Tag: Kashim Shettima

…to inaugurate National Road Safety Advisory Council

Vice President Kashim Shettima has directed a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s road safety measures to tackle the country’s road safety challenges and significantly reduce road traffic accidents.

Shettima gave the directive on Friday, October 4, during a meeting with the leadership of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) led by its Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

This was contained in a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha.

Accordingly, the Vice President is set to inaugurate the National Road Safety Advisory Council saddled with the responsibility of reducing traffic accidents by half before 2030.

Speaking during the meeting with the FRSC leadership, the VP stressed the urgent need to address the increasing road accidents on the highways and in the cities caused by non-adherence to traffic regulations.

“We need a comprehensive solution for our road safety challenges. The whole ecosystem is not as it should be,” VP Shettima stated, emphasizing the need for “deliberate efforts toward addressing our road challenges,” in line with international best practices in countries like Dubai and the UK.

Read Also: Shettima: Tinubu committed to bridging infrastructure gaps, erosion menace in southeast

The Vice President, who chairs the National Road Safety Advisory Council, highlighted the importance of leveraging technology and enforcing discipline to improve road safety.

“In places like Dubai and the UK, they have a mechanism of checking road traffic violators, capture their car number plates and are charged directly from their bank account. This way, people are encouraged to obey the law. We need to be a disciplined nation,” VP Shettima remarked.

He emphasised the interconnected nature of road safety with broader security concerns, saying “The FRSC’s job is intertwined with that of the Nigerian Police as it is part of the security architecture of the nation.”

Drawing parallels to successful security initiatives he had observed in Enugu state, he said “I was in Enugu yesterday and the state government is doing so well. The governor has put in place a security architecture where the whole town and the whole state are under surveillance including the forest areas.”

Earlier, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, said the National Road Safety Advisory Council is a critical aspect of the updated Nigeria Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030.

“The idea is to reduce road traffic crashes by 50% between now and 2030,” he said.

He outlined the council’s primary functions to include setting national road safety targets, coordinating efforts between federal, state and local governments, and overseeing the implementation of strategic initiatives.

The council’s membership includes six governors representing the six geo-political zones, various federal ministers, the National Security Adviser, and the President of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON).

…launches ultra-modern fashion hub in Enugu

In a significant move to bolster Nigeria’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the disbursement of N150,000 grants to business owners in Enugu State.

This is just as Vice President Kashim Shettima has commissioned Nigeria’s largest Ultra-Modern MSME Fashion Hub in Enugu State, saying President Tinubu’s commitment to creating a business environment that provides incentives and opportunities to transform MSMEs into formidable enterprises is unyielding.

According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima disclosed the disbursement of the federal government grant on Thursday when he also launched the 5th Expanded National MSME Clinic in Enugu State.

The Expanded National MSME Clinics is one of the federal government’s strategies for ease of doing business in Nigeria through a series of business fora organized across the country to provide on-the-spot solutions to challenges confronting MSMEs, with the first, second, third, and fourth editions launched in Benue, Ogun, Ekiti and Jigawa States respectively earlier this year.

Speaking during the launch of the 5th Expanded National MSME Clinic in the Coal City, the Vice President noted that the N150,000, which is an outright grant that has no requirement for repayment, reflects the commitment of the Tinubu administration to nurturing MSMEs and fostering economic growth in the country.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has mandated a grant of N150,000 each to be awarded to outstanding exhibiting MSMEs at today’s event.

“Let me assure you that this is an outright grant, with no requirement for repayment, reflecting our commitment to nurturing MSMEs and fostering economic growth,” the VP stated.

Senator Shettima expressed satisfaction with the pace at which the federal government is driving the growth and survival of the nation’s MSMEs, noting that it attests to the fact that “there is no thriving economy without robust small businesses.”

He praised the policy choices of the Tinubu administration which, according to him, are based on the acknowledgment and foresight of the obstacles that threaten the nation’s economic existence.

