President Muhammadu Buhari sends condolences to the family of former Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Sir Bernard Enweremadu, Ezeukwu of Ngwaukwu, praying that God will grant the renowned traditional ruler a peaceful rest.
The President joins people and Government of Abia State, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, and associates, in mourning the revered Ngwa paramount ruler, who served the state and nation in many capacities, leaving a legacy of fairness and charity.
President Buhari notes the sacrifices of Sir Enweremadu to his community, leaving his engagements in Lagos to take up the responsibility of becoming custodian of culture and tradition at 33, and remaining faithful to the calling of his people until the final call at 77.
As the family, community, state and nation mourn the departed royal father, President Buhari urges an approximation of his good works and service to humanity.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
November 3, 2021
PRESIDENT BUHARI GREETS SULTAN OF SOKOTO, SA’AD ABUBAKAR ON 15TH ANNIVERSARY AS SULTAN
President Muhammadu congratulates the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III as he marks his 15th year as the leader of Muslim Ummah and Chairman, Sokoto State Council of Traditional Rulers.
President Buhari described the Sultan as a “peace builder and a true embodiment of commitment to service, a leader who dedicated his life to the welfare of the people.
“Greetings to His Eminence, the Sultan on his 15th year on the throne of his fathers. On behalf of my family and I, the government and people of Nigeria, I wish you many more years in the position, and working tirelessly to promote inter-religious and inter-communal harmony throughout the federation.
“It is very reassuring to have such a leadership at these challenging times. My prayers are for your long and healthy life.”
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
November 2, 2021
PRESIDENT BUHARI: NIGERIA NEEDS 1.5 TRILLION DOLLARS IN TEN YEARS TO BRIDGE THE INFRASTRUCTURE GAP
President Muhammadu Buhari says 1.5 trillion dollars is the cumulative estimated amount needed by Nigeria over a ten-year period, to achieve an appreciable level of the National Infrastructure Stock.
President Buhari gave the figure on Tuesday in Glasgow at a COP 26 high-level side event on improving global infrastructure hosted by President Joe Biden of the United States, EU Commission President, Von Der Leyen and the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.
‘‘Nigeria is ready for your investments in infrastructural development in the country.
‘‘My administration has established a clear legal and regulatory framework for private financing of infrastructure to establish a standard process, especially on the monitoring and evaluation process.
‘‘We look forward to working with you in this regard,’’ he told world leaders at the high level meeting on the margins of the climate change conference.
President Buhari also declared that his administration had taken infrastructure expansion in Nigeria seriously, conscious of the fact that new investments in critical sectors of the economy would aid lifting 100 million Nigerians from poverty by 2030.
‘‘There is a nexus between infrastructural development and the overall economic development of a nation.
‘‘My administration identified this early enough as a major enabler of sustainable economic development and the realization of other continental and global development aspirations particularly the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.
‘‘On my assumption of office in 2015, Nigeria faced a huge infrastructure deficit and the total National Infrastructure Stock was estimated at 35% of our Gross Domestic Product.
‘‘In solving these problems, we embarked on a massive infrastructure expansion programme in the areas of Health care, Education, Transportation, Manufacturing, Energy, Housing, Agriculture, and Water Resources.
‘‘We provided more financial resources for these policies, charted new international partnerships and pursued liberalization policies to allow private sector participation.
‘‘We introduced the revised National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan – a policy document that ensures our infrastructure expansion projects is cross-sectorally integrated and environmentally friendly, ’’ he said.
The President welcomed the G7 countries for its ground-breaking plan to mobilize hundreds of billions of dollars of infrastructure investment for low – and middle-income countries.
He noted that the “Build Back Better World” plan, an initiative of the G7 countries, is expected to be a values-driven, high-standard, and transparent infrastructure partnership.
‘‘It is our fervent hope and expectations that this plan will be pursued to its logical conclusion in order to bridge the infrastructural gap between the North and South,’’ he said.
The President also used the occasion to outline the principles, values and standards Nigeria would like to see from infrastructure initiatives and the challenges the country has faced in partnering with donors on infrastructure development.
‘‘The aim of pursuing quality infrastructure investment is to maximize the positive economic, environmental, social, and development impact of infrastructure and create a virtuous circle of economic activities, while ensuring sound public finances.
