South Africa News
I’m alive by God’s grace – President Muhammadu Buhari
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Friday in Daura, said being the chief executive of a diverse country such as Nigeria must have been by the grace of God. He also said only God preserved his life through the 30 gory months of the Nigerian Civil War fought from late 1967 to early 1970.
“For the President of Nigeria, at this time, to come from Daura is the grace and mercy of God,” Buhari said when he visited the Emir of Daura, Faruk Faruk, after inaugurating two roads earlier.
This is according to a statement titled, ‘God has been kind to me; I survived many battles – President Buhari.
Buhari whose tenure ends May 29, 2023, said, “This opportunity to serve the nation comes from God. All over the world, Nigeria is known for its diversity, with different religions and cultures.
“We are also known because we have a huge population of millions of people. For the President of Nigeria, at this time, to come from Daura is the grace and mercy of God.”
Highlighting the years of battle during the Nigerian Civil War and some personal challenges, Buhari said he secured his first job early after school to manage a co-operative in Daura, but escaped to join the army amid mounting pressure for him to get married.
Again, he assured the emirate that he would return and settle in Daura, after handing over on May 29, 2023.
The President thanked the monarch for his various recognitions and titles given to his close aides and family members. I am grateful for all the support,” he stated.
Reminiscing a bomb attack on the President who was then the All Progressives Congress flagbearer in 2014, the Emir of Daura described Buhari’s survival as “a divine act,” which happened shortly before he won elections in 2015.
I told Governor Aminu Masari the story of how I left Daura to join the army. That was how God planned it. We make choices in life, but eventually, destiny is before God.
“I was at the war front during the Civil War and saw how many died. Some fell right beside me. God kept me.
“Many bridges were blown just before we arrived at some places, and after we crossed. I arrived at some places to see the bodies of my colleagues that we were fighting together. I am alive today only by God’s grace,” the President added.
He said “As a state, Katsina benefitted a lot from your position, Mr President, and the Daura community remains grateful for all. For a long time, we will be talking about the blessings of God in our domain.”
Faruk also lauded Governor Masari who, he said, did his best for the people within the resources available to the administration.
“Governor Masari is not a thief. The governor has done his best with available resources. He has showcased his record of service by inviting the President to witness progress in the state.
“The President has seen a lot in two days, but he has not seen all. We know the good works of the governor and really commend him,” Faruk noted.
Buhari’s visit to the Emir concludes his two-day state visit where he commissioned projects including the Musawa General Hospital, Government Day Secondary School, Musawa; Gora-Makauraci-Malamawa Road, Sandamu-Baure-Babban Mutum Road and the Gurjiya-Sandamu-Karkarku roads in Daura.
Source: punchng
In other news – President Muhammadu Buhari commends ICPC on tracking constituency, executive projects
President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC for its Constituency and Executive Project Tracking initiative, CEPTi.
According to a statement signed by the commission’s spokesperson, Mrs Azuka Ogugua, the President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha made the commendation in Abuja on Thursday during a high-level stakeholders conference. Learn more
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called for transparency, accountability and the elimination of unnecessary expenditures to cut down on the cost of governance in the country. Akpabio made the call on Monday at a one-day dialogue on the cost of governance in Nigeria organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, in Abuja.
Akpabio, who was represented by Sen. Agom Jarigbe (PDP-Rivers) highlighted the possible factors contributing to the high cost of governance in the country.He said the size of the country’s bureaucracy, the escalating public service wage bills, the overhead costs of appointed public officials, and the salaries and allowances of elected officials are major factors.
According to him, the running of government institutions among other substantial components contributed to weighing down the economy and hindering development efforts. Let us hold ourselves accountable and take responsibility for the betterment of our nation. We have to ensure that our government operates efficiently and effectively, serving the needs of the people and fostering sustainable development,” he said.
The president of the senate emphasized the need to streamline bureaucracy, eliminate unnecessary expenditures, and ensured transparency and accountability at all levels of governance. We must invest in our human capital, empowering our public officials with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive progress.
“And we must foster a culture of innovation and creativity, where new ideas can flourish and transform our nation,” he said.Akpabio urged all Nigerians to remain united, become agents of change and be committed to making sacrifices for the nation. He said that the 10th Assembly was ready to partner with all stakeholders to do everything within its constitutional powers to make Nigeria for all citizens.
Source: pmnewsnigeria
In other news – Bad leaders making the life of Nigerians miserable – Pastor Giwa
The senior pastor of Awaiting The Second Coming Of Christ Ministry, Adewale Giwa, on Sunday, lamented that the economic situation in Nigeria has gone from bad to worse under President Bola Tinubu.
The clergyman noted that bad leaders were intentionally making life miserable for Nigerians. Read more
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Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal. Manchester City and Arsenal handed Liverpool the advantage in the Premier League title race as they played out a bitterly disappointing goalless stalemate at Etihad Stadium.
Liverpool are now top of the table and two points clear of Arsenal after they came from behind to beat Brighton at Anfield, their delight increased by their two closest rivals cancelling each other out.
This was a game that made a nonsense of its billing as a potential classic, as Arsenal’s containing tactics snuffed out City while the Gunners had only limited chances of their own in a desperately poor affair.
Nathan Ake had an early close-range header saved by Arsenal keeper David Raya before going off injured while former City striker Gabriel Jesus posed an occasional threat, just failing to connect with Bukayo Saka’s cross inches from goal after the break.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be happier than City counterpart Pep Guardiola with this outcome – but the real winners were Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool.
Guardiola’s side were under greater pressure to win this match but their usual fluent passing game was rarely in evidence, stifled by the visitors’ organisation and infuriated by referee Anthony Taylor’s reluctance to punish the Gunners for a succession of infringements.
It led to a scrappy, disjointed game in which City were never allowed to gather their usual momentum and rhythm, with even the best efforts of master creators Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva unable to carve out meaningful opportunities for Erling Haaland, who was kept on the margins throughout.
The hosts held sway in possession for most of the second half but it was illustrative of the game that Raya barely had an anxious moment, his counterpart Stefan Ortega also idle for long periods.
Indeed, it is the first time City have failed to score at home in the Premier League since October 2021, a run of 47 games.
The reigning champions, as usual, will remain confident of retaining their title but Guardiola will be bitterly disappointed at his side’s failure to trouble Arsenal, with substitute Jack Grealish on the end of some lengthy post-match advice from his manager.
City are back here at Etihad Stadium to face in-form Aston Villa on Wednesday night knowing they cannot afford any more slip-ups in this tight Premier League title pursuit.
Arsenal arrived at Manchester City with a point to make and a chance to show their improvement at a ground where they have had a miserable record in the past.
The Gunners last won here in January 2015, drawing one and losing eight of their subsequent nine visits before this game.
Here, Arteta set his side out to be fiercely drilled and well-organised to frustrate, a strategy seemingly designed to earn the point they secured rather than risk more for victory.
It was a conservative approach but what it did demonstrate was that Arsenal do have more resilience and character than on previous occasions, when they have sometimes capitulated under City’s attacking assault.
Arteta’s side were composed but also willing to throw bodies on the line when danger threatened, not that they were ever in serious peril of conceding – a tribute to their display in itself.
They have kept clean sheets in both games against Manchester City this season, making them only the fourth team to shut out a Guardiola side twice in the same season.
Whether this is one point gained or two lost remains to be seen, but Arteta seemed satisfied enough at the final whistle.
source – BBC