Singapore News Channel, Singapore News Network

FILE PHOTO: L-R: President  of Federal Republic of Nigeria , President Muhammadu Buhari; Katsina  State Governor, Rt.Hon. Aminu Bello Masari ; Managing Director of Nigeria Port Authority Hadiza Bala Usman and African Journalist Mr  Ardo during 2015 APC Grand Finale Campaign  in Katsina City, Katsina State

A presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, has said President Muhammadu Buhari is presently in a better state of health than in 2015, to seek re-election in the 2019 general elections.

Mr. Adesina said this while speaking with State House correspondents in Abuja on Sunday.

He said though the president was yet to decide on whether to re-contest or not, his health would never be an issue as he had been improving tremendously since his return from medical vacation.

Mr. Buhari left Nigeria on May 7, for the second round of his medical treatment in London, and returned to Abuja on August 19, 2017 after a successful medical vacation.

The presidential aide said: “yes, health is wealth. The president is not a frivolous person. If he thinks that his health cannot carry anything, he will not do it.

“So, of course, his health will matter a lot. It will be very important but we need to give glory to God for the way he is now.

“Every day you see the president, you see a glow about him, you see freshness about him. I think he’s even in a better state than when he came in 2015. It’s all to the glory of God.

“So, once he assesses that his health can carry it, there’s nothing wrong if he steps into the fray. But he has the final decision.’’

Mr. Adesina maintained that the Buhari-led administration would continue to ensure the conduct of acceptable elections in the country as the president had vowed to bequeath free and fair elections in Nigeria.

He cited recently conducted elections across the country where the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, APC, participated but failed to win.

“It was not like that in the past when a certain party was in power. They won all the elections that held in states.

“But you saw Anambra. Just this weekend, you saw a senatorial election there. Some months ago in November, you saw the governorship election.

“If APC had wanted to overrun Anambra using federal might, it would have done that and it would win the election.

“Election was held in Bayelsa under this administration, APC didn’t do it. Ondo, APC won fair and square. Kogi, it won fair and square. Where APC wins, it wins. Where it loses, it loses.

“That’s the attitude of the president. Your party doesn’t have to win by hook or crook,’’ he added.

On social media report that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi had been appointed as Director-General for President Buhari’s campaign organisation, the presidential aide described such report as mere rumour.

He said the president had not decided to run for re-election as the whistle had not been blown for such activities by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

He said: “well, me I believe that things like Director-General will come when you have become a candidate. If the president steps into the fray now, he’s an aspirant just like any other aspirant.

“Having a Director-General comes when you become a candidate of the party.’’

On whether Mr. Buhari will embrace the Nelson Mandela option of four-year single term, Mr. Adesina said it was the constitutional right of the president to run or not to run.

“Of course, this is a democracy. People will always have a right to their opinion. You know one thing about democracy is that there is multiplicity of opinion.

“So, those who believe in the Mandela option, it is their right. And it is also the right of the president to run or not to run. So, you don’t abridge the right of anybody under a democracy.

“You cannot start a race until the whistle is blown. So, when he blows the whistle and say ‘yes, this is my ambition,’ then, the race starts.’’

(NAN)

Politics is a game of throne and it is all about the matter of agitation, so I want to urge you wailers in the course of your struggle don’t be rude and don’t lie again.
As we all know that General Muhammad Buhari and Dallatu Aminu Bello Masari were elected by the masses, which this led to their emergence in the political offices,simply because of their good campaign manifestation and their well wishes to the masses .

My central point here is that :I want to you wailers to note that emergency of General Muhammad Buhari and Masari in the position they are currently now holding is a destiny and you can never change it, despite your challenges,blackmail,and myth story, why because Allah has already designed and plan for it to be happened.
 
Base on the role they are playing in good governance, we are soliciting for Allah’s Help to guide them and continue in 2019 in order to continue enjoying the dividend of democracy

Comrd Bashir Ya’u Media Assistant, President,Chairman.

