Tag Archives: Visit

We’re ready to visit Buhari in London – PDP BoT Chairman

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The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees, Sen. Walid Jubril, says the party leaders are ready to visit and sympathise with President Muhammadu Buhari in London.

Jubril, who denied that the party promoted the rumoured death of the President, said that the PDP was rather praying fervently for Buhari’s safe return to Nigeria.

He said, “Let him be well and come back and continue with his leadership of Nigeria.

“If we are to be given the opportunity, the PDP leaders will even go to London to wish him well and sympathise with his family.”

The BOT chairman, also spoke on the lingering crisis in the party, saying that “the PDP will never die”.

According to him, the party is making efforts to end the lingering crisis facing it and forge ahead.

“By the grace of God, we are coming clean and the PDP will never die, it will remain as a very strong party.

“There could be differences; differences will come and go, we will emerge stronger and ready to win all elections like we have won in Rivers, Taraba, Gombe, and we are going to win in Anambra, Ekiti hands down.”

The BOT chairman cautioned key stakeholders against confusing party members, saying they should allow ongoing reconciliation efforts by well-meaning Nigerians including former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said that apart from Jonathan, other stakeholders in the party are also engaged in the reconciliation efforts.

“I am very sure that there are moves by very responsible party leaders on way forward for our party and we are making a lot of contacts.”

According to him, the former president is consulting with the BOT and all the estranged groups in the party.

He said, “He has spoken with Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff and he is also talking with me as BOT chairman.

“People should give the former president the opportunity to make proper scrutiny and come out with agreeable solutions on this matter.

“They should not be in too much hurry to further confuse members; we are talking about political solutions.”

Jubril dismissed reports of alleged attempt by the Makarfi faction to break away and register a new party.

He said, “My belief is that when there are such decisions, it will be subjected to scrutiny and discussions by all organs and forums such as the national assembly, the ministers’ forum, former Governors, and we have the BOT and also the chairmen of various states.

“Whatever we want to do, it must be subjected to their beliefs and understanding.

“I wonder if anybody will say that he has gone to register on behalf of PDP; I will not accept that.”

Protest Turns Violent During Obama’s Visit To Greece

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Six people have been arrested in the Greek capital after a group of anarchists started throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails following an anti-capitalism protest, Athens police told CNN.

The trouble came as Barack Obama visits Athens on his final state tour as President of the United States. He gave a speech Wednesday after touring the Acropolis, the complex of monuments known as the “cradle of democracy,” in which he said democracy was “complicated” and “messy” but designed to correct mistakes.
Protesters stand in front of graffiti that reads “No Hope” on Tuesday in Athens.
The arrests occurred Tuesday after a peaceful demonstration, organized by the Communist Party and permitted by police, in Omonia Square near central Athens.
About 5,000 people attended the anti-establishment protest, police said. After it was over, a group of some 100 to 150 anarchists became violent, police said.
Unrest broke out as the group tried to break through a police cordon to march to the US Embassy and Presidential Mansion, where Obama was attending an official state dinner.
Protesters threw Molotov cocktails, and police responded with stun grenades and tear gas, dispersing the crowds who eventually retreated into the side streets.
Three officers suffered minor injuries, police said.
Read More: cnn

President Buhari begins 2-day visit to Edo State.

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday arrived Benin airport to begin a two-day working visit to Edo.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Buhari, who arrived at about 10: 43 a.m aboard Air Force flight 5N-FGW, was received by Gov. Adams Oshiomhole.

 

He inspected a guard of honour mounted by military personnel before proceeding to the palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare N’gidigan II, on a courtesy visit.

 

NAN reports that some of the dignitaries at the airport included the APC National Chairman, John Oyegun, Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, the state governor-elect, Godwin Obaseki, service commanders, lawmakers, and other party leaders.

3 takeaways from Saraki’s visit to President Buhari – Jude Egbas

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Senate President Bukola Saraki paid President Muhammadu Buhari a visit on Friday November 4, 2016.

If you learned nothing else from that visit, you should take the following to the bank:

1. A frosty relationship can be smoothened

The Senate and Executive arms of government haven’t enjoyed the best of relationships in the Buhari era.

There’s been too much bad blood between both camps.

Too much for President Buhari’s liking, a State House source has told Pulse.

Friday’s meeting may have been brief, but it was all for a better working relationship between Buhari and the Saraki-led Senate in the future, Pulse was reliably informed by a top ranking official in the Presidency.

Saraki, Buhari 

Saraki had said after the meeting: “We should not look at that as a reflection of the relationship. Don’t let us politicise very important issues. As we said, this is work in progress.”

Yeah, you read that right.

The relationship between the Executive and the Legislature is very much a work in progress.

2. That $30B loan rejection was on the agenda

“I came here to pray, I have finished praying and I just had a general felicitation with the president. It didn’t go beyond that”, Saraki said as he deflected questions from State House correspondents concerning whether the rejection of the $30B loan proposal from the Executive was on the cards.

