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  • Minister pushes for restructure of World Bank scale up project

    Minister pushes for restructure of World Bank scale up project

    The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has called for the restructuring of the World Bank, Nigeria for Women Program Scale Up (NFWP-SU).

    The $500 million five years, World Bank programme which began last year is aimed at supporting the government to invest in improving the livelihoods of women in Nigeria.

    The NFWP-SU is expected to help ensure better economic opportunities for women which is essential for addressing gender inequality; guaranteeing better education, health, and nutrition outcomes for families; and building women’s and communities’ resilience to climate change.

    Kennedy-Ohanenye said her push for restructure does not condemn the work being done by the World Bank but is aimed at ensuring that women in communities have access to what they truly need through the project.

    The Minister said this yesterday in Abuja at a stakeholder meeting on restructuring of the NFWP-SU project with the World Bank, UNICEF and other government Ministries and Institutions.

    She said the government of President Bola Tinubu through the renewed hope agenda want the best for women in communities and want to ensure that the right things are channelled to the people in rural communities as they truly need.

    She said: “The project has been on for five years; it’s called Nigeria for Woman project where the World Bank lends the money to the Federal and State governments.

    Read Also: Tinubu emphasises need to revitalize steel sector for economic growth

    “Coming in as the Minister of Women Affairs, I felt our women deserve better than what they were getting. It’s not like I am condemning what they were getting before but I just want them to get the best out if it by enhancing it…

    “The new structure that we want put in place is what we came here to discuss. The World Bank has asked me to draw up a letter, I already did a letter to the President and he has approved the memo for the new restructuring and we have discussed what we want, we have equally gone to the National Assembly and they have approved the loan based on the new structure, so all we need now is to do the needful because the new structure would get them more profit and the women in such rural communities would benefit more and suffer less.”

    Representative the Country Director of the World Bank Nigeria and Director Operations of the bank, Taimur Samad, said the World Bank simply responds to the needs of the people.

    He said the structure of the project was drawn up and agreed upon by the government of Nigeria which signed to the details.

  • CSOs warn against attacks on Interior minister

    CSOs warn against attacks on Interior minister

    The Civil Society and pro-democracy groups have condemned the recent attempt to drag the name of Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo in the ongoing accusation against the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu.

    This was contained tn a statement by Ismail Ibrahim Bakori, the President of Arewa Voters Assembly (AVA) and Segun Adegoke of the Progressive Action for Justice Unity and Democracy (PAJUD).

    They commended President Bola Tinubu for his prompt handling of the “EduGate in the best interest of the nation and by allowing the relevant agencies to investigate the matter to its logical conclusion devoid of interference from any quarters.”

    A leaked document showed that New Planet Project Limited, a company founded by Tunji-Ojo, got a N438 million consultancy contract from the ministry.

    Read Also: N1.5 trillion road project debt: FG asks contractors to begin verification

    Denying any wrongdoing, the minister said he resigned from the company in February 2019 when he was elected as a lawmaker in the House of Representatives.

    The minister said he is no longer one of the directors of the company but admitted that he is still a shareholder.

    The groups said: “Our attention has been drawn to the barrage of mischievous accusations being labeled against Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior by hirelings of mischief and failed politicians from the opposition party in their desperate attempt to link him with Edu Gate.”

    The groups noted that in less than eight months that President Tinubu assumed office, Tunji-Ojo has come out with a well-defined mission, vision, blueprint and seriousness of purpose in the onerous task of addressing the multifarious problems and challenges confronting the ministry.

  • Minister lists Tinubu’s plan for manufacturing sector

    Minister lists Tinubu’s plan for manufacturing sector

    Trade, Industry and Investments Minister, Doris Uzoka-Anite, yesterday assured the manufacturing sector of President Bola Tinubu’s readiness in deepening the sector’s development.

    The Minister gave the assurance in Lagos during the kick-off of a four-day tour of leading manufacturing industries in the country.

