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What we want from Tinubu this year, by Niger Delta stakeholders

Niger Delta stakeholders have called on President Bola Tinubu to increase funding for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Niger Delta Affairs Ministry.

The two demands form the major components of wish lists they want the President to attend to this year in the interest of the Niger Delta and the nation in general.

Others include restructuring of the country, the establishment of Federal Oil and Gas Facilities Protection and Enforcement Authority (FOGFPEA) and modular refineries; completion of the East-West Road and commencement of a coastal road linking the region and Lagos; reduction of prices of petroleum products, appointment of a Niger Delta indigene as substantive Minister of Petroleum, adequate funding of Niger Delta Affairs Ministry and a review of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

The stakeholders are the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILoT), Future Nigeria Movement (FNM) , the Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), and Isoko Development Union (IDU).

A former Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Udom Ekpoudom, former National Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (Southsouth) Edet Nkpubre and erstwhile Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Bassey Essien toed the same line with the groups.

Read Also: Plateau crisis: Pray against killings in 2024 – CAN president

PANDEF, according to its Publicity Secretary. Ken Robinson, particularly wants the “deplorable condition” of federal roads to be tackled and modular refineries set up to engage unemployed youths in crude oil refining.

The group recalled that in 2017, former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo promised a presidential initiative for the establishment of a modular refinery.

PANDEF said: “There should be a presidential initiative for modular refineries to take care of our unemployed youths. This will solve youths’ restiveness and unemployment.

“Aside from the above, President Tinubu should pay attention to the economic well-being of the people of the Niger Delta by resuscitating the badly managed ports, including those in Calabar, Onne, Koko, Warri and Port Harcourt.”

ILoT wants the Tinubu administration to enhance security in the Southsouth, complete the East/ West Road, commence the construction of a coastal road project linking Lagos and the Niger Delta as well as end environmental pollution in the region.

The group, through its National Publicity Secretary, Amorighoye Mene, praised the President for the policies already in place, adding that they have led to increased oil production.

It said: “Previous governments have not done much in building critical infrastructure such as roads, schools and health facilities in the region, which is a major reason for restiveness in the region.

“The coastal road should be put on the front burner. We hope it will pass through Delta State. Although we have not seen the masterplan, we sincerely hope as Itsekiri people, that the Coastal Road project links Delta state through the Koko- Ogheye axis to the Ibeju- Lekki industrial hub so we can benefit from the growth potentials of that corridor in Lagos state.”

Also, FNM appealed to the President to set up a Federal Oil and Gas Facilities Protection and Enforcement Authority (FOGFPEA) to eliminate oil theft.

Its Leader, Livingstone Wechie, said that if established, FOGFPEA would result in a community approach to the protection of oil facilities.

He said: “It is strongly recommended that the Tinubu administration should urgently set up a Federal Oil and Gas Facilities Protection and Enforcement Authority (FOGFPEA).

“This should be staffed by capable locals with special training and armed with the skills to protect oil and gas facilities across the country to guarantee maximum production in that sector, which is the lifewire of the nation’s economy. It will fully contain the teething problems of oil and gas theft and promote accountability in that sector.

“Mr. President, in keeping with his renewed hope agenda, should come up with a national policy to place a travel ban on himself and other appointees including elected officials.

“All foreign engagements by the federal government should be designated and delegated to Nigerian diplomatic and Consular Agents abroad. This will impact positively on the economic recovery plan.

“Mr President should review his security management plan by ensuring that those who have turned insurgency merchants should be brought to justice.

“The President should be more intentional in stimulating Nigeria’s economy. The economic environment should be liberalised to give room for a new army of entrepreneurs. Government should open the window to encourage citizens’ innovation so great ideas do not die from bottlenecks and lack of incentives.

“There should be a deliberate actionable policy and program of the government to fully support Artisan Refineries in the Niger Delta. We must grow an organic economy where citizens are supported to be involved and become contributors to the economic development of Nigeria.”

