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#June12
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#BuhariMustStay
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Saturday, June 12, 2021
June 12, 2021 Democracy Day Speech By President Muhammadu Buhari
SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE OCCASION OF COMMEMORATION AND CELEBRATION OF DEMOCRACY DAY ON 12TH JUNE, 2021
Fellow Nigerians,
I join you all today to commemorate and celebrate our Democracy Day. It is a celebration of freedom and a victory for one people, one country and one Nigeria.
2. As with all democracies we will always be going through improvement processes in our desire to reach the goal of a mature democracy, a strong, evolved and integrated nation state to be reckoned with globally.
3. In the last two years we have witnessed and overcome a good number of testy challenges that would have destroyed other nations especially relating to our collective security.
4. The indefatigable CAN DO Spirit of the Nigerian has sustained us and would keep pushing us to put these challenges behind us.
5. Unfortunately some of these challenges came in the shape of violent outrages leading to the loss of lives of many of our dear compatriots and the destruction of some of our infrastructure, including those devoted to improving our democratic processes.
6. Once again, I want to render my sincere and heart-felt condolences to the families and friends of our gallant service men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty and as a sacrifice to keep Nigeria safe.
7. I extend the same condolence to the families and friends of our country men, women and children who were unfortunate victims of such senseless arsons, kidnappings and murders.
8. I also share the pains of families and direct victims of ransom-seeking, kidnaped victims who went through unimaginable trauma in the course of their forced imprisonment.
9. Let me assure my fellow citizens that every incident, however minor gives me great worry and concern and I immediately order security agencies to swiftly but safely rescue victims and bring perpetrators to justice.
Fellow Nigerians,
10. When you elected me as your President in 2015, you did so knowing that I will put an end to the growing insecurity, especially the insurgency in the North East, but the unintended consequences of our scattering them in the North East pushed them further in-country which is what we are now facing and dealing with.
11. We will, by the Grace of God put an end to these challenges too.
12. Unfortunately, like in most conflict situations, some Nigerian criminals are taking undue advantage of a difficult situation and profiteering therefrom with the misguided belief that adherence to the democratic norms handicaps this Administration from frontally and decisively tackling them.
13. We are already addressing these obstacles and we will soon bring some of these culprits to justice.
14. We are, at the same time addressing the twin underlying drivers of insecurity namely poverty and youth unemployment.
15. Interventions led by Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria driving economic growth over the past 6 years are targeted mostly to the agricultural, services, infrastructure, power and health care sectors of the economy.
16. In the Agricultural sector, for instance, the Anchor Borrowers Programme resulted in sharp decline in the nation’s major food import bill from $2.23billion in 2014 to US$0.59billion by the end of 2018.
17. Rice import bill alone dropped from $1 billion to $18.5 million annually.
18. This initiative supported local production of rice, maize, cotton and cassava. Government financed 2.5 million small-holder farmers cultivating about 3.2 million hectares of farmland all over the country and created 10 million direct and indirect jobs.
19. Several other initiatives, namely AgriBusiness/Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme, the Non-oil Export stimulation Facility, the Targeted Credit Facilities operated across the 774 Local Governments.
20. In the manufacturing sector the CBN – BOI N200 billion facility financed the establishment and operations of 60 new industrial hubs across the country, creating an estimated 890,000 direct and indirect jobs.
21. The CBN’s N50 billion Textile Sector intervention Facility increased capacity utilization of ginneries from 30% to nearly 90%.
22. The Economic Sustainability Plan – our rebound plan for the COVID-19 pandemic developed in 2020 is currently being executed. The plan is primarily focused on the non-oil sector, which has recorded phenomenal growth contributing over 90% to the GDP growth in Q1 2021.
23. Though marginal we have recorded GDP growth over two quarters; Q2 2020 and Q1 2021. This is evidence of a successful execution of the ESP by the Federal Government.
24. My vision of pulling 100 million poor Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years has been put into action and can be seen in the National Social Investment Programme, a first in Africa and one of the largest in the world where over 32.6m beneficiaries are taking part. We now have a National Social register of poor and vulnerable households, identified across 708 local government areas, 8,723 wards and 86,610 communities in the 36 States and the FCT.
25. Our conditional cash transfer program has benefited over 1.6 million poor and vulnerable households comprising more than 8 million individuals. This provides a monthly stipend of N10,000 per household.
26. I have also recently approved the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy Plan that augments existing plans to further reduce poverty in Nigeria.
