Speak positive things about Nigeria, Tinubu urges citizens.

Speak positive things about Nigeria, Tinubu urges citizens.

President Bola Tinubu has encouraged Nigerians to maintain a positive outlook on the country.

Tinubu stressed that optimism about the country will eventually lead to success.

The President said this in his speech during the launch of the 3,112 housing units under the Renewed Hope Cites initiative in the Federal Capital Territory.

Tinubu, making his first public appearance after returning from a two-week private visit to Paris, said the citizens must learn to speak positive things about the country and remain hopeful despite ravaging challenges.

The president’s comments come amidst an array of issues bedeviling the country varying from biting economic hardship, inflation, rising cases of kidnapping-for-ransom, and a weakening local currency

Recall that on Monday through Tuesday, angry youths and women took to the streets of Minna, the Niger State capital, and Kano to protest what they described as the rising cost of living in the country. Similar protests also erupted in Ondo State, Nigeria’s southwest.

In Niger, a group of women reportedly blocked the ever-busy Minna-Bida Road at the famous Kpakungu Roundabout and called on the Tinubu administration to address the challenge of ‘hunger in the land.’ The mob deflected attempts to quell the protest by security operatives who fired tear gas canisters into the crowd and arrested others.

But Tinubu in his keynote speech on Thursday, urged Nigerians not to look back but forward because they have a country that truly cares about them.

He also pledged his willingness to commit to the country’s economic prosperity and development.

He said, “Here again, let’s talk to Nigerians. Let’s talk to ourselves and say everything positive about our country. Don’t think of your country negatively. Before I left home this morning, I asked for the national pledge of our country. And we have to relaunch it and ensure we are committed to the value, the greatness, the hope of our country.

“It is our country. You pledge to Nigeria, your country, my country to be faithful loyal, and honest. To serve Nigeria with all your strength.

“You saw it on the field of play with the Super Eagles yesterday. We were all rejoicing. Every one of us loves victory. We love to win. When you are positive and you are hopeful, Nigeria is winning.

“We didn’t say it will be smooth all the way through. But we are confident that this country will excel in all ramifications. We will defend our unity and uphold our honor and glory in every way possible. Because we are Nigerians and we have no other country.”

He added, “Nigerians, don’t look back, look forward. Be hopeful. Be assured that you have a country that cares about you and you must care about the country.”

Continuing, President Tinubu stressed the importance of shelter to man, describing it as a fundamental right and the responsibility of the government to its citizens.

He also commended the Housing Ministry for its efforts towards achieving the Renewed Hope mandate for housing and urban development.

The president further commended the Housing Ministry for taking the initiative to involve the private sector through PPP arrangements, underscoring the immense role the private sector can play in helping to achieve the future that Nigerians can be proud of.

He said, “It is a great honour for me to make this historic groundbreaking here today. I have listened carefully to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development on the housing plans to propel the engine of growth, stability, and economic resurgence of Nigeria.

“We know the value of housing. We appreciate the fact that it is an elixir for economic prosperity, Job creation, and hopefulness. The shelter is a necessity. It’s a human right and we are here just to do that.

“To set the record straight from this site, groundnut seller will eat. From this site, the water seller will make a living. From this site nail sellers, carpenters, and roofmakers will make a living. We will stand the test of time and bring the glory of Nigeria brighter than we met it.”

Reps task FG on inclusive education.

Reps task FG on inclusive education.

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have urged the Federal Ministry of Education to implement global standards in turning around the country’s education sector.

This is as the lawmakers urged the Federal Government to promote and implement policies to enhance inclusive education.

The lawmakers while making this call during Thursday’s plenary adopted a bill titled, “Need to implement global standards on national policy on education.” The bill was sponsored by Moshood Oshun.

There have been calls by education stakeholders for a review of the nation’s education curricula to meet the diverse needs of students even as some experts advocated the need for skills acquisition.

Oshun who represents Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency, Lagos State while leading the debate stressed the need to prioritise special needs education to cater to the individual needs of students and those with disabilities.

According to him, the National Policy on Education requires adhering to global standards for improving education for children with special needs, promoting inclusive access and a less restrictive learning environment.

