Day: April 30, 2024

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has urged the House of Representatives to translate the provision of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021 to tangible benefits for Nigerians.

Wike stated this at a two-day retreat, organised by Members of the House of Representatives on Economic Transformation and Development in Abuja on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat was organised to ensure effective implementation of the PIA and tax reforms and modernisation.

The minister, who was represented by the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, stressed that the true impact of the Act lied in its effective implementation.

‘As representatives of the people, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that the provisions of this Act are translated into tangible benefits for all Nigerians.

‘We must work tirelessly to foster an enabling environment for investment, promote local content participation, and uphold the highest standards of governance and accountabilit
y in the petroleum industry,’ he said.

Wike argued that the Act had opened doors for greater investment, innovation, and job creation opportunities in the country.

He added that the PIA represented a watershed moment in the nation’s history and laid the groundwork for a more transparent, efficient, and competitive petroleum industry.

‘Bu we must effectively implement the Act to get its benefits,’ he said.

He noted the importance of tax reform and modernisation, adding that the nation’s tax system must evolve to reflect the dynamic nature of the economy and the realities of the 21st century.

‘By simplifying tax procedures, closing loopholes, and incentivising compliance, we can enhance revenue generation, promote investment, and spur economic growth,’ the minister said.

Wike commended the Speaker and leadership of the House of Representatives for organising the retreat.

This, according to him, demonstrated the unwavering dedication to serving the people of Nigeria.

‘Your role as legislators is pivotal
in shaping policies that drive economic growth, foster innovation, and ensure equitable development for all Nigerians.’

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, Americas (NIDOA) on Tuesday expressed regrets over the passing of Dr Raymond Sowemimo, its Houston Chapter president.

This is contained in a joint statement by Dr Victor Ubani, Chairman NIDOA Board of Trustees (BoT), on behalf of NIDO-Americas, Dr Eromonsele Idahosa, Chairman, NIDOA-USA Board of Directors, Mr Christopher Anukwu, Public Relations Director, NIDOA and Mr Danladi Husaini, President, NIDOA Belize.

‘NIDO Americas regrets to announce the death of Sowemimo, its Houston Chapter president and a former Assistant General Secretary NIDOA-USA, and NIDOA Board of Trustees member.

‘Sowemimo, 69, was a patriot par excellence. He saw NIDO as a strategic tool for the development of Nigerians at home and abroad.’

The organisation in the statement, said Sowemimo was until his passing the CEO of AvalonHealthcare Service and Avalon Medical Career Academy, which he established in 2001.

It also revealed he was recipient of numerous recognitions for community services, whi
ch include the 2017 Outstanding Texan Award and the 2018 Presidential Award.

‘He was at various times the President of African Cowboy Association and several Nigerian associations; such as Egbe Omo Yoruba Association of Houston and the Nigerian American Forum.

‘In 1995, he led the Nigerian community in Texas to host Nigeria’s former Head of State, President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Bola Ige and Prof. Wole Soyinka in Houston.

‘He was a philanthropist who routinely spread kindness through ‘The Raymond Sowemimo’ Foundation programme, a 501(c3), Non-Profit Organisation,’ it added.

The organisation further extended condolences to the family Sowemimo left behind, restating he would be sorely missed.

It listed planned programmes by the organisation to mourn Sowemimo’s passing to include wake/viewing on May 1, at McCoy and Harrison Funeral Home, Houston, and celebration of life on May 2, at 10a.m. at the Whitelife Baptist Church, Houston.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Between April 22 and April 23, the Nigerian government hosted a High-Level African Counter-Terrorism Meeting in Abuja with the theme ‘Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Institution Building to Address the Evolving Threat of Terrorism’.

The summit brought together several presidents across Africa and more than 20 African countries that are successful in preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism.

Also in attendance were African regional organisations, international partners, United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities, and 20 African-based civil society organisations.

Organisers said the objective of the summit was to enhance multilateral counter-terrorism cooperation and reshape the international community’s collective response to terrorism in Africa.

They also said the meeting was necessary to emphasise the importance of ‘African-led and African-owned’ solutions to violent extremism and terrorism.

With the support of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terr
orism (UNOCT), the gathering set out to provide a platform to review the nature and severity of the threat of terrorism in Africa.

