Singapore News Channel, Singapore News Network

Muslim and Christian faithful in Taraba on Saturday held a special prayer for the speedy recovery of President Mohammadu Buhari, who is on medical vacation in the United Kingdom.

Followers of the two religions held the prayers at the Jalingo Eid prayer ground.

Speaking at the occasion, representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Baba Yerima, said praying for the well-being of Buhari was the duty of every “true believer”.

He noted that the President had brought peace and unity to the country, and therefore urged the gathering to pray for leaders at all times.

Ustaz Ali Babando, a Muslim cleric, said the President had been doing his best in tackling the country’s socio-economic challenges.

He noted that it was in the interest of Nigerians to keep praying for Buhari, to enable him return home to consolidate on the fight against terror and corruption.

Alhaji Sani Tullu, Secretary, Taraba Chapter, Buhari Support Organisation(BSO), said the BSO had organised prayer and rally in honour of the President whom he described as a visionary leader.

“We salute the giant strides and landmark achievement of Buhari’s administration in his efforts to reposition the country.

“We are particularly impressed with the performance of the administration in anti-corruption fight, decimating insurgents, revitalising Agriculture, Education and Health sectors,” he said.

NAN

Oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta yesterday said they have declared a period of fasting and prayer for President Muhammadu Buhari, to return to the country alive and healthy.

National Chairman of the Host Communities of Nigeria, (HOSCON), umbrella body of all areas producing oil and gas, Dr. Mike Emuh, said the decision was because Buhari’s government had shown it was capable of solving the problems of the region.

He noted that attention paid by the administration to the agitations by the communities in the region should be encouraged by all peace-loving people in the oil communities.

A statement on Friday by Monday Whisky, the group’s spokesman, Emuh said “At an enlarged national emergency meeting of the Host Communities of Nigeria, HOSCON producing oil and gas, presided over by the national Chairman, Bishop Dr. Mike Emuh (JP) the Issue of the President’s health was exhaustively discussed.

“The need for HOSCON to stand in the gap in offering prayers for the President’s quick recovery was approved by the general house.

“The emergency national meeting resolved as follows: that the entire leadership of the HOSCON in the 17 oil/gas producing, including impacted and satellite states, would starting today, hold a three-day fasting and prayer on a daily basis.

“This is to seek God’s intervention in the current health situation of the President, Muhammadu Buhari.

“That the leadership of HOSCON believes so much in the pragmatic leadership style of president Muhammadu Buhari and seeking the face of God to grant him quick recovery will not be out of place for the HOSCON to embark upon.

“Host Communities of Nigeria as a grassroots oriented and peoples friendly pressure group believes strongly in the efficacy of fasting and prayers in addressing whatever health challenges our dear president has now.

“We have also mobilised over 50 notable clergymen across the producing, imparted and satellite states to lead this fasting and prayer throughout the three-day duration”.

Source: Daily Post

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU), President Alpha Conde of Guinea, Friday, called President Muhammadu Buhari in London, to wish him good health and speedy recovery.

President Conde, who said he was calling on behalf of leaders of member countries of the AU, assured the Nigerian President that all African leaders stand with him in prayers at a time like this.

President Buhari, while thanking President Conde for the telephone call, used the opportunity to congratulate him on his recent election as AU Chairperson during the 28th Ordinary Summit of the continental body in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2017.

The Nigerian President, who could not attend the AU Summit, wished his Guinean counterpart a successful tenure.
President Buhari also expressed confidence that Africa will witness improved political stability, security and economic growth during Conde’s tenure.

FEMI ADESINA
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
March 4, 2017.

John Odigie-Oyegun, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has said Thursday’s meeting held by party leaders had nothing to do with President Muhammadu Buhari’s health.

Odigie-Oyegun made this known on Thursday in Abuja at a meeting between governors elected on the party’s ticket and members of its National Working Committee.

He, however, expressed happiness that in spite of Buhari`s absence, governance of the country was on course.

Odigie-Oyegun said: “The President because of his respect for due process, has left in place a structure that is functional and very effective in spite of his unfortunate absent.”

The chairman added that the wish of Buhari was to ensure that government continued to function efficiently and effectively even in his absence.

He added that the President also wished that the party operated in his absence without hindrance.

He, however, assured that the party’s leadership would work out ways of changing the current narrative in the polity.

The chairman congratulated the governors and party members across the country for the victory in Kogi, Edo and Ondo States governorship elections.

Odigie-Oyegun reiterated that the meeting was to discuss the forthcoming mid-term non-elective National Convention of the party slated for April to fill vacant positions in its states structures.

