MARTIN LUTHER KING FAMILY VISIT TO NIGERIA: THE FACTS

PRESS  STATEMENT


MARTIN LUTHER KING FAMILY VISIT TO NIGERIA: THE FACTS


Abuja, March 29. 2018: Our attention has been drawn to obviously fake on line news reports on the visit of some members of the MLK family to Nigeria.


The members, led by the Matriarch of MLK, Naomi Barbara King, were in Nigeria as part of the activities initiated to celebrate a low- key Black History Month in Nigeria as part of deepening partnership between Africa and its Diaspora.


As part of the activities, they visited President Muhammadu Buhari and gave him a commemorative plaque for his fight against corruption and what they termed from the “ Africania Diaspora” a term for  Africans in Diaspora for which the oldest of them all Naomi Barbara King was selected to present on behalf of the family (NOT MLK CENTER) as a sign of appreciation to the Nigerian President.



It must be categorically stated here that the trip was totally privately funded and not one kobo was spent by the Nigerian government as it was all a private initiative.


However, after two days in Nigeria,  one of the members apparently granted an interview which was seen as being political , asking Nigerians to give President Muhammadu Buhari a chance to continue his good works especially of fighting corruption in Nigeria.


As a non political group , he was asked to refute the statement , which he refused to , insisting that was how he felt , and it was his personal opinion, not that of the family nor the center, of which he is a board member and was the Chief Operating Officer for over five years.


This may have led to some arguements among them , which they have said they will resolve when they get back to the US., which apparently led to the tweet being circulated

The visit to Nigeria was quite successful that they extended their stay for two major days, surprised at the negative reports on Nigeria.



Members of the public are hereby urged to please discountenance any fake news about the visit and avoid the temptation of destroying all the good things for the sake of Politics .


President Muhammadu Buhari achievements in the fight against corruption is undeterred and sacrosanct.

Signed.
Abdurrahman Balogun
S.A. Media to Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa
SSA to the President on Foreign And Diaspora.

RE: WHAT'S THE WORTH OF A NIGERIAN MIGRANTS LIFE

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa Consoles Victims Of Hurricane Harvey

PRESS STATEMENT

FG consoles with victims of US Hurricane Harvey

Abuja, Aug. 29, 2017: Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora has commiserated with victims of the recent Hurricane Harvey in Houston, USA, especially Nigerians living there.

In a statement by her Media aide, Abdurrahman Balogun, she expressed concern about the damage done to the homes of those living in that area thus rending thousands homeless.

With over four million estimated Nigerians living in the US, statistics show that Houston hosts one of the highest community of Nigerians in that country.

It must be noted that at the very least 80 per cent of Nigerians resident in places like Galveston, Cypress, Houston and the Bayou area have had their properties and personal belongings damaged.

There was a case of a rescued Nigerian from Akwa Ibom state on Monday by speed boat having lost his car, home and personal belongings

"This is to send my heartfelt concern to Nigerians living in Houston, and indeed all residents affected by Hurricane Harvey. It is really sad and disturbing".

Dabiri-Erewa, however, called on Non- Governmental Organisations, corporate bodies as well as well-endowed individuals to join in raising funds for victims of hurricane Harvey in Houston.

"We should always be our brothers keepers and lend a helping hand as we are now one big global family", Dabiri-Erewa pleaded.

She commended the efforts of the US government in giving succour to the victims of the Hurricane Harvey in Houston and pray unto God to protect those living there.

Signed.

Abdurrahman Balogun



S.A. Media to Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa Calls For Calm In India

PRESS STATEMENT

ABIKE DABIRI-EREWA CALLS FOR CALM IN INDIA ATTACKS

Following multiple distress calls by Nigerian students in India on concerns on their safety as a result of renewed attacks on them, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora has urged Nigerians in India to remain calm, be watchful of their surroundings.

Dabiri-Erewa said in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday that the renewed Tuesday attacks on Nigerian students' in India was uncalled for. While condemning the mob action as unwarranted and deplorable, the SSA noted that the Indian authorities currently have five suspects in custody.

Dabiri-Erewa noted that though the situation was calm at the moment, the Indian government has a responsibility to protect Nigerian students in India going about their normal duties. She urged the Indian government to ensure that any alleged suspect should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

She said the Chargé d'affaires in India, Amb. Mrs Queen Worlu has promptly visited the scene of the incident and also visited the three patients in hospital. According to available reports, two of the victims are two brothers, Precious and Endurance Amalawa and Chukwuma Igboamalu. Other reports have it that nine Nigerians were attacked, all students of Noida International University in India.

"I have also spoken with Mr Charles Kennedy, President of the Students' association in Greater Noida where the attacks occurred. He said though a Kenyan girl who was working alone in the early hours of today was attacked, more police patrol vehicles have been deployed to all areas.” He confirmed that the situation is calm and is pleased with the prompt actions of the Nigerian Chargé d'affaires in India and the Indian government so far.

She noted the steps taken so far by India government which includes patrol of the area and immediate arrest of suspected culprits with more arrests likely. Dabiri-Erewa, however, prayed for the quick recovery of the three in the hospital in India.



Signed.


Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora.

VIDEO: Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa's interview on BBC's Focus on Africa TV.

(Wednesday 22nd February, 2017)

The Senior Special Adviser to the president, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa's interview on BBC's Focus on Africa TV. She addressed matters arising concerning Nigerians in diaspora.

