President Tinubu Meets French Presidential Envoy As Nigeria Prepares For Return Of $150M Abacha Loot.

President Tinubu Meets French Presidential Envoy As Nigeria Prepares For Return Of $150M Abacha Loot.

President Bola Tinubu, on Friday in Abuja, expressed his appreciation to France for the return of $150 million stolen from Nigeria by former Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

In addition to the recovery of another tranche of Abacha loot, the President acknowledged the signing of a €100 million agreement between Nigeria and France to support the i-DICE programme -- a Federal Government initiative to promote investment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Creative Arts Industries.

The agreement was signed by Dr. 'Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Technology, and the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, at an earlier event at Tafawa Balewa House, the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

President Tinubu commended the strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and France, noting that this progress followed his visit to Paris after his inauguration.

"Thank you for the good news on the return of Abacha loot. We appreciate your effective cooperation concerning the return of Nigeria's money. It will be judiciously applied in attaining our development objectives," the President told Catherine Colonna, the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, who delivered the news. 

The President, while emphasizing the need to reinforce collaboration on both political and economic fronts, welcomed the growing cooperation between the two countries in areas of shared interest, such as climate change, economic integration, education, and culture.   

On the situation in Niger Republic, President Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, said Nigeria is monitoring the situation in the neighbouring country, and exploring diplomatic channels to avoid bloodshed.

"Leadership is about responding to the needs of the people; their cries, and their frustrations. Nigeria shares a border with Niger across the expanse of seven Nigerian states, and most of these states are very populated. Therefore, I need to guide ECOWAS carefully and steadily so that we manage our anger carefully.

''We have a colleague and a democratically-elected leader, President Bazoum, being used as a human shield. If we are not careful, he and his family can be endangered.

''I am deploying all appropriate back-channel strategies to avoid bloodshed in Niger Republic. We recognize the wishes of our people; they do not want war, but that does not mean we can not take bold and decisive action," the President affirmed.

President Tinubu said Nigeria will continue to galvanize international partners in the determined pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the situation in Niger Republic.

The French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs conveyed the goodwill of President Emmanuel Macron and expressed the readiness of France to expand mutually beneficial collaboration with Nigeria across multiple sectors.

She proceeded to extend a formal invitation to President Bola Tinubu to attend the forthcoming Paris Peace Forum.

Speaking on the Abacha loot, the French Presidential Envoy said the repatriation followed the completion of legal processes.

"It was a long process, but we are glad that it was concluded. Sometimes, justice may be slow, but this is a very good achievement," she said.  

Ms. Colonna also commended President Tinubu’s leadership in ECOWAS, saying: "We support your efforts at ECOWAS. We are behind you because we believe that constitutional order is a treasure for all countries, and democracy must be a reality."

Ekiti's Independent Power Project Kicks Offwith Test Run.

 Ekiti's Independent Power Project Kicks Offwith Test Run.

The Ekiti State Independent Power Project (IPP) has commenced operations with a successful test run. The IPP project has been tested successfully for two weeks, distributing 700 kW out of the total 3.5 megawatt capacity, leaving room for expansion.

The IPP project was initiated by the previous administration led by Dr. Kayode Fayemi and completed by Governor Biodun Oyebanji. This initiative aims to address the shortage of electricity supply in the state and reduce sole dependence on the national grid for electricity generation.

The power generation concept, under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP), involves an electricity generation firm, Fen-Church Power Nigeria Ltd, building the power plants and generating electricity sold to the state for consumption. Private entities can also participate on a willing buyer, willing seller basis.

The independent power arrangement will guarantee power supply to essential public facilities, including the Ekiti State Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ekiti State University (EKSU), identified primary and secondary healthcare centers, streetlights along major roads, and booster stations, among others.

The IPP project offers 24-hour uninterrupted power supply, making it a reliable source of electricity for individuals and corporate organizations. The project includes underground distribution networks, substations, Ring Main Units (RMUs), and multiple generating sets, with room for further expansion.

The project aims to promote industrialization, socio-economic development, and good governance in the state while reducing costs and environmental pollution by replacing generators for public facilities.

The government has also restored electricity to areas such as Ekiti East and Gbonyin (Ayekire) LGAs after 15 years of blackout. Additionally, the tourism hub in Ikogosi, Erijinyan, and Ipole-Iloro has been reconnected to the national grid after nearly two decades of power outage.

The government prioritises stable electricity supply across the state to support the growth of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and boost the local economy.

The Government of Ekiti State continues to lead as a model sub-national government with a commitment to creating an attractive destination for work, living, and investment.

FG's Ambitious Plan: Lift 50 Million Nigerians out of Poverty by 2026, 133 Million by 2030 in Alignment with SDG.

FG's Ambitious Plan: Lift 50 Million Nigerians out of Poverty by 2026, 133 Million by 2030 in Alignment with SDG.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, has outlined some of the specifics that will be done to remove 50 million people from poverty in Nigeria, as directed by President Bola Tinubu within the next 42 months while the push to lift 133m multidimensionally poor Nigerias out of poverty by 2030 will bee on course.

