Tag Archives: Meets

El-Rufai Meets Buhari Over Southern Kaduna Attacks

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The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, on Thursday met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja over the renewed violence in parts of the state.

The state government had on Wednesday imposed a 24-hour curfew in Zangon-Kataf, Kaura and Jema’a Local Government Areas of the state following the Tuesday attack on the governor’s convoy.

The governor and his entourage were reportedly pelted with stones and some of their vehicles were damaged after the governor addressed some demonstrators.

Speaking with State House correspondents, El-Rufai confirmed that he had, at the closed door meeting with the President, informed him about the security situation in the state and efforts being made to put the situation under control.

He said he was receiving tremendous support from the President on how to stabilise the state.

The governor said, “I came to brief the President about the situation in Southern Kaduna, what happened in the last few days and outlined to him the measures we have been taking as state government with the support of the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Services.

“The President has given us unqualified support to stabilise the state and bring all those responsible for the violation of our laws to justice.

“So, we have the full support of the President to move on and we are quite confident that things will return to normal very soon.”

Reacting to criticism that he was planning to impose curfew on the affected areas on Christmas Day, the governor said the curfew for that day would be for only 12 hours.

While saying he should not be blamed for the development, El-Rufai said the state government decided to impose curfew because of what he called the irresponsible behaviour of some people.

“Well, we have curfew even on Christmas Day but it is for 12 hours. People will be able to get out in the morning at 6am and be back at 6pm. It is because of the security situation.

“I do not think the state government should be blamed. Those responsible for the violence that broke out in those parts of the state should be held responsible for that.

“We have not imposed curfew in other parts of the state. We had to impose curfew here because of the situation that was caused by the irresponsible behaviour of certain people,” the governor concluded.

Read More: punchng

JAMB Meets With CBT Centre Owners Over 2017 Exams

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says arrangements have been concluded to have an interaction with owners of Computer Based Test (CBT) centres in the country ahead of the 2017 UTME.

The board’s Head, Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin, made the disclosure in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

According to the statement, the meeting which comes up on Tuesday at the University of Lagos is to fine tune all areas of challenges geared towards conducting a hitch-free examination in 2017.

It said that the meeting would determine the number of centres to be used for the 2017 all CBT Unified Tertiary Matriculation Board (UTME) exercise.

“These are centres that must have a minimum of 250 and above terminals (computers).

“We will not hesitate to disqualify any centre that falls short of the requirements,’’ the statement said.

“We will equally not compromise on the selection of these centres as they will fully be responsible for our registration and examinations and other related responsibilities that they will be saddled with from time to time as we introduce new measures.’’

It added that the board decided to come face to face with owners of these centre to ensure it got first hand information on the challenges they were faced with in the course of the examinations.

“As partners in progress, we need to sit down on a round table and tell each other the truth so as to get to the root of all the hiccups.

“We should all feel concerned even if it was just one centre that had challenges or hitches during the conduct of the last examination.

“Nigerians expect a lot from us and we must strive not to fail them.

“We are looking at strengthening what was done holistically to improve on the previous exercises,’’ the statement quoted the board’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede as saying.

It added that the board was committed to giving Nigerians globally accepted standard in the conduct of the examinations.

The statement said that the board would commence the sale of application forms soon and urged prospective candidates not to patronise any self-acclaimed agent as the board had not and would not appoint any.

It urged candidates to always visit the board’s website for information.

The statement noted that in a few months, the board had been working tirelessly on processes that were connected to the conduct of the examination.

It added that the board had taken stock of all the challenges that were recorded during the 2016 exercise, especially CBT centre-related issues.

It said the board had resolved to give every Nigerian child desirous of tertiary education a level playing ground to compete for the available space in these tertiary institutions.

“We are mindful of the fact that any child that writes in a dysfunctional centre is at disadvantage.

“All candidates must have same conditions, atmosphere and working facilities,’’ the statement said.

Credit: NAN

Buhari Meets With Liberian Leader, Sirleaf

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja met with the Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, behind closed doors.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reliably gathered that the visiting Liberian president would brief President Buhari on sub-regional security challenges ahead of the 3rd Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa slated for Dec. 5 and Dec. 6.

President Buhari is expected to leave Abuja later today for the forum in Dakar, Senegal.

Sirleaf, who is the current Chairperson of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS), is expected to brief President Buhari on efforts made to curb terrorism in the sub-region.

NAN further reports that the two leaders may also discuss other issues bordering on sub-regional integration and bilateral trade.

The Liberian President, who arrived Abuja on Sunday on a two-day official visit to Nigeria, visited the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja on the same day

The ECOWAS chairperson also held closed door meetings with the President of the commission, Mr Marcel de Souza, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and senior officials of the commission.

Credit: NAN

Defection Speculation: Ayade Meets Kwankwaso, Okorocha, Others

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Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has met with bigwigs of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the weekend.

The meeting, which started during the thanksgiving ceremony organised by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani, in Calabar, was believed to have focused on the governor’s political future.

A former senate leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, a former minister of defence and presidential aspirant, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, governors Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, who graced the occasion, were said to have convinced Ayade to leave the PDP for the APC.

Later, Ayade drove with them and other top military brass that also graced the event in large numbers to an undisclosed location where Okorocha and other APC leaders were said to have got his firm commitment.

Speculations have been rife over Ayade’s secret ambition to cross over to the APC, having hobnobbed with key national leaders of the party few months after he was sworn in.

He has also been showering encomiums on President Muhammadu Buhari whom he had criticised before his victory in the last presidential election.

But in a swift reaction, Ayade’s media aide dismissed the insinuation that the governor was planning to move from the PDP.

Christian Ita, chief press secretary to Ayade, said the governor was just playing the role of a good host to the array of political, military and business leaders that thronged Calabar to honour a prominent son of the state.

“It is not true that the discussion our governor had with the APC leaders had anything to do with leaving the PDP for the APC,” said Ita.

Okorocha, who had visited the state and met Ayade previously over same issue, had commended the governor for having the blessing of God with the appointment of his “sons” into key national positions.

Remarking, Usani commended those who honoured his invitation and described them as his close friends. He stated that hatred for one another was the key reason for underdevelopment of Cross River State.

