They were called the unsmiling duo. In his first incarnation as Nigerian leader, the then Major General Muhammadu Buhari was paired with another top brass military officer, Babatunde Idiagbon, who was the number two man. Smile was alien to their lips, laughter a total stranger.
Twelve months ago, President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.He came to power following the decisive victory of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC over the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP and its candidate, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The victory ended the 16-year reign of the PDP.
I read the statement issued by the Econimic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) purportedly declaring me wanted as an attempt by that organisation and its leadership to tarnish my image. That statement, if indeed it was issued by the EFCC, is the height of mischief and a deliberate attempt to assassinate my character.
"Nigeria’s economy risks falling into recession after it shrank in the first quarter as oil output slumped and the manufacturing, financial and real estate industries declined. Gross domestic product in Africa’s largest economy contracted by 0.36 percent from a year earlier, the Abuja-based National Bureau of Statistics said in an e-mailed statement on Friday.This compares with growth of 2.11 percent in the previous three months. The median of 17 economist estimates compiled by Bloomberg was for growth of 1.8 percent. The last time the economy contracted was the second quarter of 2004, according to data on the central bank’s website. Falling prices of crude, from which Nigeria derives up to 70 percent of state revenues, have caused the nation’s economic outlook to deteriorate as the government struggles to pay salaries and stimulate growth, forcing it to increase borrowing.
"The truth is that the Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, will now represent the President in Lagos. The President is faced with scheduling difficulties and that is the reason for the postponement of the visit.
He needs more time for Lagos and for Edo which had earlier been stepped down. As a result of this, the visit has been scaled down and he is being represented by the VP, who is going to Lagos to commission a few projects, leaving the rest for Mr. President. The President will undertake these visits after the Ramadan"he said.
This government is elected to serve the people and provide benefits to all. The new pricing regime brings the following benefits:
