Read President Buhari’s Eid-el-fitri message to the nation

05 July 2016 | STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
EID-EL-FITR MESSAGE TO THE NATION FROM PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI

I felicitate with all Nigerians, especially the Muslim Ummah, on the occasion of this year’s Eid El Fitr, which marks the completion of the Ramadan fast.
I congratulate Muslims in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of this month-long spiritual journey of fasting, prayer and almsgiving in obedience to the Divine Command.
I sincerely pray that the Almighty Allah will reward our sacrifices with increased blessing and a more prosperous future.
On this happy occasion, it is my strong belief that all true followers of Islam have been rejuvenated on the true meaning and essence of life and through the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), we have learnt to imbibe the virtues of piety, sacrifice, love, self-denial and good conduct in our daily relationship with one another.
As we celebrate another Eid El Fitr, I admonish all patriotic Nigerians to uphold these lessons and also appreciate the numerous material and human blessings God has endowed us with.
Let us learn to show gratitude, respect and tolerance to one other, irrespective of our religion, tribe, language and political leanings, as we forge ahead to build on our strengths and opportunities to make Nigeria great again.
On Monday this week, the Vice President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and other government officials joined me to host Iftar reception at the State House with Nigerians of different backgrounds including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), artisans and Physically-challenged persons.
Like I said during the reception, I want to once again appeal to those of us who have the means, to remember the millions of Nigerians who are suffering deprivation because of violence perpetrated by terrorists.
I am not unaware of what Nigerians are going through and I want to use this medium to commend the amazing sacrifices of Nigerians in the face of the temporary economic and social challenges and also reassure Nigerians that my administration is working assiduously towards providing basic needs and other amenities.
Let me also use this opportunity to reaffirm that we will not relent in the fight against corruption and we will ensure that all appropriate and legal measures are deplored to root out this malaise.
I commend the Armed Forces and security agencies for the gains recorded in the fight against terrorists and the rescue of hostages in the North East part of the country.
I also appeal for the support, understanding and patience of all Nigerians and our international partners as we explore the fastest means to end the economic sabotage in the Niger Delta and amicably resolve the conflicts within the region.
I promise you all better days ahead even as we remain grateful for your unflinching support to our administration.
Happy Eid El Fitr celebration and May the Almighty Allah continue to bless our nation.
Eid Mubarak!

Muhammadu Buhari
July 5, 2016

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Buhari threatens consequences for those obstructing anti-graft crusade

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned those seeking to deter his administration from fighting corruption that there will be consequences.

He made this known on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja during the breaking of fast with  Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs and artisans including taxi drivers, hair dressers, motorcycle riders, barbers, butchers, tailors, and junior workers of the campaign office of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

“Whoever deters us from fighting corruption will suffer the consequences,” he said.

Buhari told them that government is conscious of their needs and will work hard to address them.

“I assure you that the leadership of this country is conscious of you. I’m being told that more has to be done.

“Our intentions are good and honourable but I have to remind you of what we inherited from the previous administration.

“Be mindful that we care about you on daily basis. We will try to improve health services so you will spend less time looking for medical care.

“Tell your family that this government is concerned about your welfare and will work very hard to improve it.”

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Turkey felicitates with Nigerian Muslims on Eid-el-fitri

The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan  has felicitated with Muslims in Nigeria on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-fitri.

In a telephone conversation with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, President Erdogan, whose country had recently suffered terror attack at the Atartuk airport, rejoiced with Nigerians on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fast despite terrorist distractions.
President Muhammadu Buhari had, last week, in a letter written to the Turkish President, commiserated with him and the entire people of Turkey in the wake of the bombings at the Ataturk airport in Turkey. President Buhari had described the incident as a “horrific attack on their soil by evil forces who have nothing to do with Islam despite their warped beliefs.”

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Buhari condoles with Saudi Arabia over suicide bombings

President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the government of Saudi Arabia over Monday’s suicide bombings in their three cities, including  Madinah, Islam’s second holiest city.

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adeshina, Buhari condemned the attacks as a desecration of all that was holy and sacred in Islam.

"The merchants of evil have once again shown that there is nothing religious in their mindless acts, by striking near the Prophet's Mosque. It validates the claim that terrorism really has nothing to do with Islam. Purveyors of terror are simply agents of the devil.

“The fact that the Madinah bombing came the same day as a suicide bomber struck near the US Consulate in Jeddah, also in Saudi Arabia, shows that it was an orchestrated plan to foul up the Eid-el-Fitr celebration,” President Buhari said.

He called for vigilance among the nations , "so that we can collectively beat the forces of darkness on the prowl round the globe."

President Buhari pointed out that terrorism no longer respects international boundaries, and charged humanity to rise as one body "to excise this vermin from our body polity, and assert our liberty from those who pander to base and vicious instincts.