Credit: dailytrust

Osinbajo Meets With APC Governors, NA Leadership On FG Appointments

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Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo monday met with Senate President Bukola Saraki, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and five governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) behind closed doors at the State House, Abuja, to resolve the rising discontent among APC governors and other stakeholders over the absence of consultations by President Muhammadu Buhari in his federal appointments.

The governors who attended the meeting were Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, Sanni Bello of Niger State, and Jibril Bindow of Adamawa. Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola arrived after the meeting had been concluded.
Also in attendance were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David, and the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Although there was no official statement from the presidency on the two-hour meeting, it was gathered that Buhari who departed the country for Morocco yesterday, had mandated his deputy to meet with the National Assembly leadership and the governors to allay concerns and hold talks with them, after mounting complaints that they had not been carried along on several of the federal appointments previously made by the president.

Feelers from the meeting heightened the suspicion that all may not be well among the front line leaders of the ruling party, as the meeting was said to have been very heated.

Sources  said that the meeting was essentially a meeting involving the governors representing the five geopolitical zones in the country and that Osinbajo had been mandated by Buhari to broaden the scope of consultations by bringing in the governors and National Assembly leaders who had been feeling disenfranchised since the outset of the administration.

Since the APC has no governor in the South-south zone, there was no governor to represent the zone at the meeting.

During the meeting, presidency sources said the issue of board appointments to federal parastatals and ambassadorial nominees was discussed, and the governors made their feelings abundantly clear that they were not happy that they had been shut out in past appointments made by the Buhari administration.

Also, the sources said party unity and the state of the party was emphasised by the vice-president against the backdrop of deepening cracks in the APC.

After airing their grievances, it was agreed that a committee head by the SGF, which had recently drawn up a list of nominees to the boards of federal parastatals, would be reviewed by the governors.

Read More: thisdaylive

Trump Meets With Obama At White House

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President Barack Obama hosted a triumphant Donald Trump in the Oval Office Thursday for talks on executing a smooth transition of power and steadying nerves after a vote that shocked the world.

Anger over the Republican property mogul’s upset election win over Hillary Clinton spilled out onto the streets of US cities late Wednesday as chanting protesters lit bonfires and snarled traffic.

The billionaire president-elect arrived at his soon-to-be home on Pennsylvania Avenue at roughly 11:00 am (1600 GMT), a US official said, for what may be an awkward meeting with Obama ahead of the January 20 inauguration.

Trump, 70, championed the so-called “birther movement” challenging that Obama was actually born in the United States — a suggestion laden with deep racial overtones — only dropping the position recently.

The Democratic commander-in-chief in turn has described the celebrity businessman as “uniquely unqualified” to be president.

But in the day after Trump’s shock election win, which virtually no poll had predicted, both sides spoke of healing the deep divisions sown in a bruising two-year battle for the White House.

His vanquished Democratic rival Clinton, holding back the bitter disappointment of not becoming America’s first female president, urged the country to give Trump a chance.

“We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead,” she said Wednesday in a concession speech.

Obama, addressing disconsolate staff in the White House Rose Garden, played down Trump’s win as part of the messy “zig-zag” movement of a democracy.

“Sometimes you lose an argument,” he said, adding that all Americans should now be “rooting” for Trump’s success.

In the battle for the soul of America, those who helped elect its first black president now appear to be in retreat and pondering whether his eight years in power have come to naught.

Both Obama and Clinton issued a faint — but clear — warning that Trump must respect institutions and the rule of law if a modicum of goodwill is to hold.

Trump’s tone, indicated White House spokesman Josh Earnest, “would seem to suggest that certain basic principles of our democracy are likely to be upheld.”

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http://punchng.com/breaking-trump-meets-obama-white-house/

Bala Mohammed Reportedly Ill, Meets Bail Condition

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Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Bala Mohammed, was on Wednesday taken to the clinic of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),where medical personnel attended him to.
This is coming at a time when the former minister has met his bail conditions, but still being held in EFCC custody.
It was gathered that owing to the fact that Mohammed’s  health condition deteriorated,he was allowed to see doctors at the EFCC facility. The nature of the illness was not disclosed.
Sources, however,said, the former minister returned from  medical treatment abroad before going to honour EFCC  invitation.
Before travelling abroad, it was gathered, Mohammed had undergone surgery at the National Hospital, Abuja.
Daily Sun gathered that Mohammed has fulfilled his bail condition. He was asked to produce two directors in the civil service, one of who must own a landed property in the FCT to stand surety for him. This has been fulfilled.
In the meantime,the EFCC has taken custody of the international passport of Mohammed. There is no indication when the former minister will be released or why he is still being held despite fulfilling bail conditions.
In a related development, Mohammed, Dr. Reuben Abati, ex-senior Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media, former Nigerian ambassador to Ghana, Musliu Obanikoro and former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, continued to
get solidarity visits yesterday in custody.
Among those who visited them were Senator Jeremiah Useni, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed, former Minister of Culture; Ambassador Iliya Damagua, Chief John Dara; Hon HilaruIlea, Hon Salisu Ningi and Aremo Adekunle Alao.
Others are Chief Babatunde Ajala and Jonathan Asaka of the Christian Information Network

Credit:

http://sunnewsonline.com/bala-mohammed-ill-meets-bail-condition/

Fayose Meets Cattle Owners On New Grazing Law

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Members of the umbrella body of cattle owners, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), will now be part of the patrol teams to enforce the new law to regulate grazing in Ekiti State.
Governor Ayodele Fayose gave the directive on Tuesday at a meeting with the leadership of MACBAN where both parties ironed out ‘grey’ areas in the enforcement of the Prohibition of Cattle and Other Ruminants Grazing Act 2016.
MACBAN leaders had requested to be part of the patrol of Ekiti Grazing Enforcement Marshals (EGEM) to enforce the law a request which was granted by Fayose who declared that he is not against the interest of Fulani people or any other ethnic group in the country.

The meeting, which took place at the Government House, had Ekiti State executive of MACBAN and representatives from across the local governments in the stat?e in attendance.

?Fayose said: “I have nothing against you or any other ethnic group. Nobody should bring politics into this matter. If a Yoruba person destroys your property I will defend you too.

