News

Full speech of President Muhammadu Buhari’s broadcast on the #EndSARS protest

Published

5 years ago

October 23, 2020

ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE ENDSARS PROTESTS, 22ND OCTOBER, 2020

Fellow Nigerians,

It has become necessary for me to address you having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs.

I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well – intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.

The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.

As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.

On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.

Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.

The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.

All these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.

The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.

On the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society. These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:

paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small – and medium – enterprises,

paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission,

giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and

guaranteeing market for the products of traders.

These are in addition to many other initiatives such as;

Farmermoni,

Tradermoni,

Marketmoni,

N-Power,

N-Tech and

N-Agro.

No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.

With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.

In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.

Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.

We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.

We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.

But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.

To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.

In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.

For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.

I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.

And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.

I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.

This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.

Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

News

MURIC Urges Security Agencies to Protect JAMB Candidates, Exam Centres Nationwide

Published

18 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola

MURIC Urges Security Agencies to Protect JAMB Candidates, Exam Centres Nationwide

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on security agencies in Nigeria to ensure maximum protection for candidates and officials participating in the forthcoming Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations scheduled to begin on April 16, 2026.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Islamic human rights organisation stressed the need for heightened security measures across all examination centres nationwide, citing growing insecurity in several parts of the country.

The statement, signed by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, urged the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to collaborate effectively in safeguarding candidates and examination personnel throughout the examination period.

According to the group, the appeal became necessary due to rising security concerns in parts of northern Nigeria, where banditry, communal tensions, and violent attacks have continued to threaten public safety.

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MURIC specifically raised concerns about states such as Plateau, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, and Kwara, warning that some of these areas remain vulnerable to attacks and mass abductions, particularly targeting young students and examination candidates.

The organisation warned that candidates travelling to and from examination centres could be at risk in volatile locations and called for “special attention” to ensure their safety before, during, and after the examinations.

It further urged security agencies to remain vigilant, noting that “eternal vigilance is the price of freedom,” and emphasised the need for proactive intelligence gathering and rapid response mechanisms to prevent any disruption of the exercise.

MURIC also highlighted the importance of securing examination venues themselves, stressing that any attack on candidates or officials would have far-reaching consequences on education and national development.

The group reiterated its commitment to advocating for peaceful coexistence and safety for all citizens, especially young Nigerians pursuing education.

The JAMB examination, conducted annually by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, is a critical gateway for admission into tertiary institutions across the country, with hundreds of thousands of candidates expected to participate nationwide.

Security agencies are yet to issue a formal response to the appeal, but authorities have previously assured Nigerians of adequate protection during national examinations and other major public exercises.

MURIC Urges Security Agencies to Protect JAMB Candidates, Exam Centres Nationwide

News

Lafarge Convicted of Terrorism Financing by French Court in Landmark Case

Published

18 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Lafarge Convicted of Terrorism Financing by French Court in Landmark Case

A French court in Paris has found cement manufacturer Lafarge guilty of financing armed extremist groups during the Syrian civil war, in a landmark ruling that could reshape global standards on corporate responsibility in conflict zones.

The court ruled that the company’s Syrian subsidiary made payments to armed groups, including ISIS and the Nusra Front, between 2013 and 2014, in a bid to keep its cement plant in northern Syria operational during intense fighting.

The judgment also convicted eight former Lafarge employees, including senior executives, for authorising and facilitating the transactions, marking one of the most significant cases of terrorism financing in corporate operations ever handled in France.

According to the court, the payments amounted to approximately $6.5 million, allegedly used to secure safe passage for staff, maintain supply routes, and purchase materials from areas controlled by armed factions.

Presiding judge Isabelle Prévost-Desprez said the arrangement effectively created a “commercial relationship with armed groups,” stressing that economic survival was prioritised over legal and ethical obligations in a war environment.

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The case focused on Lafarge’s Jalabiya cement plant in northern Syria, acquired in 2008 and operating shortly before the outbreak of the Syrian civil war. Investigators told the court that funds were also used to ensure the movement of employees through territories controlled by militant groups.

