Former Speaker Plateau State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. George Daika congratulates Eyitayo Olayinka Jegede, SAN on his affirmation by the Apex Court as Ondo State PDP Governorship Candidate

24TH NOVEMBER, 2016

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRATULATORY NOTE ON APEX COURT AFFIRMATION

On behalf of myself, family and friends, i wish to congratulate Eyitayo O. Jegede, SAN on his affirmation as the PDP flag-bearer in the forthcoming Ondo State gubernatorial election scheduled for Saturday 26th November, 2016 by the Court of Appeal on 23rd November, 2016 and the subsequent affirmation of the Court of Appeal’s ruling by the Supreme Court today 24th November, 2016.

With these two separate but similar rulings, the judiciary arm of government has demonstrated that it is the last hope of people against subversion of justice.

I wish to in similar vain appreciate the efforts/supports of our great PDP family for their consistent prayers towards the court rulings which ended up in our favor as well as commend Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko “the Iroko” for his doggedness and resilience all through the political storms he went through while the case was ongoing.

I wish to also congratulate Sen. Ahmed Makarfi the National Caretaker Committee Chairman on his victory at the Court of Appeal as the legal and authentic Head of our great party. I pray God to give him the wisdom and capacity to take PDP to enviable height.

I hereby call on all PDP supporters and good people of Ondo State to come out en-mass to vote the most credible candidate Barr. Eyitayo Jegede the PDP Governorship Candidate on Saturday 26th November, 2016 for more development achievements in Ondo State as he has demonstrated that he can be entrusted with responsibilities and take Ondo State higher from his tract records and antecedents. With God and the supports of Ondo State people, victory is inevitable to the PDP.

 

Rt. Hon. George Edward Daika

Former Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly

Buhari may present 2017 budget December 1, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari may present the 2017 Appropriation Bill to the joint session of the National Assembly on December 1, 2016.

Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, gave the hint Wednesday while contributing to the debate on the 2017 to 2019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

Akpabio said that the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki on Tuesday made reference to the fact that the President Buhari may be coming to the National Assembly to submit and read the 2017 budget on 1st of December 2016.

The information came as the Senators overwhelmingly described the MTEF and FSP as largely unrealistic.

The lawmakers took turns to tear the MTEF and FSP to shred rooting for the fiscal document to be returned back to the Presidency.

Saraki saved the day by appealing to his colleagues that though the assumptions and estimates in the MTEF were largely incorrect they remained assumptions and estimate.

The Senate President noted that it was the responsibility of the Senate to work on the document and use its capacity to produce a realistic document.

Akpabio said, “We can see that we don’t have a perfect document in our hands but of course we are looking at assumptions and assumptions may not necessarily be correct. I want to suggest that we send it to the committee. Of course, the committee will invite the relevant agencies and ministries of government.

“They will come up with a more realistic MTEF/FSP because I believe also that looking at the date that this was submitted to the Senate, (4th of October) and we are debating it today on the 23nd of November. So, a lot of indices must have changed. Wednesday, you made reference to the fact that the President may be coming to the chambers to submit and read the 2017 budget on 1st of December.

“If that is the case and we send this (MTEF) back and wait for it to come and debate it, it means that we will not be able to meet that deadline. But if we send it to the committee level, they may come up with something within the next three days that will be much realistic.”

So, my appeal will be that the committee members should take into cognisance all the submissions and observations made today; so that we can come up with a more realistic MTEF and FSP.
The Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the Fiscal Strategy Paper is proposing a budget that will be predicated on an oil revenue benchmark of $42.5 per barrel for the period 2017 -2019.

The non-oil revenue for 2017 -2019 is guided by the improved efficiency of collection and expected growth in non-oil GDP, and accordingly customs collection, Companies Income Tax, Value Added Tax and FGN Independent Revenue are non-oil sectors the government is expecting revenue from in 2017.

The proposal also shows that the government is projecting a 3.02% GDP growth in 2017, while inflation is expected to moderate at 12 ‚92%.