“Leaders are not supposed to discriminate and as a leader, I don’t discriminate. The law of the land is not against anybody who obeys it but those who flout it. It is people destroying other people’s farms that are causing this problem.
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“We have given lands to people to farm and they have paid, some for many years to use the lands and when somebody now comes and destroys their means of livelihood and make them suffer losses, we won’t allow that.?

“It ?is the bad people that make others suffer. If anybody says Fayose is after Hausa or Fulani people, that person has no sense. During my first term, I appointed a man from Malumfashi as a Special Adviser. This term too, I appointed Musa Kanga into the Pilgrims Welfare Board.

“In Oke Ako-Ekiti last May, two persons were killed, people’s wives raped by those hiding under the guise of rearing cattle. I have 83 cows too and I have told the person taking care of them that if he goes against the law and any of them is seized, he will be responsible for that.”

Governor Fayose also emphasized against rearing cows along major roads and city centres, saying that had caused fatal vehicular accidents in the past.
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He explained: “If you have not been to London or America, I guess some of you have been to Mecca, did you see cattle breeders leading their cattle across city centres and major roads, with the cows defecating everywhere? This is not done and it is not that the people in those places don’t have cows they breed too.”

On the demand by the MACBAN leaders that they be part of the patrol teams to enforce the law, the governor acceded and commended their effort to support his administration in getting rid of bad eggs among the cattle breeders.
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The Ekiti State MACBAN chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Nasamu, commended the governor for his frankness and openness.

Nasamu noted that the meeting had disabused the minds of his members about wrong information being circulated by some people about the governor and the state government.
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He said: “Seeing you face to face and hearing from you has quelled all the strange stories we are hearing. Leaders from across the federation have been calling me saying where are you? and that they have been hearing funny stories from the state, but now we know the truth. Ekiti is my home and anybody who spoils the name of Ekiti is spoiling my name.
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“Today that we have met, we are suggesting that farmers and Fulani rearers be part of the marshals who will patrol across the state. When that is done, there will no longer be any trouble. Those in the office don’t know what is happening in the bush and we will try and bridge the communication gap.”

Mimiko Rushes To Meets Buhari In Aso Rock, Says Ondo May Boil

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President Muhammadu Buhari and Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko  met behind closed-doors at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Governor Mimiko arrived the president’s office at about 11.00am.

It was gathered that Mimiko visited the Presidential Villa in respect of the Thursday’s declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission of Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the Ondo governorship election.

The INEC had removed the name of Eyitayo Jegede from the list of the candidates of the political parties that would participate in the November 26 governorship election and replaced it with Ibrahim.

The governor told State House reporters today shortly after meeting behind closed-doors with Buhari that the INEC’s action could cause a conflagration in the state.

The governor said there was no moral justification for what the INEC did describing Ibrahim’s declaration as injustice and mischief.

Mimiko said President Buhari promised him that he would look into the matter.

Credit: dailytrust

NEWS ALERT: Buhari Meets APC Governors Behind Closed Doors

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President Muhammadu Buhari is currently meeting with governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress behind closed doors.

The meeting is holding inside the President’s office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo is also attending the meeting.

The governors were led to the meeting by the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum who is also the governor of Imo State, Chief Rochas Okorocha.

Some governors at the meeting include those of Ogun, Kogi, Kaduna, Edo, Zamfara, Benue, Sokoto and Kano among others.

Some state governors including Lagos and Nassarawa are being represented by their deputies.

The agenda of the meeting is not made known.

Credit:

http://punchng.com/breaking-buhari-meets-apc-governors/

Buhari Meets German Chancellor, Merkel

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President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived Berlin, Germany, on  three-day  official visit from Oct. 13 to 15 to discuss matters of security and national development.

While in Berlin, Buhari would confer with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany on issues of interests between the two nations.

A statement earlier issued by Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said the president would discuss issues of further security cooperation with Merkel.

The president, Adesina said, would also discuss issues on humanitarian situation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria with Merkel.

He said Buhari would discuss issues on the rehabilitation of the North-East as well as on trade and economic relations between both countries.

He is accompanied by Governors Kashim Shettima of Borno, Rochas Okorocha of Imo and representatives of the National Assembly, will meet with President Joachim Gauck.

Buhari Meets Dogara, Tambuwal Behind Closed-door

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President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met with House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
Dogara and Tambuwal were driven to the forecourt of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja in a single vehicle.

The closed-door meeting, which took place inside the president’s office, lasted about one hour.
When approached by State House correspondents after the meeting, Dogara and Tambuwal refused to disclose their mission of visiting the president.
Asked if the meeting was about the House of Representatives, Tambuwal, who is a former speaker of the House, responded: “Not at all.”
Governor Tambuwal, however, stated that he and Dogara visited the president to give him support.
Asked if the meeting discussed the current economic recession and the proposed sale of assets, Tambuwal simply said: “I’ve already aired my views on the sale of assets.”
On whether the ‘feud’ between the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun was discussed during the meeting, Tambuwal said: “I don’t know about that.”

Credit: dailytrust

John Kerry Meets Buhari Behind Closed Doors

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The United States Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, on Tuesday met with President Muhammadu Buhari behind closed doors.

Kerry arrived at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa in Abuja for the meeting at 3:07pm and was received by the State House Chief of Protocol, Amb. Lawal Kazaure.

Kazaure later led him to the President’s office where Buhari and some members of his cabinet and presidential aides were waiting.

The meeting with the President ended at about 4:40pm after which Kerry proceeded to the State House Waiting Room where he met with some Northern state governors.

The governors included those of Bauchi, Borno, Kwara and Sokoto states as well the deputy governor of Benue State.

Credit:

http://punchng.com/us-secretary-state-kerry-meets-buhari-northern-governors/

Pope Francis Meets 20 Former Prostitutes

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Pope Francis left the Vatican on Friday to visit a Catholic charity that is giving shelter to women rescued from forced prostitution, the Vatican said on Friday.

Francis met 20 women at the Community Papa Giovanni XXIII in Rome, including six from Romania, four from Albania, seven from Nigeria and the rest, each from Tunisia, Italy and Ukraine.

“Today’s visit by Pope Francis is another call to conscience to fight the trafficking of human beings, which the Holy Father has on several occasions defined as ‘a crime against humanity,” a statement said.

