President Buhari message on signing Nigeria fiscal budget 2016

At last, Buhari signs 2016 budget:

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday signed the 2016 Appropriation Bill into law ending weeks of face-off between the National Assembly and the Executive.
The budget was signed at a brief ceremony held inside the President’s office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Below is the full remarks made by President Muhammad Buhari at the signing of the budget:

President Muhammadu Buhari signed the 2016 Budget today.

Please read his speech below.

"This Budget is intended to signpost a renewal of our commitment to restoring the budget as a serious article of faith with the Nigerian people.

This Administration is committed to ensuring that henceforth the annual appropriation bill is presented to the National Assembly in time for the passage of the Act before the beginning of the fiscal year.

Through the 2016 budget, aptly titled ‘Budget of change’, the government seeks to fulfill its own side of the social contract.

The Budget I am about to sign into law provides for aggregate expenditures of N6.06trn. Further details of the approved budget, as well as our Strategic Implementation Plan for the 2016 budget, will be provided by the Honourable Minister of Budget & National Planning.

In designing the 2016 budget, we made a deliberate choice to pursue an expansionary fiscal policy despite the huge decline in government revenues from crude oil exports.

This is why we elected to enlarge the budget deficit at this time, to be financed principally through foreign and domestic borrowings. All borrowings will however be applied towards growth-enhancing capital expenditures.

The signing of the budget today, will trigger concerted efforts to reflate the Nigerian economy, a key element of which is an immediate injection of N350bn into the economy by way of capital projects.

To illustrate our renewed commitment to infrastructural development, the 2016 budget allocates over N200bn to road construction as against a paltry N18bn allocated for same purpose in the 2015 budget.

Despite the current difficulties, we will work extra -hard to achieve our  revenue projections .

Our revenue generating agencies are  coming under better management and being re-tooled.

The implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) is expected to contribute significantly to improving transparency over government revenues.

 Our determined fight against corruption is resulting in improvements in the quality of public expenditure. The work of the Efficiency Unit, as well as other public financial management initiatives, are also contributing in this regard. The continuing efforts to reduce recurrent expenditures should hopefully free up more funds for capital expenditure in 2017 and beyond.

 As I said in my New Year message, living in the State House does not in any way alienate me from your daily struggles. I read the newspapers and listen to the news. I hear your cries. I feel your pains.

 We are experiencing  probably the toughest economic times in the history of our Nation. I want to commend the sacrifice, resilience and toughness of all Nigerians young and old who have despite the hardships continued to have hope and confidence of a great future for Nigerians.

But permit me to say that this government is also like none other. We are absolutely committed to changing the structure of the Nigerian economy once and for all.

We are working night and day to diversify the economy such that we never again have to rely on one commodity to survive as a country. So that we can produce the food we eat, make our own textiles, produce most of things we use.

We intend to create the environment   for our young people to be able to innovate and create jobs through technology.

I cannot promise you that this will be an easy journey but in the interest of so much and so many we must tread this difficult path. I can assure you this government you have freely elected will work with honesty and dedication day and night to ensure that our country prospers and that the prosperity benefits all Nigerians.

God bless Federal the Republic of Nigeria."

Those who witnessed the event included Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Odigie-Oyegun; and chairmen of the Appropriation Committees of both chambers of the National Assembly.

Others were the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang; and the Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Sumaila Kawu.

Journalism Should Be Practised With High Sense of Social Responsibility -Nasir Adhama

On May 3rd, being the occasion of World Press Freedom Day year 2016, the Special Assistant to President on Youth and Students’ Affairs, Nasir Adhama has congratulated the Nigerian Journalists and enjoined them to give strict observance to social responsibility ethic of their profession.

Nadir Adhama, Nigerian Presidential Aide for Youth and Students Affairs, Abuja.

In a press statement received by Nigeria Union of Journalists Europe on Tuesday  from the Technical Assistant on Media, Office of Special Assistant to President on Youth and Students’ Affairs, Ibrahim Dan-Halilu, he said it is a day journalists around the world celebrate landmark achievements and reflect soberly on the challenges that they face in the course of carrying out their legitimate duties of informing, educating and entertaining the public.

