Senate receives Ministerial list from the Presidency

President Muhammadu Buhari has forwarded the list of ministerial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

The list of ministerial nominees was presented by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari and the Senior Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enag to the Senate President, Doctor Bukola Saraki.

2015 UNGA: PHOTOS SPEAK

Senate named Adeyeye Chief Whip

The Senate has announced Professor Olusola Adeyeye as the Chief Whip.

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki who made the announcement today at the plenary said the APC South West Caucus nominated Prof. Adeyeye as Chief Whip of the Senate.

Senator Adeyeye, a Professor of Biology represents Osun Central Senatorial District (Boluwaduro, Boripe, Ifedayo, Ifelodun, Ila, Irepodun, Odo-Otin, Olorunda, Orolu and Osogbo).

EMIR SANUSI POST ON HIS MARRIAGE:

I married an 18 year old adult to "strengthen long historical bonds". - Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi

I am sure NC members all have their views and have kept quiet out of (appropriate) deference to our right to make our individual choice. Obviously I do not need to explain anything to anyone in a purely personal matter but a few points are worthy of note:

The lady in question is 18 and therefore legally of age to marry under all laws and certainly under Muslim law.

She is proceeding for her undergraduate education in the UK in January. She had an A in computer science in her O levels and plans to get a degree in computer science.

Muhammad Sanusi II

3. Each and every one of my wives is a university graduate and some have worked and then stopped and in each case the choice was purely theirs.

It is a tradition in Kano that emirs and princes in choosing wives consider issues beyond the individual. The family is in every sense a social unit. My predecessor was married to princesses from Ilorin, Katsina and Sokoto.

5. The relationship between the late Lamido of Adamawa Aliyu Musdafa the father of the current Lamido is well known. Lamido Aliyu was the first emir turbaned after emir Sanusi I and they remained close until Sanusi’s death.

My own relationship with the current Lamido dates back to 1981 when he was Ciroma and commissioner for works. By the way the Lamido and I are not illiterates we know what we are doing and he does have a PhD in Engineering.

My own mother was married in Adamawa and lived there for more than two decades and I have eight younger brothers and sisters from there.

8. It is therefore natural that if I choose to marry from another kingdom Adamawa would be the first choice for me and I am extremely happy to strengthen these long historical bonds.

The young lady in question gave her free consent and even after the contract the wedding will not happen for a few years. By then she may be 21. If she freely consents to this I do not know on what moral grounds anyone has a grouse. She is an adult, she gave her consent, and her education is not being in anyway interrupted.

The real issue is that people do not accept cultural difference. And you can see it in the approach to these issues. I am supposed to be urbane and western educated. Yes but I am not European. I am a northern Nigerian Fulani Muslim brought up in a setting exactly like the one my children are being brought up in.

If you read this and it improves your understanding of this issue that is fine. If it does not just remember it is not your life, it is not your daughter and you are not my wife therefore it is not your business.

I obviously cannot stoop to the level of responding publicly to these kinds of articles. I have always been an advocate of girls marrying after maturing. I personally like the minimum age of 18 even though I understand those who say 16 is fine and indeed this is the law in most so called advanced countries.

Is this something that I expect a European or western trained or feminist mind to appreciate or endorse? Not at all. But has any American been bothered about my views on men marrying men or women marrying women who frankly I find primitive and bestial? No and my views do not matter. These are cultural issues.

Even in Nigeria I have heard all this stuff as in Pius article about “north” and northerners. Again it is a failure to respect difference. There are parts of this country where parents expect their daughters to live with their boyfriends for years and actually get pregnant before they marry. It has become culture. We do not have that in the north and if your daughter gets pregnant before marriage she brings nothing but shame to the name. But we do not issue condemnations. We agree that this is how they choose to live. And I can give many other examples.

When people use the term libido they do themselves injustice. First of all it shows how they view women and marriage. Women are nothing but the object of sexual desire. Marriage is nothing but sexual gratification. Well I am sorry but in my tradition it is not. Beauty and attraction rank third after religion and lineage in the choice of a wife.

They see an 18 year old young lady. I see a princess of noble birth whose mother is also a princess, and who has been brought up in a good Muslim home. This is the kind of woman that is prepared for giving birth to princes and bringing them up for the role expected of them in society.

Marriage is both social and political. Expanding the links of Kano which have already been established by my predecessors through inter-marriage with Katsina, Sokoto, Ilorin, Katagum, Ningi, Bauchi etc to Adamawa is an important and significant step and this is obvious to anyone with a sense of how royal families work and Ibn Khaldun’s sociological concept of Asabiyyah.

When the Emir of Kano marries it has to be something beyond what he personally desires to what is appropriate for that position and the expectations of the people he represents. You don’t just pick up any girl on the street. And by the way, for those who shout libido, sex is cheap and available everywhere in all shapes and sizes and all colours if that is what they want. And all ages too.
Marriage is a very different proposition. The mother of your children has to be something other than, not at least much more than a mere object of sexual fantasy. But if you do not know that you need to buy yourself a brain.

I have daughters. And they know they can only marry from certain backgrounds. I always prefer family. When my daughter wanted to marry Mouftah Baba Ahmed’s son and she asked me, knowing my views on family, I told her Mouftah is family. And this is not about me and Mouftah or me an Hakeem or Nafiu. No. It goes back to Baba Ahmed and Emirs Sanusi and Bayero. And the same rule applies to my sons. And it applied to me as well.

It is, I am sure, very strange that I should even bother to comment on this. But it would be hypocritical for me to just keep quiet so long as these things are being posted and commented upon explicitly or in a snide manner. There was no secrecy in the marriage fatiha. The date was fixed and it was to be done in the central mosque after Friday prayers.

The day before we had a tragedy in Saudi Arabia and decided the fatiha must be very low key as a mark of respect for the dead. All traditional rulers in Adamawa were there, as were governors and commissioners, members of my own emirate council and Adamawa people. There is nothing here to hide or be apologetic about.

The emirs of Adamawa have shown love to my parents and grandparents and it is a sign of my appreciation of their love that i marry their daughter. This is the highest statement of friendship and loyalty on both sides.

Again if you understand this this is fine. If you do not, buy yourself a brain, A la Pius.
In any event this is my one and final and only comment on this. And I am making it out of respect for NC members.