The VP said Nigeria can’t advance as a nation without fully maximizing the strength of its business community across regions and states.

“The only way we can achieve this is by standing united, from Abia to Zamfara, in pursuit of a shared objective. Small businesses account for 96% of all businesses in Nigeria and contribute more than 45% to our GDP. I am sure you understand what this means: without you, Nigeria would be nowhere,” he declared.

VP Shettima further noted that the 5th Expanded MSME Clinic is a platform for direct engagement with regulatory agencies such as NAFDAC, BOI, CAC, SON, NEPC, SMEDAN, as well as financial institutions and business support organisations to ensure that MSMEs share their specific challenges with them on the spot and get instant solutions.

Read Also: Car crushes Enugu student, injures others during ‘riotous’ final exams celebration

Earlier on arrival, the Vice President commissioned the ultra-modern Fashion and Garment Hub for MSMEs set up by the federal government in collaboration with the Enugu State government.

The Vice President also took time to inspect ongoing work at the Enugu International Conference Centre being constructed by the state government as well as the progress of work at the Enugu Command and Control Centre and the Digital Museum at the Government House.

Speaking on the Enugu Fashion Hub, he said the business facility, along with other hubs established across the country, is a stepping stone to the desired economic height, even as he expressed the belief that the hub – the largest commissioned in Nigeria so far -will meet global standards and create about 48,000 jobs.

He added: “Aside from standing as one of the largest we’ve commissioned, it is equipped with cutting-edge technology to support the fashion manufacturing cluster in Enugu State, boosting production capacity and enabling economies of scale.

“This hub has the potential to produce a wide array of fashion products, from military uniforms to school and corporate wear, meeting global standards and creating about 48,000 jobs in the process.

“We anticipate that the hub will be managed by a competent private sector entity, with federal and state governments providing vigilant oversight. Our hope is that this facility will redefine entrepreneurship and training, not only in Enugu State but across Nigeria.”

VP Shettima commended Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu for the state’s support in ensuring the establishment of the hub, noting that the federal government is looking “forward to partnering with Coal City State to make the Enugu Fashion Hub a centre of productivity and attraction.”

Earlier in his address, Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, thanked the federal government for its unwavering support to the government and people of Enugu State, manifested in landmark projects and initiatives that are impacting lives and livelihoods.

According to the governor, Vice President Shettima’s presence in Enugu to launch the MSME Clinics and commission the ultra-modern fashion and garment hub has confirmed his status as a champion of small businesses in the state and a strong commitment to the growth of the sector.

Outlining some of the benefits that small businesses will derive from participating in the Clinics, Dr Mbah said the initiative aligns with the economic vision of the state government in the sector.

The governor said there is a convincing need to grow MSMEs in size and capacity given the potential for job creation, elevation of livelihoods, and general economic transformation, noting that the newly commissioned fashion and garment hub will reinvigorate the entrepreneurship spirit in Enugu youths.

On his part, the Senate Minority Whip, Sen. Osita Ngwu, commended the partnership between the state and federal government, which he said has manifested in the commissioning of the fashion hub and the launch of the MSME Clinics, among many others.

He said the people of Enugu State have, since the inception of the Tinubu administration, benefited from several programmes across power, energy, and education, among other sectors, stating that “indeed, the Tinubu administration has shown that government is for the people.”

Also, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, pledged the support of the parliament for programmes anchored by the executive.

He specifically praised VP Shettima’s empathy towards the less privileged, stressing that leadership is really about identifying with the people and listening to the problems confronting them.

In his remarks, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, who emphasised the importance of entrepreneurship training commended the efforts of the office of the Vice President for creating the enabling environment for small businesses to thrive through the Clinics.

He announced the commencement of a training programme for shoemakers across the country, stressing that skills acquisition is the way to go in closing the unemployment gap in the state.

