Showing posts with label Buhari. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Buhari. Show all posts
Nigeria seeks global support on climate change
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Paris appealed to the international community to support Nigeria’s commitment to reducing the effects of climate change.
In a submission to the One Planet Summit attended by over 60 heads of state and governments, as well as representatives of non-governmental and private organisations, the President said: “We cannot implement our Nationally Determined Contribution without adequate financial, technical and capacity building support from the developed countries.”
Buhari’s appeal came as the three co-chairmen of the plenary session, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, the World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim, and the French President, Emmanuel Macron, stressed the need for a global, comprehensive and speedy action, including private sector financing against the devastating impact of climate change.
Buhari noted that although the country had been strengthening efforts towards implementing the Paris Agreement and the Marrakech Call for Action, plan to reduce its emission by 20 per cent by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2030 cannot be attained alone. “Having just come out of recession, we are under no illusion of the challenges we face in Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, “Nigeria recognises that ensuring sustainable funding is a major constraint in efforts to implement the Nationally Determined Contribution. To respond effectively to climate change mitigation and adaptation challenges, critical mass of financial resources beyond what we can provide from our national resources will be required.”
On steps Nigeria has taken to meet its national goal in this respect, he said the country “embraced the issuance of the green bond as an innovative and alternative source of projects funding that would help reduce emissions and provide robust climate infrastructure, such as renewable energy, low carbon transport, water infrastructure and sustainable agriculture in line with the Paris Agreement”.
In furtherance of efforts to deliver on the country’s pledges, he noted that government was “tightening the existing governance structure for more effective implementation of climate change activities, including the additional responsibilities that are consequent on adoption of the all-encompassing climate change treaty”.
Government was actively promoting technologies and practices such as sustainable land management, climate resilient agriculture, water efficiency, clean energy, and skills for reducing greenhouse gas emissions among others, Buhari said, stressing that sustaining these efforts would require external support.
Other measures included “accelerating research and development on facilitating access to climate friendly technologies, through technology pooling and collective approach to financing research and development, regulating restrictive practices in licensing agreements and anti-competitive uses of intellectual property and international declaration on climate technologies”.
He said: “In Nigeria, we are looking at insurance-based proposals to deal with loss, damage and adaptation to the poor, vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups. Risk mitigation through insurance must benefit those groups who currently have negligible access to any form of indemnity coverage. Vulnerable groups will also benefit from new technologies and ways to make insurance schemes affordable, including through long-term premium support.”
He said Nigeria would require “a long-term solution for a source of clean power, which can be achieved through private investments to create economic competitiveness for industrialisation, job creation and agricultural programmes throughout the country; and the inclusion of Nigeria in climate regional programmes, especially strong financial support to our planned project for the replenishment of the Lake Chad”.
The President noted: “This long-term solution will ensure sustained livelihood for rural and urban communities, and permanently address the conditions conducive to the spread of violent extremism and terrorism, and stem illegal migration especially of our youths abroad.”
Acknowledging that external support must be sustained on a long-term basis, Buhari said: “The changes Nigeria and other developing countries need to make cannot be undertaken overnight.”
He said he looked up to developed countries to jointly take a leading role in mobilising support for addressing the challenges of climate change within the framework of the General Assembly of the United Nations.
The UN scribe had in his earlier address warned that governments who failed to bet on a green economy would be living in a grey future.
He said the Paris Agreement laid the basis for ambitious action, but regretted that countries were not winning the war on climate change, which is “the defining challenge of our time”.
Guterres noted that everyday in every region front pages are dominated by weather-related disasters such as storms, floods, droughts and fires. He lamented current financial commitment by governments, saying it was not enough to address climate change problems.
Buhari had before the summit attended a luncheon hosted by his French counterpart in honour of visiting heads of state and governments at the Elysee Palace.
Buhari blames Europe for illegal migration
Buhari blames Europe for illegal migration
- Expresses worry over delay in repatration of stolen funds
President Muhammadu Buhari has blamed European countries for human trafficing scourge across the world, especially as it affects Africa.
He also expressed disappointment with western countries over delay, or outright refusal, to repatriate more stolen funds stashed in their countries, by ex-Nigerian government officials.
Reports from sources at the just-concluded fifth African Union/European Union Summit in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire indicate that the president said for there to be a halt to human trafficking as well as curb the deaths of desperate migrants as its currently being seen in Libya, the EU must work more diligently with the African AU, to bring normalcy to Libya and for the EU to be more forthcoming with humanitarian aid and other forms of assistance to countries directly affected by the menace and by terrorism.
At the bilateral meeting with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, where the issue of stemming the tide of illegal migration of Nigerians to Europe took the front burner, Buhari said a process has been put in motion for the negotiation of new agreements that may open doors of migration and also lead to reducing illegal migration.