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Abike Dabiri-Erewa calls on AU to call SA to order on xenophobic attacks

PRESS STATEMENT

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora has called on the South African government to take decisive and definitive measures to protect Nigerian citizens and other Africans within South African borders.

She equally called on the African Union to intervene urgently in the renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the attacks as an unnecessary setback.

The Nigerian Community in South Africa led by Mr Ikechukwu Anyene confirmed the attacks and looting of Nigerian-owned businesses in Pretoria West on Saturday.

Anyene said that the union had reported the incident to the Nigeria mission and South African police.

“As we speak, five buildings with Nigerian businesses, including a church have been looted and burned by South Africans", Anyene said.

The SSA, however,urged restraint on the part of Nigerians and warned that further attacks without any reprimand may have dire consequences.

Dabiri-Erewa said the attention of the AU was being called to intervene because information had it that there will be another xenophobic attacks against foreigners on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23.

“These attacks should not be allowed to continue because it is a big setback,” she said.

It will be recalled that Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa had two weeks ago met with South African High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr Lulu Aaron-Mnguni on the killing of Nigerians in South Africa.

Mr Aaron-Mnguni then promised that the South African government was investigating the matter.

``We have lost about 116 Nigerians in the last two years. And in 2016 alone, about 20 were killed’’, this is unacceptable to the people and Government of Nigeria, Dabiri-Erewa said.

Signed

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa

SSA to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora

Statement On Recovered Stolen Nigerian Assets

                                                     

                                                       PRESS STATEMENT
LEND YOUR VOICE TO UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF RECOVERED STOLEN ASSETS, DABIRI-EREWA, SAGAY APPEALS TO NIGERIANS
Nigerians both home and abroad have been called upon to join the crusade for the unconditional and immediate release of recovered stolen assets of Nigeria stashed abroad.
This was the call made by the duo of Prof. Itse Sagay, Chairman Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) and Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora at a joint press conference in Abuja.

``This is the time for Nigerians in the Diaspora and every friend of Nigeria to get involved in the advocacy to recover stolen assets, not just in words, but in deed. We need no apologies from recipients of stolen assets. Our demand is the unconditional return of our stolen national patrimony’’, Sagay said.
Sagay assured the western world that Nigeria as a nation has put in place transparent and credible mechanisms to ensure that returned assets are used for the welfare of the people and the victims of the crime of corruption.
He said the timing could not be more appropriate than now as the nation struggles with recession, reduced income from petroleum products, restiveness in South East and South-South and remnants of insurgency in North East with millions of internally displaced persons representing the victims of corruption. ``Any return will go a long way in helping Nigeria resolve the mirage of challenges it is confronted with’’, ``Funds returned for instance can be used to construct roads; build schools, improve education; stimulate the economy, build industries to create jobs; provide quality and affordable health-care; guarantee security of lives and property through proper funding of security agencies’’, he added.

Using the World Bank estimates, Sagay said that one-third of funds allegedly stolen between 2006 and 2013 could have been used to provide 635.18 kilometers of roads; build 36 ultra-modern hospitals across the country; build 183 schools; educate 3,974 children from primary to tertiary level at 25.24 million per child; build 20,062 units of 2-bedroom houses, among many others.
``Between 1960 and 1999 when the country returned to democratic rule for instance, over $400 billion was stolen by corrupt public officers and laundered outside the country while recent revelations showed that between 2006 and 2013, 55 persons allegedly stole or diverted over N1.34tr from public coffers’’, he revealed.
Sagay said a large part of the stolen funds are stashed away in countries like Switzerland, the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, among others.
Despite the efforts and achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari in fighting corruption and recovered all the stolen money, some countries have refused to implement the asset return component of United Nations Conventions Against Corruption (UNCAC).
“Nigeria presently stands to lose another 550 million dollars recovered from the Abacha’s family to the U.S. contrary to the earlier promise by the U.S. to return same to Nigeria,” he said.
Sagay said the amount represented a separate tranche from the earlier 480 million dollars forfeited to the U.S. following a court judgment in August 2014.
Speaking in the same vein, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa decried the uncooperative attitude of the countries where the stolen funds were being stashed.
“America has over 400million dollars that have been officially recovered as stolen funds from Nigeria.
“But America is keeping the funds, they are telling us about technicalities, they are saying we recovered doesn’t mean we can return.
“We want every Nigerian in Diaspora, friends of Nigeria, to join this committee in demanding that every Nigeria’s stolen fund recovered in any part of the world should be returned to Nigeria,” She said.
According to her, the person who steals is just as guilty as the person who keeps stolen funds.
The trio of the chairman of ICPC, Barr. Ekpo Nta, DG National Orientation Agency, Dr Garba Abari and the Executive secretary of PACAC. Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye also decried the stringent conditions for repatriation being given by the western countries.
``We will join the committee to embark on an advocacy with Nigerians abroad to appeal to these nations to do everything possible to return what belongs to Nigeria,” they said. 

Abdur-Rahman Balogun


S.A. Media to Hon. Abike Dabiri

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI HAILS DORGU'S APPOINTMENT

 PRESS STATEMENT

Buhari hails the appointment of  Dorgu as the 13th Bishop of Woolwich

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the appointment of a Nigerian, Mr Woyin Karowei Dorgu as the 13th Bishop of Woolwich, by the church of England as gladdening and reassuring.

This is contained in a congratulatory message sent on his behalf by the Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa to the new Bishop.

The letter reads: "Your appointment is gladdening and reassuring being the first black man to be so appointed in 20 years.

