The Nation Newspaper

Tag: priority

  • Nigeria is a priority for Kuwait diplomacy – Ambassador

    Kuwait’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Abdulaziz Albisher, spoke to Yusuf Ali, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, on the significance of the month of February to his countrymen and the state of his country’s relations with Nigeria.

    Why is February special to Kuwaitis?

    We meet in this month which is regarded by the Kuwaitis as the month of Jubilation for we celebrate two dear occasions, the National Day achieved on 25/02/1961, and the liberation Day achieved on 26/02/1990 from the invasion suffered in 1989. From that period Kuwait assumed a high position in the international community under the wise leadership ship that calls for moderation in its policy supporting world peace and stability.

    What are your aspirations regarding the bilateral relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the State of Kuwait?

    – As a matter of fact, Nigeria has a unique place in the priorities of Kuwaiti diplomacy, its geographical location, population, endowment with huge natural resources and investment opportunities in the fields of  oil and gas, various minerals, industry, transport, energy, agriculture, tourism, telecommunication, and banking made it an attraction to policy makers and investors.  Its regional, continental and international roles are very much commendable, our diplomatic ties with the Federal Republic of Nigeria are indeed distinguished and brotherly relations, deeply rooted and dating back to the sixties, they were on the popular level, they then metamorphosed into diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries in 1971. Nigeria opened its Embassy in Kuwait officially in December 1980, which was reciprocated later on by Kuwait opening its embassy in Nigeria in May 2005. These ties include wide range of cooperation in various fields, this cooperation was well consolidated in the near past by several visits of Nigerian officials to the State Kuwait, to mention but a few the visit of the honourable minister of State for Trade and investment Mrs Aisah Abubakar to attend the 2nd session of the International Trade Fair of members countries to Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held during the period from 6-10 February 2018, followed by the visit of the honourable minister of state for Foreign Affairs Mrs Khadeihja Bukar to Kuwait on 13/02/2018 to attend the ministerial meeting of the International Alliance against ISIS. The peak of these visits was that of the former Nigeria Vice president His Excellency engineer Namadi Sambo in November 2013 to attend the 3rd Arab – African Summit held in Kuwait city under the kind supervision of His Highness Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad AlJaber AlSabah, the Emir of the State of Kuwait (may God protect and guide him). These distinguished relations witnessed continuous and fruitful cooperation in all the international organizations such as the UN, OPEC. it also covers mutual exchange of expertise between the two countries as well as the presence of many Nigerians experts in different fields such as medicine, engineering, education and many others. My country always offered Scholarships to Nigerian Students officially or through other charity institutions. I would like to thank the Nigerian government for the support accorded to the Kuwaiti candidate for membership of the non permanent seat of the UN Security Council session (2018-2019), I also hope to improve on the existing relations between our two friendly countries and take it to the highest level, together with attracting investment to Nigeria.

    We hope to agree in the near future to adopt the drafts of the bilateral agreements to expedite their enforcement.

    There are thoughts in the horizon regarding completion of twining agreement between some Nigerian States and Kuwaiti districts.

    The embassy of the State of Kuwait in Nigeria will invite Kuwait investment Authority (KIA) to avail itself of trade and investment opportunities in the federal Republic of Nigeria. It shall also work with the Nigerian side to ensure coordination and consultations in respect of means of cooperation in the economy between business men from the two countries through chambers of commerce and industry.

    How do you see the way Nigeria is tackling terrorist activities?

    –             Nigeria is very much on the right track, and its wise leadership enjoys support from the international community, its recent efforts in fighting terror under the wise leadership of His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari proved that it is all out for serious business, and the successes achieved by the Nigerian Army are quite encouraging, however efforts to dry up all the financial resources of the extremist together with applying a rigorous intelligence method will surely put an end to their destructive activities.

    In what ways can the Kuwaiti government assist the African economies?

