President Muhammadu Buhari prays God’s comfort and succour for Pastor Taiwo Odukoya of the Fountain of Life Church, over the loss of his wife, Nomthi.
The President condoles with the cleric, his church, and Christendom in general over the unfortunate passage, describing it as “sad and quite touching.”
He urges Pastor Odukoya to bear the adversity with equanimity, being convinced that nothing could have happened without the knowledge and permission of Almighty God.
The President prays strength for all who mourn the departed, asking God to give them fortitude to bear the loss.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
November 10, 2021

GOV AKEREDOLU TO FG: DEVOLVE POWER TO STATES, MAKE THEM EFFECTIVE
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, has said the hue and cry about restructuring which has pervaded the entire country is about devolving power to the states to make them function effectively.
Governor Akeredolu, who declared that he doesn’t believe in the disintegration of the country, said the fiscal policy and over-centralisation of power in the hands of the Federal Government has turned the country into a unitary nation.
The Governor spoke on Tuesday while playing host to officials of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission, NSSEC, who are in the state for a One-Day Advocacy and Sensitisation Workshop on the establishment of the commission with Education Stakeholders in Southwest States of Nigeria.
Lamenting that putting many items in the exclusive list has concentrated too much powers in the hands of the federal government, Arakunrin Akeredolu noted that the unity of the country is based on sustainable true federalism.
He identified over centralisation of structures of governance as a major reason for the unending agitations for restructuring.
Arakunrin Akeredolu therefore called for devolution of powers to enable the states function effectively as federating units within the federation.
The Governor advised the NSSEC to limit its operations to curriculum formulation, monitoring and implementation rather than wholesale take-over of secondary schools administration in the country.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr Benjamin Abakpa, said the sensitisation to the geopolitical zone was to get policy makers acquainted of reasons why the commission was set up by the federal government.
He said regulation of Secondary School Education, intervention on areas of needs and setting minimum standards are critical objectives before the commission to actualise, in a bid to strengthen the post-primary level of education in the country.
Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
November 10, 2021.

PRESIDENT BUHARI WISHES MAMMAN DAURA HAPPY BIRTHDAY
President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates Malam Mamman Daura as he marks his 82nd birthday November 10.
In a message to his uncle and close associate, President Buhari says no one deserves a happier birthday than Malam Daura, describing him “as a complete gentleman widely respected for his scholarly pursuits and rich intellect, famous for his master strokes.
“May you be blessed with good health and happiness and continue to serve the nation. Stay well and do the maximum for the country. God bless you with long and healthy life.”
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Medi and Publicity)
November 10, 2021

PRESIDENT BUHARI MOURNS THEATRE LEGEND, PROF. ODUNEYE
President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with the family and friends of elder statesman and foremost theatre legend, Professor Bayo Oduneye, who passed on at 87.
The President sympathises with the creative industry on the loss of Professor Oduneye who lived for the industry in various capacities as an administrator, scholar and theatre practitioner, nurturing the National Troupe of Nigeria at inception.
President Buhari notes the indelible footprints of the distinguished scholar in the evolution and blossoming of the creative industry in Nigeria, which has transformed into an avenue for fulfilling potentials, becoming a source of inspiration to many.
As members of the theatre fraternity, especially the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), mourn the legend, President Buhari urges them to immortalize the memory of the departed by taking theatre practice to the enviable level he envisioned.
He prays for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
November 9, 2021

NIGERIAN INSTITUTION OF ESTATE SURVEYORS & VALUERS DECORATES GOV AKEREDOLU AS PATRON
• Says Gov Akeredolu Has Made Ondo Investor-Friendly
• “We Are Making The State Accessible In A Secured Way” – Gov Akeredolu
The National Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) has decorated the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, as the Patron of the professional body.
The President and Chairman of the Council, Sir. Emmanuel Okas Wike, decorated the Governor at a well attended event held at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital, on Tuesday.
Wike disclosed that the council and the entire members of the body approved the decoration of the Governor as its Patron in recognition of his giant developmental strides aimed at taking the Sunshine state to the next level.
He noted that Governor Akeredolu has made the state an investment destination and stressed that the efforts of the Governor at combating the security challenges facing the state are commendable.
“That progress is being made in all fronts, in spite of the multiple challenges which heralded your assumption of office in 2017, your re-election last year, and the recently concluded legal tussle which ensued is not an overstatement.
“You have continued to showcase good governance through your developmental initiatives initially anchored on JMPPR; Job creation through Agriculture, Entrepreneurship and Industrialization, Massive Infrastructural Development and Maintenance, Promotion of Functional Education and Technological Growth, Provision of Accessible and Quality Health Care and Social Service Delivery, Rural Develcpment and Community Extension Services and the recently unveiled economic policy for your second term in office tagged “REDEEMED,” representing “(R) Rural and agricultural development, (E) Educational advancement and human capital development, (D) Development through massive infrastructure, (E} Efficient service delivery, development and policy implementation, (E) Effective healthcare and social welfare services, (M) Maintenance of law and order for adequate security, (E) Energy, mining and sustainable industries, (D) Digital revolution and entrepreneurship,” he said.
The NIESV President said the Governor’s leadership in reforming policies have strengthened the economy of the state, adding that it has also enabled the Governor to deliver quality services and further improve the investment climate.
“With the solid and meaningful reforms, sound policies and institutions you have put in place, private investors will stay, sound investments and social Inclusion will grow.
“Consequently, ending poverty and sharing prosperity will be your legacy and part of our shared future. On this note, therefore, we all have a common goal, that is, to have a great nation, where democratic governance delivers to the need of its people,” The NIESV President said.
Responding, Governor Akeredolu said his administration is making the state more accessible in a secured way, adding that there are three airways flying different routes from Akure Lagos and Abuja.
He said: “I do not deny the fact of the nobility and accountability your members offer the people. A number of them are in the employment of the Ondo state service. I will look into the suggestion of creating the office of Valuer General. We will work on it.”
Governor Akeredolu appreciated the Professional body, assuring that he will not disappoint the people.
Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
November 9, 2021.

