The Nation Newspaper

Category: Special Report

  • Nigeria’s foreign relations: rise of sleeping giant

    Nigeria’s foreign relations: rise of sleeping giant

    As many challenges dominate President Bola Tinubu’s attention in the first 100 days of his administration, he is also mindful of the direction of the country’s foreign policy and its relations with the rest of the world. Assistant Editor BOLA OLAJUWON writes on the administration’s international posturing so far.

    Right from independence, Nigeria has an ambitious foreign policy. This is not, however, well defined and consistent with national interests. Hence, national interest becomes different strokes for different leaders at the helms of affairs. 

    But, under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Nigeria’s  interests have been largely determined and defined by what the administration touted as national interests and refocus of the country’s African-centric foreign policy through actions and deeds to match commitments.

    Nexus between domestic and foreign policies

    Tinubu, after being sworn in as Nigeria’s 16th president, and right from the podium, while delivering his inaugural speech, sent a message to the nation and the world that it would not be business as usual. He emphasised that he was ready for business. 

    Knowing that domestic issues could not be divorced from foreign policy, he tackled frontally the thorny issue of petrol subsidy, declaring:  ”Fuel subsidy is gone”. He also took the decision to unify the foreign exchange rates, steered the economy towards growth. Some of his policies have been welcomed and have excited the local and international financial markets and investors, they have also being greeted with attendant challenges of inflation and increased poverty.

    However, the international community have seen a departure from what they had witnessed in the past, thus according the economy the required credibility and renewed faith of international financial operators, rating agencies and markets. At least, this is a departure from Father Christmas of the past administrations.

    Despite the hardships, he has reined in the two labour bodies – the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) – promising palliatives and salary increases for workers. 

    He suspended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa; sacked the governing boards of federal government parastatals, agencies, institutions and government-owned companies. 

    He assented to the electricity bill, authorising states, companies and individuals to generate, transmit and distribute electricity. 

    Despite saving N2 trillion from subsidy payment removal, he has approved palliatives to states to ease the pains being suffered by Nigerians. 

    Tinubu’s tough stance on local issues is not in isolation of foreign policy. At least, he sent a message to the international community on his readiness to instill confidence in the fiscal policy and national economy.

    After standing on assertive pedestal, President Tinubu joined other world leaders at a State Banquet hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, in June as part of the activities lined up for the New Global Financing Pact summit.

    After the event, the President on his Facebook page shared how much he relished the moments shared with other world leaders, including the chief host and his wife.

    “I had a great time with other Heads of State and important dignitaries at the State Banquet hosted by President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, France, this evening,” Tinubu said.

    Read Also: I will not fail Nigerians – Tinubu

    Tinubu said Nigeria would sustain its spotlight on African countries as the fulcrum of its economy and foreign affairs policies, ensuring that trade issues, security and border controls will be implemented.

    Receiving the President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, after the Summit on New Global Financing Pact, Tinubu noted that bilateral relations with African countries, particularly at the sub-regional level, would be enhanced for shared benefits in the areas of security, health, energy, education and diplomacy.

    “We are ready to improve relations. Africa has been the centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy,” he said.

    “I believe in Africa. We have the necessity to grow the continent. The world’s economy is wobbling, and Africa has been left behind. On risk factors, Africa is always placed high, with higher interest rates on borrowing. We are always classified as high-risk. We must work together for systematic recovery and growth,” he added.

    Tinubu described Nigeria’s relations with Benin as that of Siamese twins, joined at the hips, and supported by other friendly countries. He also had bilateral meetings with Swiss President Alain Berset and the African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Akinwunmi Adesina.

    ECOWAS and the new bite

    Since 2020, coupists have removed elected governments in Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mali, and Sudan with little actions from the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). However, the coups in Niger Republic and the latest in Gabon have raised serious concerns about regional stability and democratic principles in West Africa and the continent. 

    The scenarios are against Tinubu’s statement in early July while accepting the ECOWAS chairmanship, when he said: “We must stand firm on democracy. Without democracy, there is no governance, there is no freedom, and there is no rule of law. We will not allow coup after coup in West Africa.”

    But, the President did not expect to be plunged into handling a crisis in neighbouring Niger. On July 26, Nigerien soldiers carried out a coup and removed President Mohamed Bazoum. 

    Tinubu immediately issued a strongly worded statement denouncing the coup before sending Beninese President Patrice Talon as the bloc’s mediator. But, the later was refused audience by the junta.  A former military head of state, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar and Sultan of Sokoto Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar were later sent to Niamey as part of the mediation. After the junta installed army Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani as head of state, Tinubu called an emergency summit of ECOWAS leaders to discuss a response.

    Why some Nigerians, especially people in the North, against ECOWAS’s resolve to intervene militarily in Niger, the members of the sub-region – except Burkina Faso and Mali -, the AU, the United Nations, European countries and the United States have backed Tinubu’s and ECOWAS’ actions. 

    Canadian Prime Minister Justin Pierre James Trudeau, Macron, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and others have also called to praise Tinubu on the Niger and Gabon issues. 

    With military intervention not yet in motion and coupled with Gabon coup, analysts are watching what will become of Nigeria’s new posturing over the coup issues.

    Nigeria and BRICS

    Also recently, the BRICS, a grouping of the world economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, met in South Africa. By next January, two African countries – Egypt, a leading economy and Ethiopia – an emerging economy and second most populous African country – will be joining the BRICS bloc.

    Many analysts have questioned Why Nigeria did not join the bloc when more than 40 countries had shown interest in it?

    The bloc is home to 42 per cent of the world’s population, almost 30 percent of the world’s territory, around 27 per cent of global GDP and around 20 percent of global trade.

    South Africa has reaped from the bloc and has given other African countries reasons to rethink their relationship with the West.

    South Africa’s overall trade with its BRICS partners increased by an average growth of 10 per cent from 2017-2021, total trade with BRICS reached R830 billion last year from R487 billion in 2017, with BRICS accounting for 21 per cent of South Africa’s global trade in 2022.

    Also, over 14 per cent of South Africa’s exports are to BRICS countries, with about 30 per cent of imports coming from BRICS countries in 2022.

    Experts are reasoning that Nigeria must not discountenance the opportunities in BRICS’ membership.

    Biden and Angolan invites

    President Tinubu recently hosted the United State’ presidential envoy and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Phee handed over President Joe Biden’s invite to Tinubu for a meeting during UN General Assembly.

    He, however, told his visitor to ensure that U.S. policy is intentionally collaborative to deepen democracy in Africa, at a time when they are under assault by anti-democratic forces within and outside of the continent.

    The President noted that American-backed development finance and multilateral institutions, which were designed to support war-torn Europe after World War II, require swift and comprehensive reform to meet the developmental requirements of younger democracies in Africa, which operate in authoritarian-crowded environments.

    He declared that such efforts will help to ensure that legitimate yearnings of Africans would no longer be manipulated to serve the narrow aims of self-seeking agitators through unconstitutional takeovers of power.

    “Yes, the private sector will lead the way within an enabling environment we create for them, but the U.S. Government must be innovative in its thinking and systematically create incentives for U.S. industrial investment in Nigeria,” he said. 

    Angolan President João Lourenço has also invited the President to the regular bilateral and multilateral consultations of African leaders aimed at tackling common challenges across the continent. Lourenço stated this in a message through his envoy, Téte António, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Angola, in Abuja.

    The message was made available to reporters by the Institutional Communication and Press Services of the Embassy of Angola in Nigeria, Benin and Niger.

     ”Lourenço is inviting his counterpart Tinubu, to participate in the third edition of the Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence-Luanda Biennial, taking place from Nov. 22 to 24.

     ”Adopted in 2015 at the 24th Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), the Biennial of Luanda will take place under the theme ‘Education, culture of peace and African citizenship, as tools for the sustainable development of the continent’.

    “It intends to contribute to the implementation of the “Action Plan for a Culture of Peace in Africa, a collaboration between the Government of Angola and UNESCO,” Lourenço said.

    Tuggar’s ‘Four Ds’ policy initiative

    Recently, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, stated that his ministry would be guided by a new ‘Four Ds’ Policy initiative, anchored on “Development, Democracy, Demography and Diaspora geared towards bringing modern solutions to address some complex challenges.

    Tuggar, while addressing staff of the ministry when he assumed duty, pledged to unveil a new foreign policy that would reposition Nigeria at the pinnacle of visionary and global decision-making.

    The minister spoke in Abuja, on his first day in office, after joining other ministers to take their oath of office at President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet’s inauguration.

    Tuggar said the “Four Ds” guiding his Foreign Policy for Nigeria would be “Development, Democracy, Demography, and Diaspora geared towards bringing modern solutions to address some complex challenges. He assured that the ministry will be redesigned to effectively play its roles at the forefront of promoting Nigeria’s interests and protecting citizens abroad.

    The minister assured Nigerians in the Diaspora that his administration will strive to address their challenges, adding, “It is the highest honour to be asked to serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “As a historically significant ministry, Foreign Affairs has long represented the highest standard of excellence. It is, therefore, our job to ensure those standards will never fail.

    “These are turbulent times. From the unfolding political crises in Niger Republic to the regional and economic insecurity, we have a lot of work to do. In due time, we will unveil a new vision for Nigeria’s foreign policy, Four D’s diplomacy.

    “Through this doctrine centred on development, democracy, demography and Diaspora, we hope to find modern solutions to address complex contemporary problems.”

    Tinubu’s recall of ambassadors

    Few days after unveiling the “Four Ds” guiding his Foreign Policy for Nigeria, Tuggar on Saturday said the President had directed the recall of all ambassadors.

    The minister, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Al-Kashim Abdul-Kadir, said the directive applied to career and non-career ambassadors, noting that the envoys were expected in the country at the end of next month.

    No fewer than 41 non-career and 42 career ambassadors are expected to return home. But, information on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that Nigeria has a total of 109 Missions, 76 Embassies, 22 High Commissions and 11 Consulates.

    Former President Muhammadu Buhari had in January 2021 approved the posting of 95 ambassadors, comprising 43 career and 52 non-career. Prior to the approval, the Senate ratified their nomination in 2020. 

    The minister, while thanking them for the service they rendered, said he looked forward to welcoming them to Abuja.

    But, the Presidency on Saturday night said the country’s United Nations Permanent Representatives in New York and Geneva were exempted from the recall.

    According to Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the exemption was as a result of the upcoming UN General Assembly holding this month. 

    International affairs experts are wondering whether the recall of ambassadors and Tuggar’s “Four Ds” will have impact on the administration’s foreign policy initiatives. Nigerians in the Diaspora and at home have been clamouring for responsive diplomats abroad to give Nigerians a service delivery at par with other nationalities all over the world. A total of 109 missions, 76 embassies, 22 high commissions and 11 consulates without commensurate services are drain in the national purse. As assured by Tuggar, analysts are watching whether the ministry, high commissions, embassies and missions will be redesigned to effectively play their roles at the forefront of promoting Nigeria’s interests and protecting citizens abroad as the minister assured them that his administration will strive to address their challenges.

    The G-20 Summit in India

    The icing on the cake for the President as he marks his 100 days in office is the G-20 summit in India. Tinubu is expected to attend thr summit that will be held in New Delhi, between September 9 and 10. Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, announced the development on Friday while speaking to reporters. Ngelale said Tinubu seeks to attract foreign investments to the country during the summit. He added that the president is working to ensure that Nigeria can raise private capital from around the world for the development of its public infrastructure.

    At the summit, Tinubu will meet with world leaders and heads of state in addition to industry titans, and chief executive officers of some of the most valuable corporations in thhe world.

    He is also expected to host a roundtable meeting during the summit with more than 20 chief executive officers from various economic sectors.