"This is an attestation to the fact that Nigerians in the diaspora are excelling in their various fields of human endeavours, thus projecting a good image for the country abroad." President Buhari said in the letter.

The President hoped and prayed that Dorgu's appointment as a Bishop will serve as a catalyst for others in the region as well as enhance Nigeria's spiritual rejuvenation.

"You have worked really hard and earned the respect of the Church of England to be so appointed. With you on this, we are sure you will continue to contribute your quota to the success of the Church.", he added.

The SSA expressed the willingness of President Muhammadu Buhari to receive Dorgu in Nigeria and rejoice with his unique feat which has made Nigeria proud of him.

Mr. Dorgu will be consecrated at Southwark Cathedral on March 17, 2017.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Dorgu was trained as a medical doctor in Lagos before being ordained in the UK. He has since served as a minister in various London parishes.

Dorgu said he hopes to embrace the diversity of Woolwich, which hosts a significant Nigerian expatriate community, and to encourage more ethnic minorities to participate in the ministry, which is predominantly white.

Out of the 15 percent of the general population engaged in the process of becoming ordained, ethnic minorities of blacks represented only 1.9 percent.

It is believed that quite a lot of Nigerian Christians [in the Woolwich area] are from an Anglican background.

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora.

PRESS STATEMENT ON SINGAPORE DEATH SENTENCE

EXECUTION OF A NIGERIAN IN SINGAPORE, HEARTBREAKING--- ABIKE DABIRI-EREWA

ABUJA: NOV. 17, 2016: The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has described the sentencing to death of a Nigerian in Singapore on Friday for drug related offences as heartbreaking despite repeated calls for Nigerians to desist from criminal activities like drug peddling.

In a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun in Abuja said that  since Singapore is determined to enforce its laws as a deterrent to drug trafficking, which has reduced as a result of its stringent capital punishment , nothing much can be done except to continue to appeal"

"While we regret the death sentence passed on the Nigerian, we once again appeal to Nigerians to avoid crimes like drug trafficking with most countries especially in Asia declaring zero tolerance for drug trafficking.", Dabiri-Erewa stated.

She reiterated her appeal to Nigerians to avoid drug peddling in their host countries as laws of countries, whether acceptable or not, will be difficult to influence.

 A Nigerian, Chijoke Obioha was caught in Singapore trafficking in hard drugs on April 9, 2007, with his execution slated for Friday Nov. 18.

Obioha was arrested with more than 2.6 kilograms of cannabis, surpassing the statutory amount of 500 grams presumed as drug trafficking in Singapore.

The Amnesty International had called on Singapore to immediately halt Friday’s planned execution of Chijoke Stephen Obioha, a Nigerian national on death row for possession of drugs.

 Obioha’s family was informed that his appeal for clemency has been rejected.

 Rafendi Djamin, Amnesty International’s Director for South-East Asia and the Pacific, said: “The Singapore government still has time to halt the execution of Chijoke Stephen Obioha. We are dismayed that clemency has not been granted in his case, but remain hopeful that they won’t carry out this cruel and irreversible punishment against a person sentenced to the mandatory death penalty for a crime that should not even be punished by death. “

"The death penalty is never the solution. It will not rid Singapore of drugs. By executing people for drug-related offences, which do not meet the threshold of most serious crimes, Singapore is violating international law.

Under Singaporean law, when there is a presumption of drug possession and trafficking, the burden of proof shifts from the prosecutor to the defendant.

 This violates the right to a fair trial by turning the presumption of innocence on its head. Drug-related offences do not meet the threshold of the “most serious crimes” to which the use of the death penalty must be restricted under international law.

International law also prohibits the imposition of the death penalty as a mandatory punishment and Amnesty International opposes the use of the death penalty outright, regardless of the crime

Signed.

Abdur-Rahman Balogun

S.A. Media to Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa

Abike Dabiri-Erewa warns on hostile study environments

The Nigerian Turkish Nile University (NTNU) says it is ready to offer admission with 50 per cent discount tuition fees to any Nigerian student affected by the crisis in Turkey.

Behlul Fatih-Basaran, the Director of Nigerian Turkish International Colleges (NTIC) Foundation said this when a delegation from the university visited Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Fatih-Basaran, who said that the NTIC was ready to help any student who was ready to study at the university, noted that NTNU had already absorbed 29 students that returned from Turkey.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalled that some Nigerian students at various universities in Turkey suffered persecutions ranging from arrest to deportation over alleged link with the country’s failed coup.

The director explained that out of 54 students on different foundations scholarship in Turkey, 29 had returned to the country and were absorbed by NTNU on full scholarship.

He stressed that the remaining 25 would also enjoy scholarship with a monthly token.

He said “the 25 students offered scholarship in Turkey will still enjoy their full scholarship by the NTIC Foundation.”

“Other than that, there are other Nigerian students who are going through hardships because of the development in Turkey.



“Some of them have been moved to other universities where they face various hardships ranging from faculty difficulties and language barrier, among others.

“The students were simply forced to go back to their country; some of them were even deported and now the Nile University under the umbrella of NTIC Foundation decided to help these students.

“If they decide to accept to study at NTNU, they will have 50 per cent of their tuition fee cut.”

Mr. Fatih-Basaran was accompanied by NTNU’s Vice Chancellor, Huseyin Sert and Yaqub Alhassan, a parent to one of the Nigerian students in Turkey.

Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa in her remarks commended the Foundation for the gesture and pledged to monitor the offer in conjunction with the Ministry of Education.

The senior special adviser said that the present administration had good policies for Nigerians both in the Diaspora and at home, especially on education.

She, therefore, appealed to parents to be wary of sending their children to volatile countries to study.



(NAN)

BREAKING! HOW SGF LAWAL BABACHIR IS AIDING STARVATION AMONG IDPS – GROUP CRIES OUT

WHY THE STAGNATION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMITEE ON NORTHEAST INITIATIVE BY THE OFFICE OF THE SGF;
Women and Children are dying in Large numbers at the IDP Camps. On August 24 2016, areport by doctors without borders of catastrophic humanitarian emergency currently unfolding in camps for internally displaced people in Borno State, Nigeria, where 24,000 people, including 15,000 children (among them 4,500 under five years of age) are sheltered in a camp located on a hospital compound.

According to the report, the children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition – the deadliest form of malnutrition. Earlier, in response to the catastrophy unleashed in the Northeast of Nigeria by Boko Haram, and as way of rebuilding and rehabiliyating the region,President Muhammadu Buhari set up Presidential Committee on Northeast Initiative (PCNI) as the apex body of the existing Presidential Initiative on North East (PINE) and the Safe School Initiative (SSI) plus the Victim Support Fund (VSF).

It is to carry out rehabilitation, rebuilding and restructuring places destroyed by terrorists. The rebuilding of the Northeast is an enormost work and requires considerable planning and coordination.

Therefore the Committee is to among other things, oversight and harmonise the functions of the various entities engaged in the Northeast and to fasttrack the work.The PCNI is said to have a huge plan that includes immediate, medium and long term plans to assisting the IDPs.

But so far the PCNI has remained uncommissioned because the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF has refused to act on the file that will galvanise the Commitee.

BCO is worried that the unfortunate and worrosome condition ofIDPs could have been avoided if only the SGF release the file of the Presidential Committee on Northeast Initiative (PCNI) to give them the mandate to get to work immidiately.

Therefore, we are calling on Lawal Babachil; the Secretary to the Government of Federation to please see the need to free us from this unnecessary administrative bottleneck and stop stalling the take off of PCNI because we can’t play politics with lives.


And most of all


WE CAN’T ALLOW IDPs’ FAITH IN OUR COUNTRY TO FADE!

Nigeria is the only country they have and morality demands our collective responsibility for urgent and solid solution without playing dangerous politics with children’s lives.


Thank you and

Long live Nigeria!

Miriam Yakubu Ikunaiye


Convener,


BeTheChange Organization, aka


Buharian Culture Organization


08099838756

PRESS STATEMENT ON VIDEO CIRCULATING ABOUT NIGERIAN HIGH COMMISSION, OTTAWA, CANADA

PRESS STATEMENT

Abuja, Aug. 26, 2016.

The attention of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has been drawn to an old CBC video circulating on social media creating an impression that Nigerians in Canada go through hell in securing a new Nigerian Passport. This is not true.

The video in circulation was broadcast on CBC in 2013 and the High Commissioner  to Canada at the time, the late Amb.  Ojo Maduekwe diligently dealt with the issue then to strengthen the structure of the Passport Section of the Nigeria High Commission, in Ottawa, making it possible to  obtain passports in less than a day in Ottawa.

The lady who was at the helm of affairs in Immigration section at the time was asked to leave Ottawa. Not only that,  the late Ojo Maduekwe granted interviews to put into perspective what happened and promised Nigerians then that it would never happen again. And it never did.

It must be pointed out here that up till today, applicants can obtain their passports in two hours at the  Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa. This is verifiable from Nigerians in Canada.

It is really uncharitable and worrisome that the video in question was posted on a day late Ambassador Maduekwe was being buried and honoured as a worthy leader  and statesman.  I appeal to all Nigerians to disregard the video.


While noting and admitting that some of our embassies must step up their attitude in dealing with issues relating to Nigerians in their host countries, President Buhari’s administration is determined to ensure that the rights and welfare of Nigerians whether at home or in the Diaspora remain a major priority of this administration.



Signed
Abdurrahman Balogun
S.A. Media to Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

THE NIGERIA DIASPORA DAY SHAME

         The 2016 Diaspora Day Conference came and went by in a matter that can be described as "Jiffy'' with most Diasporans still asking questions on when this years conference will be holding, unaware that the conference has been concluded. I spoke with people who attended the 2015 Diaspora Day Conference, they also agreed that this years' conference cannot be compared to the shadow of last years event.
          Below is a letter to the President, Muhammadu Buhari from Kemi Muritala a concerned Nigerian who witnessed the shoddy way in which the 2016 Diaspora Day Conference was put together.
More photos after the Jump.


