Anambra unveils free public Wi-Fi.

Anambra unveils free public Wi-Fi.

The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has reaffirmed his commitment to a technologically advanced future for the state, through the launch of the pilot phase of the public Wi-Fi initiative tagged “Solution Wi-Fi”.

The governor said the development was part of his efforts towards transforming Anambra State into a smart mega city.

A statement by the Managing Director/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Agbata, on Friday, said the initiative, driven by the ICT agency in collaboration with Pineheight Systems Limited, signposts a resounding fulfilment of promises outlined towards launching the state into the digital age.

Agbata explained that the agency is dedicated to realising the state’s vision of “Everything technology, technology everywhere”, adding that this pilot phase is part of the ongoing technological transformation under the Soludo administration.

He said, “As part of his visionary manifesto detailed on Pages 20 and 33, Soludo pledged to provide cheap (and ultimately free) Wi-Fi hotspots in public places for the takeoff of the State’s emergence into the digital age and work with development partners to deploy broadband access to schools across all levels and public libraries to improve access to the internet for all and continue to build the digital tribe.

“The broader vision includes collaboration with development partners to provide broadband access to schools and public libraries, thereby enhancing internet accessibility across all strata of the society.

“The Solution Wi-Fi initiative, now operational in three strategic locations in the state capital Awka namely Aroma Junction, Book Foundation, and UNIZIK back gate, will see users within these locations enjoy one hour of free internet access, every 24 hours, during the pilot phase.”

He further explained that all three locations are not only strategic but quite important for students and businesses alike, adding that the deployment of the Solution Wi-Fi to these areas will no doubt boost educational activities while businesses can also leverage it to enhance their online presence.

“High speed and free internet access can also help our teeming young population to begin to create content that will yield revenue amongst other prospects, the opportunities are endless.

“To access the free Solution Wi-Fi, businesses around the designated locations and individuals, can upon activation of their Wi-Fi, and selection of ‘Solution Wi-Fi’, follow the SMS authentication prompt, to create a username (phone number).

“After which they will receive an auto-generated code via SMS. This code serves as the password, granting them one hour of fast internet access per day, with an effective range of up to 200 meters, depending on the user’s device.

“This groundbreaking initiative underscores Anambra State’s unwavering commitment to technological excellence, recently acknowledged at the National Council on Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy meeting in Kano, where the state received prestigious awards, including Overall Best State in Digital Technology Development, First Position for Best State in Digital Infrastructure Technology Development, and First Runner-up in e-government Implementation and Digital Technology Human Capital Development.

“Anambra State proudly takes its place on the technology map of Nigeria, a testament to Soludo’s steadfast commitment and investment in technology, and the State ICT Agency reaffirms its commitment to a future marked by technological advancement, innovation, and unparalleled progress for the state,” Agbata added.

Governor Soludo had assured the youths of the state that he would address their concerns and give them a better future last November.

According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, the governor stated this during the maiden youth conference held in Awka.

The statement noted that Soludo made it clear that his administration has the interest of the youths at heart and will continue to provide and plan for the youths of Anambra State.

FG secures €25m agreement to build 28 bridges.

FG secures €25m agreement to build 28 bridges.

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Works has secured a €25m grant for construction of 28 priority bridges in Nigeria.

This was disclosed after a meeting with a team of investors from the Netherlands led by the Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Oluremi Oliyide on Friday in Abuja.

The initiative is part of moves to secure additional funding to rejig the nation’s economy.

According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media, Orji Uchenna Orji, the Minister of Works, David Umahi finalised discussions with investors from the Netherlands to obtain the grant for the construction of priority bridges in the country.

He said the grant is pending final discussion with Janson Bridging International, Netherlands, and documentation processes with the Ministry of Finance.

The statement read, “The Minister of Works, David Umahi has finalised discussions with investors from the Netherlands to attract a grant of €25m for the construction of priority bridges in Nigeria.”

Continuing, the Minister assured the team of the positive disposition of the Federal Government towards accessing international interventions from donor agencies and other development partners to address the infrastructural deficits inhibiting economic development in Nigeria.

He added that an increase in partnerships and collaborations was necessary to support the funding of the critical sector of the economy for the promotion of robust and equitable economic growth adding that once due diligence was carried out, a proposal will be presented to the President for approval.