MOSIEND also called on Tinubu to do more in funding the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA) and prioritising prompt payment of the outstanding arrears of NDDC.

National President of MOSIEND, Kennedy Tonjo-West, also tasked President Tinubu to site more developmental projects in the Niger Delta.

He implored the Federal Government to take over the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) Port Harcourt terminals in the region since they are not creating the desired employment and economic progress required like the Tincan and Apapa Ports in Lagos State.

Tonjo-West said: “We commend the Mr President for listening to the people of the Niger Delta by constituting the NDDC Board and the quality of professionals he appointed — they all understand the pains and sufferings of the people, especially the oil-bearing communities. They have been engaging with critical stakeholders to find collective and sustainable solutions that will improve the standards of living of the people, at least better than the previous government.

“Our agenda and expectations are simple and shouldn’t take Mr President time to implement and write his name on the sands of time. We recommend that Mr President make the Minister of State for Petroleum as the substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources for better productivity and performance.

“However, if he wants to show that his decision to be the Petroleum Minister is for a sincere and honest purpose, he should as well make himself the Minister of Mines and Steel in order to identify and uncover the humongous corruption in the ministry.

“We expect Mr President to adequately fund the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, prompt payment of the outstanding areas owed the NDDC to enable it to meet the developmental needs of the people of the region.”

The MOSIEND boss urged Mr President to demonstrate his willingness to end illegal bunkering by issuing licences to locals who had indicated an interest in the modular refinery and site more projects in the littoral areas of the region.

He added: “Mr President should instruct the department keeping the monies paid by companies that violate gas flares law causing hazards to the people of the oil-producing communities to immediately release such to the communities.

“We want Mr President to direct an upward review of the budget of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) as the programme has suffered a huge setback as some former administrators of the programme intentionally stifled the scheme with funds because of their desperate dispositions to shut down the programme at all costs.”

Also, the people of Isoko Nation called on President Tinubu to tackle health, education and energy infrastructural challenges in their area.

The President-General of Isoko Development Union (IDU), Prof. Chris Akpotu, said his people desired improved standard of living, stable power supply as well as better health and education facilities

He said: “I can tell you that our expectations are high, especially when we reflect on the current hardship all over the place, the standard of living falling on a daily basis.

“We look forward to a government that will be able to operationalise her policies and strategies to the extent that people will begin to have some relief, people will have a reason to be Nigerians. That is what we look forward to as Isoko people.

“Our expectations are not far from what every other person is expecting because the economy is actually biting beyond measure.

“Aside from improvement in the standard of living, we are equally looking forward to infrastructural development, especially in the area of health facilities and educational facilities in our schools.

“We are bothered about the state of blackout. In order words, we are interested in seeing energy improved upon. However, the Isoko people have already come up with an initiative of how they can capitalize on the deregulation of the energy sector to possibly have an alternative source of energy.”

“Because once we have that in place, our economy would have been properly triggered to the extent that people become much more engaged in economic activities beyond what it is now.”

Former DIG Ekpoudom, an ex-PDP leader in the Southsouth, Nkpubre, and one-time Speaker Essien advocated restructuring.

They said that human and infrastructural development of the Niger Delta would be boosted if the region is allowed to control its oil resources by way of fiscal federalism.

Ekpoudom said: “I recall that the President as governor of Lagos State had always called for the restructuring of the country. He is a strong believer in true federalism which allows states to control their resources and contribute a quota to the centre.

“As President, he now has the opportunity to match words with action so that states in the Niger Delta can use their God-given endowments to develop themselves and provide meaningful standards for themselves”.

Nkpubre regretted that many federal projects in the region had not been completed due to inadequate funding . .

He lamented that a section of East-West road in Oron Akwa State remained uncompleted many years after it was awarded.

