American Corners reinforce vibrant U.S.-Nigeria relationship – Blinken.

American Corners reinforce vibrant U.S.-Nigeria relationship – Blinken.

U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, says American Corners reinforce the incredibly vibrant relationship between Nigeria and the U.S.

He said that Nigeria had more spaces than any other African country.

Blinken said these on Wednesday, in Lagos, at the grand opening of the American Corner in Lekki, a partnership between the U.S. Consulate General and 21st Century Technologies Limited, an ecosystem technology group.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Blinken was on a visit to Nigeria as part of his tour of four African nations including Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, and Angola.

NAN also reports that the new American Corner in Lekki is the 26th in Nigeria and one of the most innovative and tech enabled American Spaces in Africa, supporting youth innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity.

American spaces are cultural and information centers around the world that provide free and open access for members of local communities to learn more about the U.S. and access a wide range of resources.

Blinken said he was aware that many Nigerians wanted to acquire new skills and spend time in the U.S. studying, working or engaging in other activities.

According to him, this can be done through many ways, and American spaces are a big part.

“What it means is even more opportunity for Nigerians of any age to learn about the United States, to participate in professional development trainings and to get advice on studying in the U.S..

“Now, it’s particularly exciting because we are sharing this space with one of the continent’s most innovative incubators, 21st Century Technologies,” he said.

According to him, it takes a village of government and private sector entrepreneurs to build the infrastructure to promote and support growth.

He underscored the need to fully empower more women, noting that if women from around the world participated equally, $28 trillion would be added to the global economy.

Blinken also said no one place, nor people, had a monopoly on good ideas or innovation.

According to him, especially in this century, the true wealth or strength of a nation will be in its ability to allow its human resources to flourish.

“Military matters, geography matters, sizing population matters, the abundance of natural resources matters, but human resources matter most of all, and countries are succeeding in relation to the resources, no matter whether they have an abundance of power or those other things.

“One of the things I found very powerful is, when you put young minds and technology together, they can find solutions and solve problems in ways that some of us who may be a little bit older cannot do.”

Blinken said it was clear everyday that there were tremendous challenges and bumps in the road giving energy to move forward.

He said these challenges were also opportunities to unleash imagination, innovation and partnership.

it is no longer a secret that the future is with Africa and the world would ignore Africa at its own peril.

“We look forward to ambition continuing to grow alongside with innovation . And as it does, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.”

Wale Ajisebutu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 21st Century Technologies said the American corner ticked many boxes for his digital industry.

“We set out to work with people and partner and what we’re doing today will help us achieve our objectives and help Nigerians better.

“The new American corner will provide a platform for digital and cultural exchange and will empower Nigerians.”

According to him, poverty is a lack of access to technology and if any group of people can be given access to technology, they will be lifted out of poverty.

“This center will serve as an innovative springboard for everyone in this area and ensure that we become what we are meant to be,” Ajisebutu said.

(NAN)

Judicial workers boo sacked Commissioner out of office.

Judicial workers boo sacked Commissioner out of office.

Ondo judicial workers on Wednesday booed and mocked former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Sir Charles Titiloye.

Titiloye was said to be in his office when news filtered in that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had dissolved the cabinet.

It was gathered the judicial workers gathered around the premises to watch him leave when they learnt of the Governor’s action.

Titiloye delayed leaving the office as hundreds of angry workers outside waited for him to step out.

The workers poured invectives on him over his alleged highhandedness while in office.

But policemen whisked Titiloye away in another vehicle after the tires of his car were deflated by the angry workers.

One of the workers, who simply gave her name as Evelyn, said: “Titiloye Charles frustrated everyone working in the ministry. We don’t know when the late Akeredolu picked him up and left him in the office all this time.

“There was a time that we judicial workers wanted to go on strike because of his attitude towards us but we were appealed upon, and we shelved it.

“Honestly, he has not been a good person. What you should be concerned about is why he was the one who was booed. There are three other commissioners in the complex but Titiloye was booed. So that says a lot about his days in office.”

Titiloye could not be reached for comments as of the time of filing this report. 

Kwara assembly passes N292.7bn 2024 budget.

Kwara assembly passes N292.7bn 2024 budget. 

The Kwara State House of Assembly on Wednesday approved a budget of N292.7 billion for the state’s expenditures in 2024.

The passed budget was N3.7 billion, representing 1.25% less than the N296.4 billion estimate presented to the Assembly by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in December 2023.

