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Tag: Atiku Bagudu

  • FG targets $30 billion from non-oil revenue yearly 

    FG targets $30 billion from non-oil revenue yearly 

    • Sets up panel to boost export promotion

    Towards restructuring the Nigerian economy, the Federal Government is targeting to get at least $30 billion revenue from the current $5 billion from non-oil sources.

    This was disclosed by the Director – General of Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Segun Awolowo while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Vice – President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa.

    He was with the Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, Governor of Kwara State, Ahmed Abdulfattah, and Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu.

    According to him, Nigeria is going through the sharpest falls of export revenues in her history, losing over $100 billion (N30 trillion) of national export revenue between 2015 to 2017 due to the crashing oil prices, which resulted in recession.

    He said “The NEPC made a presentation to the NEC on a plan to restructure the Nigerian economy to survive without crude oil. The plan is called “the zero oil plan.”

    “Council was informed that there was urgent need to rapidly ramp up non-oil exports as our future earnings from crude oil faces significant headwinds.

    “The zero oil plan aims at earning at least $30 billion from non-oil sources in the near to medium term as against the current earnings of about $5 billion.

    He said the objectives of zero oil plan is to add $150 billion to Nigeria foreign reserves in the next 10 years, create 500,000 jobs, lift 10 million Nigerians out of poverty and integrate each state of the federation into the export value chain.

    Awolowo said that the focus of the plan is on the export of the following crops: rice, wheat, corn, palm oil, rubber, hides and skin, sugar, soya beans and automotive parts among others.

    He listed the destination countries for Nigeria’s exports to include Netherlands, China, Iran, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Sapin, Italy, India, Saudi Arabia, among others.

    He said NEXIM briefed Council on the “States Export Development Initiative” which is being pursued as a medium to long term strategic plan aimed at stimulating and increasing deliberate funding intervention to SMEs in the non-oil sector for attainment of its objectives.

    He further said that council was informed that one of the major objectives of the initiative is contributing to the implementation of economic policies of the country, like the ERGP and Agricultural Promotion Policy, among others.

    He added that the initiative is built on schematic transaction dynamics with key features like provision of a dedicated funding of a minimum of N5 billion as a pilot phase with window for other facilities and partnership for transactional support.

    “Council was further informed that the initiative will also help re-awaken the business consciousness of the states towards export and value added production especially in the areas of manufacturing, agro-processing and solid minerals,” he stated. 

    He said the Managing Director of NEPZA briefed council on the need to have more special economic zones in addition to the Calabar Free Trade Zone.

    “He told the council that the major defect in Calabar Free Trade Zone is that the zones have not been linked to the Calabar Port and that there is urgent need to do so in order to make the zone a lot more effective.

    “Partnership between the federal and state governments as well as the private sector is needed. He urged council to ensure that the location of free trade zones should be done strictly on business consideration and not political considerations.

    “He also asked council to provide incentives for free trade zones to include linkage to rail line, express ways, close proximity to utilities, airports among others,” he stated.

    The Council on Thursday also constituted a committee towards improving Nigeria’s non-oil exports.

    The National Committee on Export Promotion is to review several ideas and suggestions tabled at the NEC meeting.

    The committee consisted of three State Governors: Jigawa, Lagos and Ebonyi and the federal ministers from Industry, Trade & Investment, Agriculture & Rural Development, Power, Works & Housing, Transportation and Finance.

    Other members of the Export Promotion Committee of NEC are  the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority, NEPZA, NEXIM Bank, and the CBN. Jigawa State Governor Alhaji Mohammed B. Abubakar is the Chairman, and Industry, Trade & Investment Minister, Dr. Okey Enelamah is Co-Chair.

    The Committee which is expected to submit an initial report by November is expected to come up with a concise action plan on how to drive non-oil exports based on the presentations and discussions of Council at today’s meeting.

  • Bagudu urges stakeholders to fight illiteracy

    Bagudu urges stakeholders to fight illiteracy

    The Kebbi state  Govenor, Atiku Bagudu  has called on stakeholders in the education sector to come up with new solutions to address illiteracy in the country.

    Bagudu made the call when he received the stakeholders, led by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu in his office on Thursday to to commemorate the 2017 International ‎Literacy Day.