January 2, 2024
BREAKING: Tinubu signs 2024 Budget, threatens to sack aides who won’t help implementation

President Bola Tinubu has signed the N28.78 trillion 2024 Appropriation Bill into law, following the ceremony with a warning to ministers and heads of agencies that those who would not aid effective implementation of the budget may be eased out.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu assented to the bill at the State House, on Monday, shortly after returning to Abuja from Lagos.

Speaking at the signing of the bill, the President assured Nigerians that the implementation of the budget would be efficiently pursued and vigorously monitored, saying “I cannot conclude my remark without saying that a budget is only as good as its implementation. We will implement this. I want to assure Nigerians that all the MDAs and our teams have been warned, that’s why we even take our time to separate Economic Planning from Finance.

“MDAs must have regular reports of the budgetary performance in the area that we put in place to help ordinary Nigerians. The goal is to promote efficiency, dedication, and accountability. If you cannot do that, you may have to leave us to do the job on your behalf.

“All MDA’s have been directed to take responsibility and provide monthly Budget Performance Reports to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, which in turn shall ensure the veracity of such.

“The Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy shall hold regular reviews with the Economic Management Team and, in addition, I shall Chair periodic Economic Coordination Council meetings,” he said.

He lauded the National Assembly for the work it did to bring the budget out on time, recalling his Budget Presentation moments and summing the expedience put into the process to the kind of positive relationship existing between the executive and legislative arms of government.

“When I presented the budget on the November 29, 2023, I presented N27.5tn and left room and I called for expeditious treatment of the budget, the review, the passing, the debate and all that.

Today we have a budget of N28.7tn with an increase of N1.2tn over the proposal that I submitted.

“I thank the National Assembly for this prompt review, adjustment and auditing necessary. This is an evidence and a great testament to the excellent relationship between the executive and the legislature. We should keep it up”, he said.

He went on to highlight both the focus and structure of the budget, which is said is aimed at giving hope to the ordinary Nigeria and as well as weighing the balance more on capital expenditure more than the recurrent.

“In my address then, I remarked that the budget is a Budget of Renewed Hope. It is anchored on reducing the deficit and increasing capital expenditure, particularly in our priority areas. The approved 2024 Budget that we just approved, achieve both objectives. It contains a very good increase in the capital side, a reduction in recurrent expenditure and it brought down the deficit from 6.11% to 3.88%. That, to me, is an achievement.

“Then we can debate in the area of economic thinking, whether capital expenditure and reduction in the recurrent means what. It’s a subject of interpretation. It means a lot. It means where the hope is hanged in development and particularly human capital development.

“When you pay attention to Education, Health and road infrastructure, you are resuscitating the economy and making sure that the ordinary people are carried along.

“While we take Power and Steel and other projects, one of the priority areas we just passed is the N100bn provision for the feeding of school children that is a stimulant that will encourage our school attendance and others.

“I’ll been meeting with local governments at sub-national levels so that we can collaborate and jointly bring an all inclusive programme that will help. Yes, I’m pleased with what you’ve done with the judiciary and other areas. All other details will be mentioned in future”, he said.

The top priorities of the 2024 budget of N28.7 trillion are defense and internal security, job creation, macro-economic stability, improved investment environment, human capital development, poverty reduction, and social security.

The President emphasized that his commitment to enhance investment promotion while creating a rules-based society that favours no individual over the law begins with important reforms in the Nigerian judiciary, the funding for which is captured in the 2024 Appropriation Act.

“Funding the judiciary is a major element in our effort to support a just, rules-based society. Statutory transfer to the Judiciary has been increased from 165 billion naira to 342 billion naira,” the President said.

Some of the key estimates are capital expenditure, N10 trillion; recurrent expenditure, N8.8 trillion; debt service, N8.2 trillion, and statutory transfers, N1.7 trillion.

Speaking on how the budget will be funded, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, said government would immediately do what it needs to do to ensure that all revenues are brought in, so it could rely more on generated revenues than on borrowing.

