PRESIDENT BUHARI SUMMONS IMO GOVERNOR, POWER MINISTER, ECONOMIC ADVISER
President Muhammadu Buhari has summoned Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, the Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, and the Chief Economic Adviser, Prof Doyin Salami, to a meeting at the Presidential Villa on Monday afternoon.
The President is scheduled to meet separately with them and he would be apprised of the latest developments in Imo State, the power sector and the state of the economy.
It would be recalled that the President while condemning the spate of violence in Imo State in the aftermath of the destruction of buildings and assets of the Police and the home of Prof. George Obiozor, President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, pledged to review the security situation in southeast Nigeria.
President Buhari has also voiced his concern over the frequent power outages, apologising to Nigerians and assuring a quick relief to the situation.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
March 21, 2022

March 21, 2022
Press Statement
Ebonyi: Issue Certificates of Return to Igariwe, Udogwu Now, PDP Charges INEC
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) charges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately and without any further delay, issue Certificates of Return to Hon. Iduma Igariwe and Fred Udogwu as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State respectively.
This is in furtherance of the Order of the Federal High Court issued in Abuja today, Monday, March 21, 2022 refusing to grant Stay of Execution to the former Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Nweze Umahi and his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe over their removal from office by the Court.
INEC, pursuant to the provision of Section 287(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which provides that “the decisions of the Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, a High Court and of all other courts established by this Constitution shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons, and by other courts of law with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, a High Court and those other courts, respectively” is bound to issue Certificates of Return immediately to Hon. Iduma Igariwe and Fred Udogwu as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State respectively.
In this regard, the PDP also demands that the Chief Judge of Ebonyi State, upon the issuance of Certificates of Return by INEC proceed to swear in Hon. Iduma Igariwe and Fred Udogwu as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State respectively.
This is absolutely necessary to prevent the existence of vacuum in the government and governance of Ebonyi State as Messers Umahi and Igwe can no longer exercise the functions of the office of Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State pursuant to the Order of the Federal High Court which removed them from office on March 8, 2022 and the subsequent Order of the Federal High Court today, which refused their application for Stay of Execution.
The PDP commends the judiciary for its courage in defending the Constitution as well as the will of the people of Ebonyi State as expressed in their votes for the PDP in the 2019 governorship election.
Our Party also congratulates the people of Ebonyi State for the restoration of their mandate and urged them to remain united under the PDP as we forge ahead in our mission to Rescue and Rebuild our country from the rudderless APC administration.
Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE

SANWO-OLU SWEARS IN THREE PERMANENT SECRETARIES, CHARGES THEM TO REMAIN COMMITTED PUBLIC SERVANTS

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday swore in three new permanent secretaries, urging them to continue to remain committed and serve the citizens diligently and competently.

Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony held at the Executive Chamber, Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Sanwo-Olu said his administration has appointed close to 50 permanent Secretaries in Public Service in less than three years, noting that almost 70 per cent of the current crop of permanent secretaries were appointed by the incumbent government to strengthen the civil service.

The new Permanent Secretaries are Mrs. Adetutu Ososanya (Commerce, Industry and Cooperative), Mrs. Oyinade Nathan-Marsh (Tourism, Arts and Culture) and Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu (Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA).

Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that the appointment of the permanent secretaries was strictly based on the track records of performance in their previous offices held and therefore charged them to see their new appointments as call to service and be committed to the assignments given to them.

“We are happy that you are joining that enviable list of permanent secretaries that we have. Being Permanent Secretary is a call to service and that you need to reflect within all hierarchy of staff that are behind you; to lead and show real leadership. You must be able to lead, encourage and give them everything they require to succeed. We wish you all the best,” the governor said.

The Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola said the appointment of the three permanent secretaries was in fulfilment of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES developmental agenda and commitment to elevate the state’s public service to a greater height.

Speaking on behalf of the appointees, in her votes of assurance, Ososanya thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and State Executive Council for the confidence reposed in them and promised that they would work in line with the THEMES agenda and add value to the State Public Service.

She also promised that the appointees would be loyal and will not disappoint Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government.

“We do not take for granted the great privilege given to us as Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Civil Service. We appreciate the trust you have reposed in us and we promise to justify the trust. We will ensure that we are loyal to this administration. We promise to support the THEMES developmental agenda.

“We will support the policies, programmes and projects of this administration. We will do our best to add value to the vibrant public service sector. We will be assets to the good work that is ongoing in Lagos State. We will not fail this administration,” Mrs. Ososanya promised.

SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
21 MARCH 2022

PRESS RELEASE

TINUBU AT 70: SANWO-OLU, DARE, HAMZAT, DIGNITARIES GRACE NOVELTY MATCH IN LAGOS

•As ex-Super Eagles players defeat Team Lagos 2:0

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare; Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Demola Seriki; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, public office holders at federal and state levels on Sunday converge on Lagos to honour the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, with a novelty match in celebration of his 70th birthday.