    The tour which is to improve ties between the public sector and private businesses will also extend to major industries in Ogun and Kano states.

    At the Nigerian Bottling Company, Ikeja, the minister said the tour was to further extend the focus of Mr President Tinubu to the industrial sector, “to assure them of his support to deepen industrial development and to also seek their support on the eight-point agenda of the new administration; to draw attention to the amazing work being done in our manufacturing sector and how it affects our daily lives and economy. The government is focused on private-public partnerships to grow the economy. It is also to show the government’s steadfast backing for key sectors of the economy and our dedication to on-going cooperation for expansion and advancement”.

    The minister will also visit governors of identified states to strengthen the relationship between the federal and state governments.

    The manufacturing industries visited yesterday include Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company, Niger Biscuits Co. Ltd, BUA Sugar Refinery Limited, Bestaf Industries, Golden Sugar Company and Seven-Up Bottling Company.

    She also noted that the visit was to highlight the commitment of the employees and manufacturing workers that form the core of these businesses, creating superior made-in-Nigeria products that can confidently compete with foreign goods on the international market.

    Read Also: Aregbesola sued for creating factions in APC

    “This is a significant step towards recognising the hard work and achievements of our manufacturing sector. It’s also a call to action for further innovation, quality improvement, and competitiveness in the global market.

    “The tour is more than just a collection of stops; it serves as a link between the aspirations of the government and the realities of the manufacturing industry. It is in recognition of the industry’s contribution to innovation,” she said.

    She advised industries to checkmate fake products by adding the authentication mark introduced by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on their products.

    Her team includes the Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, Babatunde Irukera and the Chief Executive Officer of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC, Mr Kamar Bakrin among others.

  • Minister rallies support for Tinubu in Akwa Ibom

    Minister rallies support for Tinubu in Akwa Ibom

    Ekperikpe Ekpo, the minister of state for petroleum overseeing gas resources, has utilized the extended Yuletide holiday to connect with the people of Akwa Ibom state, aiming to garner support for President Bola Tinubu through a grassroots initiative.

    To drive the initiative, the minister  organised programmes to assure his audience of the president’s forthrightness and commitment in turning around the Nigerian trajectory in the right direction.

    Speaking with Leaders of Thought under the aegis of Akwa Ibom Democratic Forum (ADF), the former federal lawmaker thanked members of the ADF for believing in the aspiration of President Tinubu in the keenly contested 2023 presidential election, and for assiduously selling his Renewed Hope manifesto in the state during the campaigns.

    He said: “I want to acknowledge the significant role the ADF played in the last general elections in the State. One way or the other, you all played key roles in the daunting task of ensuring that my boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu secured his victory. I want to assure you here and now, that your efforts and personal sacrifices won’t be in vain.”

    The message was the same, when the  minister granted audience to both the State Working Committee and a local chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Obong Stephen Ntukekpo and Mr. Joseph Ekanem respectively. 

    He said: “Be rest assured, that despite the mounting economic challenges, Mr. President is equal to the task and will surmount them all. He is a tested and trusted hand.”

    He charged the party faithfuls and its leaders to be Pan Nigerian in their outlook and move pass partisan politics for the overall interest and development of the Nigerian nation. 

    He emphasised that President Bola Tinubu’s government is for every Nigerian irrespective of party affiliation or religious persuasion. 

    He also charged members and the leadership of the Akwa Ibom state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), to give the Tinubu administration the benefit of the doubt and fair hearing in their reportage as the fourth estate of the realm. 

    He promised that with the Presidential Initiative on CNG and other bold moves of Mr. President, the global energy crisis would be a thing of the past in Nigeria.

    Led by its chairman, Comrade Amos Etuk, the state NUJ in the spirit of the season, was on a Christmas Visit to the  Minister and to formally congratulate him on his assumption of office as a Minister of the Federal Republic and the first Nigerian gas czar. 

    The union leader in his address, pledged the union’s disposition to a fair and balanced reportage of all government activities at all levels. 