    This, he said, is to ensure that Nigeria takes advantage of their interest in investing in the nation in a way that supports the industrialisation, digitalisation, and renewable energy agenda.

    Therefore, for Tinubu, the G-20 is an auspicious summit to mark his 100 days and bring home laudable investments and goodwill.

  • President and rule of law

    President and rule of law

    President Bola Tinubu, in his inauguration day speech, made a solemn promise to govern according to the constitution and the rule of law.

    The pledge – simple and straightforward – was critical because it indicated a determination to part ways with the much-criticised path of his predecessor and fellow All Progressives Congress (APC) member, Muhammadu Buhari.

    “In the coming days and weeks, my team will publicly detail key aspects of our programme. Today, permit me to outline in broad terms a few initiatives that define our concept of progressive good governance in furtherance of the Nigerian ideal:

    “The principles that will guide our administration are simple: Nigeria will be impartially governed according to the constitution and the rule of law,” President Tinubu said.

    Interestingly, Buhari made a similar declaration at his inauguration on May 29, 2015.

    Buhari said: “The Federal Executive under my watch will not seek to encroach on the duties and functions of the Legislative and Judicial arms of government. The law enforcing authorities will be charged to operate within the Constitution…”

    His words, slightly different but no less important than that of the incumbent, are now considered by many – in the light of his acts soon after he was sworn in – as having been made tongue-in-cheek.

    In just a few months in office, the Buhari administration cultivated a reputation for wilful disobedience to court orders, such as the ones granting bail to a former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, and the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. His administration was also accused of, among others, the violation of rights with the massacre of Shiites in Zaria, Kaduna State. In 2022, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) accused Buhari of a wilful disregard for the rule of law and human rights, ignoring Nigerian judges on, at least 40 occasions. Facing pushback from critics, he attempted to justify his disobedience by referencing national interest and security.

    The Buhari administration’s culture of defiance of court orders and disregard for the rule of law reached a crescendo with the unpopular naira swap policy implemented by the now-suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele.

    Four months after Tinubu took over the reins of power, many of the issues, including the Nnamdi Kanu situation, are still unresolved.

    Read Also: I will not fail Nigerians – Tinubu

    Curiously, and despite him publicly distancing himself from the Buhari regime’s apparent selective compliance with the rule of law, President Tinubu seems to have started off where the ex-military dictator stopped, at least in two prominent cases. The first is the travails of Emefiele. The other is the continued detention of the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa.

    The common denominator in both cases is the self-styled Department of State Services (DSS).

    Emefiele has been in the custody of the DSS since June 10, a whopping 94 days, despite having been granted bail.

    On July 25, hooded, machine gun-toting DSS operatives went physical with NCoS officials and assaulted an unarmed NCoS Commander in public glare. The secret agency exercised its superior coercive power against pistol and rifle-bearing NCoS officials, who had just received the lawful right to take custody of Emefiele following the bail granted him by the court. Having won the muscle-flexing battle, the DSS whisked Emefiele away.

    Emefiele’s re-arrest occurred on the hallowed ground of the Federal High Court in Lagos sitting in Ikoyi after Justice Nicholas Oweibo admitted the embattled apex bank chief to bail in the sum of the N20m.

    The judge also ordered that Emefiele be remanded at the correctional centre pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

    The incident caused public outrage with many Nigerians calling for the head of the DSS’ Director-General. They urged President Tinubu to act.

    Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Jibrin Samuel Okutepa warned that the country was abandoning the rule of law.

    Okutepa said: “Nigeria is sliding into dictatorship. Rule of law no more in practice. While we operate the rule of law in theory we operate in practice despotism and totalitarian regime under the colour of democracy. The show of shame today between DSS and Correctional officers supports my position.

    “I have always said that those in power operate political vendetta and no rule of law. Why is DSS now all over the place? Is DSS above the law of the land? In a country where rule of law holds sway, the judiciary is respected and nobody is allowed to subvert judicial orders.”

    On August 17, even the judge handling the firearms case was forced to slam the government following its continued disregard of its order to allow Emefiele to enjoy his bail.

    Justice Nicholas Oweibo said the government had no respect for the rule of law.

    He spoke while giving his ruling on the ‘illegal possession of firearms and ammunition” charges against the banker.

    The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abubakar Mohammed, had filed an oral application seeking the withdrawal of the two-count charge on the grounds of emerging facts and circumstances which require closer investigation.

    But chiding him, Justice Oweibo said: “The prosecution has shown that they are not law-abiding and have no respect for the court. The court cannot force them.

    “What good will it be for the defendant who is in custody? Of what benefit will it be to keep the file in the court’s docket?”

    “To stop the embarrassment of the court and to keep its integrity intact, I believe the proper thing is to allow them to withdraw the charge.”

    Like Emefiele, EFCC chair Bawa has also been in DSS custody since his suspension from office by the President and shortly after, was taken into custody by the DSS. He has now been in custody for 82 days without trial.

    Many senior lawyers have warned that the government is acting illegally and frustrating the rule of law.

    Dr. ‘Kemi Pinheiro, for instance, has urged the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) to effect Bawa’s immediate release 

    Pinheiro warned that by holding Bawa, the government risked sending the wrong signal to the international community concerning human rights violations in Nigeria.

    The senior lawyer’s August 21 letter to the AGF was titled “The continuous and unlawful detention of the erstwhile Executive Chairman of the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrahseed Bawa”.

    In it, he noted that Bawa was suspended from office by President Bola Tinubu on June 14 and arrested by the DSS in whose custody he has been since.

    Pinheiro said: “Sometime ago, when the public’s curiosity arose on the cause of the purported ‘unlawful’ detention of the erstwhile EFCC Chairman, the officers of the DSS were said to have purportedly stated that the detention of the erstwhile EFCC Chairman was lawful and pursuant to a court order.

    “Even while we might believe that his detention may be based on a remand order issued by a court of competent record, it is of utmost importance to draw your attention to the unjustifiable extended duration of this remand order.

    “Granted that the said remand order may have been obtained pursuant to section 293 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 which provides succinctly on the procedures to be followed in obtaining a remand order, Section 295 of the said Act also provides an opportunity for a suspect to apply for bail during the course of the said remand proceedings or in an entirely independent action.”

    The Silk noted that his present concern is that the continued detention may also be construed as violating Section 35(4) & (5) of the Constitution (as Amended.)

    The section guarantees the right of every person, where arrested or detained, to be charged before a competent court of law within a reasonable time.

    “It is considerably urged by this letter that the rule of law and the interest of justice should prevail and Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa is released immediately so as not to send the wrong signal to the international community as it relates to human rights violations in Nigeria,” Pinheiro added.

    Another SAN, Rotimi Jacobs also joined the call for the release of the suspended EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.

    According to Jacobs, the maximum period in which a suspect can be detained in Nigeria through a remand order is 56 days, but Bawa has been in detention for longer than that, contrary to the rule of law.

    He added: “The concern now is not necessarily about the person of Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, but the need to respect and observe the rule of law in a constitutional democracy which we practise in Nigeria. 

    “In every constitutional democracy, any conduct which runs contrary to the rule of law must not only be avoided but must be deprecated by all lovers of democracy. 

    “As someone who believes in the truism that injustice to one is an injustice to all and as a lawyer, I see it as a point of duty to draw the attention of the relevant authorities to the obvious constitutional infraction and the illegality which the continued detention of Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa represents and I, therefore call on the relevant authorities to be properly guided and tow the part of justice in the instant case and other similar cases.”

    Last Monday, activist-lawyer Femi Falana also warned that the government was breaking the law by its continued detention of Emefiele and Bawa.

    He criticised the DSS for refusing to adhere to the rule of law.

    He noted that though both men had a penchant for disobeying court orders while they were in office, the DSS was also wrong for ignoring the rule of law by detaining them illegally.

    “Indeed, under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the cumulative lifespan of a remand order is 56 days. Therefore, having exceeded the detention period permitted by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and the Constitution of Nigeria, the State Security Service should be directed to release Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa from illegal custody without any further delay.

    “The Federal Government should ensure that the rights of Messrs Emefiele and Bawa are respected by the State Security Service and the office of the Director of Public Prosecution in the Federal Ministry of Justice, even though the duo had a penchant for disobeying the orders of the courts when they were in office.

    “The plight of both suspects should be a lesson for all public officers in Nigeria who always behave as if there will be no tomorrow. However, the government which rules by law is under a legal obligation not to breach the fundamental rights of citizens except in a manner prescribed by the Constitution of Nigeria,” Falana said.

    Since his inauguration, President Tinubu has shown that he listens. A couple of times, he reversed his decisions, and political appointments following public outcry.

    Many Nigerians will now be expecting him to do same in the case of Emefiele and Bawa in the interest of the rule of law

  • Renewed hope and commonsense revolution 

    Renewed hope and commonsense revolution 

    GBADE OGUNWALE reviews the first 100 days of President Bola Tinubu’s assumption of office and the expectations of Nigerians

    President Bola Tinubu was sworn-in as President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces on May 29, 2023. He has spent 100 days in office. The “100th Day In Office” was coined by President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt who served as the 32nd American President from 1933 until his death in 1945. Roosevelt’s 100th day in office fell on June 12. Yes. June 12 of 1933. It’s a mere coincidence of dates with 50 years interval. But the date – June 12 of 1983, still rings loudly in Nigeria’s checkered democratic journey. Roosevelt, in a radio broadcast to mark his 100 days in office, had sounded rather reflective: “We all wanted the opportunity of a little quiet thought to examine and assimilate in a mental picture the crowding events of the hundred days which had been devoted to the starting of the wheels of the New Deal”, he had said in his opening address. That fabled 90-year-old tradition, which was a creation of Roosevelt’s imaginative mind, has retained a symbolic significance across lands and climes to date. The period is now considered a benchmark for assessing salient actions and decisions taken by an incumbent President. For President Tinubu, this is no time for trumpet blowing neither is it for rolling out the drums in celebration. Rather, it’s time for deep reflections on the state of the nation at the time he took the reins of leadership and what the picture looks like 100 days into his tenure. Tinubu was a national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), then in opposition. He had lamented the grim state of affairs in the country way back in 2015 under the watch of PDP’s Dr Goodluck Jonathan. The Jagaban had

    offered a cocktail of recipes on the way forward in an address he delivered at the 7th Annual Bola Tinubu Colloquium at Eko Hotel, Lagos on March 25, 2015. That historic address, entitled; Common Sense Revolution: The People’s Time Has Come, has, ironically, become a reference material for his own administration. It will also remain a reference material for politics and governance in decades to come. The situation in the country today calls for critical ruminations over the prescriptions offered by Tinubu in his 2015 document. Alas, the grim situation over which Tinubu lamented at the time, is today, far grimmer than it was then. The then opposition leader had stuck out his neck and reputation for then candidate Muhammadu Buhari of the APC. Unfortunately, Buhari, through his many acts of commission and omission, ended up driving the country almost to a point if no return in his eight years as President. Not a few event watchers believe that the former Lagos State Governor deliberately foisted a Faustian  bargain on the nation with that choice. However, many others believe that he made a pig in the poke purchase. The preponderant opinion, is that he staked his bet on the wrong horse. And the country is back to the starting point. This piece shall focus mainly on the theme of Tinubu’s 2015 document, which has turned out to be more relevant today than it was at the time.

    Hear him: “Common Sense Revolution speaks to the need to elect patriotic leaders that can give hope to our best aspirations as a nation and people. It speaks to how we must elect thinkers and doers to work together to bring about a beautiful revival of the national spirit and the good fortune of the people.

    “It takes us to a place where luck, good or otherwise, is insufficient. We must move forward with conviction, courage and creativity to mould a better nation out of the clay we now hold in our hands.