27. As at the end of 2020, the Development Bank of Nigeria had disbursed 324 billion Naira in loans to more than 136,000 MSMEs, through 40 participating Financial Institutions. I am to note that 57% of these beneficiaries are women while 27% are the youth.
28. We are able to do all these and still accelerate our infrastructure development through sensible and transparent borrowing, improved capital inflow, improving and increasing revenue through capturing more tax bases and prudent management of investment proceeds in the Sovereign Wealth Fund.
Fellow Nigerians,
29. Our infrastructure revolution continues with key projects attaining critical milestones under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund; The Second Niger Bridge, The Lagos- Ibadan Expressway and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway.
30. I have also approved the establishment of Infraco Plc, a world-class infrastructure development vehicle wholly focused on Nigeria with a capital structure of N15 trillion.
31. The rail system is not left out as the Itakpe-Warri standard gauge rail was completed and commissioned 33 years after construction began. The Lagos-Ibadan double track railway line which I have just commissioned has commenced operations.
32. We are focused on ensuring that our infrastructure drive is key to economic growth and one that can be felt by every Nigerian. Building critical infrastructure in our ports is also opening up opportunities for the Nigerian economy.
33. My approval for 4 new seaports using a Public-Private-Partnership approach is hinged on growing the Nigerian economy. These four sea ports; Lekki Deep Sea Port, Bonny Deep Sea Port, Ibom Deep Sea Port and Warri Deep Sea port will create massive job opportunities and foreign investment inflows.
34. We have worked at deepening our Eastern ports leading to success like having three container ships berth at Calabar port, a first in 11 years. Similarly, on October 30 2019, an LPG tanker operated by NLNG berthed in Port Harcourt, the first time an LPG ship is berthing at any of the Eastern Ports.
35. As we invest in these new assets, we have also made strides in ensuring that they are secured and protected. In this regard I am also pleased to note the launch of the NIMASA Deep Blue project – which is an Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure that I recently commissioned. This initiative is designed to add to the layer of security we have to safeguard our maritime sector.
Dear Nigerians,
36. I will be the first to admit that in spite of our efforts and achievements which are there for all to see, there is still much more to be done and we are doing our best in the face of scarce resources and galloping population growth rate that consistently outstrips our capacity to provide jobs for our populace. Our over-all economic target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years is our goal notwithstanding COVID-19.
37. In the last two years we lifted 10.5 million people out of poverty – farmers, small-scale traders, artisans, market women and the like.
38. I am very convinced that this 100 million target can be met and this informed the development of a National poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy. The specific details of this accelerated strategy will be unveiled shortly.
39. In the last one year, Nigeria and the whole world faced COVID-19 for which no one was fully prepared.
40. Our response to the pandemic involved making hard choices in balancing livelihoods and public health concerns. You are all living witnesses to how successful this has been due to a number of pro-active measures put in place. Our response to COVID-19 is globally acclaimed.
41. We were able to ensure that the various lockdown measures did not impact too negatively on the ability of ordinary Nigerians to continue sustaining their livelihoods.
42. During the pandemic, we disbursed N5,000 to 1 million Nigerians using a Rapid Response Register and advanced N20,000 to 750,000 beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer Progamme and provided 1.37 million Nigerians with palliatives from CACOVID.
43. At the same time the Federal Government released 109,000 metric tonnes of food reserve stocks and 70,000 metric tonnes of grains to the poor and vulnerable in all 36 states of the federation.
44. In addition, Government reduced interest rates from 9% to 5% for struggling businesses and extended credit facilities to 548,345 beneficiaries.
Fellow Nigerians,
45. When this administration decided to change our Democracy Day from 29th May to June 12th in my first tenure, it was not only to honour the sacrifices of the men and women of our country who fought for the return to democracy but also to demonstrate our commitment to satisfy the aspirations of the people and creating an environment for democracy to be an accepted way of life.
46. As your President, I remain committed to providing an enabling environment for a free, fair and credible electoral system under my tenure.
47. However, you need to play your part by getting involved at any level you can supporting a democratic system that works for all and not for a section or a select few and demand accountability from your elected leaders.
48. My commitment to bequeathing a sustainable democratic culture remains resolute, my pursuit of a fair society remains unshaken and my desire to see that Nigeria remains a country for each and every one of us has never been stronger.
