In the discharge of his mandate as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) mediator for The Gambia, President Muhammadu Buhari has activated the process for the execution of his task .
One of the outcomes of the just-concluded ECOWAS Summit held on December 17, 2016 in Abuja was the decision to designate President Muhammadu Buhari as the Mediator for The Gambia with Mr. John Mahama, the out- going President of Ghana as Co-Mediator.
The Summit also gave the terms of reference to include ensuring the safety of the President-Elect, Adama Barrow, the political leaders and the entire population; upholding the result of the Presidential election held on December 1, 2016 and ensuring that the President-elect is sworn into office on January 19, 2017, in conformity with the constitution of the country.
On the direction of the President, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama is leading a Mediation Support Team (MST), working with the team of the Co-Mediator, President Mahama. The committee has begun immediate consultations with leaders in the sub-region as well as with international partners.
The main task of the Mediation Support Team is to undertake the first phase of the preparatory and support work that would lead to a high level meeting of the Mediator (President Buhari) and the stakeholders.
President Muhammadu Buhari remains optimistic that a peaceful resolution of the problem, in line with the laws and the constitution of The Gambia is possible before the January 19, 2017 inauguration date of the new President.
GARBA SHEHU
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media and Publicity)
December 31, 2016
Saturday, 31 December 2016
One Lagos Fiesta: Sunny Ade, others to usher Lagosian into 2017
Lagos, Nigeria's most populous Metropolis is going all out this year to ensure that residents and tourists round up the year 2016 in style with the ongoing “One Lagos Fiesta”, OLF, the biggest crossover celebration in the country.
The event, an extraordinary entertainment festival, taking place simultaneously in five divisions of the state - Epe, Ikorodu, Agege, Badagry and Victoria Island - continuously for 8 straight days, has attracted hundreds of thousands of adults and children from all over the state.
The first day of OLF kicked off on a fantastic note on Christmas Eve as Nigerian artistes and music legends turned up to make the opening day a memorable one in all the five locations across Lagos.
So far, the 8-day long event has been graced by a wide array of artistes from different genres including rappers MI, Phyno, Reminisce, Lil Kesh, Seriki, as well as pop stars and vocalists such as Adekunle Gold, Mayorkun, Olu Maintain, Dremo, Niniola, Eedris Abdulkareem, Klever Jay, Kenny Saint Best, Azadus, Tony Tetuila, Jazzman Olofin, Wale Thompson, Minjin, Lanre Teriba, Busola Oke (Eleyele), Oluwaseun Rantiola, Atawewe, Valentine, Oladips, Olori of Africa and more.
Music legends like Salawa Abeni, Adewale Ayuba, Sir Shina Peters, Ebenezer Obey and his son, Tolu Obey, as well as Stella Monye have also honoured Lagosians by performing classic hits and some of their most memorable songs.
Also, cultural groups like the Lagos State Council of Arts and Culture, Meshico Sax Traditional band, and the Awori Troupe have been present at some of the locations, entertaining the audience with traditional dances, plays and pantomime.
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode had made surprise appearances so far in four out of five of the locations and is expected to be at the Bar Beach venue of the OLF today in Victoria Island, not only to encourage Lagosians to be highly optimistic about the incoming year but to also make important announcements.
In the historic town of Badagry, the Governor promised a state of the art cinema to be completed within the next 18 months. According to him, the construction of the cinema would create employment opportunities for Badagry youth, while also boosting the tourism potential of the region which is widely known for popular tourist sites such as the Slave Museum, Nigeria’s first storey building and many more.
Ambode had also announced readiness of Lagos State Government to offer amnesty to cultists willing to renounce their membership of cult groups and turn over a new leaf – an effort by the government to ensure that 2017 is a great year of security for all its stakeholders.
One Lagos Fiesta continues today, December 31st, well into the new-year. January 1st, 2017. Lagosians will be counting down into 2017 at all 5 venues with cheer, positivity, great music, good food, lots of excitement and amazing fireworks.
Catch all the performances and highlights of One Lagos Fiesta on social media by following conversations on the hashtag #OneLagosFiesta, and the official account @1LagosFiesta across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. For details, please visit the website – www.onelagosfiesta.ng
You can also watch the countdown live on Facebook, HipTV and DSTV.
Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi ends the Year 2016 with Inspection Of Port Harcourt International Airport(Photos)
Photos from Dakuku Peterside's 46th birthday celebration in Port Harcourt
DG of NIMASA,Dakuku Peterside,today celebrated his 46th birthday in Port Harcourt with friends.Here are photos from his birthday celebration.
The Honourable Minister of Environment and UN Deputy Secretary-General , Mrs. Amina J. Mohammed and Honourable Minister of State - Environment, Alhaji Abrahim Usman Jibril also celebrated with Dakuku Dakuku today...
Gov. Wike & Others Attend Aminu Tambuwal's Daughter's Wedding(Pics)
GOVERNOR WIKE ATTENDS TAMBUWAL'S DAUGHTER'S WEDDING IN SOKOTO
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Saturday attended the wedding of Aisha Waziri Aminu and Muhammad Dahiru Mangal in Sokoto.
Aisha Waziri Aminu is the daughter of Sokoto State Governor, Rt Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who is a long standing personal friend of Governor Wike.
Governor Wike wished the newly wedded couple a fruitful marriage that would be a blessing to humanity.
He prayed God to bless the union.
Simeon Nwakaudu,
Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.
31st December, 2016.