First Lady of Lagos State
Behold the official portraits of the First Lady of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari. And the First Ladies of Lagos, Rivers and Jigawa States.
Check out official portraits of 4 First Ladies
Things Buhari Needs To Do Urgently | By: Etcetera
I wasn’t born in 1960. So, I have no memories of the euphoria of the first Independence Day. My early memories of independence are the celebrations in the small government school I attended. My well starched and ironed school uniform, national flags made of paper, singing the National Anthem, and a speech by the headmistress were the highlights. In my final year, I was allowed to pin a small flag on my shirt and hold a slightly bigger one in front of the school because I was a school prefect. Those were proud moments! Even after so many years, the pride still remains. It is totally different today.
Back then, it was more about Nigeria, our country! There was nationalism all around. Even as young kids, there was unflinching commitment to the country. Reading Chinua Achebe and Cyprian Ekwensi was a passion. I was told so many times by my father that the first few images of post-independent Nigeria weren’t of food shortages, poverty, hunger, inadequacy of almost everything. There was hope!
Where are we after 55 years, and where do we intend to go? As I listened to Buhari’s speech yesterday, I felt sorry for Nigeria. How did we get here? Everything in Nigeria has changed and, in many ways, changed for the worst. We still see poverty everywhere we turn. We are still worried whether the next ship will bring enough food. We are a country floating on crude oil yet we wake up every morning to fuel scarcity, wondering whether we have enough money in our pockets to buy fuel for our generators and cars for the next day.
Although our choice of cars is no longer limited to the Peugeot 504 and the Tortoise cars our parents cruised in the 60s, and we may not live in a black and white TV era with just one channel anymore, and there are no more long queues at telephone booths, does that give us comfort? Have we progressed? No. We still have to solve our more complex problems to move forward and we are impatient. We are still looking to developed countries for aid or to the World Bank for more loans. We are still not confident enough or ready to take on the world.
What are the things Buhari needs to do and urgently too?
1: Contain divisive forces and actions. We seem to divide ourselves in the name of tribe, region, religion, group, sub-group, constituencies, and we never unite in times of crisis. There are a number of external forces which may not want Nigeria to become developed and powerful. These forces are creating difficulties both inside and outside the country. They predicted our disintegration in 2015 and they almost made sure it happened. We must differentiate our enemies from our allies. It is also very important that, as a multi-cultural society, we learn to live and grow together and to resolve our differences through dialogue within ourselves and not external influences. Any form of violence, for any reason whatsoever, should be avoided. Instead of expecting the government to solve all our problems, let the civil society take its role seriously and do its bit. The large majority of Nigerians want to get on with their lives in peace. This majority needs to assert its presence.
2: Release the energy of Nigeria’s youth to generate growth and prosperity. Take a look at any young man or woman in Nigeria today, you are sure to find that unusual level of confidence, a confidence to take up a challenge to better the best in any part of the world they find themselves. They are willing to work extra hours, learn new things, and innovate. It is this confidence and the attitude of “Naija no dey carry last” that is Nigeria’s most valuable capital today. We need to support this with the best quality education, infrastructure and training and research facilities, be it in the private or public sector.Nigerian youths shouldn’t be entangled with issues of language or religion. They should be focused on their careers and their growth, which will in turn be Nigeria’s growth.
3: Get the infrastructure right. Young Nigerians are becoming impatient, and rightly so. They want to get going. Inadequate infrastructure, whether it is physical or social, is holding them back. Roads, power, basic services like water and sanitation, social infrastructure like healthcare, education need urgent attention if we want this country to grow. Many of these could come through private sector investment, innovation and efficiencies. The government will still play a major role both in terms of providing funds, encouraging investments and ensuring regulation. Instead of focusing on irrelevant issues, we need to focus on quality and cost of services.
4: Fight inefficiency and corruption. We are all worried about corruption. But when it comes to standing up against corruption, we have failed. Buhari must deter Nigerians from further engaging in corrupt practices by making scapegoats. He has to start by appointing only credible people into his cabinet. They must be discouraged from looting the treasury. If you ask me, I will suggest thatGoodluck Jonathan’s government should be probed and those found guilty of corrupt practices should be sent to Kirikiri. All forms of corruption are bad, but it is only the bigger cases that we pay attention to, forgetting that the petty corruption is just as cancerous. It affects the poor more and makes life miserable for the average Nigerian. The civil society needs to stand up and force the change we have all been clamouring for. Luckily, we now have the Freedom of Information Bill which is an effective tool in the hands of the Nigerian citizen to ensure transparency. If Aba manufacturers are empowered, we do not need technology from outside, we just need the will to change age-old and opaque processes. Society needs to make its demand for this change loud and clear.