    The day is celebrated every September 8 In Nigeria, the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education to celebrate the day.

    Bagudu said that the era of just talking should stop, while positive action should be taken to end illiteracy in the country. ‎“I plead that we must think out of the box if we are to progress in this area. ‎

    “At the end of this conference let us have things that can work in addressing illiteracy rather than repetition of documents that cannot work.

    “Politicians are motivated by simple things that can work; so our focus must be on what can work,” the governor said.

    Bagudu noted that the inability to read and write could be exploited by evil agents to cause havoc in the society.

    He lamented the rate of illiteracy, saying that many people could not express themselves even in the religion they profess.

    “The biggest challenge we have had and are still having is the inability to read, write and digest it.

    “The exploitation of our frontlines is that we have the inability of people to read and write and this can be exploited by agents‎ to wreck havoc; see the issue we have with Boko Haram today.

    “So, this is the time to address the issue of illiteracy in Nigeria,” he said.

    Bagudu said that the spread of mass literacy centres and offices across the country represented the reality that the issue of illiteracy must be addressed and resolved.

    Earlier, the minister commended the Kebbi Government for its efforts on education and called on the governor to do more in reducing illiteracy in the country, represented by Mr Jonathan Mbaka, Director, Basic and Secondary Education in the ministry, said education was the bedrock of development in any society.

    He noted that because of the high illiteracy rate in Nigeria, the ministry’s Strategic Plan‎ had out of school children as priority.

    “We have ways of reducing out of school children through inclusive education for all,” he added.

    The minister commended the wife of the governor, Hajiya Aisha Bagudu, for her efforts towards educating the Almajiris and less privileged in the state through her  MALLPAI foundation Adding that the vocational training is useful so that they can be self-employed and be employers of labour,” after school.

  • ‘Illiteracy rate in Nigeria alarming’

    ‘Illiteracy rate in Nigeria alarming’

    The Federal Government on Thursday described the illiteracy rate in the country as alarming.

    The Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu, made the remark when he paid a courtesy call on Gov. Alhaji Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) reports that the minister and the delegates were in the state for a two-day International Literacy Day conference organised by the National Commission for Mass Education.

    Adamu said the country had about 65 million to 75 million illiterates, describing the figure as unbecoming and high, considering the country’s population.

    “Education is the bedrock of any country’s development and any country that does not educate its populace is bound to fail.

    “Unfortunately, in Nigeria we have a very large population of illiterates; the illiterates figure, considering our population, is unbecoming,’’ he said.

    Adamu, who was represented by Mr Jonathan Mbaka, the Director of Basic and Secondary Education, Federal Ministry of Education, said that the federal government was targeting educating out-of-school children.

    The minister said this was part of its strategic plan to reduce the number of the illiterates in the country.

    “The government is doing all it can to reduce the number of children that are out of school.

    “This includes the adoption of inclusive education where every Nigerian will be given the opportunity to go to school, regardless of background, ethnicity and gender,’’ he said.

    Adamu commended the governor’s wife, Hajiya Aisha Bagudu, for reducing the number of out-of-school children and illiterates in Kebbi State through her Mass Almajiri Literacy and Poverty Alleviation Initiative ( MALPAI ).

    Responding, the governor said that most of the security challenges the country faced were manifestations of the level of illiteracy in the country.

    “We have an army of people whose inability to read can be exploited by divisive elements in the country

    Bagudu commended them for ignoring the fears and tension created by a few group of people by assembling in the state to deliberate on how to reduce illiteracy in the country.

    “I am very proud that we are hosting eminent delegates from across the federation at the time like this,where there is tension, and fear in Nigeria.

    “For you to ignore fears that a few people cannot intimidate us is commendable.

    “Our destiny remains in our hands and not allowing inconsequential elements to determine our fate is also commendable,’’ he said.

    The governor attributed the high illiteracy rate in Nigeria to Boko Haram insurgency, saying that many of the sect’s followers only knew the Quran but could not interpret and digest its meanings.

  • Bagudu orders relocation of 100 households

    Bagudu orders relocation of 100 households

    Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, has directed the state Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA ) to relocate 100 households affected by flooding in Dole-Kaina Area of Dandi Local Government to a safer place.