That platform, participants said, would enable the continent to agree on concrete strategic priorities and measures to address the scourge.

Organisers also aimed at fostering deeper regional collaboration, enhancing the institutional capacity of African countries, and facilitating the exchange of best practices and knowledge to combat the multifaceted threat of terrorism.

In his opening address, President Bola Tinubu reminded the gathering that terrorism gets at the fabric of the tranquil, prosperous and just societies that African leaders seek to build for themselves.

He also emphasised that terror cannot co-exist in the same space as democracy and good governance.

‘This violent threat seeks to frighten the farmer from his field, children from their schools, women from the marketplace, and families from their very homes.

‘It wants the city dweller to cower and businesses to
close. It craves despotism and suppression, not democracy and enlightened society.

‘Its goal is to cause such havoc that we doubt our democratic principles, putting societies and governments into such confusion and disarray that we begin fighting among ourselves,’ he said.

He, however, said the fight against terrorism requires a comprehensive approach, stating that African countries must address the root causes of extremism, such as poverty, marginalisation, and social injustice.

The president did not just leave his audience with empty rhetoric devoid of meaningful action, as he made some suggestions to the meeting on areas of solution to explore.

He reminded his colleagues as African leaders of the need for a fully operational Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre, stressing that such a centre would serve as a hub for intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and capacity building.

He also called for strengthening existing counter-terrorism structures, such as the Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit (RI
FU) in Abuja, and the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT) in Algiers.

President Tinubu also pitched the idea that a Regional Standby Force which includes tackling terrorism as part of its mandate should not be abandoned.

‘I am mindful of the funding, legal, and logistical complexities that face the proper establishment of such a force.

‘However, with a prudent and clearly defined mandate that accords with the international law and respects national sovereignty such a force can serve as a rapid deployment mechanism.

‘The idea is for a regional force capable of swiftly responding to major threats and bolstering the security of our region,’ he said.

On his part, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, said Africa’s security landscape is challenged by terrorism and violent extremism, evidenced by seven coups between 2020 and 2023.

He also said terrorism in Africa is being driven by factors such as foreign terrorist fighters, organised crime, prolonged conflicts, dr
ug trafficking, illicit arms trade, high youth unemployment, porous borders, and inadequate policing.

He cited political instability, governance challenges, ethnic and religious tensions, economic inequality, and poverty as factors that also significantly contribute to terrorism in the continent.

‘In 2023, the world witnessed a 22 per cent increase in terrorism-related deaths, affecting 41 countries. The continent faces threats from diverse terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP in northeast Nigeria, and Al-Shabaab in Somalia.

‘The DRC and Mozambique face threats from Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP).

‘These groups exploit local vulnerabilities and contribute to ongoing instability, necessitating integrated security strategies that combine military, economic, and regional cooperation efforts,’ he said.

The NSA said Nigeria’s efforts to tackle terrorism are reflected in various strategies and the enactment of key laws to back up implementation framewo
rks.

He mentioned the National Counter Terrorism Strategy, the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.

He also said the country’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre is leading Nigeria’s coordinated efforts, bolstered by the recent establishment of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).

Recall that the NCCSALW just recently retrieved 20,000 small arms and 60,000 units of ammunition in Nigeria.

Ribadu said local communities and other stakeholders play, and should continue to play, crucial roles in countering violent extremism.

He said through partnerships with civil society, youth, and the media, and collaboration with state governments, the federal government is preventing violent extremism, has rehabilitated thousands of terrorism victims and is actively rebuilding affected communities.

Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, UNOCT’s Under-Secretary-General, said at the event that terrorism is a threat to international p
eace and security, particularly in Africa where its impact is most felt.

He also said that to effectively counter terrorism, African regional organisations have an important role to play.

‘Effectively preventing terrorism in Africa necessitates a whole-of-society approach that includes governmental bodies, civil society, academia, and religious institutions.

‘Civil society plays a vital role in reaching communities vulnerable to radicalisation. We continue to engage them to address the root causes of violent extremism.

‘I am pleased that UNOCT facilitated the participation in today’s meeting of 10 civil society organisations from across Africa,’ he said.