“The first thing to say is that it’s a lower budget deficit, so it’s a lower financing requirement and in fact, as a percentage of GDP, the budget deficit is down from 6.1% to 3.8%. So we’re relying less on borrowing and more on revenue and I think you have to take the two together. I think we’re very optimistic about the improvements in revenue that will take place.

“We are all ready, even from tomorrow, applying technology and the digitalization to ensure that the revenue that should come to government from all sources, including from government-owned enterprises, comes into the consolidated revenue fund and on the other side, we are bringing order to government borrowing, so Ways and Means is being eliminated by taking the funding that is required from the market, as opposed to from printing of money by Central Bank.

“That, in a nutshell, is what is happening on the financing side. We are very optimistic that not only will this budget be funded adequately, but it will be funded on a timely basis as well”, he said.

Reacting to criticisms from some quarters that the budget was passed in a hurry, Bagudu said the budget went through a thorough process, but explained that the process was seamless this time around because all those involved in the process, from the President down the line were experienced in the process.

“There’s nothing like in a hurry. This shows that people are on their toes. Mr. President had experience as a member of the National Assembly, he had the experience as a state governor and then luckily for us as a country, now he’s sitting atop the affairs as the President.

“Equally, many members of his team; the Vice President, Chief of Staff, SGF, many ministers, the First Lady of the Federation, so there has been a buildup of relationship between the National Assembly… as it ought to be.

“Committees are supposed to be working, it’s not when you are passing budget that committees should know the priorities of the relevant sectors. Mr. President, ever since he was sworn in, left no one in doubt that look, I want you to respect institutions; as ministers, respect National Assembly. They work well with the committees.

“The oversight is respected, we welcome interrogation, he said so publicly. So even before the budget process started full-stream, there was good understanding about what the challenges are, what the priorities are, and therefore it’s easy to come to conclusion as to what we should do, and that’s what we have done”, he explained.

Meanwhile, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who addressed State House Correspondents afterward, said the legislature will be working closely with the executive to monitor the budget’s implementation, given the President’s earlier directive.

“So we have already enjoined all our committees to get to work. And that means the President has also pointed out that it’s good to have a monthly report from the ministers or the MDAs and any head of any agency or minister found wanting to have to find his way out of his administration, with that instruction and order.

“With that directive from the President, ours is to monitor what goes on to ensure that, indeed, it is one thing to do a budget; it is another thing for the budget to be fully implemented,” said Akpabio.

He also defended the move N27tn Tinubu proposed last November to N28tn, saying it had “very verifiable justifications.”

Also speaking, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, revealed that the 2024 budget was not the only piece of legislation President Tinubu assented to on Monday.

Abbas told journalists that Tinubu also signed the supplementary budget 2023—which will now run until March 31—and securtitised the controversial Ways and Means.

He explained: “Mr. President has signed two other bills. The first one is the supplementary appropriation bill of 2023, which he has agreed to extend by 90 days. So, it will continue to work concurrently with the 2024 budget up to March 31.

“He has also approved the 2023 main budget to concurrently operate with the capital component of the 2024 budget up to March 31, 2024.

“Another landmark achievement we had was also approving the securitisation of the ways and means that have effectively brought to an end these controversial means and ways of borrowing money. And he has assured Nigerians that this will be the last of this kind of ugly incident”, Abbas said.

Among those with the President while he signed the budget were the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, were on hand as well.

Also on ground were the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje; Chairman of the Senate Appropriation Committee, Senator Olamilekan Adeola; Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Hon Abubakar Bichi, among other

January 1, 2024
BREAKING: Tinubu signs N28.78tn 2024 Budget into law

President Bola Tinubu has just signed the N28.78 trillion 2024 Budget into law at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

President Tinubu, who arrived his office from the airport at exactly 2pm, headed straight for the brief budget signing ceremony, surrounded by senior government officials.

Among those with the President while he signed the budget were the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, were on hand as well.

Read Also: 13 notable quotes from President Tinubu’s New Year address to Nigerians

Also on ground were the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje; Chairman of the Senate Appropriation Committee, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, among others.

