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Pass all requests for meetings with me through Abba Kyari, Buhari tells ministers
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday told incoming ministers that all requests for meetings with him should pass through his chief of staff, Abba Kyari.
Mr Buhari said this in his closing remark at a presidential retreat for minister’s designate in Abuja.
“In terms of coordination, kindly ensure that all submissions for my attention or meeting requests be channelled through the Chief of Staff, while all Federal Executive Council matters be coordinated through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” Mr Buharisaid,
The president’s speech at the event was sent to PREMIUM TIMES by the presidency.
Mr Kyari has been criticised by some Nigerians including members of the ruling party, APC, for his influence over the president.
The First Lady, Aisha Buhari, is one of those who have complained about the powers Mr Kyari wields in the presidency.
After Mr Buhari’s re-election in February, some APC members protested against the re-appointment of Mr Kyari, a longtime ally of the president.
The president, however, reappointed him to the position.
Read Mr Buhari’s full speech to the ministers-designate below.
Protocols
After two days, we have come to the end of a successful retreat. However, you will agree that our work is just beginning.
2. These last two days have been very instructive for me personally, because I have had the opportunity to know many of you new Ministers-Designate better. I was also pleased to see that you have all equally enjoyed debating and deliberating on the various challenges before us over the next 4 years.
3. Ladies & Gentlemen, majority of our people are poor and are anxiously hoping for a better life. A Nigeria in which they do not have to worry about what they will eat, where they will live or if they can afford to pay for their children’s education or healthcare.
4. Our responsibility as leaders of this great country is to meet these basic needs for our people. As I mentioned yesterday, this Administration inherited many challenges from our predecessors to mention a few:
· A country in which 18 local governments in the Northeast were under the control of Boko Haram;
· Decayed infrastructure in which our rail lines and roads had severely deteriorated;
· A rent seeking economy that depended largely on oil revenues and imports;
· Significant unpaid pensions, subsidy debts, legacy contractor debts. I can go on and on.
5. In our first term, we laid the foundation to rebuild our country. We recaptured those 18 Local Governments previously held by Boko Haram, whose activities are now limited to sporadic attacks against soft targets. Our investments in road and rail infrastructure are without precedent, and many of you can attest to this. We also focused on diversifying the economy from oil towards agriculture and industrialization. Despite reduced revenues from oil and gas compared to past governments, we have broadly addressed many of the legacy debts they left behind.
6. Whilst we have obvious successes to celebrate, the challenges ahead are significant as you would have observed in detail over these two days. Nevertheless, from the quality of the deliberations, it is clear that solutions to our problems are well researched and have been well articulated.
7. We have discussed solutions relating to addressing Insecurity; Macroeconomic Stability; Agriculture and Food Security; Energy Security for Petroleum products and Electricity; Transportation and Critical Infrastructure; Industrialization and SME Development; Human Capital Development; Social Inclusion; Anti-Corruption; Housing Financing and Consumer Credit.
8. Public service is not easy work, and at times it can be thankless. I am therefore charging you all to see this opportunity to serve as an honour, to give your best to deliver on this mandate, for a more prosperous Nigeria, not for some, but for all Nigerians.
9. You will find that working collaboratively and purposefully will enable us to achieve quicker results, recognizing that four years is not a very long time. For the new Ministers, make sure you engage and benefit from the experience of the older Ministers and former Governors in the cabinet.
10. In terms of coordination, kindly ensure that all submissions for my attention or meeting requests be channeled through the Chief of Staff, while all Federal Executive Council matters be coordinated through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
11. I would like to thank the Office of the SGF for coordinating this successful Presidential Retreat. I would also like to thank the National Assembly leadership, the Party Chairman, Chairman of the Governors Forum, and resource firms, for the active engagements and contributions.
12. Once again, the challenges that lie ahead of us as a country are significant. But I have no doubt in your individual capacities and our collective patriotic commitment to deliver a better Nigeria for us, our children and a brighter future for all.
Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Presidency names ex-PDP chairman, Sheriff leader of Buhari 2019 Support Committee
Elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, has passed away. The renowned nationalist died peacefully on Friday morning at his residence in Lekki, Lagos, at the age of 96.