The budget estimate was passed by the Assembly after considering the Report of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation on the Proposed Year 2024 Budget of the Kwara State Government presented by its Chairman, Hon. Arinola Fatimoh Lawal (Ilorin East Constituency).

In the approved appropriation bill, the total capital expenditure was increased to N180.21billion instead of N178.905billion earlier proposed by the governor while the recurrent expenditure was reduced to N113.836billion against the N116.43billion in the budget proposal.

After the consideration of the report of the Committee on Finance and Appropriation at the Committee of Supply, the Clerk to the House was directed to read the bill the third time and thereafter passed through Third Reading and Final Passage.

In his submission, the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Yakubu Salihu-Danladi, expressed hope that the budget for economic expansion and collective prosperity would go a long way in positively impacting the lives of the people of the state.

The Speaker applauded Governor AbdulRazaq for ensuring the January to December cycle as adopted by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to engender accelerated implementation.

The Speaker thereafter directed the Clerk to the House, Alhaji Olayiwola Ahmed to produce a clean copy of the Bill for the Governor’s assent.

Aiyedatiwa appoints ex-NASS clerk Adelami, as Deputy Gov.

Aiyedatiwa appoints ex-NASS clerk Adelami, as Deputy Gov.

The Ondo State Governor Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has picked a former Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr Olaide Adelami, as the deputy governor of the state.

This came a few hours after the governor sacked all the commissioners and special advisers on Wednesday.

In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, the name of the new deputy governor has been transmitted to the state House of Assembly for approval.

“His nomination will be announced by the House of Assembly later today,” the statement read.

Adelami retired as Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly l in April 2018. He hails hails from Owo, Owo Local Government Area, the same LGA of late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

Adelami was an APC governorship aspirant in 2020 but stepped down for the late Akeredolu

He said, “As an experienced and trained technocrat, it wasn’t part of my plans to join politics initially. I was expecting an appointment but I was assigned to coordinate Ondo State for the Presidential Support Committee of the All Progressives Congress. The scope of the work involved the resolution of the crisis within the members.

“That was my first exposure to field politics and this afforded me the opportunity to feel the needs of the people across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State. After the Presidential election, I saw the need to help the people of the state as the administrator of the resources of the state. I know that I would be more impactful than what we are seeing now in the state. I have that capacity. I believe in myself that I can manage the people, the money and the materials of the state better than what it is now.”

It was earlier reported that Aiyedatiwa dissolved the State Executive Council.

The governor also relieved all Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants of their duties.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Wednesday, the governor said the development would take immediate effect.

The statement read, “All members of the cabinet are to immediately hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most senior administrative officers in their respective offices.

“All the affected officials are directed to hand over all government properties in their possession.

“The governor thanks the affected officials for their services and contributions to the development of the state.”

Aiyedatiwa was on December 27, 2023, sworn in as the substantive governor of the state following the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. Akeredolu, aged 67, passed away while undergoing treatment for prostate cancer in a German hospital.

Nigerian youths ready to compete globally – Tinubu.

Nigerian youths ready to compete globally – Tinubu.

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday said Nigerian youths are vibrant, talented, eager to learn and ready to compete globally.

Therefore, his administration will strongly support public-private partnerships aimed at creating dignified work and employment opportunities for them.

“God has blessed Nigeria with a vibrant youth population, ready to learn, and capable of competing in the global economy of the 21st century. Leadership is what is necessary,” Tinubu told the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mastercard Foundation, Ms. Reeta Roy, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Aso Rock Villa on Wednesday.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed this in a statement he signed on Wednesday titled ‘President Tinubu to Mastercard Foundation: Nigerian youths are talented, ready to learn and can compete globally.’

Tinubu commended Mastercard Foundation’s initiative which plans to create 10 million jobs for young people in Nigeria, noting that the programme aligns with his Renewed Hope Agenda for economic development and job creation.

”We believe in what you are doing. We are determined to run an inclusive government and change the dynamics and perception of this country.

“Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and, as such, must take its leadership of this continent very seriously. We must give hope and assurance to our teeming youth population.

”The incubation is growing, and we are earning a good reputation, and we will continue to do that across sectors of the economy in order to achieve sustainable growth,” the President said.

He also welcomed Mastercard Foundation’s emphasis on digitisation, recognising the role of technology as a potent and indispensable tool against corruption.

Tinubu declared, “We are ready to work with you and remove all impediments, and we have assembled a great team to work with you.