    –             Kuwait has always had Africa at heart, that need not to ne underlined, for it fashioned numerous contributions and initiatives meant to enhance Africa’s development,  the presence of my government‘s developmental efforts is well recognized, let me first of all throw the light on the Arab-African Summit held in Kuwait during which His Highness the Emir of the State of Kuwait gave his directive to the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development to facilitate grants and concessionary loans to African countries to the tune of two billion U.S. dollars reserved for investment and development spread over five years, it is meant to support the efforts of the African countries towards realizing their developmental aspiration in various fields particularly infrastructure.  As this initiative is to be executed through the Kuwait Fund it goes through legal procedures. In line with the interest of His highness on Africa He attended the 19th African Union Summit held in Ethiopia as guest of honors where he offered to well equip the then newly build African Union secretariat. the same summit witnessed granting the State of Kuwait membership to the African Union in the capacity of an observer,  let me also make mention that the Emir of the state of Kuwait has also announced the intention of his country to grant an Annual Prize of one Million U.S. dollars in the memory of late Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sumit, this prize is meant for development researches and research projects in agriculture, health and Ebola eradication this prize is under the auspices of Kuwait Scientific Institution and the theme for the 2019 prize is food security.

    What roles does your country play in the humanitarian fields?

    My country‘s roles in the humanitarian fields are well recognized worldwide, they touch lives in many ways and these remarkable efforts made the former Secretary of the U.N General Mr. Ban Ki-moon to award our leader His Highness Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of the State of Kuwait (may God protect and guide him) a certificate on behalf of the United Nation in recognition of his continued support to the international humanitarian system naming him a “HUMANITARIAN LEADER” and the State of Kuwait as “UNIVERSAL HUMANITARIAN CENTER” the ceremony took place at the united Nations premises in New York City on Tuesday September 9th, 2014. Kuwait is diligently enlarging its humanitarian contributions in many areas in the world maintaining its international rating as “world humanitarian centre”

    What role can the Kuwait fund play in  Nigeria’s development? 

    I hope to see a joint cooperation between Kuwait Fund for Arab economic development and the friendly Federal republic of Nigeria. As it was not given the chance right from its inception to contribute in development projects in Nigeria. As you know the fund engages in joint cooperation with many countries in different continents Out of which 40 countries in Africa only.  The fund executed over 700 development projects. I would like point out the participation of the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development in the high level conference held in Berlin – Germany from 3-4 September regarding lake Chad region which was jointly presided over by The United Nation, Germany, Norway and Nigeria. The summit worked towards gaining financial and political support with the view to responding to the humanitarian needs of the residents of Lake Chad basin.

    What is your perception about Nigeria and Nigerians?

    Nigeria in my opinion is the giant of Africa, with huge potential that made it a pioneer in regional, continental and international scenes; it has already assumed remarkable roles by maintaining peace and stability through financial and human sacrifices.  As for the Nigerians they are indeed hospitable and friendly. In fact we share a lot in terms of culture and cherished values. Nigeria is a very special country endowed with numerous resources that will undoubtedly enable it to be one of the top world economies in the near future, its cultural heritage is exceptional, the roles played by its successive governments and the current able Government in particular on the regional continental and world levels maintaining peace and security are very much appreciated.

  • Buhari urges priority for education

    •Inaugurates tractors, Air Force hospital in Bauchi

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday urged Nigerians to give priority to education and send their children to school to enable them work and become self-reliant and to contribute to the growth and development of the country.

    He also assured Nigerians that he would continue to fight corruption, saying the government would protect lives and properties of the people.

    Speaking in Bauchi during a visit, he joked that if he did not go to school, he could have been one of the herdsmen terrorizing the people.

    He inaugurated some projects undertaken by Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abubakar including 500 tractors and other farming tools to boost agriculture.

    He also inaugurated a 60-bed Reference Hospital constructed by the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) at its 251 Special Operations Command in Bauchi.

    Before kicking off the distribution of the tractors and agricultural implements and farm inputs, the president told the people he was interested in seeking reelection.

    Governor Abubakar commended the President for his giant strides in the areas of agriculture.

    President Buhari also spoke on his resolve to ensure the recovery of looted resources, saying his administration would ensure the judicious utilization of the funds.

    Addressing a big crowd at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, the president said.

    “Any person that loots government’s fund will be made to return it to the treasury for utilization on the education, health and security sectors, among others.

    “The present administration has reduced the price of fertilizer and provided agricultural loans through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which improved farm yields in the recent past.”