“I’m delighted to note that the theme for this year’s celebration, “Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms” reinforces the spirit of Nigeria’s Freedom of Information Act passed into law in May 2011. The passing of the bill has marked another watershed in Nigeria’s resolve to make democracy a government of choice. I commend Nigerian journalists for their steadfastness in the face of numerous challenges that the practitioners face which are both external and internal” Adhama said.

“Our journalists have demonstrated uncommon commitment to promoting freedom of expression through their coverage of political activities such as campaign rallies, party primaries, general elections and legislative sessions.

“While commending you for your support to this administration in the fight against corruption and Boko Haram insurgence, I’m appealing to you to exercise restraint in the coverage of issues that have serious security implications for our country. Journalism, like any other calling, should be practiced with high sense of social responsibility.

Adhama qouted the Former American President, Thomas Jefferson said, “If I had to choose between “a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” and said Journalists must count themselves among the fortunate few in Africa, as Nigeria has one of the freest press on the continent, and the Buhari administration will not waiver in its committed to sustaining this unbounded legacy.

By Lashley Oladigbolu,  London

World Press Freedom Day: Journalists Should Promote Nigeria Democratic Process

The United States of America Consular-General in Lagos, John Bray, on Tuesday reminded the Nigerian media of its roles in promoting transparency and accountability in the country’s democratic process.

Bray said this at an event to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day.
It was organised by the US Consulate General in Lagos for media practitioners from different organisations.
The consul-general said it was imperative for Nigerian journalists to know that Nigerians always relied on the media for truthful and objective information.
He added: “In a democracy, there has to be transparency and accountability.
“The press is saddled with the burden of holding government responsible for actions or inactions.
“The Nigerian people rely on the media for truthful and objective information, and this is the burden you all have to bear in a democracy.
“Today, your profession as journalists is strategically positioned to make meaningful contributions on the part of the voiceless.”
Bray appealed to journalists to sustain their “good work” by probing deeper so as to be able to contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
Prof. Lai Oso, the Dean, School of Communication, University of Lagos, said information was a strategic resource in a society when people contest for power and resources.
Oso said majority of people did not have access to information in their communities and across the country.
He, therefore, noted that that it was imperative for Nigeria to have a more comprehensive information dissemination system in place, including the use of community radio.
The dean urged Non-Governmental Organisations to be involved in the nation’s information dissemination system, saying: “NGOs are not involved in communication in Nigeria.
“We really need NGOs to come out and enlighten their communities through the media.
“Access to information should be a means to an end.
“It should be targeted at empowering people to participate in elections and policies.”
The President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Waheed Odusile, also urged the Nigerian media to champion the cause of ensuring good governance in the country.
Odusile said the press must be free to be able to discharge its responsibility and announced the union’s plan to soon sponsor a bill to the National Assembly for the welfare of journalists.
He advised journalists to always apply “common sense” in doing their assignments to avoid being harassed, molested, kidnapped or killed.

How Nigerian Residents In UK Protested Against Herdsmen Terrorism. "Nigerian Blood Not Cheap For Privileged Cow Traders", says London Protest Convener

By Fatai Ogunribido
EMN News Editor-in-Chief
London

Nigerians in the Diaspora on Tuesday held a protest against incessant killing of Nigerian farmers and community residents by Fulani herdsmen grazing their cows on green land across the country.

Many of the herdsmen encroach on land belonging to farmers and villagers and anytime they meet resistance they shoot the land owners at sight.

Incensed by lack of definite action by the government, Diasporans on Tuesday took to London Central streets holding banners that decry the activities of the herdsmen who have murdered almost a thousand innocent people in the past year.

Among the messages on the placards which were by the protesters who turned out in their hundreds were; ”Silence kills”, ”Buhari stop the massacre”, ”Keep off our lands” , stop blood thirsty Fulani Herdsmen now”, Fulani killer herdsmen must be stop and many more.