Yeah right. Aso Rock must have the best praying ground around these days.

The loan request from the Executive was turned down by the Senate earlier in the week and Saraki visits the President as the week tapered off.

Make of that what you will.

Remember what they say about the Witch crying at night and the Child passing away at dawn?

Even President Buhari gave the agenda away in the following tweet:

3. President’s aides have been doing such a poor job

To be very frank here, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma and Senior Special Assistant to Buhari on National Assembly matters, Ita Enang, have made a huge mess of Executive proposals sent to lawmakers recently.

First, it was the 2016 budget proposal that was duplicated and laden with errors; and then we had the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) that was lacking in details and a loan request proposal that had no attachment.

It has been a comedy of errors from Buhari’s men.

Today’s meeting was supposed to address all of that.

***********

Trust us when we say the President’s loan request will be re-submitted to the National Assembly and speedily passed this time.

And we’ll remember this meeting as the moment when a relationship reset happened.

Trump To Visit Mexico Wednesday, Meet Its President

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Donald Trump announced he would travel to Mexico on Wednesday to meet its president, just hours ahead of giving a much-anticipated speech in Arizona on immigration.

The Republican presidential nominee’s surprise trip south of the border comes as debate about his hardline immigration policies is reaching fever pitch.

Although his visit holds potential political peril, Trump could seize control of the campaign narrative at a crucial time, showing a willingness to engage diplomatically on a sensitive issue at the heart of his campaign.

“I have accepted the invitation of President Enrique Pena Nieto, of Mexico, and look very much forward to meeting him tomorrow,” Trump posted on Twitter Tuesday.

Mexico’s presidential office confirmed the visit, posting its own tweet in Spanish to say the billionaire New York real estate tycoon “has accepted the invitation and will meet tomorrow privately with the President @EPN.”

Pena Nieto’s office said in a statement that he had sent invitations to Trump as well as his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

Her campaign has announced no plans for a visit, with an aide on Tuesday saying Clinton “looks forward to talking with President Pena Nieto again at the appropriate time.”

Read More:

http://guardian.ng/news/trump-to-visit-mexico-wednesday-meet-its-president/

Dangote & Legendary British Singer, Bono, Visit Ex-wives Of Boko Haram Fighters In Maiduguri

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Businessman Aliko Dangote spent Sunday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, visiting several Internally Displaced Persons’ camp in the city.

Mr Dangote, who was accompanied by legendary British singer of the U2 fame, Sir Paul David Hewson, popularly known as Bono, also visited a rehabilitation centre where former wives of Boko Haram insurgents are being deradicalized.

The British singer is an ambassador of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

Mr. Dangote, who arrived Maiduguri at about 11am was led to some of the major IDP camps by Borno State Governor, Kashim Shetima.

He also visited a site where his foundation is building 1000 homes for the displaced persons.

At the Centre where the former wives of Boko Haram insurgents are being rehabilitated, Messrs Dangote and Bono were informed by Mr. Shettima that most of the women and girls there were full-time wives of the insurgents before they were rescued by soldiers.

“When they were brought in initially they were very hostile and unfriendly,” Mr. Shettima said. “But now they have embraced us and they are about to complete the deradicalization programme. After that, we have to educate the kids because education is very key in the whole effort to deradicalize.

“For the parents, we are going to empower them by providing them with a lifeline like irrigation pumps, and we have also procured special breed of goats that will be given to them to rear as well as cows that will be artificially inseminated for them to start a new life,” the governor said.

Read More: PremiumTimes

Kerry’s Visit To Nigeria Discriminatory- CAN

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The President of the Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN), Rev. Supo Ayokunle, has faulted the recent visit to Nigeria by United States Secretary of State, John Kerry.

He described it as discriminatory and aimed at furthering agenda by the Federal Government to persecute the country’s Christians.

Kerry, during the two-day trip had, after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, visited the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, and also met with the 19 northern governors.In a statement in Abuja, yesterday, Ayokunle accused Kerry of not respecting the heterogeneous nature of the country, and favouring northern Nigeria and Muslims, to the detriment of the Christian community.

He said the Secretary of State’s attitude reinforced accusations that the President Obama administration and key US politicians openly supported the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2016 general elections.

Ayokunle said the visit sent a wrong message, alleging that Christians under the Buhari administration were under siege.

The CAN leader said: “Kerry’s actions speak volume. His actions and body language were very divisive. Why did he meet with 19 states governors, without southern governors? Is Nigeria north alone? Why did he go to the north alone? If the U.S. Secretary of States is coming for an official visit, it is understandable. But we demand an explanation on why he was selective. Has the Sultan’s palace become another State House? Was Kerry invited by the Sultan?

