Buhari Reiterates Resolve To Protect Nigerians Against Market Abuses, Social Injustices

President Muhammadu Buhari, in the past week under review, reiterated the commitment of his administration to ensure the respect and protection of consumers against market abuses and social injustices.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president returned to Abuja, on Feb. 7, after participating in the 35th Ordinary Session of Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,

The Nigerian leader was reacting to the issue of petroleum product shortages linked to the inadvertent supply of products of foreign origin into the Nigerian market

On Thursday, Buhari ordered that producers and providers of consumable products be held accountable for substandard services and or products sold by them.

According to the president, the protection of consumer interests is a priority of the present administration and is ready to take all necessary measures to protect consumers from hazardous products, loss, or injuries from the consumption of substandard goods.

The Nigerian leader also hosted the outgoing Ambassador of Senegal, Babacar Ndiaye, on the same day, asking him to convey congratulations of Nigeria to President Macky Sall on the victory of the Teranga Lions at the just concluded AFCON.

Senegal defeated Egypt 4-2 on penalties in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations after the sides couldn’t be separated over 120 minutes of scoreless football.

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno met behind closed doors with the president at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he updated him on the latest security development in the state.

Zulum told State House correspondents after the meeting that over 30, 000 insurgents comprised of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have so far surrendered.

According to him, following this development, the State is relatively peaceful as the security agencies have continued to take measures aimed at checking the activities of insurgents in the Northeast.

The governor expressed optimism that the insurgency in the North-East would soon be a thing of the past.

Buhari also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassadors of the Czech Republic, Zdenek Krejci; Italy, Stephano De Leo; Spain, Juan Ignacio Sell Sanz and Israel, Michael Shual Freeman at the State House, Abuja on Thursday.

He used the opportunity to advise diplomats to stay within the limits of their schedules, and not intrude in the internal politics of the country, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The president gave the warning at the presentation of Letters of Credence for the Ambassadors of the Czech Republic, Zdenek Krejci; Italy, Stephano De Leo; Spain, Juan Ignacio Sell Sanz and Israel, Michael Shual Freeman at the State House, Abuja on Thursday.

Earlier on Feb. 8, they conferred the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) Award for years 2020 and 2021 on three Nigerians who distinguished themselves in the field of medicine and science.

The recipients were, Dr Oluyinka Olutoye, Medicine (2020); the late Prof. Charles Chidume, Science (2020) and Prof. Godwin Ekhaguere, Science (2021).

While expressing the belief that Nigeria’s collective future rests on active participation in science and technology, Buhari said he was very proud to welcome the new Laureates to the prestigious league of highly honoured citizens.

The president had on Wednesday presided over the virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) where the Council granted Nigerian citizenship to 286 foreign nationals.

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who made this known to State House correspondents at the end of the Council meeting, said the successful candidates emerged out of 600 applicants.

He disclosed that 208 of those approved were granted citizenship by Naturalization, while 78 others were granted citizenship by registration, and they cut across various countries of the world.

Also addressing the correspondents on the outcome of the meeting, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika disclosed that the Council also approved N12.097 billion for the award of contract for the replacement of weather measuring equipment at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, also revealed that the council approved N1.8billion for the completion of a section of the local content building in Yenegoa, Bayelsa.