VP Shettima Receives New Board of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission.

VP Shettima Receives New Board of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission.

....Charges members on steadfastness, devotion to duty.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has asked the newly appointed Board of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) to demonstrate unwavering devotion to duty.

Addressing the delegation who came on a courtesy visit in the Presidential Villa, VP Shettima reminded the board members of the importance of religious commitment in addressing the challenges facing the nation.

The Vice President also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's positive impact on the nation, attributing the President's success to divine blessings and purity of his heart.

He stated: "The road that led us to the Tinubu Presidency did not happen by chance. This is a man whose trajectory is characterized by making sacrifices for the good of the nation."

Highlighting Tinubu's role as a sanctuary for victims of political persecution, VP Shettima said the need for leaders to invest in building bridges can never be wished away, noting President Tinubu's contributions in providing an alternative platform for the Nigerian political system.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made sacrifices and built bridges. He was a veritable sanctuary for victims of political witch hunts. When other governors were struggling to have a seat at the dining table with Obasanjo way back then, he provided an alternative platform for the Nigerian political system,” the Vice President said.

Addressing the appointed board members, Shettima said, "All of you here were picked because of your religious devotion. We cannot condone what is taking place in the system. We must all strive to make a positive impact to attain the Nigeria of our dreams."

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve on the board.

He also commended the Vice President's exceptional leadership, recounting instances of support for the church and efforts to foster peace and harmony in Borno State.

“Your antecedent and what we have known about you are immense. When we came to Maiduguri, Borno State, I was the Director of National Issues and Social Welfare at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The then CAN chairman in Borno State said to us that they have an exceptional governor, who supported Christians and rebuilt churches destroyed by Boko Haram,” he said.

He added that Vice President Shettima stood with the Church and ensured that there was peace and harmony in the church in Nigeria and with people of other faiths.

Bishop Adegbite also noted that the commission's role goes beyond pilgrimage as it extends to the duty of ensuring a harmonious environment for the nation.

"For us as a commission, our assignment is beyond pilgrimage. It is our duty and responsibility to ensure that we have a harmonious environment for our nation, to build bridges and ensure that there is peace and harmony in Nigeria," he stated.

Benue Govt bans political gatherings over insecurity.

Benue Govt bans political gatherings over insecurity.

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has banned political meetings/ gatherings in the state till further notice.

 Alia said the ban followed intelligence on the security situation in the state.

 The decision, contained in a statement by Paul Biam, chief of staff to the governor, made specific reference to the presence of armed herders in the state.

 The statement which also copied the state Police Commissioner George Chuku reads: “I write to inform you that Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia has banned all political gatherings in any form, be it inter or intra party or groups in Benue State till further notice.

 “This has become necessary following intelligence on the volatility of the security atmosphere in the state. It is certainly not news to you how the security atmosphere in the state is charged following the unprecedented influx of armed herdsmen in the state.

 “You are by this notification invited to enforce this directive. Accept the assurances and best regards from the Governor of Benue State.”

Nigeria making progress, says Otti.

Nigeria making progress, says Otti.

Nigeria is making progress in the recovery of the economy, Abia State Governor Alex Otti said yesterday.

The governor also gave reasons for the sliding fortunes of the naira. He suggested what the Federal Government can do to arrest the trend.

Otti, a banker, commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the initiatives it took in the last few days, saying such policies were in good fate.

He however urged the apex bank to keep engaging experts and shareholders with a view to reviewing its policies.

The governor, whose chat on a national television monitored by this newspaper, absolved the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration of blame on the prevailing economic hardship.

According to him, the present administration was on the path of economic recovery.

Otti said: “On whether the policies taken so far are in order, there’s always a need to rejig and take a second look at those policies.

“This we talked about in the National Economic Council meeting last week in Abuja. This is because things keep changing. I cannot say we are where we want to be, but, I believe that we are making progress.

“Some of the initiatives taken by the CBN have led to some slight changes. For how long those changes will last that I cannot say. I believe once in while we need to look at those policies again, discus review and where necessary rejig them.”

Explaining why the nation’s economy is in bad shape, Otti said: “I believe a major problem that we have is financial discipline. We are dealing with an economy that has so much money in circulation.

