FG plans foreign training for select doctors.

FG plans foreign training for select doctors.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, says the Federal Government plans to send some medical personnel abroad for training in certain specialties with a view to checking medical tourism and enhancing research,

Alausa said the Federal Ministry of Health was working with the National Postgraduate Medical College, Ijanikin, Lagos State towards the plan.

 The health minister spoke in Lagos on Friday during the investiture of Dr Peter Ebeigbe as the 23rd President of the

National Postgraduate Medical College, Ijanikin.

Ebeigbe, a fellow in the Faculty of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was elected on December 1, 2023, during the 131st statutory meeting of the governing board of the college, and he is expected to hold the position for the next two years after taking over from the immediate past president, Dr Akinsanya Osibogun.

Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Alausa said the ministry was developing new curricula to solve the challenges in the health sector.

He said, “I am to announce that the college, in collaboration with the ministry, is establishing training in many other sub-specialties to be able to treat Nigerians, reduce medical tourism, and enhance research.

“The new curriculum being developed includes interventional cardiology in the faculty of internal medicine and cardiac electrophysiology in the faculty of internal medicine. This is extremely important as a lot of people in our country now have pacemakers and automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators; interventional radiology in the faculty of radiology; pain medicine in the faculty of anesthesia; critical care medicine in the faculty of anesthesia; hospice and palliative medicine in the faculty of family medicine; and robotic surgery in the faculty of surgery.

“The FMOH is putting mechanisms in place to fund this training abroad for selected candidates who will be bonded. Surgical oncology in the faculty of surgery; and transplant surgery in the faculty of surgery. This super specialty training in solid organ transplant will focus on kidney, liver, lung, and heart transplants for now.”

Speaking during his address,  Ebeigbe lamented the dwindling earnings of medical professors and consultants compared to their counterparts in the Middle East.

He noted that the major reason why medical professionals in the country migrated abroad was for economic reasons while calling for urgent economic intervention.

Ebeigbe said, “One of my teachers who travelled to the Middle East and came back after many years explained things to me, stating that a Nigerian medical professor’s annual earnings gradually dwindled until they were less than the equivalent of $700.

“It was an insightful ‘economic’ intervention by the Federal Government for the enactment of the Medical Salary Scale, which resulted in better pay for doctors, that put an end to the medical brain drain.

“The root cause of brain drain is economic, and economic intervention is currently needed to stem the worsening cascade and prevent a collapse of the health system. As a person who relates closely and daily with resident doctors and trainers, I must inform the honorable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare about the severity of the situation.”

Reps ask airlines to refund N4bn COVID-19 funds.

Reps ask airlines to refund N4bn COVID-19 funds.

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has issued a one-week deadline to all private airline operators in the country to account for the sum of N4bn given to them by the Federal Government to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic or refund same in the absence of justifiable evidence of how the amount was spent.

The committee, chaired by a member of the Peoples Democratic Party from Osun State, Bamidele Salam, issued the ultimatum on Friday at the resumed investigative hearing into the alleged mismanagement of the COVID-19 intervention funds by ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government.

It was reported that the committee is investigating over 56 MDAs for alleged mismanagement of the intervention funds.

The committee said, “All private airlines that received COVID-19 relief funds designated to support the aviation sector are to refund the allocated funds to the Federal Government treasury if they fail to give justifiable evidence of how the money was judiciously spent within a week.”

The committee lamented that in spite of their appearance, many airlines and industry stakeholders, including Aero Contractors, Azman and representatives from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, could not convince the lawmakers satisfactorily how the funds given to them were expended to manage the COVID-19 pandemic challenge.

The Marketing Manager of Azman Airlines, Odum Uju, who represented the company at the hearing, admitted receiving N367.90m purportedly allocated for various operational expenses, including aircraft maintenance, spare parts, fuelling, forex purchasing, and insurance premium paid while the Station Manager of Aero Contractor, Abdulmalik Musa, said the company received N217.35m from the Federal Government to manage the threat of the coronavirus.

The representative of the Aero Contractor Airline, however, said the fund was used for airport handling and facility payment, fuelling, onboard catering payment, pilot training payments, and lease rental payments.

Reacting to the submissions, a member of the committee and former pilot with the Nigerian Air Force, Ojuawo Adeniyi from Ekiti State, faulted the submissions, saying the services claimed by the operators were applicable only during the regular operations of airlines.

Subsequently, a motion was moved by the member representing Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency, Cross River State, Akiba Bassey, for the refund of N4bn to the Federation Account should the airlines fail to give the committee a satisfactory account of how they spent the COVID-19 intervention funds and same was unanimously supported by his colleagues.