He said, “We have a number of projects that we can do together. But I think the best thing to do is to conclude this one, which is a grant, then get the process started, and at the point of agreement and project selection, we shall refer to Mr. President for his approval”

In his remarks, the Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands said the team came to discuss the offer of a grant by Janson Bridging International for investment in road infrastructure in Nigeria.

According to him, “Janson Bridging is the largest modular bridge manufacturing and bridging company in continental Europe and the largest bridge rental company in the world. ”

He promised to assist in fast-tracking the agreement implementation process on the side of the company as soon as all formalisations were concluded.

On his part, a member of the team and International Business Consultant, Eric Okunde said the investors were ready and technically prepared to work with the Federal Ministry of Works in the mapping and design of the projects as well as the formulation of the template for the execution of the project.

In the 2024 budget, the government said it would spend N837bn on constructing and rehabilitating 2,254 roads and bridges in the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years across the country to improve the nation’s deteriorating road infrastructure.

Despite this funding, the state of highways remains poor and in need of extra sources of funding.

The Ministry of Works has also stated that it is engaging concessionaires and other private sector organisations to secure investments in the construction of 35,000km of federal road networks.

FG to safeguard, develop border communities – Shettima.

FG to safeguard, develop border communities – Shettima.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to securing and developing Nigeria’s border communities to improve the lives of residents and the security situation in the country.

He also blamed the proliferation of small arms and light weapons on the porousness of border communities.

“Our border communities feel alienated from the rest of the country because of neglect. If we can get development into our border communities, the pressure on the centre will reduce,” Shettima said when he received a delegation from the Border Communities Development Agency at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the VP stressed the importance of border communities on national security and pledged continued support for their development needs.

The statement is titled ‘We must do more to secure our border communities against incursions – VP Shettima.’

The Vice President stated, “Most of the challenges we face stem from our poor border security evident in the free flow of light weapons and ammunition across the border. We need to address the role of the BCDA in changing the security landscape of our country.”

He acknowledged the need for residents to feel a sense of belonging as Nigerians and assured of the government’s commitment to improving access to healthcare and other essential services for the residents of these communities.

Shettima also urged the BCDA to develop a roadmap for strengthening the agency, highlighting the need for increased government funding.

The agency’s Executive Secretary, Junaid Abdullahi, acknowledged the challenges of limited resources and expressed hope that under Shettima’s leadership, the agency would receive the necessary support to fulfil its mandate.

Abdullahi said, “Our border communities feel alienated from the rest of the country because of neglect. If we can get development into our border communities, the pressure on the centre will be reduced. We would have reduced rural-urban migration and also addressed most of our security challenges.

“Under your chairmanship, we believe that following your antecedent as Governor of Borno State, we are sure you will give us the needed support to see that our agency is funded to carry out its mandate.”

Account for airport toll gate revenue since 2015, court orders FAAN.

Account for airport toll gate revenue since 2015, court orders FAAN.

Justice Ibrahim Kala of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday ordered the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to reveal how much it made from toll gates and parking lots fees in all Federal Government owned airports and how much it remitted from January 2015 till January 2024.

The judge also compelled FAAN (the sole respondent) to provide details of the revenue to a public interest applicant, the Registered Trustees of The Centre for Law and Civil Culture.

Justice Kala gave the agency three months to comply with the order.

The applicant had filed the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1086/2022 following the respondent’s failure to accede to its freedom of information request of August 24, 2022, saying this violated the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

B.O. Fowewe represented the applicant while A.A. Lawal appeared for the respondent.

Following the conclusion of hearing of the matter on January 25, 2024, with both parties adopting their written addresses, the court adjourned for judgment.

At the resumed hearing of proceedings on Friday, the judge granted the applicant’s prayer, stating that it had satisfied all the conditions stipulated in Section 20 of the FOI Act.