    Read Also: I will not fail Nigerians – Tinubu

    “We must bring forth relief to the hard-pressed among us. For example, we have to finally end the sad chapter that Boko Haram has written in our history.

    “We must fight them boldly yet wisely. We must rebuild the afflicted areas in a way that extremism may never take root again. If this requires revamping our fighting forces, so be it. A few “Buhari Battalions” and “Osinbajo Brigades” (now Tinubu’s battalions and Shettima’s battalions) will do in months what the whole of Jonathan’s army could not do in six years. 

    “Some say we need a Marshall Plan to rebuild the region. They are correct in approach but mistaken in name. We shall establish a “Buhari/Osinbajo Plan” (now Tinubu/Shettima Plan) and it will work.

    “There is too much poverty in the land. We need a government that will improve the social safety net to help those who, through no fault of their own, cannot help themselves.

    “Pay the pensioner! Feed the hungry and care for the sickly! And improve the nutritional values of our school children. We will domesticate this economy to bring about recovery.

    …”Our APC Government will use its fiscal and monetary space to jumpstart the economy. Economic history tells us that countercyclical policy is the best remedy to what we face. To the present (past) government, such talk is revolutionary. To me, it is common sense.

    “Last, we must reform governance. Opaque budgets must be made transparent. NNPC, which today makes more money than we are told and other revenue-making bodies will not maintain two sets of books, one for public consumption and a secret one to show where the money really went. 20 billion dollars – enough to fund government for a year – shall no longer disappear as if by magic!

    “We fight no one and hate no one. We are all Nigerians. However, some things we do to each other must stop. We are better than how we seem and how the nation now performs. We must commit ourselves to our better nature that we may enjoy a better nation. This does not require any special genius. All it requires is the common sense to recognise we share a common fate and destiny. In your hands and actions lies so much of my future and in my hands, lies much of yours.

    …”The only violence that is to be done is to violence, injustice and poverty themselves.

    “At its essence, a common sense revolution is a call to return to a level of decency in the relationship between government and the governed, between each one of us and his neighbour.

    “This implies that the society in which we live is a far distance from the society that should exist. A revolution in mind, spirit and action is needed to close this gap between what is today and what ought to be.

    …”Briefly, these are the tenets of a common sense revolution. We need this bold approach because too much has gone wrong for too long.

    “Now is the appointed time to rise up and work together to build a new country. A new day for a better Nigeria is possible”. These are some key excerpts from that timeless document”. Quite a brilliant exposé.

    Now it’s time for President Tinubu to wholly own the concept, words and letters of his common sense revolution. Now, the cobbler has taken hold of the last. President Tinubu now has the opportunity to steer his brand of revolution in a direction he believes it should go.

    Tinubu’s policy actions and decisions so far, seem to resonate with his avowed governance perspectives. With a single whiff, he outlawed the Frankenstein monster called petrol subsidy minutes after his inauguration on May 29. It was followed by the abolishment of the dual exchange rate regime. This has led to the floating of the Naira and merging the exchange rate market. Then the suspension of the almighty erstwhile “sole proprietor” of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. Meffy’s iniquitous policy choices damaged the nation’s monetary system for nine years. Emefiele has since been holding useful discussions with government investigators and security agencies over his stewardship as CBN Governor. The President has issued four Executive Orders guiding operations in the business and financial sector. They are: The Finance Act (Effective Date Variation) Order, 2023, which has now deferred the commencement date of the changes contained in the Act from May 28, 2023 to September 1, 2023. This is to ensure adherence to the 90-day minimum advance notice for tax changes as contained in the 2017 National Tax Policy; The Customs, Excise Tariff (Variation) Amendment Order, 2023. This has also shifted the commencement date of the tax changes from March 27, 2023 to August 1, 2023 and also in line with the National Tax Policy: An Order suspending the five percent Excise Tax on telecommunication services as well as the Excise Duties escalation on locally manufactured products; Suspension of the newly introduced Green Tax by way of Excise Tax on Single Use Plastics, including plastic containers and bottles; and Order suspending Import Tax Adjustment levy on certain vehicles, to create a business-friendly environment. The President, on July 13, declared a state of emergency on food security with immediate effect. By this, all matters pertaining to food and water availability and affordability, as essential livelihood items, have been brought within the purview of the National Security Council. On July 20, the National Economic Council (NEC), rolled out palliative plans to cushion the effects of subsidy removal on Nigerians. Part of the plans was a N5 billion grant to each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. So far, each state has received N2 billion of the sum. The package also includes cash award policy for civil servants, payment of outstanding liabilities to civil servants, special funding for the growth of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Also for immediate implementation is the Energy Transition Plan. This will see a shift from reliance on petrol to cheaper and more environment friendly Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Eventual use of electric cars in not so distant future are also on the cards. On Tuesday, August 8, the President inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms. The committee is charged with effective revenue generation strategy and raising the tax-to-GDP ratio from single digit, to above 18 percent in three years among other responsibilities. It is also charged with the job of freeing taxable Nigerians, especially low and middle income earners from the current suffocating multiple tax regime. The committee, headed by a taxation expert, Taiwo Oyedele has already hit the ground running. However, Nigerians still look up to their President for effective policy changes in the nation’s oil sector. Many believe that the government should let go of the nation’s four moribund refineries and take steps to recover the billions of dollars purported to have been spent on them by successive administrations. More importantly, Nigerians expect the Tinubu administration to urgently work towards local refining and end the shame of petrol importation. According to village analysts, it amounts to collective foolishness explaining to Mama Vero that her community sells all its yam tubers to far flung communities only to turn around and buy pounded yam from the buyer communities at exorbitant prices. They ask if it is not foolisher explaining to the villagers that the reason for the kobo-wise-naira-foolish transactions, is that the community’s  mortar and pestle at home are broken beyond repairs. “Or how else does one explain the nonsense in the sense of our leaders who export crude oil and spend the proceeds on high-cost petrol imports”, asked a village analyst. In the Nigerian situation, no amount of palliatives can take the heavy yoke of high petrol prices off the people’s already bent shoulders while importation continued. Nigerians are looking up to their President to tackle this contradiction to drive home his common sense revolution.

    Indeed, this is quite a testy job for President Tinubu and his team of cabinet ministers, advisers and policy executors. For the President, it’s a job requiring a great deal of grit and guts. And gumption too. It also demands a blend of emotional intelligence and rational anger. The rules are quite straightforward. For him to succeed, he must attune himself to an impartial credo of no-friend-no-foe when dealing with observed cases of tardiness among his appointees. Whatever is sauce for a foe (if any) should also be sauce for a friend in equal measures.

    He must learn to imbibe the shrewd wit of the Jew and be able to dispense justice like Themis in matters affecting members of his team. The President must listen more to Nigerians than to his praise-singing party men and women who will always applaud even if their man commits murder. He must grow a skin thicker than the crocodile’s to enable him deflect descructive criticisms as they come. Tinubu must learn to be deaf to the hullabaloo of sniggering voices around his person and office. Those asking for sanits to lead them are looking in the wrong places. The President is no saint.

    He does not pretend to be one. The “saints” of his critics’ fantasies can be found only in cemeteries. This reality they choose to spurn. There is nowhere in the world where preferred “saintly” leaders are recruited from cemeteries. For all they care, Nigerians are more interested in a leader that can deliver on his mandate. A leader that can guarantee and protect their rights and human freedoms. A leader that can guarantee the security of their lives and property at all times. A President who will not discriminate against them on account of their ethnicity, religion or socioeconomic status. A leader with a free spirit that embraces  all without regards to race or creed. Nigerians, in their millions, will naturally go for a leader that shows a capacity to slake their hunger. Above all, the streets are more interested in having a leader that can turn their economic fortunes around for the better, even if his acronym sounds like the bat. Yes. BAT! Humans everywhere in the world, have their lives tied directly to the economy, private or public. This fact loudly resonates with James Carville’s 1992 famous quip: “It’s the economy, stupid”. Carville, a political strategist, had handled former US President Bill Clinton’s successful presidential campaign that eventually unhorsed then incumbent, George Bush. President Tinubu has just spent 100 days of a total of 1461 days he had in his first tenure. It’s just like yesterday. Ticktock, ticktock, ticktock…time is fast ticking for the remaining 1361 days. Can Mr President hear the sound of the clock? Time flies! 

  • A steady transition from petrol to compressed natural gas

    A steady transition from petrol to compressed natural gas

    The hike in the pump price of petrol occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy has made it imperative to shift to a cheaper alternative in compressed natural gas (CNG), with the Ogun State Government leading the way in converting mass transit buses to gas-powered ones. DAMOLA KOLA-DARE, who was at the conversion site in Abeokuta, reports

    When President Bola Tinubu announced in May that petrol ‘subsidy is gone,’ it suddenly birthed a sharp rise in fuel price with multiplier effects on all essential commodities and services in Nigeria. Nevertheless, it also provided ample opportunity to look inwards. One of such positive outcomes of the post fuel subsidy removal issues is the gradual switch to compressed natural gas.

    A blessing in disguise

      After the removal of fuel subsidy, domestic pump price of PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) jumps up, now selling between N570 and N620 per litre. Natural gas is said to possess less carbon than other fossil fuels, which emit much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) that cause pollution. Switching to gas may be a blessing in disguise because petrol and other carbon-concentrated fossil fuels are known to cause respiratory disorder such as asthma. Besides making the environment toxic and unhealthy, petrol-powered vehicles emissions can trigger harmful respiratory and heart ailments as well as several cases of cancer. Nigeria is one of the leading consumers of road fuels in Africa, using around 1 million to 1.25 million Mt of petrol per month. It accounts for a large chunk of the country’s transportation demand.

     Checks revealed that GHG released in the atmosphere through the use of petrol causes global warming. It also causes diseases such as ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cancer of the lungs. However, with Nigeria currently ranked as having the 9th largest global gas reserves with over 200 Tcf, compressed natural gas(CNG) is seen as the way to go. Experts reckon that CNG is a cheaper and cleaner alternative automobile fuel. Utilising CNG will ensure the environment and health of people are protected. It will also cushion the economic effects of the subsidy removal on Nigerians.

    Read Also: Flood: Cameroon opens Lagdo dam

     The PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), in a report on CNG, said: “This has several potential advantages, including lower cost, reduced emissions, and improved fuel efficiency.” One of the most significant benefits of CNG is that it is considerably cheaper than petrol, which could result in substantial savings for vehicle owners. Additionally, the cost of CNG is more stable than the volatile price fluctuations experienced by petrol. Also, the use of CNG could reduce vehicle maintenance cost due to its cleaner burning properties, which produce fewer engine deposits that clog up the engine over time.”

    NIPCO pioneers CNG use in vehicles

      NIPCO Gas Limited, a subsidiary of NIPCO PLC, has pioneered a shift to natural gas as automobile fuel in the country. The firm is also into the construction of CNG stations in Benin City, Edo State. It has more than 12 CNG stations that provide gas to motorists in the country. Three of its CNG stations are located at Ibafo, Ogun State; Ajaokuta, Kogi State and Airport Road in Abuja. The Managing Director of NIPCO, Nagendra Verma, said that fuel costs N620 per litre in Abuja, while compressed natural gas for cars in Abuja costs N213 per scm (standard cubic meter).

     He spoke in an interview on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). Verma said diesel sells for N850 per litre, while CNG for vehicles that use diesel in Abuja is around N219 per scm.   “If we compare the price with diesel or PMS, the price of CNG for the different vehicles is approximately 35% of the current PMS or diesel prices.”  He said the firm’s 14-year experience of operating auto-compressed natural gas (CNG) in Nigeria, via 14 CNG stations has seen it converting around 7,000 vehicles to CNG.

