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  • Buhari confers national honours on 338 Nigerians

    Buhari confers national honours on 338 Nigerians

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the conferment of National honours on 338 Nigerians and friends of Nigeria to mark the country’s democratic transition.

    Mrs Ibiene Roberts, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, said this in a circular issued on Sunday in Abuja.

    “There is one person to be conferred with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), 21 names for Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), 78 names for the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).

    “Others are; 85 names for the Officer of the Order of Niger (OON), 52 names for the Member of the Order of Federal Republic (MFR), 22 names for the Member of the Order of Niger (MON, and 3 names for Federal Republic Medal (FRM 1).

    “All award recipients are to send hard and soft copies of their citations/resumes to the Secretary, National Honours Award Committee, Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs (FMSDIGA) on or before Wednesday, May.

    “They will thereafter come to the FMSDIGA office located at the Federal Secretariat, Phase 1, Central Business District for collection of their Certificates and Medals on Thursday June 1,” she said.

    Ibiene urged the recipients to call the Secretary of National Honours Awards Committee on the following contacts 0805938265, 08082182222 and 08034308817 for further enquiries and clarification. 

  • Ganduje inaugurates multi-million naira NUJ Plaza, Conference Hall

    Ganduje inaugurates multi-million naira NUJ Plaza, Conference Hall

    Outgoing Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje has inaugurated the Kano NUJ Plaza constructed by his administration and donated to the state Council of the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ).

    Ganduje also inaugurated the NUJ Conference Hall, also rehabilitated and modernised by his administration, to enable the union host local and international conferences in order to generate revenue to finance its services.

    Performing the two functions simultaneously at the NUJ Secretariat by Farm Centre Road in Kano on Sunday, the governor explained that his government constructed the plaza and rehabilitated the conference hall to appreciate and reward the good working relationship that existed between his administration and journalists in the state.

    Ganduje commended working journalists in the state for informing, educating, and enlightening the people of the state on the policies and programmes of his administration during its eight-year tenure.

    He said the government’s gesture would help to consolidate, enrich and sustain the good working relationship between the journalists and the government, and the people of the state.

    Earlier, the state’s outgoing Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Malam Muhammad Garba, thanked the governor for his immense contribution to his progression in both his journalism and public service careers, including his rise to become the President of the NUJ and the President of the West African Journalists Association (WAJA).

    Garba also appreciated the governor for appointing him as his Chief Press Secretary when he (Ganduje) was the Deputy Governor of Kano State, and also when he became governor appointed him as his Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, a position he held for eight years.

    He said the position enabled him to initiate and actualise the legacy projects – the Plaza and Conference Hall rehabilitation at the Kano NUJ secretariat, thanking the governor for constructing and donating the 24-shop plaza to the NUJ and modernising the conference hall for the union.

    The commissioner expressed delight that he was leaving behind the two legacy projects for which he will be remembered by working journalists and the people of the state for a long time to come.

    In their separate remarks, the President of the NUJ, Mr Chris Isuguzo, who was represented by the NUJ Deputy National President, Malam Alasan Yaya, and the Chairman of Kano NUJ, Malam Abbas Ibrahim, also thanked the Ganduje for the gesture.

    Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of awards to both the governor and Garba for their good services to humanity. 

  • EPL Final Day: Everton survive; Leicester, Leeds relegated to Championship

    *Arsenal finish on a high, Man City lose; Liverpool, Chelsea draw

    Everton survived relegation at the death after beating Bournemouth 1-0 at Goodison Park on Sunday, in the final day of the 2022/23 season.

    Everton required a win against Bournemouth to ensure Premier League safety on an afternoon of nerve-shredding tension at Goodison Park.

    Sean Dyche’s side knew victory would guarantee survival irrespective of events elsewhere, but for a time they were in the drop zone as they struggled to break down Bournemouth and Leicester City were beating West Ham United.

    Everton finally ended the deadlock after 57 minutes as Abdoulaye Doucoure sparked an explosion of elation and relief inside an emotionally-charged Goodison Park with a powerful right-foot finish from 20 yards that gave Bournemouth keeper Mark Travers no chance of saving it.