Justice Kala held, “I shall, therefore, reach the irresistible conclusion that the lone issue for determination in this case, that is qhether the respondent is mandated to provide the requested information to the applicant as provided for under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 and the applicant entitled to the reliefs sought in their originating application, is resolved against the respondent and in favour of the applicant. The applicant’s application succeeds, and it is accordingly granted as follows:

“It is hereby declared that the refusal and failure of the respondents to accede to the applicant’s Freedom of Information requests dated 24/8/2021, 6/10/2021, and 22/4/2022 requesting to know the total annual generated revenue from the toll gates and parking lots in each of the Federal Government owned airports across the Federal Republic of Nigeria since 2015 till date is a gross violation of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

“An order of mandamus is, hereby, granted compelling the respondent to avail the applicant with the details of the statement of the accounts showing the total annual generated revenue from the toll gates and parking lots in each of the Federal Government owned airports across the Federal Republic of Nigeria and evidence of yearly remittance of such sum so generated per year from January 2015 to January 2024 within a period of three months from today.”

FG vows to clamp down on economic saboteurs

FG vows to clamp down on economic saboteurs.

The Federal Government has vowed to go after individuals sabotaging the nation’s economy.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in a statement he personally signed on Friday.

Idris stated that one of the decisions of President Bola Tinubu when he was sworn-in was the removal of petrol subsidy which all the “three major candidates” agreed on in their campaign messages.

He said, “It is instructive that the removal of the petrol subsidy was one policy decision that all the three major candidates were unanimous on in their campaign messaging.

“It is therefore mystifying to see people who had argued stridently for the removal, now pretending to be against it today. This insincerity does not bode well for our country and our democracy.

“As respected economists and experts have acknowledged, these foundational reforms will be difficult and painful for Nigerians in the short-term.

“The problems that we are solving are no doubt multifaceted, intertwined, and deep-rooted, requiring creative, strategic, decisive, and multi-pronged solutions. These bold moves being implemented are in full alignment with what is required.

“It is heartwarming to note that we are starting to see the results. Indeed, the naira is stabilising, and the foreign exchange market is seeing a surge of inflows.”

The minister added that regulatory and enforcement agencies have been working round the clock in the past few days to identify, investigate and sanction those involved in illegal activities and sabotage within the forex market.

“Sadly, as with any effort to reform and sanitise a system entrenched in long-term malpractice, the CBN’s efforts have been met with ferocious resistance from speculators and other unscrupulous players within and outside our country, who profit from dysfunction and opacity.

“To tackle this, regulatory and enforcement agencies of government have been working round the clock in the past few days, joining forces to address these efforts at undermining the reforms.

“That strategic alliance has led to the intelligence-led identification, investigation and sanctioning of individuals and organisations involved in illegal activities and sabotage within the forex market.

“Relevant regulatory and security agencies have been directed to remain vigilant to ensure that malpractices capable of undermining our currency are averted and that those engaged in these acts are brought to book. The government will not allow its efforts to be jeopardised.”

Akpata wins Edo LP governorship primary.

Akpata wins Edo LP governorship primary.

Former National Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olumide Akpata, on Friday, won the Edo State Labour Party governorship primary election.

The Returning Officer for the election and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu, declared Akpata as the winner after collating the results.

Emetu said the lawyer polled 316 votes to emerge the winner of the exercise.

Akpata had in December 2023 explained that his ambition is not being sponsored by Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.

He said there was no truth that Obaseki would back him if his preferred candidate in the Peoples Democratic Party lost the ticket.

Akpata also said that those alleging that he was attempting to buy the LP ticket with cash were displaying immaturity.

He spoke to journalists in Benin when he appeared as the Special Guest at the award day of the 2023 Press Week of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

He said, “That I am sponsored by Godwin Obaseki is an unfounded and baseless rumour. It was bandied around by two irresponsible online blogs that I shall be going after with all the venom that I can muster because my approach to fake news is that you nip it in the bud and you deal with it before it festers.

“It has also been bandied around by some disgruntled politicians, including in my party, and I said to them that it is a very weak argument or reasoning.

“My relationship with the governor has never been hidden, so it is only politicians who don’t know how to agree to disagree that quickly conclude that when two contenders sit together, they must belong to the same camp.

“In the old Bendel State, my father’s elder brother, Senator Olu Akpata, was in the UPN in 1979, his cousin, Tayo Akpata, was the Chairman of NPN in the same state. They had lunch and dinner together.

“The family I belong to are honourable people. Those who know the Akpata family in Benin know that we are honourable people. If I cannot go into politics on my own, and get the prize that I am looking for I will stay at home.