The novelty match between ex-Super Eagles players and Team Lagos, which took place at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos was attended by former and present members of the National Assembly, Lagos State Executive Council, Lagos State House of Assembly and local government chairmen, as well as members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Lagos State APC executive members, among others.

The match, which was attended by Tinubu, who kicked off the ball, is part of the programmes organised by the Tinubu Support Group in conjunction with the Lagos State Government, to celebrate the APC National Leader’s 70th birthday, which comes up on Tuesday, March 29.

Former Super Eagles Striker, Victor Agali scored two goals for the ex-international team led by Austin Jay Jay Okocha to defeat the Team Lagos, which is made up of former players of Stationery Scores and other clubs in Lagos State.

Agali scored the first goal 10 minutes into the second half from a brilliant pass from Julius Aghahowa. Agali netted the second goal 12 minutes later through his head from a cross by Austin Okocha, who displayed brilliant dribbling skills during the match.

The ex-internationals team also included; Nwankwo Kanu, Peter Rufai, Ike Shorunmu, Taribo West, Garba Lawal, Mutiu Adepoju, Victor Ikpeba and Abiodun Obafemi, among others.

Team Lagos was captained by the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiri Obasa. Other members of the team are Waidi Akanni, Godwin Okpara, Friday Ekpo, Sanni Doherty, Akeem Ogunlade, Wasiu Ipaye, Taiwo Oloyede, Yusuf Ayinla and Alhaji Gafar, among others.

Prior to the novelty match between the ex-international and Team Lagos, there was a football match between Team Abuja comprising members of the National Assembly and Team B, made up of members of the Lagos State Executive Council, House of Assembly and council chairmen.

The Team Manager for Team Abuja was a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, Hon. James Faleke, while Team Lagos was led by the Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde.

SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
20 MARCH 2022
Press Release

Sunday, 20th March 2022.

OBA ELEGUSHI TO LEAD PRAYERS FOR NIGERIA, AS ELEGBA FESTIVAL HOLDS IN IKATE KINGDOM

Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, the king of Ikate-Elegushi kingdom will lead other prominent monarchs and Lagosians in offering prayers for the country, to seek divine intervention in the affairs of the nation.

The prayers will be part of activities at the Year 2022 Ejiwa Elegba Festival, an annual cultural and spiritual celebration of coastal communities in Lagos, holding at Ikate-Elegushi from 22nd – 28th March 2022.

In a release signed by the monarch’s spokesperson, Temitope Oyefeso, he quoted the monarch as saying the challenges confronting Nigerians in recent times requires divine intervention, even as the government at various levels continue to proffer solutions to theses socio-economic issues.

He said Oba Elegushi would be joined by other prominent monarchs from Lagos and other states, to offer special prayers for the country, her leaders and the citizens at the festival.

The Ejiwa Elegba Festival, which is an annual event of coastal communities, is held in five areas of the state. This year’s celebration, which started from Iddo and later Iru kingdom, will move to Ikate-Elegushi from the 22nd of March 2022, while the celebration will also be held in Ijora and Ilashe at later dates.

Signed:

Temitope Oyefeso
Special Assistant, Public Affairs to His Majesty
—
‘Tope Oyefeso (Mr.)
Special Assistant, Public Affairs
Office of The Elegushi of Ikateland
08023839100

March 20, 2022
Press Statement
PDP Celebrates Ugwuanyi at 58
…Says He is a Forthright, Consummate Administrator
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) celebrates the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as he marks his 58th birthday.
Gburugburu, as Governor Ugwuanyi is fondly called, is an outstanding statesman, consummate legislator and excellent administrator, who continues to make innumerable contributions towards the unity, stability and development of our dear nation.
Through the years, Rt. Hon. Ugwuanyi has distinguished himself as a very courageous leader, an exceptionally humble, honest, forthright and humane administrator, whose commitment to the welfare and development of the people is unparalleled.
As a seasoned technocrat, former member of the House of Representatives and now a two-term governor of Enugu State, Governor Ugwuanyi remains a shining example of commitment to duty and patriotism to our dear fatherland.
Our Party is extremely proud of Governor Ugwuanyi’s outstanding achievements in human capital and infrastructural developments in all critical sectors of life, with which he has transformed Enugu State in the last seven years.
With Governor Ugwuanyi, Enugu State is indeed in the hands of God. This is evident in the peaceful disposition of Governor Ugwuanyi who ensures the harmonious co-existence of the peoples of Enugu State by guaranteeing even development across the State.
Futhermore, the PDP appreciates Governor Ugwuanyi’s roles with other leaders towards the stability, successes and development of our great Party.
The PDP deeply appreciates Governor Ugwuanyi’s roles towards the success of the 2021 National Convention of our Party as well as his unwavering dedication toward PDP’s mission to Rescue and Rebuild our nation from the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
The PDP family heartily congratulates Governor Ugwuanyi on this auspicious occasion and pray to God to Grant him many more years to His Glory and service to humanity.
Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary

March 20, 2022
Press Statement
Fuel Crisis: APC is Kneeling on the Necks of Nigerians- PDP
…Slams Buhari for Abdication of Duties
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cautions the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration to note that its unrelenting culture of arrogance, impunity and criminal pillaging of our national resources is akin to kneeling on the necks of Nigerians.
The PDP warns that there is a limit to what the people can bear under an administration that remains arrogant, inhumane, unconcerned and insensitive to their plights occasioned by its misrule.
Is it not an unpardonable dereliction of duty that while the nation is in turmoil and agonizing under a collapsed national grid, protracted fuel crisis, distressed aviation sector, plummeting currency, crippled production and commercial activities, President Muhammadu Buhari remains aloof and “absent” as always?
The failure by President Buhari, who also doubles as the Minister of Petroleum Resources to take immediate action, other than the snobbish stance by his Presidency that “heavens will not fall” because of fuel scarcity amounts to daring Nigerians to do their worse.
It is often said that when a government abdicates its responsibility to the citizens at whose pleasure it should serve, then that government is complicit in the suffering of its people and a beneficiary of their woes.
Sadly today, thousands of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises; the drivers of the economy are folding up daily, industries are relocating to neighboring countries, universities are on strike, the aviation sector is on the brink of collapse, our Railway is tottering to a halt due to lack of diesel, police are threatening to go on strike, insecurity is on the rise due to the collapse of the informal economic sector, yet Mr. President had time to holiday in England!
If President Buhari could personally communicate on issues that concern his fizzling party, the APC, while in England, it is inconceivable that he failed and neglected, as always, to attend to life discounting experiences and pains encountered by Nigerians daily by the thoughtless and inhumane policies of his government.
President Buhari needs to be reminded of his duty to Nigerians, to in the least, show some empathy, competence and concern as our country rapidly drifts towards a looming precipice. The frustration in the country is already degenerating into a nationwide restiveness that may result to the breakdown of Law and Order if allowed to fester.
With petrol now selling between N400 to N500 per liter, diesel at over N800 per liter, kerosine at over N750 and aviation fuel at N670 per liter, millions of businesses, employments and sources of livelihood have collapsed in both urban and rural areas resulting in acute hardship and widespread social tension across the country.
Our Party fears that the situation is getting to a boiling point and can trigger a nationwide agitation that might be worse than the October 2020 EndSARS if not addressed immediately.
President Buhari must take responsibility for the criminal racketeering in his government by APC leaders which has led to the crippling of the economy under his watch. He should stop abdicating his duties by sending his aides to issue wild claims, fake promises and noncommittal apologies on the abysmal failures of his administration.
Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary

PRESIDENT BUHARI GREETS GOV IFEANYI UGWUANYI OF ENUGU STATE AT 58
President Muhammadu Buhari joins the Government and indigenes of Enugu State in celebrating with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who turns 58, March 20, 2022.
President Buhari felicitates the former lawmaker, who served in the House of Representatives for 12 years, before his election as Governor in 2015, for providing visionary leadership, making Enugu an attraction for tourists and investors by promoting peace, stability and unity.
The President notes the foresight, wisdom and balance the governor brings to national debates and policies, elevating love for the nation above personal ambition, and diligently pursuing the greater good of his people and entire South East region.
As Governor Ugwuanyi, better known as “Gburugburu” turns 58, the President prays for long life, good health and more opportunities to keep serving the country.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
March 20, 2022

PRESIDENT BUHARI FELICITATES AGUMA BASSA, BENIN, BAKO EBIREDELU DOGWO AT 57
President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates His Royal Highness (HRH), Alhaji Bako Ebiredelu Dogwo, Aguma Bassa, Benin, on his 57th birthday, March 20, 2022, rejoicing with the royal father for service to his people and nation.
President Buhari notes the worthy contributions of the traditional ruler, who is the Coordinator General, Bassa Traditional Rulers and Elites, to peace, development and prosperity of his domain, particularly the attention to civic responsibilities, education and entrepreneurship.
As the Aguma Bassa turns 57, the President salutes his dedication, commitment and resolve of pursuing the larger dream of a united and peaceful country by sharing his wise counsels with leaders and followers.
President Buhari prays for the wellbeing of the royal father.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
March 19, 2022