    He said as a former military Governor of the North Eastern State that comprised the entire North-East sub-region about 42 years ago, he was conversant with the challenges of the area.

    Governor Abubakar said the state government was committed to boosting agricultural activities and reducing unemployment among the teeming youth in the state.

    The President commended the Air Force  for reviewing its order of battle in respect of the current and emerging threats facing the country while inaugurating a 60-bed Reference Hospital constructed  by NAF at its 251 Special Operations Command, Bauchi.

    He said that the establishment of the command located within the hospital was the most recent testimony by NAF.

    “The initiative confirms our collective commitment to tackle any threat to the security of our country.

    ” The Air Force remains a key component of the Armed Forces in its constitutional role of providing aid to civil authorities across the country.

    “These services are: normal surveillance, security at airports, emergency assistance and resettlement of displaced persons,” he said.

    He said the hospital was part of the growing commitment to enhance the welfare of troops in the Theatre of Operations.

    He commended the Service Chiefs and military commanders for ensuring that the welfare and well being of the troops were given priority at all times.

    Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar  appreciated the support NAF had enjoyed saying, “it has positioned the service to effectively discharge its statutory responsibility.”

    “In the North-East alone, NAF has flown 14,803 flying hours, 29 minutes providing close air support, logistic re-supply, combat racce/patrol, battle interdiction and ISR rules to create enabling environment for our ground troops to undertake their operations with little or no hindrance, “he said ”

     

     

  • 2019 not my priority now, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said he is not pre-occupied with the 2019 election in which he has indicated interest to run for a second term.

    He told British Prime Minister Mrs. Theresa May in London that he is more concerned about his administration’s three-point programme than the forthcoming election.

    The President declared his second term bid before travelling to the United Kingdom last Monday.

    At a bilateral meeting with May at 10, Downing Street, London yesterday, Buhari said he could not afford to lose concentration on the economy, security and the anti-corruption war.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said “We campaigned on three major issues – to secure the country, revive the economy and fight corruption. We have elections next year, politicians are already pre-occupied with the polls, but I am bothered more about security and the economy.”

    Recalling that Nigeria and Britain have a long history of cooperation, Buhari said: “People ought to know how they arrived where they are, if they would move forward. It was a mistake for us to have stopped the teaching of history as a subject in schools, but we are returning it to the curriculum now.”

    He praised British companies like Unilever, Cadbury, and others, “that have stood with Nigeria through thick and thin. Even when we fought a civil war, they never left.

    “But like Oliver Twist, we ask for more investments. We are encouraging more British companies to come to Nigeria. We appreciate the support you have given in training and equipping our military, particularly in the war against insurgency, but we want to also continue to work with you on trade and investment.”

    The President also briefed May on his administration’s strides in agriculture, which he said has put Nigeria “firmly on the road to food self-sufficiency”.

    “I am very pleased with the successes in agriculture. We have cut rice importation by about 90%, made lots of savings of foreign exchange, and generated employment. People had rushed to the cities to get oil money, at the expense of farming.

    “But luckily, they are now going back to the farms. Even professionals are going back to the land. We are making steady progress on the road to food security.”

    The President noted that more investment was being made in education, adding: “People can look after themselves if well educated. In this age of technology, education is very important. We need well-staffed and well-equipped institutions to move into the next generation.”

    On climate change and environmental issues, the President  raised the necessity of inter-basin water transfer from Congo Basin to Lake Chad.

    He said:  “The Lake Chad is now about 10% of its original size, and it is perhaps one of the reasons our youths dare both the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean, to get to Europe. But if there is inter-basin water transfer, about 40 million people in Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Chad, and other countries stand to benefit.

    “I made the case during the Climate Change Summit in France. If Lake Chad is recharged, it will reduce the number of youths coming to Europe to increase social problems. We brought back about 4,000 people from Libya recently. Almost all of them were below 30, and Libya was not their final destination. They were headed to Europe.”

    May said Britain would continue to work with Nigeria in training and equipping the military.

    She said her country would continue to assist Nigeria in its bid to get back the abducted Chibok and Dapchi girls.

    The Buhari administration, she said, “has been making good progress on the economy.” May urged the administration to remain focused despite the approaching elections, and increase in political activities.

