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Tag: tinubu

  • Retirees write Tinubu on denied benefits

    Retirees write Tinubu on denied benefits

    Retirees of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have demanded payment of their terminal benefits.

       They criticised the management for not implementing conditions approved in 2021.

    In a letter to President Bola Tinubu,  the senior citizens who retired in 2022, said life has become hard, saying four colleagues died due to inability to pay hospital bills.

    Read Also: My plans, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

     “Since retiring in 2022, we had been in a financial mess, four colleagues died due to inability to pay hospital bill.”

      They appealed to Tinubu to ensure payment of their benefits and arrears from September 2021.

      A letter signed by Olukayode Joseph, Sunday Idugboe and Jalal Lawal, said the retirees spent 35 years in the federal civil service but were seconded to NIMC under Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy.

  • IMF: Growth coming with Tinubu’s economic policies

    IMF: Growth coming with Tinubu’s economic policies

    • By Nduka Chiejina and Collins Nweze, Marrakech, Morocco 
    • Investors, rating agencies positive
    • ICAN: Exchange rates reforms, subsidy removal in order

    Nigeria is on the right growth path with the “bold” reforms of the Tinubu Administration, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said yesterday.

    Mission Chief, Daniel Leigh, said the President moved quickly with vital changes, including ending petrol subsidy and unifying the exchange rates.

    “We welcome these initial bold reforms because we see them as paving the way towards stronger and inclusive growth,” he said.

    Leigh spoke at the ongoing IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Marrakech, Morocco during the presentation of the World Economic Outlook.

    Also, the Economic Counsellor and the Director of Research of the IMF, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, said he was optimistic that the reforms will accelerate Nigeria’s economic growth.

    But the country’s growth is projected by the Fund to slide to 2.9 per cent next year from 3.3 per cent this year, and 3.1 per cent in 2025.

    But, Nigeria needs to increase domestic resource mobilisation to depend less on borrowing, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun said on the sidelines of the event.

    He believes efficiency in tax collection, payment of due obligations and cost-effective expenditure will help strengthen the economy.

    IMF has reviewed sub-Saharan Africa’s growth rate downward due to what Leigh called global shocks.

    He said: “There is a slight downward revision for the region as a whole. 

    “We are expecting growth at about 3.3 per cent this year and that’s about 0.2 percentage points downward revision. 

    “There is a slight downward revision for next year to about four per cent.

    Read Also: IMF: Tinubu’s economic reforms pave way for stronger, inclusive growth

    “We see African growth at 3.34 per cent and that is above average but it is below the potential that Africa has and it needs to catch up more quickly.”

    According to him, the “shocks” include higher food and fertilizer prices due to the war in Ukraine, and a funding squeeze that has resulted in limited access to capital.

    He said the global economy, however, continues to recover from the pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis.

    To him, the resilience has been remarkable.

    Gourinchas said: “Despite war-disrupted energy and food markets and unprecedented monetary tightening to combat decades-high inflation, economic activity has slowed but not stalled.

    “Even so, growth remains slow and uneven, with widening divergences. The global economy is limping along, not sprinting.”

    The IMF research director said the latest projections showed that the world economic growth will slow from 3.5 per cent in 2022 to three per cent this year and 2.9 per cent next year.

    The 0.1 percentage point downgrade for 2024 from July remains well below the historical average, he noted.

    According to Gourinchas, headline inflation continues to decelerate, from 9.2 per cent in 2022 on a year-over-year basis, to 5.9 per cent this year and 4.8 per cent in 2024.

    He stressed that fiscal buffers have been eroded in many countries, with elevated debt levels, rising funding costs, slowing growth, and an increasing mismatch between the growing demands on the state and available fiscal resources.

    These, he noted, leave many countries more vulnerable to crises and demand a renewed focus on managing fiscal risks.

    The IMF chief added: “Core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, is also projected to decline, albeit more gradually, to 4.5 per cent next year. 

