Buhari To Reaffirm Nigeria’s Right To Use Nuclear Energy For Development

President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja for Washington DC on Wednesday, to reaffirm Nigeria’s right to use nuclear energy for development.



The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said in a statement on Tuesday that the Commander-in-Chief would join President Barack Obama and about 60 other world leaders and heads of international organisations at the 4th Nuclear Security Summit which opens at the United States’ capital on Thursday.

At plenary sessions of the summit which is dedicated to reinforcing international commitment to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, President Buhari would insist that while Nigeria continues to sustain that commitment, world powers must respect the right of other countries to the peaceful use of nuclear energy for development purposes.

The President would also reaffirm Nigeria’s stance that international efforts to ensure greater security of nuclear materials should maintain a balance between nuclear non-proliferation obligations and the indisputable right of Nigeria and other countries to harness nuclear energy and technology for socio-economic development.

“It will be recalled that at a meeting with him in Abuja earlier this month, President Buhari told the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mr Yukiya Amano, that the Federal Government will welcome greater support from the agency for Nigeria’s aspiration to begin the generation of electricity with nuclear energy.

“While in Washington DC for the Nuclear Security Summit, the President and his delegation which includes Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, the National Security Adviser, Major-General Babagana Monguno (Rtd.) and the Director-General of Nigeria’s Nuclear Regulatory Agency, Professor Lawrence Anikwe Dim, will also hold bilateral meetings with other participating Heads of Government and high-ranking United States Government officials,” the statement read.

President Buhari would depart Washington DC for Abuja on Sunday.

Kidnapped Army Colonel Found Dead

The kidnapped Army officer serving at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji in Kaduna State, Colonel Samaila Inusa, has been found dead.



A statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said “the Nigerian Army wishes to regrettably inform the public that Colonel Samaila Inusa who was kidnapped on Sunday 27th March 2016, was found dead today (Tuesday) at about 6.00pm.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that most likely the senior officer was killed same day he was kidnapped by his abductors because the body was found already decomposing around Ajyaita village off Eastern Bypass Kaduna, Kaduna State.

“Arrangements are in progress to move the body to 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.

The statement added that “whoever is behind his abduction and murder would be fished out to face the full wrath of the law”.

The Army Colonel was abducted from his car around Kamazo area, near Refinery Junction in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Sunday, March 27.

The abductors intercepted the officer’s personal car, and later dropped off his wife before leaving with him as they travelled along the Abuja-Kaduna road.

Buhari to Nigerians: More actions underway

Aware of the present harsh economic realities, President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said that his government is taking pragmatic steps to cushion the effects on Nigerians, assuring that there were better days ahead.

The president who chaired the 8th Annual Bola Tinubu Colloquium held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja spoke on the theme of the Colloquium: ‘Agriculture: Action, work, revolution’
   

 

Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos state and national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC clocked 64 years and held the event to mark his birthday.

Eulogizing him, president Buhari said the former governor had shown commitment and zealousness to Nigeria’s growth.

He stated that the government would continue to invest in human capital development.

“There are very few patriots alive today that can match the commitment, zealous, creativity that Bola Tinubu has demonstrated in his contribution to national growth.

“In the coming months, Nigerians will see much more actions. Government will continue to invest substantially in human capital development and this is just the beginning.

“We are going to hold ourselves accountable. We will measure results. There will always be some scepticism, some have even become disorientated and impatient enough to think that barriers are insurmountable. Any one who claims great change is impossible can only look as an ordinary success”, he said.

Apparently gauging the enormity of work to be done to better the lots of Nigerians, President Buhari urged all hands to be on deck.

“We can achieve more with partnership that link up and scale up our respective efforts.

“I am declaring that we need a new approach that challenges more states and local governments, more organisation, companies and non governmental organisations and individuals, some of the younger people who are here to step up and play a role because government can not and should not do it alone. All hands should be on deck,” he said.

The president who commended the organisers of the Bola Tinubu Colloquium for the choice of the theme of the event on agriculture stated that the intention of the government was to create enabling environment that would bring viability on the economic potentials of the private sector.

The President said: “We intend to organize an efficient market infrastructure that will make agriculture viable for investors. We are providing an enabling environment so as to ensure certainty and predictability for the private sector.

“We intend to also ensure that the market is fair and worth to transform small holder farmers from beggars to businessmen.

“Further more, we are going to keep focusing on improved nutrition for children. We know the effects of hunger and poor nutrition can last a life time. Children are thrown out of school to earn a living”.

The event attracted the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo, wife of the celebrant, Senator Remi Tinubu, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu, state governors of Zamfara – Abdulaziz Yari Osun – Rauf Aregbesola, Ogun – Ibikunle Amosun, Kebbi – Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Adamawa- Bindow, Cross River – Ben Ayade, Bauchi – Muhammed Abubakar, Lagos – Ambode Akinwunmi, Kaduna – Nasir el-Rufai, Oyo – Abiola Ajimobi.