MSII (Emir of Kano)

Kwara Gov honours Commonwealth Athletics Championship medalists

The Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed has promised to ensure increased sporting competitions with prizes at school levels to inculcate in youth, the sense of discipline and commitment.

Governor Ahmed made the promise today while receiving three athletes who recently won medals for the state at the Commonwealth Athletics Championship in Samoa.

L-R: Abolaji Omotayo, Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, Peker Victor and Adeyemi Sikiru, gold Medalists from Kwara State at the Commonwealth Youth Athletics Games in Samoa during a courtesy visit to Government House, Ilorin

FULL TEXT: President Buhari’s Speech at 70th Session of UN General Assembly

ADDRESS BY MUHAMMADU BUHARI

PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE 70TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

NEW YORK, 28TH SEPTEMBER 2015.

President of the General Assembly,

Secretary–General

Your Excellencies Heads of State and Governments

Distinguished Delegates

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like, Mr. President, on behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, to congratulate you and your country on your election to preside over the 70th session of the U.N. General Assembly.

2. May I also express appreciation to your predecessor, Mr. Sam Kahamba Kutesa and the Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon both of whom worked tirelessly to ensure proper articulation of the post-2015 Development Agenda and to maintain the focus and commitment to the ideals of the United Nations. I thank Mr. Ban Ki-moon for his recent visit to Nigeria when we held very useful discussions.

Mr. President,

3. Fifty-five (55) years ago almost to the day, my great predecessor, Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa stood on this forum to declare Nigeria’s desire to develop and maintain friendly relations with all countries. He also assured the world of our country’s commitment to uphold the principles upon which the United Nations was founded.

4. Mr. President, my country, Nigeria, has lived by this conviction, even when judgement went against us in territorial disputes with our neighbours. We respected those judgements and abided by them as a mark of respect for the rule of law and the charter of this organization. Nigeria’s record in the U.N. peacekeeping is second to none. I myself as a young officer in the Nigerian Army did tours of duty in Congo and the Lebanon.

5. Nigeria has contributed to U.N. peacekeeping efforts in Ethiopia, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Darfur. Furthermore, we are proud of our contributions to other activities of the U.N. including the Peace Building Commission, the Human Rights Council and security sector reform.

Mr. President,

6. We are gratified to note that most countries have pledged commitment to the post-2015 Development Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with their means of implementation. The successor frameworks of the MDGs have come, Mr. President, with lofty aspirations and if I may say so, heroic assumptions! Nonetheless, they target development cooperation by the international community up to the year 2020. And they deserve universal support.

7. This is because the SDGs mirror the hopes and aspirations of much of the world.

8. I should stress that for the newly adopted SDGs to be truly global, they must be practical. In this regard, the SDGs’ core objectives of poverty eradication and reducing inequalities must be met within the framework of a revitalized global partnership support by concrete policies and actions as outlined in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.

9. Luckily, these two core objectives of the SDGs are precisely at the centre of Nigeria’s new Administration’s agenda. It must be emphasized, Mr. President, that Foreign Direct Investment supplemented where suitable by Official Development Assistance as outlined in the Addis Ababa Agenda are necessary, though not sufficient, conditions for accelerated development in countries that are trying to catch up.

10. In this connexion, I would like to appeal to industrialized countries to redeem their pledge of earmarking 0.7% (nought point seven percent) of their GDP to development assistance. With the sole exception of the UK, all concerned countries have, I am told to meet the UN requirement. But, Mr. President, with SDGs we have the opportunity to improve the lives of people not just in the developing world but in all nations.

11. The Secretary General himself has grouped the SDGs into what he calls six “essential elements” namely:

• Dignity

• Prosperity

• Justice

• Partnership

• Planet

• People

As a prerequisite to these and as we look at history and remember the terrible events that gave rise to the birth of the United Nations in 1945, I would like to propose a seventh:

• PEACE

12. Peace, Mr. President, is close to the hearts of Nigerians, as we are in the front line in the war on terror. Boko Haram’s war against the people of Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon may not attract as much worldwide attention as the wars in the Middle East but the suffering is just as great and the human cost is equally high.

13. This is a war about values between progress and chaos; between democracy and the rule of law. Boko Haram celebrates violence against the weak and the innocent and deplorably, they hide behind their perverted interpretation of Islam. Boko Haram is as far away from Islam as any one can think of.

14. Many of my colleagues attending this forum would want to know how our new government intends to tackle the huge problems the government has inherited. Friends of Nigeria and foreign investor partners will be encouraged to know that the new Government is attacking the problems we inherited head-on.

15. We intend to tackle inequalities arising from massive unemployment and previous government policies favouring a few people to the detriment of the many. We intend to emphasize quality technological education for development and lay foundation for comprehensive care of the aged, the disadvantaged and the infirm. But for now terrorism is the immediate problem.

16. Accordingly, Mr. President, Members of the General Assembly, the new Nigerian Government which I have the honour to head, moved with dispatch to put in a bold and robust strategy to defeat Boko Haram. Nigeria and her neighbours Cameroon, Chad and Niger plus Benin are working together to face this common threat within the regional framework of the Lake Chad Basin Commission. We have established a multinational joint task force to confront, degrade and defeat Boko Haram.

17. We have driven them away from many of their strongholds, killed or captured many of their operatives or commanders and freed several hundreds of hostages.

18. Mr. President, one of our major aims is to rescue the Chibok girls alive and unharmed. We are working round the clock to ensure their safety and eventual reunion with their families. Chibok girls are constantly on our minds and in our plans.

19. Mr. President, terrorism is by no means the major or the only evil threatening and undermining the wellbeing of societies around the world.

• Corruption

• Cross border financial crimes

• Cyber crimes

• Human trafficking

• Spread of communicable diseases

• Climate change

• Proliferation of weapons

are all major challenges of the 21st century which the international community must tackle collectively. Let me reaffirm Nigerian government’s unwavering commitment to fight corruption and illicit financial flows. By any consideration, corruption and cross border financial crimes are impediments to development, economic growth, and the realization of the wellbeing of citizens across the globe.

20. Nigeria is ready and willing to partner with international agencies and individual countries on a bilateral basis to confront crimes and corruption. In particular, I call upon the global community to urgently redouble efforts towards strengthening the mechanisms for dismantling safe havens for proceeds of corruption and ensuring the return of stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin.

