This present this after announced his ministers and their portfolios. Find full list below...

Abubakar Malami- Minister of Justice
Geoffrey Onyeama- Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mohammed Dan Ali- Minister f Defence
Adamu Adamu- Minister of Education
Anthony Anwuka- State minister of Education
Kemi Adeosun- Minister of Finance
Okechukwu Enelemah- Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment
Aisha Abubakar- State minister Industry, Trade and Investment
Chris Ngige- Minister of Labor and Employment



James Ocholi- State Minister of Labor and Employment
Mohammed Bello- FCT Minister
Abdulrahman Dambazzau- Interior Minister
Udoma Udo Udoma- Minister of Budget and National Planning
Zainab Ahmed- State Minister Budget and National Planning
Emmanuel Ibe Kachiukwu- State Minister Petroleum resources
Babatubde Fashola- Minister of Power, Works and Housing
Mustapha Shehuri- State minister Power, Works, and Housing
Audu Ogbeh- Minister of Agriculture and Rural development
Heineken Lokpobiri- State minister Agriculture and Rural Development
Chibuike Amaechi- Minister of Transportation
Hadi Sirika- State Minister Aviation
Isaac Folorunsho Adeoye- Minister of Health
Osagie Ehanire- State Minister Health
Aisha Alhassan- Minister of Women Affairs
Usani Uguru- Minister Niger Delta Affairs
Claudius Omoyele Daramola - State minister Niger Delta Affairs
Adebayo Shittu- Minister of Communication
Lai Mohammed- Minister of Information
Amina Mohammed - Minister of Environment
Ibrahim Jibrin- State Minister of Environment
Suleiman Adamu- Minister of Water Resources
Solomon Dalong- Minister of Youths and Sports
 Kayode Fayemi- Minister of Solid Mineral
Abubakar Bwari- State Minister Solid Minerals
Ogbonnaya Onu- Minister of Science and Technology

Already, some ministers–designate are beginning to test public opinion on the matter of whether or not to declare their assets publicly. Some of them are suggesting that they are not bound to follow the lead of President Muhammadu Buhari and his vice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. They argue that the constitution only requires them to make the declaration to the Code of Conduct Bureau and not public.

Feelers from the Presidency itself indicate that it was not in a position to compel the ministers to declare their assets publicly. In a way, the presidency may be right about its position on the matter. It is probable that the constitution is not making this demand on this group of public officers. It is also possible that it did not happen in the past that the ministers had to declare their assets publicly.

For the purpose of this discourse, let us even assume that the above scenario applies…

But members of the public may be compelled to make this demand on the officers aspiring to serve them regardless of what the constitution and the code of conduct say. In making that demand, the public may rely on the pledge by the ruling party that it is in power to bring about a change in certain attitudes so as to depart from the previous ways things were done in public life.

Besides, it is our view that on some issues, public will can override even the constitution. If it happens now and the ministers declare their assets publicly as is being demanded, the constitution and the law that set up the code of conduct bureau can be amended to formalise the process in line with the dictates of public opinion.

The public is morally bound to insist that since the office of the minister is a major organ for managing its resources, incomes and expenditures, it is proper for it to know that it can vouch for the integrity of those it is handing over such affairs to.

By civil service rules, the Permanent Secretary is the ministry’s chief accounting officer. But that is in theory because Nigerians know that no permanent secretary can disburse or dispense with one kobo without the minister’s say so. That has been made even more obvious in this Buhari administration where without ministers for almost six months, not much has been done in the ministries as most things require ministerial approval. If they are this important, is it not appropriate for the public to know who they are and what they owned prior to assuming office to enable it to do a comparative assessment of their possession before and after office? The issue here is moral not legal integrity.

There has been much talk about corruption in public offices and ways to check it. The ministries are always where the focus is. Anyone denying this fact is not sufficiently sincere. The ministers, as the political heads of their ministries, supervise the multibillion naira projects scattered across the country. The public has the right to know if they dipped their fingers in the till inappropriately while in office. To that extent, we are strongly of the opinion that, the public declaration of assets by ministers can neither be personal nor discretional.