Kungiya mai suna a sama  ta shigo wannan dandali mai al-barka don ta nuna amincewarta,gamsuwarta,da kuma goyon bayanta kan salon mulki, jagoranci da kuma tafiyar da gwamnatin shugaba Muhammadu Buhari a matakin kasa, da kuma gwamna Aminu Bello Masari  Dallatun Katsina matawallen Hausa a matakin jaha.

    Wannan Kungiya ta nuna wannan goyon baya ne bisa la’akari da gudun mowar da suka bada a fannoni daban_daban na rayuwa,  wadda suka hada da  :
Noma da kiwo, Tsaro, harkokin kula da Lafiya,Ilmi da kuma habaka tattalin arzuki.

muna fata sauran jama’a za su yi la’akari da wadannan muhimman abubuwa da aka ambata da ma wasu da yawa da ba za su ambatu ba, su bada kowanne irin goyon baya da gwamnati ke bukata a dukkanin fannonin rayuwa.

Yana da kyau mutane su manta da mahassadan  wadannan mutane in masu shiryiwa ne to muna fata,in ba masu shiryuwa ba ne , toh Allah ya barsu da hassadarsu su yi ta aikin banza ba tare da sun sani ba.

In furtherance to his vision and passion towards repositioning Buhari Youth Organisation, Comrade Yusuf Nalado President of the Youth group led delegation of National Executive of the Organisation on a visit to National Committee Of Buhari Support Group (NCBSG).

While speaking the president said the visit is highly imperative in other to solidify and reaffirm the youth Organisation’s total Commitment to the Buhari led administration and it’s youth friendly programmes.

Welcoming the group, Chairman BOT NCBSG Sen. Abu Ibrahim thanked the Organisation for deeming it fit to visit the office, he also noted that he’s aware the Organisation has been holding series of meetings in recent time purposely to strategise and re-position the group for challenges ahead.

He promised NCBSG’s readiness to always continue support BYO both morally and otherwise whenever the need arise to achieve its sets goals.

Also speaking was Alhaji Mustapha Ahmed Chairman NCBSG, Who said “though (207) groups registered with NCBSG, but as at today only Buhari Youth Organisation stand exceptional amongs all” He urged the group to continue propagating the good work of President Mohammadu Buhari to the grassroots and beyond.

Those at the meeting Includes  Mr, Arinze Monyelu, Ag. National Secretary, Engr, Muritala Salau Audu Ex -officio, Ms Ruth Egabo Bina, National Women leader, Mr Ike Okafor, Financial Secretary, Comr, Adedotun Omoleye, Asst. National Publicity Secretary, Ms Juwarat Abubakar, Protocol Officer, Hon Umana, Plateau State Co-ordinator, Alhaja Fatimah Ahmed, Welfare Officer and Mr, Mohammed Bello, North East Co-ordinator.

Signed:
Comr, Adedotun Omoleye
Asst. National Publicity Secretary.

These are very difficult times in our country. Sad, mournful and dolorous times, as the New Year opened with killings in Rivers, Kaduna, Taraba, and Benue states, among others. Of course, there had been gruesome carnage on the Mambilla plateau mid last year, and bloodletting in Numan, Adamawa State, as well as in other places. Hell suddenly seemed to have enlarged itself against Nigeria. Sincere condolences to those who are grieving and mourning the loss of loved ones.

But instead of finding solutions, and joining to chart the way forward, some people are making political capital out of the killings. They are trying to use the orgy of bloodshed to advance their political interests, wanting to make it appear that it is a failure of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Faults are thick where love is thin. There is prejudice in Nigeria. Plenty. There is insularity, in prodigious quantity. There is animus, antipathy against anyone that is not of your ethnic or religious stock, or that belongs to a different political orientation or persuasion. If you meet him, kill him, if you can’t catch him, poison his footsteps, seems to be the singsong among some people. And as the build up to general elections next year gathers momentum, matters are made worse. Everything must be politicized, including wanton killings. There must be spurious handshakes across the Niger, and across the Benue, all for political gains.