    Bagudu gave this directive in a statement signed by Alhaji Abubakar Dakingari, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.

    He also directed the agency to provide the victims with food items, potable water, drugs and mattresses as well as to resettle them in a virgin land.

    “Their present settlement is no longer habitable. A permanent settlement should be provided for them on a virgin land so as to avoid a recurrence of the problem,” it said.

    He said that the relocation became necessary following the overflow of the River Niger and the displacement of more than 100 households in the border town of Dole-Kaina in Dandi Local Government Area.

  • Osinbajo, governors meet to boost youths’ involvement in agriculture

    Osinbajo, governors meet to boost youths’ involvement in agriculture

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday met with some state governors and government officials towards facilitating youth’s involvement in agriculture.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the closed door meeting, Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Badaru, said the meeting would pave way for youths to go into provision of agricultural services.

    He said: “The meeting was about job creation using agriculture and agriculture value- chain. We are considering ways to mobilize youths to go into agriculture and agricultural services including production, retailing and wholesale.

    “There is a new decision that states should endeavour to support the Federal Government or partner with the federal government in empowerment, helping the youths in agriculture and agriculture value chain.”

    Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, said: “The vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who chaired the meeting as my brother has said, recognised the need to do more.

    “The potential of agriculture has been recognised. Land and people are in the states. Partnership between the federal and state governments is required and that has been recognised.

    “We reviewed progress achieved and what can be done, particularly to create new jobs. We have charged all states to see what they can do more so that in the next couple of weeks we will have an action plan.”

  • Buhari lands in Abuja

    Buhari lands in Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday afternoon arrived the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Buhari, who has been in the United Kingdom since May 7th on medical ground, landed at the airport around 4:35 p.m in Nigeria Air Force Plane 001

    He wore a  black coloured caftan and trousers with multicolored cap to match.

    Buhari arrived Abuja with his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Lawal Abubakar, Chief Security Officer (CSO), Bashir Bindawa, Chief Police Security Officer (CPSO), Abdulkareem Dauda, and Personal Assistant one, Mohammed Sabihu (Tunde) among others.

    He alighted from the plane and shook hands with the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo before rendition of the National anthem.

    Buhari, after rendition of the National anthem, went round to shake hands with governors and top government officials who had formed a single file.

    He then departed for Presidential Villa by road.

    The governors at the airport to welcome him  included governors of Kano state, Abdullahi Ganduje, Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara, Muhammed Abubakar of Bauchi, Abubakar Bello of Niger,  Nesom Wike of Rivers,  Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi and Deputy governor of Kaduna state, Mr Barnabas Bala.

    Among those at the airport to welcome the president included members of the National Assembly, service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris, Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari as well as other presidential aides.

    Others at the airports are the National Security Adviser to the President (NSA) retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno; the Director-General, Department of State Security (DSS), Alhaji Lawal Daura and other dignitaries from and within Abuja.

    The President took a national salute from the Presidential Guards Brigade while cultural groups were also singing and dancing to welcome him back home.

  • Kebbi assures agric company of support

    Kebbi assures agric company of support

    The people of Kebbi are appreciative of the work of West African Cotton Company Limited (WACOT) in the agriculture sector and will help it succeed, Gov. Atiku Bagudu, has said.

    Bagudu made the statement when WACOT officials paid him a courtesy visit in Birnin Kebbi  to intimate him of plans for the official opening of a N10 billion rice mill built by the firm in the state.

    The mill is due for inauguration on Tuesday, Aug. 1.

    The governor said “we will ensure that we get the plant commissioned.”

    He said the people of Kebbi held the company high, especially as it  was supporting national efforts.

    “Your plant is a beacon of hope in spite of the economic challenges in the country.

    “It is obligatory for us to help you achieve your investment goals as we believe Nigeria is competitive and there are distortions coming from foreign rice importation that will hamper your competitiveness,” Bagudu said.

    He said the state would partner the company on rice production as well as in the exploration of other abundant agricultural potentialities in fisheries, soya beans, livestock and sesame production.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the company, Alhaji Bashar Aminu, said the firm would employ 1,000 workers at its 400-tonne per day capacity plant.

    “We invested N10 billion last year to put up the rice mill as we are a multi-national company.