    “Most countries aren’t likely to return inflation to the target until 2025.

    “As a result, projections are increasingly consistent with a soft landing scenario, bringing inflation down without a major downturn in activity, especially in the United States, where our forecast increase in unemployment is now modest, from 3.6 per cent to 3.9 per cent by 2025.”

    Edun: domestic resource mobilisation key

    Edun said: “The fact is that we have to depend on our resources and savings to a larger extent.

    “We must be efficient in collecting taxes and fees and payments that are due; we must be more efficient and cost-effective with our expenditure and we must create a bigger base of financing from our resources.

    “We must rely on ourselves and we must pull ourselves up much more than relying on others. 

    “I think that was an important message that came out.”

    Edun said Africa demands “a bigger voice” and “a third seat” in the governance of the World Bank and IMF.

    “We want greater representation at the table in which some of these decisions are taken.

    “Coming back home, it’s all about what is being done and major steps are being taken to reform the tax environment,” he said.

    On the need for debt reduction, the minister added: “Our focus is to increase the flow of non-debt funds. 

    “So, rather than borrowing, there’ll be a focus on encouraging investment, domestic and foreign.”

  • ICAN: Tinubu’s economic policies courageous

    ICAN: Tinubu’s economic policies courageous

    President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms yesterday received commendation from one of Nigeria’s reputable institutions, the  Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). 

    ICAN  said the “courageous” policies, especially subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, would lead to economic development.

    The institute recalled that prior to the February 25 poll, it had demanded that whoever emerged as President must remove petrol subsidy.

    ICAN 59th President  Innocent Iweka Okwuosa reflected on the Tinubu administration at the 53rd Conference of the Institute in Abuja.

    President Tinubu was represented at the conference with the theme: “Nigeria: Imperatives for Inclusive, Development,” by Power Minister   Adebayo Adelabu.

    Other prominent Nigerians who attended the event were Budget and National Planning Minister Atiku Bagudu, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo and  Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye  Ogunwusi.

    Okwuosa told the participants that the conference theme was in line with Tinubu’s economic reform policies.

    Read Also: Tinubu approved concrete reinforcement for roads – Umahi

    He said: “ You will agree with me that the theme of this conference is apt in the sense of the bold economic policies of this administration and what the citizens have to grapple with. For example, we have seen a courageous fuel subsidy removal and the unification of exchange rates.”

    Okwuosa pointed out that ICAN has a mandate to ask questions about economic policies that would lead to development.

    He added that ICAN instead of focusing on the advancement of the accounting profession alone,  also pays attention to what would be in the interest of the greater majority.

    The ICAN boss recalled that “as far back as December last year, when we didn’t know which government will be in power by  May of this year, we chose the conference theme to be “Nigeria: The Imperative of Inclusive Development.

    “It means while setting the tone for the Federal Government, we were setting the tone, not knowing which political party would win the election.”

    Tinubu, who opened the conference, said the theme underscores “our collective vision for a Nigeria where every citizen, regardless of their background, has an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from our nation’s progress.”

    He described the event as timely and poignant, saying: “The theme of this conference underscores our collective vision for a Nigeria where every citizen, regardless of their background, has an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from our nation’s progress.” 

    The president added that inclusivity was not merely an aspiration, but a moral,  economic necessity and fundamental pillar of his national agenda.

    President Tinubu also said that accountants do not only bear the responsibility of ensuring that financial systems practices are robust and transparent, but also have the duty to engender inclusive development.

    Tinubu described accountants as the custodians of integrity, the guidance of financial transparency and architects of financial systems that can drive growth.

    He urged ICAN  to ensure that deliberations at the conference would serve as the catalysts for all-encompassing innovative solutions, transformative policies and strategies that promote economic growth. 

    The President said his administration looked forward to the suggestions and recommendations on how to collectively solve Nigeria’s multi-faceted challenges.