"Sir: The 2016 Nigeria Diaspora Day has come and gone but its impacts, though negatively, will continue to haunt the organizers of this badly and hurriedly organised flopped conference. From when the committee was hurriedly set up late June barely a month to July 24 - 26 date under the chairmanship of Ambassador Olukunle Bamgbose, Permanent secretary (political affairs), office of the Federation, it had been programmed to fail.
   It is painful as it is shameful that the only programme for Nigerians in the diaspora who had contributed a lot to national development including remittances over $21 billion to the country was shabbily planned and poorly executed. It was more disastrous that most stakeholders were fenced out of the Diaspora Day Conference unlike the successful 2015 Diaspora Day Conference where all the stake holders took active part.
    One of the greatest flaws in this year's Diaspora Day Conference was that the portal for registration was not opened until about a week to the conference day and it was not even functional for people to register for the conference. Secondly, the invitation card for the conference was not made available until four days to the conference. Thirdly, apart from the press conference , no proper awareness was given to 2016 Diaspora Day, thus shutting out many genuine Diasporans from participating.
     The aftermath was the recruitment of most Abuja based so-called Diasporans who were accredited to attend the event in one of the small halls at the International Conference Center unlike the 2015 conference held at the Aso Villa Banquet Confetence Hall filled to capacity with genuine Diasporans.
       Even though the conference was planned for 500 delegates, less than 200 people delegates that attended actually live in Nigeria with the police and other secretariat staff filled the empty seats in the hall. Besides, most stakeholders like the chairpersons of the Diaspora Committee of both the House of Representatives and that of the senate were conspicuously absent as well as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora. It was indeed a shame.
       Unlike 2015, when the Vice President Yemi Osibanjo represented the President, none of them was at the 2016 Diaspora conference which had as its theme: " Harnessing the potentials of the Diaspora for National Development". Whither the potentials to be harnessed when genuine stakeholders were shut out of the conference?
        It is desirable that the organization of subsequent Diaspora conferences should be handled by the real Diasporans themselves and not the Nigerian National Volunteer Service. It will be of interest to members of the public to know how much of taxpayers' money was wasted in this badly Organised conference.
        I hereby call on President Muhammadu Buhari to institute a panel to probe the activities of the 2016 Diaspora Day Conference so as to safeguard the country from the misfortune of a repeat in 2017"

SSA to the President, Abike Dabiri-Erewa condemns stabbing to death of Nigerian teenager in London

FOLA OREBIYI

 Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora has condemned the gruesome stabbing to death of another Nigerian teenager in London.


In a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun in Abuja, Dabiri-Erewa said the killing of 17-year old Fola Orebiyi, was unacceptable to the government and people of Nigeria.

Dabiri-Erewa said the killing of Orebiyi and other extra judicial killing of Nigeria citizens in UK was becoming worrisome.

She called for full investigation of the incident and urged the UK government to make sure that justice prevails.

While condoling the family of the deceased boy on the ugly incident, she prayed unto God to give the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the painful loss.

She said that while Nigeria will not condone crime and criminal tendencies, it takes exception to the harassment, killing and execution of her nationals abroad unjustifiably.

Dabiri-Erewa urged Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari administration in making Nigeria a better place, urging them to support the administrations' war against corruption.

A Nigerian student, Fola Orebiyi, was reportedly stabbed to death in a street clash on Sunday July 3, in Notting Hill, London, by a gang of youths.

He was reportedly involved in a fight on a nearby estate with a gang of youths, who chased him into the busy road where he was stabbed in the neck in front of shocked passersby and tourists.

Following the stabbing, he collapsed and bled to death and all efforts by the Police and paramedics to resuscitate him, proved abortive.

The deceased’s neighbour, Osman Sahal, told the police: “He was a nice boy and very considerate; none of us can understand how this could have happened.

“As far as I knew, he was never in trouble. I suppose we must now wait for the police to investigate.”

Orebiyi, who completed his General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) at Holland Park in London, was studying for his A levels at the Chelsea Academy before his death.

After the incident, a yet-to-be identified 15-year-old boy was arrested by the London police in connection with the death.

An anonymous teenager was quoted to have told the police: “I know what happened; he was protecting a friend over a silly beef which turned violent.”

“She said: “It was traumatising. It took half an hour for the ambulance to arrive even though there are hospitals all around. I spoke to the person who called the police and he said it took them so long to get here.

Theo Danjuma has been named among The World's Top 100 Art Collectors for 2016 by The artnet News Index.

Clockwise from top left: Theo Danjuma, Nita Ambani, Leonardo di Caprio, Maja Hoffman, Alan Lau, Elisabeth Karpidas

The son of mega-wealthy Nigerian general, Theo Danjuma got hooked on collecting art after purchasing a Julie Mehretu work on paper 2008. That single act led to other notable purchases by the London-based collector: among them works by Jordan Wolfson, Cory Arcangel, Jason Rhoades, Chris Ofili, Danh Vō, Pieter Hugo, Matias Faldbakken, and Zimbabwean artist Kudzanai Chiurai. According to the website of the eponymously named Danjuma Collection, the trove strives after "a firm focus on established conceptual artists" of the collector's own generation, but "also supports emerging artists from 'upcoming' geographies, particularly Africa," reflecting Danjuma's family ties to the Africa.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, SSA to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora during a visit to Gov. Willie M. Obiano of Anambra State.

Gov. Willie M Obiano with Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa

The SSA to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Anambra State, Gov. Willie M. Obiano; The Governor in line with the Presidents vision of zero to minimal Brent dependence stated that tourism & culture is as bright as the future gets. Sighting a cave with "natural spring water fall" located in Owerre Ezukala community as an example, he expressed his intention to extensively explore the Potential benefits of the tourist destination by making it a source of wealth and job creation for the state and host community. Hon. Abike commended the Governors' efforts on promoting culture and tourism, she also praised him for being the Governor of the first and only state in Nigeria with a full ministry dedicated to diaspora, culture and tourism. The Governor charged the commissioner for Diaspora, tourism and culture: Mrs Stella Onuora and his S.A on diaspora: Mr Cyril Agwupugo to give the SSA to the President on diaspora and foreign affairs their full support.