Under this agreement, according to one of the sources, close to 4,000 Nigerians may be given scholarships as well as skills and vocational training for illegal migrants before they are brought back home.
The president further declared that the single most important investment needed for growth in Nigeria and Africa is to grow and develop the economies in ways that will provide jobs for the youths.
“Without jobs, even educated youths become vulnerable to forms of extremism, ranging from joining the ranks of terrorists to risking their lives, migrating to Europe, through the ‘sea of sand that is the Sahara and the unforgiving waters of the mediterranean.’ We must declare this era of African industrialisation for this must be the primary goal of all AU members,” he stated and advised that future AU-EU summits must be dedicated to this goal until it is achieved.
On stolen funds trapped in Europe, Buhari expressed displeasure over delay in seding them back to Nigeria.
He reiterated that the funds will go a long way in assisting the country build the much-needed infrastructure and create jobs for youth, as well as discourage those embarking on risky journeys through the Sahara Desert and mediterranean, enroute Europe.
The president, said sources privy to what transpired at the bilateral meetings with some western leaders on the sidelines of the summit, disclosed that he was particularly unhappy that African countries are being blamed for illegal migrants taking dangerous routes to Europe.
In 2016, in New York, on the margins of United Nations General Assembly, Buhari asked Switzerland to urgently release Nigeria’s stolen funds.
He had, at a meeting with his Swiss counterpart, Johann Schneider-Ammann, said Nigeria needed such resources, particularly for infrastructure.
The president had, in response to former United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron describing Nigeria as a “fantastically corrupt” country, said he did not want an apology but repatriation of looted funds.
Meanwhile, a group of women, under the aegis of Africa Faith and Justice Network Nigeria, has called on traditional rulers in Edo State to intensify campaign against dangers and risks associated with trafficking in persons in their quarters.
The group, a non governmental organisation founded on the principle of social justice, made up of Catholic women, equally tasked the youths to take advantage of their God-given talents and acquire the necessary skill for self-empowerment.
Coordinator of the group, Rev. Sister Eucharia Madueke gave these charges when they visited the palace of Onogie of Ujeogba, Izuware 1, Solomon Ogieaga, Esan West Local Government Area, Odionware of Ugbogui, Pa.Uwaifo Osemwengie, Ovia North East and Zaiki Ehizogie 11, the Onogie of Ogwa
She said the group decided to embark on the second round of the campaign following statistics which indicated that 95 percent of Nigerians trafficked to Italy are from Edo. They urged the monarchs to use their traditional authority to clamp down on agents, individual, brothels who indulge in trafficking of under-age girls in their various communities, and added that the law will, henceforth, takes its course on those found guilty of rape and human abuses
Also, a resource person on Anti-Human Trafficking, Women and Children Protection Unit, State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Sergeant, Justina Idiata said the police have made several arrests of chains of suspected persons including native doctors, parents, relations who played a role in the process of trafficking under-aged girls who often end up as sex slaves abroad. She said the traffickers often lure parents with gifts, money, to deceive their girl-child they are traveling abroad for genuine reasons.
In his response, Onogie of Ujeogba blamed the rise in human trafficking on parental failure and called on government to provide dividends of democracy and create enabling environment for citizens.
Buhari, Quattara worry over Togo
President Muhammadu Buhari and his Ivorian counterpart, Mr. Alassane Ouattara, have expressed concern over the political instability in Togo, and warned the crisis could have regional consequences.
Both leaders expressed their concern during a bilateral meeting in Abidjan on the margins of the 5th AU-EU Summit.
“We must have a solution in Togo. The friends of the opposition and authorities must talk to them on the steps to jointly take to achieve stability. They must work towards gaining the trust of each other.
A statement by Mr. Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), quoted the quoted Buhari as saying that, ‘‘there will be regional consequences for instability in Togo and this will surely come at a cost to development’’.
The Nigerian leader also had a separate bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel where the issue of stemming the tide of illegal migration of Nigerians to Europe took the front burner.
The two leaders agreed to strengthen legal migration and made a commitment to expand discussions on how to stem the tide of illegal migration.
On security, President Buhari told the German Chancellor that his government’s commitment to the security of lives and property in Nigeria remains absolute.
Reaffirming the nexus between security and job creation in Nigeria, President Buhari said prompt attention is being given to the gainful employment of youths in Nigeria through education and the acquisition of skills and vocational training.
He said Nigeria and Germany can draw from the experiences to cooperate effectively in the area of investing in youths for a sustainable future.