    As the tension mounted, Everton survived a couple of Bournemouth near misses and an agonising 10 minutes of stoppage time before they could confirm they would be extending their 69-year stay in English football’s top tier.

    Leicester City’s nine-year stay in the Premier League came to an end as they were relegated in agonising fashion despite beating West Ham on the final day of the season.

    The Foxes’ fate was out of their hands heading into the last round of fixtures, and Everton’s 1-0 victory over Bournemouth meant the 2015-16 winners slipped into the Championship by two points.

    While Toffees fans were in ecstasy at Goodison Park, Leicester supporters at the King Power were left to rue a miserable campaign in which they won only nine league matches.

    Knowing they needed a win to have any chance of staying up, Leicester went close early on when Kelechi Iheanacho exchanged passes with James Maddison before clipping the crossbar with a vicious, curling effort.

    The hosts did break the deadlock through Harvey Barnes’ cool finish from Iheanacho’s pass to lead at half-time, and at that stage they were staying up on goal difference.

    Jonny Evans almost headed into his own net in a nerve-jangling second half, but the stadium was silenced when word filtered through about Everton scoring.

    In other results at the top, runners up Arsenal demolished Wolverhampton Wanderers 5-0, Man City lost 1-0 Champions Man City lost 1-0 to Brentford, Chelsea drew 1-1 against Champions League new entrant Newcastle, Man United beat Fulham 2-1, while Liverpool played an eight goal thriller against relegated Southampton 4-4.

    In other results, Crystal Palace were held by Nottingham Forest 1-1, Tottenham sealed Leeds’ relegation with a 1-4 win, while Leicester’s 2-1 win at the King Power Stadium was inconsequential as they would play in the Championship next season.

    PREMIER LEAGUE FINAL DAY RESULTS

    Arsenal 5-0 Wolves
    Everton 1-0 Bournemouth  
    Leeds 1-4 Tottenham  
    Leicester 2-1 West Ham
    Aston Villa 2-1 Brighton
    Brentford 1-0 Man City
    Man United 2-1 Fulham
    Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle
    Southampton 4-4 Liverpool
    C. Palace 1-1 Nott’m Forest

  • How TETFUND paints Benue with projects

    The TETFund official train currently moving around the country to inspect and or commission projects recently made a three-day stopover in Benue State of Central Nigeria.

    It was such an impactful engagement that the people have not stopped eulogizing President Muhammadu Buhari for uplifting the educational horizon and broadening opportunities in the State, especially the Benue South Senatorial District, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

    The TETFund executive train, driven by its Executive Secretary, Arc. Sunny Togo Echono, first pulled to a stop at the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, JOSTUM, (formerly Federal University of Agriculture) Makurdi, where Chairman House of Representatives Committee on TETFund, Hon Aminu Suleiman, led the team to inspect four projects worth N1.20 billion which had been executed during the tenure of Prof Richard Kimbir as Vice-Chancellor.

    They were: a Laboratory/Workshop Block for Entrepreneurship Development Centre; Female and Male Hostel Blocks; as well as an Academic Office Building for College of Agronomy.

    The new Vice Chancellor, Prof Isaac Itodo, was beside himself with joy as he expressed gratitude to TETFund for the projects.

    Still in the State capital, Arc Sunny Echono moved over to the state owned Benue State University (BSU) where Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume, a former Governor of the State, represented President Muhammadu Buhari to commission six gigantic Projects to the tune of 02.60 billion naira. These included one Academic Office Building; a Block of Offices at College of Health Sciences; Faculty of Education Complex; as well as the Health and Counceling Development Centre and the Centre for Research and Innovation. The TETFund Executive Secretary informed the audience at BSU that the Federal Government has made huge investments in Education, between 2011 and 2021 especially, adding that in Benue State BSU, JOSTUM, Benue Polytechnic, Colleges of Education in Katsina Ala and Oju, plus the newly established Federal Polytechnic at Wannune, have all been granted various developmental approvals awaiting releases.

