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  • COP28: Tinubu announces rollout of 100 electric buses

    COP28: Tinubu announces rollout of 100 electric buses

    President Bola Tinubu said his administration has deployed a fleet of 100 electric buses to mark Nigeria’s significant step towards a sustainable and eco-friendly future.

    According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu stated this at a high-level meeting with stakeholders and investors on the Nigeria Carbon Market and Electric Buses Rollout Programme in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on the margins of the COP28 climate summit. 

    Tinubu explained that the strategic initiative is aimed at significantly reducing Nigeria’s carbon footprint and modernizing the country’s transportation systems as part of a larger effort to position Nigeria and Africa as the pioneering frontier of green manufacturing and industrialization with a focus on natural gas as a transition fuel alongside other renewable energy sources.

    To spearhead this transformative plan, the President announced the appointment of the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Zacch Adedeji, and the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Mr. Dahiru Salisu, to co-chair the Nigeria Carbon Market Activation Plan.

    ”This initiative stands as a testament to our dedication to environmental stewardship as clearly exemplified through our collaboration with the Africa Carbon Market Initiative. Our visionary plan is a strategic guidepost, directing Nigeria towards becoming an investment-friendly destination for carbon market investments. 

    ”We recognize the imperative of fostering an environment that not only attracts investment but also upholds standardized and sustainable industrial practices. As a manifestation of our forward-thinking approach, we are actively looking to implement robust, enabling policies and frameworks that will serve as the catalyst for the burgeoning growth of the carbon market within our national borders. 

    ”In further driving my commitment, I have recently approved an Inter-governmental Committee on Carbon Markets to be chaired by the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change to drive this visionary plan,” the President stated.

    Read Also: Tinubu provided flash drive with budget details, Rep slams colleague

    The President assured prospective investors that this initiative transcends being a mere pilot project. 

    FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji acknowledged the visionary leadership of President Tinubu as the guiding force behind Nigeria’s commitment to harnessing its vast carbon potential.

    Reiterating Nigeria’s readiness to lead the global effort to combat climate change, Adedeji described the initial phase of the rollout of the electric buses as a tangible symbol of Nigeria’s commitment to modernizing its transportation systems while reducing Africa’s modest carbon footprint.

    COP28
  • Tinubu provided flash drive with budget details, Rep slams colleague

    Tinubu provided flash drive with budget details, Rep slams colleague

    Alhassan Doguwa, the lawmaker for the Doguwa/Tundun Wada Federal Constituency in Kano, has kicked against allegation President Bola Tinubu sent lawmakers the 2023 budget without details. 

    Opposition lawmaker, Yusuf Galambi, representing the Gwaram Federal Constituency in Jigawa, claimed on BBC Hausa Friday that Tinubu only submitted an empty document during his Wednesday budget presentation speech before the National Assembly.

    Galambi said: “We checked the case of the document he presented and found it empty. In the history of the National Assembly, such an incident has never happened until this year and this is not what the constitution of the country said should be done.”

    But addressing journalists, Doguwa insisted that the lawmakers had received Tinubu’s full budget submissions before his address at the joint session.

    “What people don’t know is that President Tinubu had since submitted a flash drive of the whole budget before his presentation to the joint chambers,” Doguwa stated. 

    Read Also: Tinubu inaugurates TETFund projects in Ebonyi, reiterates commitment to education

    He described suggestions that the legislators only got empty 2023 budget documents as “baseless” and “unfounded.”

    Doguwa emphasised that Tinubu gave out hard copies of his speech following protocol as well as a flash drive that had soft copies of the whole appropriations bill and estimates.

    The lawmaker demanded end of willful fabrication of facts regarding the budget presentation exercise by the presidency.

    According to him: “Stop the misrepresentation of facts, we did not receive empty 2024 budget boxes from President Tinubu.”

  • Youths’ coalition hails Tinubu for reappointing Kyari NNPCL boss

    Youths’ coalition hails Tinubu for reappointing Kyari NNPCL boss

    Youth leaders under the auspices of the Coalition of Northern and Southern Youth Leaders Forum (CNSYLF) have hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over reappointment of the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.

    The coalition also lauded the President for the appointment of Chief Pius Akinyelure as the Chairman of the Board of the NNPCL.

