President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja declared that Nigeria is safe and secure for tourism, citing improved security and country’s burgeoning economy. Receiving Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) at Presidential Villa, the president said it would have been inconceivable to host an international tourism conference in Abuja four years ago, because of security concerns. ‘‘I am pleased that the country is now sufficiently safe and secure, and the message should go out to the world for all tourists and business travellers. The first thing tourists look out for is security and I am happy we…

Amidst growing concern over rising security challenges, President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed doors with the nation’s security chiefs. Those who attended the meeting inside one of the conference halls of the President’s office included Minister of Defence, Mr Mansur Dan Ali; National Security Adviser, Mr Babagana Monguno; and Chief of Defence Staff, Mr Abayomi Olonisakin. Others were Chief of Army Staff, Mr Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Mr Ibok Ekwe Ibas; a representative of Chief of Air Staff, Mr Sadique Abubakar; Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris; and Director-General of National Intelligence Agency, Mr Ahmed Abubakar.…

There was a mild drama on Banana Island Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos State, on Saturday after residents waylaid Chief of Army Staff, Mr Tukur Buratai, who had allegedly visited the estate to inaugurate a project. Buratai, our correspondent learnt, had been invited by Nigerian Army Properties Limited to commission an estate, Apple Island, inside Banana Island, when the residents mobilised against the inauguration. The Chief of Army Staff, who was taken aback by the blockage, appealed to the protesters, who alleged militarisation of the estate and destruction of their jetty by soldiers. “I was actually supposed to come here yesterday (Friday)…

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mr Adamu Abdu-Kafarati as Chief Judge of Federal High Court. He wrote a letter to the Senate requesting the confirmation of Abdu-Kafarati’s appointment. Abdu-Kafarati was sworn-in as Acting Chief Judge of Federal High Court in September 2017. His swearing-in was sequel to the president’s failure to nominate a successor to the former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Mr Ibrahim Auta who was due to retire on September 16, 2017. The Senate had in March urged Mr Buhari to forward nomination of Abdu-Kafarati to the upper legislative chamber for approval as substantive Chief Judge…