From L to R: Mrs Stella Onuora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Mr. Cyril Agwupugo.

HON. ABIKE DABIRI-EREWA - POLICY TO GUIDE DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT UNDERWAY...

The SSA to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, says Nigeria is working on a policy guideline to regulate all engagements with the Diaspora.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa stated this on Thursday when Dr. Senayon Olaoluwa, the Head, Diaspora and Transnational Studies Programme, Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, paid her a courtesy visit in Abuja.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa explained that the policy, when in place, would allow Nigerians in the Diaspora to make inputs in policies and programmes of the government.
Dabiri-Erewa stated that nothing much could be achieved without a workable policy framework to engage Nigerians in the Diaspora.
According to her, the Nigerians in the Diaspora are of high importance to the growth and development of the country.
She said: “Diaspora is the future and it will dictate a lot of things in the 21st century.
“We will work with the intellectuals to ensure a better framework.
“We can’t be talking about a framework without a policy.
“So we are at a stage of formulating a Diaspora policy.
“We are working on a Diaspora policy.
“We are going to partner with you in the academics as we work on this policy framework to engage all Nigerians in Diaspora.”
According to her, it is important that the Diasporas are part of the engagement, policies and programmes of government despite their absence from home, Nigeria.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa said President Mohammadu Buhari was determined to create an enabling environment both for Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to put hands together to make Nigeria a great country.
She, therefore, called on all Nigerians in the Diaspora to key into the President’s desire to engage them to be able to reposition the country.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa also said the Federal Government was prepared to partner with the proposed University of Ibadan Diaspora Resource and Study Centre.
Earlier, Dr. Olaoluwa said the institute was the first on the continent.
He added that efforts were ongoing to establish a world class Diaspora resource and study centre.
While stressing on the importance of Diaspora, Dr. Olaoluwa said history had shown that economic world powers derived their wealth from their Diasporas.
He said there was the need to put in place modalities that would enhance the repatriation of resources of the Diaspora for the development of the nation
According to him, it is high time countries begin to look at a relationship between home country like Nigeria and what the nation can get out of the relationship.
“And it is a kind of mutual developmental agenda through which we think what has been lost that can be brought back because the Diaspora is basically and fundamentally not being at home.”

EYE FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH HON ABIKE DABIRI-EREWA FOR FREE EYE SURGERY AND CHECK-UP.

The Eye Foundation Group recently partnered with the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to provide free eye screening to as many who are interested and free eye surgery for up to 1,000 people within the Ikorodu axis and its environs in Lagos State.
The programme, which kicked off on May 30, would run for one month.
The first day had over 230 people from different Local Government Areas within Lagos State screened and 20 beneficiaries already scheduled for eye surgery.
Special thanks, according to a statement by the organisers on Wednesday, must be given to The Anyangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotunbi, who has been tremendously supportive of the programme.
HRM Oba Shotunbi was said to have been present for his eye screening to kick off the initiative.

The exercise is open to all and the schedule/venue for the eye screening is shown below:

Oba Anyangburen palace - 30th May to 2nd June

Mowo kekere Health Centre - 6th to 11th June

Oba Ranodu Palace, Imota - 12th to 15th June

Igbalu Health Centre - 16th to 20th June

Mowo Kekere Health Centre - 20th to 29th June

HON. ABIKE DABIRI-EREWA ''DID NOT WRITE....''

Over the weekend a libelous and grossly misleading ''story'' was published via social media. The publication was titled: ''Abike Dabiri writes...'' Why anyone would tag or attribute the contents of a full-page article to the SSA to President Muhammadu Buhari still remains a mystery.

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has publicly stated that she did not contribute in anyway to the content of the article. Members of the public are advised to be vigilant of the pernicious influences of non professionals in the mass media.


View the disclaimer below:



''DISCLAIMER ON POWER SECTOR ARTICLE

It has come to my attention that an article on the power sector is being circulated as one written by me. I would like to state categorically that I have not written any article on the power sector and certainly did not write the below article. Regardless of the contents of the article, whether positive or negative, it is grossly deceitful, dubious and indeed fraudulent to attempt to attribute what was not written by myself to my name. If at all this article was written by an ‘Abike Dabiri’ it certainly is not myself: Abike Dabiri-Erewa. While I do not know in particular which social media platform started the post, the public should be warned of impostors.

Thank you.


HON. ABIKE DABIRI-EREWA SSA to the President, Foreign Affairs and Diaspora''

President Muhammadu Buhari’s Democracy Day Speech

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI

My compatriots,

It is one year today since our administration came into office. It has been a year of triumph, consolidation, pains and achievements. By age, instinct and experience, my preference is to look forward, to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead and rededicate the administration to the task of fixing Nigeria. But I believe we can also learn from the obstacles we have overcome and the progress we made thus far, to help strengthen the plans that we have in place to put Nigeria back on the path of progress.

We affirm our belief in democracy as the form of government that best assures the active participation and actual benefit of the people. Despite the many years of hardship and disappointment the people of this nation have proved inherently good, industrious tolerant, patient and generous.

The past years have witnessed huge flows of oil revenues. From 2010 average oil prices were $100 per barrel. But economic and security conditions were deteriorating. We campaigned and won the election on the platform of restoring security, tackling corruption and restructuring the economy. On our arrival, the oil price had collapsed to as low as $30 per barrel and we found nothing had been kept for the rainy day. Oil prices have been declining since 2014 but due to the neglect of the past, the country was not equipped to halt the economy from declining.

