The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • FMDA confab focuses on debt sustainability

    FMDA confab focuses on debt sustainability

    The Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO), Ms. Patience Oniha, is one of the top dignitaries who will be speaking on debt sustainability at the seventh Financial Markets Dealers Association (FMDA) annual conference slated for December 6, in Lagos.

    She will be speaking on the theme: “Developing Economies and Debt Sustainability – Sub-Saharan Africa’s Perspective”.

    Also expected at the event are Muhammadu Sanusi II, former Governor Central Bank of Nigeria,  Dr. Tunde Lemo, Chairman, Titan Trust Bank, among others. .

    The Role of Financial Market in Repositioning the Nigerian Economy will be analysed by other stakeholders at the conference.

    Acting Executive Secretary, Mary Gbegbaje,  in a statement, noted that the conference was designed to provide an opportunity for financial markets participants, regulators, investors, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to deliberate on possible ways of using financial markets infrastructure to reposition the economy for sustainable development.

    Read Also:  What Nigeria should be asking the world at COP 28

    Managing Director, GTBank, Olusanya will deliver the keynote address, Muhammadu Sanusi II, will speak on the Impact of Foreign Exchange Policies in the Nigerian Economy, Dr. Tayo Aduloju, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Economic Summit Group(NESG),  on Development of Real Sector for Economic Growth and Dr. Tunde Lemo on the Role of Central Bank in Financial Stability and Macroeconomic Supervision.

    The Financial Markets Dealers Association of Nigeria is a body of licensed Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) operating in the Nigerian financial market with emphasis on regulatory policy engagement, advocacy and professional ethics in the financial market.

  • Commonwealth, Fed Govt open talks on deep sea mining

    Commonwealth, Fed Govt open talks on deep sea mining

    The Commonwealth Secretariat has begun talks with Nigeria on how the country can make gains from deep sea mining.

    This was on top of the agenda during a presentation of the Commonwealth Secretariat with the Nigerian delegation, led by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, during the minister’s visit to the institution.

    In his determination to mobilise international assistance to position the solid minerals sector to compete globally, Alake requested to discuss matters of mineral development with the Commonwealth.

    Addressing the forum, the minister said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had identified the solid minerals sector as a pillar of Nigeria’s current efforts to diversify the economy.

    The policy, he said, led the ministry to develop a Seven-Point Agenda that encompasses the establishment of a solid minerals company, gathering of big data on mineral reserves to de-risk investments, ensure improved security to keep the mines safe, and socio-economic development of mining communities through effective community development agreements.

    Alake urged the Commonwealth, as an institution that has developed expertise over many years, to support the Tinubu administration’s efforts.

    Read Also: FG budget N200 billion for military operation, poverty reduction

    Nigeria is a member of the 54-member Commonwealth.

    The Senior Director of Trade, Oceans and Natural Resources Department, Paul Kautoke, praised the delegation for its visit to the Commonwealth secretariat.

    He said Nigeria, as a coastal country, could explore the profitable prospects of extraction of deep sea minerals, such as copper, cobalt, nickel, gold, and rare earth elements.

    Kautoke noted that many Commonwealth countries in the Pacific region were making inroads into the seep sea mining subsector, promising that the body could assist to develop a policy for Nigeria.

    Also, the Director of Natural Resources, Victor Kitange; the Trade and Investment Adviser, Opeyemi Abebe; the Economic Adviser on Trade, Ocean and Natural Resources, Daniel Wilder; and the Adviser of Ocean Governance, Allison Swaddling, spoke about the progress achieved in deep sea mining.

    They expressed concerns that African countries were lagging behind in the sub-sector.

  • Interior minister, NIS CG order probe into ‘passport racketeering’ in Southeast 

    Interior minister, NIS CG order probe into ‘passport racketeering’ in Southeast 

    • ‘Erring officers must be sanctioned’

    Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI), Mrs. Caroline Wuraola Adepoju, have ordered investigation into alleged racketeering of international passports by personnel of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) commands in Abia, Enugu, Imo and other states in the Southeast.

    The minister and the NIS boss said while efforts were being made to track perpetrators of the illegal act, the Federal Government would activate appropriate disciplinary measures to ensure those involved were severely sanctioned.