    “We have branches in almost all the West African countries and major marketers, business entities and manufacturers.

    “We are in the state solely to answer the call of President Muhammadu Buhari toward food security and reduce rice or food importation,” Aminu said.

    He said the company would partner the state government to develop other areas of  the manufacturing sector.

  • 140,000 farmers to get anchor borrower loan in Kebbi

    140,000 farmers to get anchor borrower loan in Kebbi

    Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, said on Monday that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would grant loan to140,000 rice farmers in the state under the next phase of its Anchor Borrower Programme.

    Bagudu made the disclosure in Birnin Kebbi when he addressed some APC loyalists in the state.

    “The CBN has agreed to provide soft loan to 140,000 farmers in the next phase of anchor borrowers programme.

    “This will ensure that our state remain on top in the rice production chart as well as a leading exporter of the commodity”.

    The governor said efforts were on to fully recover unpaid loan released to farmers under the programme in 2016.

    He urged farmers who were yet to repay the loan to do so, so as to enable others to benefit.

    Bagudu stressed that agriculture would continue to be accorded top priority by his administration.

  • Former PDP chairman, 25,000 members decamp to APC in Kebbi

    Former PDP chairman, 25,000 members decamp to APC in Kebbi

    The former Kebbi State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Bello Doya and 25,000 other members of the party including key party stalwarts decamped to the APC on Sunday.

    Gov Atiku Bagudu,APC executives, and hundreds of supporters from the 21 local government areas of the state were on hand to receive the decampees, among whom were Alhaji Isah Muhammad Argungu,the former director general of the campaign organization of former Gov Saidu Dakingari and the 2015 PDP gubernatorial candidate, Gen. Bello Sarkin-Yaki (Rtd).

    Others are three current PDP State House of Assembly members lead by Alhaji Muhammad Ismail, ten former local government council chairmen, as well as former local government party and ward chairmen.

    No fewer than 160 former PDP councillors, businessmen and contractors, as well as women and youth groups decamped.

    The State APC chairman, Alhaji Attahiru Maccido,said the decampees joined APC Willingly without condition.
    In his remarks Gov Atiku Bagudu,promised to give equal treatment to the new members of the APC.

    “APC is a blessing to Nigeria, it has become the party of all, in APC everybody is equal, all will be treated equally and fairly” he said.

    Spokesman of the decampees, Alhaji Isah Muhammad Argungu said their decision was sequel to noticeable in the APC administration at the state and federal government levels.

  • SWAN calls on state governments to encourage sports talents

    SWAN calls on state governments to encourage sports talents

    The President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Honour Sirawoo, has called on state governments to adopt policies that would discover sports talents to boost tourism and employment.

    Sirawo, made the call in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday when he led SWAN national officials on a courtesy visit to Kebbi Gov. Alhaji Atiku Bagudu.

    “Sports has gone beyond recreation and past time to the level of revenue earner and encourages tourism, if the states can tap the talent of their sportsmen and women,” Sirawoo said.

    He urged the governments to invest heavily in sports to facilitate the socio- economic development of the country.

    “If one should draw an instance from Christiano Ronaldo, a Real Madrid footballer, one can simply understand the impact of talent in a country.

    “Ronaldo was a secondary school drop out, but because of his talent, he now earns about 500,000 Pounds per week and another 600,000 Pounds as match bonus.

    “More so, in our local example, 19 year- old Kelechi  Iheanacho, who plays for Manchester City earns about 85,000 Pounds per week, which goes to show that sports brings economic prosperity to the people,”  he said.

    According to him, SWAN officials were in the state to mobilise the state government in its efforts to revive sports.

    He acknowledged the efforts of the government for improving agriculture and electricity supply.

    The president also explained that the association was created in 1964 with the aim of promoting and developing sports activities in the country.

    In his remarks, Gov. Bagudu, represented by Alhaji Babale Yauri, Secretary to the state Government, said that government would strive to revive sports.

    “The government is now committed to energizing the Ministry of Youth and Sports to explore talents that will represent and win laurels for the state in national and international competitions,” he said.

    He revealed that the government would rehabilitate facilities and provide modern sports facilities.

    “This is in furtherance of our governor’s commitment to the development of sports,” he said.