Source: LEADERSHIP

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and his entire entourage on a four-day visit to India subjected to the golf-cart treatment. Is it fair to treat a visiting head of state like this? See More Photos below:
                                 

                                    
                                  

                                     

                                   

Photo Credit; Sahara Reporters

                                                   

A former minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has called on president Muhammadu Buhari to release the Director of pirate radio, Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, who was arrested on Saturday by Nigeria secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS).

Fani-Kayode took to his Facebook and Twitter pages few minutes ago to post the message below.

“I call on @MBuhari to release Nnamdi Kanu. It is unlawful to keep anyone in detention for more than 3 days without charging him to court

                                                         
President Muhammadu Buhari who has been quoted as saying he supports “the total implementation of the sharia in the country” yesterday said the country cannot practise certain prescribed punishment under the Islamic penal code.

According to him Nigerian law does not allow for “sharia punishments, such as stonings and amputations, adding: “I cannot change it. I haven’t been voted by [a] majority of Nigerians to change Nigerian constitution.”

Buhari spoke on wide-ranging issues in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera English’s flagship current affairs show, ‘UpFront’.

Asked about his record as a military dictator in the mid-1980s, and the alleged human-rights abuses which occurred on his watch, Buhari said: “If there is any injustice that can be proved against me when I was there, I will gladly apologise.”

The president refused, however, to concede that his now-notorious ‘war against indiscipline’ in the 1980s featured any such “injustice”.

Buhari had pledged to defeat Boko Haram by December but also acknowledged he would be willing to negotiate with the group to secure the release of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls.

“They have to prove to us that they are alive, they are well, and then we can… negotiate with them,” President Buhari told ‘UpFront’ host Mehdi Hasan.

“We said it and we meant it. If we are satisfied that the girls are alive.

Source: Leadership

President Muhammadu Buhari has said he will not resign if he does not fulfill his promise of defeating Boko Haram by December 2015

In a recent interview with Aljazeera, he acknowledged that he would be willing to negotiate with the Boko Haram group to secure the release of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls.

“They have to prove to us that they are alive, they are well, and then we can negotiate with them. We said it and we meant it. If we are satisfied that the girls are alive,” President Buhari told UpFront host Mehdi Hasan.

When asked whether he would offer financial payments, or a prisoner release, to Boko Haram in return for the girls, Buhari did not rule out either option. “Well it depends on the negotiations with the leadership of Boko Haram.”

The president has pledged to defeat Boko Haram by the end of 2015 and “as soon as the rainy season comes, which is by the end of the year… Boko Haram will virtually be out of their main stronghold and that will be the end of it …. Attacks by Boko Haram on townships, on military installations, will certainly stop.”

If Boko Haram isn’t defeated by December, however, Buhari said he “will not resign. I will be determined to stay and fight it out.”

The president claimed not to have seen the Amnesty International report from June 2015, ‘Nigeria: Stars on their shoulders: Blood on their hands’, in which the human-rights group documented abuses, torture and unlawful killings by the Nigerian armed forces and urged the government to prosecute a group of officers and senior commanders.

“I haven’t received that report personally,” said Buhari. “If I get those documents… I assure you that I will take action as Commander in Chief.”

Asked about his record as a military dictator in the mid-1980s, and the alleged human-rights abuses which occurred under his watch, Buhari said: “If there is any injustice that can be proved against me when I was there, I will gladly apologise.”

The president refused to concede that his now-notorious ‘war against indiscipline’ in the 1980s featured any such “injustice”.

The full interview will air of Aljazeera later today, October 16, by 7.30pm.

Meanwhile, fresh reports have it that the death toll of Friday morning’s deadly bomb blast in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, has risen to 26.

President Muhamamdu Buhari has stated that he would not be tempted to remove petroleum subsidy still full measures are in place to cushion the effect of such removal.