This year, on one Friday per month, the pope pays special visits to honour the Jubilee of Mercy, an 11-month Catholic festival that ends in November.

Previous destinations for Francis’ Fridays of Mercy includes the Nazi concentration camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau, a migrant centre on the Greek island of Lesbos, and facilities around Rome for the elderly, mentally ill and recovering drug addicts.

Credit: NAN

Body Of A-Gs Meets Today To Adopt National Policy On Prosecution Of Corrupt Public Officials

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Body of Attorneys General from the 36 states of the federation will meet in Abuja today to consider and adopt a draft National Policy on Prosecution of corrupt public officials.

In a statement, yesterday, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, said the meeting would also afford the body the opportunity to deliberate on desirable Code of Conduct and guidelines for prosecutors in the country.

Besides, Malami, SAN, is also scheduled to meet with stakeholders on the implementation of the outcome of the recently concluded London Summit on Anti-Corruption and Open Government Partnership. He said the meetings were geared towards intensifying the current war against corruption in the country.

A statement signed by media aide to the AGF, Mr. Salihu Isah, said: “The policy documents have been considered and approved for submission to the Body of Attorneys General by the Solicitors General and Permanent Secretaries Forum at their meeting held on October 15, 2015.

“The National Policy on Prosecution is intended for all officials and agencies involved in prosecution of crime management, evidence gathering and investigation.”

Credit: Vanguard

Kidnapping: FG Meets With Delegation From Sierra Leone

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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has met with a high-powered delegation from Sierra Leone led by Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone.

The meeting was not unconnected with the recent abduction and rescue of the senior Sierra Leonian diplomat who was kidnapped on the Abuja – Kaduna highway on 30 June 2016.
The meeting also afforded both countries to discuss other issues, including matters of bilateral interest.

The Ministers expressed their commitment to revive the Nigeria/Sierra Leone Joint Commission with a view to strengthening bilateral relations between their two countries.

The Ministers exchanged views on global affairs including, notably, the reform of the United Nations Security Council which will be on the agenda of the 27th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union taking place in Kigali, Rwanda from 10 – 18 July 2016.

 The Ministers took note of the current state of affairs in the Security Council reform effort and the multi-dimensional challenges in the process. They underscored the need for greater solidarity among African countries in the reform effort.

The meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere which reflects the excellent longstanding relations between Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

Credit: Nation

Buhari Meets Service Chiefs, N/Delta Group

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President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met with the service chiefs and heads of security agencies to review military operations in the Niger Delta region.
He also at a meeting with a delegation of the Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact Group led by King Alfred Diette-Spiff, the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass in Bayelsa State, said he wanted as much intelligence report as possible on the crisis in the Niger Delta.

The meeting with security chiefs which was held inside the president’s office lasted about four hours with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir David Lawal, Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari, National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno and Minister of Defence retired Brigadier-General Mansur Dan Ali  in attendance.
The service chiefs present at the meeting include the Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Gabriel Abayomi Olonisakin, Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and Chief of Naval Staff Ibok-Ete Ibas.
The meeting was also attended by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke and the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, none of whom spoke to newsmen after the meeting. But it was gathered that the meeting also reviewed counter-terrorism operations in the Northeast.
Receiving the Niger Delta group, Buhari said: “I want to get as much intelligence as possible on the situation in the Niger Delta. I have encouraged law enforcement agencies to contact leaders like you in order to have enough information to deal with the issues once and for all”.
The president sympathised with investors who, he said, borrowed money to invest in the region but had not recouped their investments due to insecurity.
He reiterated his appeal to those perpetrating violence in the region to embrace peace and give government a chance.
Assuring that his administration would rebuild Nigeria, including the Niger Delta region, the president solicited patience and understanding from the citizenry.
Earlier, King Alfred Diette-Spiff had said his group was made of peace builders dedicated to peace and stability in the region.
Credit: dailytrust

EU Meets Without Britain For First Time Since Brexit Vote

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European Union leaders will Wednesday assess the damage from Britain’s decision to leave the bloc and try to prevent further disintegration, as they meet for the first time without a British representative.

And as the shockwaves reverberate around British politics, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is also expected in Brussels “utterly determined” to keep her pro-EU country in the club despite the Brexit vote.

Five days after Britain voted by 52 to 48 percent to leave the bloc, unleashing turmoil on global financial markets, EU President Donald Tusk said he understood that time was needed “for the dust to settle” before the next steps can be taken.

However, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned Britain did not have “months to meditate” and set a clear timetable for triggering Article 50 — the EU treaty clause that begins the two-year withdrawal process — after Cameron’s successor takes office in early September.

“If someone from the ‘Remain’ camp will become British PM, this has to be done in two weeks after his appointment,” he said. If they are from the Brexit camp, then it should be “the day after”.

And German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned that London could not “cherry-pick” the terms of the exit negotiations.

Some in Brussels are concerned that giving Britain favourable divorce terms will spark a domino effect of others leaving the union, set up six decades ago to foster peace on the continent after World War II.

At a tense summit that finished late Tuesday, the 27 remaining EU members agreed to give Britain some breathing space, accepting that it needs time to absorb the shock of the Brexit vote before triggering Article 50 that will begin the formal divorce proceedings.

Credit: Guardian

Buhari Meets Ministers Over Budget

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President Muhammadu Buhari presided over a meeting of the Federal Executive Council where a major decision on the 2016 budget may be taken.

The meeting started at exactly 11am inside the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; and most ministers are in attendance.
Credit: Punch

Airport Attacks: ICAO President Meets Aviation Authorities

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The President of International Civil Aviation Organisation ICAO Dr Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu says the organisation has been engaging ministers of aviation globally in discussions in view of recent airport attacks to strengthen security across the globe.

Speaking in an interview with aviation reporters in Abuja after a dinner organized in his honour by the ministry of aviation, Dr Aliu said aviation security being a sensitive one, will not disclose the strategies to be implemented but he assured of collaborations with Nigeria in order to nip any threat in the bud as security was one of the critical issues in aviation.

According to the ICAO President, “Few months ago, I did send a team to do assessment in Nigeria and also in some neighbouring countries including Chad and Cameron”

Dr Aliu said ICAO was working very closely with the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Zaria to transform the college to a regional training college of excellence as means of capacity building.

He said the level of infrastructural development and implementation has been encouraging.