Presidential Inaugural Gala Night in pictures
The Presidential Inaugural Gala took place yesterday at Abuja. Anchored by veteran actress Joke Silva, there were performances from some Nigerian music acts as well as cultural troupes.
Photocredit: www.tolujinadu.com
Missed President Muhammadu Buhari's inauguration ceremony? See some pictures here!
The inauguration ceremony of President Muhammadu Buhari took place yesterday May 29, 2015 at the Eagles Square Abuja. The ceremony attracted eminent personalities in and outside Nigeria.
Photo Credit: Tolu Jinadu and Bayo Omoboriowo
"I am the president now, the president of everybody." Sepp Blatter as he's re-elected FIFA President.
79 year-old Sepp Blatter has been re-elected as President of football governing body, FIFA. He garnered133 votes to his rival, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan’s 73.
The Swiss will serve a fifth term – despite calls for him to resign after Wednesday’s corruption scandal. Sepp who has now worked for the organisation for 40 years will serve 4 more years and won’t leave office until the age of 83.
“I was a little nervous today. Now I am the president. President of everybody. President of the whole FIFA.” He said after addressing FIFA Congress.
Photos From Governors Ibikunle Amosun and Akinwunmi Ambode’s inauguration ceremonies
Jonathan – Yesterday's Man | By: Joseph Edgar
Life is forever strange. Jonathan a few minutes ago became the latest yesterday’s man. I watched as he arrived for the very last time with the full pomp and pageantry of the Presidency and literally looked dymistified as he shook the hands of his successor, handing over the baton and stymying slyly into the shadows of history.
I watched him closely as he sat. Trying very hard to comport himself and not betraying any emotions knowing fully well that the cameras and indeed the eyes of the whole world would be staring at him. Looking better dressed than the man of the day, his bowler hat perfectly perched on his head with his graying hair, peeping from underneath the bowler hat thanking its stars that it didn’t have to come out to share in this perfidy.
What was in his mind as he sat down there, enduring the stares and watching the sycophants as they immediately switched allegiances. Obj was behind him, did he feel like turning back and slapping him? Tinubu was way behind, was that why in his walk around he did not get to that part of the cubicle. What would he have done differently if time was rolled back. Would he have ignored obj, would he have stayed loyal to the buffoons who made a buffoonery of his administration. How come his roll of luck came to such a disgraceful end and why did that his gregarious wife not come and share in this public humiliation.
Where are all the geezers who shared in the rut, where are the ill advisers and much more importantly where are the Nollywood clowns. Who all sang and danced his name to high glory. How will history treat Jonathan, I fear, not with mercy. His was a template of disaster, his was a fine glass of recklessness, a lack of will power to take painful decisions and a cowards hand book on how not to rule a country like NIGERIA..
As I watched, I failed to see the hope Americans saw during Obama’s first inauguration. As I watched I saw the result of misplaced faith. We kept faith in luck as if we could control luck. He didn’t have shoes, so we voted, he was the ever available replacement, from Deputy Governor to the Presidency we voted. What did we get in return, a failed state, an economy in tatters, missing children, 2m displaced people, no power and in his last days,no fuel.
Jonathan – yesterday’s man, lurking in the shadows of failed leaders. He , a statesman he would not be. I saw pity in the eyes of the dignities on the stand. From my couch in my living room, I could almost here the Heads of state whisper in his ears as he walked past- be strong. Yes he needs that advice for the loneliness that would envelope him this night would be so scary that he would need about 46 candles and a heavy dose of prayers from David’s Book of Psalms to get him through the night.
He quietly slipped away like a lizard, though the backdrop and most likely into a tiny car far from the grandeur of the posh intimidating car he rode in and into the depth of anonymity where he would have only himself to blame for this loneliness and huge sense of failure.
He threw always greatness and in his simplicity he will go back to the simpleton he as meant to be, if not for the rude interference of fate which threw him unprepared into the national limelight but left him to dance naked surrounded by hippies and a wife worse than an ethnic savage.
I say goodbye to this yesterday’s man and wish him well as he joins his fishermen kinsmen in sleepy Otueke from where he emerged to lead us to Golgotha. Sleep well Jona and Gods forgiveness and blessing be with you.
I shed just one tear.
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Joseph Edgar is an investment banker who writes as a hobby from a very interesting point of view.