Details later…

January 1, 2024
13 notable quotes from President Tinubu’s New Year address to Nigerians

President Tinubu’s New Year address to Nigerians is filled with messages of hope and encouragement for the year 2024.

The president started by highlighting that he understands the plight of Nigerians and that tough times never last.

Here are 13 notable quotes from the president’s speech:

1. “Everything I have done in office, every decision I have taken and every trip I have undertaken outside the shores of our land, since I assumed office on 29 May 2023, have been done in the best interest of our country”.

2. “Over the past seven months of our administration, I have taken some difficult and yet necessary decisions to save our country from fiscal catastrophe. One of those decisions was the removal of fuel subsidies, which had become an unsustainable financial burden on our country for more than four decades”.

3. “Dear Compatriots, take this from me: the time may be rough and tough, however, our spirit must remain unbowed because tough times never last. We are made for this period, never to flinch, never to falter. The socio-economic challenges of today should energize and rekindle our love and faith in the promise of Nigeria. Our current circumstances should make us resolve to work better for the good of our beloved nation. Our situation should make us resolve that this new year 2024, each and everyone of us will commit to be better citizens”.

4. “Just this past December during COP28 in Dubai, the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and I agreed and committed to a new deal to speed up the delivery of the Siemens Energy power project that will ultimately deliver reliable supply of electricity to our homes and businesses under the Presidential Power Initiative which began in 2018. Other power installation projects to strengthen the reliability of our transmission lines and optimise the integrity of our National grid are ongoing across the country”.

5. “My administration recognises that no meaningful economic transformation can happen without steady electricity supply. In 2024, we are moving a step further in our quest to restart local refining of petroleum products with Port Harcourt Refinery, and the Dangote Refinery which shall fully come on stream”.

6. “To ensure constant food supply, security and affordability, we will step up our plan to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmlands across the country to grow maize, rice, wheat, millet and other staple crops. We launched the dry season farming with 120,000 hectares of land in Jigawa State last November under our National Wheat Development Programme.

In this new year, we will race against time to ensure all the fiscal and tax policies reforms we need to put in place are codified and simplified to ensure the business environment does not destroy value. On every foreign trip I have embarked on, my message to investors and other business people has been the same. Nigeria is ready and open for business”.

7. “I will fight every obstacle that impedes business competitiveness in Nigeria and I will not hesitate to remove any clog hindering our path to making Nigeria a destination of choice for local and foreign investments”.

8. “We will work diligently to make sure every Nigerian feels the impact of their government. The economic aspirations and the material well-being of the poor, the most vulnerable and the working people shall not be neglected. It is in this spirit that we are going to implement a new national living wage for our industrious workers this new year. It is not only good economics to do this, it is also a morally and politically correct thing to do”.

9. “I took an oath to serve this country and give my best at all times. Like I said in the past, no excuse for poor performance from any of my appointees will be good enough. It is the reason I put in place a Policy Coordination, Evaluation, Monitoring and Delivery Unit in the Presidency to make sure that governance output improves the living condition of our people.

We have set the parameters for evaluation. Within the first quarter of this new year, Ministers and Heads of Agencies with a future in this administration that I lead will continue to show themselves”.

Read Also: Tinubu celebrates Sokoto Gov at 54

10. “Fellow Nigerians, my major ambition in government as a Senator in the aborted Third Republic, as Governor of Lagos State for eight years and now as the President of this blessed country is to build a fair and equitable society and close the widening inequality. While I believe the rich should enjoy their legitimately-earned wealth, our minimum bargain must be that, any Nigerian that works hard and diligent enough will have a chance to get ahead in life. I must add that because God didn’t create us with equal talents and strengths, I can not guarantee that we will have equal outcomes when we work hard. But my government, in this new year 2024 and beyond, will work to give every Nigerian equal opportunity to strive and to thrive”.