     “This CNG project will be done at a very fast pace, and it will give relief to Nigerian citizens. As we all know NNPCL is the biggest oil and gas service provider in this country and NNPCL is in every nook and cranny of Nigeria. On the other hand, NNPCL has a wide pipeline gas infrastructure which becomes the backbone for the auto CNG stations. The natural gas pipelines will support the installation of CNG stations from where the gas will be taken. Also, NNPC Retail has a wide infrastructure network of retailing liquid fuels. With the support of the NNPCL, the gas pipeline infrastructure, and the downstream retail network, the autogas CNG stations will come at a much faster pace to meet the timelines and be more economical, having such infrastructure already in place,” he said.

     Verma said there is no shortage of gas in Nigeria, but there are constraints in the transportation infrastructure for gas. He noted that pipelines are available in the South-south and South-west and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipeline is also progressing and will become active soon.

    Inside the CNG value chain

    Verma said the CNG value chain mainly involves taking gas from pipelines and compressing it for automobile use, while the compression needed to store more gas in a specific size of a cylinder. He stressed the need to install mother stations at the pipeline locations. The NIPCO MD said there are four existing mother stations which will be connected to more ‘mother stations’ and then to ‘daughter stations.’  “Almost 20 or 21 states and Abuja will be having CNG by way of compressed natural gas, while other states will be having CNG by way of liquefied natural gas (LNG), which other companies like us are also working on and the NNPCL is on top of it.  When it comes to safety, CNG is just like other hydrocarbon products and should be handled carefully.”

     He said with any leakage, CNG escapes into the air and disperses. He allayed fears of explosion, noting that it has low flammability properties and it is safe for use.

    Last month, the Ogun State Government last month announced the commencement of the E-Mobility and Gas Mobility Programme, which involves conversion of mass transit buses from fuel to gas; and tricycles and motorcycles to electric. Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, in a statement noted that a team of technical engineers from India had arrived to kick-start the process of converting vehicles from fuel to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). With this, the state is leading the way in the conversion of petrol-dependent vehicles to gas-powered ones.

     According to him, the four-man team will work on the pilot project, initiate first phase of the gas mobility programme and prepare a ‘process map to scale up’ and ensure implementation in phases on all commercial buses in the state. In March, the state government, in partnership with Nigerian Transport Solutions Limited (NGTSL), got CNG conversion kits for the pilot phase. With the fuel subsidy removal, the project is aimed at showing the commitment of the state to ensure a cheaper mode of transportation and cleaner environment.

     “The CNG team is on the ground. I was part of the team that received the CNG kits on behalf of the government early in the year and I visited the project site. The aim is to improve and modernise bus operations in Ogun State through conversion of buses to CNG by equipping them with latest technology to improve environmental and operational performance,” Talabi said.

     Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said that fuelling stations for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) would be sited along bus routes across the state. Abiodun, who made this known after inspecting the first successfully converted diesel/petrol buses to CNG, said the positioning of the CNG fuel stations along bus routes would aid sustainability and smooth running of the project. The governor noted that the abundance of gas in the state would aid the project. He said plans were underway to convert close to 2000 buses at the expense of the state government.

     “Obviously, as we proceed, we will be positioning our fuelling centres on the bus routes, conveniently located so that the buses can refill from time to time. Luckily for us in Ogun State, we have an abundance of gas. Ogun State has a crisscross of pipelines, be it Epe, be it the West Africa gas pipeline that explains why we have a proliferation of industries in Ogun State. The conversion of buses is in progress. The plan is to first convert the state-owned buses and then begin the conversation of all mass transit buses that are even owned by the private sector.

     “We will be converting the buses at our expense. If we don’t do that, the owners of the buses will not be able to afford the cost of the conversion. So, the state has decided to take on that cost and find a way to amortise the expense over so many years. We are already thinking of how many gangs we need to have and how quickly we can complete the conversion of close to maybe 2000 buses in the state,” he said.

    Abiodun also said his administration would launch its E-Mobility programme. “Alongside with that, within the next two to three weeks, we will be launching our E-mobility programme, which is a programme that aims to swap all our petrol-dependent motorcycles and tricycles with electricity-powered ones that would be powered by rechargeable batteries. In another month, you will begin to see more electricity-powered motorcycles and tricycles in our state. This way, gradually, over the next three to four months, our people can begin to enjoy being moved from one point to another at fares that were obtained before deregulation,” he added.

     He said old buses operating in the state would gradually be phased out as they get older. “This is a journey; the ultimate aim is to have buses that will be powered by electricity. However, we appreciate the fact that we have relatively new buses. We have commercial buses out there that may not be so new, but are still road worthy. We cannot just wake up one day and scrap all those buses. We must transit from those buses that are currently burning diesel and petrol to those that would be powered by electricity.

     “The plan is we convert the current ones to use gas and we now begin to gradually phase them out. As they age, we phase them out and replace them with electric powered buses, while we roll out the infrastructure that they would require, charging stations and uninterrupted power supply,” he said.

    A visit to the conversion site in Asero, Abeokuta, Ogun State

    Following the announcement of the state government that it started the Gas Mobility project, this reporter embarked on a journey to the Asero in Abeokuta, the state capital, where the conversion is taking place. For a first timer, the conversion site inside the Ministry of Agriculture premises doesn’t bear an air of activity. Vehicles were seen parked and many caterpillars already gathering rust. The Ministry of Agriculture also houses the Department of Agricultural Services and the Agricultural Services Office Complex.

     The conversion point overlooks the Okun Rice Mill, formerly the Mitros Rice Processing Factory established by the previous administration of Ibikunle Amosun. Indians and other Nigerians were seen working on mass transit buses. A total of six mass transit buses were sighted. One was being worked upon, two had been converted already. CNG kits, gas cylinders were seen covered on the conversion point. A source at the site noted that the conversion has been successful, adding that the Indians and other workers on site have been working effectively.

     Speaking with The Nation, Information Officer of the State Ministry of Transportation, Jide Jokotagba, said the conversion process was an ongoing thing which may take weeks and months. He said local mechanics are also being trained. He didn’t disclose the number of buses converted so far, adding that in the ‘next few days, the testimonials will be out there in the public space.’ “It may take weeks, month as long as we continue to hand over our vehicles for conversion because it is simply the best and the cheapest as it provides a greener environment.  Our local mechanics here in Ogun State are also being trained concurrently as the conversion is ongoing. There may be variations in the number of buses converted so far because as I speak now, auto- mechanics are working assiduously to make sure that the Ministry delivers on time. We will not say this is the numbers that have been converted so far, but in the next few days, the testimonials will be out there in the public space. The ones converted so far have been duly tested and certified okay and are in  good working conditions.

     “What brought about the project is the resolve to make life and living conducive, affordable and convenient for the people. It is also to create a greener environment. CNG is cheaper than petrol and at the same time covers more mileage. It is sustainable as our local auto engineers too are being trained as the expatriates working on them engaged the services of our engineers in the process,” he said.

    Presidential backing for CNGs

    A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, noted that the CNG initiative would target over 11,500 new CNG-enabled vehicles and 55,000 CNG conversion kits for existing petrol-powered vehicles. It is aimed at mitigating the effects of the fuel subsidy removal on citizens. The statement said the initial focus would be on mass transit systems and students’ hubs, while adoption strategy will include establishment of workshops nationwide, local assembly and job creation. The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) would focus on achieving strategic objectives, which will include “the development of new stakeholder-operated Intrastate Mass Transit systems built on CNG.”

     “In furtherance of his commitment to easing the impact of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians by reducing energy costs, President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI). This transformative initiative is poised to revolutionise the transportation landscape in the country, targeting over 11,500 new CNG-enabled vehicles and 55,000 CNG conversion kits for existing PMS-dependent vehicles, while simultaneously bolstering in-country manufacturing, local assembly and expansive job creation in line with the presidential directive.

     “The landmark initiative, which comprises of a Comprehensive Adoption Strategy, will include the following: Empowering Workshops Programme w/ Nationwide Network of Workshops, Local Assembly and Job Creation as key points of emphasis with an initial focus on mass transit systems and student hubs in order to significantly reduce transit costs for the general populace in the immediate term. Furthermore, in line with the PCNGI’s determination to ensure a seamless integration of CNG utility within the current midstream and downstream energy value chain to support its sustainability, the PCNGI will facilitate the provision of workshops across all geopolitical zones and states with essential kits and comprehensive training for newly employed staff, thus creating new opportunities for technical skill development and employment for Nigerians.

     “The new nationwide network of workshops, to be established through the initiative, would ensure widespread access and demand side utilization of CNG technology and CNG-related expertise, thereby facilitating smoother transitions for vehicle owners at the wider benefit of the Nigerian economy. Support for states to on-board new CNG buses as part of their Intrastate Mass Transit network (wholesale conversion, retro-fitting and new purchase). The deployment of CNG buses through existing Private Mass Transit operators, including new financing programmes for operators through an innovative asset finance programme.

     “Incentivise investors to invest in CNG processing, distribution and utilisation by providing incentives for enhanced investment and partnership. Deliver training and technology transfer to support the After-Sales Services and maintenance sub-industry to create sustainable jobs,” the statement said.

     It also stated that the President’s aim of assembling CNG-enabled vehicles in the country will stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities and strengthen the nation’s automotive manufacturing capabilities. “The launch of this initiative also underscores this administration’s commitment to fostering a cleaner environment by reducing carbon emissions and promoting energy security through the utilisation of domestic natural gas resources,” it added.

  • BRICS: Nigeria better off as non-aligned nation, says Okechukwu

    BRICS: Nigeria better off as non-aligned nation, says Okechukwu

    The Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, (VON) Mr. Osita Okechukwu yesterday gave kudos to President Bola Tinubu for rejecting the country from joining the BRICS economic group. The founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said the President deserves the commendation of all Nigerians for not applying to join the emergent grouping.

     At the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa, the bloc admitted Argentina, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, among other intending developing countries into its folds, thus fuelling speculations that Nigeria’s application was rejected for not meeting some crucial membership criteria. But, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, Okechukwu declared that Nigeria is better off maintaining her decades-old diplomatic standpoint as a non-aligned.

    Read Also: Six countries join BRICS as summit ends South Africa

     He noted that he was thrilled when the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, recently cleared the air and said, “So far, we have not applied for the membership of BRICS. And it is majorly informed by the fact that my principal, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a true democrat that believes in consensus building.” The APC chieftain argued that Nigeria is better maintaining her age-long diplomatic policy and standpoint. According to him, “Whereas one has nothing against Brazil, Russia, India, China nor our brothers South Africa that make up the BRICS; however Nigeria stands to benefit hugely if we maintain our age-old standpoint of multilateral diplomacy.”

     He pointed out the worldview origin of BRICS, saying, “records have it that to spur economic development outside the Breton wood system, the BRICS, a bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and later South Africa, was formed. Ironically, the acronym was coined in 2001 by Goldman Sachs and 2006, the bank opened an equity fund for investors in the BRICS. The group had since established New Development Bank (NDB).”

     On the proposal that Nigeria’s membership of BRICS has economic growth as the main goal, Okechukwu argued that whilst economic growth is important, it should not be at the expense of Nigeria’s cherished freedom and rule of law, which the leadership of the bloc abhors. “Whilst one agrees that BRICS may engender economic growth; however neither the West nor Russia or China is father Xmas. Therefore, our destiny is in our hands. And most importantly, we cannot gloss over our cherished freedom and rule of law which may be in jeopardy in the BRICS alliance. Otherwise, at the last count, the New Development Bank (NDB), a multilateral lending institution set up in 2014, based in Shanghai, had $25bn in recorded assets in 2022, less than a tenth of the World Bank’s total, and not much economic growth was stimulated,” Okechukwu explained.

