LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPER
President Muhammadu Buhari explained this morning why he eventually sent the list of the first batch of his ministerial nominees to the National Assembly for the Senate late yesterday.
According to him, the procedure for handing over to his government by the immediate past administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan contributed to the delay in the appointment of cabinet members.
Buhari who made this explanation in a nationwide address broadcast live on national television and radio station at 7am this morning noted that he was not unaware of the anxiety and heat generated both home and abroad by the delay in appointing his ministers.
He also hinted that he was yet to complete the nomination of ministers, saying he would forward additional names to the Senate for confirmation in due course.
“Anyway, the wait is over. The first set of names for ministerial nominees for confirmation has been sent to the Senate. Subsequent lists will be forwarded in due course. Impatience is not a virtue,” the president stated.
Explaining the delay in ministerial appointments, President Buhari restated that his administration inherited a plethora of problems that are urgently seeking to be quickly addressed if the country must move forward in terms of growth and development.
He said, “Fellow Nigerians, there has been a lot of anxiety and impatience over the apparent delay in the announcement of ministers. There is no cause to be anxious. Our government set out to do things methodically and properly.
“We received the handing over notes from the outgoing government only four days before taking over. Consequently, the Joda Transition Committee submitted its report on the reorganization of federal government structure after studying the handover notes.
“It would have been haphazard to announce ministers when the government had not finalized the number of ministries to optimally carry the burden of governance.
“Order is more vital than speed. Careful and deliberate decisions after consultations get far better results. And better results for our country is what the APC government for change is all about.”
Buhari reiterated that he bore no grudges against anybody and that his government was not after anyone.
“As I said in my inaugural speech, I bear no ill will against anyone on past events. Nobody should fear anything from me. We are not after anyone. People should only fear the consequences of their actions. I hereby invite everyone, whatever his or her political view, to join me in working for the nation. he stated.
On the problems his government inherited, Buhari said, “We have seen in the last few years how huge resources were mismanaged, squandered and wasted. The new APC government is embarking on a clean up, introducing prudence and probity in public financing.
“At an early stage, the federal government addressed the issue of salary arrears in many states, a situation capable of degenerating into social unrest. The APC government stepped in to provide short-term support to the owing states and enabled them to pay off the backlog and restore the livelihood of millions of Nigerians”.
Buhari, however, reassured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to meticulously execute projects that would impact positively on their lives, adding that the country cannot afford any avoidable mistakes.
He implored Nigerians to be patient and team up with the government to deliver on the dividend of democracy to the citizens, irrespective of their political affiliation.
“I would like to end my address this morning on our agenda for Change. Change does not just happen. You and I and all of us must appreciate that we all have our part to play if we want to bring change about,” he stated.
The president noted that for positive change to take place, Nigerians must be ready to change their lawless habits and attitudes to public office and other government establishments.
“We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly behaviour in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices. To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens,” he noted.
Buhari further noted that October 1 was a day for joy and celebrations for Nigerians despite the circumstances they find themselves “because it is the day, 55 years ago, we liberated ourselves from the shackles of colonialism and began our long march to nationhood and to greatness.
“No temporary problems or passing challenges should stop us from honoring this day. Let us remind ourselves of the gifts God has given us. Our Creator has bequeathed to us numbers – Nigeria is the ninth most populated country on the planet,” he added.
The president, however, observed that in spite of all the attributes of a great nation, Nigeria is not there yet because of the one commodity it had been unable to exploit to the fullest – unity of purpose.
“This would have enabled us to achieve not only more orderly political evolution and integration but also continuity and economic progress. Countries far less endowed have made greater economic progress by greater coherence and unity of purpose.
“Nonetheless, that we have remained together is an achievement we should all appreciate and try to consolidate. We have witnessed this year a change in our democratic development. The fact that an opposition party replaced an entrenched government in a free and fair election is indicative of the deeper roots of our democratic system.
“Whatever one’s views are, Nigerians must thank former President Jonathan for not digging-in in the face of defeat and thereby saving the country untold consequences,” Buhari said.
