Buhari is a manager of poverty – Kwara governor

Governor of Kwara state, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has cautioned Nigerians against disparaging the person of President Muhammadu Buhari for no just cause.

AbdulRazaq spoke on Tuesday in Ilorin at the distribution of Ramadan gift tagged ‘Baba for all’ to the vulnerable, widows and less privileged across the 16 local government areas of the state.

He said that President Buhari as the leader of the country deserves some modicum of respect and not denigration.

The governor added the president has done exceedingly well in the area of infrastructure, noting that Buhari is a good “poverty manager.”

He said; “most of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors rode on Buhari’s back to power. Though we had our own ‘otoge’ in Kwara but he led the party amiably. So we are not going to sit around and have people denigrate the leader of the country for no just reason. The man has been working.

“He has done exceedingly well and because he would not talk, the opposition is taking advantage of that to pull in down. No we would not allow that.

“When there was a lot of money in this country, it was mismanaged. But when baba came in the money has dwindled. There is no money today but President Buhari has been able to manage that. He is an effective manager of poverty. What he has been doing is to manage poverty. The effect of COVID-19 has hit hard on global economy not just Nigeria. It hit Nigeria the hardest as the vast majority of us earn our wage daily. So the shutdown affected us more.

No matter what they say about Baba Buhari, nobody has accused him of embezzling money. That is where it starts from. The man is prudent and diligent. He is making sure that things are done right in every sector.”

The governor added that “in the area of security we have our challenges. But when baba came in only Maiduguri was in the hands of the government of Nigeria, all the other local government areas of Borno state were in the hands of none state actors. But today things have changed.

“Before baba came on board bombs were going on in Kaduna, Kano and even Abuja. United Nations office was bombed. We always seem to forget that and latch on to the momentum of now.

“Security begins with all of us. Like I said recently we are our own gatekeepers, our own protectors. We cannot have the president guarding every house. That is why the Federal Government has introduced community policing.”

On infrastructure, Mallam AbdulRazaq said that “before President Muhammadu Buhari took over the reins of power in 2015, you could not even travel between Lagos and Ibadan because of the total collapse of infrastructure in the country.

We also had challenges going to Abuja either through Mokowa or Kabba. The railway system was none existence. But since President Buhari came in most of these challenges in the area of infrastructure are being tackled.

“In fact, the greatest challenge we now on the Ilorin-Mokowa is the high rate of accidents because that road is arguably the best road in Nigeria today making motorists to drive recklessly on the road.”

Cheers to Joachim Low as he steps down as manager

Joachim Low will step down from his role as Germany manager after this summer’s European Championships.

The 61-year-old has been in charge of his country’s national team since replacing Jurgen Klinsmann in 2006.

He had a contract until the 2022 World Cup but approached the German Football Association (DFB) to end it early.

“I take this step very consciously, full of pride and enormous gratitude,” said Low, who led his country to victory at the 2014 World Cup.

He added that “at the same time” he continues “to be very motivated when it comes to the upcoming European Championship tournament”.

“I am proud because it is an honour for me to be involved and because I have been able to work with the best footballers in the country and support them in their development,” said Low.

Sensational Joachim

Following the World Cup success in Brazil, Low guided Germany to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 where they were beaten by hosts France.

He then came under pressure after his side went out at the group stage of the 2018 World Cup.

“I have great triumphs with them and painful defeats, but above all many wonderful and magical moments – not just winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil,” added Low.

“I am and will remain grateful to the DFB, which has always provided me and the team with an ideal working environment.”

Germany are in Group F with France, Hungary and Portugal for this summer’s European Championships, which will take place from 11 June to 11 July after being delayed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

They open their campaign against France on 15 June at Allianz Arena in Munich.

Younger Joe

DFB president Fritz Keller said: “The fact that he informed us about his decision at an early stage is very decent.

“He gives us the necessary time to name his successor.”