FG eyes 10,000 jobs from offshore waste management deal.

FG eyes 10,000 jobs from offshore waste management deal.

The Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has said at least 10,000 jobs will be created following an offshore waste management agreement signed with a private firm, XPO Marine Services Limited.

The agreement is for the collection of offshore waste generated in the eastern zone.

Speaking on Friday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the flag-off of the offshore waste reception facility for the Eastern Zone Operations of NIMASA, the agency’s Deputy Director, Public Private Partnership unit, Kabiru Diso, said for decades it was difficult to take care of waste beyond 10 nautical miles of the country’s shorelines.

Diso said, “Today is a very remarkable day, not remarkable because we have inaugurated the implementing stage of this contract but for having an opportunity for Nigeria as a country to be able to discharge its function under IMO obligation through PPP arrangement.

“Under this arrangement, a lot of income will come to the Federal Government, a lot of youth employment will come with this project. If we have this kind of project two, three in the country, I’m sure within the shortest possible time we will move from where we are to be among the first maritime nations.”

While noting that the concession arrangement was for 10 years, Diso said, “Every collection they make, 60 per cent is going to the concessionaire, 20 per cent is going to the Federal Government of Nigeria and 20 per cent is going to NIMASA. And it is performance-based. It is when they do the job certification they will get paid.”

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of XPO Marine Services Limited, Wellington Agharese, said the firm would be moving from one platform to the other, from one ship to the other to collect oil and solid waste “so that our aquatic environment can be preserved and we take the waste for ultimate disposal’.

“The time you take the multiplier employment implication you are talking of something more than N10,000 both direct and indirect employment,” Agharese stated.

Investment prospects: Wike approves Abuja maiden infrastructure investment expo.

Investment prospects: Wike approves Abuja maiden infrastructure investment expo.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved Abuja maiden infrastructure investment expo initiative to explore strategic areas that will attract investment opportunities and boost development.

Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on legal and multilateral cooperation to the minister, Benedict Daudu disclosed this at the weekend during the first meeting of a committee that will fast track Abuja infrastructure investment expo proposed to be held in the first half of 2024.

Daudu said across the world, governments partner with the private sector for development and also explained that the expo is targeted at investors who are interested in providing infrastructure for all sectors for accelerated development in the nation’s capital in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

He revealed that the event will attract both local and foreign investors that will avail them the opportunity to partner with FCT in line with government guidelines under Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement and make Abuja a smart city under the watch of the minister, Nyesom Wike.

The SSA explained that the plan will also bring about unparalleled infrastructure development to most districts or communities in need of basic infrastructure that would put Abuja in a more global stage.

According to him, the time has come to revive the hiding potential and opportunities in the territory under Wike’s watch.

Daudu said: “Abuja infrastructure investment expo is being proposed for infrastructure development within the FCT, one that has not been carried out in the territory. It is a time that is needed to drive infrastructure development and it will capture the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. It will really propel the FCT to where it is.

“We are targeting both foreign and national direct investment opportunities from interested investors who will come in to partner with the FCTA and to bring the expo to a global stage where you can see the FCT growing into a smart city under Nyesom Wike.

“It will propel us greatly in the right direction, and is going to review president Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

On her part, a member of the committee and acting Director FCTA Department of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Jumai Ahmadu commended the minister for his Informed decision to rewrite the history of infrastructure in the Nation’s capital.

She said the committee would think deeply and draw an acceptable template that will be in line with Wike’s plan for a new FCT especially in districts that require additional government intervention.

According to her: “We are going to work with the relevant SDAs, we will think deeply on areas of infrastructure deficit and ensure that the concept is in line with Wike’s plan for the new FCT.

“The infrastructure investment expo is going to focus only on infrastructure, the government alone can’t do it. The novel idea is going to be first of its kind.

“The minister saw the need to develop FCT, and he feels that the idea will help the territory. FCT is 48 years old and there are a lot of opportunities that we need to develop more, tourism is one of the key areas, some countries tourism is their main stay, that can happen in Abuja.

“People can be invited to take over the site and develop it for us, it will bring about huge revenue generation for FCT Administration.” Jumai said.

Report any official demanding bribe, inducement to me directly – Tinubu tells Qatari investors.

Report any official demanding bribe, inducement to me directly – Tinubu tells Qatari investors.

President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, March 2, asked the global business community not to miss out on the golden opportunity for investment that Nigeria is offering now, just because of old perceptions.

He emphasized that his administration is actively eliminating obstacles to business, including corruption, to facilitate smoother investment processes.