This disclosure was made by the group managing director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu when he addressed the Senate on Wednesday, October 14.

He noted that President Buhari can only entertain discussion on oil subsidy removal when all necessary palliatives are put in place, The Nation reports.

The NNPC boss disclosed that some people in the private sector are gunning for the removal of the subsidy an idea that the president had rejected.

He added that when he and the president were discussing on the issue of subsidy Buhari was particular about palliatives measures in health, education and transportation.

Kachikwu stressed that he totally agreed with the president stance saying unless there is necessary palliatives there would be need for the removal.

Meanwhile, the NNPC had cleared the air on the purported price reduction on Premium Motor Spirit from N57 per stating that the price remained N87 per litre.

The corporation made this known in a press statement released in Abuja describing the reports of price reduction as false and advised members of the public to ignore such news.

                                        

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the former president of Nigeria has said that Nigeria will win the war against Boko Haram the same way the country defeated Biafra secessionist during the civil war.

The civil war which occurred from 1967 to 1970 was an attempt by some states to break away from Nigeria and establish an independent Biafra state.

According to Daily Trust, the former president expressed optimism that the country would put an end to the insurgency. He said this on Monday, October 12 after briefing President Muhammadu Buhari on his delegation’s mission to study Columbia’s efforts in the fight against the country’s largest rebel group, FARC.

Obasanjo said it was not until every Boko Haram fighter had died before the country could claim to have defeated the insurgency. Rather, Boko Haram could be considered defeated as soon as the army had the upper hand and other measures had been put in place

                                                    

Obasanjo said: “Oh yes. If we won the civil war, we can win this one. But like the Columbian said, we are not waiting until we kill off every insurgent to say we have won. I believe that once the military has the upper hand, other measures that have to be taken will be put in place. There will be measures of socio-economic development, education, employment. All that has to go into the process of eventually winning the war and saying here is Uhuru”.

He also said that the three month target that the president gave to the army to defeat the insurgency would help them to have a focus.

“The president must give a target. When you give somebody a target, you give him something to aspire to, giving him an objective. Target is not cast in stone. I believe that if you are talking of getting the upper hand, gradually, we are getting the upper hand.
“We are not there yet, but we are getting close. And once we are getting upper hand, we move on and do other things.”

He also explained his reason for visiting the president

                                              

“I’ve come to see the president for two reasons. The first one is the one you’ve just seen. I brought a delegation of those of us who visited Columbia last year under the auspices of a foundation which I’m the chairman…We went to Columbia to see how the Columbian authorities were handling the issue of insurgency which had been with them for more than 50 years. As a result of that visit and the experience we had, a book was produced and I said to them that it would be interesting for us in Nigeria to learn as much as we can learn from the experience of Columbia.
“The second aspect of my visit was the work that both the president and the ECOWAS gave me in Guinea Bissau. The last time, we were able to resolve all the issues of getting a new Prime Minister. This time, we had also been able to resolve the issue of now forming a government.”

He added that he was enjoying his retirement.

“I am enjoying it wonderfully well. Otherwise, I will not be here with you.”

                                           

President Buhari sent Olusegun Obasanjo to Guinea Bissau to resolve the political apprehension that was going on in the country. The move was considered a way to strengthen Nigeria’s foreign policy in Africa.

President Muhammadu Buhari has hailed the commitment of teachers in Nigeria over their commitment and efforts in contributing to the country’s educational sector, while adding that his administration will improve the standard of teaching.
The president made the statement at the World Teachers’ Day celebration in Abuja today, October 5, read out by the Secretary to the government of the Federation, (SGF), Babachir Lawal, who stood in for him at the event.

Buhari also ordered that only those adequately prepared and regulated should be involved in teaching and learning process even as he said his government will empower teachers through federal government agencies.

The president opined that reforms in the education sector cannot function without a fundamental change of the attitude, orientation and behavior of teachers, The Nation reports.