But I stand with Buhari, and will always do. Why won’t you? Your snout is in the honeypot, licking the nectars of office, some cynics would say. Really? My bank balances do not indicate so. It is not just about money. It is about conviction. It is about believing in a man who can bring enduring change to our country, if we allow God to have His way through him.

Standing with Buhari through thick and thin is not about money, or the spoils of office, which are not even available in these lean times. In or out of my present position, I stand with Buhari. Sir Walter Scott wrote: “Other people’s resolutions may fluctuate on the wild and changeful billows of human opinion. Ours, now and forever, are anchored on the Rock of Ages.” In or out of government, I stand with Buhari. Why? You will get to know shortly.

There is strident attempt to defame, demean and de-market the Buhari government today. Who are those behind it? The crooks, thieves, freeloaders, who want business as usual. They hate probity. Their souls abhor accountability. They prefer the plunder of the past years, and can’t wait to see that epoch return. They engage in all sorts of misinformation and disinformation. Hate speeches. Fake news. Under us, you had leeks, onions and garlic to eat. You were fed manna till you wanted no more. When you were tired of the fluffy stuff, we gave you meat, you gorged yourself so much, till meat began to come out of your noses. They wouldn’t tell you about what William Shakespeare calls “the goodly apple, but rotten at the cheek.” They won’t tell you about humongous amounts of money made from oil, which stood at over $100 dollars per barrel for about six years, and which they looted to the last cent. Foreign reserves; depleted. Excess Crude Account; looted. Federation Account; plundered. They turned the country to a wasteland, leaving an economy primed for recession. But deftly and sure-footed, the Buhari administration is building a new foundation for the economy, erecting an edifice that will stand the test of time, not a bubble that collapses with just a pinprick, not a will-o-the-wisp that vanishes in the midday sun.

That is why I stand with Buhari, and have stood with him since he was a military leader in the 1980s. I can trust this President. I can go to bed, knowing that my leader is not striking deals to fleece the country in the dead of night. I can trust that every money that comes into the coffers of Nigeria, will be used for the good of Nigerians. Am I saying it is a perfect administration? Such has not been forged from the smithy of the divine powers. Every human enterprise will have its shortcomings, but on Buhari I still stand. I stand with him, and by him, any day.

Some people ask themselves: can we afford to be outside government for another four years from 2019? We would be dead! No access to the public treasury, which we know how well to abuse and plunder? To ravage and savage. They have spat into the sky, and collected the spittle with their faces. Rather than let Buhari be, we would employ all the tricks in the books. Defame, demean, de-market him. Is he not Fulani? He is supporting herdsmen causing murder and mayhem round the country. Trumpet it from the rooftops, even without a scintilla of evidence. He is sectional, and bent on Islamizing the country. He is fighting a one sided anti-corruption war. His war against insurgency is a fluke, not winnable.

They refuse to see massive investments in infrastructure, which would burst into full bloom in another year or two. Roads, rail, power. They refuse to see the rebounding economy, strides in agriculture and mining, all with good auguries for the future. They refuse to acknowledge the stock market, which recently recorded N15.78 trillion, the highest in the history of the country. What of N1.3 trillion spent on capital projects in 2016? And almost the same amount for 2017? No, they rather imagine how much of that amount they would have pocketed if they were in power, living in obscene luxury, while the rest of the country went to hell, if it wanted. They refuse to see the good things happening to the country. And none is as blind as those who deliberately refuse to see. All these and more are the reasons I stand with Buhari, and will always do. So that Nigeria can have a future and a hope. Our own Canaan, flowing with milk and honey.

