The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Being governor is a thankless job, says Sule

    Being governor is a thankless job, says Sule

    Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, said, being a governor is a thankless job especially that whatsoever a governor does, or does not do, people will always find reasons to criticize.

    Governor Sule made this known yesterday when he addressed the management and staff of the Phoenix University, Agwada, a first indigenous-owned private university in Nasarawa State, established by the first civilian Governor of the state, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, located in his village, Agwada, Kokona Local Government Area of the state.

    According to the governor, irrespective of whether the people criticize him or not, he has resolved to remain focused and to give the desired leadership in order to move the state forward.

    “There is nothing that you can do that is good. Everything you do, people will criticize. If you do it well, they will criticize you for doing it. If you don’t, they will criticize you for not doing it. If you don’t take the money, they will say you are taking the money. Whatever you do, you are still in trouble,” he stated.

    While congratulating Senator Adamu, the Proprietor of Phoenix University, Agwada, the first indigenous private university in Nasarawa State, Governor Sule expressed optimism that with the robotics laboratory put in place under the Department of Computer Science of the university, Nasarawa State is ready for Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.Impressed with what he saw on ground, the governor was confident that even universities that were established over three decades ago, are not even contemplating robotic engineering.

    He commended the courage and patriotism demonstrated by the proprietor of the institution, Senator Adamu, for establishing the university with the sole aim of giving back to the society.

    He added that it was not surprising considering that the former governor and immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) pioneered the creation of the state-owned university in Keffi twenty years ago, as well as the Shabu Farms, the first indigenous commercial agriculture company.

    The governor expressed the readiness of his administration to collaborate with the university especially in the area of student exchange, where students from state owned higher institutions could be sent to Phoenix University to utilize the facilities available particularly the digital and E-library.

    He called on the immediate community hosting the university to own up the institution, just as he called on the people of the state to consider the university as their own.

    Senator Adamu said he established the university with the purpose of giving back to his immediate community, Nasarawa State and Nigeria as a whole.

    “For me, most of the officials both academic and non-academic have to be Nasarawa State people. This is not to say we cannot entertain people from outside the state but prepare people, develop people to take over the leadership of this institution.

    Read Also: Only Tinubu can fix economic challenges – Sule

    “Those of our boys and girls with good potentials, who have good first degrees and upper degrees, they would be employed here as academic staff. Those who are short of our requirements will be employed as non-academic staff and prepare themselves better. So that our academic staff can be promoted by us, we can sponsor them for postgraduate studies,” he stated.

    Senator Adamu thanked Governor Sule for undertaking a visit to the university.

    Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Abdullahi Bala, said the Phoenix University Agwada has secured approval from the National University Commission (NUC) to commence academic activities in 24 programmes under three faculties namely Natural Science and Agriculture, Computing Technology, as well as Social Science and Management.

    “Today, we have commenced the process of admission and we are hopeful that by the grace of God, by the end of this month we will commence academic activities.  The university was granted approval for 32 programmes but we are starting with 24 programmes under three faculties,” he said.

    Prof Bala said the proprietor of the university has done his own part by establishing the institution and that what remains is for the people of Nasarawa State to take ownership of the university.

  • Benue Assembly sacks three council chairmen

    Benue Assembly sacks three council chairmen

    Benue State House of Assembly has sacked three council chairmen. The House also approved replacement for the sacked council chairmen.

    The three sacked council chairmen are Abraham Gber, Gboko Local Govenment area, Pastor Gideon Haanongo, Ukum Local Government area and Francis Zanzan of Katsina Ala Local Government Area.

    The three sacked council chairmen are accused of gross misconduct, embezzlement of local government revenue funds and indulging in unwholesome activities unbefitting of the office the chairman of a local government.

    Read Also:Benue Assembly to strengthen Indigenous Languages Bill

    The House immediately confirmed the names of replacement for the sacked council chairmen, sent to the House by Governor Hyacinth Alia.

    They are Verlumun Avar, for Gboko local government area, Victor Iorzaa for Ukum local government area and Justin Shaku, Katsina Ala Local Government area.