11. “For the new year to yield all its good benefits to us as individuals and collectively as a people we must be prepared to play our part. The job of building a prosperous nation is not the job of the President, Governors, Ministers, Lawmakers and government officials alone. Our destinies are connected as members of this household of Nigeria. Our language, creed, ethnicity and religious beliefs even when they are not same should never make us work at cross purposes”.

12. “In this new year, let us resolve that as joint-heirs to the Nigerian Commonwealth, we will work for the peace, progress and stability of our country. I extend this call to my political opponents in the last election. Election is over. It’s time for all of us to work together for the sake of our country”.

13. “We must let the light each of us carries – men and women, young and old – shine bright and brighter to illuminate our path to a glorious dawn”.

January 1, 2024
Tinubu celebrates Sokoto Gov at 54

President Bola Tinubu has celebrated the 54th birthday of the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto.

President Tinubu’s felicitation message to Governor Sokoto was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

The President lauded the outstanding leadership testimonials of Dr. Sokoto, noting his steady growth and consistency in quality service provision as he ascended the public service ladder as two-time Commissioner, Deputy Governor, and Pioneer Executive Secretary of Police Trust Fund to now serving as the Executive Governor of Sokoto State.

Read Also: BREAKING: Tinubu addresses Nigerians, says 2024 will be prosperous

He commended the governor for his unequivocal adherence to progressive principles and penchant for unquestioned loyalty under the able mentorship of Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, while appreciating his implementation of people-oriented programmes in Sokoto, such as the robust provision of infrastructure, potable water, environmental sanitation, health services, widening deployment of digital innovation and ICT training for the youth, care for the physically challenged, among others.

President Tinubu wished the Governor good health, strength, and wisdom in the service of Sokoto state and Nigeria at large.

January 1, 2024
Food supply, security our main focus in 2024 – Tinubu

The Federal Government is to expand efforts toward a massive food supply to feed the nation in 2024, President Bola Tinubu said on Monday in a nationwide broadcast.

Tinubu added that the provision of land for the production of staple crops across the country would receive a boost in the year.

Tinubu, in his New Year message delivered in Lagos, said that this was part of efforts by his administration to ensure that all citizens feel the direct impact of government on their lives.

“To ensure constant food supply, security and affordability, we will step up our plan to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmlands across the country to grow maize, rice, wheat, millet and other staple crops.

“We launched the dry season farming with 120,000 hectares of land in Jigawa State last November under our National Wheat Development Programme.

“The programme aims to enable farmers to produce sufficient certified seeds, aligning with the nation’s target of cultivating between 200,000 to 250,000 hectares of wheat under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-pocket project.

“Federal Government will support about 150,000 to 250,000 farmers with 50 per cent input subsidy to cultivate between 200,000 to 250,000 hectares with an expected yield of 1,250,000 tonnes of wheat.

“The task of building a better nation and making sure we have a Nigerian society that cares for all her citizens is the reason I ran to become your President. It was the core of my Renewed Hope campaign message on the basis of which you voted me as President.

“Everything I have done in office, every decision I have taken and every trip I have undertaken outside the shores of our land, since I assumed office on 29 May 2023, have been done in the best interest of our country.

“In this new year, we will race against time to ensure all the fiscal and tax policies reforms we need to put in place are codified and simplified to ensure the business environment does not destroy value.

“On every foreign trip I have embarked on, my message to investors and other business people has been the same: Nigeria is ready and open for business,’’ he said.

Tinubu also said that the provision of a steady electricity supply would receive a boost with the initiatives put in place to realise this, adding that the presidential initiative on power supply has been accelerated with his foreign engagement in Germany.

“Just this past December during COP28 in Dubai, the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and I agreed and committed to a new deal to speed up the delivery of the Siemens Energy power project that will ultimately deliver reliable supply of electricity to our homes and businesses under the Presidential Power Initiative which began in 2018.

