I Emphasise Free And Fair Elections Always, Buhari Tells Canadian Leader.

President Muhammadu Buhari is confident that Nigeria’s democracy
is steadily improving with a deeper understanding of the culture
and tenets among the people.

The President said this at a meeting with the Governor General
of Canada, Julie Payette, on Monday at the Presidential Villa in
Abuja.

He also believes that the progress of the nation’s democracy is
as a result of the strengthening of the institutions that guarantee
free and fair elections.

“I emphasise free and fair elections at all times,” he was
quoted as saying in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and
Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.

President Buhari revealed that he saw the evolving strength of
democracy in the country by contesting for elections three times
before winning at the fourth trial in 2015.

He told the Governor General that Nigeria had been learning from
the mistakes of those who practiced democracy for a longer period
and by looking inward at its own peculiarities.

The President said the bilateral relations with Canada would
continue to be improved, considering the huge interest of the
country in Nigeria and growing economic ties, with many Nigerians
schooling and working in the country.

He commended Canada for playing a brotherly role in helping
displaced persons in the North East, following the Boko Haram
insurgency in the region.

In her remarks, the Governor General said Nigeria and Canada
enjoy a warm and strong partnership that has translated into ease
of migration, large trade relations, and cultural exchanges.

Payette, who is an astronaut, stressed the importance for
nations to pool resources together to start exploring the benefits
of space in providing solutions to some problems on earth.

She noted that the world would achieve more by de-emphasising
geographical differences and refocusing its energy on the
commonality of humanity, pointing out that from space one can only
see an earth without borders.

The Governor General explained that her visit to Nigeria was
about showcasing “youth, innovation and technology.”

She disclosed that Canada would like to partner with Nigeria in
the ongoing diversification of the economy.

“We wish you free and credible elections in 2019,” Payette
added.

Aisha Buhari Pledges to do more as ‘Future Assured’ clocks 3

Wife of the President, Dr. Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has
pledged to continue championing the cause of women and children.
She made the pledge during an event to mark the 3rd anniversary of
the Future Assured Programme at the Banquet Hall of the State House
on Saturday 27th October, 2018.

Mrs. Buhari was happy that the programme has made such giant
strides in such a short time, and thanked partners that have made
it possible.

She spoke of the programme’s engagement in addressing the
deteriorating health status of women, youth and children, working
to reduce the rate of maternal, neonatal and child mortality. She
quoted nutrition, lack of health education, lack of clean drinking
water and poverty as the culprits; leading the programme to provide
clean drinking water, nutrition supplements and health screening
exercises against killer diseases like breast and cervical cancer,
diabetes, kidney disease and hypertension in many parts of the
country. She also spoke of interventions in deworming children.

Speaking on the programme’s involvement in empowerment, Mrs.
Buhari said poverty had to be tackled through deliberate programmes
to develop entrepreneurial skills and provide women and youth with
working tools. She mentioned rice mills, fish dryers, and groundnut
extruders as well as grinding mills, sewing machines, rickshaws and
spaghetti makers. Mrs. Buhari also spoke on the effort of the
programme in the protection of human rights of women and children
against abuse, violence and rape as well as supporting surgeries
and advocacy on conditions like intersex and hydrocephalus.

Mrs. Buhari said the event recognizes that many Nigerians “are
working to change lives like the programme is doing and need to be
emulated. Some of those recognized and honoured include DCP Abba
Kyari, a police officer, for uncommon dedication to duty, Ruona
Meyer, a journalist for producing a documentary on Codeine, leading
to its ban, Tobore Ovuorie, for her report on human trafficking.
Corporate organizations like FlexiSAF Foundation were also honoured
for innovation and social service.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Federal Ministry of
Health, UNFPA and Friesland Campina.

Highlights of the event were the cutting of the birthday cake
and unveiling of the Future Assured Magazine as well as a platform
to promote youth creativity.

The event was attended by wife of the Vice President, Mrs.
Dolapo Osinbajo, government officials, wives of State Governors and
members of the Diplomatic Corp.