On his challenges as the ICAO President,  Dr Aliu said one of the challenges was to see how to raise the level of implementation of ICAO standard of recommended international practices among member countries not withstanding their level of resources.

Dr Aliu declared that for Nigeria to be a hub, strong  indigenous carriers, developed and equipped airports to partner in order to make the country a hub.

He expressed the hope that with the determination of President Buhari to rid the nation of corruption that the country especially the aviation sector will bounce back as corruption has eaten deep into the system including the civil aviation in the country.

Aliu explained that with a professional as the minister of state for aviation, there was no doubt that the sector will be transformed soon especially by pulling ICAO resources together at the disposal of Nigeria to develop the aviation sector.

“We launched a campaign few years ago so that no country is left behind , the focus of which is to support our developing states, ICAO is an organization of 191 countries, some are very endowed and some are less endowed.  All the member states have to fulfill the same standard and recommended practices  there is no short cut . In doing that, we can not cover the whole 191 states, we have to work with regional offices. In Africa, Nigeria will be the number one candidate.”

Credit: DailyTimes

Buhari Meets Leadership Of NUPENG, PENGASSAN

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President Muhammadu Buhari is presently in a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers at the State House.

The purpose of the meeting was not disclosed to journalists but it may be connected to the recent restructuring at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation.

The meeting is attended by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, the Director General of the Department of State Services, Mr Lawal Daura and the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Abba Kyari.

Earlier on March 8, 2016,  Dr. Kachikwu announced the restructuring of the NNPC,  however, oil workers kicked against the announcement and proceeded on industrial action.

The action was later suspended for 14 days, for government to dialogue with the unions and chart a way forward in the sector.

Meanwhile, queues still trail petrol stations across the country and this may form part of their discussion at the Presidential Villa.

Dr. Kachikwu is expected to brief the media on the outcome of the meeting.

CAN Meets Kaduna Govt. Over Preaching Regulatory Bill

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The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Kaduna State on Wednesday met with the State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over the proposed Religious Preaching Regulatory Bill that is presently before the State House of Assembly for passage.

The clergymen, led by their Chairman, Bishop George Dodo, met with the Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Bala Bantex, on Wednesday in Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria.

The Deputy Governor explained that the Religious Preaching Bill was only aimed to curb religious extremism and hate speeches that could trigger religious violence in the state.

He informed the Christian delegation that government has a duty to ensure that religious violence no longer threatens the relative peace being enjoyed by citizens of the state.

Mr Bantex added that the Kaduna State Government is committed to ensure that religious activities are practiced in a safe and secure climate.

He said that was the first time that the law is passing through a democratic process, stressing that the proposed amendment was a deliberate decision by the government to subject the law to public scrutiny, rather than to just enforce the provisions of the edict as passed since 1984.

The Deputy Governor also explained that there was nothing in the Bill that suggests any effort to abolish, stop or derogate the freedom of religion in the state.

Rather, he clarified that the Bill merely seeks to ensure that religious preaching and activities in Kaduna State were conducted in ways that do not threaten public order, public safety, and to protect the rights and freedom of other persons.

In his remark, Bishop Dodo commended Governor El-Rufai for conveying the meeting, saying that CAN would submit its position to the House of Assembly and the State Executive Council during the public hearing on the Bill.

A member of the delegation and Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Reverend Femi Ehimidu, raised an alarm that some people who parade themselves as government officials were already seeing out religious practice licence forms to some clergymen at the cost of N4,000.

He also identified some grey areas in the Bill, which he said infringed on the right of the people such as obtaining licence from government before preaching.

The meeting followed speculations from some sections of the public that the bill, if passed into law, would gauge the freedom of worship and association as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

Credit: ChannelsTV

Senate Meets Service Chiefs Behind Closed Doors

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The Senate on Wednesday, held a meeting with the Service Chiefs behind closed doors.

The meeting which lasted several hours was presided over by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

Details of the closed door parley were not made known to journalists but our correspondent learnt that it bothers on   the prevailing security issues in the country especially in the North East.

The  meeting had in attendance,  principal officers of the Senate and Chairmen of security related Committees.

Neither the senate side nor the military team granted interview after the meeting but when pressured, Senate Leader,  Ali Ndume, said issues discussed would not be revealed to the public.

He said, they discussed National Security issues and as such was for the sole consumption of those who were in attendance.

Ndume said it  was the first time the upper  chamber was being fully briefed on matters of security.

He said, “We have been briefed properly but these are security issues we cannot really disclose any of it.

“Unlike before, the Senate was not abreast or updated on the efforts they are making: now we have very full, honest, open and transparent discussion on the activities.

“This is a security meeting that we just had, it will be wrong for me to disclose the details.

“We are satisfied because we have never had this kind of briefing before, we are part of it now, we know what is the problem, we know what are the challenges.”

The Service Chiefs present were Chief of Defence Staff Maj. Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin; Chief of Army Staff Maj. Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff Rear Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff,  AVM. Sadique Abubakar.

Credit: Punch

Buhari Meets With BBOG Team, Chibok Girls’ Parents Away From Media Presence

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President Muhammadu Buhari has agreed to meet with members of the Bring Back Our Girls group, after a government team failed to convince the group to suspend its request of speaking directly with the president Thursday.

Mr. Buhari is meet with the group at the banquet hall of the presidential villa, the National Security Adviser, Mohammed Monguno, said. However, reports at the time of the meeting says the press has been asked to exit the hall, and all recording gadgets switched off.

There had been a stand-off at the presidential villa, Abuja, as members of the BBOG group campaigning for the release of school girls abducted by Boko Haram from Chibok in 2014, insisted they be allowed to meet Mr. Buhari.

Members of the group were instead met by a government team comprising the Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Al-Hassan; Minister of Defense, Monsur Dan-Ali; National Security Adviser, Mohammed Monguno; and the Chief of Defense Staff, Abayomi Olonishakin.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Gov. Shettima Meets Civilian JTF, ?Announces Welfare Package For Members In Borno

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Following recent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in some parts of Borno State, Governor Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday, held a meeting with the youth volunteers involved in counter insurgency operations popularly known as “Civilian JTF” during which he appreciated their gallant efforts and unveiled welfare packages for them.