    On education and climate change, she said: “Good grounding in education is good. It is important to equip young people for today’s world. It is also a good bastion and defence against modern slavery.

    “The issue of the environment and climate change is very important, because of its impact on many countries in the Commonwealth. Stability at home is important, to curb illegal migration.” she said.

    May, who hailed the President for what he has been doing to improve trade and business for Nigeria, said it was also time to boost intra-Commonwealth trade.

  • Workers’ training remains our priority, says Akeredolu

    Workers’ training remains our priority, says Akeredolu

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has said the training and retraining of workers for optimum service delivery will form the central focus of his administration this year.

    The governor, in his first address to civil servants in the new year, urged them to update their knowledge in relevant areas of service.

    Akeredolu, who hailed the workers for showing understanding and cooperating with his administration from inception, solicited their continued support and rededication to duty.

    The governor said the people’s welfare would be the central focus of his administration’s aspirations and the extent to which they are satisfied would form the veritable yardstick for measuring the achievements of his government.

    He urged those who desire progress for the state to prepare to sacrifice.

    Akeredolu said every segment of the state would feel the direct impact of his administration.

    He said: “What concerns all must be shared and borne by all. Our people must also feel the direct impact of governance.”

    The governor added that the culture of payment of paying salaries and allowances of workers without the provision of social service to the people would not be allowed to continue.

    He said: “We intend to shift attention, progressively, keenly and resolutely, to the provision of social infrastructure for the people.

    “The embarrassing state of our roads, hospitals, schools and public utilities will be addressed. There is no gain asserting the obvious that the current practice cannot engender development. Consequently, we enjoin all public servants to remain loyal and dedicated in the discharge of their responsibilities.”

    The governor urged the workers to shun their bad habits and practices and have a change of attitude to duty.

    Akeredolu said: “As the government strives to block leakages, public servants must support the efforts to steer the ship of the state away from the precipice.

    “We have engaged some consultants, who have the mandates to improve the revenue base of the state. These efforts can only be complementary to the statutory functions of public servants, who serve the people in truth and in deed.

    “We, on our part, will continue to reward merit and diligence. We will also not fail to sanction any acts which stand at variance with the dictates of decency and regulations.”

     

  • ‘Increasing quality of electrical products our priority’

    The Executive Chairman, General Electrical Dealers Association of Nigeria (GEDA), Alaba branch, Felix Nwagu, has said increasing the quality of electrical products remains paramount to the association to checkmate counterfeiting of electrical products.

    Nwagu stated that focusing on quality has become imperative considering the dangers substandard electrical products pose to lives and properties. He spoke during the launch of a historical book on the association. He noted that measures such as workshops and seminars organised in partnership with government agencies were put in place to curb the damage and influx of substandard electrical products into the market.

    He noted that some of the agencies the association collaborates with include the Consumers Protection Council, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Customs Service, among others.

    Nwagu stated that such meetings have helped broaden the horizons of members in doing business in line with policies of the government’s agencies. He also spoke on the achievements of the association at the public presentation of the ‘history book’ and award.

    “Aside the seminars and workshops, we have put in place a disciplinary committee to combat substandard electrical products, “ adding that following the envisaged improvement in the power sector, some members with international business experience are building modern and state-of –the-art facilities where electrical products could be assembled and manufactured in the country.

    Speaking on the book, he said, this was an effort to codify the efforts.

  • Ogun to give priority to indigenous contractors

    Ogun State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite, has said the state would consider indigenous contractors  in the award of contracts for the construction of 171 rural roads.

    In a statement made available to The Nation  by the ministry’s Head of media, Mr. Ayokunle Ewuoso, the commissioner assured that notwithstanding the preference of government for smaller indigenous firms in the execution of this project, bigger firms will not be prevented from applying for the contracts.

    ‘’Presently, there are so many contractors that are working for us, including indigenous companies. Look at the present jobs where we have requested for Bids for the construction of the 171 rural roads and 25 semi-urban roads, deliberately we are saying they should be indigenous contractors for all these rural roads. We are not stopping the big contractors from applying, we are saying let our focus be on indigenous contractors in the 171 rural roads we want to do,’’ it read.