    Recall that the Council Chairman of Gboko Local Government Area Abraham Gber had a running battle with the Speaker of the House of Assembly which culminated into his arrest and detention for over alleged plot to killed the Speaker.

    He was releases after about one and half month in police detention.

    However, Pastor Haanongu rejected what he called purported removal by the House of Assembly.

    Pastor Haanongu said he has not been given any communication from the governor that he was relieved of his duty saying he is still in the office.

  • Wike to civil servants: I won’t allow bureaucracy stall Abuja projects

    Wike to civil servants: I won’t allow bureaucracy stall Abuja projects

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has warned directors in the Administration against sitting on files for weeks. Wike said he will not allow bureaucracy to stall ongoing projects in the nation’s capital.

    The minister said he would not allow anyone stifle the development of rural communities in the nation’s capital.

    Wike said any director who refuses to act on files that he has already approved, is a saboteur.

    The minister handed down the warning yesterday in Abuja during the kicked-off of the 5-kilometre Naharati – River Ukya – Unguwan Hausawa road in Abaji Area Council of the territory.

    It is the rural road construction in the area councils since Wike assumed office.

    He said: “I know that you had suffered quiet a lot in the past and you want things to change immediately. I want to appeal to you to be patient. I will never associate myself with anything that will not work. As I tell you that things will turn around positively, be assured that they will turn around positively. The decisions taken by Mr President may not materialize immediately but just be calm. You will reap it.

    “We had a meeting on Monday with the most senior director and I was telling them that woe unto that director who will keep a file, that I have approved, for weeks. Woe unto you because you are a saboteur. Once I approve, do the needful. You can take a week to do due diligence. You don’t need to take 20 days. The contractors are humans. When the money does not get to them on time, they incur more costs and then they begin to seek variation even though they know that variation is not in my dictionary. So, I need your support so that we can deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.”

    He said President Bola Tinubu has mandated him to ensure development of the councils, adding that all the rural roads would be completed before the end of the year.

    “Mr President has mandated me and the Minister of State to see that we come to the area councils for you to feel the impact of governance. We have talked about insecurity. If you don’t have good roads, can you fight insecurity? One of the ways of fighting insecurity is to provide good roads so that security agencies can chase criminals and apprehend them. If you don’t have good roads you can’t go to the farms. This road is to also support agricultural development.

    Read Also: Shettima, Akume, Akpabio, Wike: hardship over soon

    “The president has told us that development should not only be concentrated in the city. One of the reasons for rural-urban migration is access to amenities and when you provide that in the rural areas, people will stay in their areas.

    “Insecurity does not know any political party. Hardship does not know who belongs to which party. Therefore, the council chairmen owe the people to provide good governance. They have all agreed with us to work with this administration to make sure that our people will not lose out and I want to commend them for that.

    “All these projects we are starting will be completed this year. None will get to next year. We must make people have confidence in government by fulfilling our promises. Be assured that these roads in the six area councils will be completed before the year ends. All these we are doing have to do with the 2023 budget. We are going to kick-off more roads in the 2024 budget. It is your right. We are not doing it that we are helping you. No. Mr President came to you and sought your mandate, that he would touch your lives. He is doing that now,” he added.

    Chairman of the council, Abdullahi Abubakar, said the road will facilitate the movement of goods and services by supporting agricultural development.

  • Global branding strategies unveiled at Personal Branding Summit

    Global branding strategies unveiled at Personal Branding Summit

    In an unprecedented convergence of influential minds, TRELION is set to host the Africa’s No. 1 Global Personal Branding Summit from  February  23 to 25.

    Renowned personalities including Emily Wale-Koya, Emeka Ebeniro, Haoma Worgwu, Faith Fetaru, Dr. Daniel Moses, and more will grace the Personal Branding Summit (PBS) 2024.

    The summit, organized by KARAKURI, an innovation and creativity company in Lagos, aims to educate and engage the public, SMEs, and stakeholders on the significance of cultivating a global brand. PBS 2024 is strategically designed to impart insights, skills, and tools for effective branding in individuals, corporate organizations, SMEs, governments, and NGOs.