After primitive fury was unleashed in Benue, and about 73 people were left dead, a sitting President eyeing reelection could also play politics with it, visiting and muttering the right words to impress the people. Nothing wrong. But for President Buhari, action speaks louder than words. Action stations, he told the security agencies. The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations was first despatched, then the Minister of Interior, the Inspector General of Police himself, and then the Nigerian Army. Consultations were held with the governor of the state, with Benue elders, and now, a committee headed by the Vice President, made up of nine governors, has been set up to proffer solutions to farmers/herdsmen clashes. Action truly speaks louder than words.

President Buhari has not thrown his hat officially into the ring for a second term in office. But they are in mortal fear of him running. Therefore, they do all they can to dissuade him. Malign him, paint him black, devalue him before the electorate. But they don’t know that there are many devices in the hearts of men, but only the counsel of God shall stand. If God has ordained President Buhari to be in power beyond 2019, human effort to stop it can only end in futility.

I stand with Buhari, because it is solid ground for Nigeria. All other ground I see, at least for now, is sinking sand. For us, for our children, for generations yet unborn, Buhari is engendering a new country, whose builder and maker is God. Let the wailers wail; endlessly. Let the heathens rage; till they render themselves hoarse. Let them throw even the kitchen sink at him, they did worse in the build up to 2015. I stand with Buhari. I know his heart for Nigeria, and for Nigerians. Let people shed their prejudices. Let them eschew hate, and purge themselves of all malice. The future can only then be written in gold.

Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and publicity.

Yesterday, a group of Buhari political support base, National Committee of Buhari Support groups NCBSG led by its chairman, Board of Trustees, Senator Abu ibrahim paid a visit to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha at his office in Abuja.

The group through its chairman told the SGF that part of its objectives is to provide support for government, particularly in the area of communication of its policies to the general public and take feedback from the general public to government for a good and smooth running of government before presenting to the SGF, its strategic plans of action and structures.

The group also presented to the SGF a strategic communications idea that can help government to perform better in its quest to carry along the stake holders and communicate its strategic actions more specifically to the people.

In his respoonse, the SGF, commended the group saying, the strategic communication ideas that he finds missing at the moment is what the NCBSG has brought to the table.

He said, “it is very sad that those who should bury their heads in shame for destroying Nigeria are now the ones attempting to point accusing g fingers, we need to upturn the narratives and situate as it is appropriate, the time is now”.

He further stressed on the importance of the relevant position the NCBSG seems occupying in the political equation of the ruling party and of government of President Buhari upon which basis he described as the bedrock for collaboration with the office of the SGF.

Speaking further on the mission of the group, Senator Abu Ibrahim, who stated that in the beginning, the approval of President Buhari was sought to galvanise the support groups together so that they don’t continue to feel abandoned, the president gave a tacit approval to get the task done and from that point the team proceeded to gather the APC registered support groups who worked tirelessly for the success 2015 general elections.

In the last 2 years, Abu Ibrahim stated that “the NCBSG has been rallying the support groups and now we have about 207 members in our members list spread all over the country. Further to that, wehave launched the group in all the zones of the federation and we are preparing to launch the south south and South East”.

Present at the meeting were the SGF himself Boss Mustapha, Senator Abu Ibrahim, Mustapha Habeeb , Ubale Nalado, Aminu lawan othman , Maaji lawan,Bala Usman, Mustapha Ahmed Ibrahim , Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, Prof. MT Usman, Zakari Aliu Jiya, Ibrahim Bapetel Hassan, Gideon zamani, SSA to president on political matters, Umar Waziri Kumo and  NCBSG Media Officer, Ardo Zubairu

It is no longer news that our media has been infiltrated and polluted by technology mixed with psycho- social dynamism called social media,  everyone that has a phone today is a reporter and everyone that can schorlaly put an essay together becomes a writer,  this has brought in so much confusion into our National information management and public communication,  this same confusion has gotten our official information managers frustrated , since this government doesn’t appear to be able to match even opposition in the area of investment In information Technology. It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

Permit me to make it clear that I have no apologies putting this  issue in its right and proper perception.  We need not join the band wagon to condemn an action we do not understand deeply. We need to solve these problems before we get totally hijacked.
Cultivating the attitude of restraint is a great virtue and responsibility on our part as citizens which is fast becoming most crucial to us as a country.