    The coalition comprises Arewa Youth Movement; Yoruba Youths Ethnic Movement for Good Governance; Middle Belt Youth Movement; Niger Delta Women for Peace and Good Governance; Igbo Youth Movement for Peace; Ibibio/Efik Youths Worldwide; Niger Delta Advocate for Peace and Good Governance; and the Niger Delta Ex-militants Movement for Peace.

    In a statement yesterday by the Convener, CNSYLF, Comrade Emmanuel Fiawei Pathfinder, the coalition said that the appointment of the duo was wise and detribalised, as they both represent the North and the South of Nigeria in the nation’s oil and gas company.

    Read Also: Obaseki congratulates Shaibu on 54th birthday

    Pathfinder, a foremost ex-militant leader, expressed optimism that both of them being experienced persons in the oil and gas industry would further take Africa’s number one oil giant to a new height according to global standards in no distant time.

    He said Tinubu’s reappointment of Kyari was a testament to the significant achievements being recorded so far, and by improving the nation’s daily crude oil production output from 1.2m to now 1.7m barrels as well as  for the laudable giant strides in the war against oil theft in the country.

    Pathfinder also praised the unanimous decision taken by the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives last week to pass a vote of confidence in the NNPCL boss at the National Assembly chamber.

    He said the nod to Kyari’s reappointment by President Tinubu was not far-fetched, noting that it was basically attributed to Kyari’s outstanding and painstaking excellent performance demonstrated by courageously repositioning the nation’s oil and gas sector to an enviable height with ease of doing business policies being implemented by him.

    Pathfinder noted that Kyari’s reappointment as GCEO of the nation’s oil company for another fresh tenure in office had already vindicated Mele Kyari of any wrongdoings.

    He said the development had proved that all the frivolous, baseless and false allegations purportedly levelled against him were mere lies from the pit of hell and cheap blackmail sponsored by some corrupt personalities in collaboration with their oil theft cabals.

  • Tinubu inaugurates TETFund projects in Ebonyi, reiterates commitment to education

    Tinubu inaugurates TETFund projects in Ebonyi, reiterates commitment to education

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the development of the country’s education sector.

    He also pledged continued support to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) so that it will continue to play its role in the development of tertiary education in the country.

    He stated this while inaugurating some TETFund sponsored projects in Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.

     The projects include an Information Communication Technology (ICT)/Research Centre, Library and Faculty of Education building.

     Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, noted that his administration had demonstrated commitment towards the development of education since the commencement of his administration in May 29,2023.

     He listed some actions and policies of his administration in this regard to include the introduction of the students’ loan initiative to ease access to tertiary education for indigent students, and meeting personally with the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)to discuss the welfare of Nigerian students.

    Read Also: Obaseki congratulates Shaibu on 54th birthday

     His administration, he said, also approved a waiver of the No Work,No Pay order on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),which would pave the way for members of the union to receive part of their withheld salaries.

     “These are part of conscious efforts being made by his administration to address students’ challenges and create industrial harmony between staff unions and government,” he said.

     He lauded TETfund led by the Executive Secretary Arc Sonny S.T. Echono for their efforts at effectively discharging the mandate of the Fund for the continuous development of public tertiary education in Nigeria.

     “As we all know,education plays a critical role in the socio-economic development of nations.

     “I wish to reiterate that education forms an integral part of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope agenda, hence the Federal Government would continue to provide necessary support towards making our educational institutions globally competitive for economic and technological development of the nation.

     “It is on record that over the years,TETFund through the support of the Federal Government has performed exceptionally in the provision of physical infrastructure,support for academic staff training and development,book publication,ICT,Research and Development amongst others in public tertiary educational institutions across the country.

    “I wish to assure you that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains totally committed towards providing greater support and the enabling environment to enable the fund improve on its performance”, he said.

     Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc Sonny Echono  said the institution has so far enjoyed allocations of over N10bn for infrastructure-related interventions cutting across the Annual, Special,Special High Impact,and Zonal interventions amongst others.

  • Ex-Ondo Commissioner Adekanmbi lauds Tinubu over Akinyelure’s appointment

    Ex-Ondo Commissioner Adekanmbi lauds Tinubu over Akinyelure’s appointment

    A former Ondo Commissioner for Special Duties, Culture and Tourism Femi Adekanmbi has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the appointment of Dr. Pius Akinyelure as Chairman of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

    He described Akinyelure as the pride of Ondo State.

    Tinubu approved the appointment of board and management team of NNPCL. 