    He expressed hope that the Minister will discharge the duties of his office creditably. 

    On another occasion during the festivities, the Minister assured his guests that the Tinubu administration has something for everyone.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Tinubu suspends Betta Edu as minister

    He said this when he received in audience, alumni of the Queen of the Apostles Seminary (QAS), Afaha Obong, a school where he spent most part of his career life as a teacher.

    Led by his former student and current member representing Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Abuja, Hon. Patrick Umoh, the QAS Old Boys applauded President Tinubu for the foresight in appointing a good manager of men and resources in the person of Rt. Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo into his cabinet.

    The group of young scholars and professionals expressed their optimism, that relying on the antecedents of their former teacher and mentor, it is a given that the long drawn battle for a stable and affordable energy source in Nigeria is already won.

  • FG focused on equipping students with practical skills – Minister

    FG focused on equipping students with practical skills – Minister

    The Federal Government is determined to empower school children with life-changing skills, the Minister of Education, Professor Mamman Tahir has said.

    The Minister, who made the submission during a project inspection in the Adamawa State capital, Yola, stressed that in the course of the President Bola Tinubu administration, young Nigerians will have integrated education which combines technical skills with regular learning. 

    Inspecting a vocational training centre being built by the Federal Government at the General Murtala Muhammad College (GMMC) Yola, the Minister said the Federal Government, in its determination to equip the youths with enduring life skills, commenced the construction of vocational schools across the nation.

    Tahir expressed happiness with the level of construction attained so far at the GMMC Yola vocational centre. 

    Read Also: Minister knocks NIS for asking married women to travel to Abuja for change of name

    He said: “This is one of the projects across the country. This vocational school is meant to provide the students with skills beyond literacy and numeracy so that by the time they finish the school they would have acquired some technical skills and they can go on with their lives even without further education.”

    According to him, the Federal Government has set up deliverables for ministries; that of education being to revamp the system using the bottom top approach, because a good foundation is necessary for the top  to work properly.

    “That is why we are giving a lot of attention to what is happening at the basic education level and secondary school level and the concern we have for secondary students is to have knowledge beyond numeracy and literacy and to ensure that when a child finishes secondary school, he has both skills and knowledge,” he said.

    Minister of Education, Professor Mamman Tahir (in protective hat) at the GMMC vocational centre project site:

  • New Year: Minister donates gift items to baby of the year in Abaji

    New Year: Minister donates gift items to baby of the year in Abaji

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has donated delivery kits and baby items to a mother of twins in Ayaura Comprehensive Health Centre in Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.

    This is part of activities to celebrate Baby of Year.

    The minister who donated also gave a token of undisclosed amount of cash and other assorted items to other nursing mothers in the hospital.

    At the presentation of the items to the beneficiaries, the minister described the successful delivery recorded in various primary healthcare centres as a bundle of joy, just as she prayed that joy would continue to radiate in the Federal Capital Territory in 2024 and beyond.

    According to a statement issued by her Special Assistant Media, Austine Elemue, the minister tasked mothers on exclusive breastfeeding and early training of their children, noting that children are gift from God.

    While calling on mothers to accept all vaccines given during government-approved immunization campaigns, the minister used the occasion to remind them of the need to ensure that their babies complete the routine immunization before the age of two.

    “Remember to take care of yourselves and attend post-natal clinics and continue to take your routine medicines. Also, engage in exclusive breastfeeding. On my part, I will continue to identify with you and sharing in your joy.

    “Since I came to office in 2023, I have continued to implement and support initiatives that would improve the health of mothers and children, particularly towards reducing maternal and child deaths from preventable causes.

    “I will also encourage you to always contribute to the growth of the family in particular and community at large. All babies born today are welcome and I pray to God to continue to grant mothers and babies good health, while the fathers continue to have the means to support their families,” Mahmoud stated.

    Earlier, the Ona of Abaji and Chairman FCT Traditional Council of Chiefs, HRM, Adamu Baba Yunusa, appreciated the minister and her team for the visit, just as he commended the efforts of this administration in ensuring peace in the various area councils.