The President had on Wednesday, November 1st, announced that Ministers would sign a Performance Agreement with him at the end of the three-day cabinet retreat for ministers, presidential aides, permanent secretaries, and top government functionaries.

Fielding questions from State House Correspondents on the day two of the three-day retreat at the State House Conference Center, Abuja, she stated that the ongoing payment of N25,000 to poor households in Nigeria via the conditional cash transfer programme for the next three months, amounting to N75,000, was part of it.

The minister explained that although the Programme is for an immediate cushioning of the economic shock that these households are experiencing as a result of fuel subsidy removal, it will contribute to directly affecting the lives of 61 million individuals which is about 15 million households from poverty.

Edu added that the process is being carried out rigorously to ensure that the right people get the money. And it is completely traceable. She said the government is identifying the beneficiaries, verifying their identities through their NINs and BVNs, and ensuring that they are paid. Many have started receiving funds, and their details are traceable. The Ministry will partner with NIMC to ensure the very poor across the nation get their NIN so they can access funds.

The Minister emphasised that the government does not want to rush into paying people and then realise that they don’t even exist. We pay only those with NIN and BVN, whom we have had in-person/ household verification.

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“NASSCO went through the process of verification, and payments have started. Different states across the country can attest to this.

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“We’re also providing zero-interest loans for petty traders, market women, poor farmers, amongst other people. ⁣⁣

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“We’re also supporting poor farmers. We’re bringing on board the End Hunger Project, we’re equally bringing on board the Code Nigeria Project and several other special vehicle projects to help us achieve results. Each of these projects has the targeted millions of persons whom we want to reach through our social safety net projects. ⁣this is what will give us the 50 million individuals in 42 months.

The Minister also emphasised the importance of collaboration between her ministry and other ministries to address the multi-dimensional issue of poverty in Nigeria. “Some people are poor because they do not have access to quality healthcare services. Some people are poor because they do not have jobs or they are out of school. We have the statistics, and our programs are targeted at addressing the various categories.

“So it’s multi-dimensional. And we are collaborating as a ministry with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Ministry Agriculture, etc, to achieve results 

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Speaking on the impact of the retreat, Edu said: “It has been very informative, especially as it concerns administration, governance, leadership, and actually managing the affairs of government at this level. For many persons, this has been very useful in setting the agenda for government. ⁣⁣

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“The President spoke very expressly on Wednesday, and he said, we’re all going to sign the bond to deliver on our targets. He is bringing the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is to reach out to millions of Nigerians create jobs, give food security, eradicate poverty, of course, ensure that we have good governance, fight corruption and ensure the rule of law comes into play, amongst other things. ⁣⁣

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“What’s most important is to see that all his foot soldiers set to work. For us in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and poverty alleviation, we are actually given a task, and that task is to go all out and ensure that we meet the deliverables and mandates of the government. ⁣⁣

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“We’ve spelt out our deliverables with KPIs clearly. And we’re signing on to the bond. The entire team of the ministry and its agencies/parastatals, which it supervises, would be on the road to ensure that we deliver and achieve success. It’s not going to be an easy task. Mr. President is an A-class president who has a very high charge on what he wants to achieve for Nigerians. Hopes are high. And he will not fail. We will not fail. Nigeria as a country will not fail. ⁣⁣

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“We’re already on the right trajectory to improving things. We ask for a little patience from Nigerians, cooperation, and an understanding of government and government policies. We would be sincere, we would be accountable, we would be out there to push and see that the Renewed Hope Agenda becomes a reality.⁣⁣”

Ekiti Government Test Run Independent Power Project.

Ekiti Government Test Run Independent Power Project.

Ekiti State Independent Power Project (IPP) has commenced operation with test running as part of efforts at addressing the shortage of electricity supply to the State.

The State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun who made this known during a facility tour of the Power Plant Station in Ado Ekiti, said that the project initiated by the immediate past administration headed by Dr. Kayode Fayemi and completed by Governor Biodun Oyebanji, was one in the series of interventions to address inherent challenges in electricity supply to the State.

Rt. Hon. Olatunbosun stressed that the IPP is currently guaranteeing uninterrupted power supply to the Governor’s Office, Government House, State Secretariat Complex, House of Assembly Complex, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, (EKSUTH) and streetlights along major roads in the metropolis among others.

According to him, the development is geared to boost industrialization and socio-economic development as well as enhance good governance, noting that doing away with the hitherto ubiquitous generators with attendant huge cost of diesels and environmental pollution used to power public facilities like streetlights and government offices would block a lot of wastages.

Reiterating the commitment of the Biodun Oyebanji administration to the general well-being of people in the State, Olatunbosun noted that the completion of the Power plant came in the heels of several other similar interventions including the restoration of electricity at Ekiti East and Gbonyin (Ayekire) Local Government Areas within his one year in office after fifteen years of blackout.

The Commissioner added that the tourism hub in Ikogosi, Erijinyan and Ipole-Iloro axis has also been connected back to the National grid through a dedicated feeder line from the 132/33KVA power substation at Omisanjana in Ado Ekiti after almost two decades of power outage.

