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Tag: Nigeria

  • 200 Chinese firms show interest in Nigeria

    200 Chinese firms show interest in Nigeria

    No fewer than 200 Chinese companies have shown interest in the Nigerian economy.

    China and Nigeria recently held a business forum in Beijing, where over 200 Chinese companies indicated a strong interest in the Nigerian economy.

    The forum, which held on Friday in the Chinese capital, was part of activities to welcome Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar to the Asian country.

    Tuggar, according to a statement by his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, is on an official working visit to the People’s Republic of China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Mr. Wang Yi.

    He stated that the Minister who arrived in China on June 19 delivered a keynote address at the China-Nigeria Business Exchange event. The event, jointly organised by the Nigerian Embassy and Yingke Law Firm, was designed to ease increased bilateral trade and investment, and foster business matchmaking to deepen economic ties between Nigeria and China.

    “Amb. Tuggar emphasised the importance of the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and China, highlighting mutual respect and shared developmental goals.

    “He pointed out the critical role of such business exchanges in driving economic growth and diversification, stating: “This event is a testament to our commitment to strengthening Nigeria-China relations. By fostering direct business engagements, we are paving the way for increased bilateral trade, investment opportunities, and innovative collaborations that will benefit both nations.

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    “Over 200 Chinese companies took part in the event, showing a strong interest in fostering economic collaboration between the two nations.”

    As part of his working visit, Amb. Tuggar will take part in several high-level meetings and events, including the inaugural Plenary Session of the Nigeria-China Intergovernmental Committee in Beijing and the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian.

    “These engagements are expected to further solidify the strategic partnership between Nigeria and China. He is also expected to meet with ECOWAS Ambassadors as well as launch the 4D Cultural Diplomacy Programme of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Embassy of Nigeria.

  • Nigeria’s public debts hit N121.67tr

    Nigeria’s public debts hit N121.67tr

    Nigeria’s total public debt has risen to N121.67 trillion or about $91.46 billion.

    The report by the Debt Management Office (DMO) yesterday indicated that total Public Debt rose from N97.34 trillion in December 2023 to N121.67 trillion in first quarter ended March 31, 2024.

    The debts comprises of the total domestic and external debts of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the 36 state governments, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    According to the DMO, domestic debt stands at N65.65 trillion or $46.29 billion while external debt sits at N56.02 trillion or $42.12 billion.

    Interestingly, the DMO clarified that the increase in total public debt was primarily driven by domestic borrowing. When adjusted for fluctuations in the naira exchange rate during the first quarter of 2024, only the domestic debt component exhibited growth.  This figure has risen from N59.12 trillion at the end of 2023 to N65.65 trillion by March 31, 2024.

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    The DMO attributed the rise in domestic debt to two key factors: the Nigerian government resorted to borrowing to partially finance the shortfall between projected revenue and planned expenditure outlined in the 2024 Appropriation Act and a portion of the N7.3 trillion Ways and Means Advances extended by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the government has been converted into tradable securities. This process, known as securitization, essentially adds to the domestic debt burden.

    The DMO acknowledged the need for continued borrowing as authorized by the 2024 Appropriation Act. However, it expressed optimism about potential improvements in government revenue, which could enhance the sustainability of Nigeria’s debt levels in the long run

  • Nigeria’s three other games at USA 1994

    Nigeria’s three other games at USA 1994

    Nigeria vs. Argentina: Caniggia’s  brace cut Eagles to size

    Nigeria’s  second World Cup  game at USA’94  was held at the Foxborough Stadium, Massachusetts against two-time world champions, Argentina. The Super started brilliantly with Samson Siasia scoring a brilliant goal in the 8th  minute, however two goals within seven minutes from Claudia Caniggia condemned the Nigerian to a 2-1 defeat.  It is important to note that this game was the last international match for the legendary Diego Maradona as he failed a drug test after the game.