49. In responding to the challenges that this period imposes on us, Government also recognises the need to acknowledge notions of marginalisation and agitations for constitutional amendments among various segments of our population.
50. While this government is not averse to constitutional reform as part of our nation building process, everyone must understand that the primary responsibility for constitutional amendments lies with the National Assembly.
51. This body which, as I said, is the arm of government responsible for constitutional changes has concluded the preliminary stages of amending and improving our constitution in a way that the majority of Nigerians will be happy with.
52. Government is, however, willing to play a critical role in the constitutional amendment process without usurping the powers of the National Assembly in this regard.
53. As a nation we have come very far from where we started and we are getting incrementally closer to where we ought to be.
54. Overcoming the present challenges is but one of a necessary process that we have to undergo as a nation so that we can come out stronger. The day I joined the Nigerian Army I was prepared to lay down my life for Nigeria.
55. As your President I remain ever committed to upholding and defending Nigeria’s Corporate existence.
56. In adhering to the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy notably section 14(2)(b) I shall do all within my power to ensure that the Security and welfare of the people remain the primary purpose of government.
57. I have, throughout my tenure, provided the security agencies with all they require relative to available resources and will be providing more as te dynamics unfold to put an end to our security problems.
58. My strong belief in the Nigerian spirit gives me comfort that we are facing these challenges with renewed commitment to keep our country one.
59. I thank you for your patience and attention and more importantly your resolve to join hands in making Nigeria the country of our dream.
Happy Democracy Day! God Bless us All, God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Real Estate Today on Wakaati TV
- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima.
The N100 million you spend on buying a new Bentley car would be better spent on building or buying a house that will be uours for life.
An expensive posh car cannot last longer than ten to twenty years.
How long will a posh car last?
10-20 years and it will end up parked in the garage or end ip in the junkyard
A house will last longer than a lifetime and will be an inheritance from you to your children and even grandchildren.
Watch REAL ESTATE TODAY on Wakaati TV for the -
5 Reasons Why Real Estate Is a Great Investment
As one of the stars of "Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles," James Harris knows a thing or two about making money in real estate.
1. Real estate provides better returns than the stock market without as much volatility.
2. Real estate has a high tangible asset value.
3. Real estate values will always increase over time.
4. An investment in real estate can also diversify your portfolio.
5. Last but not least, real estate investing comes with numerous tax benefits.
Wakaati TV on StarTimes DTT Channel 100 and DTH Channel 200 broadcast nationwide in Nigeria, Ghana and 17 other countries in Africa and streaming live worldwide on https://www.wakaati.com 24/7 with over 5 million viewers so far and increasiing every day.
Friday, June 11, 2021
The Importance of Location Managers and Real Estate Agents in Nolllywood and the Film Industry
Photo credit: http://www.tadejznidarcic.com/nollywood
The Importance of Location Managers and Real Estate Agents in Nolllywood and the Film Industry
There is no film or TV production without a location manager. And every location manager needs the service of real estate agents in locating the appropriate and suitable locations for a film or TV production.
As already known:"The location manager handles the creative side of finding appropriate locations, but they also handle the logistics needed to make that location work, like paying the property owners, securing permits, and alerting neighbors about the film shoot. The location manager reports to the production designer, but collaborates frequently with the director. The location manager oversees and hires the entire location department."
Real estate includes the land along with any permanent improvements attached to the land, whether natural or man-made—including water, trees, minerals, buildings, homes, fences, and bridges.
Photo credit: http://www.tadejznidarcic.com/nollywood.
Bankable stars in Nolllywood build or buy houses worth millions of naira.
- By Jaiyesimi Olamide Yusuf,
Senior Features Editor, NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series.
Thursday, June 10, 2021
Dear America, Don't Mistake Idiocy For Democracy
#twitternigeriaban
#TwitterNigeria
"Don't mistake Idiocy for Democracy."
- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series
247 Nigeria (@247nigeria) / Twitter
Author of "In the House of Dogs", "The Prophet Lied", "Scarlet Tears of London", "Diary of the Memory Keeper", "The Victory of Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigeria: My Eyewitness Account of the 2015 Presidential Election" and other books.
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Eze Agha, The King of War!
Inspired by the history of Igbo Ukwu, I want to produce an epic film of a great Igbo King called Eze Agha, King of War, who was known for being a defender of the defenceless chiefdoms by fighting for them against their oppressors.
He attacked and freed slaves from the wicked kings of other kingdoms.