    A statement by Adekanmbi explained Akinyelure, a former director of Mobil’s Nigerian subsidiary is a seasoned and distinguished administrator who had over 30 years working experience in oil industry at top management/executive levels, both Upstream and Downstream.

    The statement reads: “Akinyelure is a boardroom guru and a man highly respected in the politics of Ondo State and Nigeria.” 

    Read Also: Tinubu appoints Akinyelure, Kyari, Mitee into NNPCL Board

    “President Tinubu has once again demonstrated his love for the good people of the state with the appointment of our noble leader and a philanthropist of note.”

    Adekanmbi added that the appointment of Akinyelure as NNPCL Chairman indicates that President Tinubu is prepared to take Nigeria out of the woods. 

    “Dr. Akinyelure’s appointment is a pointer to the fact that the Tinubu administration will take Nigeria out of the woods in no time. He is a professional whose multi-disciplinary backgrounds creatively and productively challenge the ways organizations develop their people and practical knowledge of the job.”

    He however wished Akinyelure and the new board successful tenure of office with great service to the nation.

  • Budget: Nigerians should relax with Tinubu as driver, says Idimogu

    Budget: Nigerians should relax with Tinubu as driver, says Idimogu

    Deputy apex leader of Ndigbo in Lagos APC, Sir Jude Idimogu, says with President Bola Tinubu as the driver of the 2024 Budget, Nigerians have nothing to fear on implementation.

    Idimogu, a former two-term lawmaker who represented Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, disclosed this on Thursday in an interview in Lagos.

    The former lawmaker was reacting to the 2024 Appropriation Bill of N27.5 trillion, tagged: “Budget of Renewed Hope”, which the President presented to the National Assembly on Wednesday in Abuja.

    According to Idimogu, Nigerians should relax and remain hopeful because Tinubu is a financial expert, a businessman turned politician with experience in both fields.

    “As termed the renewed hope budget, I am very optimistic that the climate will change for the better with the crop of human resources around the President.

    “I believe, with the President, we are going to achieve more; even now that Tinubu is making efforts to market Nigeria to foreign nations.

    “I am hopeful and I want to tell Nigerians to be hopeful. There is hope in this budget,” Idimogu said.

    He said that the results of Tinubu’s efforts across the globe to seek investments in the Nigerian economy would soon yield results.

    Read Also: Tinubu confirms Adepoju as substantive Immigration CG

    The former lawmaker, who noted that Tinubu needed the support of everyone, said, “it is easy to destroy but not easy to rebuild.”

    On borrowing, Idimogu, also a financial expert, noted that Tinubu’s 2024 budget had shown reduction in borrowing to N 9.18 trillion, as against about  N13 trillion incurred in 2023.

    According to him, there cannot be any overnight magic to stop borrowing over to finance the budget.

    “There is nothing wrong in borrowing as long as we can spend the money wisely,” he said.

    Idimogu, however, stressed the need for accountability and transparency, urging the President’s cabinet members to be patriotic in managing the nation’s resources.

    Applauding Tinubu’s resolve to block all financial leakages, Idimogu urged the President to put a finishing touch on security to encourage investors.

  • World Disability Day: Foundation eulogises Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu

    World Disability Day: Foundation eulogises Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu

    A non-governmental organisation, Kehinde Oshilaja Foundation, has eulogised the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for their roles in making life more meaningful and worthwhile for the people living with disability.   This was done to commemorate this year’s World Disability Day.

     The Coordinator, Comrade Kehinde Oshilaja, made this known at a pre-event for the commemoration of this year’s World Disability Day with the theme: A day for all as an organisation, championing the cause of people living with disabilities in Nigeria. The event was held yesterday at their headquarters in Ebute-Metta, Lagos. 

     Oshilaja hailed Senator Tinubu for her love and support for people living with disability, especially for her

     Renewed Hope Initiative, which was tailored towards making all and sundry, including women and children, to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

    Read Also: Healthcare delivery: FG seeks private sector help to bridge procurement funding gap

     He said: “Let all of us use this occasion of this year’s World Disability Day to commend the First Lady, Senator Tinubu, for her love and support for people living with disabilities. We love you Mama. Our prayer is that you and your husband succeed for a more secure and prosperous country.”

     Oshilaja also praised Governor Sanwo-Olu and business tycoon, Femi Otedola, for their support and contribution to the education and welfare of people with disability.