At the end of the summit, parties agreed that climate insecurity could exacerbate fragile contexts as well as act as a risk multiplier in combination with other underlying drivers of violent extremism conducive to terrorism.

They emphasized the need to promote the meaningful participation, leadership, and representation of women, youth, victims of terro
rist activities and/or people in special situations in decision-making processes related to counter-terrorism.

They also reiterated the promotion of effective ‘African-led and African-owned’ strategies for countering terrorism and violent extremism, among other resolutions.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the just concluded International Development Association (IDA21) Summit, held in Nairobi, Kenya.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice-President.

Nkwocha said on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Shettima met behind closed doors with the United States Deputy Secretary, Kurt Campbell, and his team.

‘ Among issues discussed at the meeting were security, bilateral relations, shared visions, technological cooperations, economic and mutual partnership.

‘ Both countries pledged to work more on deepening their bilateral relationships and their connectivity. ‘

Deputy Secretary Campbell has been in Nigeria where he was the co-chair of the sixth U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission (BNC) with Foreign Minister, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration is open to partnership with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), on teachers’ training.

Wike stated this when the Chief Representative of JICA in Nigeria, Mr Yuzurio Susumu, visited him in Abuja on Tuesday.

The minister particularly said that he would be interested in training the teachers on science and mathematics.

He described JICA as one of the international organisations that fulfils its promises.

‘So, the FCT Administration is willing to cooperate with you more. We would like to achieve more for our people.

‘We will continue to partner with you in training our teachers in areas that we believe we require most. We hope you can continue to train our teachers in science and mathematics,’ he said.

The minister said that he was aware of the activities of JICA while he was the Minister of Education.

According to him, the efforts to improve access to quality of education are commendable.

He also
commended JICA for the plan to train mothers on good nutrition practices, to ensure children have access to nutritious foods that would aid their health and nutrition wellbeing.

‘Your activities in agriculture, which particularly deals with nutrition, are highly commended.

‘We believe we can still sustain our relationship by making sure that we put in more effort to see that all the activities lined up are completed within the agreed time frame.

‘We, on our part, will do all we can to see that we fulfil our own obligations too in matching your own support,’ the minister said.

Earlier, Susumu reiterated the agency’s commitment to capacity building for FCT staff and promising young individuals.

He emphasised JICA’s longstanding collaboration with the government in sustainable economic development and its integral role in the development of the Abuja urban master plan.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Some food vendors and others selling souvenirs as well as umbrellas to beachgoers have commended the federal government for putting ‘ human face’ to the demolition of properties on the right-of-way of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

The vendors, low-income earners, spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during the exercise at the Oniru Beach, on Tuesday in Lagos.

They said that the federal government gave them (beach vendors) enough notice to vacate the shoreline and saved them losses.

Mr Kolawole Ajidahun, a shopkeeper, said that the government gave him and other shop owners ample time to vacate the shoreline for the construction of the highway.

‘I sell things like swimwear, beach gear and snacks to fun seekers, but as it stands, I have no idea what to do next. I have nowhere to go.

‘ However, I am happy that the government allowed me to remove all my belongings, I have not lost anything asides the space. I thank the government for that act of kindness.’

Another vendor,
Mr Vincent Ubong, a surfing instructor, said, ‘I do not own a shop, but I was always here at the beach to provide beach-related services like surfing lessons or water safety supervision to fun lovers.

‘This is what I do for a living, I feel I am most affected because for me, if there’s no water, there would not be surfing lessons.

‘ I’m also worried about how I would support my family. I am a father of three and I don’t know where to start from.

‘But, the demolition has made people speak positively about the government.

‘The government has tried to make the process less disruptive and was more considerate of the people being affected. So it is kudos to President Bola Tinubu.’

Recall that the federal government had, on April 27, commenced the demolition of properties on the Right of Way of the 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, who flagged off the exercise on Section 1 of the road, advised owners of such facilities along the axis to see the demolition as a sacri
fice for Nigeria.

The project, he said, would mark a major milestone in President Bola Tinubu’s economic diversification roadmap.

Umahi said the federal government was passionate about the plight of the people affected by the demolition exercise, stressing that the government would put a human face to the exercise.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Yiaga Africa, an NGO, says its national debate competition will provide a unique platform for students across universities in Nigeria to articulate their vision for the nation of their dreams.