He said: ”It is commonly acknowledge that the quality of learning depends, first and foremost, on the quality of teachers. Consequently, in 1966 the international community adopted a standard to promote quality teachers and teaching.

”In this new world order, knowledge is power and all the strategic sectors of society are expected to be manned only by individual whose capabilities and understanding of the sectors are not in any way doubtful.

”Logically therefore, like other professions, only those who are adequately prepared and regulated should be entrusted with the teaching and learning process.

“It is against this backdrop that the federal government has not relented in its efforts to improve the standard of teaching through the activities of agencies like the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria, National Teacher’s Institute, National Commission for Colleges of Education, National Universities Commission, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, and various faculties and departments of institutions of higher learning.

”These institutions are directed towards the realization of government’s goals in the improvement of quality of teacher education programs, registration and licensing processes and, the overall professionalization of teaching.

“However, this process cannot function without a fundamental change in the attitude, orientation and behavior of teacher towards greater values, ideals and practices.

President Muhammadu Buhari this afternoon arrived Abuja from New York where he attended the 70th UN General Assembly. More photos below:

As the nation awaits President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial list, the President on Tuesday said he would head the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

President Buhari while addressing some select reporters in New York on Tuesday, after addressing a Global Leaders’ Summit on Countering ISIL and Violent Extremism, he will remain the Minister of Petroleum.
He said the step is being taken as part of efforts to sanitise Nigeria’s oil industry which is said to be plagued by corruption, massive fraud, and crude oil theft.

He said:

“I will remain Minister of Petroleum.

“I will appoint a minister of State for Petroleum”.

Buhari restated his determination to sanitise Nigeria’s oil industry and free it from corruption and create more transparency.

He said that his first step in sanitizing the petroleum sector has already begun with the appointment of a new management for the NNPC and said that the prosecution of those who misappropriated NNPC’s funds is already in the works.

Buhari, who took office at the end of May promising to fight corruption, has made it clear he wants to overhaul the oil sector in Africa’s biggest economy, which provides the government with about 70% of its revenue.

The Nigerian leader, who had identified anti-graft war as one of his government’s priorities, explained that the aim of the move was to ensure eliminating corruption and massive theft in the sector.

The politician further vowed to start the probe of the corrupt officials of the past administrations involved in public funds stealing using the NNPC revenue.

President Buhari introduces former Governors Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State to his grandchildren during the Eid el-Kabir celebration in his ancestral home, in Daura, Kastina State Thursday.

Buhari will make history as the first Nigerian leader (since 1999), to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York on the first day of the event.

Buhari will address the Assembly on the same day as President Barrack Obama and presidents of other powerful countries of the United Nations.

The president left the shores of the country yesterday,  Thursday, September 24, from the Yar’Adua Airport in Katsina state with just 22 man delegation, will meet world leaders to discuss Boko Haram and rescue the nation’s economy.

Recall that Buhari recently made a three-day trip to Paris, France,where he spoke on the most challenging country problems and was quite specific about his plans.

Apart from addressing the United Nations General Assembly, the Nigerian president will also be speaking about the contributions of Nigeria to the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda.

The event tagged: “UN Sustainable Development Summit” will hold between September 25 and 27.

Buhari is also billed to attend the 11th Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting together with President of Dangote group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and President of the African Development Bank, Mr Akinwumi Adesina, Mr Tony Blair, and some others from September 26 to 29.

President Buhari joined other Muslim faithfuls to observe the Eid prayers in his village, Daura in Katsina state yesterday. 

President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Nigeria for New York on Thursday for a series of meetings and interactions with notable world leaders within and on the sidelines of the main events of the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

On the agenda of President Buhari’s talks, deliberations and interactions with the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, President Barack Obama of the United States, President Francois Hollande of France, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain,

Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President Vladmir Putin of Russia, President Xi Jinping of China, Prime Minister Narenda Modi of India and others will be domestic developmental issues, bilateral relations, the war against terrorism, countering violent extremism, the enhancement of global security, peace-keeping operations, climate change and the adoption of a post 2015 global development agenda.