    Read Also: Artificial intelligence in deepening your business branding: Tomorrow’s Business is now

    Live on YouTube at 7 pm each day, the event will feature thought leaders such as Dr. Daniel Moses, a rising star in the UK’s property and business industry, and Emily Wale-Koya, the founder of the School of Personal Branding and a leading strategist in Africa.

    Haoma Worgwu, recognized as one of LinkedIn’s top voices in marketing, and Faith Fetaru, a certified Image Consultant and Female Country Representative for MOGi Global Leadership School in Uganda, will bring their expertise to the table. Joining them are Mengo Sherastine, a Personal Positioning Consultant, and Felix Fombang, who has spearheaded remarkable growth in black employees within the UK organization over the last four years.

    The summit will delve into global strategies in “The Rise Of AI.” For those eager to participate, log on to [www.pbsglobal.xyz](www.pbsglobal.xyz). PBS 2024 is proudly sponsored by Seatsandtickets, Trelion, InsideBusiness Africa, and Property Wealth.  

  • Your attacks on Alia all about 2027, Onjeh blasts Benue NASS caucus

    Your attacks on Alia all about 2027, Onjeh blasts Benue NASS caucus

    All Progressives Congress(APC) chieftain Comrade Daniel Onjeh has cautioned the Venue National Assembly caucus led by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro to stop playing politics with lives of Benue people. 

    He was reacting to the briefing by the Benue NASS Caucus last Wednesday where they denounced the dissolution of elected councils in Benin State and appointment of caretaker committees by the State Government. 

    The Federal lawmakers contended the caretaker committees lacked the legitimacy and political will to tackle the prevalent insecurity at the grassroots level. 

    Governor Hyacinth Alia had alleged some Benue indigenes invited killer herdsmen from Niger Republic to graze in the State. 

    The former Chairman of the PRODA Governing Board maintained that the recent statements of the NASS Caucus were merely an extension of their coordinated attacks on Alia to discredit him in the eyes of the public. 

    He advised them to face their jobs as federal lawmakers, adding that it was unbecoming of the federal parliamentarians to be playing politics with human lives. 

    “All through the last administration of Mr. Samuel Ortom in Benue State, there were reported cases of serial herdsmen attacks on villages in Benue State. Even though at some point, we had ‘democratically-elected’ local government executives in Benue State, the former governor, Mr. Ortom, was still not releasing funds to the local governments. 

    “But Sen. Moro didn’t see anything wrong with the wanton killing by herdsmen across Benue State at the time. It did not occur to him then that it was the non-funding of the local governments by the Ortom administration that was responsible for the dastardly attacks on Benue communities by killer herders. He found no reason to condemn the Ortom administration because they were both of the same party, the PDP. But suddenly, he now found his voice under the APC administration of Rev. Fr. Alia,” Onjeh said. 

    He pointed out security forces were operating in Benue, providing reliable information on insecurity in the state. 

    He wondered if the Benue NASS Caucus derived their information from the statutory security forces or they were only speaking from the figments of their imagination.

     He  urged the federal legislators to reveal any information they may be concealing regarding the root cause of the escalating insecurity in the state.

    “The reliable information that Rev. Fr. Alia has received from the security forces as the cause of the spike in insecurity across the state is different from what the federal lawmakers are alleging. 

    “So, could it be that there is something the NASS Caucus knows, which we the Benue people do not know, as the true cause of the deteriorating insecurity in the state? If Sen. Moro and his co-travellers in the Benue NASS Caucus are holding back some secrets, now is the time for them to kindly reveal it,” Onjeh stated. 

    Read Also: Onjeh advocates LG, judicial autonomy, state police to tackle insecurity

    Onjeh, who was the APC senatorial candidate for Benue South in the 2023 General Elections, further stated that no administration in Benue State since 1999 had suffered the level of distraction like Alia administration where members of his party and the opposition have teamed up against him practically from the moment of his being sworn into office.

     Onjeh alleged that the NASS Benue Caucus plans to disparage, discredit and distract Alia’s administration to stop him from delivering on his campaign promises to the Benue people. 