Read Also: BREAKING: Tinubu addresses Nigerians, says 2024 will be prosperous

“Other power installation projects to strengthen the reliability of our transmission lines and optimise the integrity of our National grid are ongoing across the country.

“My administration recognises that no meaningful economic transformation can happen without steady electricity supply.

“In 2024, we are moving a step further in our quest to restart local refining of petroleum products with Port Harcourt Refinery and the Dangote Refinery, which shall fully come on stream.’’

The president called on Nigerians to support the government to succeed in its laudable policies and programmes.

“The current difficulties are necessary for a better future; Nigeria will be better for it,” he said.(NAN)

January 1, 2024
I’ll justify the trust Nigerians place on me – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu says he will continue to work toward a better Nigeria to justify the trust placed on him by electing him into office in February 2023.

The President, who stated this in a New Year message on Monday in Lagos, said that justifying that trust had been his burden in all his policies and programs within and outside the country, since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

“It was a year you, the gracious people of this blessed nation, entrusted your faith in me with a clear mandate to make our country better, to revamp our economy, restore security within our borders and revitalise our floundering industrial sector.

“I am also expected to boost agricultural production, increase national productivity and set our country on an irreversible path towards national greatness that we and future generations will forever be proud of.

“The task of building a better nation and making sure we have a Nigerian society that cares for all her citizens is the reason I ran to become your President. It was the core of my Renewed Hope campaign message on the basis of which you voted me as President.

“Everything I have done in office, every decision I have taken and every trip I have undertaken outside the shores of our land since I assumed office on 29 May 2023, have been done in the best interest of our country.

“Over the past seven months of our administration, I have taken some difficult and yet necessary decisions to save our country from fiscal catastrophe.

“One of those decisions was the removal of fuel subsidy which had become an unsustainable financial burden on our country for more than four decades.

“Another was the removal of the chokehold of few people on our foreign exchange system that benefited only the rich and the most powerful among us.

“Without doubt, these two decisions brought some discomfort to individuals, families and businesses.’’

The president said he was aware of the various complains by Nigerians on the recent reforms introduced by the administration, adding that those are necessary sacrifices every Nigeria must bear for a better future.

Read Also: BREAKING: Tinubu addresses Nigerians, says 2024 will be prosperous

“From the boardrooms at Broad Street in Lagos to the main-streets of Kano and Nembe Creeks in Bayelsa, I hear the groans of Nigerians who work hard every day to provide for themselves and their families.

“I am not oblivious to the expressed and sometimes unexpressed frustrations of my fellow citizens. I know for a fact that some of our compatriots are even asking if this is how our administration wants to renew their hope.

“Dear Compatriots, take this from me: the time may be rough and tough, but our spirit must remain unbowed because tough times never last.

“We are made for this period, never to flinch, never to falter. The socio-economic challenges of today should energise and rekindle our love and faith in the promise of Nigeria.

“Our current circumstances should make us resolve to work better for the good of our beloved nation. Our situation should make us resolve that in 2024, each and every one of us will commit to be a better citizen,’’ Tinubu said.

(NAN)

January 1, 2024
Every trip I have taken since I assumed office is for Nigeria – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has addressed Nigerians on his New Year’s mandate to make the nation a prosperous and economically viable one

He said that every trip he has gone on since taking the oath of office in May has been for the benefit of the country.

Tinubu made this known in his New Year’s speech to Nigerians.

He said: “Everything I have done in the office, every decision I have taken, and every trip I have undertaken outside the shores of our land, since I assumed office on May 29, 2023, I have done in the best interest of our country.

Read Also: BREAKING: Tinubu addresses Nigerians, says 2024 will be prosperous

When speaking about meeting foreign investors, he further said: “On every foreign trip I have embarked on, my message to investors and other business people has been the same. Nigeria is ready and open for business.”

January 1, 2024
Six key takeaways from Tinubu’s New Year address

President Bola Tinubu has addressed Nigerians on his mandate to make the nation a prosperous and economically viable one in the New Year.