21. Mr. President, the world is now facing a big new challenge: human trafficking. This is an old evil taking an altogether new and dangerous dimension threatening to upset international relationships. We in Africa are grieved to see on international networks how hundreds of thousands of our able bodied men and women fleeing to Europe and in the process thousands dying in the desert or drowning in the Mediterranean.

22. We condemn in the strongest terms these people traffickers and will support any measures to apprehend and bring them to justice. At the same time, we are very appreciative of European governments notably Italy and Germany, for their understanding and humane treatment of these refugees.

23. Last year, our continent faced the dreadful occurrence of Ebola. We sincerely thank the international community for the collective efforts to contain this deadly disease. We are not out of the woods yet but we would like to record our appreciation to the United States, United Kingdom, France and China for their outstanding assistance in arresting the spread of Ebola and care of those infected in collaboration with host countries.

Mr. President,

24. Nigeria fully subscribes to and fully endorses Goals 13, 14 and 15 of the SDGs regarding Climate Change. In Nigeria, desertification and land erosion and degradation leading to biodiversity loss are real threats to our environment and we shall propose under the auspices of the Lake Chad Basin Commission a regional approach to combat these environmental challenges.

25. We look forward to the UN Summit on climate change in Paris in December 2015. This summit should provide optimism to humanity on addressing the looming threat faced by many communities around the world.

Mr. President,

26. We are witnessing a dreadful increase in conflicts fuelled by availability of small arms and light weapons. I call upon all member countries to demonstrate the political will needed to uphold the UN charter. For a start, a robust implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty will guarantee that small arms and light weapons are only legally transferred. Arms traffickers and human traffickers are two evil species which the world community should eradicate.

Mr. President,

27. As we engage in these annual debates, we need remind ourselves of the principles that led to the founding of the United Nations. Among those are peaceful coexistence and self-determination of peoples. In this context, Mr. President, the unresolved question of self-determination for the Palestinian people and those of Western Sahara, both nations having been adjusted by the United Nations as qualifying for this inalienable right must now be assured and fulfilled without any further delay or obstacle.

28. The international community has come to pin its hopes on resolving the Palestinian issue through the two – states solution which recognises the legitimate right of each state to exist in peace and security. The world has no more excuses or reasons to delay the implementation of the long list of Security Council resolutions on this question. Neither do we have the moral right to deny any people their freedom or condemn them indefinitely to occupation and blockade.

Mr. President, delegates of member countries,

29. UN is 70 years old. It can count many more than 70 major achievements as the world’s forum and family reunion. It is my hope that in the next 70 years, it will achieve control of climate, help to eliminate communicable diseases, eliminate major and local conflicts and therefore eliminate the problem of refugees, take major steps towards reducing harmful inequalities between nations and within nations and above all, eliminate nuclear weapons.

30. Mr. President, as this is my first address in this Assembly, I thank you and the delegates for listening so patiently.

I'll be Governor of Oyo State one day - Adebayo Shittu

By Jeremiah Oke

Adebayo Shittu, a lawyer, was the Oyo State governorship candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) in 2007 and 2011 elections. In this interview with Jeremiah Oke, he speaks on the Buhari administration and the challenges facing the Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC).

Why did you take your party to court?

The original intention of the parties that came together to form the APC was to be equal partners, particularly when it comes to constituting the executives at both national and state levels. But, that principle was not adhered to. If you look at the party’s caretaker committee at inception, you will see that CPC was not fairly represented. I am particularly concerned about the composition of the executives in Oyo State, which is my primary constituency. We were sidelined by the governor and other party stakeholders. Before the party congress, the governor invited us and urged us to agree with some arrangements of the party and that he would find ways to compensate those of us in CPC and ANPP. He said he doesn’t want elections to hold and that members of the executives would be adopted by consensus. As a result, some members of ANPP had to leave the party for Labour party because they felt marginalised. Myself and numerous of CPC supporters elected to remain in the party because of our commitment to General Buhari. I cannot lead my supporters out of the party because I have been with Buhari for decades. As a member of the merger committee, I participated actively in bringing about the birth of APC. So, no one can chase me out of the party. Now, our agitation is that since most of the ANPP members have left the fold, we in the CPC should be given 40 per cent of the positions at various levels, starting from ward, local government and state level because we are all over the place. But, the governor refused, arguing that some people might still come up to claim that they belong to the defunct ANPP. Rather, he said he would other ways to take care of us. Unfortunately for us, we did not agree on a specific percentage. The governor gave us his words, but he added that nobody should think the APC is his own property. Secondly, he said the chapter would be fair to our members, particularly by rotating of chairmanship and secretary position within the merged parties. Thirdly, he said if any leader of ACN brings any list which is unfair to us, he will correct it by himself. But, here we are today, no fair play. We are now calling on the national working committee to help us in Oyo State.

Did you approach the national executive before you resorted to the court action?

Yes, I did. I went to court after writing the national leadership without reply. I discovered that the governor was untouchable then. But, now that the party is reviewing and settling issues in-house, I believe so much in the leadership, especially President Buhari, Senator Bola Tinubu, as well as the National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun. I am sure they are working on our issues here in Oyo State too.

Would this not affect the party in subsequent elections?

The good thing is that we have Muhammadu Buhari as the President of this great country. It is the Buhari factor that binds everybody together. This is to the extent that even none APC members are backing the party for that reason. After the 2015 election, many of the opposition parties are now moving to join the change we are clamouring for and some of them have pledged their support for us. I believe that the Buhari magic will continue to work for us and nothing can affect the unity of our party. I am confident that with his anti corruption mantra, his antecedents and the confidence that Nigerians now repose in him, he will succeed.

Do you share the view of those who call President Buhari baba go slow?

This is slow and steady government. That should capture President Buhari’s style of government. To start with, he has not disappointed Nigerians. They expected a thorough-bred politician who will take his time to plan very well with a view to attending to the challenges of governance. The first challenge if you agree with me is the issue of insurgency in the Northeast. Undoubtedly, he has given a lot of encouragement to the military at the war front and we are beginning to see the result. For instance, you can see that the insurgents are resorting to guerrilla tactics. Also, with the new service chiefs, Buhari will succeed in crushing Boko Haram soon. Secondly, in his anti-corruption struggle, honestly Nigerians are pleased with him. For the first time, we have a President who is saying anybody who steals will face the music even if he is from his party. Nigerians are happy about this. The EFCC had been in hibernation because they had no support of the previous government, but now they are active.