    “Yet, Fr. Alia has achieved much more than any of the past governors of the state since the start of the Fourth Republic. What most of them presented to Benue people as rocket science, Rev. Fr. Alia has been able to achieve seamlessly from the inception of his administration. 

    “Now, they will want to say that payment of salaries and pensions is nothing, but hitherto, they made Benue people believe it was an insurmountable challenge. 

    “Rev. Fr. Alia was able to fix that lingering problem in no time. Therefore, it is a very huge achievement. Indeed, civil servants are the life and soul of the public service, and if you don’t pay them their salaries and wages, you diminish their spirit and reduce their capacity and efficiency, thereby affecting the delivery of government policies and programs,” Onjeh stressed. 

    Onjeh urged the Benue NASS caucus to note that the Benue people were only concerned about who would deliver the dividends of democracy to them, to bring them out of the woods, which is what Alia is doing. 

  • Fed Govt to train 7m youths in two years, says minister

    Fed Govt to train 7m youths in two years, says minister

    The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has said the Federal Government would train over seven million youth within the next two years under the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) platform.

    Olawande said the government would use the digital platform to educate, empower and elevate millions of Nigerian youth in areas of capacity building, entrepreneurial support, mentorship and much more.

    He added that the government will train inmates who are mostly the youth on skill acquisition, adding that the current administration believes that this approach would guarantee the reduction in the number of repeat offenders and also enhance the reintegration of the inmates who are predominantly youth into the society.

    He stated this during a meeting with Commissioners for Youths and Sports Development in Abuja at the weekend.

    The minister said the objective of the meeting was to have strong collaboration with the commissioners from the 36 states of the federation in order to guarantee effective replication of federal government initiatives and programmes aimed at addressing the challenges confronting youths in the country.

    He said: “He emphasised the need to change the narrative through engagements with the youth from different states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja and provision of the enabling environment to make them productive.”

    The minister also told the commissioners the need for cooperation in order to ensure seamless implementation of youth programmes and policies, most especially at the state and local government levels.

    He disclosed plans by the federal government to deliver at least two skills to every Nigerian youths.

    “In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President on access to capital, job creation, poverty reduction, food security, and inclusion, the ministry is working with the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), a digital platform to educate, empower and elevate millions of Nigerian youth in areas of capacity building, entrepreneurial support, mentorship and much more,” the minister said.

    Speaking further about other activities of the ministry, the minister observed that the “youth engagement activities which already commenced in Borno state will continue so that at every point, there is always a platform for youth to offer their ideas and make inputs into government policies and programmes.

    “We are equally working, exploring the prospects of establishing a ‘Green House’ in each local government area that will serve as a facility where unemployed young people at the local government level can go to access support and begin their journey towards a productive and gainful engagement,” he said

    Read Also: EFCC quizzes ex-Gov Ahmed over alleged diversion of N10bn

    The minister explained that the ministry would partner with the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Bank of Industry (BoI) and other Ministries, Department and Agencies to tackle the challenges confronting the youths.

    “As the Minister of Youth Development, I am aware that Nigeria has a high population of youths who make critical contributions in the economic development of the nation.

    “In today’s dynamic world, the youths are the driving force in shaping the economic growth of any nation. Therefore, harnessing this energetic and vibrant youth demography has become imperative for the country’s progress and development,” the minister added.

    The Leader of the Forum of State Commissioners of Youth and Sports Development, Bashir Datti, who is also the Commissioner of Youth and Sports in Plateau State, assured the minister that the commissioners from various states are ready to collaborate and support the Federal Government to achieve these goals, adding that the youths have to be engaged to shun social vices.

  • Court restrains minister, others from encroaching on Abuja Centenary City

    Court restrains minister, others from encroaching on Abuja Centenary City

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has barred the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and Arab Contractors Nigeria Limited from further encroaching on an expanse of land allocated to the Centenary Economic City Free Zone along Airport Road in Abuja.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the order in a judgement on a suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2130/2022 filed by Centenary Economic City Free Zone (CECFZ) and Centenary City Free Zone Company (CCFZC).