    MATCH  STATISTICS: JUNE 25, 1994

    Argentina  2–1 Nigeria

    Goals: Caniggia  21′, 28′; Siasia  8′

    Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough

    Attendance: 54,453

    Referee: Bo Karlsson (Sweden)

    Argentina:  Luis Islas; Fernando Caceres; José Chamot;Oscar Ruggeri;Roberto Sensini;Fernando Redondo; Diego Simeone; Diego Maradona (captain);Abel Balbo (Alejandro Mancuso 71st);Gabriel Batistuta; Claudio Caniggia. Manager : Alfio Basile

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    Nigeria: Peter Rufai (captain);Augustine Eguavoen; Michael Emenalo; Chidi Nwanu; Uche Okechukwu; Emmanuel Amunike; Sunday Oliseh(Jay Jay Okocha 87th; Finidi George; Daniel Amokachi; Samson Siasia (Mutiu Adepoju     56th); ; Rachidi Yekini. Manager Clemens  Westerhof

    Greece vs. Nigeria:  George, Amokachi  down sturdy Greeks

    The Super Eagles redeemed themselves after the Caniggia-inspired loss to Argentina but beating the group’s whipping boys Greece 2-0. Goals by the immediate former Super Eagles coach Finidi George and Daniel Amokachi ensured that the debutants lead the group with  plus  four goal difference while Bulgaria, who would eventually reach the Semi-finals, came second based on a head-to-head rule.

    MATCH  STATISTICS: JUNE 30, 1994

    Greece                 0–2 Nigeria

    Goals: George  45+2′; Amokachi  90+5′

    Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough

    Attendance: 53,001

    Referee: Leslie Mottram (Scotland)

    Greece: Christos Karkamanis; Ioannis Kalitzakis; Alexis Alexiou;Vaios Karagiannis; Minas Hantzidis;Giotis Tsalouchidis;Tasos Mitropoulos (c)(Nikos Tsiantakis 72nd ); Alekos Alexandris; Nikos Nioplias;Savvas Kofidis; Nikos Machlas(Vasilis Dimitriadis 80th ).Manager:Alketas Panagoulias

    Nigeria: Peter Rufai; Chidi Nwanu; Stephen Keshi ©;Uche Okechukwu;Michael Emenalo; Finidi George(Mutiu Adepoju 84th );Samson Siasia; Sunday Oliseh; Emmanuel Amunike; Rashidi Yekini ( Jay Jay Okocha 69th ); Daniel Amokachi. Manager: Clemens Westerhof

    Nigeria vs. Italy :  nail biting end against tricky Azzuri

    Yekini left his Italian shadows gad

    The Super Eagles final game in 1994 was against the Azzurri’s of Italy in front of 54,637 spectators at the Foxborough Stadium on July 5.

    Against a team that had claimed just one win in Group E and had only qualified for the knockout phase as one of the four teams who finished third in their groups, the Super Eagles deservedly took the lead with an Emmanuel Amuneke strike in the 25th  minute before losing to the Italians in the dying minutes.

    The Italians were a man down after Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola was sent off, ironically on his birthday, in the 75th  minute.

    The Italians, inspired by Roberto Baggio, who would go on to lose the decisive penalty against Brazil in the final, scored the equalizer in the 88th minute to level the scores and push the game towards extratime.

    The same Baggio would later convert a 102 minute penalty after a moment of madness from Augustine Eguavoen fouling Antonio Bennarivo thus ending Nigeria’s brilliant run at her first World Cup and ended Clement Westerhof’s six-year stint as the coach of the Super Eagles.  

    MATCH  STATISTICS: JUNE 30, 1994: JULY 5, 1994

    Nigeria 1–2  Italy (a.e.t.)              

    Amunike  25′; R. Baggio  88′, 102′ (pen.)

    Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough

    Attendance: 54,367

    Referee: Arturo Brizio Carter (Mexico)

    Nigeria: Peter Rufai (captain);Augustine Eguavoen; Michael Emenalo; Chidi Nwanu; Uche Okechukwu; Emmanuel Amunike(Thompson Oliha 57’); Sunday Oliseh ; Jay Jay Okocha ; Finidi George; Daniel Amokachi (Mutiu Adepoju 35th); Samson Siasia; Rachidi Yekini. Coach: Clemence Westerhof

    Italy: Luca Marchegiani; Alessandro Costacurta; Roberto Mussi;Antonio Benarrivo;Paolo Maldini;Nicola Berti (Dino Baggio);Demetrio Albertini          ;Roberto Donadoni; Giuseppe Signori; Daniele Massaro; Giuseppe Signori(Gianfranco Zola 63rd ). Manager Arrigo Sacchi.

  • Philippines, Nigeria share mutually beneficial relations, says envoy

    Philippines, Nigeria share mutually beneficial relations, says envoy

    The Philippines Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Mersole Mellejor, said both countries shared mutually beneficial relations, especially in trade and people-to-people partnerships since 1962.

    The envoy said this at the diplomatic reception held to mark the 126th Anniversary of the Philippines’ Independence on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The ambassador said the occasion was symbolic of strengthening relations between Nigeria and the Philippines for more than six decades.

    According to him, although the countries may be located on two different continents, with no fewer than 18 hours of flight time between them, relations between the two have been robust.

    “Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1962, the two countries have signed bilateral agreements and are in the process of concluding more, to generate concrete mutually beneficial outcomes.

    “At the political level, the Philippines and Nigeria have a regular Joint Commission Meeting between our respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

    “This year, we are resuming to hold another edition. The joint commission meeting was suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

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    “We have a respectable level of bilateral trade reaching more than a million US dollars at its highest in 2020 and a steady flow of tourists from both sides.

    “The most concrete manifestation of our relations has always been our people. At its peak before the global financial crisis in 2009, there were an estimated 8,000 Filipinos in Nigeria.”

    “Mostly professionals in various capacities, in the oil and industrial states, factories in many parts of Nigeria, and more importantly, in the services sectors.

    “Now, estimated to be around 3,000, the number is rising again as we emerge from the global pandemic. We certainly thank Nigeria for welcoming and hosting our nationals,’’ Mellejor said

    Speaking on educational exchange, Mellejor said the Philippines had hosted more than 10,000 Nigerians studying in various higher institutions in his country.

    On governance, he said, “There are many areas in which both countries can work continually to strengthen democratic governance and law enforcement.

    “Meanwhile, the Philippines hosts some 10,000 Nigerians, the majority of whom are studying in various tertiary institutions in the country.

    “I was told that the number was even higher in the 90’s. The graduates even have an association here in Nigeria called the Philippine Graduates in Nigeria, or PHILGRAN.

  • Learning from pitfalls and failures

    Learning from pitfalls and failures

    • By Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu

    Sir: In the 1990s, a lot of countries were behind Nigeria economically, politically, socially and otherwise. The reverse and untoward drill was caused by leaders and it would only take a capable leader to restore Nigeria to her lost glory. Many competent personalities have withdrawn from politics entirely due to unexpected outcome (failure). You cannot handle failure properly if you are not fully persuaded in mind and purpose-driven.

    Nigeria has been in a state of quagmire politically. A son of nobody can never be somebody in Nigeria. The determinant for winning elections so far in Nigeria is who you know and how much you are willing to spend. The system of governance and ailing institution in Nigeria has caused a lot of failures both collectively and individually.

    In the various aspects of the national life, individuals fail for no reason at all. So many students fail academically due to weak educational institutions. Many people fail in business due to multiple taxation and unfavorable environment. So many are quitters in politics due to the dirty games. Financial institutions and the economy are crumbling due to inefficiency and misappropriation of individuals in them. So many families are broken due to the body language of our leaders. Friendships and alliance have failed due to betrayals and treachery. Buildings collapse due to sharp practices and lack of expertise. The list goes on and on. Some people tend to be ruthless and frustrated in their success after experiencing butts of setbacks, failures.