He was said to be the son of a great prince and a river goddess. He was born with powers of immunity to weapons and could disappear and reappear. But it was an abomination for him to sleep with a married woman. Committing adultery would destroy his immunity. And that was what was used to capture him.
A beautiful young woman who was already married was hired to lie to him that she was a maiden who was still a virgin. He fell in love with her and slept with her. After sleeping with her, he suddenly felt weak and knew that he had done the forbidden act of adultery.
The seductress escaped to inform her people and they prepared for battle against him
His witch doctor warmed him to avoid the battle to save his life. But he refused.
"Eze Agha! You are now as visible and vulnerable as mere mortals. Flee before it is too late," the witch doctor lamented.
"No. If I cannot be brave in my mortal body as other mortals, then I am not worthy of being a warrior and to be the King of War," he said fearlessly.
He went to war against his enemies and he fought bravely as his warriors, but was wounded and captured. They took him away as a prisoner of war to their kingdom where he was paraded and mocked.
In his pains, he cried and called for the spirit of his mother. Suddenly torrential rain fell and the kingdom of his captors was flooded. And his mother appeared walking on the waters with her arms stretched out to him.
"Come my beloved son. From the canal of my womb you came and to my womb you shall return," she said in echoing voice with thunder and lightning.
He held her arms and as she embraced him, the waters of the flood rose above them and carried them into the Imo river.
After the rains, the captors in fear and trembling came to the prison where they kept him and did not see him. They told the story of his mysterious disappearance to everyone and his story continued to be told till date
- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima.
©All rights reserved. No part of this content should be copied, duplicated or extracted from in any format of Media without the authorization and permission of the author.
June 7, 2021.
Sunday, June 6, 2021
Leos Carax Makes "Annette" Masterpiece of Modern Cinema
"Annette" by Leos Carax is an awesome poetic romantic musical drama that is going to become an all time classic in modern cinema.
The cinematography by Caroline Champetier is awesome in poetic imagery of impressionism.
Adam Driver as "Henry McHenry" and Marion Cotillard as "Ann Defrasnoux" were outstanding in unforgettable performances of their iconic characters of two famous entertainers who became starstruck lovers in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world.
Synopsis:
Present-day Los Angeles. Henry is an outspoken stand-up comedian, Ann a world-famous singer. They’re a happy celebrity couple, living life in the glare of the spotlight, but their world is turned upside-down by the birth of their first child, Annette, a mysterious little girl with an exceptional destiny.
The opening film of the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival is most likely going to win the Palme d'Or.
I look forward to seeing it nominated for the Best Picture and other Oscars at the next Academy Awards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), in 2022.
Release Date:
Friday, August 6, 2021 (Limited)
Friday, August 20, 2021 (PrimeVideo)
Runtime: 2 rs, 20m
Language: English
- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
https://www.amazon.com/author/
Saturday, June 5, 2021
Chad and Morocco in Official Selection of the 74th Annual Cannes Film Festival
Chad and Morocco in Official Selection of the 74th Annual Cannes Film Festival
In competition is "Lingui,” by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, who was the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Crafts of Chad from February 5, 2017 to February 8, 2018. He is well known for his award winning films, including "Bye, Bye Africa", winner of the Best Film Prize at the 1999: annual Venice Film Festival; "Daratt", winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 2006 annual Venice Film Festival and the Yennenga bronze stallion and Best Photo Award at 2007 FESPACO; "A Screaming Man", winner of the Jury Prize at the 2010 annual Cannes Festival and the Robert Bresson Prize at the Venice Film Festival (awarded by the Catholic Church).
The second film is "Casablanca Beats" (Hauts et forts) by Nabil Ayouch, the first by a Moroccan filmmaker to qualify for the competition of the Official Selection of the annual Cannes Film Festival. The 74th annual Cannes Film Festival, is from July 6 to 17, 2021.
- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
Publisher/Editor, NOLLYWOOD MIRROR ® Series.
Official Selection of the 2021 Cannes Film Festival
French director Leos Carax's long-awaited musical film Annette will serve as the opening film of the festival. The Official Selection is scheduled to be announced June 3, 2021. Americana actress and filmmaker Jodie Foster, will be awarded the Honorary Palme d'Or.