     Accordingly, he appealed to President Tinubu to maintain Nigeria’s multilateral diplomatic strategy, which allows Nigeria today and in the future to operate and relate freely with all blocs and ultimately guide jealousy our national interest.

  • ‘Tinubu’s economic reforms are in overall interest of Nigerians’

    ‘Tinubu’s economic reforms are in overall interest of Nigerians’

    In this interview, the Special Adviser to the President on Revenue, Mr. Zaccheus Adedeji, explained that the focus of President Bola Tinubu’s administration is economic reconstruction of Nigeria. To achieve sustainable prosperity Nigerians desire, he said the government has been working at growing the economy, ultimately trying to raise the nation’s revenue, eradicating culture of borrowing to finance public spending, repositioning the economy to make life better for Nigerians and laying the foundation for a prosperous future for all. BOLAJI OGUNDELE brings excerpts:

    Strategies for attracting foreign direct investment/ensuring conducive environment for businesses  

    Mr. President‘s philosophy is that we should not tax investment, but returns on investment. We should not tax production but consumption. We should not tax poverty but facilitate prosperity and share it by way of fair and progressive taxation. This is the reasoning behind Mr. President’s recent remark that this government will tax fruits not seeds. The market-friendly disposition of this administration is already creating excitements in the capital market with over 20 per cent growth this year to date and best performance in 15 years. We are also working on reforms to create more jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities in the digital economy, especially for our teeming youth.

     We recognise that Nigeria cannot continue to rely on the oil and gas sector as the mainstay of the economy, especially with the uncertainties around global oil prices, which usually create shocks in the economy whenever the price crashes like we experienced from 2014 till 2018 when the price started rising again above $50. President Tinubu promised to build a more vibrant and more prosperous economy and this he is set to achieve by ensuring other sectors of the economy like agriculture, solid minerals, maritime, retail, hospitality, tourism and professional services, and others perform optimally.

    Read Also:Rep backs Tinubu’s policies for oil, gas sector

    The first 100 days in office and managing the pains of fuel subsidy removal?

    I know it is symbolic to assess the performance of a new administration within the first 100 days, sometimes even for a shorter period. However, for this government, it is not simply about the present moment or what the President has done within the short term of being in office; it is more about the medium to long term vision of how he wants to reposition the economy and make life better for Nigerians. We are laying the foundation for a prosperous future. You will agree with me that even though the foundation is the most important structure of a building, it is not always the prettiest. Once the house begins to take shape, the beauty will not only be apparent for all to behold, but also it will provide the much-needed shelter to shield the occupants from bad weather and other unfavourable external conditions.

     We have done a lot that I am proud of within the short period. These include addressing some critical concerns of the private sector regarding pressing tax issues, removal of wasteful subsidy on PMS to create fiscal headroom and limit excessive borrowing, forex reforms to address market distortions, just to mention a few. So, overall I can say that we are on track and moving in the right direction.

     You will recall that Mr. President signed some Executive Orders on the 6th of July, which reversed the tax increases on manufacturers, and suspended the excise tax imposed on Single Use Plastics, which would have affected mostly SMEs and potentially trigger higher prices and further inflation. The Orders also deferred the commencement date of various changes introduced via the Fiscal Measures and Finance Act 2023 in order to give individuals and businesses reasonable time to adapt to the changes without major disruptions to their operations and livelihoods. The removal of wasteful subsidies on PMS and forex have stopped the haemorrhage on our treasury and will ensure that government is on the path to sustainable financing with less dependence on CBN overdraft for public finance. While some of these measures have unfortunately created short term pains for many people, we are confident that Nigerians will start to reap the benefits sooner rather than later. In addition to the various interventions by the federal and sub-national governments, more initiatives are being worked on in consultation with key stakeholders, which are expected to have positive and more fundamental impacts on the people.

    Steps to diversify Nigeria’s revenue sources and reduce dependence on oil

      We believe that Nigeria is blessed if only we can improve our policy environment and enhance the efficiency of both the private and public sectors. This is one of the reasons why Mr. President recently approved the setting up of a Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee with eminent Nigerians from all spheres of the society to, not only advise government on the necessary reforms, but also support with the implementation. Ultimately the outcome of the committee’s work, along with other policy actions of the government will result in productive diversification of the economy, government revenue sources and foreign exchange earnings.

     PMS and forex subsidies were not only wasteful, they promoted inefficiencies in our resource management and created economic distortions making it difficult to attract both domestic and foreign investments. By removing the subsidies, government at all levels will have less need to keep borrowing to fund public spending while the savings will be channelled towards infrastructure and social services to reduce multidimensional poverty and build a competitive economy. For any economy to be productive, you need critical infrastructure that supports business growth and improves quality of life, especially roads, power, rail, broadband, pipelines etc. These are heavy and capital projects that only government can mostly provide. Investors will go to a place where they don’t have to worry about all of these. For ease of doing business and to make our economy more competitive, government will need to spend more on these areas. The government will re-invest the money saved from fuel subsidy to grow the infrastructure stock of the country and fund social services in education and healthcare. We want to make sure our public schools and public hospitals are up to standard and can meet the need of Nigerians and affordable too as against the more expensive services they get from patronising private schools and hospitals.

     The crux of the agenda of this government is economic prosperity, which is inclusive and sustainable. Nigerians trust Mr. President based on his pedigree, which was the main reason they voted for him as President. You will also agree with me that Mr. President has made his appointments based on competence with a good number of technocrats appointed to manage various aspects of the economy. Even the politicians that have been appointed by Mr. President are those with proven records of performance. So I can say that we are moving in the right direction and making progress. I am confident that Nigerians will begin to see the benefits of this administration’s policies sooner rather than later. The future is very bright. President Tinubu is guiding us through a challenging time and in the last 100 days in office, he has demonstrated that the confidence Nigerians reposed in him has not been misplaced.

  • Expectations, tasks before Transportation Minister Alkali

    Expectations, tasks before Transportation Minister Alkali

    The transportation sector is regarded as one of the cash cows through which the country’s economy could be boosted up. ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE examines the potential inherent in the sector and urges the Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Seidu Alkali to go for low-hanging fruits and sustain the landmarks set by the Buhari administration in the industry. One other area Alkali should encourage is cycling as a commuting alternative for Nigerians

    One ministry in which Nigerians would never bargain that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration should drop the ball is transportation. The reason is that the Tinubu administration is standing on a rich pedigree of performance.

    When the All Progressives Congress (APC) took over the reigns of power in 2015, transportation was contributing less than four per cent year-on-year to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Not with a derelict sector that was at best too burdened by the sheer size of the demand on a poorly resourced infrastructure and the “planlessness” of successive leaders.

     But, notwithstanding where it met the country, the Buhari administration ran with the only compass with which it had to work, which was the roadmap for the development of the bankrupt railway sector, otherwise called the Nigerian Railway Corporation Masterplan, a 25-year-old document put together in 2002 and would serve out its term in 2025.

     The Buhari administration sustained the rehabilitation of the two narrow gauges which were the country’s assets in railway development, all totalling about 1,500 kilometres.

    Read Also: Subsidy removal: Transport Minister Alkali announces plan to acquire electric vehicles

     Within its eight years tenure, the Buhari government pushed Nigeria’s total rail assets by networks to five, adding three standard gauges to the two old fixed stock known as the Western and Eastern Rail Lines, which stretched from Lagos to Kano, on the Western Line, and from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, on the Eastern Line.

     While the Lagos-Kano line has been rehabilitated, the Eastern Line, which was begun in 2021, is yet to fully gather momentum as a result of the growing insecurity in the Northeast, which had been forcing the train to stop at Gombe, as reaching Maiduguri had become impossible.

     The government delivered on the Abuja to Kaduna Standard Gauge Train Service (AKTS), which, as of 2016, had dragged for 12 years, altered the country’s and Africa’s first standard gauge line Itakpe –Ajaokuta-Warri from its initial industrial, to a commercial line, now known as Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) which had dragged for 35 years and the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge, which is LOT II of the Lagos-Kano Standard Gauge Railway, (now known as the Lagos-Ibadan Train Service (LITS)), which commenced in 2016 and began commercial operation in June 2021, adding a total of close to 4,000 kms of rail tracks to the country’s fixed rail assets.

     This is what Saidu Alkali is inheriting and must continue to push.

     Alkali, on whose laps the masterplan expires in two years, must quickly set machinery in motion to actualise a new railway masterplan.

      Alkali must ensure that the third and final Lot of the Lagos-Kano Standard Gauge, which currently terminates at Ibadan be taken to Kano. It is by so doing that the Port access which was added to the initial project would make any meaning as cargoes could get to the Kano Dry Port, the final destination. That would put a final seal on the port congestion being experienced at the Apapa Port.

    He must ensure that the country continues to grow its rail networks, which the Buhari administration had proposed to reach all the state capitals, from where the states that are so willing, could link for an intra-city train network.

     He must, as quickly as possible, begin the process of unbundling the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), a process aborted in 2022, when the Abuja-Kaduna rail was attacked by terrorists and over 198 passengers, including crew members, were abducted.

     Still on the railway, Alkali must see to the workability of the amended Nigerian Railway Corporation Act, accented to by former President Buhari on March 17, this year.

     By moving the railway from the exclusive to the concurrent list, the government expected more investments in the railway sub-sector, especially either as regional rail development or the state governments. Nigerians are waiting to see how much success the Tinubu administration can mine from the amended law. Already, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have raised the bar, upon which the minister would consolidate.

     Beyond that, Alkali must ensure that the healthy relationship with Nigeria’s railway creditor–ChinaExim Bank continues to exist, even as he should ensure that the loan repayment commitments are promptly met.

    He must also ensure the completion of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects as offshoots of the current rail constructions, such as the University of Transportation, Daura, Katsina State, which is almost completed and ready to open its doors to first admission in the 2023/24 academic session.

     Expected to be nurtured to profitability under Alkali, is also the Kajola Wagon Assembly Plant, located in Kajola, near Papalanto, Ogun State, which is meant to be grown into a major railway assembly hub to supply the African Continent with rail parts, accessories and wagons.

     There is also a multi-disciplinary university proposed by Pota Engil Nigeria, in Port Harcourt, which is yet to take off largely because the Kano-Katsina-Maradi line had been suspended since 2021 due to the raging insecurity in the Northwest.

    As the Minister of Transportation, Alkali would go into the history books if he bequeaths to Nigeria a Transportation Policy.

     Despite a very healthy and largely youthful population put at over 200 million, Nigeria’s transportation is still essentially dominated by land transportation.

     Of the three major modes of transportation, land remained the most unregulated, the least developed and the most burdened. Despite accounting for over 180 million travel counts daily with huge potential in terms of revenue, land transportation remained a huge spinner if properly harnessed. That is what experts believed a transportation policy would help achieve.

     Happily, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr Magdalene Ajani has pledged the commitment of the ministry to move in that regard and deliver on the policy.

     Largely, Nigeria’s transportation policy has remained in draft form since 1995. Where successive administrations had failed, transportation experts would love to see the Tinubu administration succeed by giving the country a proper policy for transportation that would regulate the sector for efficiency, professionally and with zest.

     As the Chairman of the National Council on Transportation, which is Nigeria’s highest advisory body on transportation, and is constituted by state commissioners of transportation, Alkali must ensure that all resolutions of the NCT are fully implemented.

     One of the resolutions still dragging is to ensure that all 36 states of the federation have a ministry of transportation to coordinate all transportation issues of respective states.

    He must ensure that all states establish a ministry of transportation and employ workers with requisite experience and exposure as transportation experts.

    Alkali is expected to coordinate the transportation element of the N500 billion palliative, which his principal planned to inject into the economy to lift the people from the misery occasioned by the removal of subsidy on fuel.