The infrastructure, notably rail, power, roads were in a decrepit state. All the four refineries were in a state of disrepair, the pipelines and depots neglected.

Huge debts owed to contractors and suppliers had accumulated. Twenty-seven states could not pay salaries for months. In the north-east, Boko Haram had captured 14 local governments, driven the local authorities out, hoisted their flags. Elsewhere, insecurity was palpable; corruption and impunity were the order of the day. In short, we inherited a state near collapse.

On the economic front, all oil dependent countries, Nigeria included, have been struggling since the drop in prices. Many oil rich states have had to take tough decisions similar to what we are doing. The world, Nigeria included has been dealing with the effects of three significant and simultaneous global shocks starting in 2014:

A 70% drop in oil prices.
Global growth slowdown.
Normalization of monetary policy by the United States federal reserve.
Our problems as a government are like that of a farmer who in a good season harvests ten bags of produce. The proceeds enable him to get by for rest of the year. However, this year he could only manage 3 bags from his farm. He must now think of other ways to make ends meet.

From day one, we purposely set out to correct our condition, to change Nigeria. We reinforced and galvanized our armed forces with new leadership and resources. We marshaled our neighbours in a joint task force to tackle and defeat Boko Haram. By the end of December 2015, all but pockets and remnants had been routed by our gallant armed forces. Our immediate focus is for a gradual and safe return of internally displaced persons in safety and dignity and for the resumption of normalcy in the lives of people living in these areas.

EFCC was given the freedom to pursue corrupt officials and the judiciary was alerted on what Nigerians expect of them in the fight against corruption. On the economy, in particular foreign exchange and fuel shortages, our plan is to save foreign exchange by fast tracking repair of the refineries and producing most of our fuel requirements at home. And by growing more food in Nigeria, mainly rice, wheat and sugar we will save billions of dollars in foreign exchange and drastically reduce our food import bill.

We resolved to keep the Naira steady, as in the past, devaluation had done dreadful harm to the Nigerian economy. Furthermore, I supported the monetary authority’s decision to ensure alignment between monetary policy and fiscal policy. We shall keep a close look on how the recent measures affect the Naira and the economy. But we cannot get away from the fact that a strong currency is predicated on a strong economy. And a strong economy pre-supposes an industrial productive base and a steady export market. The measures we must take, may lead to hardships. The problems Nigerians have faced over the last year have been many and varied. But the real challenge for this government has been reconstructing the spine of the Nigerian state. The last twelve months have been spent collaborating with all arms of government to revive our institutions so that they are more efficient and fit for purpose:

That means a bureaucracy better able to develop and deliver policy
That means an independent judiciary, above suspicion and able to defend citizen’s rights and dispense justice equitably.
That means a legislature that actually legislates effectively and
Above all; that means political parties and politicians committed to serving the Nigerian people rather than themselves.
These are the pillars of the state on which democracy can take root and thrive. But only if they are strong and incorruptible. Accordingly, we are working very hard to introduce some vital structural reforms in the way we conduct government business and lay a solid foundation on which we can build enduring change.

An important first step has been to get our housekeeping right. So we have reduced the extravagant spending of the past. We started boldly with the treasury single account, stopping the leakages in public expenditure.

We then identified forty-three thousand ghost workers through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information system. That represents pay packets totalling N4.2 billion stolen every month. In addition, we will save Twenty-Three Billion Naira per annum from official travelling and sitting allowances alone.

Furthermore, the efficiency unit will cut costs and eliminate duplications in ministries and departments. Every little saving helps. The reduction in the number of ministries and work on restructuring and rationalization of the MDAs is well underway. When this work is complete we will have a leaner, more efficient public service that is fit for the purpose of changing nigeria for the good and for good.

As well as making savings, we have changed the way public money is spent. In all my years as a public servant, I have never come across the practice of padding budgets. I am glad to tell you now we not only have a budget, but more importantly, we have a budget process that is more transparent, more inclusive and more closely tied to our development priorities than in the recent past. 30% of the expenditure in this budget is devoted to capital items. Furthermore, we are projecting non-oil revenues to surpass proceeds from oil. Some critics have described the budget exercise as clumsy. Perhaps. But it was an example of consensus building, which is integral to democratic government. In the end we resolved our differences.

We have, therefore, delivered significant milestones on security, corruption and the economy. In respect of the economy, I would like to directly address you on the very painful but inevitable decisions we had to make in the last few weeks specifically on the pump price of fuel and the more flexible exchange rate policy announced by the central bank. It is even more painful for me that a major producer of crude oil with four refineries that once exported refined products is today having to import all of its domestic needs. This is what corruption and mismanagement has done to us and that is why we must fight these ills.

As part of the foundation of the new economy we have had to reform how fuel prices had traditionally been fixed. This step was taken only after protracted consideration of its pros and cons. After comprehensive investigation my advisers and I concluded that the mechanism was unsustainable.

We are also engaged in making recoveries of stolen assets some of which are in different jurisdictions. The processes of recovery can be tedious and time consuming, but today I can confirm that thus far: significant amount of assets have been recovered. A considerable portion of these are at different stages of recovery. Full details of the status and categories of the assets will now be published by the Ministry of Information and updated periodically. When forfeiture formalities are completed these monies will be credited to the treasury and be openly and transparently used in funding developmental projects and the public will be informed.