“The hope of the youth must be built on a solid foundation of sustainable growth and prosperity. We are working with other partners, and we assure you of our robust and focused collaboration.”

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Pate noted the wide-reaching impact of the Mastercard Foundation across Africa and its proven capacity to change the fortunes of human capital development in Nigeria.

“This is an institution that holds assets worth more than $40bn and they are prudent in ensuring that their resources are applied digitally and in a way that reaches their target beneficiaries directly.

“Mr. President’s strong commitment to reforming social intervention and health service delivery in Nigeria will be greatly boosted through this partnership,” the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare stated.

Mastercard Foundation CEO, Roy informed the President that the Foundation’s focus on education and financial inclusion in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, will impact 30 million young Africans by 2030.

She reported progress on the Foundation’s 10 million target for Nigeria, stating that 2.1 million young people trained under the ‘Young Africa Work Strategy’ are already engaged in dignified work.

More so, Roy said no fewer than seven million people have undergone programmes classified as work enablers, including skill acquisition, education, access to financial tools, networks, or linkages into opportunities.

“We are still on a journey and have more work to do. We are excited about looking at a whole new frontier, and that is in the healthcare sector.

“While we may not historically be a health organisation or health foundation, we are looking at that sector as part of a vibrant economic landscape ripe with opportunities for young people and our focus will be on workforce development,” she said.

She thanked the President for placing young people and healthcare at the heart of his economic growth agenda across multiple sectors.

“appreciate your contributions to the health sector.

“I know there are many things that require your time, but I am really grateful and very much encouraged to see that healthcare and education are also critical parts of the way forward.

“We hope that you find in us a partner that is steadfast, open, and ready to learn,” she said.

Established in 2006, Mastercard Foundation is an international non-governmental organisation established by the payment-technology giant, Mastercard.

The Toronto-based organisation, which has supported work in 49 countries, shifted its focus to Africa, through its Young Africa Works strategy in 2018.

Ms Roy has served as its CEO since 2008.

Afenifere scraps positions of acting leader, deputy.

Afenifere scraps positions of acting leader, deputy.

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere on Wednesday, annulled the office of the acting leader of the group being occupied by Pa Ayo Adebanjo.

Afenifere, which appointed Adebanjo as the acting leader of the group in 2022, said the position had been abrogated, adding that another group named as Afenifere Elders Caucus has been formed.

However, Adebanjo is also a member of the new group.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the monthly meeting of the group held at the residence of the National Leader of the association, Pa Reuben Fasoranti on Wednesday. The communique was read by the Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr Jare Ajayi.

The communique partly read, “In the light of recent events and the pressing need to reposition and rejuvenate Afenifere, it has been decided that the position of acting leader and deputy leader have now been abrogated.

“The responsibilities and authority of advising the leader of Afenifere and Asiwaju Yoruba are now vested in the Afenifere Elders Caucus which is hereby constituted.”

According to the communique, Fasoranti is the chairman of the elders’ caucus while some of the members of the group include Adebanjo, Olu Falae, Senator Cornelius Adebayo, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Seinde Arogbofa, Senator Kofo Bucknor-Akerele,  Prince Ladigbolu, Lt. Gen Alani, Akinrinade (Rtd.),  Maj. Gen. Olu Bajowa (Rtd.), Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, and Prof. Banji Akintoye, amongst others.

At the meeting, the group also expressed its displeasure over the state of the nation with particular reference to the socio-economic and security challenges in the country, saying it was time to restructure the country.

“There is an urgent need to rework the security architecture of the country to ensure that Nigerians are able to live and move about without the fear of being kidnapped or harassed in any way. Such reworking should include giving states and local government councils that so desire to establish their own police services with all the requisite powers to function as such. Doing so would check if not totally stop, the incidences of kidnapping and sundry banditry now ravaging the land.

“The unfortunate blast in Ibadan clearly underscores the need to allow the federating units in the country to control mineral resources in their respective areas with particular reference to mining and exploration.

“The reasoning behind this was that had it been that states were in control of mining, for instance, the Oyo State Government was likely to know how explosives were being moved around. Such would have made last week’s horrendous blast that claimed many lives, traumatised hundreds of people, and destroyed properties running into billions of naira would have been prevented.”

While reiterating that it is time for a restructuring of the country, the Afenifere urged President Bola Tinubu to set the machinery in motion for the purpose.