The meeting held at the Multipurpose hall of the Government House in Maiduguri.

The governor held closed door discussions with leaders of the volunteer group focusing on enhancing community policing.

At an open session with majority of the volunteers, Governor Shettima paid glowing tributes to them for sacrificing their lives towards complimenting the efforts of armed forces to fight for the restoration of peace in the state.

He said no amount of welfare package can equal the sacrifices being made by the volunteers especially given the fact that some of them had laid their lives for Borno State.

The governor said despite its meager resource, the Borno state Government would expend whatever it takes to ensure that the volunteers were properly paid, equipped and highly motivated.

He announced a bonus of N20 million naira to the volunteers while directing that any backlog of ?allowances be paid immediately.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Buhari Meets Service Chiefs

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President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met behind closed-doors with the service chiefs at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The meeting, which was held inside the president’s office, was also attended by the Minister of Defence, Brigadier-General Mansur Dan-Ali (retd).
The service chiefs left the Presidential Villa without speaking to journalists.
It was, however, gathered that the meeting was on the ongoing counter terrorism efforts of the federal government.
It would be recalled that President Buhari had given the service chiefs December deadline to end the Boko Haram insurgency.
Credit: DailyTrust

Pope Meets Muslims In Mosque In Besieged Area Of Central African Republic

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Pope Francis ventured into one of the world’s most dangerous neighborhoods on Monday to beg Christians and Muslims to end a spiral of hate, vendetta and bloodshed that has killed thousands over the past three years. Under heavy security, Francis crossed into the PK5 neighborhood where the city of Bangui’s Muslims have been unable to leave for months because of the armed Christian militia fighters who surround the capital city’s perimeter. The pope traveled in his open-air vehicle through the neighborhood despite the security risks. Armed U.N. peacekeepers stood guard in the minarets of the mosque.

Those who claim to believe in God must also be men and women of peace.

Pope Francis, after a speech by Imam Tidiani Moussa Naibi, one of the local religious leaders trying to foster dialogue.

About 200 men seated inside the mosque welcomed Francis, who sat on a sofa. In comments to the chief imam, Francis insisted that Muslims and Christians are brothers and must behave as such. Francis removed his shoes, bowed his head and stood silently at the mihrab, or area of the mosque that faces the holy Muslim city of Mecca. The pope’s visit to the mosque marked the highlight of his three-nation African tour, with previous stops in Kenya and Uganda.

Credit: Yahoo

#PHOTONEWS: Buhari Meets His Senior Alumnus At India-Africa Forum Summit

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President Buhari meets with General V.K. Singh and some of his Senior Alumnus at the LALIT Palace Hotel in New Delhi India during his 4 days official  visit to New Delhi India to attend the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit.

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President Buhari receives a presentation from his coursemate in staff college Lt. Gen. Vinay Shankar (Rtd) as President Buhari meets with General V.K. Singh and some of his Senior Alumni’s at the LALIT Palace Hotel in New Delhi India during his 4 days official visit to New Delhi India to attend the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit on 28th Oct 2015

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President Buhari receives a presentation from General V.K. Singh as President Buhari meets with General V.K. Singh and some of his Senior Alumni’s at the LALIT Palace Hotel in New Delhi India during his 4 days official visit to New Delhi India to attend the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit on 28th Oct 2015

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President Buhari receives a presentation from Lt. General Rakesh Kumar Loomba as President Buhari meets with General V.K. Singh and some of his Senior Alumni’s at the LALIT Palace Hotel in New Delhi India during his 4 days official visit to New Delhi India to attend the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit on 28th Oct 2015

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President Buhari with Mr Biju Koshy and General V.K. Singh as President Buhari meets with General V.K. Singh and some of his Senior Alumni’s at the LALIT Palace Hotel in New Delhi India during his 4 days official visit to New Delhi India to attend the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit on 28th Oct 2015

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President Buhari with Mr Biju Koshy and General V.K. Singh as President Buhari meets with General V.K. Singh and some of his Senior Alumni’s at the LALIT Palace Hotel in New Delhi India during his 4 days official visit to New Delhi India to attend the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit on 28th Oct 2015

Credit: Guardian

Buhari Meets Tambuwal, Wamakko Over Ministerial Nominee

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Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, along with Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, had a fruitful one hour discussion with President Muhammadu Buhari on matters surrounding the nomination of Ms. Aisha Abubakar as a ministerial nominee from Sokoto State.

At the moment, all issues are being resolved,  according to a statement by Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal`s spokesman.

Credit: thisdaylive

Buhari Meets Hollande On Defence, Security

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President Muhammadu Buhari leaves Abuja for Paris today on a three-day official visit to France at the invitation of President Francois Hollande.

Buhari would be accompanied on the visit by the National Security Adviser, Major-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.), Permanent Secretaries, Federal Ministries of Defence, Finance, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, Industry, Trade and Investment as well as the Chief Executives of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, NIPC, and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC.

A statement issued yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said Buhari’s talks in Paris with Hollande and other senior French Government officials would focus on strengthening and consolidating on ongoing bilateral cooperation between both countries in the areas of defence, security, trade and investments.

Apart from his scheduled meeting with Hollande at the Elysee Palace, Buhari and his team would also confer with the French Minister of Defence, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister of Finance and Public Accounts, Mr. Michel Sapin, Minister of Economy and Industry, Mr. Emmanuel Macron and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Mr. Laurent Fabius.

Read More: nationalmirroronline

Dangote Meets Mugabe On Investment Approval

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Alhaji Aliko Dangote has met with the Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on the need to speed up the necessary approval for his investment in power, mining and cement industries in the southern African country.

Dangote who paid a courtesy call on President Mugabe reminded the President at his state House yesterday that he was awaiting the relevant approvals to set up the group’s investments.

He said, “We have already decided on multimillion investments in Zimbabwe in three sectors which are power, cement and coal mining. As soon as we get permits, we will hit the ground running.”

Read More: vanguardngr

NDDC Management Meets Buhari Today Over Audit Report

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As the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Bassey Dan Abia, and other top management of the commission meet with President Muhammadu Buhari today at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, concern has mounted that the team may either be sacked or an inter-agency panel set up to scrutinise the accounts of the commission.