Speaking at the Nigeria-Qatar Business and Investment Forum in Doha, the Qatari capital, President Tinubu assured investors of access to him, to be able to get their concerns across to him, including reporting officials who might demand bribes from them.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu assured the international business community that Nigeria is ready for serious business as his administration will deal decisively with any and all entrenched interests in the country, who undermine investor confidence in the Nigerian economy, pledging to remove all bottlenecks standing in the way of profitable and legitimate enterprise.

The President told Qatari investors that Africa’s largest economy and its systems are being reformed and upgraded, and asked them to report any government official who demands a bribe or any form of inducement at any point in their business endeavour, moving forward, with full assurance of their direct access to the President’s Office.

“I am here to give you the assurance that reforms are going on; forget about whatever you heard in the past. Whatever is the obstacle or problem that some of you might have experienced; it is in the past, because there is no obstacle in the future.

“Do not offer a bribe to any of our people, and if it is requested or taken from you, report to us. You will have access to me. Nigeria will no longer be defined by the past, but by what we do now and moving forward. Do not let perceptions become a hindrance to your will to invest. Nigeria is serious about revolutionizing investment promotion.

“We are removing obstacles today and we are going to continue to remove all obstacles. We have done so much within nine months and I am assuring you, it is free entry and free exit. Your funds will flow smoothly into and out of our country. Bring your investments,” the President stated.

Moreover, the President noted that the war against corruption and insecurity in Nigeria had been significantly strengthened with the appointment of the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, as National Security Adviser (NSA).

“We have a man who has won many global awards for anti-corruption as an anti-corruption czar.

“My responsibility is to tell you that Nigeria is open for business, and to assure you that your investments are safe in our hands. We have men and women of great reputation here. And we believe we can forge a good committee that will advance our discussions to fruitful conclusions.

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“A nation is an artificial entity unless there are good people to drive it. People build great nations and we have great people. We are ready,” the President affirmed.

The President also noted that Nigeria possesses vast opportunities in various fields, telling his host: “We have oil and gas; we have solid minerals. I do not see why we cannot become prolific partners in exploring iron ore, as well as steel production, and energy across the board.

“I am here to give you assurances in all spheres: tourism, hospitality, healthcare, and in many other opportunities that abound around us. Do not be the investors who miss out on the golden opportunity we present,” the President added.

Welcoming the Nigerian delegation in the presence of Qatari captains of industry, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, said his country looks forward to exploring opportunities in Nigeria, owing to its population demography and market, as it seeks to prioritize new investments in low carbon initiatives, mineral products, petroleum chemicals, industry, and consumables.

“We look forward to working with our Nigerian counterparts to achieve our joint objectives in these sectors,” the Minister said.

Accompanying the President to the Nigeria-Qatar Business and Investment Forum were: Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum; Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun; and the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake.

Others are the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola; Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; Minister of Youth, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim; and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperipe Ekpo.

Also at the meeting were the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Special Adviser on Energy, Mrs. Olu Verheijen; and the President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr. Dele Kelvin Oye.

Nigeria, Qatar sign agreements on education, solid minerals, others.

Nigeria, Qatar sign agreements on education, solid minerals, others.

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday in Doha said Nigerian youths are worth every investment as they are educated, reliable and proactive.

He argued that a few bad eggs cannot be a yardstick for gauging the capacity of the majority who, he said, are “ready to be unleashed for the mutual benefit of both nations.”

Tinubu said these when he and the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, witnessed the signing of seven landmark agreements between both nations after closed-door talks at the Presidential Palace in Doha.

The seven agreements signed are a cooperation agreement in the field of education; regulation of employment of workers with the Government of Qatar; establishment of a joint business council between the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture; in addition to a cooperation agreement in the field of youths and sports.

The other agreements are cooperation in the field of tourism and business events and a memorandum of understanding combating illicit trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

The documents were signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and relevant officials in the Government of the State of Qatar, Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, Minister of Education and Higher Education; Dr. Ahmad Hassen Al-Hammadi, Secretary General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Khalifa Bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Abdullah bin Khalaf bin Hattab Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed this in a statement he signed Sunday titled ‘President Tinubu welcomes multi-sectoral agreements with Qatar: Set to receive Qatar’s investment team in Abuja.’

Before the signing ceremony, President Tinubu assured his host of Nigeria’s preparedness to welcome investors into the country, noting the ongoing reforms that favour innovation, return on investments, and multiculturalism.

Tinubu said, “Our greatest strength is our people. Our strength lies in the capacity of Nigerian youths. They have energy, talent, and self-belief. They are quality partners for the Qatari industry.