President Buhari who will be accompanied by the Governors of Sokoto, Kaduna and Niger States, the National Security Adviser and the Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Finance, Health, Industry, Trade and Investment, will deliver Nigeria’s Statement to the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, September 28.

President Buhari is also scheduled to address the World Leaders Summit on Violent Extremism to which he was personally invited by Mr. Ban Ki Moon during the Secretary-General’s recent visit to Nigeria.

Also on the President busy schedule in New York are a meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, a High-Level Roundtable on South-South Cooperation organised by President Xi Jinping of China and the United Nations, and participation in the launching of an updated global health strategy for women and children.

On President Buhari’s schedule too are meetings with former President Bill Clinton of the United States, Mr. Bill Gates of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which is assisting Nigeria in several areas including polio eradication, and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain, the United Nations Special Envoy on Global Education who is one of the main drivers of the Safe Schools Initiative.

The President will concluded his visit to New York on Tuesday, September 29 and leave the city for Abuja on the same day. Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) September 22, 2015

APPARENTLY disturbed by the dwindling revenues of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari approved only N70million for this year’s Independence celebrations. Addressing journalists on Tuesday, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF made this revelation.

According to the SGF, Buhari reluctantly approved the N70m after complaining that he would have preferred the money is diverted for the payment of workers salaries.

He said the president had argued that the money was too much to be spent on frivolities such as celebrations when Nigerians are grappling to survive the present day economic stress .

He further explained that “this year’s celebration is, indeed low key because the present administration appreciates the economic hardship that Nigerians and the nation is confronted with today and he almost slashed it downward from N70m”.

“To address the situation, government has adopted a general policy to be very prudent in the management of our financial resources, so this year’s celebration is, therefore, in consonance with the cost-saving policy direction of this administration”.

Towards a successful celebration the SGF said “four events have been approved by the president to manage the entire celebration process”.

“The events are: Jumat prayers, international thanksgiving service, ceremonial change of guards and a children’s party”.

“Apart from these four events the president will also address the nation on Oct 1”.

“To ensure a successful commemoration, four sub-committees have been constituted to handle the preparations for each of the four events”

Source: Vanguard

A prominent Katsina state chief got a rude shock on Tuesday, September 22, when President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly rejected his trailer of rams sent as Sallah gift to Aso Rock.

President Buhari in a recent visit to his home state of Katsina
According to Newsrescue, the president a native of Katsina was reported to have ordered that the trailer be turned back and returned to the sender.

It was gathered that the chief who sent the rams is known to be a long time friend of President Buhari.

This action also confirms the president’s statement during his inauguration, where he stated that he belonged to everybody and to nobody.

President Buhari has been described by The Washington Post as probably the least corrupt president in Africa.

Meanwhile the president has reportedly approved about N70m for the celebration of this year’s Independence Day commemoration on October 1.

President Buhari, who is said to be under pressure following the dwindling revenues of the country, could only approve the said amount for the Independence celebrations.

President Muhammadu Buhari assured Nigerians Monday in Abuja that no amount of pressure will make him give up the war against corruption in the country. In an address to a group of Nigerians who marched to the Presidential Villa to pledge their full support for his administration’s anti-corruption campaign, President Buhari promised a relentless prosecution of the war against corruption, with due regard for the rule of law.

The President said that all persons charged with stealing the nation’s resources will have their day in court and that, upon conviction, their ill-gotten wealth will be seized and returned to government coffers

“I believe it is time for Nigeria to change course. That is why I sought election as President and got elected. As President, I am determined that Nigeria must move away from a course of endemic corruption that was leading us to perdition.

“There can be no question of our willfully allowing anyone to get away with corruption. No matter the pressure and entreaties, the anti-corruption war will continue and all accused persons will have their day in court,” the President said.