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    Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to challenges, and maintain a positive mind-set despite facing failures or difficulties. It is characterized by perseverance, determination, and the capacity to learn and grow from experiences. Such an individual demonstrates strength, tenacity, and a willingness to face obstacles head-on, using failures as stepping stones to success.

    Concerning the present government, failure doesn’t mean you will never succeed; it just means it may take a bit longer. “The human spirit is never finished when it is defeated. It is finished when it surrenders.” (Ben Stein). Those who lose and try again are more prepared to deal with adversity than those who has never failed. When you have experienced failure, you’re actually in a better position to achieve success than people who have not. The collapsed economy is enough reason for the political leaders to build experience and wisdom.

    •Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu,

     Awgbu, Anambra State.

  • Transforming Nigeria’s Civil Service

    Transforming Nigeria’s Civil Service

    • By Kenechukwu Aguolu

    Sir: The civil service serves as the foundation of governance in any nation, entrusted with pivotal functions such as policy formulation, implementation, and public service delivery. However, in Nigeria, the effectiveness and efficiency of the civil service are hindered by a multitude of challenges, impeding its ability to fulfil its mandate adequately. Despite numerous reform efforts, these obstacles persist, necessitating a concerted effort to comprehensively address them.

    The civil service in Nigeria lacks sufficient accountability and transparency. Bureaucratic processes often lack transparency, fostering a culture of impunity where malfeasance goes unchecked. To tackle this challenge, robust accountability mechanisms must be established, including implementing policies to protect whistle-blowers and disclosing government expenditures publicly to promote transparency and accountability.

     The absence of a fair and effective reward and punishment system within the civil service undermines morale and encourages misconduct among civil servants. Without proper recognition for exemplary performance or consequences for underperformance, motivation dwindles, resulting in decreased productivity. To address this challenge, the reward and punishment system must be revamped, introducing performance-based incentives and sanctions to motivate civil servants and deter unethical behaviour. This requires developing objective performance evaluation criteria and ensuring fairness and consistency in disciplinary measures.

     Inadequate salaries and benefits contribute to low morale among civil servants, leading to diminished productivity and commitment to service delivery. Many qualified professionals are deterred from joining or remaining in the civil service due to the lack of competitive compensation. Improving remuneration packages for civil servants is crucial to attracting and retaining talent.

    The appointment of individuals to positions without the necessary skills or qualifications results in inefficiencies within the civil service. This mismatch between personnel and job requirements hampers productivity and service delivery. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive review of recruitment and deployment processes, and implementing merit-based selection criteria to ensure that individuals are appointed and deployed to roles that align with their skills and competencies.

    A culture of complacency, nepotism, and favouritism undermines professionalism and integrity within some segments of the civil service. This fosters an environment where unethical behaviour is tolerated, eroding public trust. Promoting a culture of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct is essential to address this challenge, involving fostering leadership commitment to ethical standards, providing ethics training for civil servants, and enforcing disciplinary measures for misconduct.

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    Limited investment in training and development programs deprives civil servants of the skills and knowledge needed to adapt to evolving challenges and deliver quality services. This perpetuates a cycle of inefficiency and undermines organizational performance. Investing in human capital development is critical to building a competent and responsive civil service, necessitating the establishment of training academies, mentorship programs, and continuous learning initiatives to enhance the capabilities of civil servants.

    Weak internal controls and oversight mechanisms expose the civil service to the risk of fraud and mismanagement of public funds. Strengthening internal controls and oversight mechanisms is essential to detect and prevent fraud within the civil service, involving implementing robust financial management systems, conducting regular audits, and holding accountable those responsible for financial impropriety.

    The proliferation of redundant and overlapping government agencies leads to inefficiencies and waste of resources. Rationalizing and consolidating government agencies is necessary to streamline operations and improve efficiency, requiring a comprehensive review of existing agencies and merging or eliminating overlapping entities to enhance coordination and resource allocation.

    Inadequate budgetary allocations limit the capacity of the civil service to deliver on its mandate effectively. Increasing funding for the civil service is essential to address this challenge, requiring governments to prioritize budgetary allocations to support operational needs, including investments in infrastructure, technology, and human capital development.