    He  paid tribute to the doyen of the profession, the late Mr. Akintola Williams.

    Speaking for himself, Adelabu informed the institute, which he is   a member, that “when you have an accountant in power, you have it all.”

    Oba  Ogunwusi, attributed his attainments to the ICAN, saying he will never forget the body.

    The monarch said: “I started at a very young age. The greatest aspiration of my life was to be a chartered accountant before age 21.

    “I started from the Accounting Technician Scheme set up by one of the past ICAN Presidents, Balogun Onidiowa. I was one of the qualified associates for the scheme. They were teaching us then that accountants don’t make the best entrepreneurs.  All along, I just wanted to be an entrepreneur. Because of that,  I  veered off and I started a business.

    “By the grace of God, everything I learnt in ICAN, made me   what I am today. I used my accounting background to put a very good structure around my business.”

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume, represented by a Permanent Secretary in his office, Nberi Nnamdi, expressed optimism  that the conference would provide solutions to the challenges hindering development in the country.

    The Accountant General of Federation (AGF), Oluwatoyin Madeyi, said her office has 94 percent of its employees as accountants.

    She described transparency and accountability as key to inclusive development.

    Budget and National Planning Minister Bagudu noted that the masses believe that social contract between them and their leaders had broken down.

    Noting however, that macroeconomic measures have been taken to ensure that everyone is included, Bagudu said with the support of the present government, those in the distraught can do better.

    Governor  Soludo, who was the guest speaker, noted that with even the release of N27 trillion into the economy, interest rates cannot be in the single digits.

    He spoke on  “Accountability, Transparency and Trust in Governance.

    The governor pointed out that the people must have trust in the system for success to be recorded.  

  • Tinubu approved concrete reinforcement for roads – Umahi

    Tinubu approved concrete reinforcement for roads – Umahi

    Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi, on Tuesday, said he had secured the buy-in of President Bola Tinibu on the decision of his ministry to adopt the concrete reinforcement method for the construction of public roads

    Umahi, who disclosed this while speaking to journalists at the State House, Abuja, after meeting with President Bola Tinubu, also explained reasons why the Federal Government decided to adopt the new method instead of the age-long use of asphalt, one of which he hung on the durability of the works.

    The Minister also alleged that he had discovered there are collaborators within the ministry working with contractors that had ganged up against him and the Federal Government on the choice of concrete reinforcement.

    He threatened to flush out these elements within the ministry who have been conniving with contractors to frustrate government’s efforts at development, adding that he would be employing the services of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to prosecute the affected officials.

    He also highlighted the advantages of cement roads over asphalt/bitumen, including cheaper costs and the need to encourage local production of cement against importation of bitumen.

    Speaking on why Nigeria is going for concrete and how he had managed to secure President Tinubu’s support for it, Umahi said: “so why would you allow adulterated bitumen and then you come here you say you’re putting modifier.

    Read Also: FG to reconstruct collapsed Enugu bridge – Umahi

    “We are all witnesses that in the 50s, the roads constructed on asphalt in the 50s, were much more durable than what we witness today. So this is all we are saying, we are not saying people should not construct roads on asphalt, but if Nigerians are saying they should not have value for their money, that roads should continue to be constructed every year, the same roads, then it’s very unfortunate.

    “That is what my ministry is fighting and we are ready, I’m very courageous to defend this. I learned there is gang up by contractors, but there is no going back and Mr. President is backing this position.

    “We are offering alternative. What is the alternative? The alternative is what High Tech is doing in Lagos with Dangote. The alternative is for you to go to Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and see what they are doing on concrete. Every day you have over 500 static loads from the wharf loaded on that road, you will not see any crack. No asphalt work, no matter who did it, can sustain that.

    “So we are saying that concrete is very friendly with water and so we want you contractors to have an alternative. There is a catalyst in the use of concrete pavement. It will create jobs for our people. Everything about the construction is local. 10 manufacturers of cement have indicated interests to build cement factories.