The ruling has been described by legal experts as a historic precedent in corporate terrorism financing law, as it is among the first instances in France where a multinational company has been convicted for directly funding armed extremist organisations.

The court also examined Lafarge’s operational structure following its 2015 merger into Holcim, which has not yet issued a detailed response to the ruling.

Prosecutors had earlier sought financial penalties and asset confiscation, but the court has yet to announce the final sentence and full penalties in the case.

The verdict follows related proceedings in the United States, where Lafarge previously admitted that its Syrian subsidiary made improper payments to armed groups and agreed to a large financial settlement in a separate investigation.

Analysts say the ruling could have far-reaching consequences for multinational companies operating in high-risk conflict zones, forcing stronger compliance systems, stricter oversight, and tighter controls to prevent indirect funding of armed groups.

The case is widely seen as a turning point in global corporate accountability, highlighting the legal risks companies face when continuing operations in war-torn regions where militant groups exert territorial control.

Lafarge Convicted of Terrorism Financing by French Court in Landmark Case

News

Tinubu Declares End to “Broken Revenue System”, Unveils New Economic Reforms

Published

19 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu Declares End to “Broken Revenue System”, Unveils New Economic Reforms

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria has entered a new phase of economic transformation, insisting that the country will no longer operate a “broken, inefficient and unfair revenue system” as his administration intensifies fiscal and tax reforms.

Tinubu made the remarks in Abuja during the commissioning of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) headquarters, where he reaffirmed that ongoing reforms are aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s tax system, improving revenue generation, and restoring public confidence in governance.

He described the reforms as a “covenant with Nigerians,” stressing that they are not political rhetoric but a deliberate effort to rebuild the country’s economic foundations and ensure long-term stability.

According to him, Nigeria is gradually transitioning “from uncertainty to renewed hope” through structural reforms designed to improve efficiency, fairness, and transparency in revenue administration.

The President emphasized that no country can achieve sustainable development with a weak fiscal structure, adding that his administration deliberately embarked on overhauling the system to eliminate leakages, improve compliance, and ensure that national revenue is effectively deployed for development.

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“No nation achieves lasting prosperity on a weak and fragmented revenue system,” Tinubu said, adding that government must earn public trust through a fair and transparent tax structure.

He noted that the reforms are focused on simplifying tax processes, reducing distortions, and creating a more investment-friendly environment that encourages both local and foreign investors.

Tinubu also highlighted early signs of progress, pointing to improvements in fiscal stability, stronger reserves, and increased investor confidence as indicators that the reforms are beginning to yield results.

He attributed these gains to what he called “deliberate policy choices and national discipline,” insisting that the government remains committed to long-term structural changes rather than short-term economic fixes.

The President described the newly commissioned NRS headquarters as a symbol of institutional renewal and administrative efficiency, noting that it represents more than just a physical structure.

“This building is more than concrete and steel. It is a symbol of professionalism, transparency, efficiency and service delivery,” he said.

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Tinubu also tasked the Nigerian Revenue Service with evolving beyond revenue collection into a trust-building institution that reflects accountability and fairness in its operations. He stressed that taxpayers must see clear value for their contributions through improved public services and national development.

“The Nigerian Revenue Service must not only collect revenue, it must build trust,” he said, adding that institutions must demonstrate integrity and responsiveness to citizens.

He further acknowledged the challenges associated with economic reforms, noting that while such policies may cause short-term hardship, they are necessary for long-term prosperity and national stability.

Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain patient and supportive of ongoing reforms, saying sustainable development requires shared sacrifice and collective commitment.

The President also reiterated that Nigeria’s future depends on deliberate policy choices and strong institutions capable of driving inclusive growth and global competitiveness.

“We have chosen reform, we have chosen discipline, we have chosen progress,” he said. “We will stay the course until the promise of Nigeria is matched by the performance of its institutions.”

The commissioning of the NRS headquarters marks a key milestone in the federal government’s broader economic reforms in Nigeria, particularly in tax administration and public finance management, as authorities push to diversify revenue sources beyond oil dependence.