The GDP growth would be driven by strong performance in agriculture, wholesale and retail, construction and real estate sectors ‘ among others.

Similarly, the GDP growth for the medium term is based on the assumptions of average oil production of 2.2mbpd‚2.3 mbpd and 2.4mbpd for 2017,2018 and 2019 respectively with average benchmark oil price of USD42.5pb,USD45pb‚ and USD50pb for 2017,2018 and 2019 respectively as well as an average exchange rate of N290 per dollar. It is also based on an average growth rate of 9.69% during the period.

Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah who presented the MTEF noted that the document is designed to reposition the Nigerian economy from the shores of recession to a sustainable inclusive growth path.

“The fiscal strategy for the 2017 -2019 MTEF / FSP therefore is framed to fundamentally restructure the economy for enhanced productivity, efficiency and accountability in the management of national resources with the intent of unlocking the real sector and private sector potentials for bolstering growth.

“The focus of the 2017-2019 MTEF and FSP is the utilization of targeted spending in critical sectors that will translate into quick transformative capabilities and strong linkages with medium term development plans to achieve a more developed infrastructure base to stimulate real sector productivity, job creation and increased private sector investment.

“The 2017 budget will be guided by six principles namely realism, credibility, allocative strategic, prioritization, transparency and accountability and social safety nets

“The policy outline in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the Fiscal Strategy Paper are in line with the Change Agenda of this Administration,” Na’Allah said.

The consideration of the fiscal document followed a closed session of the upper chamber during which senators were said to have attempted to persuade themselves not to throw out the document.

It was learnt that the Presidency refused to rework the MTEF and FSP the Senate rejected on November 3^rd, 2016.

A reliable source said that “the same MTEF we rejected and returned to the Executive was sent back to us to consider. Nothing was changed, nothing was reworked, it was the same it was submitted in October.”

Almost all the senators who contributed to the debate agreed that the projections in the MTEF/FSP were unrealistic.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator John Enoh (Akwa Ibom Central) said the first thing to consider is the broad, the basic assumptions that are contained in the document including the assumptions of the daily oil production of 2.2 which has not changed from where it was in 2016.

Enoh said, “I think with the backdrop of a lot that is happening in terms of oil production the government especially the executive arm has to put in place a proper engagements strategy in the Niger Delta if it hopes to achieve this because as I speak am sure we are losing on a daily basis more than 600,000 or 800,000 barrels a day.

“If that is what we are doing and then we are predicating daily production in 2017 at 2.2 then the government needs to do quite a lot in terms of the oil price benchmark of $42.5.

“Talking about the exchange rate of N290 when in spite of the exchange rate we have figures that rotates the upper limits into as much as N350 not minding what is happening in the parallel market

“In looking at the 2017 projections, the one that is most startling in terms of the projections that has increased is bad. VAT in 2016 was about 1.2, 1.4 but in 2017 it was projected about 2 trillion and I think that there is no real basis if for example as at September VAT indicated just about 55 percent then why are you now increasing it by more than 1trillion.”

Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West) in his contribution noted that by passing the MTEF, the Senate was giving the leeway to the President to present the 2017 budget.

The lawmaker said that the first thing the Senate should have done was to consider and analyze the performance of the 2016 budget.

Senator Adeola added, “Going through the document before us, I want to say that the Economic Team of the government is in disarray. The document before us is not realistic. We should return it for the Economic Team to rework.”

For Senator Suleiman Adokwe, (Nasarawa South) the problem is the bureaucracy, who have a template they recycle every year.

Adokwe lamented that it appears there is no economic blue print to get the country out of recession.

Senator Mohammed Hassan (Yobe North) agreed the most of the assumptions in the document were unrealistic.

Sentor Usman Bayero Nafada warned that if the MTEF was not well done, the 2017 budget would fail.

He wondered why the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele would inform Nigerians that the exchange rate stood at N305 to one dollar while the government would sent a document containing N290 to one dollar.

Senator Jibrin Barau (Kano North) said that Senate has the constitutional power to adjust the document as it deemed correct.