The team comprising Abia; the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Dr. Henry Ogiri; Executive Director, Projects, Mr. Omatsuli Tuoyo; and other members of the governing board have two more years to complete their tenure, having been inaugurated in December 2013.

A source in the commission said that the audit report recently released by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, may have heightened concerns among the members of the governing board and management who arrived Abuja last night.

The source said: “From all indications, the management of the commission may either be given the marching order because there are several petitions against it in respect of issues ranging from contract splitting and the rest, or a panel set up to probe the accounts of NDDC…”

Read More: thisdaylive

Kris Jenner & Ex Husband, Now Caitlyn Jenner, Finally Meets In Person

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The highly anticipated meeting between Caitlyn Jenner and Kris Jenner has finally happened.

A source confirms that the two exes met at Caitlyn’s Malibu house yesterday for their first face-to-face get together, undoubtedly an emotional moment for both.

Kris, who openly struggled with the news of Caitlyn’s transition on Keeping Up With the Kardashians, is the last of the family members to meet Caitlyn. And although she stayed mum about Jenner’s debut in the beginning, Kris broke her silence on the matter and called Caitlyn’s transition inspiring.

“I think it’s amazing,” the 59-year-old told Extra at the Daily Mail‘s Seriously Popular Party in Cannes last month. “I think that someone following their dream is truly inspirational to a lot of people. You have to do what makes you happy.”

 
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Kris was also noticeably absent at the 2015 ESPYs, where Caitlyn accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, but she was watching.

The star was extremely proud of her ex, telling Us Weekly she thought Caitlyn’s moving speech “was amazing and very brave,” and also gave her a fashion nod for her stunning Versace gown. “I think she looked beautiful.”

“You know, Kris is a really good woman and I love her to death,” the 65-year-old Olympian said during E!’s two-part special About Bruce. “And the love and acceptance I have gotten from Kris is absolutely overwhelming.”

Read More: eonline

APC Caucus Meets On Tuesday

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The national caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is expected to meet on Tuesday to resolve the crisis rocking the party over the selection of principal officers in the National Assembly.

Tuesday’s meeting, which will hold at the party’s secretariat in Abuja, is expected to serve as a prelude to a more expansive meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) later in the week.

The meeting would review the crisis that has engulfed the party’s members in the National Assembly as well as the actions taken by the party so far to address it.

The meeting, which scheduled to start at 11a.m. will be attended by President Muhammadu Buhari, his Vice, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Dr. Saraki , House Speaker, Dogara and leaders of the party.

There are speculations that some members may ask the Chairman of the party, John Oyegun to step down for his perceived failure to nip in the bud the National Assembly crisis that has shaken the party so much.

Read More: TheSun

11 States Seek N300.5bn Refund From FG, Buhari Meets Govs Today

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Many state governors will at their meeting on Tuesday(today) with President Muhammadu Buhari demand the refund of billions of naira they spent on Federal Government projects in their respective states during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

A greater chunk of the money went into the rehabilitation of federal roads in the states. For instance, 11 out of the   36 states of the federation will be demanding the refund of N300.5bn from Buhari.

Following their inability to pay their workers’ salaries, many states said a bailout from the Federal Government was the only option available to them.

Read More: punchng

President Buhari Meets Service Chiefs On First Day In Office

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On his first day in the office, President Muhammadu Buhari went into a meeting with service chiefs who arrived the Villa shortly after the president resumed ?at the presidential Villa.

It is the second time that President Muhammadu Buhari would be meeting with the service chiefs since he assumed office.

And unlike the Jonathan era where such meetings had the Director General of the Department of State Services in attendance, the DG of the DSS was not in attendance at Monday meeting. The meeting is still on going at the time of this report.

Credit: Vanguard

Buhari Meets Governors Tomorrow Over Unpaid Salaries

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Following an appeal by the 36 state governors seeking President Muhammadu Buhari’s intervention over the inability of some states to pay workers’ salaries, the President has agreed to meet with governors tomorrow.

This is just as the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, has advised affected states to explore available avenues to alleviate the plights of the workers.

The meeting between President Buhari and the governors is expected to focus on the modality of sourcing funds to enable them defray the debts owed their workers. A top government official of the affected states said: “The President has graciously accepted our overtures to him to help us.

Read More: vanguardngr

APC Crisis: Buhari Meets Atiku, Oyegun

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The need to further consult and calm frayed nerves has been adduced as reasons why the leadership of the All Progressives Congress shelved a meeting scheduled to hold in Abuja on Tuesday.

It was learnt that some of the party leaders who were still sore about the outcome of the National Assembly leadership elections, are yet to agree to sit on the roundtable with individuals they claimed stabbed them in the back.

A member of the party caucus who pleaded anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue said, “You expect me to sit with people who for their selfish interests connived with the opposition to deny our party what is due to it?

“We need time for the wounds to heal. You must also understand that the comment of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso which is in the papers today, has not helped matters.”

It was further learnt that as part of the consultations before a wider meeting would be called, President Muhammadu Buhari met with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and the Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura, at his private residence in Abuja on Thursday.

When contacted, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, denied knowledge of any scheduled caucus or Board of Trustees meeting.

He told The PUNCH, “I am not aware of any meeting scheduled for Abuja, today (Tuesday), I only know that the Governors Forum is meeting tomorrow (Wednesday).

It will be recalled that Al-Makura had on Sunday told newsmen in Lafia, that party leaders would meet in Abuja, on Tuesday to deliberate on the challenges facing the party.

Credit: punchng

President Buhari Meets Service Chiefs Today Over Boko Haram

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The fate of all the Service Chiefs will be determined today as indications emerged, yesterday, that President Muhammadu Buhari, in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces will meet with them.

Sources said the main agenda will be the battle against terrorism and the relocation of Command and Control Centre of the military to Maiduguri, Borno State capital. It was gathered that the Service Chiefs may be asked to voluntarily retire from service to give way to new appointees.

According to the source, the plan of President Buhari to relocate the Command and Control Centre to Maiduguri in order to put an end to terrorism did not receive the support of the military high command, hence he needs those who would be ready to work in line with his thinking.

Read More: vanguardngr

Jonathan Meets Acting PDP Chairman Behind Closed Doors

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President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday met with the Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus. The meeting was held behind closed-doors.

Secondus arrived the Presidential Villa, Abuja  at about 5.15pm in company of  Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State.