"With our collective resolve, we shall beat terrorism. Around the world and around the clock, let us be alert. And we would remain free and safe," he said.

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South East Women defend Stella Oduah

The South East Association of Igbo Ladies has risen in defense of ex-Minister of Aviation and Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial Zone, Ms Stella Odua concerning N2.5b purportedly found in an account which she allegedly operated in the name of her domestic servant.

The group in a statement circulated to news media described the report credited to an online publication as false, baseless and senseless as Oduah has no female domestic staff.

“We would like to state unequivocally that this report is totally false, baseless and has no sense in it. In the first place, Sen Oduah has no female domestic staff. In the second place, what would be the sense in putting such money in a personal account. -is it for savings or concealment -either of which makes no sense no matter how big the person is?

“We are confident to say that the report did not by any imagination arise from EFCC because the EFCC of today we know are diligent and works with facts. We are convinced that the source of the report must be the handiwork of some mischief makers who have not hidden their determination to bring Sen Oduah down by every means.

“They succeeded in pushing her out of government during the last regime but failed to stop her from winning her election to the senate.

“Oduah is one of the few senators who after one year in office is still battling with pre election matters in court. We are convinced that it is because they have not been able to completely uproot the distinguished senator that they reverted to their usual character assassination strategy.

“It is our wish to use this opportunity to appeal to the persecutors of Senator Oduah to let her be in the name of God after so much trauma.

“They must remember that Senator Oduah is not a new name in the Nigerian economy. It is known to all that Senator Oduah was a well known business woman who founded and managed an outstanding successful business in the oil and gas sector before venturing into government. It is also well known to every fair minded Nigerian she lost her business as a result of her incursion into government for which reason she came out of government poor than she went in.

“We want to state that our only consolation in the regrettable scenario that is playing out now is that Sen Oduah's work in government as aviation minister can not be denied even by her worst enemies. Her works at the airports shall remain the pride of the aviation industry in the next 30yrs.

“As a senator. Sen Oduah has continued to put up an exemplary performance,” the group said.

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Eid-el-fitri: public holidays now Wednesday, Thursday

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday and Thursday public holidays to enable Muslims celebrate the Eid-el-fitri as against the Tuesday and Wednesday earlier declared.

Explaining the slight adjustment, the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau said in a statement he issued in Abuja on Tuesday  that it was due to "the directive by the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, to the effect that the Ramadan fast continues today (Tuesday) as a result of the non-sighting of the moon".

He added that the Federal Government has now declared Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th July, 2016 as public holidays.

The statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Bassey Akpanyung partly read;
"In making the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. (Rtd) Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, urged Nigerians to use this period of sober reflections to ensure harmony, unity and peaceful co-existence, while giving full support to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in his sustained effort to pursue socio-economic and political growth of the nation.

"The Honourable Minister wishes Nigerians a peaceful celebration," the statement added.

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Omokore, others docked for illegal oil deals, get N200m bail

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, arraigned an acclaimed ally of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, Mr. Jide Omokore, before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Also arraigned with Omokore were the former Managing Director of Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, Victor Briggs, former Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production of NNPC, Abiye Membere; and former Manager, Planning and Commercial of the NNPC, David Mbanefo.

Two companies, Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited were also charged along with the accused persons who pleaded not guilty to the nine-count charge preferred against them by the anti-graft agency.

Following their plea, the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N50m each with a surety, who must either be a senior civil servant or have a landed property.

Justice Nyako ordered that the sureties must depose to an affidavit of means, while the defendants must deposit their international passports and other travelling documents with the court.

The EFCC claims in one charges against the defendants ; One of the charge against the defendants read: “That you, Olajide Jones Omokore, Atlantic Energy Brass Development Ltd, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Ltd and Kolawole Akanni Aluko (now at large) between May and October, 2013, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, induced the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Federal Government of Nigeria to deliver to you 5, 652, 227 barrels of crude oil (Brass blend) valued at the sum of US $ 616, 013, 615.27, through the medium of contact (Strategic Alliance Agreement) which delivery was induced by false pretence to wit: the representation that you have technical competence, professional skills and funds (both local and foreign) necessary to support NPDC in petroleum operation for the OML 60, 62, 62 and 63 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other fraud related offences Act CAP A6 2010 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.’’

Earlier, Mr. Rafiu Lawal Rabana SAN, counsel to Jide Omokore had sought to delay the trial by arguing that one of the accused persons, Kolawole Akanni Aluko was not in court.

He contended that under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, all the defendants in a case must be served with the charges and be physically present in court before arraignment could take place.

However, lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN countered that “Aluko is in Europe. We could not even take his statement, yet they want us to serve him along with others so that they could create a lacuna. The plea of those present in court should be taken.”

He subsequently applied and got the judge's permission to strike out Aluko's name from the charges.

“Anytime we get him, the charges could be amended,” he said.

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