Welcoming the support of the group – Nigerians March Against Corruption, President Buhari, who was represented by his Special Adviser (Media & Publicity), Mr. Femi Adesina, also reaffirmed his commitment to curbing insecurity in the country and boosting employment opportunities for Nigerians, especially the youth.

He called for the continued support and solidarity of Nigerians as the present administration works to correct the wrongs of the past.

The Nigerians Against Corruption group led by Aisha Yesufu had condemned recent statements by some individuals against the President’s anti-corruption campaign.

They assured the President that the vast majority of ordinary Nigerians fully supported his ongoing efforts to curb corruption and urged him not to be deterred by the antics of those who do not share his laudable vision of a fairer, more equitable, corruption-free and progressive nation.

O.J. Abuah
For: Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
August 17, 2015

Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina has just taken to his Twitter account to disclose what had been said during the meeting between Muhammadu Buhari and Barack Obama.

In the first official encounter of the politicians, President Obama characterized his Nigerian colleague as a “man of integrity”.

Speaking further about the role of Nigeria on the African continent, Obama was quoted as saying by Adesina:

“Wherever Nigeria goes, Africa goes. The continent’s destiny is tied to Nigeria’s.”

The American president stressed the importance of keeping Nigeria united, because a divided country can never succeed.

“Turn the diversity of Nigeria to source of strength.”

Regarding the battle against Boko Haram insurgency, Obama advised Buhari to combine military action with social and economic programmes.

According to Sahara Reporters Obama expressed confidence:

“President Buhari has a very clear agenda of defeating Boko Haram and extremists of all sorts… and of rooting out the corruption that has too often held back the economic growth and prosperity of his country.”

Premium Times also reports with reference to Barack Obama that the US will partner with Nigeria so that the country “ends up being not only an anchor of prosperity and stability in the eastern part of the continent, but can also be an outstanding role model for developing countries around the world”.

He also said that he would discuss with Buhari the most effective ways of cooperation to end insurgency and how the American side can help Nigeria.

He further pledged US commitment to cooperating with Nigeria as long as the country “remains on course”.

See the extract from Obama’s speech as provided by The Punch:

“It is a great pleasure to welcome President Buhari and his delegation here in the White House for his first visit since the historic election that took place. Nigeria is obviously one of the most important countries in the world; one of the most important countries in the African continent.

“Recently, we saw an election in which a peaceful transition to a new government took place. Nevertheless, the people of Nigeria understand that only through a peaceful political process that change can take place.

“President Buhari came into office with reputation for integrity and a very clear agenda: that is to make sure that he brings safety, security and peace to his country. He is very concerned about the spread and the violence that is taking place there and the atrocities and has a very clear agenda in defeating Boko Haram and extremists.

“I want to emphasise how much I appreciate President Buhari’s work so far. I have seen him put together a team, so we can do everything that we can to help him succeed and help the people of Nigeria succeed.”

Obama also promised that his country would continue to assist Nigeria in ensuring political stability in the country, Africa and the world.

Buhari commended the US for putting pressure on the past administration led by former President Goodluck Jonathan to conduct credible election.

He said the free and fair elections conducted in Nigeria would not have been possible but for the US gesture.

He said Nigeria would forever remain grateful to the US for that action.

The President said, “The visit of the Secretary of State before the elections to see the former President, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the opposition was a positive trend that saw us through the elections.

“And the maintenance of pressure by United States mainly and Europe to make sure that the elections were free, fair and credible made us to be where we are now.

“It would have been almost impossible if the United States did not maintain the pressure on the former Nigerian Government.”

Apart from that, the American leader addressed members of Buhari’s entourage, urging the five accompanying governors, so as other officials, to assist President Buhari.

The Nigerian leader, on his part, thanked his colleague for the invitation and said that it was partially diplomatic pressure from the US and international community that helped Nigeria conduct democratic elections.

Nigerian President Muhammdu Buhari Arrives Washington DC With Entourage.