This is as he quoted Section 18(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) as providing that “Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels.”

“That the present practice of the NPE in public schools remains not consistent with existing global standards due to the inadequacy of qualified staff, learning materials, software and equipment such as braille devices, audiometers, auditory Steady State Response, mobility devices, as well as specialised facilities for students with special needs, among others.

“The House is worried that many individuals, including educators and parents, are unaware of special education laws and policies, leading to gaps in implementation and ineffective support for special needs students,” he added.

The House urged the Federal Ministry of Education to commence full implementation of the National Policy on Education about Special Needs Education and ensure that adequate resources are made available to provide a conducive learning environment in public schools for pupils and students with special needs.

It further mandated the Committee on Disabilities to investigate the non-implementation of the National Policy on Special Needs Education to ensure speedy implementation and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

Delta approves N15.7bn for flood control.

Delta approves N15.7bn for flood control.

The Delta State Government on Thursday approved N15.7 billion for the construction of Phase 3 of flood control measures in Warri/Effurun and its environs in Warri South and Uvwie Local Government Areas of the state.

Briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza said phase 3 of the control measures will cover Airport Road, Ugborikoko, Bendel Estate, and Ugboroke and environs in Uvwie and Warri South Local Government Areas.

Osuoza said the Executive Council also approved an N600 million counterpart fund for the Sustainable Development Goals Conditional Grants Scheme for Delta State.

He said, “We had a very engaging session at Exco, and above all Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Exco took note of the hardship that Nigerians and Deltans are going through and he has resolved to make sure that he does everything humanly possible to put smiles on the faces of Deltans.

“One of the major projects approved today is the flood control measures in Warri/Effurun and Environs Phase 3.

“Phase 1 and Phase 2 were awarded long ago while Phase 3 entails Airport Road, Ugborikoko, Bendel Estate, and Ugboroke in Uvwie and Warri South at a cost of N15.7bn

“The second approval we got is the approval for the release of N600 million counterpart fund for the implementation of the 2024 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Conditional Grants and Schemes for Delta State.

On his part, Director-General of WUEDA, Prince Godwin Ejinyere said Phase 1 has been completed while Phase 2 is at 85 percent completion.

He said the agency was planning a total solution for flood control measures in the Warri Stadium area, adding that design work around Enerhen Community, Igbudu, and Odibo Estate among others was ongoing.

Kano anti-graft agency threatens to prosecute traders hoarding goods.

Kano anti-graft agency threatens to prosecute traders hoarding goods.

The Kano Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission, has threatened to seize hoarded goods and prosecute perpetrators.

The chairman of the commission, Muhyi Rimingade, made the threat on Thursday while briefing newsmen on the hike in prices of goods across the nation.

According to him, the agency would not hesitate to seize hoarded goods as well as prosecute the culprits.

He explained that the agency would take decisive action against individuals or traders found to be hoarding essential commodities in order to maximise profits.

“The PCACC will swing into action and will not watch businessmen hoarding commodities. We know there is the issue of forex, but those that hoard goods, even if the Federal Ministry of Commerce does not act, we will seize hoarded goods and take the owner to court,” he said.

While expressing concern over the rampant hoarding and inflationary pressures, Rimingado emphasised the commission’s determination to fulfill its mandate.

“We are overwhelmed; this is the most essential part of our job.

“We have inspected rice mills and it is N58,000 company’s price,” he said.

Rinmingado also acknowledged that beyond forex and government policies, certain business practices exacerbate the situation.

He added that the agency would not fold its arms and watch some unpatriotic citizens continue to hoard essential commodities to the detriment of the common man which resulted in a high cost of living among Nigerians.

Recall that following the escalating prices of goods coupled with the attitude of some shylock traders, who formed the habit of hoarding their goods, the state governor, Abba Yusuf, recently convened a meeting with members of the business community in the state at the Government House where he appealed to them to stop flagrant increase in prices.

The meeting was the second of its kind convened to discuss the current worrisome state of businesses, trading, and merchandising, especially regarding high prices of goods, to find solutions to the problem.

The governor bemoaned the prevailing hunger situation in the state, with people, especially commoners finding it difficult to eat three times a day.