    NIS National Service Public Relations Officer Adedotun Aridegbe, who stated this at the weekend, said the agency was doing its best to ensure that Nigerians go through the technologically powered windows to acquire their travel documents without hassles or extortion by the personnel assigned to drive the process.

    The NIS spokesman said the standard operating procedures for registration, payment, and processing of international passport as well as timelines for issuance had been laid out to intending holders at online windows disseminated to the public.

    To avoid playing into the antics of third party agents or personnel involved in sharp practices, the spokesman said Mrs. Adepoju had urged Nigerians to apply for their international passports six months before the date of expiration.

    Offering clarification on the development at the weekend in Lagos, Mrs. Adepoju said: ”I can tell you, barring all technical problems, you should be able to completely apply for your passport, and within three weeks, you should be able to get it.”

    The NIS boss said it was important for every applicant to register with the same records they had with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as their national identity numbers would be linked to their passports.

    Some reports had said Passport Control Officers of the NIS in some Southeastern states were accused of charging extra fees, in addition to the official fees, for obtaining international passports.

    Read Also: Igboho to security agencies: step up efforts against killer herders

    The reports indicated that hundreds of applicants for passports were made to either pay more or get delayed for several months before they would get their passports, if they chose to follow the normal process of applying online.

    In Abia State, for instance, applicants alleged that after applying for the passport, they were pressured to pay N13,000 before an applicant was allowed to go for data capturing.

    It was learnt that after the capturing, an applicant would be told to pay additional N20,000, if he wanted his passport to be processed faster, thus making it N33,000, besides the official payment of N25,000, including bank charges of N2,000, totaling N60,000 for the five-year passport.

    In Owerri, the Imo State capital, it was  gathered that applicants were made to pay about N70,000 for a five-year passport, of 32 pages, while about N150,000 was charged for the 64-page 10 years passport.

    In Enugu, it was learnt that applicants were made to pay more than the official cost for the passport of N60,000; sometimes less.

    But in Ebonyi, the officials allegedly requested for up to N115,000 for a 10-year passport and N55,000 to N60,000 for a five-year passport and up to N150,000 for “express service”.

  • CAS orders probe into helicopter crash at Port Harcourt

    CAS orders probe into helicopter crash at Port Harcourt

    The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshall Hassan Abubakar, has ordered immediate investigations into the immediate and remote causes of last week’s crash of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter in River State.

    The CAS said the outcome of the investigation would enable the NAF to “learn exactly what happened and prevent future occurrences”. 

    Abubakar announced this when he visited the five surviving crew members of the crash at NAF’s Medical Centre in Port Harcourt, the River State capital.

    A NAF MI-35P attack helicopter crashed in Port Harcourt on December 1 while on an operation against oil thieves.

    The five crew members, who were part of troops of 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG) onboard the aircraft, survived with “very minor injuries”.

    In a statement by NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Air Marshal Abubakar hailed the crew members for the professional manner they handled the emergency situation they found themselves in. 

    Read Also: Igboho to security agencies: step up efforts against killer herders

    “Your actions were commendable and a decisive factor in mitigating the extent of damage to public property and loss of lives,” he said.

    Abubakar said the 115 SOG had been well known for its gallantry and fighting spirit, adding that the presence of the MI-35P helicopters on the battlefield had been a game changer. 

    The CAS said the helicopters had, over the years, continued to cause fear in the hearts of terrorists and other criminals while also boosting the morale of surface forces. 

    He urged the injured crew members to see the accident as an opportunity for a resilient comeback and to channel efforts towards thwarting the activities of oil thieves. 

    Abubakar urged NAF personnel to see air accidents as impetus to propel them towards seeking improved safety management measures and remaining focused on tackling the myriads of security threats facing the nation. 

    He said: “Times like these are a sad reminder of the inherent risks in military aviation, especially when flying activities, occasioned by our current security challenges, have tremendously increased. 

    “As we continue to fly intensively, incidents are bound to occur. Nevertheless, we must continue to ensure that we minimise the risk factors as reasonably practicable.

    “You must, therefore, never be discouraged as the hopes of millions of Nigerians rest on our shoulders. 

    “The realisation of these aspirations hinges on our ability to combat all forms of criminality that threaten our peace and stability.”

    Abubakar extended President Bola Tinubu’s appreciation to the crew members for their sacrifices.

    He assured them that the government and the NAF took their welfare and other needs seriously so that they could effectively carry out their assigned duties. 