Barau also said the assumptions were wrong.

On his own Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) said “Mr. President, if we speak the truth, we would die, if we lie, we would die. So I have chosen to speak the truth and die.

“I want to say this document that I have before me, this MTEF proposal and projections of the 2017 to 2019 is a lie. This document is not truthful, it is not honest, it is not transparent and it is not factual.

“We want to know the level of compliance of the MTEF we passed last year and it is for three years, 2016-2018. What are the new amendments, Is this MTEF predicated on the loan that the executive is requesting to take. We want to know and that is not stipulated in this MTEF. We also want to know the whether the rate of N290 exchange rate per dollar is it realistic? Is this the truth. Governance is about the truth, it is about honesty, it is about transparency, it is about opening yourself to the people.

“The GDP is going down and this MTEF document is telling me that it is going up. So, how do you corroborate this fraud. We should not be talking about deficit to GDP in realistic term we should be talking about deficit to revenue. How much of our revenue is being used in servicing our debts.

“You need to tell us, we need to know that what percentage of our revenue you are allocating to servicing debts but that question is very, very painful to me because recently in international forum the minister of budget and planning blatantly displaying ignorance of not knowing even what the debt profile of the government is.”

After the debate and appeal by the Senate President, the lawmakers agreed to refer the document to the joint committee on Appropriation, Finance and Budget and National Planning for further legislative action.

Reps Timothy Golu Declares readiness to sponsor North Central Development Commission (NCDC) Bill at National Assembly

Plateau lawmaker ready to sponsor North Central development commission bill at the National Assembly.

By Weng Samuel

The member Representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Constituency in the House of Representatives,Hon Timothy Golu is to sponsor a bill for the establishment of North Central development commission in House Representatives.

This is necessitated after Plateau and Kano were removed as benefiting States from the North East development commission at the harmonization committee of the National Assembly.

According to the lawmaker plateau and Kano were removed because of observation raised by some States in the North Central who also suffered similar devastation caused by crisis that they be included also.

He therefore informed our correspondent of his readiness to sponsor a bill for the establishment of North Central development commission that will accommodate the North Central States of the federation whom he said suffered significant damages due to frequent attacks on the citizens of those states by insurgents in the form of Boko Haram,herdsmen as well as communal clashes,he also added that influx of internally displaced persons from other affected States particularly the North East had put significant pressure on the facilities present in the North Central states therefore making the host States to suffer additional hardships.

Hon Golu is therefore calling on the citizens of North Central States and their Representatives in both chambers of the National Assembly to come together for the realization of this bill, while also calling on their colleagues from other zones to support the bill when presented at floor of the National Assembly.

Rt. Hon. George Edward Daika Speaks on US clean report on Former VP His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, Politics, state of the Economy and the Militancy in the Niger-Delta Region

In an exclusive and special interview with former Speaker Plateau State House of Assembly and Member House of Representative for Shendam, Qua’anPan and Mikang Federal Constituency of Plateau State by the globalXpressnews.com, he spoke about United States clean bill report on former Vice President of Nigeria Alh. Atiku Abubakar, politics, state of the Nigeria’s economy, militancy in the Niger-Delta Region, the IDPs situation in Nigeria and other wide range issues.

Below, is the excepts of the interview;

GlobalXpressnews: Can we meet you Sir?

Rt. Hon. George Daika: I am by name George Edward Daika, a Town Planner, a businessman and Political Scientist from Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau State, North Central Nigeria

GlobalXpressnews: May we know more about your political engagements and positions you have held before?

Rt. Hon. George Daika: I was elected by the good and hospitable people of Mikang Constituency to Plateau State House of Assembly to represent them after which i was later elected the Speaker Plateau State House of Assembly within 1999-2003 by members of the State House of Assembly and was later elected again by the good people of my Federal Constituency consisting of Shendam, Qua’anPan and Mikang LGAs in Plateau State.

GlobalXpressnews: Wow! That is lovely. You seems to be a grassroot politician looking at your past political antecedents and the mandate the people have been giving you from Member PLHA to Speaker and later to Member House of Representatives. What do you have to say about that?