    “That is good for our economy. It will reduce pressure on the naira. The road is going to be much more durable and some people say it’s more expensive. It’s not more expensive. Some people put even three binders on their road construction, I get the roads will fail,” he said.

    The Minister disclosed that he had been able to get approval from President Tinubu for works to immediately commence on some road projects across the country, adding that a task force, comprising of stakeholders from various sectors.

    “Let me also announce to Nigerians that Mr. President is a listening President. All the interventions we requested in our East-West Road in Benin-Sapele road, in Lokoja, in Shandam Lafia, you know, the bridge that has broken, in the two bridges in Enugu that got broken, in a Owerri-Onitsha road that got broken at two points. The third mainland bridge resurfacing and the underneath work. I can’t finish all, they have all been approved by Mr. president.

    “So we have set up Taskforce in all the locations where these approval that were made by Mr president to ensure that within three months we would conclude all that is needed based on their approval.

    “And let me also announce that we have Taskforce that would supervise for contractors, all the way from Lokoja to Benin, to Warri, Bayelsa, Rivers State and Cross River. We are also deploying consultants to supervise our roads. Our engineers will also be sites to learn from experience. Mr. President has also given approval,” he said.

  • IMF: Tinubu’s economic reforms pave way for stronger, inclusive growth

    IMF: Tinubu’s economic reforms pave way for stronger, inclusive growth

    • By Nduka Chiejina and Collins Nweze, Marrakech, Morocco

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday, October 10, said economic reforms started by President Bola Tinubu, would trigger stronger and inclusive growth for the economy.

    Speaking during the presentation of World Economic Outlook at the ongoing IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Marrakech, Morocco, the Economic Counsellor and the Director of Research of the IMF, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas lauded the speed at which President Tinubu instituted important reforms on unified exchange rates and removal of subsidy on petrol.

    He said the move would accelerate Nigeria’s economic growth projected by the Fund from 3.3 per cent this year to 2.9 per cent next year, and 3.1 per cent in 2024.

    He said: “There is a downward revision for this year, partly this is because of the demonetization, the high inflation, the shocks to agriculture and hydrocarbon output. That is coming on top of all those external headwinds.

    Mission Chief at IMF, Daniel Leigh, said that President Tinubu has moved quickly with important reforms including ending the fuel subsidies and unifying the official exchange rates. 

    He said: “We welcome these initial bold reforms because we see them as paving the way towards stronger and inclusive growth.”

    On Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), he said: “On SSA there is a slight downward revision for the region as a whole we are expecting growth at about 3.3 per cent this year and that’s about 0.2 percentage points downward revision, there is a slight downward revision for next year to about four per cent.

    “For SSA we have growth bothering out in 2023 and coming back up in 2024 inflation is peaking but it is still in double digits for more than 40 percent of the economies, we see African growth at 3.34 per cent and that is above average but it is below the potential that Africa has and it needs to catch up more quickly.”

    “The shocks ridden growth are diverse but there are several external ones coming from the higher food and fertilizer prices from the war in Ukraine the funding squeeze, harder to get capital and still very high spreads for several economies and exchange rate pressures.”

    He said the global economy continues to recover from the pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis. In retrospect, the resilience has been remarkable.

    Read Also: Why IMF continues lending to member states

    “Despite war-disrupted energy and food markets and unprecedented monetary tightening to combat decades-high inflation, economic activity has slowed but not stalled. Even so, growth remains slow and uneven, with widening divergences.

    The global economy is limping along, not sprinting,” he said.

    Gourinchas said the latest projections showed that the world economic growth will slow from 3.5 per cent in 2022 to three per cent this year and 2.9 per cent next year, a 0.1 percentage point downgrade for 2024 from July. This remains well below the historical average.

    He said headline inflation continues to decelerate, from 9.2 percent in 2022 on a year-over-year basis, to 5.9 percent this year and 4.8 percent in 2024.