Thirdly, with his visit to the United States of America and some European countries. Certainly, we are optimistic that our economy will begin to pick up again. On our debtors, we have had many promises from international communities that they will return those monies in their respective country. Foreign investors have also emphatically promised to come and invest in our economy to help address the issue of unemployment. Buhari is also trying to curb wastages in the system. At 73, Buhari has no new house to build, he has no new wife to marry and he is not interested in amassing wealth; all he is concerned about is to transform the lives of Nigerians positively.

Are you saying American support is not for selfish interest as some Nigerians insist?

Those who are saying that are enemies of Nigeria and they are saying it for their selfish interest. Anytime they are on holidays, they will like to go to America, if they can get a visa. We refuse to appreciate that America is one of the major countries of the world. For instance, our democracy is modeled after that of America. We also try to make our children attend American schools. Many foreign investors are also coming into Nigeria from America. In terms of agriculture and sophisticated technological equipment, we need them. They have willingly agreed to come to our rescue and there is no reason for us to doubt them. I don’t think it lies in our mouth to criticise America. Besides, anybody who has a better alternative from America should step forward and approach Mr. President. But, if not, let us support him in his quest to move Nigeria forward.

With the power struggle among your members in the National Assembly, do you think Buhari will get the needed support from them?

Let me start with the statement of Mr. President that he was ready to work with anybody who emerged as the leadership of the two chambers. God guided him to come out with such resolution. That does not translate to the fact that he did not support the party decision, but he knew that both camps were loyal to him. But, you will see more collaboration between the Federal Government and the National Assembly for betterment of Nigeria soon.

You’ve contested for governorship twice, are you still interested in governing Oyo State?

By the grace of God, I will be governor one day. I believe it will be sooner than later. President Buhari tried it and succeeded only in his fourth attempt. I am sure if I try it for the third time, I will make it. If you look at my antecedent, you will agree that I have what it takes to rule the state. I was a member of the state House of Assembly between 1979 and 1983 and I was an active member of the assembly. With all sense of humility, I am proud to say that I was one of the colleagues of Governor Ajimobi’s father in the assembly in 1979. He was a respected father to me. I received all the encouragement from him. In 1983, I became a commissioner. I was commissioner for home affairs tourism and culture and if you ask people who know me then, they will tell you that I was a formidable member of the state executive. My governor them was Omololu Olunloyo and he can testify to the fact that I was the eyes and ears of his government. Again, I recall that all the commissioners who were my colleagues referred people to me for employment and I did my best. Towards the tail-end of Ladoja’s regime, I was appointed as the Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice and when he was unlawfully removed from office, I played an active role to ensure that justice was done. So, I have more than enough experience to rule the state. I am looking up to 2019, which I believe to be my year of divine transformation. I will run and become the governor of this great state. My prayer all the time is to become the governor and care for the needy. If truly God likes the poor masses of this state, he will make me governor because I really want to help my people.

Kwara Gov appoints pioneer head of State Revenue Service

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has approved the appointment of Dr. Muritala Awodun as the pioneer Executive Chairman of Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) and Dr. Isaac Gbenle as its new Director of Field Operation, Processes and Research.

According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Dr. Muyideen Akorede, the appointments were made following a rigorous selection and interview process to ensure that only the best candidates were appointed in view of the strategic importance of the KWIRS.

Until his appointment, the new Executive Chairman of the State Revenue Service, was the Dean of the School of Business and Governance ( SBG ), Kwara State University, Malete. He was also the founding Director of KWASU Centre for Entrepreneurship, 2009-2014 and the founding Head of the Department of Management Sciences.

Dr. Awodun holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics, a Master of Science Degree in Economics, and a Ph.D in International Business.

Dr. Awodun is also a Fellow of the Institute of Entrepreneurs, Nigeria, and the Institute of Direct Marketing of Nigeria. He was an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Business School Executive Education Program and Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT).

Dr. Isaac Gbenle, the new Director Operation, Processes and Research is a recognized leader in IT Assurance and Security, and an expert in Enterprise IT and governance. He has a Bachelors degree in Economics, Master degree in Business Administration, and PhD in IT Assurance & Security.

Dr. Gbenle has directed and managed IT strategic and operational planning, and established appropriate governance structures, frameworks and tools that supported the business needs of several organizations.

70TH UNGA: Buhari’s Speech At Climate Change Summit in New York

STATEMENT BY:

H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI,

PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

AT

SUMMIT MEETING ON CLIMATE CHANGE

NEW YORK, 27thSEPTEMBER 2015

Ø Excellencies, Heads of State and Government,

Ø Secretary-General of the United Nations

Ø President of the 70th UNGA,

Ø Distinguished Delegates,

Ø Ladies and Gentlemen,

This Summit provides a unique opportunity for us to work together to address Climate Change and its impacts which is an undeniable issue of concern to the international community. The increase in global warming is an indication that we face a crisis of global proportions.

Excellencies,

The world is experiencing new and unusual climate variability due to increased emissions of Greenhouse Gases. Even though Africa contributes very little to global warming, the socio-economic consequences of climate change spare no nation. The burden is just as overwhelming for developing countries.

In Nigeria, we have seen extreme weather variations, rising sea levels, encroaching desertification, excessive rainfall, erosion and floods, land degradation – all of which threaten the ecosystem. These developments have devastating human costs and are affecting food security, livelihoods and the very survival of our people.

To address these negative effects, we have developed a National Policy to guide Nigeria’s response to Climate Change. Our response is broadly based on the twin strategy of Mitigation and Adaptation.

As a Party to the Climate Change Convention and its Protocol, Nigeria is strongly committed to the adoption of a legally binding universal agreement to mitigate climate change. We commend the countries that have announced their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) ahead of the October 2015 deadline. These contributions will go a long way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. The INDCs will serve as a yardstick for measuring the commitment of parties to the Framework Convention.

In addition we must prioritize the means of implementing the INDCs, in terms of finance, technology and capacity building, especially in supporting developing countries, including those in Africa. This is fundamental to ensuring that collective action to combat climate change is indeed, collaborative and effective in the long run.