    Listed as defendants in the suit are the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (PFRN), the Attorney-General of Federation (AGF), the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; the Minister of the FCT, FCTA, FCDA and Arab Contractors.

    The Centenary City project was promoted while Goodluck Jonathan was the President and Anyim Pius Anyim was the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). The plaintiffs had accused the FCTA of aiding Arab Contractors to convert part of the land allocated to them to its (Arab Contractors) site yard, without of  authority and without the permission of NEPZA which has  regulatory powers over the land

    They added that Arab Contractors defaced and destroyed the master plan of the Centenary Economic City Free Zone and that Arab Contractors now endangers Federal Government’s assets and investments in the project with its conduct.

    Justice Ekwo, in the judgment delivered on February 6, a copy of which The Nation sighted on Monday, held that the plaintiffs effectively proved their case.

    The judge added that sufficiently established their case through the exhibits tendered and by the provisions of sections 5 (1) (a) and (b), (2), and (3) (a) and (b), 147, 148, 299 (a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution;  sections 4, 8, 10 (1) and (2) and 13 of the NEPZA Act, and Section 19 of the FCT Act.

    Justice Ekwo said: “The plaintiffs are therefore entitled to the claims sought in this case, and I so hold.”

    The judge proceeded to issue an  order nullifying and setting aside in its entirety, all executive actions, steps, decisions, and administrative controls, including the forceful encroachment of the premises by Arab Contractors at the instructions of the minister, FCTA and FCDA without the prior consent of the plaintiffs and the overriding approval of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA).

    He said the encroachment contradicted Sections 4 and 13 of NEPZA Act Cap N107 LFN 2004, provisions of Section 5 (3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and therefore, was unconstitutional, illegal, unlawful, void and of no effect whatsoever.

    Justice Ekwo issued an injunction restraining them from exercising any executive or regulatory control on the zone, “which occupies the Land, measuring 1,264.78 hectares with beacons coordinates: PB57-PB59, PB60-PB69, PB70-PB79, PB80PB89, PB90-PB99 and PB1000-PB104, located at Airport Road, Wawa District, Cadastral Zone E24, FCT, Abuja.”

    He further issued an order directing Arab Contractors to immediately vacate the portion of the Centenary Economic City Free Zone, which it illegally occupies at the instructions of the 5th, 6th and 7th defendants (Minister of the FCT, FCTA, FCDA and Arab Contractors) against the provisions of Sections 4 and 13 of NEPZA Act, without the express approval of the NEPZA,” he added.

    The judge also ordered Arab Contractors to pay to the plaintiffs, the sum of N100 million only for the forceful invasion and destruction of the plaintiffs’ master plan of the zone, designed by Eagle Hills Properties LLC of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at a cost of 35 million dollars.

    Justice Ekwo equally ordered Arabs Contractors to pay N50million as general damages and N5 million as cost of the suit to the plaintiffs.

    Also, Justice Ekwo ordered an interest on the entire judgment sum at the rate of 10 per cent per annum, commencing from the time of the delivery of the judgment till the entire judgment sum is fully liquidated by construction firm.

    Read Also: Why we cannot sell cement below N7,000, by Dangote, Bua, Lafargea

    CCFZC’s Managing Director, Ikechukwu Odenigwe, in a supporting affidavit, explained why his company surd.

    Odenigwe stated that CECFZ was licensed as a Free Zone, under NEPZA on September 10, 2014, while CCFZC was licensed as a Free Trade Zone Company on October 10, 2014, during the President Goodluck Jonathan-led government.

    Odenigwe added that on December 5, 2022, the Centenary City Project was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    He said: “Pursuant to the centenary celebration, the Centenary City Pic, a real estate development and investment company was established on April, 2013.

    “Land measuring 1,264.78 hectares was allocated to Centenary City Pic., for the development of the Centenary City in the FCT, following a development agreement entered with the FCTA.”

     Odenigwe said the recommendation made by the the Minister of Trade for the designation of 1,264.78 hectares of land at Wawa District, as the Centenary Economic City Free Zone, FCT, Abuja, was approved by the Presidency.