Such vacancies, he explained, resulted principally from political appointments, deaths and resignations.

The new Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu was formally introduced to other governors at the meeting.

Katsina State Governor Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, has said that there is no vacuum in the leadership of Nigeria with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo acting as president with full executive powers.

Speaking during a prayer session at the palace of Emir of Katsina which was attended by thousands of people shortly after the funeral of the mother of Katsina monarch, Hajiya Aminatu Kabir Usman, on recently , the governor said all the hues and cries about when he Buhari wil come back were unnecessary.

He noted that the President, has complied with the extant laws of the country by handing over power to Osinbajo, adding, “what is most important is to comply with the laws of the land.”

He said it is incumbent on all Nigerians to pray for the president based on the dictates of Islam and Christian religions as well as the performance of Buhari since he assumed office.

Governor Masari emphasized that there was no better time prayers for leaders were needed more than now when the president that God endowed with wisdom to overcome most of the insurgency and insecurity across the country was facing health challenges.

“What he did was based on the dictates of his conscience, religion and rule of law as dictated by the constitution of this country. There is no doubt that what he has done for this country is something that was never done before; it can only be equaled by the Nigerian civil war in which he was an active participant.

“I think for us as Nigerians, especially for the people in this part of the country, we should pray not only here, we should pray in our mosques, gatherings, funerals and everywhere,” he said.

The governor, who lauded the patriotic zeal of Nigerians for praying for the President’s safe return to the country from the United Kingdom, insisted that it was a duty every Nigerian owed not only Buhari but the country and future generations.

Earlier, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar, the emir of Daura, speaking on behalf of the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, and the Emir of Hadeja, Jigawa State, who were in attendance, was carried away by emotions as he commended Nigerians over their prayers for the health of the president and the welfare of the nation.

About 12,000 residents from 12 local government areas of Katsina state are to benefit from the Federal Government’s Poverty Intervention Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) of N5, 000 monthly stipends starting this month.

Kano Chronicle gathered that the participating local governments which are Mani, Ingawa, Baure, Bindawa, Kankara, Bakori, Dandume Musawa, Kaita, Rimi, Danmusa, and Batagarawa were drawn from the 2015 World Bank report on poverty ranking level per local government.

The Special Adviser to Katsina state Governor, Aminu Bello Masari on Girls Child Education Development, Hajiya Binta Umar disclosed this at the end of a 4-day special training organized for the 144 enumerators of the CCT programme.

Hajiya Binta, who is also the focal person of the National Safety Net Programme, said the main task of the enumerators was to authenticate the information submitted by the communities on the beneficiaries.

“By March ending, the beneficiaries would be paid their stipend” adding that “each local government has produced between 800 and 1,000 beneficiaries,’’.

In his remarks, The National Programme Coordinator, Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO), Mr. Peter Papka said the ongoing nationwide registration of the poor and vulnerable persons was designed to authenticate social registers in each state.

He said the information collected would be recorded in the national social register for easy implementation of future social safety programmes.

Daily Trust

Former President Shehu Shagari has urged Nigerians and the international community to support President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration, saying the president is an honest, incorruptible and detribalised leader.

Mr. Shagari, who clocked 92 on Saturday, said the president was doggedly fighting corruption to sanitise governance in the country and therefore, needed the prayers and support of all Nigerians.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto that Mr. Buhari was a true nationalist whose penchant for Nigeria’s socio-economic development was unparalleled.

He said the president was striving to salvage the country from the hands of anti-Nigeria forces, and appealed to Nigerians to continue to pray for leaders at all levels “rather than cursing them”.

“Buhari is also intensifying efforts to truly diversify the economy by taking attention away from heavy dependence on oil revenue,” the former president said.

He expressed satisfaction with the efforts so far made by the present administration to improve the security situation in Nigeria and urged the government not to relent.

Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu could not hold back his emotion during a special prayer held at Birnin Kebbi Eid praying ground for President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari is currently on medical vacation in London, United Kingdom.

The prayer, which was put together by residents of Birnin Kebbi, attracted several people who converged on the praying ground as earlier as 8:30am to offer special prayers for Buhari and the unity of Nigeria.

Islamic leaders, chief imams of different mosques and associations, as well as Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar, deputy governor Samaila Dabai and other top government officers attended the prayer session.

Emotion betrayed Bagudu, during the session as he burst into tears and left.

They chanted “Allahu Akbar!” The prayer session came to an abrupt end thereafter, Leadership reports.