Excellencies,

As we approach Paris, the Nigerian position which reflects the African consensus, is that a legally binding universal instrument will be beneficial to all State Parties. Nigeria will continue to champion the core principles and goals of the new Sustainable Development Agenda and hopes that the next Conference of Parties will eventually become a global milestone to combat and cushion the dire impacts of climate change.

The Paris agreement should be rules based, predictable, robust to adequately address Climate Change vulnerabilities. It is essential that the Least Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States receive the institutional capacity support for Mitigation, Adaptation, Gender and Climate Change linkages towards building a sustainable environment.

Collective action remains the only viable option to addressing the challenges of global warming and the ever growing impact of climate change.

Excellencies,

We have no other choice but to protect our environment for the benefit of the present and future generations. Collectively, we have to work towards achieving this all important objective.

I thank you.

Saudi Arabia stampede: 54 Nigerians confirmed dead

Fifty-four Nigerians have been confirmed to have died during Thursday’s stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia..

The Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Abdullahi Mukhtar, gave the confirmation today at a news conference in Makkah.

Alhaji Mukhtar said the deceased were from Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Cross Rivers, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Sokoto, Yobe, Taraba and Zamfara states.

He said 42 of the deceased pilgrims were transported to Saudi Arabia by state Pilgrims’ Welfare Agencies, while 12 came through Private Tour Operators, disclosing that out of the injured 61 pilgrims from Nigeria, 16 were transported by Private Tour Operators and the remaining 45 by state Pilgrims’ Welfare Agencies.

Kwara Gov inspects KSIRS building underconstruction, hopes to meet N2bn IGR target

The ongoing construction work at the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service is to be completed in the next one month. 

The State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed disclosed this today during the inspection of the building along Ahmadu Bello Way, Ilorin.

 

Governor Ahmed who expressed satisfaction with the level of work done said the new Internal Revenue Service would be electronically driven. 

The governor reiterated that the projected N2million internally generated revenue for the state would be achieved without additional burden on tax payers.

According to him, the new tax regime will not impose any additional burden on the residents of the state but to ensure efficiency in the collection process.

Governor Ahmed assured that all machineries ranging from human, material and technology would be provided for the service to enable it achieve the set objective.

Also speaking during the inspection of the Revenue Court building at Aderemi Adeleye Street, GRA, Ilorin, Governor Ahmed disclosed that the building was one hundred percent completed and ready for use, promising that the government would hand over the building to the Judiciary next week.

Governor Ahmed assured that issues arising from revenue collection would be properly resolved in the state.

(L-R). MD, Duravin Construction, Abass Hammoud, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and SSG, Isiaka Gold

3 million Muslims for 2015 Hajj

Three million people from all over the world are expected in Saudi Arabia’s holy cities of Mecca and Medina for the annual Islamic hajj pilgrimage, which is starting amid tight security.

The Saudi authorities are deploying 100,000 security personnel, including members of the counter-terrorism and the emergency civil defence units, and 5,000 CCTV cameras.

As well as fears of a possible terrorist attack, there are massive logistical crowd and traffic control issues in handling the world’s biggest pilgrimage, which lasts about five days.

“We always concentrate on hajj considering that a threat might exist,” Major General Mansour al-Turki told Associated Press. “We’ve been targeted by terrorism for years now and we know that we are a target for terrorist groups.”

This year’s hajj follows several earlier attacks, claimed by Islamic State (Isis)-affiliated groups, in which more than 60 people were killed. In the most recent, 15 died in an attack on a mosque inside a police compound in Abha, close to the Yemen border, last month.

Pilgrims have been undeterred by the collapse of a construction crane in Mecca earlier this month, which killed more than 100 people and injured at least 200. An investigation has been launched into the cause of the collapse amid claims the proper safeguards are ignored in the race to complete developments surrounding the Grand Mosque. Among the projects under construction is a 10,000-bed hotel.

Last week, more than 1000 pilgrims were evacuated from a hotel in Mecca in the early hours of the morning after a fire broke out.

There have been stampedes during the hajj on at least six occasions, killing hundreds of pilgrims. In 1990, more than 1,400 died in a stampede inside a tunnel.

It is a religious duty for able-bodied Muslims to complete the hajj – one of the five pillars of Islam – at least once. The rituals involved in the pilgrimage are intended to cleanse the soul and promote the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood within Islam.

This week also sees the most sombre date in the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur, the day of atonement. Jews will observe 24 hours of fasting, prayer and reflection starting at sunset on Tuesday.

Arabnews.com

Court of Appeal stops arrest of Saraki

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has granted a stay of execution order on the arrest warrant issued by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Senate President, Doctor Bukola Saraki.

The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar had on Friday September 18th issued a Bench warrant for the arrest of Bukola Saraki who is standing trial on a 13 count charge bothering on false declaration of assets.

Senator Saraki's lawyers filed the notice of appeal and record of the proceedings at the Code of Conduct Tribunal at the Court of Appeal this morning.

Governor Ahmed decries ethno-religious differences in Nigeria

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has blamed past and present Nigerian leaders for promoting ethnic, religious and anti-Nigerian agenda.

Governor Ahmed expressed this view while delivering a lecture tagged Nigeria at Fifty-five: "The Gains,The Pains and the Prospects" at NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku,Ibadan.

He said the country was yet to exhibit the attribute of a nation because of the attitude of its leaders.

Governor Ahmed who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold charged Nigerians to always strive to elect socially responsible leaders into position of authority in the interest of the nation and its people.

He said gone were the days when ethnic and other parochial considerations should be used in the choice of leaders who were to manage the affairs of the country during election period.

The Governor also said to achieve a prosperous nation, the educational sector must be rejuvenated so that Nigeria could assume its rightful position in the committee of nations.

The Governor admitted that it was incumbent on the present leadership and generality of Nigerians examine the basis of Nigerian nationhood with reference to its peculiar history and chart the way forward for its overall development.

Governor Ahmed expressed delight that efforts to find a workable solution through the nineteen seventy-nine, nineteen ninety-nine and the ongoing amendment of same by the seventh and eighth National Assembly was a welcome development.