Mrs Antonia Onda, Senior Programme Officer, Yiaga Africa, made this known at the South West Zonal Debate titled: ‘My Nigeria – Our Nigeria’ held in Lagos on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Yiaga Africa invited students from accredited Nigerian universities to register to participate in the debate competition in February.

According to Onda, ‘My Nigeria – Our Nigeria’ debate competition is a Yiaga Africa initiative with support from the Open Society Foundations and in partnership with the National Universities Commission and All Nigerian University Debating Championship.

Onda explained it was organised to encourage participants to engage in insightful debates on crucial topics relating to citizenship, national values, governance, and politics to harness citizens’ inputs into governance and natio
n-building.

According to her, it is also a tool for promoting critical thinking, advocacy and vision amongst students of tertiary institutions.

She said: ‘We saw the involvement of young people at the last general elections and we can see their enthusiasm so we discovered that they need an opportunity and a platform.

‘Also, they need to be encouraged every time. Therefore, the debate is an opportunity for universities across the country to come together, express themselves and have honest conversations on national issues.’

Onda further explained that the initiative was a platform for students to contribute actively to the discourse on the future of Nigeria.

She noted that the debate symbolised the essence of critical engagement and visionary leadership.

‘This is to see how youths will be included and carried along and also encourage young people to participate in governance processes.

‘Also, this debate gives them the platform to have a discuss on the issue that bothers them with regards to governance
while prizes will be awarded to winners.

‘The competition will embrace the opportunity to be a part of this transformative journey and join in shaping the future narrative of Nigeria,’ Onda said.

The Yiaga Africa official disclosed that the debates were held at each of the six geo-political zones, and that winners at the zonal round would be invited to the grand finale in Abuja in May.

According to her, the final round of the debate will be broadcast live on TV and social media platforms.

One of the participants, Ifeoluwa Odeyemi, a 400 level student of Political Science at Obafemi Awolowo University said Nigeria was at a stage to make certain decisions that had to do with restructuring and procedures, to produce desirable results.

‘Nigeria is at a stage where we have to make certain decisions that has to do with restructuring and procedures to produce the results we desire.

‘This kind of platform provides more resources for the government to have something to rely on whereby citizens can actually speak
where it matters.

‘For as long as we continue to discuss issues that border on Nigeria on a more concentrated platform like this, l believe there are positive steps to the future that we want for our country.’

Another participant, Miss Halimat Ariyo, a final year Cell Biology and Genetics student at the University of Lagos, said the competition was an avenue for youths to have an engaging conversation that they would not necessarily have outside their daily life.

Ariyo said the competition was insightful because in most instances, youths shied away from engagements relating to nation building.

According to her, this debate is an avenue to bring youths together to make them have hard conversations that go beyond sentiments, favouritism, ethnicity or tribe.

‘It allows us to make hard conversations in a friendly environment because in a debate environment, you cannot necessarily attack the speaker but you can proffer solutions to cases before you.’

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, has given the Federal Government and Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) a seven-day ultimatum to reverse to the old electricity tariff or face a lawsuit.

The chairman of the branch, Mr Seyi Olawunmi, said this at a news conference on Tuesday in Lagos.

Olawunmi described the increase in the electricity tariff by almost 300 per cent as not only unreasonable but also insensitive.

He said the National Electric Regulation Commission (NERC) order in respect to the tariff hike was not in line with the current economic realities of an average Nigerian.

He said the branch would seek appropriate remedies in the court if the Federal Government and concerned individuals failed to reverse the illegal electricity tariffs within seven days.

Olawunmi noted that NERC in December 2023, issued a new Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO 2024) which indicated a purported cost-reflective tariff chargeable by the various Discos.

He explained that large chuck of the electric
ity tariff was reportedly absorbed by the Federal Government under a subsidy arrangement.

The chairman said that the purported subsidy had reportedly been removed by the Federal Government, leading to an over 300 per cent increase in the electricity tariff payable by the end-user.

‘We view this sudden astronomical increase in the end-user tariff irrespective of the technical arguments preferred in justification, as utterly exploitative and non-reflective of the current economic hardship that the masses are going through.