Anxiety as Saraki receives ministerial list from PMB
At last, the Senate yesterday received the list of ministerial nominees from President Muhammadu Buhari after much expectations by senators and Nigerians.
There was palpable tension in the Senate yesterday as lawmakers waited in anticipation for Buhari’s ministerial list.
The ministerial list had Nigerians waiting in anticipation of who will make the list. Political watchers believe the ministerial list will give Buhari’s administration a sense of direction.
Senate President Bukola Saraki, on his official twitter handle, tweeted at exactly 5:20pm yesterday that the list had been received by him, saying, “I can confirm that I just received the list of ministerial nominees from President Muhammedu Buhari.” Saraki had earlier, during the waiting game over the ministerial list , tweeted at about 4pm that he was yet to receive the list, debunking reports that the list had already been with the Senate yesterday morning.
However, the chief of staff to the president, Abba Kyari, alongside special adviser on National Assembly Matters, Ita Enang, presented the list to Saraki in a sealed envelope at his office in the Senate.
List contains 21 names
LEADERSHIP gathered that the list contains 21 names and in line with the Senate tradition, the identity of the nominees would not be disclosed till Tuesday next week when Saraki will read the names at plenary.
LEADERSHIP recalls that President Buhari had, during his visit to United States of America in July, told journalists that he will name his cabinet members in September, a promise he further repeated in Ghana early last month – that Nigerians will know his ministers by the end of September.
At the beginning of the plenary yesterday, senators waited in anticipation for Saraki to read out the list, only for him to read the list from the South West APC Caucus which endorsed Senator Sola Adeyeye as chief whip.
The development prompted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators, through the minority leader, Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North West), to seek clarification.
Akpabio who came through a point of order, under matters of urgent national importance, asked the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, why he did not announce any communication from the president on ministerial nominees as widely expected and in line with the president’s promise.
He noted that the nation’s newspapers, in the last couple of weeks, had been awash with stories of ministerial appointments by the president. He further asked the Senate president why he received the list from President Buhari only to hide it from his colleagues.
As Saraki attempted to answer Akpabio’s question, deputy Senate leader, Ibn Bala Na’Allah (APC, Kebbi South), raised another point of order, upon which he explained that the day was still young, adding that since the day’s session ends by 12:30pm, there was still the hope that the president would transmit the list of ministerial nominees to the Upper Chamber before the close of the session.
He also said since the day ends by 11:59pm, there was still hope that the list could come before the time.
Ministerial List: Ita Enang in Aso Rock
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday evening handed the list of ministerial nominees to his senior special assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, for onward transmission to the Senate.
Enang, who was at the president’s office to see him, was unable to see Buhari who had gone to his official residence soon after arriving from New York.
As the presidential aide was proceeding to the office of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, he refused to speak with journalists on why he was in Aso Rock and whether he had been given the ministerial list for onward transmission to the Senate.
“Mba, mba”, Enang jokingly replied, meaning “no, no” in Igbo language; and when pressed further to talk, he simply said, “thank you, thank you”.
Buhari, who returned to Abuja from New York after attending the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly, was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport by the vice president; governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari; his chief of staff, Abba Kyari; service chiefs and the inspector-general of police; permanent secretary of the Federal Capital Territory, John Chukwu, and a former member of the House of Representatives, Abike Dabiri-Erenwa.
Nigeria@55: Reps seek political solution to Saraki’s travails
Congratulate Nigerians on independence anniversary
Nigeria house of reps
The House of Representatives has called for a political solution to the ongoing travails of Senate President Bukola Saraki, with a call to all institutions of government to be guided by the rule of law in order to avoid being used to undermine any arm of government.
The House also mandated its speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari over the ongoing trial of the Senate president with the aim of finding a “political solution” to all outstanding issues relating to the National Assembly and protecting the institution of the legislature.
The majority’s decision followed a motion on matter of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Raphael Igbokwe (PDP, Imo) at plenary yesterday, to congratulate Nigeria on her 55th independence anniversary while urging Nigerians to continue to live in peace and charity to one another.