    Read Also: Zach Orji: Minister rallies hospital to save actor’s life

    While commending the initiative of the Baby of the Year, the monarch, however, called for institutionalization of scholarship scheme for the first baby of the year.

    He said: “The annual programme of the Baby of the Year is commendable, however, the celebration and recognition should go beyond that. There is need for educational foundation that will assist in granting educational scholarship to every first child of year in the Federal Capital Territory”.

    He, however, pledged his support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    One of the benefitting parents, Mr. and Mrs. Haruna Musa, who delivered a set of twins at 12:04am today, in Ayaura Comprehensive Health Centre thanked the minister for the kind gesture, adding that the items and cash donation would assist mothers at this early stage of delivery.

    The highpoint of the event was the visit to the palace of the Ona of Abaji by the minister and her team.

  • Fed govt will ensure standard working environment for workers, says minister

    Fed govt will ensure standard working environment for workers, says minister

    The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha has said that the federal government is focused on standardising the nation’s work environment for improved safe and healthy workplaces, and higher productivity.

    She stated this while inspecting ongoing work at the Headquarters of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Abuja.

    The project, which has reached 70 percent, will be delivered before the first quarter of next year.

    The minister said the ministry would increase efforts in ensuring that factories and other workplaces comply with regulations and the minimum international best practices for the health and safety of the nation’s workforce.

    Onyejeocha said in this new focus, the ministry would incorporate the labour unions to be part of their factory inspections team to ensure that all work environments at factories meet the required standards and comply with laws and regulations.

    In a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Olajide Oshundun on Saturday, the minister said in compliance with regulations, factories must be registered, their licenses renewed, and their facilities and environments subjected to inspections for the protection of the employees and the public.

    Onyejeocha stated that the ministry would also reposition its skills development function along with identified skills needs for both literate and non-literate beneficiaries, aimed at making them active contributors to national productivity and wealth creation.

    She said: “This is about helping Nigerians get out of poverty. The human being is part of the infrastructure. Once you get it right on your workforce; get it right on employment, then the nation is on the right path.”

    She remarked that contrary to popular belief, the ministry’s mandate does not revolve around dispute resolution, as its responsibilities also include skill development and employment generation, as well as registration, inspection, and renewal of licences of factories. 

    Read Also: EFCC deletes controversial social media post on ex-minister, Diezani

    Onyejeocha stated that the NDE headquarters, when completed, would give its workforce an environment conducive to quality work and increased productivity.

    The Minister commended the company handling the project, M/s Skaldon International Limited, on its professionalism and quality of work and urged them on the real-time delivery of the project, which is targeted for the 1st quarter of 2024.

    Director-General, NDE, Abubakar Fikpo, appreciated the commitment of the federal government to providing a more convenient location for the headquarters of the agency.

    Fikpo: “We are hoping that maybe before the first quarter of 2024 work on this project would have been completed.”

  • 50% transportation rebate: FG targets 5m passengers, says minister

    50% transportation rebate: FG targets 5m passengers, says minister

    No fewer than 5 million passengers are targeted in the 50% transportation rebate of the federal government.

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris disclosed this while briefing journalists on the achievement of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    Idris stressed that the aim is to cushion the effect of the high cost of transportation.

    He however said the gesture only covers those travelling by road and rail.

    He said: “In other to cushion the effect of the high cost of transportation fares, the Federal Government targets to lift Five Million (5,000,000) commuters during this yuletide season with 50% transportation rebate.

    “In addition, all train services are free for all Nigerians travelling from today, Thursday, December 21, 2023 to Thursday, January 4, 2024.”

    Idris said it was a thought-out plan which was arrived at after a series of meetings with stakeholders

    He explained further: “Let me tell you, that government didn’t just sit down to arrive at these numbers. There have been a series of meetings and engagements by the Minister of Transportation and other ministers. To look at what this is all about. First of all, the government look at what is the average cost of a traveller for example, from Abuja to Onitsha or Abuja to Lagos or Abuja to Kano and all that has been taken into consideration to defend the provision of those 50%.”