“They are educated and reliable, and they are proactively seeking to add value wherever they are. A few cannot give a bad name to the many. Nigerian youths are ready to be unleashed for the mutual benefit of both nations.”

He commended the Qatari government for its developmental mileage saying “We have seen clearly the rapid pace and thorough quality of Qatar’s development process. It is impossible not to be moved by what you have accomplished. The leadership in the country has proven its mettle, and we are here to gain deeper insight.”

Nonetheless, he insisted that “There is nowhere in the world where you will find return on investment at the level of what you will see in Nigeria,” adding that “A massive market of over 200 million skilled Nigerians, always industrious and ready to work.”

The President admitted that although Nigeria faces some short-term turbulence at the moment, its current government reflects the dynamism and talent of the Nigerian people.

“We are implementing the right solutions. This team works collaboratively with each other and our partners. Nigeria is ready for serious business,” the President affirmed.

The Emir of the State of Qatar stressed that Qatar is open to President Tinubu’s investment push, recalling that he travelled to Nigeria in 2019 owing to his belief that Nigeria is an important and strategic ally on its own and within the context of its role in regional affairs.

“I have no doubt about the great capacity of the Nigerian people. Everywhere in the world, they are known for their brilliance and hard work. We only need to ensure that this is happening inside of Nigeria rather than outside.

“The investments we have made around the world have been very fruitful. This is because we take our time and study opportunities before we invest in the commonwealth of our people. It is not my money. The money we invest belongs to the future generations of Qatar,” said Al Thani.

The monarch stated that he is “very encouraged” by Tinubu’s “actions and passion to create new opportunities.”

However, he said both countries must meet each other halfway in terms of follow-up efforts to make the partnership work.

Consequently, he promised to send Qatari officials to Abuja after Ramadan for further engagement.

“We are very open to this, and follow-up is everything at this point. The will is there for both of us, but we must follow up.

“I will send a team of officials to Nigeria after Ramadan, and we will advance discussions on what some of the actionable investment opportunities are,” the Qatari leader said.

On his part, President Tinubu named the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun, as the leader of the government team that will interface with Qatari authorities in investment identification and implementation moving forward.

Furthermore, during the bilateral deliberations, the President enabled a brief presentation to the Emir by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, who spoke in detail about the high grade of several minerals, including lithium, immediately derivable across the country with an emphasis on imminent opportunities for local mineral processing and value-additive industry in the sector.

Nigerian ministers who were present at the ceremony were: Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperipe Ekpo.

Also at the meeting were the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and Special Adviser on Energy, Mrs. Olu Verheijen.

FG approves 90-day window to regularise import duty on vehicles.

FG approves 90-day window to regularise import duty on vehicles.

The Federal Government has announced a 90-day window to regularise import duties on specific categories of vehicles.

The National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

Maiwada said that the development was a proactive move to enhance compliance and streamline import processes.

Recall that the NCS in February said it intends to grant waivers to vehicle owners to pay duties within a specific time frame to avoid sanctions.

Speaking further, Maiwada added that the initiative applies solely to vehicles imported into Nigeria where the requisite customs duty has not been fulfilled or vehicles detained due to under-valuation.

“In a proactive move to enhance compliance and streamline import processes, the NCS, under the directive of the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, is pleased to announce a 90-day window for regularising import duties on specific categories of vehicles,” he said.

He said that a 25 per cent penalty would be paid.

“Valuation and assessment of the vehicles would be carried out using the Vehicles Identification Number valuation method. Import duty and a 25 per cent penalty shall be paid in tandem with the import guidelines, procedures, and documentation requirements for used vehicles under the Destination Inspection Scheme in Nigeria (2013) and the NCS Act 2023. Also, duty payments must be made using the procedure code specifically created for this exercise.” Maiwads said.

Maiwada explained that vehicles seized and condemned would not be released.

“While we strive for inclusivity, it is important to clarify that vehicles seized and condemned will not be released under this arrangement and shall be forfeited to the Federal Government in accordance with extant regulations.”

The NCS spokesperson reiterates that all owners and importers seeming to regulate their vehicle imports should visit the different zones of the service.

“All vehicle owners, importers/agents seeking to regularize import duties on their vehicles are required to apply to the service’s zonal coordinators (Zones A, B, C, D) and Customs Area Controller of the Federal Capital Territory Command.”

“They must submit the necessary available documents and process V-reg in line with the Federal Ministry of Finance directives for the registration of imported motor vehicles.”

Maiwada said that the initiative reflects the service’s unwavering commitment to facilitating compliance. We encourage all stakeholders to capitalise on this opportunity within the stipulated timeframe.