PRESIDENT BUHARI ARRIVES PARIS FOR OFFICIAL VISIT, PEACE FORUM
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday afternoon arrived in Paris, French capital, for a one-day official visit as guest of President Emmanuel Macron at Palais de l’Élysée, and will afterwards attend the three-day Paris Peace Forum (PPF), November 11-13, 2021.
The President’s plane touched down at Le Bourget Airport at 2.45pm.
During the official visit on Wednesday, President Buhari will meet with his French counterpart to discuss issues of mutual interest for both countries, particularly on strengthening economic ties, improving partnership on security, and working jointly on education, health and halting the threats of COVID-19 to the global economy.
From Thursday, President Buhari will join world leaders, heads of international organisations, leaders of civil society and the private sector at Grande Halle de La Villette to strategize on better governance for a world of peace, with plenaries, master classes and workshops.
The President is scheduled to make a remark at the event to share the peculiarity of the Nigerian experience with the world, and efforts undertaken so far for peace. Other speakers include President Macron, Vice President Kamala Harris of United States, and Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
This year, the leaders will review 80 projects designed to improve peace across the globe and ensure more harmonious living like reforming capitalism for more impact on global economy, responding to the urgency of climate change, fake news and the challenge it poses on journalism and cyber security.
The first edition of the Paris Peace Forum took place from November 11 -13, 2018, as part of the Armistice Day centenary commemorations, and was attended by over 110 foreign delegates, including 54 heads of state and government, showcasing 120 global governance projects and welcomed 6000 individuals over the three days.
Among the attendees were Russian President Vladimir Putin, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and UN Secretary-General António Guterres joined President Macron in each making an opening remark at the beginning of the Forum.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
November 9, 2021

GOV AKEREDOLU IS ‘JEHU’ OF OUR TIME- IBADAN ANGLICAN BISHOP
The Bishop of Ibadan Diocese of Anglican Communion, The Most Rev. (Dr) Joseph Akinfenwa, has expressed satisfaction with the uncommon courage and quality leadership style being exemplified by Ondo state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN.
He disclosed that Governor Akeredolu’s disposition of courage in leadership has made him the “Jehu of our time “.
The Bishop stated this in Ibadan on Monday at an event attended by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan and several others.
He admonished those in position of authority to emulate Governor Akeredolu by always showing leadership and defend the defenseless.
The Bishop described Governor Akeredolu who is also the Chancellor of Owo Anglican Diocese as a fearless and exemplary leader who knows how to defend his people.
“We have heard much about you and your style of administration. With your disposition of courage in leadership, you have become “JEHU OF OUR TIME”. You are a fearless and exemplary leader, a leader that knows how to defend his people.
“Please, help us tell your brother governors that enemies are now much in the country, the Yoruba race is in the hand of the South-West governors, may God help you all”, the Bishop said.

PRESIDENT BUHARI CONDOLES WITH NIGERIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER TO SIERRA LEONE, HENRY JOHN OMAKU, ON PASSAGE OF MUM
President Muhammadu Buhari sends heartfelt condolences to the Omaku family of Nasarawa State, especially Ambassador Henry John Omaku, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, on the passage of Mrs Evelyn John Omaku.
The President says a mother’s passage is always tough to bear, and urges the Omakus to be comforted by the quality of life lived by the departed, and the graceful impact she made on all those that knew her.
As Ambassador Omaku serves his fatherland in Sierra Leone, President Buhari urges divine strength for him on the mother’s transition to eternal life.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
November 9, 2021

CLASSROOM FIRE: PRESIDENT BUHARI CONDOLES WITH PRESIDENT BAZOUM OVER DEATH OF 25 CHILDREN
President Muhammadu Buhari has sent his condolence to the President of Niger Republic Mohammed Bazoum over the death of 25 school children, aged five and six years, during a classroom fire outbreak in the Maradi Region of the country.
President Buhari said, “I’m greatly shocked and deeply touched by this tragedy that took the lives of these school children.
“The death of these children in these circumstances is particularly moving. My heart and prayers go out to the government and the people of Niger Republic as well as the grieving parents of these innocent children.”
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
November 10, 2021