    He also listed the participating road transport companies for the 50% rebate, including GIG (God is Good, Chisco Transport, Young Shall Grow, God Bless Ezenwa and Area Motor.

    He said the choice of the five transporters was based on their track records and capacity.

    He added: “These processes are self-adjusting, but initially, these five very well-established companies have been contacted because they already have a track record of moving people from one part of the country to another.

    “Government is not desirous of making this business as usual where the moment government projects are announced, people just come to take advantage of it.

    Read Also: EFCC releases ex-Power Minister Agunloye on bail

    “The interest of the government and the President is to ensure that only those who are involved in this business are patronised and every arraignment that was done was done in collaboration.

    “In fact, as we speak, the Road Transport Workers are continuously engaging with the Minister of Transportation, so that all the bottlenecks can be taken out.”

    He therefore stressed that “For now those five companies are involved as the programme goes underway and there is the need to bring others of course, the desire of government is to cushion the effect. The desire of government is not just to patronise a few people.

    “These people are people who have this track record and that is why they have been contacted to be part of this but if there are more people that have this capacity to be sorted and there are need to engage them, the government will just do that. The aim of this, of course, is to provide Nigeria with succour and remember, it is only for the period of Christmas and New Year, after which of course this will be done.”

  • Naira scarcity will ease in New Year, says minister

    Naira scarcity will ease in New Year, says minister

    The federal government on Thursday, December 21, apologised to Nigerians over the current scarcity of Naira notes in circulation, saying that it will ease in the coming year.  

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said the scarcity was not deliberate.

    Idris, who briefed the media on the achievement of the Bola Tinubu Administration, also assured Nigerians that there will be more cash in circulation in the New Year.

    He said the Central Bank of Nigeria is doing everything possible to address the situation.

    The minister said: “About naira scarcity, our government is aware that there is this cry by Nigerians about the scarcity of Naira notes and CBN is already working in that direction. New notes and more will be produced and Nigerians will have more Naira to spend.

    “It is not a deliberate policy to stifle Nigerians or to take Naira out of Nigerians during the Godwin Emefiele days. That is not the case. It is a process perhaps that the CBN is undertaking that has created a temporary shortfall and we are hoping that as we go into the New Year, we’ll see a more robust supply of the naira nodes.”

    Details shortly…

  • Minister denies advocating for exemption of women from taxation

    Minister denies advocating for exemption of women from taxation

    Mrs Uju Ohanenye, the Minister of Women Affairs, has denied an advocacy attributed to her on “Morning Show” segment of a national television exempting women from paying tax.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Ohaeri Joseph, her Special Assistant on Media in Abuja on Wednesday.

    “The attention of the Ministry has been drawn to some false reports on ‘Morning Show’ segment of the Arise TV insinuating that the Minister advocated for women not to pay tax in the Nigeria.

    “We wish to state categorically clear that the Minister did not canvass for women not to pay tax.

    “Because as a law abiding citizen and a major stakeholder in the Nigerian project, she strongly embraces the fact that there is no gender barrier for tax payment which is the civic responsibility of both men and women in the country.”

    Read Also: Minister advocates for global standard in fight against fake news

    It explained that the minister, during the recent Women, Peace and Security Reference Group fourth annual forum 2023 had appealed for women under the Pink Riders scheme to be exempted from any form of harassment by the task force operators at the motor parks.

    “We therefore want to warn ARISE TV to desist from their incessant and malicious reportage and shouldn’t make comments that will throw the country into confusion and chaos.

    “We therefore wish to state here for record purposes that these insinuations are totally wrong and misrepresent what the Honourable Minister said at the event.”

    The statement, therefore, urged the media to effectively drive the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President especially in the area of restoring the hopes of Nigerian women and the vulnerable children.

    (NAN)