Stressing the determination to boost the local economy and propel industrial development via robust growth of Small, and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the State, Olatunbosun said that government places a high premium on provision of stable supply of electricity across the state to serve as an impetus and a major boost to the growth of SMEs.

He appealed for the continued support of residents for Government’s efforts at developing the State and improving their lot, stressing the need for stakeholders to take ownership of public projects and ensure their safety.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Bolaji Aluko said that the project had been tested successfully for two weeks with 700kw distributed so far out of the total strength of 3.5megawatts and room for expansion. 

Prof. Aluko added that the test which covered Governor’s Office, Government House, State Secretariat Complex, House of Assembly Complex, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, (EKSUTH) and streetlights along major roads in the metropolis among others, would be expanded to cover private concerns on a willing buyer, willing seller basis.

The Technical Director, Ekiti IPP Limited, Engr. (Mrs.) Odunayo Lanre-Bamodu said the project is fully in operation and it has been working perfectly for about two weeks, she noted that government facilities across Ado Ekiti are benefiting from the electricity source.

Bamodu noted that the project is a metropolitan power source with 11kilometers underground distribution network as well as several substations and Ring Main Units (RMUs), two generating sets of 1.5MW and 1.25MW, totaling 2.65MW is in place for the power plant, adding that there is room for expansion.

Stressing that the project runs a 24 hours uninterrupted power supply, Bamodu said that individuals and corporate organizations can benefit from the plant as there is provision for expansion in future.

Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi Governorship Elections: President Tinubu Appeals For Fair And Transparent Electoral Conduct.

Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi Governorship Elections: President Tinubu Appeals For Fair And Transparent Electoral Conduct.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in Abuja appealed to all candidates participating in the November 11 gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States, as well as the electorate to ensure free and fair elections.

The President made the appeal at the presentation of the All Progressives' Congress (APC) flags to the standard-bearers in the upcoming elections.

He presented the party flags to Chief Timipre Sylva for Bayelsa State; Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who is seeking a second-term in office, and Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for Kogi State.

"All I am pleading for is for free and fair elections. I believe we will do well,'' the President stated.

The President expressed optimism about the party’s chances of victory in the off-season elections, noting the hard work and records of the candidates, as well as the collective efforts of party officials, members of the APC National Working Committee, and the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.

He said the collective efforts of these party men were factors inspiring his optimism in the forthcoming elections.

''I want to thank the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who is working hard to ensure a handover to our candidate, Usman Ododo. We are happy to have Hope Uzodinma, the great hope of our party and chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum. Thank you for the good job you are doing.

''Timipre Sylva, congratulations on what you have achieved as a former governor and former minister.

''We are all facing this crusade for democracy, particularly in this time of elections. It is our hope, and we have Hope Uzodinma as a candidate, that we will always come out victorious.

''I want to thank the active national leadership of our party, the NWC, and our hardworking chairman. He is doing a good job, and I thank him very much,'' President Tinubu said.

The APC National Chairman commended the President for endorsing the candidates and for taking time out of his busy schedule to present the flags to them.

The Facts On The Naval Boat In 2023 Supplementary Budget.

The Facts On The Naval Boat In 2023 Supplementary Budget.

Following public reactions over the provision for what is termed presidential yacht and other line items in the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation presented to the National Assembly, it is important to provide some clarifications.

First, we need to make clear that President Bola Tinubu’s administration respects the views of Nigerians on all matters of public concern. We thus consider it very imperative to clear any misconception and misunderstanding of the issues. 

1. What was named as Presidential Yacht in the budget is an Operational Naval boat with specialized security gadgets suitable for high profile operational inspection and not for the use of the President. It is called presidential yacht by way of nomenclature because of the high level security features. 

2. The Naval boat was ordered by the navy under the previous administration. President Tinubu has consistently said that government is a continuum as he inherited both assets and liabilities of past administrations.

3. The payment request for the boat was part of the committed obligation submitted by the office of the Chief of Naval Staff to the Ministry of Defence. The total of the submitted requests was in excess of N200 billion out which N62 billion was approved by the President.

4. President Tinubu is focused on securing our country and territorial waters. The Federal Government under his leadership is investing more resources to enhance greater economic output from our oil and gas, marine and blue economy.

In President Tinubu, we have a leader who understands the economic challenges being faced by the masses. His administration is working very hard to confront and surmount those challenges. Nigerians will soon get the benefits of the ongoing reforms that will certainly lead to a buoyant and improved quality of life for all citizens. 

ICYMI: Ekiti Govt Approves N136.26 Million in Car Loans for Civil Servants.

ICYMI: Ekiti Govt Approves N136.26 Million in Car Loans for Civil Servants.

The Government of Ekiti State has approved car loans amounting to N136,260,000 for 368 civil servants in the state. This development comes after Governor Biodun Oyebanji approved the injection of N200 million into the loan scheme to support civil servants.

The state government also sanctioned the payment of N174,394,176.88 to clear outstanding deductions from salaries to cooperative societies and the Federal Mortgage Bank.

Previously, Governor Oyebanji’s administration disbursed N130.7 million in car loans to civil servants in December 2022.

The Government of Ekiti State remains a model sub-national government, dedicated to improving workers' welfare and public service delivery.