“We have 36 states in Nigeria. He only selected northern governors. It was a visit to the north, not to Nigeria. It was surely a very divisive visit. With it, Kerry has heightened fear and tension among Christians in the country. If they cannot bring us together, they should not interfere in our affairs.”

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http://guardian.ng/news/kerrys-visit-to-nigeria-discriminatory-says-can/

State House Reporters Restricted From Covering John Kerry’s Visit

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Indications emerged on Monday that reporters covering the State House have been restricted from covering the visit of the United States (US) Secretary of State, John Kerry, to the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.

President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to receive Kerry by 3p.m.

According to sources, only photographers and videographers will cover his visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The photographers and videographers that will be allowed to establish arrival of Kerry by 2.55 pm, according to sources, are expected to set-up by 2.15 p.m.

Also only the official photographers and videographer will be allowed to establish the bilateral meeting at the President’s office.

The Secretary of State will not grant any press interview at the end of the meeting with the President.

After meeting Buhari, Kerry is expected to meet with select Governors from the Northern part of Nigeria at the State House Press Waiting Room.

Again seven media personnel comprising of photographers and videographers will be allowed to establish the event.

At the end of the meeting with the governors, Kerry again will not grant any press interview.

Reporters, according to the sources, won’t be allowed near the visiting Secretary of State.

Credit:

Kerry’s visit: State House reporters restricted

John Kerry To Visit Nigeria

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U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Nigeria and Saudi Arabia next week to discuss regional issues, the State Department announced Thursday.

Kerry will first go to Nigeria and meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss the threat of terror group Boko Haram, spokesman John Kirby said.

Boko Haram, the group responsible for the kidnapping of nearly 300 girls from a school in Chibok in 2014, has killed at least 20,000 people in its 7-year uprising against the Nigerian government. It surpassed Islamic State in 2014 to become the world’s deadliest terrorist group, according to the 2015 Global Terrorism Index, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace.

Kerry and Buhari also will discuss Nigeria’s economy and human rights issues.

Secretary Kerry then will travel on to Saudi Arabia where he will meet with Saudi and other Gulf state leaders to discuss the ongoing conflict in Yemen, Kirby said.

Credit: voanews

UNESCO DG Arrives Nigeria On 3-day Working Visit

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Ms Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General, arrived Nigeria on Wednesday, on a three-day working visit.

She was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by Mrs Folashade Yemi-Esan, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education and Hajia Mariam Katagum, Nigeria’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.

Bokova who spoke to newsmen on arrival, said that the purpose of her visit was to discuss vital issues with the Federal Government.
She expressed concern over terrorist activities in Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Mali.

“The purpose of the visit is to meet the President and the Ministers of Education, Science and Culture.

“Nigeria is a very important member of UNESCO-a member of the executive board.

“There is an agenda for sustainable development for the next 30 years; we want to see how we can accomplish the ambition of the Nigerian government.

“We are very much concerned about the terrorist attacks in the region; that is why I also visited Niger, Chad and Mali,’’ she said.
According to the UNESCO D-G ,the visit is her third time of coming to Nigeria.

Credit: NAN

Erdogan To Visit Russia On August 9

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Russia on August 9 for his first face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin since Moscow and Ankara mended ties damaged by the downing of a Russian jet last year, Turkish officials said Tuesday.

“The ambassador has informed us that our dear president (Erdogan) has confirmed that he will be in Saint Petersburg on the 9th (of August),” Russian news agencies quoted Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek as saying.

An official in Turkey confirmed the date, saying that Erdogan and Putin had agreed to meet ahead of the G20 summit in China in September.

Simsek is the highest ranking Turkish official to visit Russia since the November downing of the Russian jet on the Syrian border sparked an unprecedented crisis in relations.

He said he was in Moscow to meet his Russian counterpart Arkady Dvorkovich in an effort to “normalise the situation and our relations as soon as possible and at an accelerated pace”.

The plane downing led to a bitter war of words between the two leaders, with the Kremlin strongman calling it a “stab in the back” and accusing the Turkish president of involvement in the illegal oil trade with the Islamic State jihadist group.

But after the Kremlin claimed last month that Erdogan had apologised to Putin over the incident, Moscow ordered the lifting of a string of economic sanctions including an embargo on Turkish food products and the cancellation of charter flights to the country.

The punitive measures had dealt a crushing blow to the Turkish tourism industry, which is hugely reliant on Russian tourists, especially on its Mediterranean coast.

Putin called Erdogan earlier this month to express his support after the failed putsch in Turkey, and the Kremlin confirmed at the time that the two leaders would meet in the near future.

Credit: Guardian

Buhari To Visit Niger Delta Thursday

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President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to visit restive Niger Delta region, recently rocked by series of attacks on oil facilities with the Niger Delta Avengers claiming responsibilities.

The visit will be Buhari’s first to the South-South region since becoming the president on May 29, 2015. He was scheduled to visit Cross Rivers but the trip was cancelled.

A media aide to Buhari said the president would travel to Ogoniland in Rivers state to flag off a long-awaited clean-up of the area, which has been affected by oil spills.

“All things being equal, the president will be in Ogoniland on Thursday for the historic clean up of the area,” the aide told AFP.

In August 2011, a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report said Ogoniland may require the world’s biggest-ever clean-up.

Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) has carried out several attacks on key pipelines and facilities operated by Shell and Chevron, causing oil production to slump to 1.4 million bpd from 2.2 million.

Buhari had pledged in his address on the occasion of his first anniversary as the president to ‘re-engineeer’ the amnesty programme for repentant former militants and engage leaders from the region in productive dialogue to proffer solutions to the region’s many problems and stem down the spate of attacks on oil installations.

He said, “On the Niger Delta, we are committed to implementing the United Nations Environment Programme report and are advancing clean-up operations. I believe the way forward is to take a sustainable approach to address the issues that affect the delta communities.

“Re-engineering the amnesty programmes is an example of this. The recent spate of attacks by militants disrupting oil and power installations will not distract us from engaging leaders in the region in addressing Niger Delta problems. If the militants and vandals are testing our resolve, they are much mistaken. We shall apprehend the perpetrators and their sponsors and bring them to justice.”

Credit: Guardian

FIFA President To Visit Nigeria

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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Sunday announced that President of Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, will visit Nigeria in June.

A statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by NFF’s Assistant Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, said that the visit was a fall-out of NFF President, Amaju Pinnick’s recent meeting with Infantino in Mexico.

The statement said that during the visit, the FIFA president would visit President Muhammadu Buhari and also attend the final of the NFF/ZENITH Bank Future Eagles Championship.

“He will also have an evening with Corporate Nigeria and as well as have an interactive session with a horde of African FA Presidents who will also be in Nigeria to receive him,’’ it said.

It added that Infantino believed that Nigeria was a big country and a massive football-playing nation that should help with “the new FIFA leadership’s drive to truly develop the game’’.

“He is excited about our various capacity–building and youth development programs and that is why he is coming to watch the NFF/ZENITH Bank Championship finals,’’ NFF said.

Infantino assumed office as head of world’s football governing body after winning election at an extraordinary general congress in Zurich on Feb. 26, 2016.

Credit: NAN

Aisha Buhari, Bello, Arase Visit Late Minister’s Family (PHOTOS)

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Government officials at the federal and state levels today visited the home of the late Minister of State for Labour, James Ocholi, to commiserate with his family.

Ocholi, his wife, and one of his sons had lost their lives on Sunday in a car crash along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, shocking the nation.

Among those who visited his home today were the Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha; the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase.

The officials, who paid tribute to the late Ocholi, all signed the condolence register before leaving.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, were among those who visited the home.

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Credit: Punch

Ohanaeze To Visit Buhari With Charter Of Demands

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Ohanaeze Ndigbo has resolved to visit President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja with a charter of demands.The resolution was adopted after a meeting of some members at the private residence of one of their leaders in Enugu, yesterday. Among the issues they resolved to present to Buhari for urgent attention included the reconstruction of the Enugu- Umuahia- Port Harcourt Road, the Enugu- Onitsha express road, appointment of more Special and Senior Special Assistants or Assistants as Igbo are not represented in his government, as well as the completion of the Second Niger Bridge to end the ongoing agitation for Biafra Republic. Apart from these, they also resolved to ask the President to set up the Eastern Nigeria Development Commission, ENDC, to handle the issue of unemployment of Igbo youths which they said was responsible for the continued agitation for the Biafran Republic by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, as reportedly requested by Governor Rochas Okorocha during the reconciliation meeting between the two former factions of Ohanaeze led by Chief Enwo Igariwey and Ralph Obioha respectively. Okorocha was alleged to have pledged to take “Ohanaeze to the river,” during the reconciliatory meeting of the two factions in Owerri, the Imo State capital about two weeks ago. Sources close to the meeting told Vanguard in Enugu that other matters which came up included the search for a new chairman of the group following the end of the tenure of present executive led by Igariwey. Meanwhile, IPOB members have reacted to the outcome of the Ohanaeze meeting, saying that “some Igbo politicians who are using IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu (its detained leader) or Biafra to get cheap popularity will fail and advised them to stop doing so with immediate effect.” In three separate statements, IPOB listed Igbo leaders like Chief T. A Orji, Rochas Okorocha, Emeka Offor, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Ike Ekweremadu, Chukwuma Soludo, Ralph Uwazuruike, Okezie Ikpazu, Onwuka Ukwa as well as Ohanaeze Ndigbo” as among individuals and groups working against its interest. According to IPOB, “the Ohanaeze Ndigbo was looking for access to Buhari for the selfish interest of its members adding that they were using the blood of dead Biafrans to enrich its members.” Those who signed the statements were Emma Mmezu and Clifford Iroanya.