  • OAU Staff Club to honour Adebayo Williams

    OAU Staff Club to honour Adebayo Williams

    The Staff Club of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) at Ile-Ife, Osun State is set to honour its erstwhile President between 1986 and 1988, Prof. Adebayo Williams.

    The event, tagged: An Evening with Prof. Adebayo Williams, will hold at the main lounge of the staff club on the university’s campus at 7 p.m on Friday, December 8.

    Read Also: FG budget N200 billion for military operation, poverty reduction

    At the main event, titled: Recognition of Exceptional Accomplishments and Dedication of Award, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, will be the chief host, while President of the staff club, Prof. Taiwo Olaiya, will be the host.

  • COP28: Fed Govt didn’t sponsor 1,411 delegates to Dubai, says Presidency

    COP28: Fed Govt didn’t sponsor 1,411 delegates to Dubai, says Presidency

    The Presidency has debunked some social media claims that the Federal Government sponsored all Nigeria’s representatives to the ongoing 28th Convention of Parties on Climate Summit (CoP28) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, the Presidency explained that President Bola Tinubu and other senior officials of his administration were attending the global event for serious business and not for mere jamboree.

    The Presidency was reacting to various concerns raised by diverse interests, especially in the social media space, over the large number of the Nigerian contingent to the event, which also attracted over 97,000 participants from more than 100 countries from across the world.

    Information on the registration platforms of the organisers of the CoP28 showed that 1,411 Nigerians were registered to participate at the event.

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    There have been speculations that the Federal Government sponsored all the participants with public funds.

    But in his piece, titled: Nigeria at COP28: Separating the facts from fiction, Ajayi explained that “the people coming together to advance their different agenda and interests from governments, businesses and civil societies are the parties to the convention who represent various shades of opinions and pushing for various mitigating actions”.

    He added: “…It is important to state here that delegates from all countries, whether from government, private sector, media and civil society groups, attend COP summits and conferences as parties and the number of attendees are registered against their countries of origin.

    “This does not mean that they are sponsored or funded by the government. It must be said also that the fact that people registered to attend a conference does not mean everyone that registered is physically present.”

  • Obaseki’s anointed governorship aspirant, Ighodalo, hires interpreter to address kinsmen

    Obaseki’s anointed governorship aspirant, Ighodalo, hires interpreter to address kinsmen

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki’s anointed governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, has hired an interpreter to address his Esan kinsmen.

    Lagos-based Ighodalo, a lawyer; who hails from Ewohimi, Esan Southeast Local Government of Edo State, was at his ward in his hometown, according to a viral video, but he could not speak Esan language, while he still described himself as a true Esan boy.

    The governorship aspirant (Ighodalo), said: “I do things in Esanland, because we are not noisy. My brother is here, I am here, my parents were here. I am a true Esan boy. I am not going to use home boy, because they have used it badly. I am an Esan boy.

    “I’m a true Esan boy. I am a true Edo boy. I am a true Nigerian. This is what I am. Since 2008, I have been in the economic team of the state, starting from the administration of former governor Adams Oshiomhole. Since Godwin Obaseki came in as chairman, Economic Team, I have been coming to Edo State to support and advise the government.

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    “I have been advising since 2008, which is 15 years ago, which means I came into Edo State, five, six, so many times a year for government business, not to talk of my own business. So, people can say what they like. Because we are not noisy, and because we are not jumping from one ‘mama put’ to another, does not mean am not a true Edo boy.

    “This issue of an Edo boy, this issue of a true son of the soil is in the heart.

    There are many of our brothers and sisters in the diaspora who are more Edo than many of them who live here. So it is in the heart, it is what you do in your heart, it is not how many pepper soup joints you go. So, all those of us in the diaspora, those of us in the diaspora in Nigeria, diaspora abroad, all the best hands must come to develop Edo State.

    “Someone cannot sit in the village or in ‘mama put’ and say the rest of us cannot come and develop our state. It is not done. We must all come together and develop Edo State, plus the people in ‘mama put,’ plus the people in Canada, we must come together and develop Edo State.”

    Senator Oshiomhole, a former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, also a governorship aspirant on PDP’s platform, hail from Edo North, while Obaseki is an indigene of Benin in Edo South.