     The foundation appealed for more support, especially total inclusion of people living with disabilities in all tiers of government, federal, state and local government, by setting up a special budget for the education of people living with disabilities.

     “We love the way and manner Governor Sanwo-Olu is handling all that has to do with our members, but like Oliver Twist, we need more inclusiveness in all tiers of government so that all that concern our members will be pre-captured in budgets of all tiers of government, to  cater for all that concern people living with disability,” Oshilaja said.

  • Tinubu, National Assembly urged to revisit 2014 constitutional conference report

    Tinubu, National Assembly urged to revisit 2014 constitutional conference report

    Former Vice – Chancellor, Abia State University, Uturu, Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, has urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to revisit the report of the 2014 Constitutional Conference as it addressed most of the challenges of the country’s development.

    He noted that the recommendations of the conference, if implemented, could accelerate the “tempo of our nation-building efforts.”

    Mkpa stated this in Abuja while delivering a keynote lecture of the 3rd annual public lecture series, induction and conferment of honorary doctorate degree of the African School of Diplomacy and International Relations.

    The event, with the theme “The Political Economy of Nation-Building: The World’s Unfinished Business”, was organised in collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast, United Kingdom (UK).

    He said: “That conference made landmark recommendations which, had they been implemented, could have accelerated the tempo of our nation-building efforts.”

    Mkpa noted that the country’s path to nation-building could become a mirage if individuals are stronger than institutions.

    Read Also: Healthcare delivery: FG seeks private sector help to bridge procurement funding gap

    He said military coups in some African countries are the “effect of unfinished business of nation-building in those countries and Nigerian leaders should use the 2014 Constitutional Conference report to normalise things.”

    He said: “One of the most near-successful efforts in Nigeria’s history of nation-building, that would have arrested most, if not all the stumbling blocks towards the nation’s unsteady march towards nation-building was the national conferences of 2014.

    “The recommendation addressed the critical obstacles to nation building which include devolution of power, creation of state police, resource control, electoral reform, youth empowerment and fear of domination of any ethnic group.

    “Others are reduction of cost of governance, transparency, fight against corruption, to inject and consolidate the ideal of nationhood into the psyche of Nigerians in the continuing effort towards nation-building.”

  • Tinubu meets King Charles III at COP28

    Tinubu meets King Charles III at COP28

    President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, November 30, met with His Majesty, King Charles III, on the sidelines of the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates

    In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Tinubu said he had a productive engagement with the 75-year-old monarch.

    Read Also: Tinubu confirms Adepoju as substantive Comptroller-General of Immigration

    The president tweeted: “I had a productive meeting with His Majesty, King Charles III of England who is also the Head of the Commonwealth, and a passionate climate advocate.

    “The meeting was a significant step in strengthening the partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, and I am optimistic about the positive impact our joint efforts will have on our planet’s future as we look forward to setting an equitable global standard for environmental stewardship at COP28.”

  • Tinubu confirms Adepoju as substantive Comptroller-General of Immigration

    Tinubu confirms Adepoju as substantive Comptroller-General of Immigration

    President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the appointment of Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju as the substantive Comptroller General (CG) of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), The Nation has learnt.

    Adepoju broke the news of her confirmation to the staff of the NIS during the Comptroller General’s Parade on Wednesday, November 29.

    She told officers and personnel present at the parade that the date for her decoration would be announced in due course.

    She was quoted to have said: “You may also wish to know, that through the grace of God and by the benevolence of the present government, I have been confirmed as a substantive Comptroller General of Immigration.”

    As the most senior Deputy Comptroller General (DCG), Mrs Adepoju was appointed the acting CG on May 29, 2023, following the retirement of CG, Isah Idris Jere from the Service.

    Meanwhile, Adepoju further announced at the Parade that some members of the top management team who took part in a promotion exam have been elevated to the ranks of Deputy Comptrollers General.

    She added that the date of their decoration would be made known as soon as possible.

    Adepoju also called on officers to observe a minute of silence in honour of members of the service who died some weeks ago in the line of duty while on their way back to the Headquarters from a trip to Kano. She enjoined them to pray that the Almighty God rest their souls in peace.

    The CGI announced that the parade was dedicated to the memory of our fallen colleagues and assured that NIS would continue to support the bereaved families.

    She said an Endowment Fund is being created by the Service for the upkeep of the families of the deceased.