The national chairman of APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, Senator Smart Adeyemi, some ministers and other top government officials also graced the occasion.

Polo Avenue in move to re-defining Nigeria’s luxury industry

Polo Avenue, Nigeria’s foremost connoisseur in luxury goods has reiterated its commitment to re-defining Nigeria’s luxury industry by positively representing and promoting the efforts of remarkable female talents across all spheres of the economy and in particular that of Nigerian women in luxury fashion.

Speaking at the unveiling of its ‘Urban Movement’ ready-to-wear collection, in collaboration with Omowunmi Label, Jennifer Obayuwana, Executive Director Polo Luxury Group, said the commitments represent their core values as a company.
The Polo Avenue platform will continue to celebrate the myriad of women entrepreneurs, business owners and executives by positively promoting their hard work, successes and industry achievements in showcasing their talents as an inspiration to women everywhere.”

While celebrating the Director of Omowunmi Labels, Omowunmi Akinnifesi, Obayuwana said her creativity and laudable accomplishments in putting together an exceptionally stylish collection was astonishing.

Omowunmi Akinnifesi described her collection as one designed for the metropolitan woman who is actively on-the-go. “Boasting finely cut lines, bold colours and uniquely structural pieces, the unveiled collection targets women who daily require exclusively stylish and functional pieces.”

Polo Avenue, according to her, exists to exclusively attract confident and discerning shoppers who are seeking unique and elegant additions to their personal style collection.

Stocked with a luxurious fragrance bar and an exclusive collection of leather handbags, shoes and accessories from renowned international luxury brands Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Balenciaga, amongst many others,

The unveiling was a night of elegant affairs as stylishly attired guests were treated to an evening of top fashion crafted with the utmost creativity.

Saraki Urges Closer Collaboration Between Nigeria, Colombia

The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday called for a closer collaboration between Nigeria and Colombia in order to improve diplomatic ties and enhance democratic governance in both countries.

Senator Saraki, according to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, spoke when he received a Parliamentary delegation from Colombia, led by Senator Edinson Delgado in his office.

He also said that the National Assembly is open to relationships with other advanced parliaments across the globe to broaden its legislative experience and knowledge of its lawmakers.

He noted that Nigeria and Colombia have a long standing relationship that need to be oiled and improved upon for mutual benefits just as he canvassed for strong investment in the Nigeria economy by Colombian investors.

He said; “We are happy that you are here. I believe your visit will further strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and Colombia.

“For many years, lots of opportunities have not been harnessed by both countries in spite of the fact that Nigeria and Colombia have a lot of things in common. Here in Nigeria, we have two chambers just like you have in Colombia.

“We are very identical, we must build this relationship and that is why I am encouraging this visit particularly at this period of diversification of our economy,” Saraki said.

The Senate President extended invitation to the parliament of Colombia for cooperation and exchange of programmes that would improve the quality of law making in both countries.

Earlier, the leader of the Colombian parliamentary delegation, Senator Edinson Delgado called for mutual cooperation between his country and Nigeria for mutual diplomatic and economic benefits.

Delgado said the team which comprised of Colombian businessmen and investors was in Nigeria on a three city tour of Lagos, Yola and Port Harcourt to foster partnerships and explore opportunities with a focus on commerce, industry and agriculture between both countries.

He promised to work hard to improve the economic and parliamentary relationship between Colombia and Nigeria.

“We are keen to strengthen our diplomatic relationship and establish basic opportunities between our two countries.” Delgado said.

Super Eagles job: Egypt match won’t determine Siasia’s fate – NFF

THE vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Shehu Dikko has said that coach Samson Siasia is not, in any way, under examination as  regards his chances of becoming the substantive coach of the Super Eagles. Dikko spoke about Siasia’s future with the Eagles ahead of  the Egypt clash Tuesday. He revealed that their decision regarding Siasia’s future with the national team wouldn’t depend solely on the result of the encounter in Alexandria.
 

 His present position is not like an exam for him as we all know his quality and indeed shortcomings as no human is perfect and we can manage that anyway, thus the results of the two games he has been given won’t be the only yardstick to determine the next steps we will take regarding his possible future as the substantive Super Eagles head coach,” Dikko told Egyptian website, KingFut.

“Rather, the biggest determinant would be his readiness to situate his project for the Super Eagles within the NFF overall objectives of returning the Super Eagles to their enviable position as the best in Africa and indeed the world by building a team that will be feared by all and be winning trophies sustainably and playing the entertaining football we are all known for,” he explained.

The NFF vice president also praised Siasia, who led the U-23 side to qualify for the Rio Olympics, saying the 48-year-old coach has an eye for spotting talent.