In the same vein, the Chairman of the South East chapter of the National Employers Consultative Association (NECA) pledged the support of the group and the private sector for initiatives of the federal government, especially ones aimed at creating employment for young people.

Also present at the event were Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr Ifeanyi Ossai; some members of the National Assembly; Managing Director of Niger Delta Holding Company, Engr Jennifer Adighije, and representatives of MSME Clinic partners, among others.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for the United States to lead the Nigerian delegation at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), following President Bola Tinubu’s directive.

President Tinubu opted to stay behind to address pressing domestic issues, including the recent devastating flood disaster, entrusting Vice President Shettima to represent Nigeria at the high-level global forum.

According to a statement issued on Sunday, September 22, by senior special assistant to the president on media and communications, Stanley Nkwocha, during the session, Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement, participate in key meetings, and engage in bilateral talks.

The General Debate, themed: “Leaving No One Behind Acting Together for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations,” will take place from September 24 to 28, 2024.

Read Also: Face Me, I Face You: Tackling urban poverty and housing crisis in Nigeria

“At the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for the United States to attend the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

“It would be recalled that President Tinubu had directed the Vice President to lead the Nigerian delegation to the high-level global forum, while he focused on addressing pressing domestic issues, including the recent devastating flood disaster.

“During the session, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement, participate in key meetings on the sidelines of the event, and engage in bilateral meetings.

“The high-level General Debate themed, ‘Leaving no one behind Acting Together for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable Development and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations’, is scheduled to take place from September 24 to September 28, 2024”, the statement said.

While the Federal government requires $100 million to implement its National Multisectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition, no fewer than 15 million women and children in 12 States have benefited from the government’s nutrient fortification supplements aimed at addressing malnutrition in the country.

Despite the directive from the Federal government, through the National Council on Nutrition (NCN), for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to establish Nutrition Departments, most have yet to comply while only seven out of the 36 States have approved the creation of Nutrition departments in their MDAs.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the Council, has however reiterated the directive to the MDAs to set up the Nutrition Department without further delay.

These developments emerged at a Roundtable organized by the Civil Society on Setting Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) in Abuja on Tuesday, where the National Coordinator of Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRIN), Ojulape Solanke, disclosed that more than 15 million children and pregnant women in 12 States have received various nutrition supplements since the initiative began.

According to Solanke, the ANRIN project, part of the multi-sectoral initiative to improve the country’s healthcare indices, collaborates with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) to provide nutrition advocacy services at various Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) nationwide.

“We have currently provided nutrition packages and services to over 15 million women and children. The program’s objective is to increase the utilization of quality, cost-effective services for pregnant and lactating women in Nigeria,” she said.

Read Also: Malnutrition: Stakeholders call for more robust food fortification laws

However, due to the lack of responsiveness from most Federal MDAs in implementing the Presidential directive to set up a Nutrition Department, NCN Chairman, VP Shettima, who leads the efforts to implement the government’s nutrition policy, has reiterated the directive for all MDAs to establish the Nutrition Department without further delay.

According to the VP’s  Special Assistant on Public Health and Focal Person on Nutrition, Office of the Vice President on Health, Uju Vanstasia Anwurukah, all States’ MDAs have also been advised to establish a Nutrition Department to serve as a focal office for driving nutrition advocacy in their respective offices.

On its part, CS-SUNN stated that the Federal government has directed the NCN to strengthen nutrition governance at all levels, from Federal to sub-national, including implementing the Presidential directives on establishing Nutrition Departments in all relevant Ministries, departments, and agencies nationwide.

CS-SUNN’s Aji Rachael Robinson revealed that as part of its intervention efforts, the Federal government has issued a directive to create a budget line for Nutrition to ensure funds are available for implementing the National Multisectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition, with an annual implementation cost estimated at $100 million.

The organization however urged the government to support Nutrition financing initiatives and to establish a Nutrition Investment Trust Fund.