“The organisation (Afenifere) took note of the fact that the President, a known democrat and federalist would not hesitate to do things that would quicken the country’s quest for true federalism in which people would have self-determination within the context of one nation that is genuinely democratic and federal,” the group noted

Ring Road: Ekiti Govt Pledges Compensations for Land Owners.

Ring Road: Ekiti Govt Pledges Compensations for Land Owners. 

.....Rallies stakeholders' backings for project execution.

To douse the fears being nursed by farm owners in towns where the Ekiti State Ring Road Phase One will traverse, the government, has expressed willingness to pay adequate compensations to affected individuals, who lost their crops to the ongoing construction project.

The government emphasized that Governor Biodun Oyebanji values the welfare of Ekiti citizens and won't do anything that will inflict suffering or cause infringement of their rights, saying the project will bring an upswing to economic activities in the six host communities when completed. 

The Ekiti estate Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, said this in Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday, while interfacing with stakeholders from the six communities where the ring road phase one flagged off by Governor Oyebanji touches.

The communities were: Iworoko, Are, Afao, Araromi, Orun and Igbemo Ekiti, under Ifedara Local Council Development Area, where the ring road that began last year is domiciled.

Addressing the stakeholders, Mrs Afuye appealed to the farmers and other residents to cooperate with the contractor for speedy completion of the project that will bring development to the benefiting communities and decongest Ado Ekiti of traffic snarl.

The Deputy Governor stated that the interface was convened by Governor Oyebanji to resolve some misgivings being nursed by some farmers, whose lands fall within the radius of the construction site, assuring them that adequate compensations will be paid for damaged crops.

"This project rests chiefly on the development of our dear state, which concerns all citizens. On this premise, we crave your understanding on all the issues to be raised for this government is absolutely for peace and we are here to make peace with whoever is nursing any agitation with the project execution.

"We are not unaware that these agitations stemmed from the damage that will be done to some crops and farmlands in an attempt to prosecute the project and make a success of it. 

"We know the value placed by our people on farming, being the mainstay of their income and economic survival and this government won't take any action that will inflict sufferings and unwarranted loss of their means of livelihoods. 

"Let me allay your fears by bringing you the assurances of our governor that justice will be done to whatever damage that is done to your crops by way of payment of commensurate compensations by the government to affected farm owners. 

"Allow the contractor to do the job, your compensation is sure and guaranteed. But in paying the compensation, make sure you don't overestimate whatever loss you suffered, that has always been the area of disagreement. Make sure you are honest in this regard".

Lending credence to the position canvassed by the Deputy governor, the Commissioner for Works, Adesola Adebayo, revealed that the entire road length from Iworoko to the terminus is 18 kilometres and needed to be completed within 24 months, which he said made it imperative for the citizens to back the contractor.

To further allay the fears of the stakeholders, the Commissioner added that the Ministry of Works has begun full enumeration of all the affected farmers and landowners, assuring that "every single person affected will be compensated". 

In his submission, the Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, revealed that the policy was aimed at creating better access across Ekiti in form of ring road that will be extended round the state to bolster economy.

Speaking specifically about the ring road phase one, Olatunbosun said it will turn the axis into the economic hub of the state, particularly when the international Cargo airport that will begin full operation soon is completed.

"If we begin to demolish houses, the displaced people won't be happy with the government. That was why we decided to change the course and redirected to where no house will be demolished. The governor doesn't want the masses to suffer. Even globally , ring road cannot pass through the town.

"The governor also looked at the values these houses will get in terms of monetary evaluation , because some of them were constructed with mud. The compensations that will be paid might not even be enough to build another houses. 

"Let it be stated that whoever loses crops like Cocoyam, cocoa, yams, cassava , kolanut and others will be compensated. Nobody will be shortchanged, be rest assured of this".

Speaking for the stak holders, the Alare of Are- Ekiti, Oba Adebiyi Boluwade, noted that his people were elated by the project conception, because it will add value to the development of the affected towns, saying they have nothing against the government and its intention.

The monarch advised that "As much as we are ready to support this project, please, don't let the compensations due to individuals be delayed, let it be done in time". 

Present at the event were: Lawmaker representing Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency 1, Hon Femi Akindele, his counterpart from constituency 2, Hon. Hakeem Jamiu, the Director General, Community Engagement, Mrs Mary Oso Omotoso, the Chairman of Ifedara LCDA, Hon Lawrence Ogunsanya, traditional rulers, traditional chiefs, community leaders, among others.