Rt. Hon. George Daika: I will first and foremost give God all the thanks and glory for His faithfulness, mercy and grace for the success i have recorded so far in life, the ones i am still enjoying and the ones He (God) has in store for me in the future. I will also want to thank the people of Mikang LGA, the entire people of Plateau State who through their Representatives elected me as Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly and the people of Shendam/Qua’anPan Federal Constituency for believing in me and for the mandate they gave me to represent them nationally at the National Assembly. God has been my main source of inspirations.

GlobalXpressnews: What is your take on the United States position on former Vice-President Alh. Atiku Abubakar when they said they don’t have criminal case against him?

Rt. Hon. George Daika: Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has been a mentor, boss and friend to me and many Nigerians. He is a man of indisputable high repute and a great leader which contributed his best to the growth and development of Nigeria while he was in the Nigerian Customs Service and the Number two Citizen of Nigeria. He is a patriotic Nigerian who has been lending his voice relentlessly on best way to move Nigeria forward. He is a leader who is working towards the unity of all Nigerians irrespective of their tribal, religious, political and other ideological difference. You must have heard that the United States have given him a clean score of not having any criminal case against him. If you take a look at the money involved, you will know the man Atiku is worth a million times more than that. Some people are just trying hard to tarnish his hard-earned reputation but God is already disgracing them. He has also openly challenged the EFCC to investigate and try him if he has any case that boarders on financial misappropriation. I think all Nigerian leaders should borrow a leaf from him, come out boldly and challenge EFCC the way he did if they are clean and to get clean bill reports from the Anti-corruption Agencies within and outside the Country. He is someone who is industrious and philanthropic with his businesses here in Nigeria which has provided gainful employment to many Nigerians not considering their tribes, religious or ethnicity. Alh. Atiku is a National Figure and a unifying factor who many leaders must emulate. He sacrificed even his position when the issue of third-term by His Boss came up by fighting it hard with his money and political will and network which made it a failed agenda.

GlobalXpressnews: You are aware that Federal allocation to States has been dropping significantly lately. What is your take and the remedy to the trend?

Rt. Hon. George Daika: The economic recession our Nation is currently facing and drop in global oil prices are responsible for the drop in Federal allocation to FG and the States’ purses. There is an urgent needs to diversify the economy and discontinue our over-reliance on petroleum. We must invest considerably well in Agriculture, Manufacturing, Tourism and Service Sectors. The aforementioned sectors are main drivers of the economies of developed Countries and Nigeria should think out of the box in order to address the ugly trend of drop in revenues to address its human capital development decline, infrastructural deficit and decreased Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Federal and State Government as well as the 774 LGCs must exploit other avenues of revenue generation to augment the proceeds from the Federation Account in order to curb the present economic situation and hardship the people are going through. Situations are really hard for majority of Nigerians as the economic hardship is biting hard on the populace.

GlobalXpressnews: What do you have to say about the militants who vowed to attack more oil facilities over Tompolo?

Rt. Hon. George Daika: I will want to say violence is not the best and can never be the best way of speaking out our grievances. Dialogue remains the best and only last resort to all the agitations and counter-agitations by the militants in the Niger-Delta. They may have wonderful cases at hand, but the way and manner they present these cases matter a lot. I want to use this privilege and medium to appeal to them to remain peaceful and diplomatic in presenting their frustrations and agitations. I share in their sentiments that they are the major source of our revenue and they deserve better treatments like royalties, because no child will sit with his/her mother who has just cooked and complain of hunger. You cannot be in a river or ocean and complain of soap in your eyes. But as i said, dialogue remains the best and only option. If Nigeria had diversified its economy long ago after the discovery of oil in 1956, all these agitations wouldn’t have even been in the first place. They should stop the blowing of oil facilities and destroying our national assets. There cannot be development there if the destruction continues and if their region remains hostile. Therefore, it is vital for the militants to embrace dialogue and remain peaceful while the Federal Government should also come into terms with them in the interest of the overall. The Federal Government has a great role to play and it must be sincere in its dialogue with the militants.