  • ‘Our challenges are surmountable with your support’

    ‘Our challenges are surmountable with your support’

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has described the role of spiritual leaders in the quest of solving Nigeria’s challenges as indispensable and of great importance.

    He urged them to be patriotic and selfless. 

    The governor spoke during the induction service of the 6th LAWNA Territorial Chairman and National Vice President, Pastor Gabriel Uyeh and 2nd LAWNA Territorial Vice Chairman, Pastor David Ajibade, at the Apostolic Church, Nigeria, LAWNA Territory, Lagos State.

    Prince Abiodun highlighted the ongoing efforts to improve the country’s economy and emphasised the church’s significant role in this endeavour.

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    He called on the new chairman and vice chairman to serve God and look after the church under their care.

    Governor Abiodun, represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, said the appointment of the duo was a testament to their faith, dedication and commitment to the principles and practices of the church.

    He called on people to renew their dedication and commitment to the work of God.

     urging members of the Apostolic Church, Nigeria, LAWNA Territory, Lagos State to support and cooperate with the new leadership of the church.

    Dr. Uyeh, thanking God for the opportunity to serve the church, said he would submit to the will of God at all times.

  • Family of founder of Motherless Home holds harvest

    Family of founder of Motherless Home holds harvest

    The family of the founder of Oritamefa Motherless Home and Iya-Ijo, Methodist Cathedral, Agbeni Ibadan, the late Chief Rebecca Solanke, yesterday held family harvest in her memory.

    The matriarch of Solanke family died in 1997. She was 83.

    The annual harvest, according to grandchildren, is in memory of Chief Solanke, who lived an exemplary life and made positive impact on the people and Oyo State during her life.

    Solanke through the establishment of the Motherless Home, gave hopes to the downtrodden, especially abandoned babies.

    The harvest is held in her memory and to further make impact on the church.

    Read Also: FG budget N200 billion for military operation, poverty reduction

    The Cathedral Minister, the Very Reverend Charles Ojo, thanked the family for keeping the spiritual flag flying, describing the late octogenarian as a devout Christian.

    He enjoined the children to build on the solid foundation “laid by mama by always identifying with the church.”

    The cleric prayed for members of the family at home and in the diaspora.

    Rev. Esther Omaji urged the people not to despair in spite of the socio-economic challenges confronting the nation. “Rather they should be bold and trust in God.”

    In attendance at the harvest were Mrs Folashade Solanke, Toyin Abolaji, Mrs Omowumi Ajibola nee Solanke and others.

  • Igboho to security agencies: stop killer-herders

    Igboho to security agencies: stop killer-herders

    Yoruba nation agitator Chief Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho) yesterday called on security agencies to step up actions against herders killing farmers, destroying their farmlands and raping their wives and daughters.

    Igboho said the killer-herders must be stripped from igniting another tension in the land, particularly in the Southwest.

    The president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Abdullahi Bodejo had dismissed the quit notice recently issued to Fulani herders in the Southwest by Igboho, saying Nigerians are allowed to reside and work anywhere they choose in the country.

    But Igboho, in a statement yesterday, said the country’s constitution does not support mindless killing of farmers, rape of their wives and destruction of farmlands, ‘which were rampant during the Muhammadu Buhari administration’. He stressed that President Bola Tinubu will not tolerate such criminality.

    Describing Bodejo as a mere attention seeker, Igboho emphasised that though Nigeria’s constitution allows citizens to reside in any part of the country, ‘it however does not support herders, under whatever guise, to graze their cattle on the farmlands, kill farmers struggling to eke out a living and rape their wives and daughters’.

    Read Also: FG budget N200 billion for military operation, poverty reduction

    The statement reads: “It is imperative for Miyetti Allah to know that lawlessness will not hold sway under President Bola Tinubu. It will do them a lot of good to perish the thought of unprovoked attacks on farmers, particularly in the Southwest where we have lost many innocent farmers. Relevant security agencies and the people will not allow them to further compound the woes of the common man.

    “We are again charging the heads of security agencies to redouble their efforts and strategies to sustain peace and tranquillity in the country so that farmers and agrarian communities will not be subjected to terror and violent attacks by rogue herders and cattle rustlers.

    “While we believe in the efficiency of the Police, the Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other paramilitary agencies to ensure security of lives and properties, we want to charge our people to be vigilant and quickly report any act capable of breaching the peace in their respective communities and locations.”