    The prevalent reliance on manual or semi-automated processes within the civil service significantly hampers efficiency and effectiveness. These outdated methods are prone to errors, delays, and inefficiencies, hindering the timely delivery of services and optimal allocation of resources. Introducing full automation is imperative to modernize operations and streamline workflows, thereby enhancing productivity and service quality. Embracing automation represents a crucial step towards building a more agile, responsive, and citizen-centric civil service capable of meeting the evolving needs of society.

    Interference from political actors compromises the autonomy and impartiality of the civil service, undermining its ability to serve the public interest effectively. Upholding the autonomy and independence of the civil service is crucial to mitigate the impact of political interference, necessitating clear boundaries between political and administrative spheres and strengthening civil service regulations.

     •Kenechukwu Aguolu   FCA

    Abuja.

  • Nigeria ready to send astronauts into space, says minister

    Nigeria ready to send astronauts into space, says minister

    Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has said Nigeria will soon go into space.

    He spoke at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA), Delaware, United States, on human space flight.

    Nnaji said: “I will like to welcome our friends from SERA. Your aspiration to democratise space exploration and exploitation for countries is noble.

    “Human space flight has been a key objective for our nation. National Space Policy and Programme (NSPP), approved by Federal Executive Council in 2001 identifies human space flight as one of its three pillars.

    “According to the 25-year roadmap approved in 2005 for implementation of NSPP, our first human space flight was scheduled for 2018. This means we are six years behind.

    “In an effort to correct past delays and align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, we have revitalised Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology and its parastatals since I assumed office. The signing of this MoU is a testament to our  efforts in the past months. As part of this mission, SERA has reserved six seats on an upcoming New Shepard launch. This initiative will see six individuals (from six countries, including Nigeria), potentially becoming the first astronauts from their countries.”

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    Director General of NASRDA, Dr. Matthew Adepoju, said: “We pride ourselves as the premier space agency in Africa. This is not a mere statement. When the agency was established on May 8, 1999, not many nations in Africa could dream of having a space programme. We are today the only space agency in Africa, whose activities cover the whole chain of the space eco-system. We have a strong footprint in outer space exploration and exploitation, and leading in remote sensing. Our activities in launch vehicle development can also not be matched by any country in Africa.”

    Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Esuabana Asanye, said: “I am delighted to be part of this history making event. I do not know how to say thank you, Ann Agi, the director of Learn Space Foundation. What we learned this morning was that they were in a conference where they needed six people to be in space, and she was able to make a case for Nigeria.”

    SERA co-founders, Joshua Skurla and Sam Hutchison, said: “This is a milestone moment in development of our university. We have built a human spaceflight programme in partnership with Newport, to promote access to space, and we are building this by way of a programme in other countries that had previously no access to space.”

  • Omotayo, Edem lead Nigeria’s charge  at WTT Contender Lagos

    Omotayo, Edem lead Nigeria’s charge  at WTT Contender Lagos

    In the absence of Quadri Aruna, Olajide Omotayo and Offiong Edem will take centre stage as Nigeria’s flag bearers in the singles event of the 2024 WTT Contender Lagos.

    The prestigious tournament unfolds at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

    In Men’s Singles, Omotayo, the 2019 African Games champion, will lead a contingent of seven Nigerian players vying for spots in the second round. His opening challenge awaits in the form of India’s Manav Thakkar.

    Junior sensation Matthew Kuti faces off against Frenchman Thibault Poret, while other Nigerian talents like Azeez Solanke, Mustapha Mustapha, and Abdulbasit Abdulfatai brace themselves for formidable opponents from China and India.

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    In an intriguing clash of brothers, Amadi Omeh and Muiz Adegoke will battle each other in the first round.

    Edem enters the women’s singles fray, pitted against her compatriot Fatimo Bello in the opening round.

    Reigning women’s singles champion Shin Yubin begins her title defense against Indian player Archana Kamath.