    Gourinchas said: “Core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, is also projected to decline, albeit more gradually, to 4.5 percent next year. Most countries aren’t likely to return inflation to the target until 2025.

    “As a result, projections are increasingly consistent with a soft landing scenario, bringing inflation down without a major downturn in activity, especially in the United States, where our forecast increase in unemployment is now modest, from 3.6 percent to 3.9 percent by 2025.”

    Gourinchas said fiscal buffers have eroded in many countries, with elevated debt levels, rising funding costs, slowing growth, and an increasing mismatch between the growing demands on the state and available fiscal resources. This leaves many countries more vulnerable to crises and demands a renewed focus on managing fiscal risks.

  • Tinubu’s leadership and Gbajabiamila’s passion for negotiation

    Tinubu’s leadership and Gbajabiamila’s passion for negotiation

    • By, Kachala Mustapha

    Globally, the relationship is now symbiosis, which requires mutual respect from both employers and employees.

    This is what Gbajabiamila was playing out, I must commend him for his significant contributions and important roles so that in the end it will be a win-win thing between the labour union and the government.

    Gbajabiamila was outstanding in the pursuit of a peaceful resolution of the Labour Union over the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

     Kudos to him, in getting a nation to be proud of, it is important other stakeholders imbibe this spirit of patriotism to reposition our institutions.

    Recall in 2022 Femi Gbajabiamila played a pivotal role in helping to resolve ASUU vs FG saga…… Attending Meetings upon Meetings between ASUU representatives and the Federal Government.

    He has shown over time that his intervention in the most prominent, educated and humane approach is a testimony of his capacity, sagacity and dedication to serving his country. He’s the HERO here.

    We all must rally around to commend those who are very proactive in trying to make sure that the true process of social dialogue to resolve the challenges is put in place.

    At the same time, those who cautioned people who think employment relationship is still old ways of master-servant relationship must recognize that globally, the relationship is now symbiosis, that requires mutual respect from both the employers and the employees.

    What else can adequately describe the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila’s compassionate character than a beautiful mediator and a reliable negotiator who thrives in making his principal prosper?

    The fisher of talent, President Bola Tinubu, had discovered how talented he was when he nominated him as the speaker of the House of Representatives in 2015.

    The talent discovered by Asiwaju led to his persistence in nominating him again in 2019.

    Alas, he became the speaker and he stood tall, he was distinguished in his role.

    He became a speaker that solves problems.

    A speaker with foresight is now a Chief of Staff reliably executing all of his boss’ duties.

    Who else knows Gbajabiamila was the instrument behind the resolution of the Dubai visa ban on Nigerians? ….. Time without numbers, nights without sleep, he was up and doing towards its peaceful resolution that sees Nigerians on a peaceful sojourn to the Arab Nation after years of embargo.

    Same Gbaja was instrumental during Asiwaju’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly meeting.

    In the wee hour of the 2023 general elections, in his quest to make the election more inclusive, he sponsored a bill towards making a direct primary the sole decider of the party’s candidate, this feat shows how passionate he is about making people’s voices heard.

    While Nigerians were being tortured by Godwin Emefiele with his evil policy that almost put the nation on fire, he was there clamouring for the masses who were at the detriment of the policy.

    Read Also: Gbajabiamila: No amount of falsehood can stop Tinubu’s wheel of good governance – Group

    He also dialogues with fuel marketers towards making fuel available for the masses to bridge scarcity which always aids the hike in transport fees.

    These and many money can’t be forgotten amongst the human-centred interventions that can’t be forgotten in our hearts.

    Asiwaju the father of our Democracy should be commended for discovering such huge talent, not to forget his role in bringing out the talent in Gbaja which in turn had seen a greater contribution towards the greater future of our nation.