    In his own remarks, Senator Akume thanked TETFund for having sponsored thousands of Lecturers in Benue tertiary Institutions for postgraduate courses both within and outside Nigeria, as well as to attend internal and foreign Academic conferences.

    Prof Joe Iorapuu, BSU Vice Chancellor, made a case for more TETFund intervention to enable the University achieve her expansion Program.

    From Makurdi, the TETFund train moved to Otukpo on Friday 12th May, with the Executive Secretary expertly deploying his great wealth of experience as a construction expert, to navigate the unmotorable Makurdi-Otukpo interstate highway. Even at that, the entourage still spent two and half hours on the hundred kilometers stretch.

    In Otukpo, the ancient capital of the Idoma people, the TETFund team inspected the ongoing remodeling of an Office Complex belonging to the Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo. It is also a TETFund sponsored Project under the 2022 Special Impact Intervention Projects.

    Arc Sunny Echono, while in Otukpo, also visited HRM Och’Idoma V, Agabaidu John Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji to deliver a special message from President Muhammadu Buhari.

    At the newly reconstructed Och’Idoma Palace, glowing in its new splendor, Arc Sunny Echono presented the paramount ruler of the Idoma people a letter from Mr President appointing him Chancellor of the Federal University of Otuoke, Bayelsa State. President Buhari, in the letter, said the appointment was based on the enviable track records of the royal father, in addition to his leadership qualities, integrity, commitment to the development of education and the sustenance of peace and stability of Nigeria.

    Accepting the offer, Agabaidu John Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji expressed his utmost gratitude to Mr President for finding him worthy of the prestigious position. He also thanked Arc Echono for doing so much towards the development of Nigeria, especially Benue State.

    The TETFund Executive Secretary had earlier sent a heartfelt congratulatory message to the Och’Idoma in which he recognized that the highly revered position of Chancellor in the University system “personifies the highest ideals of the University, encompassing its vision, purpose, and relevance to society”. In his letter of congratulations, Arc Echono also stressed that as a royal father, the Chancellor would provide the moral compass to productively engage all segments of the University, and also act as the stabilizing antidote in times of inevitable crises. “As the custodian of our culture and traditions, you represent a veritable tool for national integration and cohesion, giving shape and direction to the University”, the Executive Secretary added.

    Saturday, May 13th 2023, marked the last phase of the three-day TETFund visit to Benue State. Obagaji town, headquarters of Agatu  Local Government Area, hosted the team to the commissioning of the TETFund built National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Obagaji Study Center, as well as the Foundation Laying Ceremony of an Information Communication Technology (ICT) Center and Perimeter Fence.

    At Obagaji, Arc Sunny Echono pointed out, in his speech, that education represented the greatest love anyone could bequeath to children. He said the NOUN OBAGAJI STUDY CENTER would provide access to Education for those who otherwise could not attend regular Universities, thanking the Hon Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, for graciously increasing the number of Study Centers in the country.

    HRM Och’Idoma expressed joy that in addition to education, employment opportunities would also be extended to the people in the area through the establishment of the Obagaji Study Center of the NOUN, advising the people Agatu to take full advantage of the facilities.

    Others who appreciated TETFund included Deputy Governorship candidate of PDP in the 2023 elections, Hon Sir John Ngbede, and Rt Hon Solomon Agidani.

    Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo (FUHSO), Prof Innocent Ujah, mni, OON, very ably represented by the Vice Chancellor Academics, Prof Steve Abah, extolled the developmental disposition of the TETFund Executive Secretary, saying that his engagements so far clearly point to the direction of his leadership traits.

    In similar vein the JOSTUM Vice Chancellor, Prof Isaac Itodo, described Arc Sunny Echono as a pragmatic Patriot who is out to advance easy and fast learning across Nigeria.

    Prof Joel Eriba, Provost of the Federal College of Education, Odugbo, called for support for Arc Echono who, he told the audience, has taken up the education of Nigerian youths as his personal challenge.