“I am a successful lawyer. Politics is not my job. It is out of interest that we have come to the rescue of this state and Nigeria. I cannot be the hireling of anybody,” he added.

On the issue of being a moneybag, Akpata said, “As the Americans would say, I put my money where my mouth is and you know, these people who say I am a moneybag have been spending before I came into the scene. So, I just wonder what the issue really is. You know when people get uncomfortable with a competition that they cannot match up to, they must look for something to say.

“They are only giving a dog a bad name to hang it. The LP is not as financially buoyant as the other parties. So it is important that all of us who are true party members come together and help our party. I shrug off the claim that I am a money bag. However, Politics is expensive all over the world,” he added.

Pro-Tinubu youths storm N’Assembly, fault NLC’s planned protests.

Pro-Tinubu youths storm N’Assembly, fault NLC’s planned protests.

Scores of pro-democracy activists on Friday staged a solidarity march from the popular Unity Fountain to the National Assembly complex in Abuja to demand that the Nigeria Labour Congress suspend its planned two-day protest and return to the negotiation table with the Federal Government.

They also vowed to mobilise Nigerians against the unionists if the lawmakers couldn’t convince them not to go ahead with the protest.

The protesters, who arrived at the complex in six luxury buses, were chanting solidarity songs and displaying displaying anti-NLC placards.

Some of the placards read “Let’s be patient with Tinubu” “NLC, please rest. Jagaban is working” and “NLC, stop pretending to be fighting for Nigerians.”

Addressing newsmen at the Unity Fountain, Convener of Nigerian Civil Society Forum, Sunday Attah, said those who are familiar with history know that the same NLC that is ‘pretending to fight for the masses’ was among the biggest critics of fuel subsidy removal.

Attah also urged the unionists to borrow a leaf from the United Kingdom where the people stood with the government when the country’s economy entered recession.

He said, “We must understand the trajectory of how the NLC has operated over time. Remember in this same country when fuel subsidy was removed, they got up and claimed to be standing for Nigerians. They fought and said fuel subsidy should not be removed. But after a series of meetings, which of course today they are saying didn’t yield any fruit, we know how these ‘coloured’ papers exchanged hands and matters died on the ground.

“We are not going to allow the NLC to plunge Nigeria into anarchy. Calling for protest against an eight-month-old government is uncalled for. The President is doing his best. He is not a magician. All that Nigerians need at the moment is to be patient with the President.

“When a woman gets pregnant it takes nine months for her to deliver. When the child is born, it takes another one to two years for the child to walk. Why can’t NLC support Mr President to deliver dividends of democracy and to fulfill all his campaign promises?

“What they are doing is to play the wild card to get the sympathy of Nigerians then go behind to negotiate and collect money. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not that kind of president. He wants to work for all Nigerians and this is the reason why the president begged Nigerians to give him time. His policies may take a little time for us to adjust.

“These things happen even in civilised societies where government policies do not start manifesting and yielding fruits overnight it takes a little process of time and that is the process we are at the moment. In the UK today the British government is in recession. Are people protesting against the government? It is a process.”

His position was shared by the co-convener of the group, Terrence Kuanum, who argued that shutting down commercial activities in the country won’t resolve the economic hardship in the country.

“I am hungry, you are hungry. But it is not by sabotaging the system or antagonising the system that we can resolve this issue. We can only resolve this issue as patriotic Nigerians so the next generation doesn’t face it.

“We are giving them 24 hours to rescind the decision to protest and go back to the negotiation table. If they insist on coming out, we are calling on Nigerians not to respect any decision from NLC. We are going to mobilise the masses to stay back and work for this country. No strike can solve this problem. People go on strike to get the attention of policymakers. But in your case, you are already with the policymakers. So what is the essence of the strike?” he said.

The NLC affirmed its determination to proceed with planned protests against the current economic conditions, disregarding warnings from the Department of State Services.

It has also commenced mobilisation efforts for a nationwide protest scheduled for February 27 and 28, highlighting the country’s cost of living crisis.

Sources indicate that the Federal Government’s failure to fulfill its commitments following the 14-day ultimatum from labor will result in a two-day nationwide protest on February 27 and 28.