GlobalXpressnews: Thank you very much for the time Sir

Rt. Hon. George Daika: I am very appreciative of your coming, do have a pleasant day ahead and remember to always remain prayerful and patriotic to Nigeria.

Atiku Hails Buhari on War against Terror, Seeks Better Measures for IDPs

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

20th November, 2016

Former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar yesterday commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government for recording giant strides in the fight against insurgents in the North-east part of the country.

He said due to the far-reaching successes scored by the Nigerian troops in the on-going war on terror, some internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been able to return to their homes to try and resume normal lives.

Atiku, who made the remarks in a speech he delivered  at the 11th Founder’s Day ceremony of the Nigeria-American University (AUN) in Yola, Adamawa state, however urged the government to adopt better measures to make the lives of the returning IDPs better.

The former Vice President whose zone, the North-east, has been the theatre of  years of violent activities of the Boko Haram sect, said 2016 has witnessed a significant improvement in the security situation in the zone.

He said an improvement in the security situation has enabled some IDPs to return to their homes, adding that the efforts of the security forces in making these possible were commendable.

He also said it would not be enough for people to simply return to their pre-insurgency lives but that government should try to make their lives better than it was before the outbreak of the insurgency war.

“The commitment of the federal government and the state governments in this zone, as well as the support of the governments of our neighbouring countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger, have pushed back against the violent insurgency and improved the security of citizens in the area,” he said.

According to Atiku, who turned 70 years recently, “however, more still needs to be done to restore normalcy in this area. The insurgency remains. The insurgents still occupy a specific geographical space. They still retain the capacity for occasional deadly attacks. Many citizens in the zone still remain vulnerable and live in fear; and we cannot say that the problem is over until every displaced person is able to return home, to the farm, and resume normal activities.

“We cannot say it is over until we rebuild the schools, the churches, the hospitals, the markets, and the homes that had been destroyed. And we cannot say it’s over until the survivors of this insurgency receive the help they need, including psychological therapy to deal with the trauma that they have been through.

“I visited an IDP camp on Saturday and had the privilege of teaching a math class to some children. But the sight of hundreds of children running around and unable to attend school was very gut wrenching. It still breaks my heart. So we cannot say the insurgency is over until all the displaced children return to their schools.

“We must do better than that otherwise we would only have papered over the wound without really treating it. People must return to something better, to hope, to improved schools, to improved economic opportunities, to freedom of worship and improved inter-religious harmony. People must return to the realisation that it is okay not only to be different but also to learn, including so-called Western education,” he said.

Credit:THISDAY

Rt. Hon. George Daika rejoice with JNI, the Muslim Ummah, Plateau State and Nigeria as Sheikh Abdulazeez Yusuf regains freedom from abductors

19TH NOVEMBER, 2016

PRESS RELEASE

On behalf of myself, family and fans, i wish to rejoice with the the family of the great Muslim Cleric Sheikh Abdulazeez Yusuf,  Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), all the Muslim Ummah, Plateau State and Nigeria as the Cleric regained freedom from abductors after being abducted on his way to Sokoto State to condole with the people of Sokoto over the demise of the 18th Sultan of Sokoto His Royal Majesty Late Alh. Ibrahim Dasuki.

I wish to thank God Almighty for making his freedom a reality and also thank all those who made it possible for Sheikh Abdulazeez regain his freedom in good health and his reuniting with his family and people. My appreciation goes out to the security agencies for their swift response that led to his timely release by his abductors.

I wish to call on government at all levels to put in place stiffer penalty to be meted out to kidnappers to serve as deterrent to others who may want to engage in the unholy, inhuman and barbaric act. The government must put in place robust security measures to curb the menace of kidnapping and insecurity currently devastating our nation and national security as well as development. This is because people now live in Constant fear and can no longer carry out their economic, religious, political and other meaningful activities without fear and intimidation.