‘The inflation and the depreciation of the Naira has affected their services that it is practically impossible to remain on the old tariff and electricity in Nigeria is not well priced.

‘We, therefore, demand immediate stop to the illegal implementation of the N225 per kWh imposed on the so called band A customers at the discretion of both the Discos and NERC without any empirical basis.

‘The classification into band A or B or C or D or E should be scrapped and it is either the Discos ar
e guaranteeing 24 hours supply for all or they are not.’

Olawunmi said the government and the Nigerian people can not continue to subsidise their inefficiency in the name of band A or B or C etc.

‘If the government fails to reverse the illegal hike within seven days, we will be left with no choice than to seek appropriate remedies in the court of law,’ the NBA Chairman said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Environment and Safety Management Institute (ESMI) has urged the government and other stakeholders to prioritise the safety and security of workers in the country.

Alhaji Usman Ibrahim, Emir of Nasarawa Emirate and Chairman, Board of the institute, made the call at the 4th National Stakeholders’ Seminar on Environment and Safety organised by ESMI on Tuesday in Abuja.

The theme of the seminar was ‘Banditry as a Threat to Occupational Safety in Nigeria.”

Ibrahim, who was represented by Mr Sunday Edibo, member of ESMI board, said ‘safety first is safety always.’

The traditional ruler said that prioritising workers safety involved the implementation of comprehensive safety measures, providing proper training and retraining of personnel.

He said it also entailed inter agency collaboration to address root causes of banditry and other forms of violence.

Ibrahim decried that the country was faced with a growing challenge of banditry threatening the safety and security of workers across all sectors in the
country.

Citing Wikipidia, he described banditry as ‘a type of organised crime committed by outlaws (bandits) typically involving threat or use of violent acts.”

He said that such act could be in form of robbery, kidnapping, extortion and murder in an ungoverned space or areas where rule of law had broken down.

Ibrahim said that the negative impact of banditry cut across every sector of the economy which included agriculture, educational institutions, religious, among others.

‘In agriculture, our largest economic sector for instance farmers and farm workers are brazenly kidnapped from their farms, houses and processing factories leading to disruption of agricultural value chain.

‘This adversely affects our food production, transportation, processing and marketing systems; exacerbating food insecurity, unemployment and poverty.

‘Our educational institutions are not spared; our youths who are leaders of tomorrow are kidnapped in broad day light and subjected to harrowing trauma which survivors often expe
rience symptoms such as post trauma stress, depression and anxiety.

‘These conditions can significantly impair individual’s ability to function in daily life and maintain healthy relationship with members who may feel guilt for not been able to protect their loved one, ‘he said.

He added that bandits also vandalised power lines; thereby making the nation’s quest for stable power supply seemingly untenable.

Ibrahim said that the incidents not only affected lives of individuals at risk but disrupted the smooth functioning of businesses and governance as well as putting the economy in jeopardy.

On his part, Mr Martins Torsamber, National President of ESMI, said the seminar was informed by the rising spate of banditry.

Torsamber said the seminar was for professionals to brainstorm and come up with best solutions in tackling banditry in the country and to reduce its consequences on workers in the country.

According to him, occupational safety is not only referring to workers.

‘We are referring to the farmer
s, artisans, craftsman, as well civil servants,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) says it expects over 300 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from eight vessels to ease fuel scarcity and queues in Lagos and other parts of the country this week.

MEMAN Chairman, Mr Huub Stokman, said this while addressing newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday.

Stokman said that the organisation was actively coordinating with its members in Apapa and other locations to ensure that fuel was loaded and distributed to retail outlets safely and quickly.

He said that this effort was aimed at addressing the current fuel shortage and the challenges faced by consumers.

According to him, MEMAN is working closely with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and other stakeholders to eliminate fuel queues and restore stability.

‘Additional support is being provided by the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD).

‘MEMAN is extending depot loading time to ensure that
loading goes unhindered including tomorrow the 1st of May 2024.

‘Selected retail outlets will be open for longer hours to ensure we can service our customers as long and as safely as possible.

‘Independent marketers (depots andstations) are being allocated additional fuel to alleviate the situation,’ he said.

Stokman said that the association remained committed to supporting the Federal Government’s distribution efforts and ensuring the availability of petroleum products nationwide.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria