Author: The Nation

The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Islamic Matters, Alhaji Abdullah Jebe has described Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration as a blessing to the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Muslims that have performed hajj and those yearning to go this year.

The governor, he said, on assumption of office in 2019 made a provision for buses with full air condition to take pilgrims to and fro Masjid Haram in Saudi Arabia due to the harsh weather.

Alhaji Jebe said the governor increased the money given to pilgrims for Ihram (clothes used for hajj and Umrah rites) from 40 Saudi Riyals to 80 Riyals.

The governor, he said, also increased money given to pilgrims on Arafat Day from 12 Riyals to 40 Riyals.

He said: “So, in 2019, each Lagos State pilgrim got 92 Riyals as a gift from Mr Governor. The Governor also cancelled the tradition of pilgrims sleeping at Hajj camp. He directed that the board should ensure that we provide all logistics for pilgrims to leave their houses six hours to the airlifting time which is what we did during the 2019 hajj exercise. The Coronavirus did not allow us to perform hajj in 2020 and 2021. Though in 2021, we did Umrah. At Umrah, the governor made sure all Lagos pilgrims were lodged in the hotel facing Haram; that is a lot of money for anybody that knows what I’m saying when it comes to that peak period.

“For last year’s exercise, Governor Sanwo-Olu directed that all pilgrims should be properly prepared and trained for the hajj exercise. He said things are changing and all our pilgrims must go in line with the technology that is in vogue. This helped our pilgrims greatly last year to complete the hajj rites with ease.”

Stakeholders seek more private investments on agriculture, education and health to create policies to attract impact investment capital from investors. 

They spoke at a workshop on Investing for Impact in Nigeria organised by Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and Nigerian National Advisory Board for Impact Investing (NABII). 

The workshop brought together experts in impact investment to curate expert opinions with a focus on Agriculture, Education, and Health, with gender and sustainability as  guiding principles.

Chairman of Impact Investor’s Foundation, Oladele Afolabi, said NABII identified agriculture, education and health as priority as outlined in Nigeria’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2021 – 2025. 

He said NABII recognises the need to present evidence-based studies given that majority of Impact investment capital in Nigeria comes from development sector.

Afolabi noted the research outcome would breach data and information gaps while also identifying regulatory needs to free capital for agriculture, health and education. 

He reiterated the need to identify beneficial instruments for the sectors, identify restrictive policies and suggest incentives to increase impact investment, noting the collaboration with NESG is strategic due to its research competence. 

NESG Chief Economist, Olusegun Omisakin, said there is emphasis on agriculture, health, education and the report not only provides information on challenges associated with impact investment but also strengthens conversations along development goals. 

He noted the report looks at agenda perspectives, identifies regulations and policies affecting  impact investment, and examines ways to strengthen underserved areas, including MSMEs. More so, he said the report recommends capacity building and improved policy regulations to increase impact investments in the sector.

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has called for critical approach towards responding to food crises, conflict and migration.

It spoke yesterday in Abuja at presentation of 2023 Global Food Policy Report and launch of  a CGIAR Research Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration.

The report focuses on crisis prediction and preparation, building resilience, and crisis response that is supportive and inclusive of women, forced migrants, and the vulnerable.

It also offers critical evidence to support effective policies to enhance food, land, and water system resilience in fragile and conflict-affected countries.

Deputy Division Director of IFPRI’s Africa Regional Office,  Samuel Benin said a critical approach to food crisis would require repurposing public support towards food and agricultural development.

The Initiative Lead and Senior Research Fellow at IFPRI, Katrina Kosec, said the fragility, conflict, and migration initiative aims to enhance resilience of food, land, and water systems in fragile and conflict-affected settings, where migration-related challenges are prevalent.

By taking a systems approach and working in partnership with stakeholders, Kosec said IFPRI seeks to generate evidence to inform policies that promote social and gender equity, climate resilience, conflict mitigation, and peacebuilding in these settings.

Also, Head of Research, Analysis, Monitoring and Evaluation at WFP, Nigeria, Serena Mithbaokar, said it is important to take early action to improve the system.

The Federal Government, under President-elect Bola Tinubu, will give all Nigerians a sense of belonging, the South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA’23) has assured.

Chairman of SWAGA’23, Senator Dayo Adeyeye said this during a chat with reporters yesterday in Abuja. He spoke against the backdrop of fears of possible marginalisation of some groups or parts of the country that voted against the All Progressives Congress (APC).