Members took turns to speak glowingly on the motion titled “Nigeria’s 55 Years of Independence: Need for Vigilance”, saying the anniversary was a time for sober reflection and sacrifice by all Nigerians.
Igbokwe noted the concerted efforts and sacrifices of Nigerians towards maintaining one united country founded on the principles of equity, fairness and justice, while also emphasising the role of the legislature in sustaining democracy in a friendly and tolerable political climate.
The lawmakers also by their resolution passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the National Assembly under Saraki.
“The journey to nationhood has its challenges, we must therefore congratulate the Nigerian people for their patience and sustained support for our democratic institutions since 1999.
The House specifically mandated Dogara “to meet with the President with a view to politically resolve all outstanding issues relating to NASS in the interest of Nigerians.”
The Speaker will also “intervene in the present issues and challenges being faced by the chairman of the National Assembly with a view to finding a political solution and protect the institution of the NASS as a whole for the interest of our democracy.”
Independence Anniversary: PMB to address Nigerians in nationwide broadcast
President Muhammadu Buhari will today make a nationwide broadcast as part of the programme of activities to mark Nigeria’s 55th independence anniversary.
A statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, noted that the broadcast is billed to take place at 7am.
“All electronic media stations are kindly requested to join the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) for the broadcast,” he stated.
I’ll read ministerial list on Tuesday – Saraki
Senate President Bukola Saraki has confirmed the receipt of the ministerial list for screening from President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that the list will be read before the plenary sitting of the Senate on Tuesday.
Saraki, who disclosed this in a statement by his special adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, also stated that the ministerial list was submitted yesterday evening in a sealed envelope by the chief of staff to the president, Alhaji Abba Kyari and the senior special assistant to the president on legislative matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang.
The Senate president further disclosed that in line with the tradition of the Senate, the envelope will remain sealed till the plenary sitting of the upper legislative chamber on Tuesday when it will be opened and the list read out to senators.
President Muhammadu Buhari explained this morning why he eventually sent the list of the first batch of his ministerial nominees to the National Assembly for the Senate late yesterday.
According to him, the procedure for handing over to his government by the immediate past administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan contributed to the delay in the appointment of cabinet members.
Buhari who made this explanation in a nationwide address broadcast live on national television and radio station at 7am this morning noted that he was not unaware of the anxiety and heat generated both home and abroad by the delay in appointing his ministers.
He also hinted that he was yet to complete the nomination of ministers, saying he would forward additional names to the Senate for confirmation in due course.
“Anyway, the wait is over. The first set of names for ministerial nominees for confirmation has been sent to the Senate. Subsequent lists will be forwarded in due course. Impatience is not a virtue,” the president stated.
Explaining the delay in ministerial appointments, President Buhari restated that his administration inherited a plethora of problems that are urgently seeking to be quickly addressed if the country must move forward in terms of growth and development.
He said, “Fellow Nigerians, there has been a lot of anxiety and impatience over the apparent delay in the announcement of ministers. There is no cause to be anxious. Our government set out to do things methodically and properly.
“We received the handing over notes from the outgoing government only four days before taking over. Consequently, the Joda Transition Committee submitted its report on the reorganization of federal government structure after studying the handover notes.
“It would have been haphazard to announce ministers when the government had not finalized the number of ministries to optimally carry the burden of governance.
“Order is more vital than speed. Careful and deliberate decisions after consultations get far better results. And better results for our country is what the APC government for change is all about.”
Buhari reiterated that he bore no grudges against anybody and that his government was not after anyone.
“As I said in my inaugural speech, I bear no ill will against anyone on past events. Nobody should fear anything from me. We are not after anyone. People should only fear the consequences of their actions. I hereby invite everyone, whatever his or her political view, to join me in working for the nation. he stated.
On the problems his government inherited, Buhari said, “We have seen in the last few years how huge resources were mismanaged, squandered and wasted. The new APC government is embarking on a clean up, introducing prudence and probity in public financing.
