BUHARI EXTENDS VACATION: READ STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the National Assembly requesting the extension of his vacation.

The President was hitherto expected back in Abuja on Sunday evening so as to resume work on Monday the 6th of February.

The latest development will no doubt heighten speculations about the President Buhari's state of health.

Below is the press release issued on Sunday by Mr Femi Adeshina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT BUHARI EXTENDS VACATION, WRITES NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the National Assembly today, February 5, 2017, informing of his desire to extend his leave in order to complete and receive the results of a series of tests recommended by his doctors.
The President had planned to return to Abuja this evening, but was advised to complete the test cycle before returning. The notice has since been dispatched to the Senate President, and Speaker, House of Representatives.
Mr. President expresses his sincere gratitude to Nigerians for their concern, prayers and kind wishes.

FEMI ADESINA
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
February 5, 2017

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Photo news: Islamic Movement protesting in Gombe

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Federal Government issues statement on food security

FACTS: THE PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON FOOD SECURITY
1. Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday February 1, 2017 constituted a Presidential Task Force on Food Security.
2. Contrary to circulating reports, the work of the Task Force is NOT to fix the prices of food items.
3. Instead, the Task Force has been mandated to explore and recommend means of urgently resolving some of the bottlenecks and challenges contributing to the increase in food prices across the country.
4. Some of these bottlenecks revolve around transportation and preservation processes. Even with credible reports of bumper harvests in parts of the country, transportation and preservation issues have combined to ensure that surpluses are stranded away from where they are needed, and lost to spoilage. These scenarios ensure that the price of produce remains high in many parts of the country.
5. The Task Force has seven days to report back to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) with recommendations and a Plan of Action.
6. The overall goal of this intervention is to ensure smooth and steady flow of produce from farms to markets, and bring down the added costs responsible for escalating food prices, ultimately bringing needed relief to Nigerians.
7. The Members of the Task Force are:
a. Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh
b. Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun
c. Minister of Industry, Trade & Development, Dr. Okey Enelamah
d. Minister of Transportation, Honorable Rotimi Amaechi
e. Minister for Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu
f. Minister of Labour & Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige
g. Representative from Office of the Chief of Staff to the President
h. Representative from Office of Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Photo news: Osinbajo's meeting with General Electric

Last Tuesday, the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo met with a delegation from General Electric led by their CEO, Jeff Immelt at the State House, Abuja.

One of the issues discussed was the proposed concessioning of the East-West lines of the Nigeria Railways to General Electric.

The American firm is expected to invest $2b on the refurbishment of the single-gauge lines and the building and assembling of train coaches.

See photos from the meeting.

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Black Sunday as Solomon Dalung's first wife dies

The Minister of Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung is bereaved. He shared his grief over the demise of his first wife on Facebook on Sunday.

"Solomon Dalung
I AM BEREAVED:
For it is appointed for man to live thereafter comes death and judgment says the Holy Bible. While in the Quran, it states that it is appointed that every soul shall test death.
My heart is heavy, I cannot continue, I lost my first wife, Mrs Briskila this morning. May her soul and the souls of faithful departed rest in the bosom of the Lord, amen.
What a black Sunday."

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Osinbajo meets local manufacturers in Aba (photos)

The Acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo was in Aba, Abia State on Thursday to interact with small businesses and local manufacturers.

He pledged that government would do everything possible to assist local manufacturers.

See photos

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Osinbajo meets WFP executive in Abuja (photos)

Acting President Prof Yemi Osinbajo on Friday met with a delegation from the World Food Program, WFP at the State House, Abuja.

The delegation was led by the Executive Director of the WFP, Ertharin Cousin.

In conjunction with the Inter-Ministerial Task Force, the WFP is said to have fed about 1.01 million Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs in the Northeast in Dec 2016.

See photos.

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