Speaking earlier, Bagudu had described the gathering as a sign of unity in the state and urged all Nigerians to continue to protect the unity of the country, irrespective of location and tribe.

Leading the prayer at about 10:30am, Chief Imam of Birnin Kebbi Central Mosque, Alhaji Muktaru Abdullahi Wali-Gwandu appealed to Nigerians to continue to pray for Buhari and assist those who needed help.

Other Islamic clerics who offered prayers at the gathering were the Chief Imam of Gwandu, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, Chief Imam of Birnin Kebbi Eid ground, Imam Ahmadu Rufai, and Chairman of Ulamas Association, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bayewa, among others.

Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Jonathan Tsado Vatsa, in a statement in Minna, yesterday, said although it was evident that the president was responding to treatment, there was need for prayers for him as the father of the nation.

He added that “the President also needs prayers in his bid to take Nigeria through the path of greatness.

“As a government, we are praying and we urge all Nigerlites to, starting today (Sunday), pray for Mr. President’s good health as he leads the nation through the path of greatness all through the week.”

Daily Post

President Muhammadu Buhari has placed a telephone call from London to the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Usman, over the death of his mother, which occurred on Saturday.

President Buhari condoled with the traditional ruler, urging him to take solace in the fact that Hajia Aminatu Mai Babban Daki lived a good life, devoted to serving Allah and humanity.

“Please be comforted. May Allah accept her soul,” the President said.

The deceased was survived by nine children, and has been buried according to Muslim rites.

FEMI ADESINA
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
February 26, 2017

–We should be patient with president’s health.

Daily Trust: People remember you more as a former chief physician to five ex-heads of state. How did you begin your medical career?

Professor Sadiq Suleiman Wali: I did my post-graduate studies in the United Kingdom and qualified as a physician. I came back to Kano State and served for about three years. I preferred academic work, so I went to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria. Kano State offered me, or rather, forced me to come and be their Commissioner for Health during the administration of Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, instead of being the physician to then-President Shehu Shagari, who then picked Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, my classmate.

DT: How did you become the personal physician to former Head of State General Muhammadu Buhari?

Professor Wali: General Muhammadu Buhari requested that I should be his physician and I knew him very well, personally, because we were in Lagos during the January 1966 coup. Murtala, Gowon, Buhari were all around and that was how we got to know each other. So, I felt I should do it. I was also in the army, as during the civil war doctors had to be dragged into service. I was posted to Awka, the brigade where Buhari was, and I was impressed by his character, integrity and honesty. So when he became Head of State and requested for my services, I accepted.

But a year and a half after, there was a coup. I was actually in the United States together with Buhari’s family at the time. Eventually, we had to come back, and when we returned I went to then president, General Ibrahim Babangida and said, ‘I took two years leave of absence from the university, and even though it hadn’t elapsed, I could go back.’ But he said shouldn’t. So I stayed there, and for a very long time. After him came Chief Ernest Shonekan, with whom I worked for only a few months. Then came General Sani Abacha, and that was the most challenging one. I would tell each of them that I would like to go, but they would plead that I should stay.

DT: What is your view of the foreign medical travels of the president?

Professor Wali: Foreign medical travel by Nigerian presidents and heads of state are not unusual, so also extension of stay while away on treatment. I remember when President IBB when to France for medical treatment in 1986, for a period of one month, we had to request for an extension by a whole month on the advice of the doctors.

As for President Buhari, he regularly went for checkups, except for the period of 1985 to 1988 when he was detained. As for the recent extensions requested for by the president on the recommendation of his doctors, it is important to understand the principle guiding the relationship between doctors and patients.

There are four ethical principles, namely: Autonomy, where a doctor has to explain any action he intends to take with its advantage and disadvantage, possible harms and benefits. The patient has the right to accept or reject the recommendations. Then there is Beneficence, where all actions and procedures should be of benefit to the patient. In the case of Malfeasance, it’s ‘do no harm’. Then there is Justice, when benefit to the patient and community should be assessed. If there is danger to the community, the doctor can override the wishes of the patient like Lassa fever, Ebola disease and so on. In such cases, the doctor is obliged to report to appropriate health authorities.

DT: What is your advice to Nigerians on this issue?

Professor Wali: We should be patient, sympathize with the president, and pray for his early return home. The acting president is working very hard and governance has continued smoothly.

DT: As the former personal physician of President Buhari, what is your advice to him?

Professor Wali: He should be patient, accept his doctor’s advice, noting the overwhelming support he enjoys.

Source :Daily Trust