Thursday, November 7

Leah Sharibu: Buhari Says FG Working with Red Cross, Others to Secure Her Release

…Extends VAIDS Deadline to June 30

By Augustine Ebeba

President Muhammadu Buhari, has said that federal government is managing the yet to be released Dapchi girl: Leah Sharibu, matter quietly, admitting that making noise won’t help the situation.

This is even as he assured that government is collecting intelligence report, working with the Red Cross and other international organizations to secure her release.

In a statement made available to the media by Mr. Femi Adesina, his Special Adviser, on Media and Publicity on Wednesday, quoted Buhari, in a meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury, His Grace Justin Welby in London, as saying that Leah Sharibu, the schoolgirl from Dapchi still being held by insurgents, reportedly because she refused to renounce her Christian faith. 

The statement partly read: “We are managing the matter quietly. Making noise would not help. We are collecting as much intelligence as possible, working with the Red Cross and other international organizations. 

“There are too many fraudulent people around, who claim they can do this and that. We won’t deal with them. That was how we got the Dapchi girls back, and the Chibok girls.”

On his declaration on Monday, Adesina, quoted the president as saying: “I declared before leaving home because Nigerians were talking too much about whether I would run or not.

“So, I felt I should break the ice. We have many things to focus on, like security, agriculture, economy, anti-corruption, and many others. We needed to concentrate on them, and politics should not be a distraction. The majority of Nigerians appreciate what we are doing, and that is why I am re-contesting.”

The President, according to his media aide, recounted some successes of the administration to his guest, with whom he has built a deep friendship in recent times, and was quite particular about strides in agriculture.

 “We have cut the importation of rice by about 90 percent, saving billions of dollars in the process. People who rushed into petrol money have now gone back to agriculture. Even professionals have gone back to the land. Nigeria should be able to feed itself comfortably soon. I am so pleased.” the President said.

On the war against insurgency, he stressed the need for continuous education of the people, “so that they can be free from religious manipulation,” adding that no true religion advocates the hurting or killing of the innocent.

On the clashes between herdsmen and farmers in different parts of Nigeria, the President said: “The problem is even older than us. It has always been there, but now made worse by the influx of armed gunmen from the Sahel region into different parts of the West African sub-region. 

He said: “These gunmen were trained and armed by Muammar Gadaffi of Libya. When he was killed, the gunmen escaped with their arms. We encountered some of them fighting with Boko Haram. Herdsmen that we used to know carried only sticks and maybe a cutlass to clear the way, but these ones now carry sophisticated weapons. 

“The problem is not religious, but sociological and economic. But we are working on solutions.”

 Buhari lamented that “irresponsible politics” has been brought into the farmers/herders’ crisis, but assured that enduring solutions would be found, and justice done to all concerned.

In a remark, Archbishop Welby said it was always a delight to see President Buhari, adding, we are neutral as a church, but we will pray for you. Great statesmen are those who run for the good of their country. We will be praying for you.”

Meanwhile, Adesina added that Buhari has approved the extension of the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) to June 30

 The extension he said is based on the appeals of professional bodies and individual taxpayers, adding that there will be  no further extension of time will be approved after June 30.

 He said: “The President added that a new date was also given, based on the conviction of the Ministry of Finance that the overall objective to increase compliance will be attained, and additional revenue will accrue. 

A fresh Executive Order will be made to give legal backing to the new timeline, the statement added.

 According to Buhari, “For a nation of people who are competitive and driven, it is not a pride that we are the lowest performer in tax to GDP, not just in Africa, but in the world. 

 “Nigeria’s growth needs are such that every Nigerian must do his duty to his nation, to his neighbour, and to himself. 

“Hiding monies overseas, evading taxes by manipulation, and other unwholesome practices, have never developed a country, and for Nigeria to attain her true potential, these must stop.”

 The President urged Nigerian companies and individuals to join government in the rebuilding mission, “and do the right thing by taking this window of extension to regularize.” 

 He added that the right thing may not be convenient or comfortable, “but in the long run, we will all have a nation we can be proud of.”

 Buhari further urged tax authorities to use the extension window to perfect plans to prosecute those who fail to regularize their tax status.

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