    The Auditorium and Academic Blocks were commissioned by HRM Agabaidu Och’Idoma and Prof Isaac Itodo respectively, while former Ambassador to Algeria, Amb Mohammed Mabdul, laid the foundation for the ICT Building.

    Highlight of the roundup at Obagaji was the decoration of TETFund Executive Secretary, Arc Sunny Togo Echono, in the red and black Idoma cultural attire, by HRM Agabaidu for “his great contributions to Idomaland”.

    To the glory of God the TETFund train touched down safely in Abuja the evening of 13th May, 2023.

    Benue people are hoping for many of such awesome visits.

  • Gov Sanwo-Olu, Deputy declare assets

    L-R: Board member representing South West zone, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Professor Samuel Ogundare; former Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulsalam Taofeek Olawale; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Lagos State Director, CCB, Mrs O Popoola, when Governor Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy submitted their Assets Declaration Forms ahead of May 29 inauguration, at Lagos House, Marina, on Saturday

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, at the weekend, submitted their Asset Declaration Forms.

    The development is in compliance with Paragraph 11 Part 1 to the 5th Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which mandates political office holders to declare their assets on assumption and at the end of their term in office.

    Sanwo-Olu and his deputy had, by their action, satisfied Section 185(1) of the same Constitution that made it paramount for the political office holders to declare their assets before they take the oath of office.

    The asset declaration was administered to the governor and the deputy by Prof. Samuel Ogundare, Board Member representing South West zone, and witnessed by Rt. Hon. Taofeek Abdulsalam, member, and Mrs. O. Popoola, Lagos State Director of the Code of Conduct Bureau.

    In compliance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that mandates political office holders to declare their assets on assumption and at the end of their term in office,

    ”My deputy and I have satisfied that necessary requirement before we take the oath of office.

    ”Thank you Prof. S.F Ogundare, the board member representing South West zone, for administering the assets declaration process.

    ”I also thank Rt. Hon. Taofeek Olawale Abdulsalam, member, and Mrs. O Popoola, Lagos State Director of the Code of Conduct Bureau for being witnesses,” the governor said. 

  • 1,556 drivers’ licences unclaimed in Kano- FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has disclosed that no fewer than 1,556 processed and valid drivers’ licences are yet to be claimed by their applicants in Kano State.

    The FRSC Public Relations Officer in Kano State, Mr Abdullahi Labaran, disclosed this in Kano on Sunday.

    Labaran deplored the careless attitude of motorists in the state to safety on the roads.

    He said that with the level of exposure of people in the state, it was bewildering that motorists refused to collect their processed and valid driver’s licence.

    He explained that some of the unclaimed licences had been at the state’s Board of Internal Revenue office for years now.

    ”We will ensure that only duly tested and procedurally examined drivers ply our roads to ensure safety of all road users,’’ he said.

    On the ongoing “Operation Show Your Valid Drivers’ Licence”, the Public Relations Officer said that the ongoing operation and weekly mobile court sitting had been hitch-free and yielding positive fruit.

    ”We discovered that some driver’s licences had expired for between two and four years running and these drivers have been evading fines and prosecution.

    ”We impound the defaulting driver’s vehicle until the drivers were given public enlightenment and advised to go through the driving licence issuance processes and procedures as stipulated and get a fresh driver’s licence.” 

  • I’m 12% poorer since I assumed office, says Makinde

    Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said he is poorer by 12 percent in the last four years as governor of the state.

    Makinde made this known on Sunday while speaking with newsmen in Ibadan.

    He told them that he submitted his Asset Declaration form at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) office, situated on State Secretariat, Total Garden Road, on Friday in Ibadan.

    Makinde, on assumption of office in 2019, had declared N48 billion worth of assets.

    He, however, did not reveal the details of his assets but told newsmen that in due time it will all be revealed to the public.

    In compliance with Paragraph 11 Part 1 to the fifth schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a governor is mandated to declare his assets at the end of the first tenure.

    “By law, I have to do a Declaration of Assets at the end of my first tenure and before assuming office for the next tenure.

    “So, I have gone to CCB office to submit my Assets Declaration form at the end of my first tenure and also my assets at the beginning of the second tenure.

