PRESIDENT BUHARI URGES SMOOTH TRANSITION PROCESS IN GAMBIA

President Muhammadu Buhari has again congratulated the President-elect of Gambia, Mr. Adama Barrrow on his electoral victory. The President had earlier congratulated him on Saturday December 3, after his triumph was announced.

In a telephone conversation with him this afternoon shortly before his trip to the International Forum on Peace and Security in Senegal, President Buhari expressed his gladness at the conduct of the contestants before, during and after the elections.

President Buhari urged Mr. Barrow to ensure that the transition process is also as smooth as the electoral process and carry everyone along in his task of taking the Gambia to a new level.

President Buhari arrives Dakar Senegal ahead of International Forum on Peace & Security in Africa (Photos)

1. President Muhammadu Buhari arrives Dakar Senegal ahead of his Participation at the 3rd Edition of the Dakar International Forum on Peace & Security in Africa on 5th December, 2016.

2.President Buhari being welcomed by President of Senegal H.E. Macky Sall as he arrives Dakar Senegal ahead of his Participation at the 3rd Edition of the Dakar International Forum on Peace & Security in Africa on 5th Dec 2016

GOWON, OBASANJO, SHONEKAN, OTHERS JOIN OSINBAJO AT ASO VILLA CHAPEL ANNUAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE

Three former heads of states/presidents and three former number twos joined Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, today to show gratitude to God, offering thanksgiving for his goodness over Nigeria.

Prayers were also offered by the leaders and the Aso Villa Chapel congregation for the continued success of President Muhammadu Buhari, and the progress of the entire nation.

The leaders who converged at the Aso Villa Chapel for the Annual Thanksgiving Service were former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of the Interim Government Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, and former Chiefs of General Staff Ebitu Ukiwe and Oladipo Diya.

Wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo and Mrs Margaret Shonekan were also in attendance at the service.

Speaking during the service as he welcomed the leaders, Prof Osinbajo noted that the nation is grateful to God, adding that the Lord has upheld Nigeria even this year which is rounding up.

BUHARI CONGRATULATES VICTORIOUS SUPER FALCONS

President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates the Nigeria’s Super Falcons on their victory over the senior female football team of Cameroon on Saturday at the final game of the women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Yaounde.

The President, who described the hard-earned victory over the Indomitable Lionesses as “very sweet and well-deserved,” particularly commends the Nigerian women for their “indomitable spirit, resilience and team work” which spurred them to victory in spite of a vociferous home crowd.

President Buhari notes that the Nigerian team achieved “this feat of being African champions for the 8th time,” a development he says has lifted the spirits of sports-loving Nigerians.

He enjoins other Nigerian sports men and women to emulate the exemplary attitude of the Super Falcons who placed the interest of the nation above personal interests, while assuring that the Federal Government will not relent in doing its best to promote sports within available resources.

MY PRIORITIES REMAIN UNCHANGED IN FIGHTING TERRORISM, CORRUPTION AND SALVAGING THE ECONOMY—PRESIDENT BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja said his administration remains committed to realizing the key priorities of securing the country, fighting corruption, and salvaging the economy in spite of current challenges.

Receiving the Letter of Credence of the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. William Stuart Symington, at the State House, President Buhari said the security situation in the North East had improved significantly following support in training of the military and supply of hardware after the G-7 meeting in Germany in 2015.

‘‘When I was invited to the G-7 meeting after my inauguration on May 29, 2015, I thought I was going to be an observer at the meeting, but without prompting, I was asked to brief the leaders on the security situation in Nigeria, and I did. Since then, we have received support in training and military hardware, and I hope we have not disappointed,’’ he said.

The President said the target of reversing the ‘‘culture of corruption’’ in the country had received support from Nigerians, with many realizing the depth of damage done by some previous administrations from the ongoing investigations and prosecutions.

‘‘The corruption we met at personal and institutional levels was unbelievable. Corruption was turning into a culture. After we came in, people started realizing the truth,’’ he added.

President Buhari told the U. S ambassador that his administration was still determined to continue investigations and prosecution of corrupt persons in the country as ‘‘Nigeria will either kill corruption or corruption will kill Nigeria in the long run.’’

The President noted that the years of mishandling of the economy at a period of financial prosperity, affected the economy, making it more challenging to create employment for the youths and improve the livelihood of many Nigerians.

‘‘It has not been easy for another party to come in and get things done properly, especially with the new economic reality of $37 per barrel of oil, against the $100 for the period, and there was no savings, no infrastructure on ground,’’ he said.

President Buhari said the timely intervention of the United States, with a visit of the Secretary of State John Kerry to Nigeria, before the 2015 elections helped in ensuring peace and stability in the country.