    Meanwhile, 2024 Africa Cup champion Dina Meshref of Egypt faces off against Chinese teenager Xu Huiyao.

    Day 2 of the inaugural WTT Series in Sub-Saharan Africa promises excitement, with star players eyeing the $80,000 prize pool and coveted star points.

  • Summer Transfers: target Nigeria eligible  Omorodion

    Summer Transfers: target Nigeria eligible  Omorodion

    Chelsea have added Atletico Madrid striker Samu Omorodion to their list of targets as they aim to sign a forward this summer, sources have told ESPN.

    Chelsea are believed to have indicated a willingness to pay around €40 million ($43m) but Atletico value him significantly higher and Chelsea are now assessing their options.

    Omorodion, 20, spent last season on loan at Alavés scoring nine goals in 36 games.

    Chelsea recognise the need to bolster their attack after relying heavily on Nicolas Jackson to lead line with Christopher Nkunku restricted to just two starts due to a series of injury problems including undergoing knee surgery last August.

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    Sources have told ESPN they have had a longstanding interest in Napoli’s Victor Osimhen but his €120m release clause is beyond the club at this stage without significant player sales.

    Similarly, Chelsea have been considering a move for their former forward Dominic Solanke but view the £65m ($83m) release clause in his Bournemouth contract as a little high.

    As a result, the Blues are looking at possible cheaper alternatives including Aston Villa forward Jhon Durán and now Omorodion, among others.

    Though eligible to represent either Nigeria or Spain internationally, Omorodion has featured for  Spain  in the 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Malta, where the Rojita lost to eventual champions Italy in the semi-finals.

  • How to curb maternal mortality in Nigeria, by don

    How to curb maternal mortality in Nigeria, by don

    By Tunde Adeniyi

    A Professor of  Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo,Ogun State,  Prof. John Sotunsa, has said addressing Nigeria’s maternal mortality crisis requires a comprehensive, indigenous approach.

    Sotunsa stated this while speaking at Babcock University’s 49th inaugural lecture entitled:“Beyond superficial success: Holistic approaches to maternal mortality.”

    The don , who also serves as the Provost of the Benjamin Carson Snr College of Health & Medical Sciences of Babcock,   suggested the Ondo State government-driven Abiye Initiative  to stem Nigeria’s maternal mortality.

    He emphasised the effectiveness of the  initiative as a model for nationwide implementation.

    He highlighted how it  successfully addressed critical delays in maternal healthcare.\

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    This initiative integrated efforts between Primary and Tertiary Health Care Centres and employed trained health workers to  provide timely and appropriate care.

    The result was a dramatic drop in maternal mortality rates from the national average of 545 per 100,000 live births to 100 per 100,000 live births within the first year of implementation.

    Addressing the causes of maternal mortality,  Sotunsa identified several key delays that exacerbate the crisis, delays in seeking appropriate care, reaching healthcare facilities, and receiving adequate care and referrals.

    He urged both governmental and private entities to focus on  transforming the maternal health landscape of the country.

    “The statistics are clear. Delays in seeking help for pregnancy and childbirth, reaching specific facilities, and getting necessary care and referrals are major risk factors.

    “Improving the accessibility, availability, affordability, and quality of primary healthcare centres is critical to improving health outcomes, particularly maternal mortality rates,” he said.

    The don  recommended a multi-faceted strategy that include enhancing social support networks, implementing social insurance schemes, and improving mentorship, communication, and documentation within the healthcare system to curb such delays.

     He emphasised that adequate social support can significantly enhance pregnancy experiences, reduce premature deaths by 26 percent, and lower the incidence of depression, anxiety, stroke, heart disease, and dementia among women.

    “We can keep our women alive if we look inward and maximise our opportunities.

    “What we have, know, and do can prevent the majority of maternal deaths in Nigeria if we are available, consistent, ingenious, committed,” he added.

    The don stressed  the importance of community-driven, locally adapted solutions in addressing the maternal mortality crisis.