     The government also proposes to establish Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion companies across the six geo-political zones for the conversion of vehicles to gas and the establishment of gas fuel stations across the country.

     Tinubu’s administration has 45 more months to leave an impression in the minds of Nigerians. What it does on transportation, which is the catalyst of the country’s economic development, is in the hands of Alkali.

  • Resuscitating bicycle riding for transportation

    Resuscitating bicycle riding for transportation

    Attempt to get Nigerians to re-enlist by using bicycles as a means of intra-city commuting is one that has been intractable.

     At the turn of the millennium, way back in 2001, the late Minister of Transportation (as he then was) Chief Ojo Maduekwe, had reignited the advocacy for the use of bicycles by Nigerians, especially for intra-city commuting. He caused a stir when he started riding a bicycle from his home in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

     Despite acerbic criticisms that riding bicycles on unmotorable roads was suicidal, Maduekwe wouldn’t bulge. He thought leading by example was the way to go and stayed on until he was pushed into a ditch by a bus in the FCT as he cycled to work. That near-fatal incident ended Maduekwe’s dream.

     Some years after, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) took up the gauntlet and continued to ‘push’ for the mainstreaming of bicycles in the road transportation mix.

     For the Corps, apart from its numerous health benefits, the bicycle, man’s oldest ally as a means of transportation remains the way to go if Nigeria’s cities and urban centres must be rid of hydra-headed transportation gridlock that often sends road users to nightmarish spasm.

    Read Also: ‘Adopt bicycles to promote healthy environment’

     Similar sentiments have been shared by the agency in recent times as their country joined the rest of the world to mark World Bicycle Day, celebrated globally on July 15 yearly.

     Bayelsa Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Usman Ibrahim said it is time for Nigerians to go back to the very basics and to bicycles which has been of tremendous benefit to man over the ages. For him, bicycle transport is cheaper, and healthier for the physical wellbeing of the human body.

     Many European and Asian countries among them Denmark, China, Poland, Germany, and the United Kingdom, among others, are very fond of bicycles and for the FRSC, it is time for Nigeria to make a switch from over-dependence on motorized vehicular means of transportation to the non-motorized alternative.

     Like the FRSC, some transportation experts have argued that a return to bicycles, which was prevalent in Nigeria from the 1940s until the early ’80s, is becoming inevitable with the soaring pump price of fuel as a result of the removal of subsidy by the Federal Government.

    Though they argued that many of the nation’s roads are largely unsafe for bike riding, yet, they contend that it may be the best for short-distance routes.

     Mr. Ibrahim Abdullateef said perhaps, more Nigerians should begin to reconsider learning how to ride bicycles which was a pastime for teenagers in the early ’50s, right up to the mid-80s.

     Abdullateef further explained that a combination of factors among them the oil boom and the many wage reviews which civil servants as well as the new crop of “political elites,” forced the “golden era” of the bicycle to an early eclipse as the motorised alternative took over.

     Like Ibrahim, he explained that apart from being cheaper to acquire, compared to vehicles, bicycles are cheaper to maintain and healthier for the owner and the environment.

     He said it would be nice if all tiers of government joined in the campaign to revive the culture of using bicycles as a means of transportation.

     A member of the Association of Bicycle Riders, in Bayelsa State, Mr. Gift Owei said cycling helps in blood circulation as it helps the free flow of blood to the heart strengthens the lungs and helps build strong muscles.

     Owei equally said cycling helps stamina in the body, as it reduces arthritis in various joints and all parts of the body.

     Last week, the Federal Ministry of Transportation lent its voice to the call for Nigerians to consider bicycles as an alternative means of transportation for intra-city shuttles.

     The Director of Road Transport and Mass Transit Administration, Mr Musa Ibrahim, said the adoption of cycling would help reduce vehicular traffic and road traffic crashes (RTC).

     The Chief Executive Officer of Non-motorised Transportation (NMT) Ochenuell Mobility, Emmanuel John said re-injecting bicycle riding in the country at a time like this goes beyond reducing carbon footprints.

     According to him, countries in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) waste three per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) yearly to traffic congestion.

     One state that has been at the forefront of the advocacy and Non-motorised Transport (NMT) initiative is Lagos, which tried in 2021 to designate a corridor on the Lagos Island axis for the pilot phase of the NMT initiative. It intended to roll out the NMT across 19 safe corridors in the various Central Business Districts (CBDs) in the state.

     Developing a more robust NMT Policy for the state has been part of the Strategic Transport Masterplan (STMP) developed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). Though some roads on the Mainland had been designated safe for NMT use, the initiative was buoyed by the German Government agency; Deutsche Gessellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) which, in 2018, gave Lagos State a grant on behalf of Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economic Co-operation and Development, to improve mobility as one of 10 cities selected as winners of the inaugural Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI) Global Urban Mobility Challenge.

     For the project, 19 destinations around the Lagos CBD as well as the Ikeja Bus Terminal, which encompasses the Red Rail line had been surveyed for compliance. The areas in which traffic counts are surveyed are the National Museum, Old Parliament Building, Race Course, Independence Building, Lagos High Court, Kings College, City Hall, Freedom Park and the Old Legislative Building at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS).

     Others are the Police Magistrate’s Court, Tinubu Square, Old Pierpoint Marina, Glover Memorial Hall, The Cathedral, the General Hospital, Wesley House, State House, Yacht Club and the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Centre.

     The scope of the work was the construction of new walkway kerbs and pavement, provision of new traffic and pedestrian crossing signals at King’s College/Old Defence Road intersection, provision of traffic signs and installation of bollards.

     Two years after its pilot launch, nothing concrete seemed to have been heard of the TUMI.

     According to LAMATA, when fully delivered, the initiative is to promote increased mode share for sustainable transport initiatives, improved infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, reduction in the use of personal motor vehicles, improved reach of public transport, improved reach of mass rapid transit, improved public safety, improved public transport, improved air quality as a result of a reduction in carbon emission, and increased access to the roads by all users.

     Director of the Centre for Intermodal Transportation, University of Lagos (UNILAG) Prof. Iyiola Oni, lauded the state government for the policy which attempts to shift from motorised to non-motorised forms of transportation.

     Prof. Samuel Odewunmi argued that notwithstanding the attraction of bicycles for intra-city commuting, state governments should continue to work on improving the road networks and deploy public sector-controlled means of transportation that would increase their share of transportation means across the 36 states and the FCT. 

  • Boosting African industrial growth with power sector investments

    Boosting African industrial growth with power sector investments

    For years, African countries, including Nigeria, have grappled with the challenge of industrialisation hindered by inadequate power supply despite longstanding policies and initiatives. However, a transformative shift is underway, driven by Transcorp Group’s continuous investments in the power sectors of Nigeria and West Africa. Last week, in a significant move, the conglomerate acquired a 60 per cent stake in the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), strategically fortifying its presence in the region. This acquisition perfectly aligns with Transcorp Group’s vision to empower Africa and catalyse the expansion of the continent’s industrial landscape. Assistant Business Editor COLLINS NWEZE reports

    Power is a strategic infrastructure and one of the most important requirements for growing Nigerian and African economies. It is also at the centre of the continent’s prosperous future, which is envisaged to be private sector-led. Getting to that desired future depends largely on providing adequate electricity for running of businesses and unlocking economic potential. Access to electricity enables businesses and industries to operate, makes education widely available, transportation seamless, and society to function efficiently.

    By investing in the continent’s electricity infrastructure, improving transmission and distribution networks, and increasing power generation capacity, jobs will be created, access to energy will expand, and reliability of power will be improved. Achieving such milestones will require huge investments and quality leadership in the power sector. 

     Last week, Transcorp Group set the ball rolling; it redefined its power play in Nigeria and Africa through investment and leadership changes in the conglomerate. Under Transcorp Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, the conglomerate’s market capitalisation crossed N540 billion mark, providing the financial muscle to make electricity accessible to Nigeria and Africa’s teeming population. Elumelu is Africa’s billionaire businessman, renowned philanthropist and chief promoter of Africapitalism. His passion for powering Africa has been on for decades. He believes that the next big challenge for Africa would be tackling the lack of electricity, and Transcorp has been energised with the right leadership and capital to bridge power supply gaps in the continent.

     Transcorp Power Limited is a member of West African Power Pool and a participant in the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market. Today, Transcorp Power supplies electricity to the ECOWAS Regional Market. The ECOWAS member states have shown commitment to achieving electricity interconnections for the pooling and sharing of energy resources, and Transcorp Group is at the centre of ensuring a more efficient power sharing within the West African sub-region. 

    New investments in power

    Transcorp Group, through a consortium, acquired 60 per cent stake in Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and engineered management changes. Transcorp Power Managing Director/CEO, Christopher Ezeafulukwe, was appointed by the board of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), as the new Managing Director/CEO of AEDC. Current CEO of Transcorp Energy, Peter Ikenga, succeeds Ezeafulukwe as Managing Director of Transcorp Power. Elumelu used the portfolio realignment to further consolidate Transcorp’s position within the continent’s power space and energise its economic growth with steady power supply.

     Prior to his appointment as the MD/CEO of AEDC, Ezeafulukwe was the MD/CEO of Transcorp Power Ltd, Ughelli – a 972-Mega Watt thermal plant.  Under his leadership, Transcorp Power Ltd consistently led the Nigerian power sector, being the first successor power company from the 2013 power privatisation programme to be discharged from post-privatisation monitoring by the National Council on Privatisation, having surpassed the expectations of the Council. The Ughelli Power plant, which Transcorp Group acquired during the privatisation of the power sector in 2013, demonstrates the Group’s transformative prowess.  The plant’s available capacity, which stood at 160MW on acquisition, increased by 227 per cent to 680.83MW in four years, surpassing the Bureau of Public Enterprise’s (BPE) five-year target of 670MW. 

    Power challenges in Africa

    The World Bank says solving Nigeria’s power problem will offer the nation an opportunity to tackle long-standing challenges and boost the economy. The lack of reliable power is a significant constraint for citizens and businesses, resulting in annual economic losses estimated at $29 billion, which is equivalent to about two percent of Gross Domestic Product. Aside Nigeria, West Africa has one of the lowest electrification rates, with 220 million people living without access, coupled with some of the highest electricity costs in Sub-Saharan Africa.

     The Director-General of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said problems of the power sector have culminated into erratic electricity supply, frequent power outages and persistent collapses of the national grid.  “For many years, the situation has stunted the growth of the economy. Consequently, access to electricity has remained a hurdle for millions of Nigerians,” he said.

     President, Africa Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, speaking at a Lagos forum, said major challenge facing the industry in Nigeria is the very high cost coupled with unreliability of supply of electricity. “Load shedding and unreliable power have made the cost of manufacturing extremely high and uncompetitive. Most of the manufacturing companies self-provide energy through a reliance on cost-prohibitive generators and diesel and heavy fuel oil. The polluting emissions make them brown industries, not green industries,” he said.

    Adesina said that unless Nigeria decisively tackles its energy deficiency and reliability, its industries will remain uncompetitive. On the way out, he said: “There should be massive investments in gas to provide power and to ensure stable base load power for industries, hydropower resources, large-scale solar systems, direct power preferentially to industries, and to support industrial mini grids that concentrate power in industrial zones. In addition, we should develop more efficient utilities, reducing technical and non-technical losses in power generation, transmission, and distribution systems.”