She also emphasized the need for the government to sustain emergency food assistance, health, and protection assistance for those in critical need, especially during the lean season, including new arrivals from hard-to-reach areas, internally displaced persons (IDPs) in camps, and affected host communities.

“We believe that taking these measures urgently will position the country on the right track to ending food insecurity and malnutrition,” she said.

Nutrition advocate Davies Omotola added that proper funding and implementation of nutrition programs would lead to improved nutrition outcomes, which would also enhance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

…if Nigeria gets its acts right, Africa will get it right – VP Shettima

Nigeria is set to partner with Germany to tap into the $130 billion global hydrogen market, Vice President Kashim Shettima announced on Friday, May 24.

The partnership, which aims to develop Nigeria’s green energy sector, is in line with the country’s renewable energy objectives and the global energy transition plan from fossil to green sources.

According to a statement issued by senior special assistant to the president on media and communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima spoke on Friday when he received on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, a German delegation led by a member of German Parliament and Hydrogen Commissioner, Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Till Mansmann.

Underscoring the importance of a strong partnership between Nigeria and Germany, the vice president said: “We cannot run away from the fact that sooner than later we have to do away with fossil fuels and resort to green energy for a sustainable world and an inclusive economic growth.

“We appreciate you and there is ample opportunity for us to partner towards the development of the 130 billion-dollars global hydrogen market projected by the World Bank to grow at 9% per annum”, he said.

On the potential in hydrogen development, VP Shettima expressed optimism that if Nigeria gets its acts right, the entire African continent will equally get it right.

He noted: “Hydrogen has the potential of revolutionizing a lot of industries in Nigeria, including fertilizer production. The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology is ready to partner with authorities in Germany to drive the process towards developing the hydrogen market in Nigeria and beyond.

Read Also: Shettima: how to achieve $1tr economy by 2031

“Partnering to develop the hydrogen market in Nigeria will positively impact the rest of the African continent given its potential and position. The potential is here in Nigeria.

“When Nigeria gets its acts right, Africa will get it right too. You have a partner in Nigeria, in President Tinubu, you have a partner that you can trust. Leadership is about the ability to provide ideas to the problems of a nation,” he added.

The VP commended Germany for the sacrifice and empathy the European country has shown towards other countries in different areas, noting that “though not endowed with a lot of natural resources, Germany is blessed with the human capital that has made the country a global leader across diverse fields, including technology and devotion to ethics.”

Earlier, the Head of the German Delegation/Member of the German Parliament and Hydrogen Commissioner, Mansmann, said collaboration with Nigeria and institutions like the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) is crucial for achieving the goals outlined in Germany’s National Hydrogen Strategy.

He said: “Nigeria is a very important partner for the global transformation of energy. If you want to fight climate change, it makes no sense if one country alone goes its own pathway. We need to come together in a lot of cooperation in technology, science, and human resources.”

Acknowledging Nigeria’s significant potential in the field of green energy, particularly hydrogen production, Mansmann said, “About 30 countries in Africa have the potential for green energy, especially hydrogen, and Nigeria is one of the most powerful countries in this field.”

On the role of universities in fostering innovation and nurturing future talent, he recalled his recent visit to UNN, saying, “We visited the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and it was really interesting to see the programmes coming from there in renewable energies.”

He stressed the importance of cooperation in the field of science with universities, just as he said, “A lot of young, well-educated people are the ones that will transform the world in the future. Because of that, we think cooperation in the field of science with universities is most important.”

He added that Germany’s transition to carbon neutrality by 2045 requires a significant shift towards green energy imports.

“Germany will be an energy importing country for the next decades in huge amounts. Currently, we import 70% of our energy in the form of fossils, and we want to get out of fossils by 2045. That means in 20 years all imported energy needs to be green. And we know there are great potentials in Africa and Nigeria,” he added.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Friday, March 8, explained that the Presidential Initiative for Innovation, Policy Evaluation, and Research (PIIPER) was put together to transform policymaking in Nigeria through a multifaceted approach.

