PRESIDENT BUHARI MOURNS EKITI SPEAKER, CALLS HIM SOLDIER OF DEMOCRACY

President Muhammadu Buhari joins the Government and people of Ekiti State in mourning the passing of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, who died on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti, aged 66 years.

President Buhari said the late Speaker had distinguished himself as a key soldier for democracy and was widely admired as a humble grassroots political leader who relentlessly championed the interests of his people.

“He served the State and its people diligently and devoted his life to uplifting common good,” said the President.

He prayed for the repose of his soul and fortitude on the part of his family, friends, admirers and the entire people of the State in bearing the loss.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

October 20,2022

PRESIDENT BUHARI GREETS GM/CEO OF NATIONAL THEATRE, PROF. SUNDAY ENESSI ODODO AT 60

President Muhammadu Buhari shares in the joy of celebrating the 60th birthday of the General Manager/CEO of National Theatre, Prof. Sunday Enessi Ododo, on 21st October, 2022, congratulating the screenwriter, playwright, poet and renowned thespian on the milestone.

The President rejoices with the Professor of Performance Aesthetics and Theatre Technology, his family, friends and professional colleagues on the occasion of his birthday, knowing that he has invested many years in the development of performance arts in the country, with evidences in the entertainment industry, which currently impacts on global screens and stage acts.

President Buhari affirms that the works of dramatists and theatre-makers, like Prof. Ododo, have significantly contributed to the understanding and acceptance of Nigeria across the world, creating identities, lifting and giving relevance to folklores and cultures, and pushing barriers on performances that have culminated in recognitions and awards.

The President believes the scholar’s versatility and flexibility in teaching the theories and practice of theatre and other literary genres continue to inspire new interest in research on Nigerian and African culture, paving way for the younger generation to embrace theatre as participatory communication and platform for benchmarking and networking.

President Buhari applauds Prof. Ododo for his diligence in supervising the structural and operational turnaround of the National Theatre.

The President prays for the well-being of the award-winning director and actor, and that of his family.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

October 20, 2022

PRESIDENT BUHARI RESTATES COMMITMENT TO PARTNERSHIP WITH GERMANY, SIEMENS TO IMPROVE ELECTRICITY GENERATION

• WELCOMES TRAINING OF 5,000 NIGERIAN ENGINEERS UNDER PPI

Nigeria remains dedicated to the partnership with Siemens and the German Government to improve electricity generation in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari pledged on Thursday in Abuja.

Receiving officials of Siemens Energy AG at State House, the President urged them not to relent in ensuring that government’s commitment to Nigerians in delivering the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) is fulfilled.

The President told the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Siemens Energy, Dr. Christian Bruch, the CEO of Siemens Africa, Nadia Haakansson, and the CEO of Siemens Nigeria, Mr. Seun Suleiman, that the outcome of the collaboration will deliver critical business enablers and opportunities to engage young enterprising Nigerians in various endeavours.

The President also welcomed the training of 200 Nigerian engineers on network development studies under the initiative, saying that this represents ”a very important upskilling and knowledge transfer process.”

The President added that he looks forward to the 5,000 engineers that would have been trained by the end of the programme.

Recounting his promise to Nigerians earlier in this administration to improve electricity supply by resolving capacity deficit across the sector’s value chain, the President lauded the German Government, through the former Chancellor, Angela Merkel, for graciously supporting the country, leading to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Siemens.

He also thanked Chancellor Olaf Scholz for the German Government’s continued support for the PPI.

”A plan to deliver capacity improvements of 2,000 Megawatts in the transmission-distribution interface is now firmly the focus of PPI Phase I.

”In April 2022, the Honourable Minister of Power briefed me on the outcome of his visit to Germany where he held meetings with Siemens executives.

”That visit was fruitful in emphasizing the need to expedite delivery of the pilot PPI project, elements of which have started arriving in the country.

”The Honourable Minister also mentioned that you, Dr. Bruch, will pay a visit to Nigeria, and we are glad that you are with us today.

”The PPI remains a priority project for our Administration and Nigerians believe in the value that the Siemens’ brand can deliver.

”On our part, nothing is spared to ensure we improve the lives and livelihoods of our citizens,” he said.

President Buhari expressed delight at some notable progress on the implementation arrangements of the PPI, adding that the first batch of two power transformers already delivered by Siemens would be commissioned in November 2022.

”I have been reliably assured that 10 Power Transformers and 10 Mobile Substations would have been completely delivered and installed by May 2023.

”This is in spite of production challenges and constraints due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has severely impacted global production and supply chain.”

The Nigerian leader thanked the Government of Germany for approving Euler Hermes to provide cover for the financing of the PPI pilot project, noting that this will serve as a template for the subsequent phases.

Acknowledging that the overall frameworks for technical and commercial arrangements are being concluded, the President said:

”However, what I would like to see is that we attain completion of the entire transaction process by December 2022. This will entrench the mandate of the PPI in full committal terms.”

The Minister of Power, Engr Abubakar Aliyu, thanked the President for ”the remarkable vision of PPI, adding that Nigerians will be thankful to him for a long time after leaving office, “because the power sector will be revitalized.”

He said Siemens was one of the world’s best in power, ”and will surely deliver.”

Dr Christian Bruch, after sympathizing with Nigerians affected by the current devastating flood, said his team was fully committed to the PPI, ”and we will push forward in the weeks and months ahead, as we need to move the process faster.”

He also promised to continue with trainings and improvement of capacities, adding that though general elections were ahead in Nigeria, ”the power initiative will continue, as we are fully committed, and will accelerate the process.”

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

October 20, 2022

Buhari sacks Akwa, approves new NDDC Governing Board

President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked Effiong Akwa as the sole administrator of the Njger Delta Development Commission  (NDDC).

A statement issued on Thursday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Patricia Deworitshe, said Mr Akwa’s sack, which has been approved by Mr Buhari, takes effect from 20 October.

The ministry supervises the activities of the NDDC.

The statement said Mr Akwa was appointed interim administrator for the duration of the forensic audit into the operations of the commission and that the audit has been concluded, apparently justifying his removal.

“President Buhari has also approved the constitution of a new Management Team and Governing Board of the NDDC in line with Section 5(2) of the NDDC Act, 2000.

“The names of the nominees for the new management team and Governing Board are to be transmitted to the National Assembly for approval,” the statement said.