     Last year, Nigeria manufacturers spent a total of N144.47 billion on alternative energy, an increase of 87.1 per cent from N77.21 billion in 2021. Also, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), based on recent customer enumeration data, estimates that about seven million electricity customers are currently unmetered, while an additional three million meters are obsolete and require replacement. Meters serve as a revenue assurance tool for Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) service providers and a resource management tool for end- use customers. According to NERC, the existence of a large population of unmetered customers has contributed to threats affecting the financial viability of NESI while unmetered end-use customers have also expressed dissatisfaction with the estimated billing methodology. Further, it noted that the revenue assurance objectives of DisCos have been challenged as they are unable to properly account for the utilisation of electricity by end-use customers. 

    Elumelu’s footprints in the power sector

     Former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, during the inauguration of Transafam’s 240 megawatts Afam 3-Fast Power Plant, Oyinbo, Rivers State, said  Transcorp Corporation Plc, has through its subsidiaries in the power sector – Transcorp Power Plc and Transafam Power Plc – boosted power supply in the country. Transcorp’s power subsidiaries have the capacity to produce about 1,938MW of electricity, including the 966MW from its plant in Afam, Rivers State, and 972MW from its Ughelli plant in Delta State, accounting for 15.5 per cent of the total installed capacity in Nigeria.

    The results of the investments and general inputs made by the Transcorp Group in the power sector led the Federal Government, through the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), to present post-privatisation Discharge Certificate to Transcorp Power Plc, the owner of Ughelli Power Plant in Delta State. The Discharge Certificate marked the delisting of Transcorp Power from the routine evaluation and monitoring of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), signaling a major achievement for the company. This followed the fulfillment of all privatisation conditions set by the NCP, by Transcorp Power, owned by Elumelu, after the purchase of the power plant in 2013.

     Osinbajo commended Elumelu and his Transcorp Group for ensuring compliance and surpassing expectations with all post-privatisation deliverables. Osinbajo said, “Post privatisation monitoring is an important aspect of the federal government’s privatisation programme. Transcorp Power has been able to ensure compliance and surpassed expectations with all post privatisation deliverables. I commend Tony Elumelu and his Transcorp team for this feat. I urge Transcorp Group to continue in that path and even do better.”

     The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) noted that Transcorp has met and exceeded the performance targets and all other covenanted obligations agreed during the signing of the privatisation agreement in 2013. “Transcorp Power increased the generation capacity of the plant by 227 per cent from the operational status as at handover in 2013,? it said. According to the agency, “a capital expenditure totaling N58.612 billion was covenanted for phase 1, phase 2 as ‘additional investment’ but the actual investment made by Transcorp was the sum of N83.85 billion, leading up to a score of 143 per cent.”

    Investment promises kept

    Elumelu had promised to invest massively in the power sector to help Nigeria’s industrialisation through enhanced access to electricity and ultimately tackle poverty in the country and continent. He said in addition to fulfilling the post-privatisation performance criteria, Transcorp has driven a strong indigenous agenda, saying their plants were being managed and fully operated by Nigerians, hence creating jobs and reducing unemployment in the country.

     “For us as Heirs Holdings Group, for us as Transcorp Group, we believe in improved access to electricity because we know that improved access to electricity means powering our schools, helping hospitals to function very well, helping businesses to grow and create employment and most importantly, helping to industrialise Nigeria. So because of this, we invest in the power sector and we will continue to even invest more in that sector because in line with our philosophy of Africapitalism, we cannot develop Nigeria, Africa without improvement in our access to electricity,” he said.

     Continuing, he said the best investment that private sector can make is in power to uplift the people out of poverty, create jobs and get women involved in economic activities. He also reiterated the Transcorp Group’s “strong indigenisation agenda” and expressed the group’s pride having Nigerians managing and operating the plants, which is helping in job creation for Nigerians. Elumelu further said, “But beyond job creation is improving the expertise of our people. We also have operated under very strict safety standards. We have operated since 2013 -10 years now. No incident, no health hazard, nothing and we will continue to stay that way because we know that in 21st century, sustainability is key. Health is important; safety extremely important.

     “So we bring all of this together in what we do at Transcorp Group. And finally, I would like to say that we don’t grow alone at Transcorp Group. We grow with the community. We have grown with our community. We have helped to develop the community we are operating. We created jobs; we economically empower people. We have a functional hospital, we have a primary and secondary school and we will continue to do more.”

     He said in line with the Transcorp Group’s philosophy of Africapitalism, the group maintains a symbiotic relationship that ensures mutual support between them and their host community. “So for us at Transcorp, it is about improving lives and transforming our society. We know that you cannot improve life if you cannot invest massively in access to electricity. And I want to use the opportunity to call on our friends, other Africans and private sector leaders, let’s prioritise the power sector in Nigeria and Africa so that we can get our people out of poverty and create jobs for our young ones,” he stated.

  • Ministers lay out plans for nation’s development

    Ministers lay out plans for nation’s development

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inaugurated the 45 ministers who will help him to implement his Renewed Hope Agenda yesterday in Abuja. The ministers promised to put in their best in order to help the President implement his agenda for the good of all Nigerians

    Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr Wale Edun has assured Nigerians that President Tinubu will not turn his back on the Nigerian masses who are suffering the pains of the President’s reforms.

     He assured Nigerians that the current discomfort being experienced across the country will become a thing of the past in short order.

     Addressing the Directors of the ministry after he arrived from the inauguration as a minister, Edun urged all members of staff of the ministry “to perform and deliver as expected of you.”

    “The expectations of Nigerians are high; President Tinubu has taken key macro, monetary and fiscal measures that will change the economy. It is our duty to minimise the pains that will come with the reforms. We have a job to do to ensure that Nigerians are not left behind,” he said.

    Read Also: Hope, expectations as Alake, Edu, Tijani, others unveil agenda as new ministers

     The minister praised his immediate predecessor, Zainab Ahmed for what she did with the economy and promised to build on her achievements in order to take “the country to greater heights.”

     Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of Special Duties of the ministry, Mr Udo Okokon Ekanem pledged the total commitment and loyalty of every member of staff of the ministry to the minister.

     He said the member of staff of the ministry “are receptive to change and innovation and pledge to work with the minister.

    Health Minister Pate to prioritise health security, cut medical tourism

      The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate has stated that under his leadership, the ministry will improve governance processes, prioritise health security and reduce medical tourism.

     He also stated that in line with the renewed hope mandate and vision of President Ahmed Tinubu, himself and his team will place Nigerians at the centre of policies and implementation to ensure that the health indices of the country are improved.

    At a briefing at the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja after the swearing-in ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Prof. Pate called for better synergy among the federal, state and local governments, including the private sector and all critical stakeholders.

     He said: “President Tinubu signalled intent for his administration in selecting who he assigned to the health sector. We are very excited about that, and the fact that he also included social welfare with health, means he considers the people as the foundational element of what his administration tries to do.

     “While we try to grow our economy, we will also try to attend to the people, and health is an important component of that.

      “About what we do in the Ministry of Health, we save lives; we reduce pain whether physical pain or financial protection, and we produce health; that is all we do.

     “We will work as a team, with my brother, the Minister of State, and also with the Permanent Secretary, and also with the Directors of the ministry. We hope that the team spirit will come together to move the country forward.

     Dr Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State, Health and Social Development, added: “This is a very good time in the history of our country. President Tinubu has been very deliberate in the way he has chosen his cabinet, more so for the healthcare sector. This is the first time in the country that we now have a round peg in a round hole.

     “If we should be honest with ourselves, we are still far behind.”

     Wike: I have presidential mandate to restore Abuja master plan

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has vowed to restore Abuja’s Master Plan following the backing of President Tinubu.

     He vowed to prioritise and improve the sanitary outlook of Abuja and curb the security challenges in the city within the next six months.

     Wike cautioned all those who are distorting the master plan of Abuja to desist from such, as the new administration will not hesitate to step on toes, in order to turn around Abuja to be competing with other cities of the world.

     Wike, who was in high spirits yesterday said President Tinubu expects positive changes in the FCT, adding that he will demolish all illegal buildings and structures in the FCT without fear or favour.

     He expressed displeasure over what he described as a high level of insecurity in the country’s capital.

     The minister, who spoke during a press conference at the FCTA after the swearing-in ceremony at the Presidential Villa said: “We have the mandate of Mr President and Vice-President to give a different narrative as far as FCT is concerned. They have given us the matching order that we must bring FCT back to what it is supposed to be. And we have the capacity to do that.

     “It is not going to be business as usual. Those distorting Abuja Master Plan: if you build where you are not supposed to, the building will go down.”

     He said that motorcycle and tricycle operators would be banned from the city, even as he vowed to end to open grazing within the capital city.

     On security, Wike promised to work with all security agencies in the FCT and provide them with the necessary tools and logistics to rid the city of criminals.

    Wike also promised to consider the natives in political appointments with a view to carrying everyone along.

    I’m pan-Nigeria minister, a field officer, says Umahi

    The Minister of Works, David Umahi has stressed that he is not a regional or Ebonyi State Minister but the Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

     He stated that under his leadership, bureaucratic processes will be a thing of the past, as no file will be expected to be left unattended for two hours without genuine explanations.

     He further stressed that with his background, he is not an office person but a field person. Hence, he and the ministry’s team of experts will be touring the six geopolitical zones of the country to see the state of road infrastructures and work around ways to make the lives of Nigerians better.

     At a press conference at the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja after the swearing-in ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Umahi said: “I’m going to be training tomorrow. I will offer my address to you tomorrow. I have indicated to see the contractors, and after taking a briefing from the Heads of Departments, we will meet with the contractors because I am not an office person. I am a field person. God giving us life, with some of you in that department, I will be inspecting the Lokojo-Benin Road and Lokoja-Abuja Road.

     Solid minerals are economy’s growth factors, says Alake

    The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake has explained why his portfolio was the upset of the entire cabinet.

     He said although a lot of people expected Mr President to make him the Minister of Information given his antecedents, exposure and experience in the area of perception and information management, the administration decided to shock everyone.

     The minister said this yesterday in Abuja at his assumption to office as the Minister of Solid Minerals.

     Alake said the nature of the sector to the country’s economic growth and vitality is dear to the heart of Mr President.

    President Tinubu considered it apt and proper to send him to the solid minerals ministry because he knows and trusts that he has a demonstrable sense of responsibility and courage to drive the agenda.

     His words: “My portfolio has been the upset of the entire cabinet portfolio because, given my antecedents, exposure and experience in the area of perception, information management and the likes, people have pigeon hole me for information and so we decided to shock everybody.

     “Now, if you all can sit down to analyse the global trend of economic development, you would note that hydrocarbon, that is oil, is fading out and the world is moving towards alternatives such as gas, electric cars and the rest. So, what is the next economic growth factor? It is solid mineral.

     “Given the nature of this sector to our economic growth and vitality, which is dear to the heart of Mr President, it’s just very apt and proper for him to send me here because he knows and trusts that I have a demonstrable sense of responsibility and courage to drive the agenda that is why I am here. We are going to drive that agenda with the full cooperation of everyone.

    “I am going to set an agenda with focus and objectives. We would get the results. Now, we are not going to be allowing civil service structures and scriptures to stifle us from creativity and flourishing. What we need is attitudinal change.

     “Now, when a memo reaches your table, regardless of what the subject matter is, that memo must leave your table within an hour; that is the way I work and whoever doesn’t shape in, ships out.”

    Oyetola vows to ensure safe, sustainable marine

     The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola yesterday assumed duty at the ministry in Abuja after he was sworn in by President Tinubu.

     Oyetola arrived at the ministry’s conference room around 2:15 p.m. in the company of his wife, Kafayat Oyetola, his son; Femi Oyetola and some of his aides.

     He was received by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, the Managing Director of NIWA, Dr George Moghalu, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Emmanuel Jime and some Directors of the ministry.

     Oyetola urged the members of staff of the ministry to join hands with him to find innovative solutions to the challenges in the sector and ensure that the oceans and marine are safe, reliable, and sustainable.