‘‘This virtuous circle can take various forms in stimulating the economy,” he said.
The Nigerian leader noted that infrastructure investment should, therefore, take into account economic, environmental and social, and governance aspects, guided by a sense of shared, long-term responsibility for the planet, consistent with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The President added that the positive and negative impacts of infrastructure projects on ecosystems, biodiversity, climate, weather and the use of resources should be internalized by incorporating these environmental considerations over the entire process of infrastructure investment.
‘‘Domestic resource mobilization is critical to addressing the infrastructure financing gap. Assistance for capacity building, including for project preparation, should be provided to developing countries with the participation of international organizations.
‘‘Quality infrastructure investment also needs to be tailored to individual country conditions and consistent with local laws and regulations.
‘‘Furthermore, Infrastructure projects should align with national strategies and nationally determined contributions for those countries determined to implement them, and with transitioning to long-term low emissions strategies, while being mindful of country circumstances,’’ he said.
The President also called for the environmental impact of infrastructure investment to be made transparent to all stakeholders, noting that this will enhance the appreciation of sustainable infrastructure projects and increase awareness of related risks.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
AT COP 26, PRESIDENT BUHARI PLEDGES NET ZERO EMISSIONS BY 2060, SAYS NIGERIA WILL MAINTAIN GAS-BASED ENERGY TRANSITION
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Glasgow, Scotland pledged that Nigeria would cut its emissions to net zero by 2060.
Delivering his national statement at COP26 Leaders’ Summit, the President said that attaining national and global climate change goals will require adequate and sustained technical and financial support to developing countries.
He said greater effort should be channelled towards assisting developing nations to meet their ‘‘Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) commitments through the pledges made by the developed countries to provide at least $100 billion yearly.’’
President Buhari noted that easier access to climate finance had become imperative in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, which really battered the economies of developing countries.
‘‘I do not think anyone in Nigeria needs persuading of the need for urgent action on the environment.
‘‘Desertification in the North, floods in the centre, pollution and erosion on the coast are enough evidence.
‘‘For Nigeria, climate change is not about the perils of tomorrow but what is happening today. Nigeria is committed to net zero by 2060.’’
Making a case for gas-based energy transition in Nigeria, President Buhari requested international partners to finance projects using transition fuels such as gas in Nigeria.
‘‘Parties to the Paris Agreement are expected to transit from fossil fuel to clean energy and reach a Net Zero ambition for greenhouse gases emission.
‘‘Nigeria is actually more of a gas than an oil producing country.
‘‘Consequently, I am requesting for financing of projects using transition fuels, such as gas.
‘‘Nigeria has energy challenges for which, we believe, gas can be used to balance a renewable energy-based system, be it wind or sun.
‘‘This would enable us launch the long-term renewable energy infrastructure procurements and investments needed to have a sustainable energy supply.’’
Acknowledging that net zero ambition can lead to economic transformation across all sectors, the Nigerian leader said it would require critical infrastructure to be in place.
President Buhari also told the COP26 Leaders’ Summit that Nigeria has developed a detailed energy transition plan and roadmap based on data and evidence.
He explained that the plan has highlighted some key facts that forces the difficult conversations.
‘‘Our transition plan also highlights the key role that gas will play in transitioning our economy across sectors, and the data and evidence show that Nigeria can continue to use gas until 2040 without detracting from the goals of the Paris Agreement.
‘‘Gas will be key for addressing the clean cooking challenge, which is also a challenge of deforestation, and for giving our electric grid the stability and flexibility to integrate renewables at scale. Nigeria will need to integrate an unprecedented 7GW additional renewable capacity each year to achieve net-zero,’’ he said.
On energy access, President Buhari declared that Nigeria’s commitment to a just transition is reflected in ‘‘our ambitious Energy Compact, which includes the Government’s flagship project to electrify 5million households and 25 million people using decentralized solar energy solutions.’’
He described the project as a major first step towards closing energy access deficit in the country by 2030.
On green projects in the county, the President declared that Federal Government agencies have been directed to ensure the inclusion of projects with Climate Change credentials in the budget.
‘‘I am happy to state that the 2022 budget, which I recently submitted to our National Assembly, is the first cross-sectoral, gender and climate-responsive budget ever prepared in the annals of our history.