But Adeyeye said every part of the country will be integrated and accommodated in the incoming administration, regardless of differences in political leanings, ethnicity, religion, gender or age.

According to him, those who voted against the APC and its candidate did no wrong by doing so, stressing that they only exercised their rights to freedom of choice and association as guaranteed by the Constitution.

He said: “These fundamental rights include the freedom to choose which political party or candidates to vote during elections. These rights are sacrosanct and inalienable. Therefore, in a democratic setting, it would amount to a violation of these fundamental rights for any leader to discriminate against any group or individuals for freely exercising their inalienable rights.

“As a consummate democrat, Asiwaju Tinubu respects the rights of every citizen to freedom of choice and association as guaranteed by the Constitution. The President-elect fully appreciates the sanctity of voter choice, so no groups or individuals will be excluded on account of the choices they made during the last presidential election. So I can say without any fear of contradiction that as President, Tinubu will not undermine the same democratic principles he spent a better part of his adult life championing.”

Adeyeye maintained that inclusivity is one of the key points in Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to provide the enabling environment for all Nigerians, especially the youths, to pursue their aspirations and actualise their goals.

The SWAGA’23 chief urged the public to ignore the rumours of marginalisation, saying ‘excluding any part of the country would be counter-productive because it would slow down development in other parts’.

• Olugbon: He remains pride of Yoruba race

From Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja and Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

President Muhammadu Buhari has celebrated elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, on his 97th birthday.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the president described Pa Fasoranti as ‘a patriot, whose life’s journey and experience has conveyed the history of Nigeria all through its various stages, including Independence’.

The president also prayed for more grace of divine strength and health for Pa Fasoranti, said.

The statement reads: “President Muhammadu Buhari joins the Afenifere cultural group, friends and family in celebrating Pa Reuben Fasoranti on his 97th birthday. He admires the courage, wisdom, resilience and visionary leadership that the nonagenarian continues to provide.

“Pa Fasoranti’s personal profile conveys the remarkable history of Nigeria from Independence, with his participation in shaping political and economic developments in the first, second, third and fourth republic, and fearlessly advocating democratic rule under the military rule.

“He prays for more grace of divine strength and health for the visionary leader.”

President-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu hailed Pa Fasoranti for his commitment to the ideals of good governance and unwavering dedication to progressive politics.

A statement by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, praised Pa Fasoranti for his exemplary life of courage and public service.

It reads: “Pa Fasoranti established his lasting legacy in the educational sector where he made invaluable impacts on many of his former students and generations of students at Iju-Itaogbolu Grammar School as the founding Principal, Iwo Baptist High School, Olivet Baptist School, Oyo, and Christ School, Ado-Ekiti, where he retired as a principal.

“As an astute school administrator, Pa Fasoranti, after retirement, founded a private school with his wife, Omolere Nursery and Primary School, and Akure High School, which changed the landscape of private primary and secondary education in Ondo State.

“He is a light unto our paths and a worthy example for all to emulate.”

The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, described Pa Fasoranti as a pride of the Yoruba race.

The monarch said Fasoranti belongs to the ilk of leaders who attain greatness through selflessness, commitment to nation-building and excellent community development.

A statement by him said: “As a Nigerian, Pa Fasoranti contributed his own quota to the development of the country through political, governance and community leadership. As a Yoruba leader, he invested himself in ideas and activities geared towards the progress and well-being of the Yoruba nation.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned of possible heavy rainfall in the coming days in some states in the north.

The agency explained that the rainfall may lead to flash floods and so residents should stay indoors.

A statement yesterday by the GM of Public Relations, Muntari Ibrahim, said: “Following observed thundercloud activities in the northeastern part of the country, NiMet has alerted the public on possible heavy rainfall in the coming days in some states in the northern part of the country.

“Thunderstorm cells are currently observed over Borno, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, and Kano states. These are expected to propagate westward to give squally thunderstorms to some cities.”

The statement added that the current thunderstorm cells are expected to propagate easterly to give thunderstorms accompanied by squall to cities in Plateau, FCT, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Adamawa, Yobe, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina states in the next two to six hours.

It noted that in areas where thunderstorms are expected, strong winds may precede the rains, which could cause trees, electric poles, unsecured objects, and weak buildings to fall. It advised those living in those areas to be cautious and stay in-door, especially during heavy rainfall, to avoid being struck by lightning.

It also noted that moderate to heavy rainfall could lead to flash floods, hence the public is advised to take necessary caution. It also advised airline operators to avail themselves of weather reports periodically from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.