In her remarks, the German Chancellor appreciated the strides made by the Buhari administration in revamping the economy and promised to increase support for Nigeria in dealing with terrorism.
Merkel said 58 German companies are operating in Nigeria, adding that more companies have indicated interest to invest in the energy, manufacturing, agriculture and construction sectors.
President Buhari also had fruitful bilateral discussions with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo and the Vice President of the Gambia Fatoumata Tambajang.
Nigeria to bring back distressed citizens in Libya
President Buhari and aides at a meeting with Nigerians in Abidjan
Nigeria has resolved that all its citizens that are stranded in Libya and other parts of the world will be brought home and be rehabilitated.
President Muhammadu Buhari gave the indications on Tuesday night in Abidjan where he is attending the EU-AU summit.
President Buhari who met with Nigerians in the Diaspora in Abidjan vowed to reduce the number of Nigerians heading for Europe illegally through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea by providing basic social amenities such as education, healthcare, and food security at home.
The President’s interaction with the Nigerian citizens in Cote d’Ivoire was reported on Wednesday by the Senior Special Assistant (Media & Publicity), Mr Garba Shehu,
Buhari said that all necessary steps will be taken to stem the tide of illegal migration by Nigerians.
He, however, noted that it was “very difficult to know the origin of the people who died’’, while attempting the perilous journey across the Mediterranean, because of lack of documentation.
“When it was announced that 26 Nigerians died recently in the Mediterranean, before they proved that they were all Nigerians they buried them.
“But the evidence I have from the Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs, (Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa) is that only three of them were identified as Nigerians. But I’ll not be surprised if the majority of them were Nigerians.
“But anybody who died in the desert and Mediterranean without documents; to prove that he is a Nigerian, there is absolutely nothing we can do,’’ he said.
Reacting to a recent footage on the sale of Africans in Libya, President Buhari said it was appalling that “some Nigerians (in the footage) where being sold like goats for few dollars in Libya.’’
‘‘After 43 years of Gadhafi, why are they recruiting so many people from the Sahel including Nigerians? All they learned was how to shoot and kill. They didn’t learn to be electricians, plumbers or any other trade,’’ he said.
On domestic issues, Buhari said that there was ‘‘good news from home’’ in the area of security, economy and anti-corruption.
“We are not doing too badly in trying to secure the country, improve the economy and deal with corruption.
“We are doing our best at all levels including security. It is absolute madness for people to blow others up in markets, churches, and mosques. No religion advocates violence. Justice is the basic thing all religions demand and you can’t go wrong if you do it,’’ he said.
On food security, the President said that his vision of repositioning Nigeria as a food-secure nation is on course as the country is on the verge of attaining food security.
He attributed the development to positive agricultural reform programmes and bumper harvest occasioned by good weather.
According to the President, interventions through the Anchors Borrows Programme of the CBN and the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative, among others, have been very successful in the agricultural reform initiative.
“People have gone back to the farm. We got the CBN, agriculture minister and money was provided at very low interest to farmers and the farmers responded and it was very positive.
“We are lucky that we are in a position to feed ourselves. So we are going to have food security in Nigeria earlier than anybody ever thought,’’ he noted.
The President advised Nigerians in Cote D’ Ivoire to be good ambassadors in their host country, warning that the Embassy will not hesitate to repatriate those who tarnish the image of the country abroad.
Buhari writes senate, requests confirmation of 10 CCB board members
President Muhammadu Buhari has written the senate, requesting the confirmation of 10 nominees for the board of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
In a letter read by Senate President Bukola Saraki on the floor of the red chamber on Wednesday, the president asked the lawmakers to confirm the nominees.
Buhari said the curriculum vitae of the nominees have also been sent for the senators consideration.
“In compliance with section 541 of the 1999 constitution as amended and in pursuant to sections 1(2) and 1(3) of the code of conduct bureau act LFN 2004, I write to request for the confirmation of the following nominees for appointment as chairman and members of the bureau,” the letter read.
“The curriculum vitae of the nominees are attached herewith. It is my hope that this senate of the federal republic of Nigeria will in their usual expeditious manner consider and confirm the nominees.
“Please accept, Mr senate president, my assurances of my highest consideration.”
THE NOMINEES
Muhammed Isa – Chairman Jigawa, north-west
Murtala Kankia – member, Katsina, north-west
Emmanuel Attah – member, Cross River, south-south
Danjuma Sado – member, Edo south-south
Obolo Opanachi – member, Kogi, north-central
Ken Madaki Alkali – member Nasarawa, north-central
S. F Ogundare – member, Oyo, south-west
Ganiyu Hamzat – member, Ogun south-west
Sahad Abubakar – member, Gombe north-east
Vincent Nwanne – member, Ebonyi south-east
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