Credit: Vanguard

Why Buhari Must Visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar Tomorrow

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President Muhammadu Buhari will begin a week-long official visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Monday, February 22, for talks with King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and senior officials of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

High on the agenda of discussions between President Buhari and the Saudi Monarch, is the ongoing efforts by Nigeria and other members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to achieve greater stability in the price of crude oil exports.

In a statement on Sunday the spokesperson for the President said that President Buhari would be accompanied by a high-powered Federal Government delegation. The Minister of State (Petroleum) and Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu will be part of the delegation.

The President will also fly to Riyadyh on Tuesday.

“Crude oil prices and market stability would also be on the front burner when President Buhari goes on to Doha on Saturday for talks with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani,” the statement read.

The President is also scheduled to meet with leading Saudi and Qatari businessmen in Riyadh and Doha, and invite them to support his administration’s efforts to revamp the Nigerian economy by taking advantage of the great investment opportunities currently available in Nigeria’s mining, agriculture, power supply, infrastructure, transportation, communications and other sectors.

President Buhari’s other engagements in Saudi Arabia include meetings with Heads of International Financial Organisations and Multilateral Associations.

Before going on to Doha, the President will also visit Medina and Mecca to pray for greater peace, prosperity and progress in Nigeria.

Credit: ChannelsTv

Why Buhari Must Visit France, Britain Tomorrow

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President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria will be seeking more global efforts against terrorism during his visit to France and Britain on Wednesday.

At his first stop in Strasbourg, France, President Buhari will on February 3 address a special session of the European Union Parliament to be attended by members of the executive and legislative arms of the Union.

Other issues that President Buhari would focus on in his address are violent extremism, corruption, Nigeria and Africa’s current security, economic and developmental challenges, and the need for greater support from the European Union and advanced nations for their rapid resolution.

A statement by a spokesman for the President, Femi Adesina, said that Buhari would also hold talks with the President of the European Parliament, Mr Martin Schulz and the President of the European Commission, Mr Jean-Claude Juncker on the same issues.

After talks with the EU officials, President Buhari will leave Strasbourg for London to join other world leaders at the Supporting Syria and the Region Conference scheduled to open in the British capital on Thursday, February 4.

The President will use the opportunity of his participation in the conference which is being co-hosted by Britain, Germany, Norway, Kuwait and the United Nations to continue his push for more global understanding, collaboration and support for Nigeria and other countries in the frontlines of the war against terrorism who are striving to overcome its very adverse effects on affected populations.

He is due back in Nigeria at the weekend.

Credit: ChannelsTv

#PhotoNews: Buhari Visits UN Hqtrs In Nairobi

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On his official trip to Kenya, President Mohammadu Buhari visited the United Nations headquarters in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.

The President pledges Nigeria’s commitment to a safe and secure climate and also thanked the United Nations Enviromental Development for their commitment and efforts in Ogoniland. The President further demonstrated his commitment as the leader of Nigeria to a secure climate and a safe environment by planting a tree.

See photos of his visit below:

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Ben Carson To Visit Nigeria, Other African Countries

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Ben Carson told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on Monday that he’s heading to Nigeria, Kenya and Zambia at the end of the month.

“I have a tendency to like to see things firsthand. … You know, I tend to make a much bigger impression, so by going over to Jordan and actually talking to the Syrians themselves, and really getting their perspective on things, [I saw it was] very different from what we hear in the media. And it makes a difference,” Carson said. “ And I think we need to make decisions based on real information as opposed to filtered information.”

Carson — who has seen his poll numbers drop amid greater scrutiny of his comments about foreign policy — said he’s going to each place for a specific reason.

Credit: Politico

Buhari Visits IDPs In Yola, Restates Commitment To Ending Boko Haram Insurgency

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President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his administration’s commitment to ending Boko Haram insurgency.

Buhari, in Hausa language, gave the assurance while addressing Internally Displaced (IDPs) in Malkohi Camp in Yola on Friday.

 

“We remain committed to ending Boko Haram, ensuring your safety and welfare, particularly your children and their education. By the grace of God, it’s our wish that you will be at your farm next cropping season”, Buhari said.

 

Buhari assured the IDPs that government would not only recover their areas but also help in rebuilding destroyed structures particular schools and hospitals.

 

He lauded Adamawa Government, NEMA and other organisations for their effective handling of the IDPs and assured them of sustained Federal Government’s support.

 

Gov. Muhammadu Jibrilla of Adamawa lauded NEMA for its effort in managing the IDPs in collaboration with the State Government and called for sustained support from Federal Government.

 

Responding on behalf of the IDPs, Mr Nicholas Samuel thanked government for showing concern for their plight and making them to feel at home.

 

Samuel, who prayed for sustained military victory over the insurgents, expressed their happiness and hopes to return home very soon.