    While reacting to the accusation that government was more concerned with the construction of Federal roads at the detriment of state roads, Adegbite noted that government had constructed several state roads across the state.

    “There is hierarchy when you are doing roads. The one that benefits most, that is the spine (major roads), are the ones you will do first. We are not claiming that government ends with this administration. Government is continuum,” the statement read.

    He assured that all the roads constructed by the government were designed to last for a minimum of 30 years, adding that the state had written the Federal Ministry of Works on the need to cede some of these roads to Ogun.

  • Rural roads: ‘Indigenous contractors to get priority’

    Ogun State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Olamilekan Adegbite, has said the government will give indigenous contractors preference over the “big ones” in the award of contracts for the construction of 171 rural roads across the state.

    The government, yesterday, advertised in five national dailies its intention to build 171 rural roads and 25 semi-urban roads across the state.

    It identified three roads in each of the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs).

    Addressing reporters in his office in Abeokuta, the state capital, Adegbite assured the residents that the government would not stop those he called big contractors from getting jobs.

    A statement by the Head of Media in the ministry, Mr. Ayokunle Ewuoso, quoted the commissioner as saying the Ibikunle Amosun administration had revolutionalised the Infrastructural sector of the economy.

    The statement said: “Presently, there are so many contractors that are working for us including indigenous companies. Look at the present jobs where we have requested for Bids for the construction of the 171 rural roads and 25 Semi-Urban roads, deliberately we are saying they should be indigenous contractors in all these rural roads, while we are not stopping the big contractors not to apply, we are saying let our focus be on indigenous contractors in the 171 rural roads we want to do.”

    It added that “before any road would be considered for construction, government would have seen that it’s a road that will maximally benefit everybody”.

    Reacting to the accusation that the government was concerned about Federal roads at the detriment of state roads, Adegbite noted that the state government had built several roads across the state.

    The commissioner explained that hierarchy had always been considered in road projects.

  • Apapa Road is priority, says Fashola

    Apapa Road is priority, says Fashola

    Repair of the Apapa ports road is a priority to the Federal Government, Minister of Power, Works and Housing Mr Babatunde Fashola has said.

    Speaking with reporters in Abuja at the weekend after the ministry’s retreat, Fashola said arrangements for the deployment of an enduring solution on Wharf Road would soon be concluded.

    Some companies, he said, had agreed to work with government to fix Wharf Road, adding that the design and other requirements for the road were ready.

    What was left now was to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) before seeking the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC)’s approval, the minister said.

    Fashola said: “I just want to appeal to residents of Apapa, to people whose livelihood depends on Apapa, that Apapa is one of the priority roads under our priority of works to save roads that lead to critical ports. We also have Calabar on our radar. But one by one there would be an enduring solution. We have done the design, we have done everything for Apapa, it is ready. It is going to be a concrete road, I believe, that will last another 30 years. So we are close to starting work.”

    Fashola also said the government wanted to be clear whether what the companies were offering was Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or they wanted a tax refund for what they were offering, adding that the challenge of inadequate budgetary allocation had affected the roads over the years.

    “Year on year, you will see that the provisions for the budget funding of Apapa and the Tin Can Island and Mile 2 – Oworonshoki Roads, all of which evacuate the Port have not been sufficient really to deal with the cost”, he said.

    Fashola added: “The cost that we are getting from the contractor there is in the region of about N100billion and above and the annual budgetary appropriation that is approved for us is about N7 billion. And then there are debts that we met”.

  • Misplaced priority by politicians

    SIR:‘He who fail to plan is planning to fail’ said Benjamin Franklin. It is so unfortunate that 50% of our politicians in Nigeria don’t have a concrete agenda or plan for the communities and states they represent.

    They either get to the post by accident or by chance and now depend on whatever their self-interested advisers bring on board for them to act on.

    Let’s take the educational sector as a case study.

    Most governors place priority on building beautiful schools and giving students meal; this is excellent if they could complement it with teachers’ welfare that will make the teacher stay passionate about their jobs and be able to deliver optimally as expected.

    Physical infrastructures in educations system no matter how beautiful and well equipped, cannot make brilliant student. Good teachers working in conducive environment with good welfare package guarantees the level of intellectual development of children under their care.