    “You are all aware of my Assets Declaration for the first tenure.

    “I can tell you that in the last four years, I’m poorer by 10 to 12 percent.

    “This is because, I have not really have the chance to look after my business.

    “We have been looking after Oyo State business; so, I’m not surprised that there were losses a bit here and there, but I’m still okay,” Makinde said.

    Makinde’s Deputy, Chief Bayo Lawal, also went with the governor to submit his own Assets Declaration form.

    Meanwhile, the inauguration of Makinde as the Chief Executive Governor for the second term will come up on Monday at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke-Ado, Ibadan.

  • I’m leaving Nigeria better than I met it in 2015 – Buhari

    *President bids farewell to Nigerians on Sunday morning

    President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that he is leaving office with Nigeria better in 2023 than he met it in 2015.

    The president stated this in a farewell broadcast to the nation on Sunday in Abuja.

    Buhari, therefore, expressed appreciation to all those that provided their support and encouragement to help him navigate the exciting journey in moving Nigeria forward.

    “I also want to use this opportunity to express my appreciation to a good number of Nigerians who provided their support and encouragement to help me navigate the exciting journey in moving Nigeria forward.

    “I cannot and will not forget the millions who prayed for me during my illness in my first term of office. I am constantly praying for you and for Nigeria to thrive in peace.

    “As I retire home to Daura,  Katsina State, I feel fulfilled that we have started the Nigeria re-birth by taking the initial critical steps and I am convinced the incoming administration will quicken the pace of this walk to see a Nigeria that fulfills its destiny to be a great nation,” he said.

    The outgoing Nigerian leader also used the opportunity of the broadcast to briefly list some of the achievements of his administration in the last eight years.

    On the international scene, Buhari noted that Nigeria’s influence had continued to grow as exemplified by notable Nigerians occupying headship and leadership positions in renowned global bodies.

    He also saluted the cordial relationship between the executive and legislative arms of the government, while commending the leadership and members of the National Assembly for their support and cooperation.

    He said: ”Our democracy is built on and continues to thrive on the principles of separation of powers.

    “The leadership and members of the National Assembly deserve my appreciation for their patriotism which did not detract from their roles as a check to the executive arm.”

    To improve service delivery, the president stated that his administration began the implementation of a number of reforms aimed at producing ”an Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-oriented (EPIC) Federal Civil Service and the results are beginning to show.”

    On security challenges, Buhari said his administration had been able to reduce the incidences of banditry, terrorism, armed robbery and other criminal activities considerably.

    “Our battle to ensure that all Nigerians live in a safe and secure environment has achieved considerable results.

    “As I complete my term in office, we have been able to reduce the incidences of banditry, terrorism, armed robbery and other criminal activities considerably,” he said.

    The president, however, called on the citizens to sustain the gains made so far by being more vigilant and support the security agencies by ensuring that ”nation’s values defined by being your brothers’ keeper govern our actions.”

    Buhari again expressed sadness over those citizens still in captivity, saying the security agencies had intensified efforts to rescue them unharmed.

    “’Up till now, I still grieve for our children still in captivity, mourn with parents, friends and relatives of all those that lost loved ones in the days of the senseless brigandage and carnage.

    “For all those under unlawful captivity our security agencies are working round-the-clock to secure their release unharmed.”

    On the fight against corruption in the last eight years, Buhari said: ”Fellow Nigerians, you know how dear the desire in my heart is, to rid the country of corrupt practices that had consistently diminished our efforts to be a great country.

    “I did pursue this commitment relentlessly, in spite of the expected push back.

    “I am happy that considerable progress had been made in repatriating huge sums of money back to the country and also taken over properties illegally acquired from our commonwealth.”

    Below is President Buhari’s farewell speech:

    My fellow Nigerian brothers, sisters, and friends of Nigeria.