 

(NAN)

Pope Hints Central African Republic Visit Could Be Cancelled

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Pope Francis indicated on Sunday that his planned visit to the Central African Republic this month could be cancelled if violence between Christians and Muslims there worsens.

Speaking to tens of thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square, he called for an end to the “cycle of violence” in the country he is scheduled to visit Nov. 28-29 as part of a trip that will also take him to Kenya and Uganda.

Francis spoke of the “trip I hope to be able to make to that nation”. He has previously simply said he would go.

A senior Vatican source said the phrasing was chosen because of the violence in the capital Bangui, where the pope is scheduled to visit a mosque in one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods.

“If the situation worsens, he will not be able to go and he is aware of that,” the source said.

Credit: Reuters

Lamar Odom’s Father Claims The Kardashian Family Won’t Allow Him Visit His Son

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Lamar Odom’s father is lashing out at Khloe Kardashian.

Though Joe Odom had previously been seen at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, while his NBA star son remained in critical condition, he now says that the Kardashians are preventing him from visiting Lamar at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.

“I’m mad because this is the second time I came to see my son and they won’t let me see my son,” he told TMZ outside the medical facility on Wednesday. “Like I’m a villain or something… that’s my son.”

Credit: ETonline

Scott Disick Now Needs Kourtney’s Permission To Visit Own Home

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Scott Disick is officially a guest in his own home, meaning he can’t come in without Kourtney Kardashian’s permission.

Scott showed up at the family residence in Calabasas Sunday, but this time his Rolls had to veer left in the visitors line at the guard shack. Kourtney took him off the residents list, which allows entry no questions asked.

Read More: tmz

President Buhari To Visit Ghana Today

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President Buhari will today September 7th pay a 1 day working visit to Ghana where he will meet with Ghanaian President John Mahama to discuss on bilateral relations, regional security, trade and other issues of common interest to Nigeria, Ghana and other members of the Economic Community of West African States. Buhari will also meet with the Nigerian community as well as Nigerian businessmen based in Ghana.

President Buhari’s entourage includes the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.) and the Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice and Industry, Trade and Investment. He is expected back today evening.

Saraki’s Visit To Maiduguri Not For 2019- Senate

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The Senate yesterday dispelled report that the visit of the Senate President, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, was an underground launch of his 2019 presidential campaign.

A national daily yesterday reported that the Senate President visited Maiduguri as part of his plans for the presidency in 2019.

Reports provides that Saraki  had on Monday led senators to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital where he met the Shehu of Borno, the state governor and some displaced persons.

But while reacting to the report, the chairman of the Senate ad hoc committee on publicity, Senator Dino Melaye, said the visit has no connection with 2019.

“It is myopic to say the visit has a link with 2019. The visit was not the making of the Senate president but the resolution of the Senate during a plenary last week. The visit has nothing to do with the ambition of the Senate president,” he said.

He said the Senate president is working hard to find means of assisting the victims of the Boko Haram insurgency.  “The visit was as a result of the motion moved by Senator George Thompson Sekibo of Rivers East Senatorial District on the Boko Haram insurgency.  It was during the debate at the floor that Senate resolved that a delegation led by the Senate president should visit the North East states,” he said.

Read More: dailytrust

Saraki Arrives Maiduguri, Expected To Visit IDP Camps

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Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Monday arrived in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, to assess the situation at several Internally Displaced Persons camps across the town and to receive briefing from the military at the forefront of the war against Boko Haram.

He arrived the town in an aircraft 5N-FGV belonging to the Nigerian Air Force at 12:10pm. While in the town, he is expected to visit the Borno State government house, some IDP camps, military facilities,  and the Shehu of Borno.
Credit: punchng

Boko Haram: President Buhari To Visit Cameroon

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Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari will travel to neighbouring Cameroon on Wednesday for talks with that country’s President Paul Biya on combatting the regional threat from Boko Haram, Nigerian officials said.

“President Buhari is going to Cameroon on Wednesday. He will hold talks with President Biya on arrival on Wednesday and the issue of Boko Haram will be central in their discussion,” presidential spokesman Femi Adesina said.

Since his inauguration on May 29, Buhari has already visited Chad and Niger, two other neighbours of Nigeria that, like Cameroon, have been targeted in cross-border attacks by the Nigeria-based jihadists.

The visit to Cameroon “aims to build a strong regional alliance to confront Boko Haram,” another spokesman for Buhari, Garba Shehu, said.

Shehu declined to give details on the deployment of regional troops, but insisted it “will still be at the end of this month.”

Read More: AFP

Ethiopia Frees 5 Bloggers, Journalists Ahead Of Obama’s Visit

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Five bloggers and journalists held in Ethiopia for more than a year have been freed after the charges were dropped, their lawyer said Thursday, weeks before US President Barack Obama is due to visit the country.

In a separate case, journalist Reeyot Alemu, jailed in June 2011 after being found guilty of plotting a terrorist act, was released on Thursday, campaigners said.