According to him, the trend had been worsened by the soaring prices of foodstuff, particularly rice, maize, beans, and millet, which he said had made the items unaffordable to the people.

He, therefore, urged the businessmen, including the manufacturers and merchandisers, to bring out essential commodities and sell them to the people at affordable rates to alleviate their sufferings.

“I urge you to bring out the foodstuff and other essential commodities from your warehouses and sell to the people at affordable rates so as to alleviate their predicament”, Yusuf said.

During the interactive session, some business leaders attributed the inflation to factors such as high exchange rates of the Dollar, production costs, unreliable power supply for local industries, and border closures.

They urged the governor to seek intervention from the Federal Government to stabilize the exchange rate, emphasizing the detrimental impact of inflation on both consumers and the business community.

No plan to hike fuel price — NNPCL.

No plan to hike fuel price — NNPCL.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited on Thursday said it was not planning to increase the cost of Premium Motor Spirit, known as petrol.

The NNPCL in a statement by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, urged Nigerians against panic buying of petrol.

The statement read, “NNPC Ltd. urges Nigerians to disregard unfounded rumours and assures them that there are no plans for an upward review of the PMS price.

“Motorists nationwide are advised against engaging in panic buying, as there is presently ample availability of PMS across the country.”

It was reported that oil marketers expressed fears that there might be a scarcity of petrol if the NNPCL fails to make the product available to depot owners and other dealers.

They said the long queues being experienced in filling stations and some parts of Ogun State might eventually spread to other parts of the nation should the NNPCL fail to sell enough petrol to distributors.

Long queues have since Monday resurfaced in different filling stations in Lagos State, causing traffic gridlock in Ikeja and other areas, as residents feared there might be a fresh scarcity of petrol.

But speaking to one of our correspondents on Tuesday morning, Soneye had dismissed insinuations of fresh fuel scarcity.

Soneye disclosed that NNPCL did not have supply issues, adding that its products remained readily available.

He added that the distribution issue in some areas had been resolved.

“We are pleased to confirm that there are no supply issues and our products remain readily available.

“The recent tightness experienced in certain areas was due to a brief distribution issue in Lagos, which has since been resolved,” Soneye told our correspondent.

Oyo disburses additional N340m to farmers.

Oyo disburses additional N340m to farmers.

The Oyo State Government, on Thursday, announced that it would commence disbursement of N340.270 million to eligible crop farmers across the seven zones of the state from Friday, February 9, 2024.

This is in addition to a sum of N416.850 million recently disbursed to 1,407 farmers across the state in the third batch of the Sustainable Action For Economic Recovery initiative programme.

The state government had provided a sum of N1 billion under the Sustainable Action For Economic Recovery initiative of the government to support farmers to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

The Chairman of Agric Credit Corporation of Oyo State, Taofeek Akeugbagold, who addressed newsmen at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, the state capital, said the project has been non-partisan as it was available for the generality of legitimate farmers and would-be farmers in the state including the youths that were trained by the government under the YEAP programme.

Akeugbagold gave a breakdown of how funds were disbursed with reference to the categorization of the state into seven major zones.

“In Ibadan Zone One which is supervised by the Bank of Agriculture, Ibadan, a total number 547 beneficiaries have been disbursed with a sum of N156.75O million, while Ibadan Zone two undertaken by Onibuore Microfinance Bank has disbursed the sum of N118.950 million to 401 beneficiaries.

“However, in Oyo Zone undertaken by the Bank of Agriculture, Oyo, a total number of 171 beneficiaries have collected the sum of N50,700 million, while Ogbomoso Zone handled by Randalpha Microfinance Bank disbursed the sum of N29.250 million to 84 beneficiaries.

“Also, Oke Ogun Zone One handled by Ifedapo Microfinance Bank, Saki, disbursed a total sum of N26.230m to 79 beneficiaries, while Oke Ogun Zone Two supervised by Bank of Agriculture, Iseyin disbursed the sum of N30.800 million to 110 beneficiaries and Ibarapa Zone undertaken by Igboora Microfinance Bank disbursed the sum of N4.050m to 15 beneficiaries. This makes the total sum of N416.85O million disbursed to 1,407 farmers.” He explained.