“He has qualified for the Olympics with a lot of exciting players discovered including the goal scorer against Egypt in Kaduna and in fact his team just defeated Brazil U-23 in a friendly game with several new players involved,” he said.

Dikko also discussed the possibility of hiring a foreign coach to take over the Nigerian team, while explaining the NFF’s plan to turn the fans’ focus to the domestic game instead of the foreign football.

“It’s certainly not a priority and indeed the new national orientation campaign in Nigeria is to look inwards and use made in Nigeria on everything except where it’s extremely necessary then we look foreign. This is the only way to rebuild the country and indeed football cannot be an exception.

“In our Nigeria football industry now the campaign is hugely focusing on getting the fans and corporate bodies to turn their hearts and pockets towards supporting the domestic game instead of foreign football which has gradually taken over the football space in Nigeria to the detriment of the domestic game,” Dikko explained.

The NFF vice president refused to reveal any information regarding applicants or candidates for the head coach position. He also stressed their satisfaction with Siasia’s performance so far.

“Nigeria is a great footballing nations with huge potentials thus it always attracts interest globally and once we have any opening for national team coach we do always receive unsolicited interest from top coaches globally.

“We will take decision after evaluating all the factors but for now we have coach Samson Siasia and we are very much happy with what we have seen so far and we are giving him all the backing he requires to succeed,” he added.

Elneny beats Iwobi to Arsenal goal of the month award

NIGERIA international Alex Iwobi came fifth in the Arsenal Goal of the Month poll for March.
     

 The 19-year-old was among eight players in the first – team in the running for the award but lost out to Pharaohs midfielder Elneny when the result of the voting was announced by the official website of the Gunners yesterday.

Alex Iwobi’s strike against Everton on March 19 earned four percent of the votes in the official Club poll.

Aaron Ramsey finished second for his strike against Tottenham Hotspur, while Joel Campbell and Welbeck also made it to the top four.

SolidStar features Davido in new song ‘Wait’

Achievas Entertainment star artiste Joshua Iniyezo popularly referred to as Solidstar has released an amazing feel-good music titled WAIT; and this time he features Sony Recording artiste, DAVIDO.

This is coming after the earlier leak of song, which had created hysteria and anticipation among fans who couldn’t wait to listen to the song put together by two of Nigeria’s top music stars.
Solidstar has been on a run of musical form lately, releasing massive tracks such as Baby Jollof, which featured Mavin’s first lady, Tiwa Savage, Good Woman and another hot track, My Body featuring Timaya. This new song with Davido is a dancehall funk that is sure to get music fans grooving from start to finish.

According to the artiste team, the song is about the readiness of a man to wait patiently for his woman until she is ready to take the plunge with him.

The video to the song was directed by Avalon Okpe, and it has also been released. The picture quality of the video further adds value to the song, as well as a nice message from Solidstar to everyone at the end of the video, which says “No Sex Before Marriage, Wait Without Regrets”.

Police have invaded Ekiti to arrest PDP chieftains, 11 lawmakers, alleges EKSG

The Ekiti State Government has alleged that armed policemen from Abuja have now invaded the state to begin indiscriminate arrest of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, top government officials and 11 members of the State House of Assembly under funny allegation of stockpiling arms during the June 21, 2014 governorship election.

The government alleged that the policemen were led by one CSP Mohammed Abubakar of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Abuja.
 

Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, who made this known in a statement on Tuesday, said the new plot was an aftermath of the failure of the Department of State Services (DSS) to achieve the plot of coercing the House of Assembly members to impeach the Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose.

The government said the indiscriminate arrest was to begin this (Tuesday) night and that the policemen arrived Ado Ekiti, the State capital with Mr. TKO Aluko and APC Chairman, Jide Awe today.

“We are aware of the arrival of policemen from Abuja to Ekiti State with the intention of arresting 11 members of the House of Assembly,

two PDP leaders per local government and some other top officials of the government.

“Ridiculously, the offense for which the policemen are to embark on this indiscriminate arrest is owing to TKO Aluko malicious outburst

that those listed for arrest stockpiled arms during the governorship election conducted in Ekiti close to two years ago.

“This plot is in furtherance of the APC plot to destabilize the government of Ekiti State just because of Governor Fayose’s hard stance on President Muhammadu Buhari’s APC government policies.

“The question is, what was the arms they claimed were stockpiled used for? Was anyone killed or attacked during the election?

“And why is the Police not arresting the APC Chairman, Jide Awe who is wanted for alleged murder and TKO Aluko, who was declared wanted by the court for perjury, and instead providing security cover for them?

“We therefore wish to alert Nigerians on this new plot and state that Ekiti people will resist any attempt to use the Police to harass

innocent citizens of the State.

“Democratically, we are entitled to our views on any issue in Nigeria and we won’t succumb to intimidation and harassment from any agency of the Federal government.”