Four others also arrested in April 2014 remain in jail, accused of planning attacks and collaborating with US-based opposition group Ginbot 7, labelled a terrorist organisation by Ethiopian authorities.

“They have suffered, their rights have been violated, but now we are happy,” defence lawyer Ameha Mekonnen told AFP after the five journalists and bloggers were released on Wednesday.

Ameha said the decision to drop the charges was unexpected.

“We are all surprised. The question is why did it take more than one year? We’ve been crying, shouting to the court, to the government,” he said.

The trial of the four remaining bloggers is due to resume on July 20.

Rights activists welcomed the releases but said more needed to be done.

“It’s very good news that six journalists and bloggers have been released, though they shouldn’t have been imprisoned in the first place,” said Leslie Lefkow, deputy director for Africa at Human Rights Watch.

“The government should show this is only a first step toward releasing all political prisoners and opening up space for Ethiopians to voice dissent on a range of issues.”

Tom Rhodes from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called the release, “a welcome turn of events in Ethiopia, where the number of journalists in prison has steadily increased in recent years”.

“We call on authorities to release the remaining Zone 9 bloggers and all the journalists in jail for their work, and to drop all charges against them,” Rhodes said in a statement Thursday.

Reeyot Alemu, who won a UN press freedom prize in 2013, was originally sentenced to 14 years, reduced to five years on appeal.

Credit: AFP

Two Suicide Bombers Attack Village During Osinbajo’s Maiduguri Visit

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Two suicide bombers, male and female, today blew themselves up outside a village in Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, at the time the vice president of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbanjo, was visiting the city, witnesses and security sources said.

VP Osibanjo arrived Maiduguri at about 10:45 am.

He was in to assess the security situation in the state capital, to visit the Internally Displaced Persons camps, before proceeding to Yola, another northeast Nigerian city plagued by Boko Haram insurgency, on a similar? mission.

The two suicide ?bombers blew themselves up in Mulai barely an hour after the VP arrived the city and was going about his assignment.

Mulai is located on the Southwest flank of Maiduguri, while Dalori IDP camp is located about 30km at the southeast axis of the city.

Witnesses said the first bomber, a female, suspected to be in her teens, had explosives planted around her body, concealed with her garment.

She was seen near the main gate of Mulai General Hospital, 10 kilometers southwest of Maiduguri.

Samaila Babayo, a witness, told journalists, “I saw the woman while she was trying to find her way into the hospital. She covered herself with a Hijab and wanted to enter the hospital but was forced to stop while approaching the facility.

“I strongly suspect that the explosives in her body were remotely controlled because while guards at the gate of the hospital were shouting at her, we heard a loud bang and that was all, she was completely torn to shreds by her own explosive,” he said.

Al?most immediately, the second bomber, who was riding a bicycle arrived a spot near the perimeter fencing of the hospital and immediately detonated the explosive on him.

One of the security operatives at the hospital said, “The two bombers wanted to enter the hospital, one was a lady and the other a man of about 20 years who rode on bicycle through the back of the hospital.

“But when the gate guards denied them entry, the explosions in their bodies detonated and killed them,” he said.

Witnesses said no one was injured in the two blasts because they were sent back by the security guards.

Mato Abdulmuminu, a trader who has a stall across the road opposite the hospital, said “from the way the lady was advancing towards the hospital, it was immediately suspected that the lady had a sinister motive. The people began to shout at her so she began to turn back and then the bomb went off. The second bomb blew almost immediately”.

Credit: premiumtimesng

Photos From Osinbajo’s Visit To Borno

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VP Yemi Osinbajo visited an IDP camp today in Maiduguri. He shared these very heart touching photos of a victim and her daughter, who has been badly affected by the insurgency. See his Facebook post below:

On the instructions of President Buhari, VP Yemi Osinbajo visited an IDP camp in Maiduguri today conveying the concern of the President and bringing hope to the victims of terrorism and the entire Borno State. He met a number of the victims at the Dalori camp and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital including the Ms Aisha Ibrahim and her baby daughter -seen in photo-affected badly in a bomb explosion.

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President Buhari To Visit Cameroon After Ramadan

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja accepted an invitation from President Paul Biya to visit Cameroon at his earliest convenience for talks on the intensification of cooperation between Nigeria and neighbouring countries in the war against Boko Haram and terrorism.

Receiving the invitation from Sadi Emmanuel, the Cameroonian Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, President Buhari said he will visit Cameroon for the high-level talks soon after the end of the Ramadan fast.

President Buhari, who said that he was putting his experience as a former soldier to good use in the war against Boko Haram, re-emphasized that greater regional and international cooperation was needed to end the atrocities of the terrorist group.

The President commended the efforts of all regional governments, including Cameroon, in supporting Nigeria in the war against Boko Haram, but called for even greater collaboration.