The President announced that the National Assembly has also passed the Climate Change Bill, which provides a framework for achieving low greenhouse gas emissions, inclusive green growth and sustainable economic development.
President Buhari concluded his address with a note of caution, saying:
‘‘The outcome of this Conference must result in quick resolution of all outstanding issues pertaining to the finalization of the Paris Agreement Rulebook, Adaptation, Mitigation, Finance, Article 6 and Loss and Damage.’’
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
November 2, 2021
PRESIDENT BUHARI CONDOLES WITH FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF BUILDING COLLAPSE, URGES AUTHORITIES TO STEP UP RESCUE EFFORTS
President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with families who have lost loved ones in the 22 storey building collapse in Lagos, while some are still trapped.
President Buhari shares the sad moment with people and Government of Lagos State, urging authorities to step up efforts in rescue operations, while emergency institutions, including hospitals, should provide all the necessary support to safeguard lives of the rescued.
The President prays for God’s intervention in the ongoing rescue operations.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
November 1, 2021
GREAT GREEN WALL: AFRICA’S AMBITION OF RESTORING OVER 100 MILLION HECTARES OF DEGRADED LANDSCAPE ACHIEVABLE, SAYS PRESIDENT BUHARI
- Nigeria ready to assume leadership of regional organisation
Africa’s ambition of restoring over 100million hectares of degraded landscape for productive agriculture is achievable, President Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday in Glasgow, Scotland.
The President expressed the optimism at the Climate Change Summit, COP 26, side event on the Great Green Wall (GGW), co-hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, the Prince of Wales, and the Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.
Speaking on the theme of the event, “Accelerating land restoration in Africa, the case of the Great Green Wall initiative”, the Nigerian leader said it was noteworthy that the meeting was tailored towards ameliorating the problems of land degradation, desertification, depletion of the forest ecosystems and biodiversity in Africa.
‘‘With all hands on deck and concerted efforts at land restoration by African leaders, I am optimistic that Africa’s ambition of restoring over 100million hectares of degraded landscape for productive agriculture is achievable.
‘‘Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to inform you that Nigeria will soon be assuming the leadership of Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Pan African Agency of the Great Green Wall.
‘‘Nigeria pledges her unalloyed commitment to expanding the achievements of the GGW programme in Africa from the enviable status attained under the leadership of His Excellency, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
‘‘Together we commit to the transformative process of restoring the African degraded landscape and ultimately the continent’s environment,’’ he said.
President Buhari recounted that one of the major outcomes of the fourth edition of the One Planet Summit on Biodiversity, organized by the French Government in Paris, France on 11th January 2021, was the pledge of $19.6 billion by the coalition of international communities to upscale the implementation of the Great Green Wall Initiative in Africa.
Appreciating the international partners for bringing environmental issues in Africa to the limelight, the President described the Biodiversity Summit as a direct response to the request for support by African leaders to the global communities on addressing Africa’s environmental challenges.
‘‘Since the pledges by the financial partners, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification has continued to give technical backstopping to the Pan African Agency of the Great Green Wall through the establishment of Great Green Wall Accelerator for the 2021- 2030 Decennial Priority Investment Plan for the Great Green Wall programme.
‘‘This is to fast-track the implementation process with the prime purpose of translating the pledged financial resources of 19.681Billion United States Dollars into hectares of land restoration and other livelihood improvements at various country levels,’’ he said.
Highlighting Nigeria’s role in actualising the land restoration initiative, President Buhari told the side event held on the margins of COP 26 World Leaders Summit that the country participated in drafting and harmonizing the Results Framework for the Accelerator with five cardinal pillars to address the 2021- 2030 Decennial Priority Investment Plan ambition of the Great Green Wall.
According to him the five cardinal pillars include the restoration of 100 million hectares of degraded land; sequestration of 250 million tonnes of carbon; creation of 10 million green jobs; resilient economic development in the various Member States as well as capacity strengthening and development.
On the margins of COP26, President Buhari accompanied by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Environment (State), Petroleum (State), Power (State), the Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, Sarafa Tunji Isola and the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mele Kyari toured the Nigerian Pavilion.