Akeugbagold further gave the breakdown of how funds for the 4th batch would be disbursed across the various zones as of tomorrow, Friday, February 9, 2024, as follows:

“Ibadan one to be undertaken by Bank of Agriculture, Ibadan. N75.950 million for 269 beneficiaries. Ibadan two represented by Onibuore Microfinance Bank, N132.250 million for 474 beneficiaries.

“In Oyo, Bank of Agriculture, Oyo, N24.50 million for 87 beneficiaries. Oke-Ogun one, Ifedapo Beneficiaries Microfinance, N26.270 million for 93 beneficiaries. Oke-Ogun two, Bank of Agriculture, Iseyin, N13.450 million for 53 beneficiaries. Ogbomoso, Randalpha Microfinance Bank, N44.200 million for 159 beneficiaries. Ibarapa, lgboora Microfinance Bank, N23.650 million for 92 beneficiaries.”

The chairman, however, assured that real farmers who missed out on all the batches that have been previously considered would be taken care of once the payment came forth.

He also implored fresh graduates who were interested in agricultural practices to approach the corporation to access funds.

Akeugbagold also admonished all the beneficiaries to complement the government’s efforts by being faithful to the funds obtained and reciprocating the kind gesture of the government by paying back to enable others to benefit from it.

Earlier, the General Manager of the Corporation, Ogunniran Emmanuel commended the State Governor, Seyi Makinde for his efforts at cushioning the effects of the economic hardship occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

EKSG Distributes 10,000 Bag's Of Maize To Livestock Farmers.

EKSG Distributes 10,000 Bag's Of Maize To Livestock Farmers. 

Ekiti State Government on Thursday distributed 10,000 50kg bags of maize to livestock farmers across the State.

Speaking while distributing the grains to the benefiting Farmers associations; the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade explained that the palliative measure, the third of its kind by the government, is primarily targeted at boosting the production of livestock farmers.

Boluwade said that Government’s gesture was in recognition of the need to rejuvenate Livestock farms with the focus on food security, creation of employment opportunities and production of protein amongst others.

He noted that “free maize grains distribution to poultry farmers in the State would go a long way in alleviating the problem of high cost of poultry feeds and availability of maize input in the poultry business. A lot of poultry farms were winding down due to the burden of high cost of feed leading to serious concern on food security, production of protein and job security amongst others. 

“Governor Biodun Oyebanji approved the distribution of the grains to revitalize livestock production to boost food security, save jobs and help sustain production of protein”.

The Commissioner who also doubles as the Chairman of the State Special Committee on palliatives, warned against diversion of the grains, stressing that selling or any other form of diversion of the grains would be inimical to the purpose of the scheme. 

He said that the bags have been stamped “Not to be Sold” stressing anybody caught attempting to sell it would be sanctioned.

In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun described the intervention as strategic, adding that it was part of Government’s effort to make farming attractive particularly to the youths and help farmers thrive.

Reiterating the commitment of the Biodun Oyebanji administration to the development of the State and the general wellbeing of its residents, Olatunbosun assured that rejuvenation of agriculture in the State is well planned as encapsulated in the Agriculture and Rural development pillar of the administration and would be judiciously implemented.

He solicited the continued support of all stakeholders for efforts to make life more meaningful for all strata of the society, stressing the need to take advantage of opportunity provided by Government to improve their lot as well as using government’s largess judiciously to achieve the desired impact.

In his response, the Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria, Mr. Oluwasetemi Alonge expressed gratitude to the state government for the gesture, describing it as timely as inflation had eroded the working capital of the farmers which led to the almost collapse of their businesses.

Mr. Alonge noted that maize makes up about 70% of feed for their livestock, adding that the free distribution would therefore effectively reduce the burden of cost and improve their profit. 

Also responding, the Chairman of the State Chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Adebola Adeniran pledged on behalf of all beneficiaries to make judicious use of the free grains.

He noted that the high cost of inputs have made many farmers quit the business, adding that the gesture would go a long way in sustaining people in the Livestock business.

 

The 10,000 bags of maize were distributed through various associations to poultry, piggery, goats and fishery farmers amongst others.