“At the last count, if I’m correct, we had about N30 trillion. What happens with Ways and Means was that the quantum of goods does not equate the quantity of the money you print.

“Yet, the quantum of goods in circulation can’t equate the money in circulation; If you had N100 and the basket of goods will be N100; tomorrow, you decide to print N200, that same basket of goods will still be N200, though it’s original value is N100

“Well, may be in the short form, you may print to fix some challenges; but, when it becomes an economic policies that you just keep printing and spending money, you’re just deceiving yourself because that does not improve productivity.

“It does not improve the quantity of goods you have. This is just to break it down in a layman’s language. That is a major problem that we had faced and that is the main reason why we’re battling with inflation, unemployment and all the headaches we are dealing with.

On the forex challenge, Otti said, the market functions on the basis of demand and supply.

“So, why the exchange is going up is because something is happening between demand and supply. Anytime demand outreaches supply, prices will go up. And anytime supply outreaches demand, prices will go down.

“Anything that happens in between is about the policy options that you have chosen. What we’re seeing is that demand is increasing, but supply is not increasing.

“Now, we are dealing with forex supply and demand. We need to keep asking ourselves what to do to increase supply of foreign currency and what do we do to reduce the demand.

“One of those, or two of these, would either give us an outcome that would be better or worse. The outcome you get depends on the input.

“For the economy to recover, the governor said the nation must move from consumption to production. If the economy must recover, we must move to production.

“That does not necessarily mean that we will reduce consumption. What it means is that, we would be consuming what we produce.

Read Also: Lagos begins prosecution of pedestrians crossing highways

“A situation whereby we keeping importing almost everything that we consume will keep piling pressure on the foreign exchange market.”

Otti, who faulted the claim that the governors now get more money, said the rate of inflation had eroded the gains the state would have making now.

He said: “Sometimes, if exchange rate has increased say by 100 percent and inflation has gone up by 30 per cent, taking inflation alone that means that N100 yesterday worths only N70 today.

“Yes, in terms of absolute figure, monthly allocations from the Federation Account have increased, but in terms of the value the naira can afford, you’ll see that you simply lose your shirts.

“In that light, I wouldn’t agree that we have more allocations when the value of naira has seriously depreciated.”

Aiyedatiwa orders arrest of thugs.

Aiyedatiwa orders arrest of thugs.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has ordered security agencies to arrest those responsible for the destruction of billboards and campaign posters of his opponents in the governorship race.

Hoodlums, accused of supporting Aiyedatiwa, had attacked members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who wore the paraphernalia of other governorship aspirants during Wednesday’s visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the state.

The hoodlums destroyed billboards and campaign posters of aspirants mounted along major streets of Akure.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said his administration would not tolerate any form of violence capable of threatening the peace of the state.

The governor said any political campaign that disturbed peace in the state was unacceptable and must be met with the decisive actions of law enforcement agencies.

The statement said nobody associated with the governor or Ondo State Government was involved in any of the reported activities ascribed to “political thugs” during the President’s visit to Owo and Akure.

“The governor has therefore asked law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone found to be engaged in such violent activities.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa urges politicians and their followers to ensure their campaigns are issue- based, devoid of blackmail, spreading falsehood, inciting the public and intimidating opponents.”

You’re not Nigerians’ voice, Tinubu knocks NLC over strikes.

You’re not Nigerians’ voice, Tinubu knocks NLC over strikes.

President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, threw a jab at the Nigeria Labour Congress over the unions’ strikes, saying calling for four industrial actions against an administration that is barely nine months old is unacceptable.

Tinubu, who stated this at the unveiling of Phase One of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line at the Ikeja Station, declared that the NLC was not “the voice of Nigerians” and should contest in the 2027 general elections if it was interested in joining the electoral process.

He said, “The labour union has gone on strike four times within my nine months in government. That’s a record. Calling for a strike in just nine months of an administration is unacceptable. The NLC is not the voice of Nigerians. It should wait till 2027 if it is interested in joining the electoral process.”

The President added that he was aware of the complaints being made over the economic challenges in the country, urging Nigerians to persevere, pledging that the nation would soon be out of the economic problems.