At the Pavilion, the President held a bilateral meeting with the Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Mr Ibrahim Thiaw.
They exchanged views on the challenges of desertification, along with climate change and loss of biodiversity in Africa, need to recharge the Lake Chad and the UNCCD support for the GGW initiative.
President Buhari stressed that Nigeria’s approach in addressing the physical and socio-economic aspects and effects of desertification, drought and climate change would prioritise education of the local communities and the use of technology.
In his remarks, Thiaw, while congratulating Nigeria’s imminent presidency of the Heads of State and Government of the Pan African Agency of the GGW, said the world is looking up to President Buhari for leadership.
He said 11 countries including Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Eretria, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Sudan have been selected as intervention zones for the Great Green Wall.
He expressed confidence that the implementation of the GGW initiative would prevent and reverse degradation of the ecosystem in the affected countries while improving the living conditions of the affected communities.
Nigeria is part of the 193 countries that have ratified the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.
The goal of the Convention, as defined by its Article 2, is to ‘‘combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa, through effective action at all levels, supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
November 1, 2021
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE HAVE A STATE OF THE ART MEDICAL FACILITY, SAYS PROFESSOR GAMBARI
The Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari has said that the proposed Presidential (VIP) Wing of the State House Clinic will, in addition to the President, the Vice President and their families, also take care of visiting Heads of State if the need arises.
Speaking Monday at the ground breaking ceremony of the facility at the State House precincts, Professor Gambari said: “This is an essential facility because we have to have the best facility for the President, the first family and other very distinguished senior officials of government.
“It is also a facility that, when finished, will be at the disposal of visiting dignitaries who may require medical assistance during their visit,” he added.
According to the Chief of staff, “nobody will remember much what we say but generations to come will remember what is done, which is to begin the process of constructing what will be first class, state of the art facility which will be best and appropriate for the leadership of this country.”
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina also lauded the idea behind the project. He noted that for years and decades to come, the facility would serve sitting and visiting Presidents as well as other dignitaries. He appreciated everyone who turned up to be part of the historic event.
Permanent Secretary State House, Tijjani Umar, stressed the importance of the foundation laying event as it was done in keeping with the timelines approved for the construction of the Clinic. It is expected that the construction and commissioning would be done by December, 2022.
Also present at the occasion were the Chief Medical Director, State House Clinic, Dr Munir Hussaini Yakasai, and other members of the State House top management as well as the construction team of Julius Berger, Nigeria.
Abiodun Oladunjoye
Deputy Director (Information)
November 1, 2021
IN GLASGOW, AMERICAN BILLIONAIRE, JEFF BEZOS, HAILS PRESIDENT BUHARI’S CLIMATE CHANGE ACTIONS
American billionaire and founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, on Monday in Glasgow, Scotland commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership role in restoring degraded lands in the country, describing the commitment to restore 4 million hectares as exemplary.
Bezos joined President Buhari, French President Emmanuel Macron, Prince Charles and the Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani at a COP 26 side event entitled “Accelerating land restoration in Africa, the case of the Great Green Wall (GGW) initiative.”.
Heaping praises on the Nigerian leader at the event co-hosted by the French President, his Mauritanian counterpart and the Prince of Wales, the Amazon founder said:
‘‘We are fortunate to have President Buhari of Nigeria with us today.
‘‘Nigeria plays a critical role in the restoration movement and has pledged to restore 4 million hectares of degraded lands.
‘‘This kind of ambition coming from Africa’s largest economy underscores just how vital this issue is.’’
The Bezos Earth Fund has a 10 billion dollar fund to allocate money to projects fighting climate change .
Nigeria is due to assume the leadership of Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Pan African Agency of the Great Green Wall.
President Buhari had used the occasion of his address to appeal to fellow leaders to continue to make concerted efforts at land restoration.
‘‘I am optimistic that Africa’s ambition of restoring over 100million hectares of degraded landscape for productive agriculture is achievable,’’ he said.
President Buhari also pledged Nigeria’s unalloyed commitment to expanding the achievements of the GGW programme in Africa from the enviable status attained under the leadership of President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania.
‘‘Together we commit to the transformative process of restoring the African degraded landscape and ultimately the continent’s environment,’’ he said.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
November 1, 2021