“At an early stage, the federal government addressed the issue of salary arrears in many states, a situation capable of degenerating into social unrest. The APC government stepped in to provide short-term support to the owing states and enabled them to pay off the backlog and restore the livelihood of millions of Nigerians”.
Buhari, however, reassured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to meticulously execute projects that would impact positively on their lives, adding that the country cannot afford any avoidable mistakes.
He implored Nigerians to be patient and team up with the government to deliver on the dividend of democracy to the citizens, irrespective of their political affiliation.
“I would like to end my address this morning on our agenda for Change. Change does not just happen. You and I and all of us must appreciate that we all have our part to play if we want to bring change about,” he stated.
The president noted that for positive change to take place, Nigerians must be ready to change their lawless habits and attitudes to public office and other government establishments.
“We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly behaviour in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices. To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens,” he noted.
Buhari further noted that October 1 was a day for joy and celebrations for Nigerians despite the circumstances they find themselves “because it is the day, 55 years ago, we liberated ourselves from the shackles of colonialism and began our long march to nationhood and to greatness.
“No temporary problems or passing challenges should stop us from honoring this day. Let us remind ourselves of the gifts God has given us. Our Creator has bequeathed to us numbers – Nigeria is the ninth most populated country on the planet,” he added.
The president, however, observed that in spite of all the attributes of a great nation, Nigeria is not there yet because of the one commodity it had been unable to exploit to the fullest – unity of purpose.
“This would have enabled us to achieve not only more orderly political evolution and integration but also continuity and economic progress. Countries far less endowed have made greater economic progress by greater coherence and unity of purpose.
“Nonetheless, that we have remained together is an achievement we should all appreciate and try to consolidate. We have witnessed this year a change in our democratic development. The fact that an opposition party replaced an entrenched government in a free and fair election is indicative of the deeper roots of our democratic system.
“Whatever one’s views are, Nigerians must thank former President Jonathan for not digging-in in the face of defeat and thereby saving the country untold consequences,” Buhari said.
Anxiety as Saraki receives ministerial list from PMB
At last, the Senate yesterday received the list of ministerial nominees from President Muhammadu Buhari after much expectations by senators and Nigerians.
There was palpable tension in the Senate yesterday as lawmakers waited in anticipation for Buhari’s ministerial list.
The ministerial list had Nigerians waiting in anticipation of who will make the list. Political watchers believe the ministerial list will give Buhari’s administration a sense of direction.
Senate President Bukola Saraki, on his official twitter handle, tweeted at exactly 5:20pm yesterday that the list had been received by him, saying, “I can confirm that I just received the list of ministerial nominees from President Muhammedu Buhari.” Saraki had earlier, during the waiting game over the ministerial list , tweeted at about 4pm that he was yet to receive the list, debunking reports that the list had already been with the Senate yesterday morning.
However, the chief of staff to the president, Abba Kyari, alongside special adviser on National Assembly Matters, Ita Enang, presented the list to Saraki in a sealed envelope at his office in the Senate.
List contains 21 names
LEADERSHIP gathered that the list contains 21 names and in line with the Senate tradition, the identity of the nominees would not be disclosed till Tuesday next week when Saraki will read the names at plenary.
LEADERSHIP recalls that President Buhari had, during his visit to United States of America in July, told journalists that he will name his cabinet members in September, a promise he further repeated in Ghana early last month – that Nigerians will know his ministers by the end of September.
At the beginning of the plenary yesterday, senators waited in anticipation for Saraki to read out the list, only for him to read the list from the South West APC Caucus which endorsed Senator Sola Adeyeye as chief whip.
The development prompted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators, through the minority leader, Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North West), to seek clarification.
Akpabio who came through a point of order, under matters of urgent national importance, asked the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, why he did not announce any communication from the president on ministerial nominees as widely expected and in line with the president’s promise.
He noted that the nation’s newspapers, in the last couple of weeks, had been awash with stories of ministerial appointments by the president. He further asked the Senate president why he received the list from President Buhari only to hide it from his colleagues.