His family confirmed the development in a statement, expressing gratitude for a life dedicated to the service of God, the nation, and humanity.
“With a heart full of gratitude for a selfless life spent in the service of God, the nation, and humanity, we announce the passing on of our beloved patriarch, Chief Samuel Ayodele Adebanjo,” the statement read.
“The foremost nationalist, elder statesman, distinguished lawyer, very distinct politician, apostle of true federalism, former organising secretary of the Action Group, and national leader of Afenifere is survived by his 94-year-old wife, Chief Christy Ayo-Adebanjo, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
“We will forever cherish his commitment to fighting for truth, equity, and justice. His belief and struggle for a truly independent and progressive Nigeria was total, and this he fought for until he breathed his last.”
The family noted that consultations are ongoing with Pa Adebanjo’s associates, political allies, and various interest groups to plan a befitting funeral. Details of the burial arrangements will be announced in due course.
Meanwhile, a condolence register has been opened at his Lagos residence (8, Ayo Adebanjo Close, Lekki Phase 1) and his country home in Isanya Ogbo, near Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
Pa Adebanjo was a towering figure in Nigeria’s political history, known for his unwavering advocacy for true federalism, democracy, and justice. His passing marks the end of an era in Yoruba and Nigerian politics.
News
Ex-Nation Bureau Chief, Oladele, Emerges Chairman as South West Online Publishers Get New Leadership
The South West Guild of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) has elected a new executive team to steer the affairs of the association.
At a meeting held on Thursday at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, members elected former South West Bureau Chief of The Nation newspaper, Pastor Bisi Oladele, as Chairman. Also elected was a former Deputy Editor of Nigerian Tribune, Dapo Falade, who emerged as Vice Chairman.
Taiwo Oluwadamilare was appointed Secretary, while Joseph Okuwofu, a former correspondent of The Nation, was named Assistant Secretary. Others elected include Mrs. Oluwatoyin Malik as Treasurer, Temi Aboderin as Financial Secretary, and Remi Oladoye, who retained his position as Public Relations Officer (PRO).
The electoral process was coordinated by veteran journalist, Tunde Busari, a former Assistant Editor of Nigerian Tribune and ex-chairman of the Tribune Chapel of NUJ.
Busari urged the newly elected executive to justify the confidence reposed in them and work diligently to promote the association’s mission.
The outgoing Chairman of SWEGOP, Olayinka Agboola, assured the new leadership of his unwavering support, emphasising his commitment to offering guidance and collaboration whenever needed.
In his acceptance speech, Oladele expressed gratitude to members for their trust and pledged to uphold the integrity and growth of SWEGOP.
“We understand the challenges ahead, but with the support of our members and the outgoing executive, we are confident in achieving our goals. Thank you for entrusting us with this responsibility,” he stated.
He commended Agboola for his remarkable leadership over the past nine years, particularly in expanding SWEGOP’s membership and strengthening the guild.
Oladele further announced that the guild’s membership structure would be restructured, with fresh registration and new rules of engagement for members.
He called for unity, cooperation, and collective effort to advance the association’s objectives.
The National Assembly on Thursday passed the ₦54.99 trillion Appropriation Bill for the 2025 fiscal year, separately approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
A breakdown of the budget reveals ₦3.645 trillion allocated for statutory transfers, ₦14.317 trillion for debt servicing, ₦13.64 trillion for recurrent expenditure, and ₦23.963 trillion earmarked for capital expenditure under the development fund.
The fiscal deficit is projected at ₦13.08 trillion, with a Deficit-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio of 1.52%.
This development follows last week’s upward revision of the budget by President Bola Tinubu, who increased it from the initial ₦49.7 trillion to ₦54.2 trillion before seeking legislative approval.
Presenting the bill for consideration, the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Hon. Abubakar Bichi, disclosed that the committee engaged with the Presidential Economic Planning team to deliberate on revenue projections and expenditure details.
Bichi also noted that the 2025 Appropriation Bill was submitted later than that of the previous year. He urged the executive to ensure timely budget presentation to the National Assembly, at least three months before the next financial year, to sustain the January-to-December budget cycle.
With this approval, Nigeria moves closer to implementing its 2025 fiscal plan, which aims to address key economic challenges and development priorities.
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