FALLACY OF BUHARI’S INACTION:
We need to know that politicians and detractors who detest Buhari are forever seeking opportunities to discredit him,  they reasoned,  “if they used the BOKO HARAM to upturn our Government, their government of 2014 ,  we will use the fulani herdsmen to confuse him”,  that is the conspiracy.
Let’s go back to history as of background to understand how long we have been dealing with the issue of herdsmen menace.

 HERDSMEN MENACE IN THE LAST 10 YEARS IN NIGERIA.
The last administration battled so hard with this same problem and there were series of   of interventions and research in respect of the herdsmen’s grazing issue.   A lot of studies by different agencies have proffered different solutions over the years.

President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014 inaugurated an Inter-ministerial technical committee on grazing reserves, tasked with proposing strategies for ending the herdsmen crisis.

Gabriel Suswan (PDP), Former Governor of Benue state (Benue has always been the hot spot hence the choice of Suswan) was appointed by GEJ to head the political committee on Grazing Reserves. The committee got to work and the final reports recommended recovery of all grazing routes encroached upon by farmers and recommended that  CBN be mandated to release N100 billion to the 36 states for construction of ranches.

The National Economic Council, NEC under President Jonathan approved this recommendation and thereafter the Central Bank actually released the N100 billion.
Having released the funds to the state Governors , one expected that they would have done the needful, the State Governors took the money but none of them constructed the ranches. That being the case,  the root cause of the problem not far-fetched.

Upon the realisation of seeming fraud on the part of the Governors, the House of Reps set up a committee to investigate reports of  looted funds by the Governors and give their reports within 4 weeks to the house in plenary, one will would need to ask the Governor of sokoto what happened to the investigations and  its reports,  since he was the speaker of the House of representatives, the  public was kept in a limbo, as if there was no report being expected.

THE APC GOVT AND THE HERDSMEN’S MENACE.
The current APC government thereafter followed up on the earlier ranching plan formulated by the Jonathan government (which N100 billion was released to the governors for) and in 2016 presented a plan to the Nigeria Governors forum  to map out grazing areas in all states as a temporary solution to the herdsmen crisis, amazingly,  central and southern states opposed the plan, hence it was indeed a great set back.

It is instructive to understand and appreciate that those who received money to solve such bloody perennial problems and made away should be made to account for the blood shed, the blood of the innocent should be on them,  perhaps a clarion call on the EFCC to take a deep look at this heinous negligence of National Responsibility.

Again as this genocide happened where over 55 people were murdered in cold blood,  same politicians that caused and sponsored the carnage are now still attempting to pass the buck.

 We need to come together to disallow the politicians play politics with matter of our lives, for them at all times it is aboiut politics of election and not about developing our land.

MUHAMMADU BUHARI USED AS A FALL GUY:
We are not anymore surprised how they have blamed Buhari for all the disaster,  this is where politics of misgivings comes to play,  they have hijacked the whole saga to play like Buhari’s negligence .

The perverted narrative is simply orchestrated by the opposition and political enemies of Buhari to say because he is a fulani man he is silent and allow Fulani’s to kill innocent Tivs, this is most unfortunate,

At the wake of this crisis,  Buhari met with Former Gov.  George Akume and Barnabas Gemade to find out the cause of this current crisis on sunday 7th Jan, by the 8th of Jan.  he met with the Governor of Benue,  shortly after which he ordered the IGP to relocate to the scene of the crisis, which he has since done, .. In one of the meetings Buhari acknowledged the love the Tivs and Benue people have shown him and how emotional he is about their plight.