“I am assuring that Nigeria will be out of economic problems, we just need to persevere, work hard and be assured,” he said.

He identified corruption as one of the major reasons the country was facing economic challenges but promised not to look back in the fight against it.

“No going back on reforms revolution. Smugglers will fight back, corruption will fight back, but we will fight and win. Corruption will go away. The fight against corruption is on, we will not look back, we will fight it to ruins,” he added.

Speaking on the Red Line rail, Tinubu said the unveiling was a validation of democracy of the people, for the people and by the people.

“Today is evidence that it’s good to dream and it is a serious validation of democracy by the people for the people, when you people at the centre are focused, have vision and planning, you will realise the value of democracy.

“Twenty-five years ago, I was elected to lead Nigeria’s most populous state, the smallest in land mass, when all that existed here was suppressed and aborted potential and when the dream began, my team and I toiled day and night to draft and implement a developmental vision that would transform Lagos into the economic powerhouse of Africa and a respected mega city on a global state. We are realising that dream.

“I am pleased to declare to you that the momentum of greatness we kick-started a quarter of a century ago has since become unstoppable. It’s not a crime to dream and dream big, just stay focused, precisely make development a central focus,” the President said.

Earlier, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his speech appreciated the two former governors of the state, Mr Babatunde Fashola for starting the construction of the Blue Line rail, and Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, for “his significant and indelible contributions to the further development of the Blue Line rail.”

The governor also appreciated former President Goodluck Jonathan for signing off on the track-sharing agreement, and the Nigerian Railway Corporation for providing the necessary cooperation and support.

“Mr President, this is not the end of the story, but merely the beginning. As I said earlier, we are on a long and exciting journey. Much has been accomplished, and there is still much ahead to be done. There will be a total of six Lines on the Lagos Rail Mass Transit System when fully developed. We have already started preliminary work on the next two: the Green and Purple Lines.

“The Green Line is a 71.49-kilometre route from Marina to the Lekki Free Zone, one of the fastest-growing industrial areas on the continent today, and also where we will be siting the new Lagos International Airport.

“The Purple Line is a 54.35-kilometre line from the Redemption Camp to Ojo, near the Lagos State University. The final two lines will be the Orange and the Yellow Lines,” Sanwo-Olu added.

Speaking further on his administration’s developmental strides, the governor said, “In the area of roads, major ongoing and completed projects include the Old Ojo Road in Amuwo-Odofin, the Abiola Onigemo Road in Ifako-Ijaiye, the Ishefun to Camp Davies road in Alimosho; the Agric Isawo – Arepo Road in Ikorodu; the 10-lane Badagry Expressway; the Ojota – Opebi Link Bridge and Approach Roads, and the rebuilding and upgrading of Lekki-Epe Expressway with reinforced concrete, from T-junction, Epe to Abraham Adesanya.

“In the grand tapestry of our development agenda, we are advancing a series of visionary legacy initiatives that span the vital sectors of healthcare, education, tourism, housing, and transportation.

“These include the second phases of our Blue and Red Lines, the pioneering Omu Creek Project, the state-of-the-art Lekki-Epe International Airport, the robust Lagos Food Security Systems and Central Logistics Park, and the transformative Fourth Mainland Bridge.

“We are currently negotiating and completing the financing arrangements for all these projects, and I am pleased to announce that we will break ground on the Fourth Mainland Bridge in April 2024.

“All of these major projects I have outlined are in addition to the multitudes of inner roads, bridges, and junction improvements that we have completed and are completing and are making a huge difference in the daily lives and commutes of millions of residents of Lagos State.

“Each project is a cornerstone in our unwavering commitment to forging a prosperous future for Lagos State and its esteemed citizens.”

The Lagos Red Line rail is a 37-kilometre rail line which stretches from Agbado in Ogun State to the National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos.

“The segment we inaugurate today spans an impressive 27 kilometres from Agbado to Oyingbo, featuring state-of-the-art stations at Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, and Oyingbo,” Sanwo-Olu added.

FG 42,000MT grains distribution begins with Niger next week.

FG 42,000MT grains distribution begins with Niger next week.