    1. I address you today, in my last assignment as a democratically elected President of our great and well-endowed nation, with a deep sense of gratitude to God, a great deal of appreciation to the Nigerian people, and a modest sense of fulfilment.
    2. Today we mark and celebrate another peaceful transition of power from one elected government to another in our steady march to improve and sustain Nigeria’s democracy.
    3. This year we witnessed the most keenly contested presidential elections since the First Republic, and this demonstrates that our democracy is getting better and more entrenched with each election.
    4. We must, as a nation, improve and sustain gains we make in the electoral process, on an incremental basis for Nigeria to take its rightful place among nations.
    5. Our democracy provides for, allows and encourages seeking redress for perceived injustices, enabling some candidates and political parties that did not agree with the results to go to court.
    6. Irrespective of the outcome of the various cases, I urge all parties involved to accept the decision of our courts and join hands to build a better Nigeria.
    7. I salute the doggedness and resilience of all the presidential candidates and their political parties for believing in our judicial system by taking their grievances with the election results to court.
    8. In the course of the campaigns, we had argued and disagreed on how to make Nigeria better, but we never disagreed or had any doubts that Nigeria has to be better.
    9. As your President, I call on all of us to bring to bear the strength of our individualism, the power of our unity, the convictions of our beliefs to make Nigeria work better and together with one spirit and one purpose.
    10. To my brother, friend and fellow worker in the political terrain for the past ten years – Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu – I congratulate you on the realisation of your dream, which was propelled by a burning passion to put Nigeria amongst the leading nations of the world.
    11. You have indeed worked for this day, and God has crowned your efforts. I have no doubt that your passion for excellence, reliance on competence, fairness in relationships, commitment to equity, loyalty to the country, and desire for Nigeria to be globally relevant would come through for you, under God’s guidance, as you lead our country to levels higher than I am leaving.
    12. You are the best candidate among all the contestants, and Nigerians have chosen well.
    13. The last eight years have been an exciting experience in my desire and commitment to see a Nigeria in which public goods and services are available and accessible within a united, peaceful, and secure nation.
    14. Fellow Nigerians, on the strength of your overwhelming support for me and my political party, I started this journey with a great deal of promise and expectation from you. I never intended to be just politically correct but to do the correct things that will make meaningful impact on the lives of the common Nigerian.
    15. This high expectation was not misplaced because, like the ordinary Nigerian, I had grown tired of watching the country progressively moving away from the path of correctness.
    16. To ensure that our democracy remains resilient and our elected representatives remain accountable to the people, I am leaving behind an electoral process which guarantees that votes count, results are credible, elections are fair and transparent, and the influence of money in politics reduced to the barest minimum. And Nigerians can elect leaders of their choice.
    17. We are already seeing the outcome of this process, as it provided an even playing field where persons without any political godfather or access to money defeated other well-resourced candidates.
    18. The Nigerian economy has become more resilient due to the various strategies put in place to ensure that our economy remained afloat during cases of global economic downturns.
    19. You would all recall the supply chain disruptions and economic downturn that the world witnessed between 2020 and 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The deftness of our response to the pandemic still remains a global best practice.
    20. Furthermore, we increased the ability of the poor and rural Nigerians to earn a living, provided more food for millions in our villages, and gave our women opportunities to earn a living.
    21. Young men and women in urban centres were also supported to put their skills into productive use. Our administration also provided an enabling environment for the private sector to engage in businesses for which their return on investment is guaranteed.
    22. The private sector proved a strong partner in our drive to build a resilient and sustainable economy, as evidenced by the growing number of turn-key projects in various sectors of the economy.
    23. In the course of revamping the economy, we made some difficult choices, most of which yielded the desired results. Some of the measures led to temporary pain and suffering, for which I sincerely apologised to my fellow countrymen, but the measures were taken for the over-all good of the country.
    24. Mindful of the need to ensure adequate infrastructure to drive economic growth, we completed age-long projects and processes, notably amongst which are the Petroleum Industry Act, completion of some power projects, completion of the second Niger Bridge, and various important roads linking cities and states.
    25. Our battle to ensure that all Nigerians live in a safe and secure environment has achieved considerable results. As I complete my term in office, we have been able to reduce the incidences of banditry, terrorism, armed robbery and other criminal activities considerably.
    26. To sustain the gains made so far, I call on all Nigerians to be more vigilant and support the security agencies by ensuring that our values, defined by being your brothers’ keeper govern our actions.
    27. Up till now, I still grieve for our children still in captivity, mourn with parents, friends and relatives of all those that lost loved ones in the days of the senseless brigandage and carnage. For all those under unlawful captivity our security agencies are working round the clock to secure their release unharmed.
    28. Fellow Nigerians, you know how dear the desire in my heart is, to rid the country of corrupt practices that had consistently diminished our efforts to be a great country.
    29. I did pursue this commitment relentlessly, in spite of the expected pushback. I am happy that considerable progress had been made in repatriating huge sums of money back to the country and also taken over properties illegally acquired from our commonwealth.
    30. To improve service delivery, we began the implementation of a number of reforms aimed at producing an Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-oriented (EPIC) Federal Civil Service and the results are beginning to show.
    31. On the international scene, Nigeria’s influence continues to grow, as exemplified by notable Nigerians occupying headship and leadership positions in renowned global bodies.
    32. Our democracy is built on and continues to thrive on the principles of separation of powers. The leadership and members of the National Assembly deserve my appreciation for their patriotism, which did not detract from their roles as a check to the executive arm.
    33. I also want to use this opportunity to express my appreciation to a good number of Nigerians who provided their support and encouragement to help me navigate the exciting journey in moving Nigeria forward.
    34. I cannot and will not forget the millions who prayed for me during my illness in my first term of office. I am constantly praying for you and for Nigeria to thrive in peace.
    35. As I retire home to Daura, Katsina State, I feel fulfilled that we have started the Nigeria Re-Birth by taking the initial critical steps, and I am convinced the in-coming administration will quicken the pace of this walk to see a Nigeria that fulfils its destiny to be a great nation.
    36. I am confident that I am leaving office with Nigeria better in 2023 than in 2015.
    37. I thank you all. And may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Children’s Day Celebration: Photo News