The president set up a committee of Governors of Kaduna , Benue, Niger, plateau as headed by the minister of interior to further look at this crisis.

Buhari personally again mandated his close ally,  Sen.  Abu Ibrahim to go with the senators to see and give him First hand information .
From Information garthered ,  the criminals are not the traditional fulanis that have lived in the same communities for hundreds of years.
These perpetrators are sponsored to cause mayhem and whoever is behind this shall be brought to book, the president vowed.
Buhari seems to have finally scheduled to meet the Benue leaders on monday 15th January.
National Emergency Maintenance Agency, NEMA has equally been mandated to take charge of palliatives to assuage the loss of the bereived.

The president equally dispatched a battalion as against the rumour making the rounds that the president folded his arms and looked on while his kinsmen killed the Benue people…
Furthermore,  the President is reported to be meeting the Fulani groups to make them understand the meaning and importance of order and caution against reckless statements.
All hands are now on deck to permanently resolve this problem,  it has suddenly become a threat in our polity,  the government has seen why it has to look beyond the communality nature of the crisis,  it has indeed been inflliltrated.

It is shocking to learn however that the arrested members of the killing squad neither  spoke Fulani nor Hausa,  that convinced everyone that these menace was no longer that of communal clash nor fulani herdsmen as many won’t  believe. Again this has not exonerated the fulani from the menace of the past in the area of cattles destroying farmlands of people, the argument of the people against the Fulani is simply that the menace is unbearable ,  Government must find a lasting solution.

The west Africa is witnessing an unprecedented influx of arms, particularly Nigeria.

The fleeing members of the Boko haram are settling somewhere still Causing havoc.
We must secure our Nation.  The time is now.

On the recent killings and massacre of Benue people by the Fulani herdsmen in Guma and Logo LGA of Benue state, the Buhari Youth Organization (BYO) stand in avouchment and condemn this barbaric and boorish act.

It has been a protracted and extensive reportage around the nation on this dastardly act of Fulani herdsmen of killings, rendering communities in total disarray and jumbled state.

Benue state has recorded the highest scores of the incessant killings by herdsmen even after the state has enacted the anti-grazing bill, and ensuring safety and inviolability to its citizens. We the BYO assemblage therefore solicitously ask the federal government to kindly intervene in these looming atrocities hovering round the states of Nigeria.

Previously, there has been reports of this act of killings by herdsmen in Kaduna and Taraba State, where lives and properties have been lost and people are set ablaze. We are asking the law enforcement agencies to meliorate in their best possibly efforts to bring this upsurge to a calm and pacific overture.

We are also asking the federal government to ensure they brought to book and penalized these perpetrators to the divulgence and exposure of their heinous act to the people of Nigeria.

Meanwhile President Muhammadu Buhari recently has commiserated with Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State over the reported killings, injury of several persons and wanton destruction of property in Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of the state in the New Year. President Buhari, while expressing sadness and despondency at the wicked and callous attacks, assured the governor and the good people of the state that relevant security agencies have been directed to do everything possible to arrest those behind the regrettable incidents and avert further attacks.

The Buhari Youth Organization BYO is hereby soliciting peace amongst the good people of Nigeria to always live in peace and harmony and to maintain mutual understanding not minding our cultural and ethnic diversities, and to always be our brothers’ keepers, being able to settle differences when matters of ill treatment or malign propelled, ensuring tranquility abide in this country. We therefore ask Nigerians to be law abiding in order to achieve our course and desideratum to move ours dear country forward and advancing.

Comrade Ubale Yusuf Nalado.
National President BYO

Mr. Arinze Monyelu.
Ag. Secretary BYO

Buhari Youth Organition (BYO)  wish every one of us a prosperous and blooming  2018!

“We  appreciate the time, energy and courage you have propelled throughout 2017,  working hazardously, and being patience  and resolute in order to achieve the sole aims and goals of the organization. We kindly say thank you to all and God bless you all abundantly.