Shettima disclosed this during a meeting with a delegation from the Firoz Lalji Centre for Africa from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), which was a pre-launch meeting of the PIIPER.

According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima outlined the approaches to include “encompassing data gathering, rigorous research, innovation integration, stakeholder engagement and thorough documentation of government functions and decisions.”

In his address titled: “Our Journey to a Data-Forward Future,” the Vice President said, “PIIPER will further extend its reach by coordinating national policy research and innovation fellowships, fostering regular dialogues, and engaging in comparative analyses to benchmark Nigerian policies globally.

“This initiative is geared towards addressing Nigeria’s development challenges, promoting transparency, and collaboration to ensure effective governance and sustainable development.”

Shettima sought collaboration on PIIPER with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and its delegation from Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, describing the initiative as a transformative journey.

He particularly applauded Professor David Luke and Professor Tim Allen “for their dedication to unravelling the intricacies of the political economy of Africa through their impactful contributions at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa.”

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The VP singled out Professor Luke who he said has taken a bold step towards shared objectives with the unveiling of his work, “How Africa Trades,” describing it as an exciting chapter.

He continued: “My anticipation to meet you grew exponentially when I learned about the mission and the intellectual depth embedded in this significant work.

“Your presence today emphasizes our shared commitment to shaping a future where Africa is not relegated to the footnotes of our discourse on development. The link between gown and town is one that we can’t afford to sever because the repercussions are dire.

“Thankfully, your institution understands the intersection of politics and economics and, of course, knows the causes of things—as its motto goes. This is why I am delighted to learn that the relationship between LSE and Africa is more than a distant theoretical projection”.

Noting that as a key player in Africa, Nigeria assumes “the responsibility to understand and shape the course of Africa’s economic destiny,” Shettima observed that the nation’s “commitment to inclusivity and sustainable development has never been in doubt, and “How Africa Trades” aligns with this grand vision.

“We believe that trade is the lifeblood of nations. It intertwines destinies and moulds futures. This book, through its comprehensive analysis, sets out to serve as a guidance for all policymakers to navigate this complex web with knowledge and foresight. It lays bare the mechanisms through which trade can be harnessed as a force for good, a catalyst for development that uplifts the lives of all our people,” he added.

Earlier in his address, the leader of the delegation and Senior Special Assistant to the President on International Cooperation, Dapo Oyewole, who is also the coordinator of the LSE Alumni Association in Abuja, said part of his job is to take the best of Nigeria to the world and attract the best of the world to Nigeria.

He said: “Our work will help to bridge the gap between research and policy and attract the best ideas emanating from rigorous research and analysis from around the world in the achievement of the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

Also, the director of the Firoz Lalji Centre for Africa and Professor of Development Anthropology in LSE’s Department of International Development, Tim Allen, said the goal of the initiative is to bring Africa at the core of what the LSE does.

“When I give lectures on African development to an audience that is maybe one person from sub-Saharan Africa; I said that was a serious problem for my institution. The LSE used to be important in thinking about Africa and so many African heads of state have been trained in LSE in the past. So, we are very serious now about bringing Africa at the core of the LSE,” he said.

The book editor, Professor David Luke, said, “How Africa Trades” is an invaluable open-access resource for making sense of the continent’s major trade challenges, including commodity dependence, competitiveness, and how African countries engage with often unconducive international trade rules that distort global markets.

The Special Adviser (SAD) to the President on NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, said her office can foster intra-state trade partnerships and bolster productivity.

She said: “We seek comparative and complimentary advantages of the states. There was previously the Kebbi State and Lagos State partnership on rice but when we saw the one between Lagos and Niger State, we were delighted to see it.”

Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Research and Analytics, Gimba Kakanda, noted that there was a greater need for a strong link between academia and society, emphasizing the need for the government to be guided by research in policy making.