    He added: “The said approval was also communicated to the Managing Director, Centenary City Plc., via a letter dated 16th September, 2014.

    “Upon the fulfilment of statutory requirements, a certificate was issued by the NEPZA, licensing Centenary Economic City as a Free Zone.

    “The 2nd plaintiff (CCFZC) was also issued an operating license,” he said, adding the Centenary Economic City Free Zone was designed by Eagles Hills Properties LLC.

    Odenigwe claimed that despite its lack of authority and without the permission of NEPZA, which had the regulatory power, the FCTA asked Arab Contractors to convert parts of the Free Zone land to their site yard.

  • Fire razes Gombe Central Medical Store

    Fire razes Gombe Central Medical Store

    A fierce early morning inferno has gutted the Gombe Central Medical Store, a critical healthcare facility housing over two million doses of polio vaccine and various essential medical consumables and equipment.

    The destruction, valued at over N5 billion, poses a significant setback for Gombe, as it scheduled to kick off the March-April 2024 Polio Myelitis Campaign.

    Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya inspected the charred remains of the State Mega Medical Cold Store facility, where he stressed the urgent need to address the catastrophic situation.

    He appealed to donor agencies and health sector stakeholders to come to the aid of Gombe, emphasizing the facility’s role in supporting healthcare not only in the state but across the entire Northeastern subregion.

    “This facility was at some point the center for drugs distribution to the entire northeast region, not only Gombe state.

    “Prompt intervention by the Federal government, development partners such as WHO, UNICEFand other critical stakeholders will make a significant impact in strengthening our healthcare system,” he said.

    He directed the Commissioner for Works and Transport to swiftly move his technical team and provide immediate recommendations, stressing the urgency of revitalizing the facility in view of its historical role as a key distribution center for medical supplies in the region.

    Read Also: EFCC quizzes ex-Gov Ahmed over alleged diversion of N10bn

    Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, while conducting the governor round, revealed that the inferno obliterated vaccines valued at over five billion naira, including two million doses recently received from UNICEF and Rotary International for distribution across the state’s local government areas.

      The extensive damage also included polio vaccine, routine immunization supplies, cold rooms, ultra-cold chain equipment for Pfizer Covid vaccine, maternal and child health equipment, nutritional items, family planning commodities, and special equipment for primary healthcare centers and maternity.

    Refrigerators, cylinders, air conditioners, and motorcycles also were among the numerous items consumed by the fire.

    The over 60-year-old cold store, previously used to house COVID-19 vaccines in 2020, played a significant role as a holding place for vaccines destined for onward distribution to other Northeastern states.

  • Outrage over ban of sachet alcoholic drinks  by NAFDAC

    Outrage over ban of sachet alcoholic drinks  by NAFDAC

    The ban on sachet and pet bottles of alcohol drinks of less than 200ml by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has continued to generate reactions among retailers, consumers, and low income earners who depend on these products as means to generate income.

    The reaction has spiraled into protest from manufacturers, distributors, retailers as well as consumers as it affects over 25 beverages companies.

    According to medium scale business owners whose livelihood depends on the sales of these drinks, claimed that the decision by NAFDAC at this time is more like it is a deliberate act targeted at the poor masses who are trying to cope with a harsh economy.

    They added that banning sachet alcoholic drinks at this crucial time entails a multifaceted analysis of Nigeria’s potential economic ramifications, encompassing both short-term disruptions and long-term implications for various stakeholders within the economy.

    It was also argued that the size of these sachet drinks is the reason people drink responsibly like having to buy big bottles and being tempted to drink it all.

    Currently the Nigeria economy is challenged due to so many factors, from terrorism, to internal and external conflict, government expenditure, and domestic investment and this is not the best time to make harsh decisions that can have social economic impact on people who are trying to cope with life.

    The ban on sachet alcoholic drinks intersects with broader socio-economic issues, including poverty, inequality, and public health. While the policy may aim to curb alcohol-related harm, its impact on vulnerable populations, including those dependent on sachet drinks for livelihoods or coping mechanisms, must be carefully considered.