If this is left unabated, it will significantly affect the growth and development of Nigeria. I also want to call on all patriotic Nigerians to cooperate with the security personnel by providing them with sensitive and confidential information on suspicious persons in their midst. We must synergize with the security agencies as they are not magicians if the war against insecurity is to be won for meaningful development to be achieved. We are all aware that no development can be achieved in an unsecured and chaotic society, as all positive societal activities are directly dependent on peace and security.

May God give Nigeria the capacity to curb the insecurity bedeviling it.

Rt. Hon. George Daika

Former Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly

Plateau Youth, D’yong M. Mangut Speaks tough on governance in Nigeria, referred the APC administration as iconoclastic government

OPINION
Some years back, a humble man and a democrat was called “CLUELESS”, his government was subsequently sabotaged, crucified, and hanged. Today, we now have a government that has proven its economic incompetence by not having a blueprint nor economic policy. It is now commonly admitted even by fanatical supporters that the current government is
“competent in incompetency” and that is why it could subsidise dollars for mecca pilgrims while yet starve vital industries of needed foreign exchange for vital importations.

Just about two years ago, inflation was 9.83%, today it has peaked at a frightening 19.28%, and unemployment rate from 9.28% to 13.3%. As it stands today, Nigerians have never been
more hungry than today. Poverty, and the incapacity to meet basic needs pervades and loom round the country. From across the breadth and length of this  country, new forms of criminality associated with the triumvirate evils of hunger, deprivation, and unprecedented job cuts have sprung up and has now rendered the poor and impoverished masses of this country impotent. It has now reach a ridiculous condescending height of citizens stealing food stuffs.

Haba! Is this the change?

While hunger ravages our stomach unabated, Fulani herdsmen have become more daring and sophisticated to the extent of been ranked the fourth ranking terrorist group in the world, yet some are saying we should keep mute and join the bandwagon of meal ticket seekers. Competency is not sold on the market but rather attained through hardworking, intelligence and most importantly the grace of God.

APC was founded on highfalutin lies and this explain why they have lost the favour of God and the goodwill of our people. We will continue to pray to God so that he can change this amoebic change to positive change.
We will continue praying to God to save our people from this ineptitude and the infamous road to Zimbabwe, while our people earnestly wait for 2019 to take their destiny into their hands and change this iconoclastic government.

D’yong Mangut is a Budding Essayist and The
President,
Plateau PDP Youth Vanguard for Grassroot
Mobilisation (PPYV4GM).
He can be reached through,
Bushmeathunter1@gmail.com

Hon. Comrade Godwin Bedir Jnr, Chairmanship Aspirant of Kanke LGC honored by NAPSS FCE Pankshin as Icon of Youth Friendly.

Jos- The National Association of Plateau State Students (NAPSS) Federal College of Education Pankshin Chapter today 18th November, 2016 honored the PDP Chairmanship Aspirant in the forthcoming Local Government election in Kanke Local Government, Plateau State Hon. Comrade Godwin Bedir Jnr with an award of excellence on account to his immense contributions to the development of youths. The Body who said the recognition is in recognition of the active roles he played when in active unionism and when he held office as Adviser to the honourable Chairman of Kanke LGC, Hon. John Gotau Maikudi on Media, Publicity and Students Affairs.

The students said he impacted many youths positively when he held sway as the Adviser on Student affairs to the Local Government Chairman and wish him well in his future endeavors. They showered encomiums on him and promised to be useful to themselves and the society as he has always advised them to be.

Hon. Bedir in his acceptance speech said he is humbled and honored by the award and said the recognition will spur him to perform even more in the future. He thanked the Students for the award, commended the Executives for their pragmatic leadership qualities they have been portraying and advised them to be good ambassadors of Plateau State and Nigeria anywhere they found themselves as future leaders. He also tasked them to be united, peaceful and contribute their quota to nation building as the society is looking up to them and the generation unborn will be proud of them if they make the necessary impacts required of them.

He said if the youth are united, their collective dream of going FORWARD TOGETHER will be achieved. The event was well attended by citizens of Plateau state.