As Saraki attempted to answer Akpabio’s question, deputy Senate leader, Ibn Bala Na’Allah (APC, Kebbi South), raised another point of order, upon which he explained that the day was still young, adding that since the day’s session ends by 12:30pm, there was still the hope that the president would transmit the list of ministerial nominees to the Upper Chamber before the close of the session.
He also said since the day ends by 11:59pm, there was still hope that the list could come before the time.
Ministerial List: Ita Enang in Aso Rock
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday evening handed the list of ministerial nominees to his senior special assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, for onward transmission to the Senate.
Enang, who was at the president’s office to see him, was unable to see Buhari who had gone to his official residence soon after arriving from New York.
As the presidential aide was proceeding to the office of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, he refused to speak with journalists on why he was in Aso Rock and whether he had been given the ministerial list for onward transmission to the Senate.
“Mba, mba”, Enang jokingly replied, meaning “no, no” in Igbo language; and when pressed further to talk, he simply said, “thank you, thank you”.
Buhari, who returned to Abuja from New York after attending the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly, was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport by the vice president; governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari; his chief of staff, Abba Kyari; service chiefs and the inspector-general of police; permanent secretary of the Federal Capital Territory, John Chukwu, and a former member of the House of Representatives, Abike Dabiri-Erenwa.
Nigeria@55: Reps seek political solution to Saraki’s travails
Congratulate Nigerians on independence anniversary
Nigeria house of reps
The House of Representatives has called for a political solution to the ongoing travails of Senate President Bukola Saraki, with a call to all institutions of government to be guided by the rule of law in order to avoid being used to undermine any arm of government.
The House also mandated its speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari over the ongoing trial of the Senate president with the aim of finding a “political solution” to all outstanding issues relating to the National Assembly and protecting the institution of the legislature.
The majority’s decision followed a motion on matter of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Raphael Igbokwe (PDP, Imo) at plenary yesterday, to congratulate Nigeria on her 55th independence anniversary while urging Nigerians to continue to live in peace and charity to one another.
Members took turns to speak glowingly on the motion titled “Nigeria’s 55 Years of Independence: Need for Vigilance”, saying the anniversary was a time for sober reflection and sacrifice by all Nigerians.
Igbokwe noted the concerted efforts and sacrifices of Nigerians towards maintaining one united country founded on the principles of equity, fairness and justice, while also emphasising the role of the legislature in sustaining democracy in a friendly and tolerable political climate.
The lawmakers also by their resolution passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the National Assembly under Saraki.
“The journey to nationhood has its challenges, we must therefore congratulate the Nigerian people for their patience and sustained support for our democratic institutions since 1999.
The House specifically mandated Dogara “to meet with the President with a view to politically resolve all outstanding issues relating to NASS in the interest of Nigerians.”
The Speaker will also “intervene in the present issues and challenges being faced by the chairman of the National Assembly with a view to finding a political solution and protect the institution of the NASS as a whole for the interest of our democracy.”
Independence Anniversary: PMB to address Nigerians in nationwide broadcast
President Muhammadu Buhari will today make a nationwide broadcast as part of the programme of activities to mark Nigeria’s 55th independence anniversary.
A statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, noted that the broadcast is billed to take place at 7am.
“All electronic media stations are kindly requested to join the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) for the broadcast,” he stated.
I’ll read ministerial list on Tuesday – Saraki
Senate President Bukola Saraki has confirmed the receipt of the ministerial list for screening from President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that the list will be read before the plenary sitting of the Senate on Tuesday.
Saraki, who disclosed this in a statement by his special adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, also stated that the ministerial list was submitted yesterday evening in a sealed envelope by the chief of staff to the president, Alhaji Abba Kyari and the senior special assistant to the president on legislative matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang.
The Senate president further disclosed that in line with the tradition of the Senate, the envelope will remain sealed till the plenary sitting of the upper legislative chamber on Tuesday when it will be opened and the list read out to senators.
No comments:
Post a Comment