“I am happy that the President has sent you. As you must have observed, I was in Niger and Chad over this issue. I planned to be in Cameroon afterwards, but I received an invitation to attend the Group of Seven (G7) meeting in Germany.

“I had to attend the meeting because Boko Haram has been internationalised and it was part of the discussions there,” he told Mr. Emmanuel.

Read More: premiumtimesng

Top World Leaders Pile Up Presidential Visit Invites For Buhari To Their Capitals

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In what is an unusual diplomatic largesse for his country and presidency, leading nations around the world are offering President Muhammadu Buhari state visits this year.

This is just as the United Nations is also looking forward to his participation at the 70th anniversary of the world body in New York this September.

In the past recent weeks, the global community has been generally celebrating Nigeria, including the leading international news weekly, Time Magazine, which published a very positive review on the country recently, saying Nigeria is one of the very few things that is currently positive in a world described by the publication as depressing.

As such sentiments spread in the international community, there are now at least three major countries known to have invited Buhari to visit their executive heads of government in what promises to be fairly elaborate state visits sooner or later this year. These nations are the United Kingdom, the United States and India.

A senior UN official also confirmed Monday that the world body is hoping that President Buhari attends the next General Assembly summit which marks 70 years of the United Nations.

The official said more than 100 heads of state are expected alongside Buhari at the yearly global summit in New York, where the Nigerian delegation might be one of the major attractions.

Although a visit to the UN by a nation is more of the discretion of a country, since the UN is open to all its member-states especially during the annual General Assembly summits, it is believed that the gathering offers unique opportunities to celebrate nations, their presidents and leaders around the world whose public record or global goodwill are rising, just like what is happening to Nigeria currently.

On the other hand, invitations for state visits from one nation to the other, and one president to the other is considered more nuanced and signifies a celebration of warm ties between nations and their leaders.

Of the three major nations being mentioned so far, that is the US, UK, and India, it is the White House offer of a presidential visit that is expected to generate the greatest diplomatic windfall for Mr. Buhari and Nigeria.

Read More: premiumtimesng

#PHOTONEWS: 15 Ambassadors Visit Buhari- Vanguard

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Among the Ambassadors who visited Buhari, were of Netherlands, Kenya, Denmark Japan, South Korea, Serbia and Iraq. Others are North Korea, Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey, Syria, India, Lebanon, Namibia and Algeria.

Abdulaziz bin Mubarak Al-Muhannadi (Qatar)

Jovan Maric (Serbia)

Svante Kilander (Sweden)

Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr.John C.M Groffen

Shafik Daiyob (Syria)

Wassin Ibrahim (Lebanon)

Abdulaziz Alsharsah (Kuwait)

Jong Yong Chol (Korea)

TOM AMOLO (Kenya)

MASAYA OTSUKA (Japan)

A.R. Ghanashyam (India)

Alh Khalil Mhesisin Alshammry (Iraq)

Suomela-Chowdhury (Finland)

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Jonathan Heads To Baga After Mubi Visit

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President Goodluck Jonathan has visited Mubi in Adamawa State, more than three months after Nigerian troops recaptured the town from the insurgent group, Boko Haram.

The president arrived Yola international airport at about 10.45a.m. Thursday, accompanied by the Chief of Defence staff and all the service chiefs and the inspector general of police. He later travelled by helicopter to Mubi. At Mubi, Mr. Jonathan met with the Emir of Mubi, Isa Ahamadu, and the people of the area. There were unconfirmed reports that the president visited Vintim village in Mubi, the home town of Nigeria’s Defence Chief, Alex Badeh.

Read More: premiumtimesng.com

Why President Jonathan Visited Babangida

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Nigeria’s former military president Ibrahim Babangida has declared that well meaning Nigerians will vote for President Goodluck Jonathan come 2015.

Speaking at his home in Minna after he received Jonathan, IBB said: “What I will say is simple: the president means well for this country and he is working well for this country. Anybody who means well for this country should support the President to make sure that Nigeria survives as a united country,” he said.

Jonathan, who described his meeting with Babangida as “fruitful”, said he visited the former military leader because he just returned from a medical trip abroad.

“Of course, you know that this is the end of the year. Within this period, people pay visits. So I have come to visit him. You know he just came back from a hospital abroad, not too long ago. Since he came back, we have not seen. I need to see my father to know how he is feeling. I am quite pleased the way I have seen him.

“Of course, you all know that as a nation, we are facing challenges: security challenges all over, not just in the north. Yes, Boko Haram in the north. The south is not safe from commercial kidnapping and robbery.

“He is one of our experienced leaders. As somebody who is sitting where he was before, I need to see them from time to time to listen to their suggestions. That is one of the areas how we can collectively move the country forward and ensure that Nigerians live in peace.  “That is the key thing and I am quite pleased that we had fruitful discussion,” he said.

Credit:  www.nigerianbulletin.com