    A good building and meal for the students with a wearisome mentor is just like a beautiful car with a visually impaired driver.

    Let’s quickly answer the questions below in our mind; Are the brilliant students in the secondary schools encouraged to attend the Nigerian College of Education? How many times in a year do we send our teachers for training? Do we encourage the teachers to do more than they are doing presently?

    Can you allow your child to go to a College of Education or become a teacher?

    For education sector to be improved in Nigeria, I urge the governors, the federal government and proprietors to prioritize the motivation/ development of the teachers and reawake the literary and debating club to motivate and boost the confidence of the students.

     

    • Ademola Adesoji,

    campusscope@yahoo.com

     

  • Entrepreneurship programme in varsities is misplaced priority, says ASUU

    Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has described the Entrepreneurship Programme initiated by Federal Government in the nation’s tertiary institutions as a propaganda tools by agents who are bent on entrenching the concept of neo liberalism in the country.

    The union described the entrepreneurship programme as a misplaced priority, noting that instead, government needs invest in peoples’ talents.

    Instead, the union urged Federal Government to embrace a new concept called ‘Developmental State’ in which recognises and harnesses human talents and the nation’s resources.

    The union made its position known in a one day symposium with the theme ‘Three decades of Neo-Liberalism in Nigeria’ organised by the University of Lagos chapter of ASUU, at its main auditorium

    “The entrepreneurship education programme are myths projected by agents of liberalism,” ASUU said.

    “They are turning the whole thing like craftsmanship in our tertiary institutions rather than talking about knowledge base that will allow the people see the need to support the state.

    “Neo liberalism is an imposition and ASUU rejects it in its entirety’ ASUU added.

    ASUU national President Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, said that the union fears that government sustaining neo liberalism concept will further open the country to foreign exploiters who are more interested in controlling the economy and killing public utilities.

    Ogunyemi said proponent of neo liberalism will always convince government to either drastically reduce or completely stop funding public utilities, a development the union fears would further plunge public universities and other tertiary institutions and public utilities into deeper financial crisis.

    Said Ogunyemi: “The situation on ground (economic recession) is the mismanagement of our economy over the years. We missed the point the moment we stopped planning our economy. We were now trying to borrow from the perspective of World Bank and IMF which is rooted in neo liberalism.

    “Neo liberalism as we have said in this forum, is an imposition by an external group and what they are interested in is how to further open up our economy for exploitation. Unfortunately, our leaders have not demonstrated sufficient patriotism and level of altruism. Those who are controlling our economy today are from the private sector and that is what neo liberalism preaches.

    “When you say government should ‘roll back from the public space’ that means government should stop supporting public institutions and facilities; and that translates to less funding for public utilities.

    “The culmination of all of these is that those that are expected to benefit from these institutions will also not be sufficiently patriotic because they don’t see the state doing much for them.

    “Our union believes neo liberalism has not and cannot help this country; and we are urging government to sit back and do a rethink.

    “We are in support of the new concept called ‘Developmental State’ which essentially recognises the need to harness the talents of the people and resources, and make the people work by investing in them. When you build the capacity of the citizenry, they will come back to serve the country.

    “That was the path the Asian Tigers went. It was not as if IMF and World Bank did not try them, but those countries rebuffed them. Unfortunately, here we don’t have leaders that are strong to resist IMF/WB formula; so we have been moving in circles.”

    The symposium also had four other speakers- professors Omotoye Olorede; Abubakah Momoh; Ndubuisi Nwokoma and Mustapha Akinkunmi who spoke either in support or against the theme.

    ASUU said it is working in collaboration with the Nigerian Labour Congress to review the present economic situation, adding that soon, the two bodies will come up with a conference where they will offer their blueprint on how to bail the nation from her financial doldrums.

    ASUU continued: “If the economy is well planned, you take from then rich to finance the poor. They (governments) are talking about taxation now, but how many of these rich individuals actually pay the accurate tax? Go to Abuja and you find out that about three quarters of those high rise buildings there are locked up. Nobody is there. But you can’t do that in Europe or America because the taxes that will be imposed on them will stop them from building houses they will not occupy. But they are using those structures to launder our money.