On the Niger Delta, we are committed to implementing the United Nations Environment Programme report and are advancing clean-up operations. I believe the way forward is to take a sustainable approach to address the issues that affect the delta communities. Re-engineering the amnesty programmes is an example of this. The recent spate of attacks by militants disrupting oil and power installations will not distract us from engaging leaders in the region in addressing Niger Delta problems. If the militants and vandals are testing our resolve, they are much mistaken. We shall apprehend the perpetrators and their sponsors and bring them to justice.

The policy measures and actions taken so far are not to be seen as some experiment in governance. We are fully aware that those vested interests who have held Nigeria back for so long will not give up without a fight. They will sow divisions, sponsor vile press criticisms at home and abroad, incite the public in an effort to create chaos rather than relinquish the vice-like grip they have held on Nigeria.

The economic misfortune we are experiencing in the shape of very low oil prices has provided us with an opportunity to restructure our economy and diversify. We are in the process of promoting agriculture, livestocks, exploiting our solid mineral resources and expanding our industrial and manufacturing base. That way, we will import less and make the social investments necessary to allow us to produce a large and skilled workforce.

Central Bank of Nigeria will offer more fiscal incentives for business that prove capable of manufacturing products that are internationally competitive. We remain committed to reforming the regulatory framework, for investors by improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the first steps along the path of self-sufficiency in rice, wheat and sugar – big users of our scarce foreign exchange – have been taken. The Labour Intensive Farming Enterprise will boost the economy and ensure inclusive growth in long neglected communities. Special intervention funds through the Bank of Agriculture will provide targeted support. Concerns remain about rising cost of foods such as maize, rice, millet, beans and gari. Farmers tell me that they are worried about the cost of fertilizers, pesticides and the absence of extension services. The federal and state governments are on the same page in tackling these hurdles in our efforts at increased food production and ultimately food security.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the increasing role that our women are playing in revitalizing the agricultural sector. Modern farming is still hard and heavy work and I salute our Nigerian women in sharing this burden. In this respect I am very pleased to announce that the government will shortly be launching the national women’s empowerment fund, which I have approved to provide N1.6 billion in micro-finance loans to women across the nation to assist in rehabilitating the economies of rural communities, particularly those impacted by the insurgency and conflict.

With respect to solid minerals, the minister has produced a roadmap where we will work closely with the world bank and major international investors to ensure through best practices and due diligence that we choose the right partners. Illegal mining remains a problem and we have set up a special security team to protect our assets. Special measures will be in place to protect miners in their work environment.

For too long, ours has been a society that neglects the poor and victimizes the weak. A society that promotes profit and growth over development and freedom. A society that fails to recognize that, to quote the distinguished economist Amartya Sen “ poverty is not just lack of money. It is not having the capability to realize one’s full potential as a human being.”

So, today, I am happy to formally launch, by far the most ambitious social protection programme in our history. A programme that both seeks to start the process of lifting many from poverty, while at the same time creating the opportunity for people to fend for themselves. In this regard, Five Hundred Billion Naira has been appropriated in the 2016 budget for social intervention programmes in five key areas. We are committed to providing job creation opportunities for five hundred thousand teachers and one hundred thousand artisans across the nation. 5.5 million children are to be provided with nutritious meals through our school feeding programme to improve learning outcomes, as well as enrolment and completion rates. The conditional cash transfer scheme will provide financial support for up to one million vulnerable beneficiaries, and complement the enterprise programme – which will target up to one million market women; four hundred and sixty thousand artisans; and two hundred thousand agricultural workers, nationwide. Finally, through the education grant scheme, we will encourage students studying sciences, technology, engineering and maths, and lay a foundation for human capital development for the next generation

I would like to pay a special tribute to our gallant men and women of the armed forces who are in harm’s way so that the rest of us can live and go about our business in safety. Their work is almost done. The nation owes them a debt of gratitude.

Abroad, we want to assure our neighbours, friends and development partners that Nigeria is firmly committed to democratic principles. We are ready partners in combating terrorism, cyber crimes, control of communicable diseases and protection of the environment. Following on the Paris Agreement, COP 21, we are fully committed to halting and reversing desertification. Elsewhere, we will intensify efforts to tackle erosion, ocean surge, flooding and oil spillage which I referred to earlier by implementing the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report.

We are grateful to the international community notably France, the US, UK and China for their quick response in helping to tackle the recent Ebola outbreak in our sub-region. We also acknowledge the humanity shown by the Italian and German governments in the treatment of boat people, many fleeing from our sub-region because of lack of economic opportunity. We thank all our partners especially several countries in the EU.

We appreciate the valuable work that the UN agencies, particularly UNICEF, ICRC, the World Food Program have been doing. We must also appreciate the World Bank, the Gates Foundation, the Global Fund and Educate A Child of Qatar for the excellent work in our health, education and other sectors.

Fellow citizens let me end on a happy note. To the delight of all, two of the abducted Chibok girls have regained their freedom. During the last one year, not a single day passed without my agonizing about these girls. Our efforts have centred around negotiations to free them safely from their mindless captors. We are still pursuing that course. Their safety is of paramount concern to me and I am sure to most Nigerians. I am very worried about the conditions those still captured might be in. Today I re-affirm our commitment to rescuing our girls. We will never stop until we bring them home safely. As I said before, no girl should be put through the brutality of forced marriage and every Nigerian girl has the right to an education and a life choice.

I thank you and appeal to you to continue supporting the government’s efforts to fix Nigeria.