Governor Ahmed appoints 4 additional Special Advisers

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has approved the appointment of four additional Special Advisers to strengthen his administration for high performance and to reflect his sensitivity to gender representation in governance.

According to a statement by the Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Alhaji Sola Isiaka Gold, the new appointees are as follows:

1) Mrs. Felicia Dupe Faremi - Special Adviser, Special Duties

2) Hajia Ejide A. Balogun - Special Adviser, Electoral Matters

3) Mr. Olayinka Olaoye - Special Adviser, Infrastructure and Project Monitoring

4) Alhaji Mahmud Saraki - Special Adviser, Road Maintenance and Rural Roads

Soldiers announce dissolution of government in Burkina Faso

Members of Burkina Faso's Presidential Guard on Thursday announced the dissolution of the government on national television, saying President Michel Kafando had been ousted.

A military official said on state-run media in Ouagadougou that they had put in place a national democracy council charged with organising democratic and inclusive elections.

The presidential guard was believed to be dissatisfied with plans to dissolve it and to integrate it into the military police.

The soldiers reportedly belong to the Presidential Security Regiment on Wednesday interrupted a cabinet meeting in Burkina Faso detaining Kafando, Prime Minister Isaac Zida, and arrested several ministers.

The dissolution had been recommended to Kafando by a reform and reconciliation commission formed after former President Blaise Compaore fled the country in October.

The commission, which includes prominent Burkinabes and civil society representatives, proposed that the presidential guard be integrated into the military police and the gendarmerie.

Meanwhile, demonstrators gather at central square and marched toward the presidential palace where the ministers are being held, demanding that the soldiers release them and leave.

Members of the Presidential Security Regiment fired shots to disperse the protesters but no injuries were reported.

The 1,300-strong presidential guard has been known for its loyalty to Compaore whose supporters have been banned from contesting the elections set for October 11.

Kafando was chosen interim president in November.

Initially, Zida, the second-in-command of the presidential guard, had taken power when Compaore fled to Ivory Coast on October 31 after massive demonstrations demanding an end to his 27-year rule.

The African Union has threatened Burkina Faso with sanctions unless power was handed over to civilians, and an agreement was reached on a transitional period.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for the immediate release of the president and prime minister, calling it a serious violation of Burkina Faso's Constitution and its interim government. (dpa/NAN)

Muslim teen Ahmed Mohamed creates clock, shows teachers, gets arrested

(CNN)- When Ahmed Mohamed went to his high school in Irving, Texas, Monday, he was so excited. A teenager with dreams of becoming an engineer, he wanted to show his teacher the digital clock he'd made from a pencil case.

The 14-year-old's day ended not with praise, but punishment, after the school called police and he was arrested.

"I built a clock to impress my teacher but when I showed it to her, she thought it was a threat to her," Ahmed told reporters Wednesday. "It was really sad that she took the wrong impression of it."

Ahmed talked to the media gathered on his front yard and appeared to wear the same NASA T-shirt he had on in a picture taken as he was being arrested. In the image, he looks confused and upset as he's being led out of school in handcuffs.

"They arrested me and they told me that I committed the crime of a hoax bomb, a fake bomb," the freshman later explained to WFAA after authorities released him.

Irving Police spokesman Officer James McLellan told the station, "We attempted to question the juvenile about what it was and he would simply only tell us that it was a clock."

The teenager did that because, well, it was a clock, he said.

On Wednesday, police announced the teen will not be charged.

Chief Larry Boyd said Ahmed should have been "forthcoming" by going beyond the description that what he made was a clock. But Boyd said authorities determined that the teenager did not intend to alarm anyone and the device, which the chief called "a homemade experiment," was innocuous.

Ahmed, who aspires to go to MIT, said he was pleased the charges were dropped and not bothered that police didn't apologize for arresting him. After he said he was interrogated by police without an attorney present, his lawyer, Linda Moreno, told reporters they wouldn't answer any more questions about the legal process.

Ahmed is suspended until Thursday, he said, but is thinking about transferring to another high school.

President Barack Obama, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and thousands of others are showing support for Ahmed.

"Cool clock, Ahmed," Obama tweeted. "Want to bring it to the White House? We should inspire more kids like you to like science. It's what makes America great."

The President would like the teen to join him and other scientists next month for the White House's annual Astronomy Night, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Wednesday.

Ahmed said Wednesday he was going to the White House.

Clinton tweeted that "assumptions don't keep us safe" and urged the teenager to "keep building."

"I think this wouldn't even be a question if his name wasn't Ahmed Mohamed," said Alia Salem of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "He is an excited kid who is very bright and wants to share it with his teachers."

Many criticized the school on Facebook. Its creator, Mark Zuckerberg, posted his support.

"Having the skill and ambition to build something cool should lead to applause, not arrest. The future belongs to people like Ahmed," Zuckerberg wrote. "Ahmed, if you ever want to come by Facebook, I'd love to meet you. Keep building."

Kevin McKinney posted, "How did a bunch of complete idiots end up accidentally running a school? Were you all yanked out of a zoo and given paychecks? Learning centers are for teaching ... not for ruining innocent people's lives with your racism and pathetic stupidity! ... "This kid is destined to be something great if the dimwits of Irving don't ruin him first."

Mocking Irving Schools' motto, Bill Cain wrote: "'Where children come first' ... to jail in handcuffs. Way to go, Irving."

Chance Williams posted, "Ahmed Mohamed deserves a public apology from you, the school administrators, police, and teachers involved in his arrest. I hope he sues, and the school district has to pay for his college education."

Osun commences payment of workers’ salary arrears

The Government of Osun on Wednesday commenced the payment of outstanding salaries to workers in the state.

The Chairman of the Osun Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Jacob Adekomi while addressing journalists after a meeting with representative of government on the disbursement of bailout loan for workers salary at the Government House in Osogbo, commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for disbursing the bailout loan for the payment of backlog of workers salaries.

Adekomi stated that there was no disagreement between Labour and government on whether the bailout loan will not be used to pay workers salaries as speculated in some quarters.

He stressed that, labour all this while was sure that the fund was intact but was meeting with government on the modalities of how it will be disbursed based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of 13th July, 2015 entered into with government by labour.

‎Speaking on the MOU between government and the committee inaugurated on disbursement of bailout loan, the NLC boss said the funds to be disbursed will cover the payment of outstanding salaries for the month of January to June.