He blogs at josephedgarng.blogspot.com
Photo: Past and present first ladies of Nigeria
A photo collection of all the past and present first ladies of Nigeria. The newest on the list is Aisha Buhari.
Credit: SeeMeSeeNigeria
Full text of President Muhammadu Buhari's inaugural speech
I am immensely grateful to God Who Has preserved us to witness this day and this occasion. Today marks a triumph for Nigeria and an occasion to celebrate her freedom and cherish her democracy. Nigerians have shown their commitment to democracy and are determined to entrench its culture. Our journey has not been easy but thanks to the determination of our people and strong support from friends abroad we have today a truly democratically elected government in place.
I would like to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his display of statesmanship in setting a precedent for us that has now made our people proud to be Nigerians wherever they are. With the support and cooperation he has given to the transition process, he has made it possible for us to show the world that despite the perceived tension in the land we can be a united people capable of doing what is right for our nation.
Together we co-operated to surprise the world that had come to expect only the worst from Nigeria. I hope this act of graciously accepting defeat by the outgoing President will become the standard of political conduct in the country.
I would like to thank the millions of our supporters who believed in us even when the cause seemed hopeless. I salute their resolve in waiting long hours in rain and hot sunshine to register and cast their votes and stay all night if necessary to protect and ensure their votes count and were counted. I thank those who tirelessly carried the campaign on the social media. At the same time, I thank our other countrymen and women who did not vote for us but contributed to make our democratic culture truly competitive, strong and definitive.
I thank all of you.
Having just a few minutes ago sworn on the Holy Book, I intend to keep my oath and serve as President to all Nigerians.
I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody. A few people have privately voiced fears that on coming back to office I shall go after them. These fears are groundless. There will be no paying off old scores. The past is prologue.
Our neighbours in the Sub-region and our African brethenen should rest assured that Nigeria under our administration will be ready to play any leadership role that Africa expects of it. Here I would like to thank the governments and people of Cameroon, Chad and Niger for committing their armed forces to fight Boko Haram in Nigeria.
I also wish to assure the wider international community of our readiness to cooperate and help to combat threats of cross-border terrorism, sea piracy, refugees and boat people, financial crime, cyber crime, climate change, the spread of communicable diseases and other challenges of the 21st century.
At home we face enormous challenges. Insecurity, pervasive corruption, the hitherto unending and seemingly impossible fuel and power shortages are the immediate concerns. We are going to tackle them head on. Nigerians will not regret that they have entrusted national responsibility to us. We must not succumb to hopelessness and defeatism. We can fix our problems.
In recent times Nigerian leaders appear to have misread our mission. Our founding fathers, Mr Herbert Macauley, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Malam Aminu Kano, Chief J.S. Tarka, Mr Eyo Ita, Chief Denis Osadeby, Chief Ladoke Akintola and their colleagues worked to establish certain standards of governance. They might have differed in their methods or tactics or details, but they were united in establishing a viable and progressive country. Some of their successors behaved like spoilt children breaking everything and bringing disorder to the house.
Furthermore, we as Nigerians must remind ourselves that we are heirs to great civilizations: Shehu Othman Dan fodio’s caliphate, the Kanem Borno Empire, the Oyo Empire, the Benin Empire and King Jaja’s formidable domain. The blood of those great ancestors flow in our veins. What is now required is to build on these legacies, to modernize and uplift Nigeria.
Daunting as the task may be it is by no means insurmountable. There is now a national consensus that our chosen route to national development is democracy. To achieve our objectives we must consciously work the democratic system.
The Federal Executive under my watch will not seek to encroach on the duties and functions of the Legislative and Judicial arms of government. The law enforcing authorities will be charged to operate within the Constitution. We shall rebuild and reform the public service to become more effective and more serviceable. We shall charge them to apply themselves with integrity to stabilize the system.
For their part the legislative arm must keep to their brief of making laws, carrying out over-sight functions and doing so expeditiously. The judicial system needs reform to cleanse itself from its immediate past. The country now expects the judiciary to act with dispatch on all cases especially on corruption, serious financial crimes or abuse of office.
It is only when the three arms act constitutionally that government will be enabled to serve the country optimally and avoid the confusion all too often bedeviling governance today.
Elsewhere relations between Abuja and the States have to be clarified if we are to serve the country better. Constitutionally there are limits to powers of each of the three tiers of government but that should not mean the Federal Government should fold its arms and close its eyes to what is going on in the states and local governments. Not least the operations of the Local Government Joint Account. While the Federal Government can not interfere in the details of its operations it will ensure that the gross corruption at the local level is checked.