COMPETITION
“Ahed’s Knee” OR “Ha’berech,” Nadav Lapid (Israel)
“Annette,” Leos Carax (France) — OPENING FILM
"Benedetta,” Paul Verihoeven (Netherlands)
“Bergman Island,” Mia Hansen-Løve (France)
“Casablanca Beats,” Nabil Ayouch (Morocco)
“Compartment No. 6” OR “Hytti Nro 6,” Juho Kuosmanen (Finland)
“Drive My Car,” Ryûsuke Hamaguchi (France)
“Everything Went Fine” OR “Tout s’est bien passé,” Francois Ozon (France)
“Flag Day,” Sean Penn (U.S.)
“France,” Bruno Dumont (France)
“The French Dispatch,” Wes Anderson (U.S.)
“A Hero,” Asghar Farhadi (Iran)
“La fracture,” Catherine Corsini (France)
“Lingui,” Mahamat-Saleh Haroun (Chad)
“Memoria,” Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thailand)
“Nitram,” Justin Kurzel (Australia)
“Paris, 13th District” OR “Les Olympiades,” Jacques Audiard (France)
“Petrov’s Flu,” Kirill Serebrennikov (Russia)
“Red Rocket,” Sean Baker (U.S.)
“The Restless” OR “Les Intranquilles,” Joachim Lafosse (Belgium)
“The Story of My Wife,” Ildikó Enyedi (Hungary)
“Three Floors” OR “Tre Piani,” Nanni Moretti (Italy)
“Titane,” Julia Ducournau (France)
“The Worst Person in the World,” Joachim Trier (Norway)
UN CERTAIN REGARD
“After Yang,” Kogonada (U.S.)
“Blue Bayou,” Justin Chon (U.S.)
“Bonne Mère,” Hafsia Herzi (France)
“Commitment Hasan,” Hasan Semih Kaplanoglu (Turkey)
“Freda,” Gessica Généus (Haiti)
“Gaey Wa’r,” Na Jiazuo (China)
"Great Freedom,” Sebastian Meise (Austria)
“House Arrest” OR “Delo,” Alexey German Jr. (Russia)
“The Innocents,” Eskil Vogt (Norway)
“La Civil,” Teodora Ana Mihai (Romania-Belgium)
“Lamb,” Valdimar Jóhansson (Iceland)
“Let There Be Morning,” Eran Kolirin (Israel)
“Moneyboys,“ C.B. Yi (Austria)
“Noche de Fuego,” Tatiana Huezo (Mexico)
“Rehana Maryam Noor,” Abdullah Mohammad Saad (Bangladesh)
“Unclenching the Fists,” Kira Kovalenko (Russia)
“Un Monde,” Laura Wandel (Belgium)
“Women Do Cry,” Mina Mileva and Vesela Kazakova (Bulgaria)
OUT OF COMPETITION
“Aline, the Voice of Love,” Valerie Lemercier (France)
“Bac Nord,” Cédric Jimenez (France)
“Emergency Declaration,” Han Jae-Rim (S. Korea
“Peaceful” OR “De son vivant,” Emmanuelle Bercot (France)
“Stillwater,” Tom McCarthy (U.S.)
"The Velvet Underground,” Todd Haynes (U.S.)
MIDNIGHT SCREENINGS
“Bloody Oranges,” Jean-Christophe Meurisse (France)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
“Babi Yar. Context,” Sergei Loznitsa (Ukraine)
“Black Notebooks,” Shlomi Elkabetz (Israel)
“H6,” Yé Yé (France)
"Mariner of the Mountains” OR “O Marinheiro das Montanhas,” Karim Aïnouz (Brazil)
“The Year of the Everlasting Storm,” Jafar Panahi (Iran), Anthony Chen (Singapore), Malik Vitthal (U.S.), Laura Poitras (U.S.), Dominga Sotomayor (Chile), David Lowery (U.S.) and Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thailand)
CANNES PREMIERE
“Cow,” Andrea Arnold (U.K.)
“Deception” OR “Tromperie,” Arnaud Desplechin (France)
“Evolution,” Kornél Mundruczo (Hungary)
"Hold Me Tight,” Mathieu Amalric (France)
“In Front of Your Face,” Hong Sang-soo (S. Korea)
"Jane by Charlotte,” Charlotte Gainsbourg (France)
"JFK Revisted: Through the Looking Glass,” Oliver Stone (U.S.)
"Love Songs for Tough Guys,” Samuel Benchetrit (France)
"Mothering Sunday,” Eva Husson (France)
“Val,” Ting Poo and Leo Scott (U.S.)
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