According to him, “In order to ensure sustainability of payment of salaries in the state of Osun, the first disbursement from the bailout loan should cover the payment of outstanding September and December 2014 deductions, balance of January and February salaries and full payment of March, April and May 2015 salaries for state government workers.

“That workers in the employment of Local government and Primary school teachers be paid their first installment out of the bailout loan to ‎cover the payment of balance of March and April, 2015 salaries as well as full payment of May and June, 2015 salaries.

“‎That state pensioners be paid balance of December, 2014 as well as January, February and March 2015 pensions while their counterparts in the Local Government and primary schools be paid up to June 2015.” Adekomi emphasised.

The NLC however noted that subsequent payment of salaries will be paid with available net revenue from the Federation Accounts and Internally Generated Revenue will be apportioned in a way to take care of salaries, pensions and expenditure required to run government.

He pointed out that labour has agreed to work with government to increase IGR so as to increase the available revenue to pay salaries and other government‎ expenditure.

http://www.today.ng/news/091615903-osun-commences-payment-of-workers-salary-arrears/

CCB: Saraki debunks allegations

The attention of Dr. Bukola Saraki, President of the Senate, has been drawn to a charge sheet being widely circulated on the online media, upon which he is expected to be tried at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki

It should be noted that at the time of writing this statement (10.00am on September 16, 2015), Dr. Saraki has not been served the court process. However, we recognise that as a public officer, he owes members of the public explanation on the allegations contained in the charge sheet. We therefore state as follows:

1. That all the claims contained in the charge sheet are false, incorrect and untrue.

2. That Dr. Saraki has consistently declared his assets as required by law at every point before resuming any political office and that of 2015 is not an exception. It is surprising that the alleged charges is now referring his asset declaration made in 2003 while in office as Governor of Kwara State to formulate their charges. They therefore ignored the recent declaration for which they last week issued an acknowledgement.

3. That we believe that the Code of Conduct Bureau following their processes in which after a declaration is submitted to the bureau they carried out verification of the assets and ascertained the claims made, should not wait till 12 years later to be pointing out an alleged inconsistencies in a document submitted to it in 2003. This same Dr. Saraki submitted asset declaration form in 2007, 2011 and 2015. It is unexplainable that the case in question is now based on the 2003 declaration.

4. This is why we are of the opinion that present effort is a desperate move initiated due to external influence and interference.

5. It should also be noted that contrary to the procedure indicated in the law setting up the CCB, the bureau never wrote to Dr. Saraki to complain of any inconsistency in his asset declaration forms.

6. It should also be noted that Dr. Saraki as Governor of Kwara State never operated a foreign account.

7. That some of the issues contained in the charge sheet are subjects of earlier decided and on-going Court cases. We therefore believe those behind filing of these charges are engaging in forum-shopping.

8. It should be noted that we do not know on whose authority these charges are filed when the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act clearly indicate that any prosecution must be authorised by an Attorney General and we know the nation last had an AG in May 2015. This is another clear indication that the CCT is acting under influence from outside its domain and therefore ready to bend the rules to achieve this obnoxious objective.

9. We therefore conclude that this is not an anti corruption driven case and cannot be part of the moves aimed at fighting corruption. It is simply a pure malicious and politically motivated prosecution aimed at undermining the person and office of the Senate President.

10. That those behind this plot will definitely meet Dr. Saraki in court as this case which is based on outright fabrication and mischief will not and cannot stand the test of justice.

11. it should be noted that throughout his career as a public official democratically elected to high public service, Dr Saraki has always held himself, to global standards of transparency and accountability, to a far higher standard of diligence, disclosure, and compliance, than required or even requested by Nigeria’s Code Of Conduct protocols. Thus, Dr Saraki has always, lawfully and accountably, declared his assets, both directly owned, and in which he may derive any historical and on-going degree of beneficial interest.

12. In view of the above, Senator Saraki hereby affirms his belief in the justice system and that when the proposed case comes to the tribunal, he will diligently state his case. He is also ready to co-operate with the Tribunal and other lawful government agencies in the bid to genuinely fight corruption and eliminate impunity in our public affairs.

13. We also note that anytime you try to fight corruption or insist that the right thing should be done, the system will always come after you. This is another case of desperation to fight Dr. Saraki because of his recent stance on national issues.

Media Office Of The Senate President.

Ibe chooses England over Nigeria

Liverpool's Jordon Ibe has confirmed he wants to play international football for England rather than Nigeria.

The winger, 19, is qualified to play for both countries and played twice for England Under-21s in September.

"It was my choice and it feels the right choice," Ibe told Liverpool's website, after Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh revealed the decision.

"I was born here and have played in the younger age groups. I want to take it up to the first team one day."

Oliseh had been keen to recruit Ibe for the Super Eagles but admitted defeat on Sunday when he wrote on Twitter: "Jordon Ibe's family informed me by a telephone call that he was giving priority to an England call-up. We wish them well."

London-born Ibe played for England Under-21s against USA Under-23s and then against Norway , alongside club colleague Joe Gomez.

"It was great and I enjoyed myself," Ibe said. "I felt as though Joe and I did well. It was a great experience and I'm looking forward to the coming games.

"You want to represent your country well. Even at times when you've not got games for Liverpool, doing well with England is vital."

England coach Roy Hodgson has said Ibe could feature for his side in October's Euro 2016 qualifiers against Estonia and Lithuania.

Ibe joined Liverpool from Wycombe as a 16-year-old in January 2012 and made his Premier League debut against QPR in May 2013.

He had loan spells at Birmingham the following season, and then Derby during the first half of the 2014-15 campaign.

Ibe made 14 appearances for the Reds last term and has featured four times this season, although he has yet to score for the Anfield club.

Hodgson said former England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has told him of Ibe's potential.

"Gerrard said: 'We have got this young lad, he is something special.' He had the same feeling about Raheem Sterling," added Hodgson.

"We must be careful. People take their time. There is competition in his place."

Source: BBC Sports

Saudi Crane Crash: King Salman orders massive payouts as compensations

Saudi King Salman has ordered massive payouts for the families of those killed and injured in last week’s crane crash tragedy, which claimed the lives of 111 people and injured over 238 people.