    Students of Britarch Schools, during a match pass at the 2023 National Children’s Day celebration at Old Parade Ground in Abuja on Saturday.
    The Speaker, 7th assembly, National Children’s Parliament, Progress Umoh; the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen and Deputy Speaker of the National Children’s parliament, Ibrahim Sunomi, during the 2023 National Children’s Day celebration at Old Parade Ground in Abuja on Saturday.
    Representatives of the Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat (M) with outstanding students in Lagos State in 2023, during the Children Day Celebration at Police College Ikeja in Lagos on Saturday.
    Students of Queens College performing, during the 2023 Children Day celebration at Police College Ikeja in Lagos on Saturday.
    President Queens Enugu Old Girls Association (QEOGA), Lady Maureen Atuonwu (4th L sitting) with some executive members of QEOGA and Students of Queens Secondary school Enugu, during menstrual hygiene lecture and presentation of menstrual pads to students to celebrate World Menstrual Hygiene Day and Children’s Day hosted by QEOGA in Enugu on Saturday.
    President of Queens Enugu Old Girls Association (QEOGA), Mrs Maureen Atuonwu (L), addressing students of Queens Secondary school, during Children’s Day celebration organised by QEOGA in Enugu on Saturday.
    The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen (L), with former FCT APC Senatorial Aspirant, Adedayo Benjamin-Laniyi, during the 2023 National Children’s Day celebration at Old Parade Ground in Abuja on Saturday.

  • May 29: Gov Buni pardons 115 inmates

    As part of activities lined up for his inauguration on Monday, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has granted pardons to 115 inmates serving different jail terms in the state.

    Addressing the inmates in Potiskum on Saturday, a former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in the state, Saleh Samanja, disclosed that their fines ranging from N10,000 to N500,000 had been settled by the Yobe State Government.

    Samanja charged them to ensure they went back to school or learnt trades, saying their characters were found satisfactory while serving.

    The inmates incarcerated across three correctional centres in Potiskum, Nguru and Gashua, included two females and 113 males between the ages of 20 and 40 years.