Although the agenda of the meeting was not made public, checks indicated that it had to do with the crisis rocking the party. Secondus, it was learnt visits Jonathan to  brief him on the development and seek his support.

Read More: Vanguard

Senate Presidency Tussle: Akume Meets Obasanjo, Tinubu, Atiku, Kwankwaso

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Ahead of the zon­ing of the Senate Presidency, former governor of Benue State and one of the top con­tenders to the nation’s num­ber three position, Senator George Akume, has intensi­fied consultations, meeting leaders of the All Progres­sives Congress (APC) and other stakeholders.

Akume, last week, met with former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; the APC National Leader, Bola Tinubu and former Osun State gover­nor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyin­lola, in the South West.

The former Benue State governor, who is returning to the Senate for the third time, met all the leaders in their respective domains in Abeo­kuta, Lagos and Okuku, re­spectively.

Though there was no of­ficial statement after each of the meetings, it was gathered that the parleys might not be unconnected with the position of Senate Presidency.

Sources told Daily Sun that Akume had also met with former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, who may likely emerge as chairman of the APC Board of Trustees.

Also, the former governor had visited Kano State Gov­ernor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, a senator-elect. He also met Prof Ango Abdullahi, an in­fluential northern elder; a for­mer Inspector-General of Po­lice, Ibrahim Coomasie and former Kogi State Governor, Prince Abubakar Audu.

One of Akume’s aides, said of the meeting: “Senator Akume is a very highly re­garded statesman in his own right. Consultations with like-minded leaders on issues bor­dering on our socio-politics should be a routine affair.”

On the Senate presidency contest, the aide stated: “If the APC is truly about change, that change should reflect in the way we do things; so, we send a very strong message to all Nigerians that they can be assured of a sense of belong­ing irrespective of where they come from.

“We have produced a Pres­ident-elect from a majority ethnicity; we have produced a vice-president-elect from an­other majority ethnic group. APC must be sensitive to the sensitivities of the minorities across both divides of the Ni­ger.

“Come to think of it, the outgoing President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, is from a minority ethnic group. What is in stock for the minorities in the incoming administra­tion?”

Read More: sunnewsonline

Buhari Meets Journalist He Jailed As Military Ruler

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Nigeria’s president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, has met one of the journalists jailed by his military regime nearly 30 years ago.

Tunde Thompson was imprisoned in 1984 under the notorious Decree 4 of the Buhari military government.

Alongside his colleague, Nduka Iraboh, at the Guardian newspaper, Mr. Thompson became one the faces of the regime’s iron-fisted rule, a case repeatedly referenced during Mr. Buhari’s campaign for March 28 election.

Mr. Thompson said ahead of the polls that he had forgiven Mr Buhari. He later worked as part of the former military leader’s media team.

At a meeting Tuesday in Abuja, Mr. Buhari praised the journalist for rising above his jail experience to forgive and support him, saying what happened under his military regime was one of the challenges of that period.

The president-elect also commended members of his campaign media team led by Shehu Garba for running a very “decent media campaign” despite the vigorous hate campaigns mounted against him by the Peoples Democratic Party.

Mr. Buhari, who received members of the team and “Social Media Influencers” at the Defence House, Abuja on Tuesday, was full of praises for the APC Presidential Campaign Media & Publicity members.

“I want to commend you especially for two things. First, is the decent media campaign you conducted. Despite the PDP’s dirty tactics, you stayed focused on issues and avoided the temptation to sling mud.”

Read More: premiumtimesng

Buhari Meets With APC Governors Over Cabinet Composition?

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Nigeria’s President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, is currently meeting with all incumbent and elected governors of the All Progressives Congress, APC, at his Defence House official residence in Abuja.

Details of the meeting were not clear at the time of this report. But some sources said the meeting will discuss the composition of Mr.  Buhari’s cabinet.

Governors are considered leaders of the party in their states and they are expected to submit lists of nominees for Ministerial positions to the president for consideration.

Sources at the Defence House said each of the governors would nominate three persons from their states,  while the president-elect is expected to pick one.

Credit: premiumtimesng

Buhari Meets Senators, Reps-Elect

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The President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, will address senators and House of Representatives members elected under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday. The meeting is scheduled to hold in Abuja.

The Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign, Garba Shehu, disclosed this on Tuesday The meeting is expected to hold after Buhari inaugurates the party’s transition committee that would interface with the team of the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan.

Read More: Punch

Finally! Lagos To Abuja Trekker Meets Buhari, Explains How He Trekked

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More excitement filled the air around the presidential campaign headquarters of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Abuja late Friday evening as Mr. Suleiman Hashimu, the Lagos to Abuja trekker finally met with the president-elect, General Mohammadu Buhari.

Giving details of his journey to the President- Elect, the trekker said he passed through Kwara to Niger and then to Abuja. Though his story may sound incredible, Hashimu said he didn’t care about what people would say of him, stressing that what mattered to him was the fulfillment of his promise to God and himself.

He said: “I made a promise because of the love I have for Mr. President that if Buhari should win the 2015 elections, I will trek from Lagos to Abuja which I have done. I thank God that I made a promise and I fulfilled the promise. “I passed through Kwara and Niger states to Abuja. I was trekking from 6.00am to 6.00pm and anywhere I find myself when it is 6.00pm, I pass the night there.I spent 18 days from Lagos to Abuja.

“Once I found myself inside the bush by 6.00pm and I managed to continue the trek till 9.00pm to a nearby village.

“I made this promise two years ago. I am based in Ibadan and I started my journey from Lagos because Lagos is the most popular city in Nigeria and I started from Berger junction in Lagos.

“I am not bothered about what people think. It is a promise between me and my God. I don’t want anybody to believe me. I left Lagos because I made a promise. Right from Kwara state, I never walked alone for five kilometres. People always walk with me to the next village. I work with a construction company based in Ibadan.”

Speaking at the event, Buhari congratulated Hashimu and thanked God that his health did not fail him. “I want to congratulate you for making it. He is a young man and he was lucky that his health did not fail him. I also heard so many stories that you wore almost half a dozen pair of shoes. I also understand that there are people who have been quite generous to help you to pay for pair of shoes”, Buhari said.

Credit: vanguardngr