The Federal Government is to commence the distribution of 42,000 metric tonnes of grains across the country beginning with Niger State from next week.

The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, who announced this on Thursday at the Abuja headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security after a meeting with the agric minister, said Niger would be used as a pilot state before other states would join.

“We are here to discuss with the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security with respect to the visit of Mr President to Niger State as regards the commissioning of the mechanisation process that they have been able to provide for agriculture.

“We also discussed the palliatives from the Federal Government in terms of food distribution from all the grain reserves that we have across the country using Niger State as a pilot in the North-Central so that it can commence in earnest.

“The distribution will commence by next week. What we are saying is that Niger State has provided itself as a pilot state in terms of giving the dividends of democracy with respect to agriculture and as such our sister states are coming on board,” Bago stated.

 President Bola Tinubu had on February 8 directed the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to release about 42,000MT of maize, millet and other commodities from the national strategic reserves in order to address the rising cost of food in Nigeria.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this in Abuja after a meeting of the Presidential Committee on Emergency Food Intervention.

Idris had also stated that the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria had committed to releasing about 60,000MT of rice to the markets.

The move followed tension in the country over the rising cost of food.

“The first one is that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has been directed to release about 42,000MT of maize, millet, garri, and other commodities in their strategic reserve so that these items will be made available to Nigerians; 42,000MT immediately.

“The second one is that we have held meetings with the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria. Those who are responsible for producing this rice and we have asked them to open up their stores.

“They’ve told us that they can guarantee about 60,000 metric tons of rice. They will make that available to Nigerians; to bring out to the market to make food available,” the information minister had told journalists.

Also on February 14, 2024, the Federal Government announced that it would distribute the 42,000 metric tonnes of grains approved by the President to poor Nigerians at no cost.

It also announced that the Department of State Services and the National Emergency Management Agency had been engaged in the distribution process to ensure that the commodities get to the targeted citizens nationwide.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, who disclosed this at a ministerial press briefing in Abuja at the time, had further revealed that the government would be supporting 500,000 farmers to cultivate and produce one million metric tonnes of rice.

Meanwhile, Bago told journalists on Thursday that the Niger State Government had acquired 120 trucks of food to complement what the Federal Government was doing so that it could reach more people.

On his part, the agric ministers stated that the distribution of the grains would be based on the template of the National Emergency Management Agency and the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Oyebanji Joins President Tinubu, Gov Sanwo-Olu, to commission Lagos Rail Mass Transit.

Oyebanji Joins President Tinubu, Gov Sanwo-Olu, to commission Lagos Rail Mass Transit.

By Olamide Akinwumi. 

In a momentous occasion on the 29th of February, Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State graced the commissioning of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the host Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Ikeja Train Station, Lagos State.

During the event, amidst the jubilation and excitement surrounding the inauguration of the LRMT Red Line, President Tinubu engaged in a conversation with Governor Oyebanji, sparking speculation about the nature of their discussion.

President Tinubu's interaction with Governor Oyebanji hinted at more than just a routine exchange. With keen interest, attendees pondered the underlying message conveyed by President Tinubu to His Excellency Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.

Although the specifics of their conversation remained undisclosed, speculations arose regarding potential future collaborations between the federal government and Ekiti State. President Tinubu's presence and engagement with Governor Oyebanji suggested a deeper interest in the development trajectory of Ekiti State, hinting at the possibility of forthcoming significant projects in the "Land of Honour."

Observers interpreted President Tinubu's interaction as a subtle indication of his awareness of ongoing developments in Ekiti State and a tacit promise of future engagement and support. The anticipation of President Tinubu's visit to commission "something big" in Ekiti State lingered among attendees, fueling excitement and optimism about the state's prospects for growth and development.

As the commissioning of the LRMT Red Line marked a milestone in Lagos's transportation infrastructure, it also served as a platform for inter-state cooperation and collaboration. President Tinubu's presence and conversation with Governor Oyebanji underscored the importance of fostering partnerships to drive progress and prosperity across state borders.

With eyes now turned towards Ekiti State, anticipation mounts as the nation awaits further announcements regarding future projects and collaborations between the federal government and the "Land of Honour," bolstered by the subtle yet significant hints exchanged between President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji during the historic event.