Some gory pictures of slain Nigerians killed by the callous herdsmen were also displayed and made into posters.

However, there was a little distraction during the protest as a tear away group, carrying Biafra flags attempted top exploit the protest by putting the Biafran agitation into fore during the protest. All attempt to dissuade their opportunistic display using the license obtained by Concerned citizen who organised the stop the herdsmen protest were rebuffed and in no time, the Chidi Cali-led protest immediately disengaged and made the protest more pronounced using the provided Metropolitan police security as shield and link of authenticity.

Shortly afterwards, the convener of the protest, Mr Chidi Cali  urged the protesters not to lose focus due to the action of Biafra nation agitators. According to him, they only came  from behind to create unhealthy scenario. using the stand of his group to mainly consisting of Concerned citizens of Nigeria to show-off.

Pic: The Coordinator, London Protest, Mr Chidi Cali (right) with a co-organiser, Morgan at Parliament Building UK.

Tuesday protest was one of the most successful in history with hundreds of Diaspora Nigerians partaking in the protest which loudly denounced action of the herdsmen killing of innocent Nigerians by cattle rearers grazing their cattle.

According to Chidi Cali ” You cannot use Nigerian blood to feed Fulani cows and cattle. We are all human and should be treated as same. Why is the government silent and why are herdsmen armed with sophisticated ammunition in a country with law”

He added that sponsoring a Grazing bill would tantamount to raping the conscience of the nation by the privilege few who want to enslave the entire people for their selfish benefits.

Many of the herdsmen in Nigeria continue to parade in sophisticated AK 47 and other shotguns supplied by their masters to use against people opposing to community land abuse and destruction of farmlands as the itinerary herdsmen bombard farmlands and community settlements especially in the Southern part of Nigeria grazing their cattle.

Almost a thousand innocent people including farmers, women, children and villager have been massacred in the past months as the government refused to issue strong statement to denounce the herdsmen action. The government stance however has made many across the World to raise questions on why the government of Muhammadu Buhari( himself a Fulani man and cattle trader) has refused to take drastic action against the herdsmen incursions.

Concerned Nigerians living in the United Kingdom viewed the government stance as fueling community crisis and impending civil anarchy and want to create awareness of the massacre to the World media. Hundreds of Nigerians joined in the protest plan in a rare volunteer exercise which mobilised for Tuesday’s protest.

” Nigeria belong to us all and if a group of powerful people can be so acting in lawlessness by arming their cattle rearers, there are dangers coming to our country in an undeclared civil war”, Mr Cali continued as he addressed onlooking crowd.

Protesters carrying Nigerian flag and and they came old and young to denounce herdsmen callous killing.

Lashley Oladigbolu, the Acting President of Nigeria Union of Journalists Europe Chapter expressed his satisfaction on the level of publicity gained on the noble peaceful protest as he offered assistance to some notable Media organisations who were on ground to covere the event. Few among them were TVC News, Ben TV, Nigerian Watch and many other journalists who came to represent their media platforms.

With success of the protest, #NigeriansAgainstHerdsmenTerror”,  with Dare Ariyo aka ARISTOTLE in Abuja portruding hashtag from the handle of @NigeriansUKpro now entrenched by concerned Nigerians in the UK had allowed for the mass mobilisation of Nigerians in the Diaspora in the most successful manner, gathering all segments of people under one umbrella.

Lashley Oladigbolu (left) with Godson Azu the London Assembly for Haringey candidate 

Video: Above - Street Protest along Parliament Building UK.



As early as 10 A.M on Tuesday, Nigerians   started to converge at the Nigerian High Commission the embassy for onward march to the British Parliament where further speeches was delivered and on the activities of  the herdsmen massacre in Nigeria. Several letters were handed to British parliamentarians  who acknowledged and promised instant action to stem the tide of the massacre and draw the attention of the World to the Nigerian emerging genocide and ethnic cleansing.