He gave the speech by 7 a.m. on Monday, January 1, assuring Nigerians that 2024 will be better for the nation.

Here are seven key takeaways from his speech:

1. Electricity:

President Tinubu highlighted that a developing economy cannot survive without stable electricity.

He said: “Just this past December during COP28 in Dubai, the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and I agreed and committed to a new deal to speed up the delivery of the Siemens Energy power project that will ultimately deliver a reliable supply of electricity to our homes and businesses under the Presidential Power Initiative which began in 2018.

Other power installation projects to strengthen the reliability of our transmission lines and optimise the integrity of our National grid are ongoing across the country.

My administration recognises that no meaningful economic transformation can happen without a steady electricity supply.”

2. Local refinery:

He also promised the resumption of production at the local refineries.

He said: “In 2024, we are moving a step further in our quest to restart local refining of petroleum products with Port Harcourt Refinery, and the Dangote Refinery which shall fully come on stream.”

3. Food supply:

The president spoke on food supply in the country, he revealed the plans the solve the food scarcity crisis in Nigeria.

He said: “To ensure constant food supply, security and affordability, we will step up our plan to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmlands across the country to grow maize, rice, wheat, millet and other staple crops.

We launched dry season farming with 120,000 hectares of land in Jigawa State last November under our National Wheat Development Programme.”

4. Cabinet members:

The President on Monday, January 1, reiterated his resolve to transform the country regardless of the challenges being faced in achieving his set goals.

He also emphasized that he would not tolerate poor performance from any of his appointees, saying that there wouldn’t be any room for failure.

Read Also: BREAKING: Tinubu addresses Nigerians, says 2024 will be prosperous

5. Local and foreign investments:

Tinubu also addressed the issues foreign investors face in Nigeria. He promised that his administration would remove these barriers.

He said: “In this new year, we will race against time to ensure all the fiscal and tax policies reforms we need to put in place are codified and simplified to ensure the business environment does not destroy value.

On every foreign trip I have embarked on, my message to investors and other business people has been the same. Nigeria is ready and open for business.”

6. Realizing the 2024 budget

The president also broke down the priority areas for the 2024 budget

He said: “In my 2024 Budget presentation to the National Assembly, I listed my administration’s 8 priority areas to include national defence and internal security, job creation, macro-economic stability, investment environment optimization, human capital development, poverty reduction, and social security.

Because we take our development agenda very seriously, our 2024 budget reflects the premium we placed on achieving our governance objectives.”

January 1, 2024
Tinubu to workers: We’ll implement new minimum wage this year

President Bola Tinubu has reassured Nigerian workers that his government will implement a new national minimum wage this year to alleviate their plights.

The president, in a nationwide broadcast on New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1, said his administration would work diligently to make sure every Nigerian feels the impact of their government.

He said the economic aspirations and the material well-being of the poor, the most vulnerable and the working people shall not be neglected.

Tinubu said: “It is in this spirit that we are going to implement a new national living wage for our industrious workers this New Year. It is not only good economics to do this, but it is also a morally and politically correct thing to do.”

He added that in this New Year, his government would race against time to ensure all the fiscal and tax policies reforms it needed to put in place were codified and simplified to ensure the business environment did not destroy value.

Read Also: Tinubu felicitates Kaduna Governor Sani at 53

He said on every foreign trip he had embarked on, his message to investors and other business people had been the same, that Nigeria is ready and open for business.

Tinubu vowed to fight every obstacle that impedes business competitiveness in Nigeria and that he would not hesitate to remove any clog hindering the path to making Nigeria a destination of choice for local and foreign investments.

He explained that in his 2024 Budget presentation to the National Assembly, his administration’s eight priority areas included national defence and internal security, job creation, macro-economic stability, investment environment optimization, human capital development, poverty reduction and social security.

He added: “Because we take our development agenda very seriously, our 2024 budget reflects the premium we placed on achieving our governance objectives.”

January 1, 2024