As far as the constitution allows me I will try to ensure that there is responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in the country. For I will not have kept my own trust with the Nigerian people if I allow others abuse theirs under my watch.
However, no matter how well organized the governments of the federation are they can not succeed without the support, understanding and cooperation of labour unions, organized private sector, the press and civil society organizations. I appeal to employers and workers alike to unite in raising productivity so that everybody will have the opportunity to share in increased prosperity. The Nigerian press is the most vibrant in Africa. My appeal to the media today – and this includes the social media – is to exercise its considerable powers with responsibility and patriotism.
My appeal for unity is predicated on the seriousness of the legacy we are getting into. With depleted foreign reserves, falling oil prices, leakages and debts the Nigerian economy is in deep trouble and will require careful management to bring it round and to tackle the immediate challenges confronting us, namely; Boko Haram, the Niger Delta situation, the power shortages and unemployment especially among young people. For the longer term we have to improve the standards of our education. We have to look at the whole field of medicare. We have to upgrade our dilapidated physical infrastructure.
The most immediate is Boko Haram’s insurgency. Progress has been made in recent weeks by our security forces but victory can not be achieved by basing the Command and Control Centre in Abuja. The command centre will be relocated to Maiduguri and remain until Boko Haram is completely subdued. But we can not claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents.
This government will do all it can to rescue them alive. Boko Haram is a typical example of small fires causing large fires. An eccentric and unorthodox preacher with a tiny following was given posthumous fame and following by his extra judicial murder at the hands of the police. Since then through official bungling, negligence, complacency or collusion Boko Haram became a terrifying force taking tens of thousands of lives and capturing several towns and villages covering swathes of Nigerian sovereign territory.
Boko Haram is a mindless, godless group who are as far away from Islam as one can think of. At the end of the hostilities when the group is subdued the Government intends to commission a sociological study to determine its origins, remote and immediate causes of the movement, its sponsors, the international connexions to ensure that measures are taken to prevent a reccurrence of this evil. For now the Armed Forces will be fully charged with prosecuting the fight against Boko haram. We shall overhaul the rules of engagement to avoid human rights violations in operations. We shall improve operational and legal mechanisms so that disciplinary steps are taken against proven human right violations by the Armed Forces.
Boko Haram is not only the security issue bedeviling our country. The spate of kidnappings, armed robberies, herdsmen/farmers clashes, cattle rustlings all help to add to the general air of insecurity in our land. We are going to erect and maintain an efficient, disciplined people – friendly and well – compensated security forces within an over – all security architecture.
The amnesty programme in the Niger Delta is due to end in December, but the Government intends to invest heavily in the projects, and programmes currently in place. I call on the leadership and people in these areas to cooperate with the State and Federal Government in the rehabilitation programmes which will be streamlined and made more effective. As ever, I am ready to listen to grievances of my fellow Nigerians. I extend my hand of fellowship to them so that we can bring peace and build prosperity for our people.
No single cause can be identified to explain Nigerian’s poor economic performance over the years than the power situation. It is a national shame that an economy of 180 million generates only 4,000MW, and distributes even less. Continuous tinkering with the structures of power supply and distribution and close on $20b expanded since 1999 have only brought darkness, frustration, misery, and resignation among Nigerians. We will not allow this to go on. Careful studies are under way during this transition to identify the quickest, safest and most cost-effective way to bring light and relief to Nigerians.
Unemployment, notably youth un-employment features strongly in our Party’s Manifesto. We intend to attack the problem frontally through revival of agriculture, solid minerals mining as well as credits to small and medium size businesses to kick – start these enterprises. We shall quickly examine the best way to revive major industries and accelerate the revival and development of our railways, roads and general infrastructure.
Your Excellencies, My fellow Nigerians I can not recall when Nigeria enjoyed so much goodwill abroad as now. The messages I received from East and West, from powerful and small countries are indicative of international expectations on us. At home the newly elected government is basking in a reservoir of goodwill and high expectations. Nigeria therefore has a window of opportunity to fulfill our long – standing potential of pulling ourselves together and realizing our mission as a great nation.
Our situation somehow reminds one of a passage in Shakespeare’s Julius Ceasar
There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life, Is bound in shallows and miseries.
We have an opportunity. Let us take it.
Thank you
Muhammadu Buhari
President Federal Republic of NIGERIA and Commander in-chief-of the Armed forces
Photo: Buhari and Osinbajo sworn in as President and Vice President of Nigeria
Muhammadu Buhari and Yemi Osinbajo have been sworn in as President & Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Vice President of Nigeria.