In a royal decree, the king announced that there would be 1m Saudi Riyal paid to each victim’s family, 1m Saudi Riyal to those whose injuries resulted in permanent disability, and 500,0000 Saudi Riyal for each of the injured.

The King stated that these payments would not exclude the families of the deceased, and the injured, from launching lawsuits through the courts for compensation.

King Salman announced that the Kingdom would host two family members of those who died, for next year’s Hajj and those who were injured and could not complete their rituals this year would be able to return next year as the king’s guests while the family members of the injured in hospitals for treatment would be granted visit visas to remain in the Kingdom.

The King also reviewed the report of the committee investigating the incident, which concluded that the crane was blown over by strong winds on Friday while the machine was in an incorrect position.

King Salman ordered that the report be sent to the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution for further investigations into the procedures adopted by the Saudi Binladin Group.

Arabnews.com

Gate Tower Building in Osaka, Japan

Gate Tower Building in Osaka is one of the most curious buildings in Japan. The 5th, 6th and 7th floors of this 16-story office building is occupied by an express highway - passing right through the building. On the building's floor information board on the ground floor, the tenants for the three floors are listed as the Hanshin Expressway. You can’t alight there tough as the elevator skips from the 4th floor to straight to the 8th.

The Gate Tower Building is Japan 's first building to have a highway pass through it. And it had been nicknamed "beehive" referring to its appearance as a "bustling place".

The highway does not make contact with the building, and a structure surrounding the highway keeps noise and vibration out.

Sheikh Abdur-Rahman Sudais, Imam of Al Haram Mosque, Makkah visits injured pilgrims in hospital

Sheikh Abdur-Rahman Sudais, sympathising with injured pilgrims in hospital

Abdul Rahman Al Sudais, Imam of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, speaks to the media after visiting victims of Friday's crane accident at the mosque being treated at Al-Noor specialist hospital in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015. High winds were to blame for the toppling of a massive crane that smashed into the mosque and killed over 100 people ahead of the start of the annual hajj pilgrimage, the head of Saudi Arabia's civil defense directorate said Saturday. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

 

The Imam of Al-Haram Mosque, Makkah in Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdulrahman Sudais has appealed for pilgrims to perform Hajj on behalf of the martyrs, while making sure the injured are able to complete their holy pilgrimage.

Sheikh Sudais who is the head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs, said that it was the duty of every Muslim to perform Hajj on behalf of the martyrs of the crane collapse tragedy.

While speaking during a visit to the injured victims of the crane collapse accidents stressed the need to pray for the deceased, donate to charity and perform Hajj on behalf of the martyrs.

He said the Kingdom treats the pilgrims as Guests of Allah and so the injured were visited by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

France pledges military equipment, intelligence support for Multinational Joint Task Force

French President François Hollande has pledged that his administration will assist the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF) with intelligence gathering and equipment to check the activities of insurgents in Nigeria and beyond.

Hollande announced this on Monday at the Elsee Palace in Paris after a closed door bilateral meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, who is on a three-day official visit to France.

The French President, who was addressing a joint news conference, said that his government was concerned about the increasing spate of insecurity in Nigeria and the entire West Africa sub-region.

According to him, his administration is ready to render support and assistance to Nigeria to enable the country to tackle insurgency and all forms of extremism in the country.

He said himself and President Buhari discussed new strategies of partnership that would enable Nigeria and its neighboring countries of Cameroun, Chad, Niger and Benin Republic, through the joint action of the MJTF, to fight the insurgency and restore peace.

President Hollande explained that as an intervention approach to assist in the fight against terrorism, France last year, hosted a Regional Summit on Security in Paris, which brought together the neighboring countries to chart the way forward.

"We provide all of the support to the countries in the region which are affected by this cult and in Nigeria, we want to provide support and solidarity," he added.

He thanked President Buhari for his recent actions such as the movement of the military command centre to Maiduguri, which he said, had helped tremendously in weakening the insurgents.

According to Hollande, France has concluded arrangements to invest a total of €130million in the development of infrastructure in Nigeria for rebuilding of roads, provision of electricity and water supply.

He noted that in spite of the fall in the price of crude oil in the international market, which had affected Nigerian expected revenue, the country's economy still remained strong.

"The Nigerian economy remains strong so, France wants to be doing business in the country,"he said.

Hollande said that France intended to increase the visibility of its investors more in Nigeria.

In his remarks, President Buhari thanked the French president for his administration's interest to assist Nigeria.

He expressed the readiness of his administration to partner with France for the overall development of both countries.

President Buhari noted that with commitment from France, Nigeria's next shopping list regarding support would move to other members of the G7.

"We have to depend on France and the other G7 countries for support to fight piracy,"he said.

"Our next shopping list is going to G7 in terms of intelligence and training.

"Another problem is the problem in the Gulf of Guinea, from Senegal to Angola; that area is endowed with resources like petroleum and other minerals but surrounded by piracy and theft.

"We are going to depend on France and G7 countries to flush these criminals out of the region."

On Nigeria’s problems, President Buhari lamented that more than 67 per cent of youths, most of them under their youthful age, were unemployed.

"We are finding best way in agriculture and mining to address this challenge before sophisticated infrastructure and security are provided.

"We want to make sure we feed ourselves and provide security before other things are also tackled.

- NAN.

JNI condemns kidnap of South East Muslims’ leader

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI has condemned the kidnap of the Sheik Adamu Abdullahi Idoko, the Vice President of JNI of Enugu State and called for his immediate release.

The Muslims umbrella group also paid tribute pilgrims killed in the Masjid-ul-Haram, the Sacred Grand Mosque, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia last Friday.

This was contained in a Press Statement sign by the Secretary Generla of JNI, Dr, Khali Abubakar Aliyu on Sunday and made available to newsmen in Kaduna.

Reads part of the statement: “JNI is perturbed over the kidnap of Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Idoko, a famous Muslim leader in the South East, Vice President-General, JNI Enugu State, and the Chief Imam of the University of Nsukka, by unknown armed men.

“ Indeed this ugly incident is strongly condemned by the JNI. Hence, the JNI appeal to the government and security agencies at all levels to do everything humanly possible to rescue the distinguished Muslim Scholar, hale and hearty, from the hands of the criminals.

Sheikh Idoko is also the Chief Imam of the University of Nigeria Nsukka.