Buhari Begs ASUU to shelve planned strike to give government more time to sort out the shortfalls in salary payment and other related issues affecting the education sector

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to give government more time to sort out the shortfalls in salary payment and other related issues affecting the education sector.

President Buhari made the plea as the visitor at the grand finale of the 68th Founders’ Day and convocation ceremony of the University of Ibadan which took place at the International Conference Center, Ibadan.

Represented by the Director, Tertiary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Fatimah Ahmad, President Buhari decried the standard of education which has left a vast majority of the people poorly educated.

Describing the trend as unhealthy and saddening, the President reiterated his administration’s commitment to revamping the sector.

Mrs Ahmad added that government was in dialogue with the affected unions and would continue to explore means of amicable resolutions.

A total of 442 graduates bagged doctorate degrees in various fields while three eminent Nigerians including business mogul, Aliko Dangote; writer and poet, Prof. Niyi Osundare and Ibadan businessman, Bode Amao were conferred with honorary degrees of the prestigious institution.

 

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Former Vice President Alh. Atiku Abubakar approves 26% salary raise to cushion recession

Founder of American University of Nigeria (AUN), Atiku Abubakar, has approved a staff pay raise of up to 26%, amounting to 91 million Naira, aimed at cushioning the impact of the current economic recession.President of the institution, Ms Margee Ensignthis revealed this at the institution’s 12th year anniversary celebration.

Addressing the gathering, she urged the institution’s workforce to continue to re-dedicate themselves to hard work in reciprocating the kind gesture.

The event brought together AUN school children from the academy as well as the University students, staff and friends of the institution, to equally honour Mr Abubakar, who recently turned 70.

Also on hand to add color to the occasion, were friends, associates and well-wishers of the celebrant, who was Nigeria’s vice president between 1999 and 2007.

Ensign, said the occasion is a reflection of the founding principles of the institution, which is generally believed to be the first development university in Africa.

She told the gathering that “Just as the prices go up, our prices go up too for the same thing that you are purchasing.

“We are a developing university and that means first and foremost, we take care of people here who have been working so hard for the university.

“Of course we could not do this without the support of the AUN board and especially our founder,” Ms Ensign emphasized.

The institution founded on the principles of excellence, integrity and service according to her, has evoked series of community projects which are contributing enormously to the development of the host community.

She stated that the school had also introduced several programs that have helped in peace initiatives within the troubled area, as well as assist the out-of-school children displaced by the Boko Haram insurgence.

The Executive Director of the school, Mrs Nkem Uzowulu said “the institution has to honour him because he is our founder that is if you know the history of this school”.

“He founded this school as it was formally known as ABTI academy and then later it became American University of Nigeria.

“So he is our father, he is our founder, but most importantly he is our role model, he inspires us and I wish that his dreams will come true and by God’s grace they will,” Mrs Nkem prayed.

The celebrant, Mr Abubakar, said he had earlier directed that anyone willing to sponsor a congratulatory message for his 70th birthday, should channel the money towards the improvement of the lives of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the north east.

“This historic event is a surprise to me and I want to thank the AUN community, both the students of the University and the academy for organizing the events.

“Particularly the children who have come here to demonstrate their learning capabilities, and their teachers for doing a great job by impacting qualitative knowledge to the school children”. Atiku stated

The events also featured series of activities as friends and well wishes of the institution converged in Yola the Adamawa state capital, to take stock of how it has fared since its existence.

Activities lined up for the celebration included the commissioning of the faculty of law edifice, which signified the take-off of the course in the institution as well as a book exhibition expected to re-equip the central library in Genye town which was burnt by the Boko Haram militants.

Others included: an arts exhibition, showcasing historic handwork of students and the ‘WizKids’ program, designed to inspire children in local secondary schools.

It also aimed at building foundational knowledge and mastery of science, technology, engineering and mathematics as an extracurricular activity.

The founder also met with the Emerging Leader Academy (ELA), a group which seeks to broaden the leadership skills of the students who are future leaders.