“The Board of Trustees and Patrons of this great assemblage will never be left unmentioned, for their true supports and advises throughout the year 2017,  their fatherly love and care they showed to this Organization. Our enormous  acknowledgment goes to all of you both the BOTs and Members of Buhari Youth Organization who were recently shortlisted for appointment into the federal boards of parastatals and Agencies, we kindly send our best regards and we congratulate you all and pray that you put your best of service to your diverse nisus as we take Nigeria to the country of our dream.

“Buhari youth organization BYO has come to stay and by the special grace of God will thrive and achieve its sole purpose and intendment.

“2018 will be our kick off year of reaching out to Nigerian youths parse, educating and sensitizing them about the agendas and the works of the government and in this vein projecting the good works of Mr president, Muhammadu Buhari.

“Let us therefore remain focus and articulate in our dealings and believe that the year 2018 will be our year of recovery, restoration, empowerment, appointments, and human services.

“2017 in retrospect has brought so many setback, hiccups and disunity among ourselves. Let us know and infer that in this year 2018 we will not entertain or support any dastard or illicit act from any member that will exhibit such.

“Therefore we look forward that all of us will work with zest in the task and responsibilities that awaits us this year,  thusly achieving our goal of ensuring the reelection  of our grand patron, President Muhammadu Buhari into second tenure.

“Once again Happy new year to every members of the Buhari Youth Organization (BYO)  and every supporter of Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari   government.

Best Regards
Ubale Yusuf Nalado
National president (BYO)
CC
Arinze Monyelu
Ag National Secretary (BYO)

The Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, has said that the controversy sparked over the decision of Nigeria’s 36 governors to allow the federal government use $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account to fight Boko Haram insurgency was unnecessary.
‎
Masari stated this on Monday in Tahoua, Niger Republic while speaking with State House correspondents.

He said going by the antecedents of President Muhammadu Buhari, it was not possible for the money to be diverted.

“I think it is controversial. People may be remembering that during the last administration when excess crude money was given to members of the armed forces to procure arms and ammunition, the money ended up in the pocket of some highly placed individuals.

“First of all, the money that we are giving is not up to half of what was given earlier, but we know now that with the current president it is impossible for anybody to divert this money except for what it is earmarked for,” he said.

He also said it was important not to lose sight of the dangers posed by insecurity, which, he said, was “everybody’s business.”

“It is very important for us to appreciate security is everybody’s business and we need to fight this situation head on.

“One billion dollars is not much for security. If we have more, we can give more to make sure that the country is well secured,” he said.

The Katsina Governor represented President Buhari as head of a four-person delegation at an event to commemorate the 59th anniversary of the country’s attainment of Republican status.

Those in the delegation included the governor of Borno, Kashim Shettima; the governor of Yobe, Ibrahim Geidam; and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khadijah Ibrahim.

Daily Post

Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO), a coalition of youth groups across the country, has endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for re- election in 2019.

The endorsement came at its meeting in Makurdi the Benue state capital at the weekend.

The youth groups were drawn from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

National President of BYO Comrade Yusuf Nalado said Buhari remained the perfect candidate and must be supported to seek reelection in 2019.

Nalado cited reforms in the Nigerian Custom Service, Treasury Single Account, Anti- corruption war, Social Investment Programmes and Federal Inland Revenue Service  (FIRS) among others as the best policies of Buhari administration, which stand him out among other candidates jostling for the Presidency in 2019.

The National President said the defection of former Vice President Abubarka Atiku to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not in way affect the chances of All Progressives Congress (APC) with Buhari as the candidate.

Benue State Focal Person of Social Investment Programme Comrade Terhide Utaan said the endorsement of the President for reelection in 2019 is a perfect gift for his 75th birthday.

“There is no better gift the youths of Nigeria will give Mr. President than this endorsement for him to continue to empower them through N-Power, cash transfer and others,” he said.