    At the beginning of the year 2024 PwC released a report on the economic trends that shape Nigeria’s Economy  and one of the trends stated that the poverty level is projected to increase to 38.8% because purchasing power will remain an issue.

    “Business outlook consumer spending may be pressured in 2024 due to rising prices of goods and services (increasing food and transportation costs), coupled with lower disposable income. However, private consumption is expected to be marginally better than 2023.

    Poverty levels are projected to increase to 38.8% in 2024. Despite the low unemployment rate in the country, low consumer spending and purchasing power remains an issue, especially in the absence of commensurate increase in minimum wage to mitigate the inflationary growth in the economy.”

    Therefore, the decision to phase out the sachet drink at this time has more disadvantages than advantages even though it is a good measure to curb health damage that alcohol causes in the body.

    At the last protest organized by the Association of Food, Beverage & Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), it was stated that the outright ban was wrong since sachet drinks were registered food products. The union added that it worried over what will become of the thousands of the workforce who will lose their jobs if the industry is shut down.

    According to AFBTE the total investment of the business is over N800 billion and over 500 million employees will be affected if the government and NAFDAC do not put an end to the ban.

    Read Also: Why we cannot sell cement below N7,000, by Dangote, Bua, Lafargea

    The drink is produced by reputable companies that are registered under NAFDAC and are registered under the food and beverages segment. This alone, they say will  help eliminate the issue of fake sachet alcoholic drinks in the Nigerian market, the union noted.

    Speaking with some of the retailers’ consumers who joined the protest noted that not all Nigerians can afford big capitals to stock their shops with big bottled spirit drinks that they may not sell in months, so they will rather buy products that will drive sales.

    On the part of the advantage of sachet drink a consumer noted that the sachet drink helps control the intake of alcohol in the society there by promoting responsible drinking habits among Nigerians while big the sides big sizes actually encourage excessive consumption.

    Another consumer claimed that introduction of sachet alcohol beverages by reputable companies eliminated the occurrence of sudden deaths during parties due to consumption of illicit beverages.

    He added there is justifiable reason to lay off workers at this period of our economic travels because the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.

    Addressing the root causes of harmful drinking behaviors, such as poverty and lack of access to healthcare and social services, requires a comprehensive approach beyond regulatory measures as such a policy intervention carries the potential to reshape consumption patterns, impact industry dynamics, and influence government revenue streams

  • ‘Learn Africa app ‘ll expand access to education, others’

    ‘Learn Africa app ‘ll expand access to education, others’

    The LearnAfrica AI-enabled mobile app will promote and expand access to quality education for all.

    This was stated by Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LearnAfrica, Alhaji Hassan Bala, during the launch of the app in Lagos.

    He said it is an innovative educational mobile application revolutionising  learning experiences. Bala said with a comprehensive array of resources and interactive tools,the app empowers users to effortlessly acquire new knowledge and skills.

    He said :”We are expanding learning opportunities for all. Our commitment to education will continue to drive us forward. The app represents innovation and excellence in education. The future is filled with promise where education knows no bounds.

    The app offers a diverse range of educational  materials tailored to various learning styles following the Nigerian curriculum.Whether you are a student, a professional or a lifelong learner, the platform facilitates seamless access to high quality educational resources.”

    Content Director, Gbola Aiyedun said the app would make  access to educational content easy and cheap.According to him an outstanding feature of the all is the assessment material which ensures self-examination of learners and prepares them for West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), among others.

    Read Also: EFCC quizzes ex-Gov Ahmed over alleged diversion of N10bn

    He described it as an attempt  to globalise  Nigerian course curriculum such that people can access it anywhere in the world.

    Aiyedun noted that it offers both online and offline functionality,while featuring a diverse course catalogue  and a personalised way of learning.

    “The app is designed to put Nigeria education on the global stage. It contains resources from primary to secondary school. We took the Lagos State curriculum into consideration when developing it. It is accessible 24 hours every day for learners at a cheap price. It can be downloaded on iOS and Google  Play store. Price for basic package is N2,500 per year,while premium package is N5,000 per year for each user,” he said.