “better for all to come together to find solutions instead of anyone trading blames.”

Buhari orders clampdown on perpetrators of Rivers, Kaduna killings

The presidency has ordered a clampdown on killers suspected behind attacks in Rivers and Kaduna, calling it “reprehensible and unacceptable".

Up to 20 were killed in Rivers, and gunmen also killed a traditional ruler, the Etum Numana, Dr Gambo Makama, and his pregnant wife in Sango Local Government Area of Kaduna State in the New Year.

The president, in a statement Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu, directed law enforcement agencies in both states to intensify their current efforts in order to speedily bring the perpetrators to face the wrath of the law.

“I have always maintained that nothing justifies the taking of the life of an innocent person. People in our communities must learn to live peacefully,” Buhari said.

He appealed to the communities affected not to embark on reprisal attacks, but allow the security agencies to carry out comprehensive investigations to properly punish the culprits.

The president commiserated with the families of the victims and wished the injured faster recovery.

9 things Buhari promised Nigerians in 2018

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said his administration is determined to fulfil its many promises made to Nigerians since 2015. Addressing Nigerians on the New Year day via a national broadcast, he assured that the federal government is intensifying efforts "to address our country's huge infrastructural deficit." Below are the nine promises President Buhari made to Nigerians today in his New Year speech: 1. He promised to get to the root of recurring fuel crisis in the country and ensure that "whichever groups are behind this manipulated hardship will be prevented from doing so again." 2. On rail projects, he promised to: a. Complete Lagos-Ibadan rail line by the end of 2019. b. Construct the Kano – Kaduna segment of Lagos-Kano Standard Gauge Railways by the end of 2019. c. Complete Lagos-Kano standard gauge railway across the main North-South trading route by the end of 2021. d. Boost Abuja – Kaduna rail route with additional rolling stock next Thursday. e. Conclude negotiations in the first part of this year for the construction of Port Harcourt to Maiduguri rail line covering Aba, Owerri, Umuahia, Enugu, Awka, Abakaliki, Makurdi, Lafia, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe, Yola and Damaturu. f. Conclude negotiations for the construction of other railway lines, firstly from Kano to Maradi in Niger Republic passing through Kazaure, Daura, Katsina, Jibia to Maradi; and secondly, Lagos to Calabar “Coastal Rail” through Ore, Benin, Agbor, Asaba, Onitsha, Sapele, Ughelli, Warri, Yenagoa, Otuoke, Port Harcourt, Aba, Uyo and Calabar. g. Test run and start full operations of the Abuja Capital Light Rail, which progress has reached 98% completion. 3. He promised a 12-week rapid intervention in road repairs to cover all the 6 geo-political zones through the newly reconstituted management of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA). "Government is undertaking repairs and maintenance of 44 roads within the six geo-political zones," He assured. 4. He vowed to construct/rehabilitate 25 major highways with funding from the N100billion SUKUK facility, especially: a. Oyo – Ogbomosho, b. Ofusu – Ore – Ajebandele – Shagamu, c. Yenagoa Road Junction – Kolo Otuoke – Bayelsa Palm, d. Enugu – Port Harcourt Dual Carriage Way, e. Onitsha – Enugu Expressway, f. Kaduna Eastern Bypass, g. Dualization of Kano – Maiduguri Road, h. Dualization of Abuja – Lokoja – Benin Road, i. Dualization of Suleja – Minna Road, j. Abuja – Kaduna – Zaria – Kano road. 5. He promised to increase power supply by: a. adding another 240MW to Afam Power Station this year through a private investment partnership. b. making the Katsina 10MW Wind Power Project fully operational this year. c. completing the Zungeru 700MW Hydroelectric Power Project in 2019. d. ensuring that transmission and other requirements to operate the 30MW Gurara Phase 1 Hydroelectric Plant, the 40MW Kashimbilla Hydroelectric Plant and the 215 MW Kaduna Gas/LPG/Diesel Power Plant are provided and also completed this year. e. constructing the 3,050MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project through a joint venture agreement with a Chinese Company and with a financing commitment from the government of China. Completion is targeted for 2023. 6. He promised to stop rice importation this year. 7. He avowed his government’s determination “to protect all Nigerians in line with our election pledge and promises.” 8. He promised laws that will ensure “tighter police methods and swift and severe punishment for those proved to be engaged in kidnapping are on the way.” 9. Regarding Niger Delta, he promised that his government will help in identifying and addressing genuine grievances of the region by engaging responsible leadership of the communities.

https://siakyblog.blogspot.com.ng/2018/01/2018-ambode-reveals-what-will-happen-to.html?m=1

2018: Ambode reveals what will happen to APC

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday said that 2018 would be another successful political year for All Progressives Congress, APC, in fulfilling its promises of developing the state.

Ambode made the promise in Lagos at the One Lagos Fiesta which started on Dec. 24 and ended on Jan. 1 at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island.

“Congratulations Lagosians as I welcome you into 2018.

“We have every reason to believe that this will be a remarkable and special year for every Lagosian and for our dear state.

“Without a doubt, 2018 will be a unique year in our political trajectory. The Lagos State Government shall not relent in fulfilling it’s promises to you.

“I urge you to expect the very best this New Year, a year that holds such a great promise for all of us,” the governor said.

Ambode wished every citizen, every family and every community a remarkable and prosperous year ahead.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 300 music artistes and comedians participated at the talent hunt competition where three people emerged as winners.

Ambode gave cash award of N500,000, N1,000,000 and N1,500,000 to the third, second and first winners, respectively.

Some of the musicians at the competition included DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Spinner, Adewale Ayuba, Humble Smith, Olamide, Wizkid, Adekunle Gold and Simi to mention a few.

Breaking: Secondus is new PDP Chairman

By Dirisu Yakubu ABUJA The elective convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came to an end in the early hours of Sunday, December 2017, with the election of Prince Uche Secondus who polled a total of 2000 votes. Secondus recorded a landslide victory as the first runner-up and former Education Minister, Professor Tunde Adeniran garnered a paltry 230 votes. Media mogul, Raymond Dokpesi polled 66 votes, with Professor Taoheed Adedoja trailing in the rear with no vote. The party also has a new National Secretary in Senator Umar Ibrahim Tsauri who polled a total of 1,549 votes to defeat Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha and Senator Nenadi Usman who garnered 371 and 287 votes respectively. Also elected into the National Working Committee (NWC) at Saturday delegate election was Senator Gamawa Babawo Garba who emerged the new Deputy National Chairman (North) beating former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Maryam Inna Ciroma, who many had tipped for the position. Senator Garbage got 1316 out of total vote cast while Ciroma polled 350 to settle for second spot on the log. Senator Saidu Kumo who also ran for the position came third after polling a total of 89 votes.

Five Candidates left in PDP Chairmanship Contest

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political editor Few minutes before the commencement of voting at the PDP national convention it was announced that three of the chairmanship candidates had withdrawn from the contest. The three who withdrew were Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Senator Rasheed Ladoja and Mr. Jimi Agbaje. The development has left six candidates vying for the number one position in the party. The six are Professor Tunde Adeniran, Prof Tahoed Adedoja, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, Prince Uche Secondus and Mr. Aderemi Olusegun. Chief Bode George who stepped down on Friday was not mentioned as having withdrawn as his withdrawal was made at a press conference and not directed to the Convention Planning Committee.