In his remarks, the U.S ambassador said the interest in the well-being of Nigeria was of mutual benefit.

‘‘We do it not only for Nigeria, but for ourselves. We did it because it was right for us and right for our people,’’ he said.

Symington said he would work hard to further strengthen the relationship between his country and Nigeria, assuring that President-elect Donald Trump would also be interested in the wellbeing of Nigeria.

President Buhari also received Letter of Credence from the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr. Moha Ouali Tagma, assuring him of Nigeria’s willingness to improve bilateral relations between the countries.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
December 1, 2016

PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE REIMBURSEMENT OF OVER-DEDUCTIONS ON PARIS CLUB LOANS FROM STATE GOVERNMENTS

State Governments have submitted to the Federal Government (FG), claims of over-deductions for external debt service arising between 1995 and 2002 as a result of First Line Charge deductions from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations.

These debt service deductions are in respect of the Paris Club, London Club and Multilateral debts of the FG and States. While Nigeria reached a final agreement for debt relief with the Paris Club in October 2005, some States had already been overcharged.

On the request by State Governments for a refund of amounts owed by the Federal Government, Mr. President directed that claims be subject to verification by the Debt Management Office and a team was established and given the mandate to scrutinise claims and reconcile with available records. The brief for the team was also extended to include a review of interim payments made under previous administrations.

Operation Python Dance: How Nigerian Army Becoming Threat to Internal Security

Buratai

The Nigerian Army is becoming a threat to internal security and need to stop creating more internal enemies for the central government. Which one be 'Operation Python Dance'?

When they launched the 'Operation Crocodile Smile', we wailed and questioned the rationale behind the operation. We argued that the operation was a fraud and will not solve any problem in the Niger Delta, rather it will compound it. Today, that operation alone has made the Niger Deltans more united in seeing the federal government as their common enemy. Has operation crocodile smile ended? Is there still oil bunkering in the Niger Delta (and oh yes, is the army still not complicit in the oil bunkering industry)? What about militancy? What did the operation crocodile smile achieve? How much was spent?

The Nigerian army has launched another operation in the South-East code named 'Operation Python Dance'. Another job for the army generals.

Trump's transition team studying new sanctions to implement on Iran

Trump Names General James Mattis as Secretary of Defense Nominee

(Reuters) - Donald Trump's transition team is examining proposals for new non-nuclear sanctions on Iran, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing congressional sources who have been in contact with the president-elect's team.

Officials with Trump's team have been in touch with fellow Republicans in Congress, where they hold the majority, to discuss possible sanctions separate from last year's Iran nuclear deal that could focus on its ballistic missile program or human rights, the sources told the FT.

"They (Trump team members) are already looking closely at their options - and that very much includes non-nuclear sanctions," a congressional official told the media outlet.

Federal High Court Orders Unconditional Release Of El-Zakzaky And His Wife, Fines FG N50 million as general damages

The embattled spiritual leader Shiites sect, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, who has been in detention with his wife, Zeatudden, have been ordered to be released by the Federal High Court, Abuja. The court presided over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, ordered the government to free the duo unconditionally within 45 days.

They have been in custody for one year following their arrest after a El-Zakzaky followers clashed with the military in Zaria, north central Kaduna state, causing the death of more than 300 Shiites.

The court also ordered the Federal Government to provide a new accommodation for El-Zakzaky in Zaria or any northern town of his choice.


The court also awarded El-Zakzaky and his wife N50 million as general damages

The court made the order while delivering judgment on a fundamental right enforcement suit El-Zakzaky filed against the government.

Counter Extremism Project (CEP) Appoints Former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly As Advisory Board Member

(New York, NY) – The Counter Extremism Project (CEP), a not-for-profit, non-partisan, international policy organization formed to combat the growing threat from extremist ideology, today announced the addition of the former Commissioner of the New York City Police Department, Raymond W. Kelly, to its Advisory Board.

“The Counter Extremism Project is honored to have Commissioner Kelly join our advisory board,” said Ambassador Mark D. Wallace, CEO of the Counter Extremism Project. “He brings vast, unparalleled experience, knowledge and expertise to the issues central to our organization, and we look forward to benefitting from his insights to increase our effectiveness in countering extremist propaganda and denying extremists the material resources they depend upon to wage war and recruit followers.”

“Ray Kelly’s understanding of the complex and ever changing nature of the extremist threat to public safety is unparalleled,” said CEP Advisory Board Member and former U.S. Senator Joseph I. Lieberman. "It will be a great privilege to work with him to help make CEP’s programs and initiatives stronger and more effective.”