    He also said that the blue economy is estimated globally to be worth more than $1.5 trillion annually.

     He said considering the size of the country’s blue economy, Nigeria should be a significant player in the sector to contribute to the country’s revenue and also provide jobs for the unemployed.

     He promised to come up with practicable ways of ensuring that the inland rivers, lakes, and waterways are utilised for cargo shipment and passenger transportation.

     He also said he would promote better inter-agency cooperation and coordination among the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority.

     “We must seize this opportunity to create positive change, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come. These are my thoughts as I join you today. I believe that when we are able to do all these and more, we would have contributed our quota towards realising Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the Marine and Blue Economy sector.”

    Stable, accessible power are priorities, says Adelabu

    The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu yesterday pledged to tackle the challenges that the national grid is facing.

     He also vowed to meet the universal metering of households.

     He spoke on the assumption of office at the ministry headquarters in Abuja.

     The minister said, under his watch, the sector will pay attention to renewable and alternative energies.

     Adelabu said: “A significant goal is the universal metering of households and addressing challenges faced by our national power grid.

     “We will equally pay critical attention to the options of renewable and alternative energies. The world is indeed going in that direction and Nigeria must not be left behind.”

     According to him, Nigeria’s success is a collective one.

     Challenging the ministry to the task ahead, he said: “Let us move from political discussions to action; each of us contributing our talents and energies towards a brighter future.”

    Plan to lift 133m out of poverty on course, says Edu

    The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu has expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to lift 133 million Nigerians out of poverty.

     Edu said this when she assumed office yesterday in Abuja and held a maiden meeting with the Chief Executive Officers of the agencies under her ministry.

    She assured Nigerians of her determination to ensure transparency and accountability during her tenure as minister.

    She explained that the ministry will achieve the target through different interventions and initiatives aimed at lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty.

    “What is most important is that we will keep our focus on lifting 133 million Nigerians out of poverty.

     “We can do it in phases, a step at a time, because with determination and strong will nothing is impossible.

    ”We will play down on politics; we are here to face the real business of governance,” she said.

     The minister, who described as unacceptable the alarming rate of poverty in the country, said all hands must be on deck to address the situation.

     The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo expressed commitment and loyalty to the minister in her quest to deliver on the mandate of the ministry.

    We ‘II achieve self-sufficiency in food production, boost export, says Kyari

     The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari has said the target of his team is to make Nigeria self-sufficient in food production and unlock the potential in food export so as to stimulate economic growth.

     Kyari, who stated this yesterday in Abuja at the ministry after the swearing-in ceremony at the Presidential Villa, said he is ready and willing to commit 100 per cent to the service of the country.

    While noting that the challenges associated with food production are insecurity, flooding, and pests, among others, he said that the political will of President Tinubu to revive agriculture is the biggest hope towards achieving self-sufficiency.

    Also, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said the task before this ministry is a daunting one, which all hands must be on deck to make Nigeria self-sufficient.

    AGF Fagbemi: I’m open to criticism’

     The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) has said he is open to criticisms.

     Fagbemi, who met with senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice upon his assumption of duty yesterday, however, cautioned that such criticisms must be constructive.

     “You cannot just criticise. Your criticism must be constructive. You should be able to proffer solution and suggest better options,” Fagbemi said.

     He noted that his ministry was critical to the success of the administration and the achievement of its objectives. He sought the cooperation of all and assured them of a harmonious relationship.

     Fagbemi cautioned against acts of insubordination, urging officials of the ministry to be guided by their conscience and their oath of office.

     He urged the ministry’s officials to redouble their efforts in the discharge of their duties, adding that, the office of the AGF in the country is strategic as it services all government Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).

    The Solicitor-General of the Federation and the Permanent Secretary, FMJ,  Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba assured the AGF of the support of the ministry’s officials.

     She added: “We will deploy all the human and material resources of the ministry and its parastatals to support and assist you in realizing your set objectives, and more importantly, in achieving the enormous constitutional and statutory mandates and responsibilities vested in the Federal Ministry of Justice.”

    Keyamo: ‘I will build on the aviation roadmap’

     The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN) has said his appointment to head the aviation ministry was not a mistake.

    He said he will continue to build on the aviation roadmap developed by the immediate past administration.

     Keyamo stated this while assuming office yesterday in Abuja.

     He said:  “My appointment by President Tinubu was not by mistake. The President would have thought it well before appointing me.”

     On his plans for the sector, he said: “I have read the roadmap developed in 2016. I read it thoroughly and our intention is not to disrupt things that have been done so well.

    He also stated that he has noted some items in the roadmap that need to be improved upon.

     Keyamo said: “For me, my watchword is transparency. At every point, Nigerians must understand what we are doing and we must carry everyone along,” he stated.

     The Permanent Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Meribole described the minister as somebody who is well grounded and result-oriented.

     He said the ministry is set to reposition the aviation sector through the aviation roadmap, assuring that the members of staff of the ministry are committed to give the minister the needed support.

    He also urged the minister to use his in-depth knowledge to address some litigation issues in the ministry.

    Stakeholders’ cooperation needed for desired change in education , says Mammam

    Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mammam and the Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu have assumed duty after their swearing-in by President Tinubu yesterday.

      They were received by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, David Adejo, Directors and Heads of agencies and parastatals under the ministry.  Mammam solicited support from Nigerians in order to bring about the “desired change in the education sector.”

     He called for teamwork to build the education sector.

     He said: “If the education sector is fixed, every other thing will work perfectly in the country since the ministry is the foundation of all.

     Minister of State, Sununu sought for the cooperation and understanding of Nigerians, especially members of staff of the ministry to improve the standard of education.

    He said the time was now to surmount the challenges in the sector.

    Sununu said that working together as a formidable force would help to overcome the challenges.

    The Permanent Secretary pledged to cooperate with the ministers for a successful operation.

    Adejo called on the ministers to help deliver the service the education sector would want to deliver to the citizens.

    It’s henceforth business unusual, Tunji-Ojo warns paramilitary agencies against infraction

    Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has assumed duty yesterday. He promised to change the narratives of the ministry for the better. He enjoined para-military institutions under the ministry to do their jobs in accordance with the law.

     He said he would hold the leadership of the Agencies accountable for any infraction within and outside the Services.

     The minister said he would like to lead from the front to enable him to meet the targets set by the President.

     At the old Federal Secretariat, Tunji-Ojo said:”I am here to work but in working, we must have a good environment. The work of this ministry affects everyone; whether you are rich or poor.

    “I don’t lead from the back, I lead from the front. We will try; we will do our best to provide leadership, built on the foundation of your support.

     The Heads of the four paramilitary Agencies under the ministry, namely the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Federal Fire Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Immigration Service also attended the maiden meeting with the minister.

    I’ll disseminate truth to engender people’s trust, says  Idris

    Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris has said that his ministry will drive President Tinubu’s `Renewed Hope Agenda’ with the dissemination of honest and sincere information.

    The minister stated this yesterday when he assumed office and held a maiden meeting with heads and management staff of the agencies and departments under the ministry at the Radio House, Abuja.

    The minister, who said he was familiar with the information industry, pledged that dissemination of credible information would be his watchword.

    “Mr President did not tell me to come and lie and this is a covenant I am going to have with you and Nigerians.

    “National orientation will also be at the core of this ministry, in addition to the job of information dissemination that we know of it,” he said.

    Idris, who assured the ministry would unveil its agenda, in the next few days, sought the support of the media and other stakeholders in the discharge of his assignment.

    The Permanent Secretary, Dr Ngozi Onwudiwe pledged the collaboration of the management, members of staff of the ministry and its agencies to work with Idris to achieve his mandates.

    The Managing Director, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Buki Ponle, expressed her confidence that Idris, as a round peg in a round hole, would record excellent performance in his new assignment.

    Enoh promises to reposition  sports sector

    Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh has pledged to provide transparent leadership in repositioning the Nigerian sports sector.

    Enoh made the pledge yesterday shortly after assuming office as the 36th Minister of Sports Development.

    He said in spite that he was not an active sports personality, he was ready to hit the ground running by working as a team player with all sports stakeholders to transform the sector.

    “I don’t think you need to be an active sports participant for you to be minister of sports.

    “I think what is required is who can provide leadership, direction, someone who is transparent, understand the sector and reposition it and that is what I am bringing on board,” he said.

    The minister stressed the importance of sports as a unifying factor. He called for all hands to be on deck to develop the sector in line with international best practices.

    “There is no other endeavour in this country that is as uniting as the sports endeavour,” he said.

    Enoh also encouraged Nigerian athletes to represent the country at the ongoing 2023 World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary.

    “Let me assure you that President Tinubu is standing behind you with the entire country, united in our support and admiration,” the minister said.

    He said the Federal Government will continue to ensure that Nigerian athletes get their due recognition and the right atmosphere is created for them to excel.

    Uzoka-Anite promises to attract more investments

     Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite yesterday assumed duty as the Minister of Industry Trade and Investment shortly after she was sworn in by President Tinubu.

    Uzoka-Anite was received by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Evelyn Ngige and the Directors in the ministry.

    While promising to attract more investments into the country, the minister assured of her determination to promote business-friendly environment for indigenous businesses to grow.

    According to her, our work here is to ensure that we create more jobs, more employment, lift people above the poverty line and ensure that small and middle enterprises and industries that already exist expand and grow better.

    “Our job is to attract investments. There is so much opportunity. One of them I have already witnessed here is human resources.

    “If we only just harnessed our human resource potential Nigeria will be great even without our mineral resources.

    “Even without our non-mineral resources only our human capital alone is enough to take us where we want to,” she said.

    The minister said that projecting Nigeria’s image positively was crucial in attracting investors and ensuring that businesses thrive in the country.

    According to her, the ministry would ensure that the image of the country out there is as investment-friendly as the investments that we have here.

    “So, I want to put that on the table and we will be doing a whole lot of branding and image-making for the country because we have to re-introduce ourselves to the world,’’ she said.

    Describing her assumption of duty as a new dawn, Uzoka-Anite emphasised the need to do business to fit into global best practices.

    While seeking the cooperation of members of staff to achieve the ministry’s mandate, the minister promised to operate an open-door policy.

    Earlier, Ngige assured the minister of her support to oversee the activities of the ministry.

    Ngige urged the minister to bring her wealth of experience to bear in the ministry’s task of developing economic growth, boosting industrialisation and promoting Micro Small and Medium Enterprises as well as facilitating trade in goods and services.

    Revival of steel companies to be a gradual process, says Audu

    The Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu has said the resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel plant and other steel plants in the country would be a gradual process.

    Audu said with the creation of the Ministry of Steel Development, his administration hopes the country’s steel industries would begin production soon.

    He said his ministry would ride on Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s visit to Russia in July to aggressively pursue the gains of the visit.

    He said this yesterday in Abuja after his assumption of office as the Minister of Steel Development.

    His words: “The steel industry is a new industry, which we are hoping to focus on to achieve, in line with President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda that is our aim and objective.

    “There are many steel companies in Nigeria. You cannot tackle all problems at once.

    “Our ultimate objective would be to get the engines started; that would be a remarkable achievement. We hope to, at least, start producing even if it is a small sheet of steel. That would be a remarkable achievement, considering where we are coming from.

    “Efforts have been made to achieve this agenda with the recent visit of the Vice President to Russia in July this year, it is my intention that under my administration, the ministry would aggressively pursue the gains of that memorable visit, with the option of not only to complete Ajaokuta but to also set the pace for viable steel development in the country.

    “There is no doubt that the steel sector in Nigeria has faced and is still facing several key challenges. My main task as the Minister would be to work with all the well-experienced stakeholders to address the challenges with the view to ensuring a successful take-off of the steel plants.”