    Kachala Mustapha, a public analyst, writes from Kubwa, Abuja

  • How Tinubu should appoint next EFCC head, by group

    How Tinubu should appoint next EFCC head, by group

    A group, Transparency and Anti-Corruption Campaign in Africa (TACCA), has urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint the right person as chairman the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Its Country Director, Idahosa Osamhanze, said in a statement that the next head of the agency should    be a competent person.

    Noting that the EFCC secretary, Olukayode Olanipekun, has been nominated as acting chairman,  the group said he should be thoroughly screened before confirmation.

    The group said government should ascertain whether he can do the job in accordance with its vision of repositioning the country.

    Read Also: Tinubu: I’m focused on lifting Nigeria to greatness

    “It is the wish of Nigerians that President Tinubu should always appoint credible men with proven integrity from the South, who are intellectually gifted.

    “TACCA does not want President Tinubu to make any mistake that will affect the implementation of his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.”

    “We know that the president meant well for Nigerians, he should make sure that the right person is appointed.

    “We want to make a passionate appeal to Mr President to patiently shop for a good  replacement and competent anti-graft crusader that can change the narrative for the. betterment of all Nigerians.”

  • Tinubu: I’m focused on lifting Nigeria to greatness

    Tinubu: I’m focused on lifting Nigeria to greatness

    • SGF briefs President
    • There’s stability under APC govt, says envoy

    The President reaffirmed yesterday that he is not distracted from the task of putting Nigeria on the path of progress.

    According to him, taking the country to a higher pedestal is his major preoccupation.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made his feelings known in a tweet on his X handle posted along with his photographs during a meeting with Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume.

    The meeting was held at the President’s office inside Aso Villa in Abuja.

    The tweet reads: “All hands must be on deck in the great task of positioning our dear nation for progress.”

    The President, it was learnt, held the meeting with the SGF on government business and the SGF briefed him on the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

    The government has been working hard to provide a revival peel for the economy as a result of petrol subsidy removal and unification of the naira/dollar exchange rates.

    Efforts are also ongoing to ensure the implementation of the agreements reached with labour leaders last week, which staved off the workers’ strike threat.

    The government is committed to the fulfilment of the terms of the agreements within 30 days.

    The SGF is the coordinator of the affairs of the Federal Government. The office is also the clearing house for the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    Besides, appointments to boards of government departments and agencies are made through the office with the approval of the President.

    Apart from local matters, the President might have been briefed on the situation of the Israeli/Palestinian war which broke out at the weekend.

    This month, the President is scheduled to engage with foreign leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is expected on a visit for bilateral economic discussions.

    North Korea has acknowledged the country’s political stability under the Tinubu Administration.

    The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Ambassador Jon Tong Chol visited the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja yesterday.

    Read Also: Medical doctor bags two years in jail for stealing hospital beds in A’Ibom

    The ambassador observed that though the Tinubu-led administration took over at a difficult time, “it is apparent that the new administration is making progress in the fields of national security and revival of the economy”.

    Chol, who emphasised the need to exchange ideas between the two nations, also sought a partnership between APC and the ruling Workers Party of Korea.

    He said: “I see that Nigeria is now a politically stable country, and we see the achievements made in the fight against terrorists, such as Boko Haram and also the separatist groups.

    “We cannot achieve progress in nation building apart from securing peace of the country.

    “And we see that not only the administration but the leadership of the ruling party (APC) has been composed of very competent statesmen.

    “The ruling political party of Korea which is the Workers Party of Korea wishes to strengthen ties with your political party.

    “So far, we have sustained cooperation and collaboration between the parties. But we still lack some substance. 

    “The Workers Party of Korea prioritises expanding relations with the ruling parties of Nigeria.”

    The envoy requested for an exchange of delegation to develop relations and cooperation between APC and the Workers Party of Korea.

    Ganduje welcomed the idea of strengthening the relationship between the two countries, stressing that this would bring about the development of the people.

    The APC chair said: “We need to share experiences. The dichotomy between capitalism and socialism has become less since the demise of the Soviet Union.

    “The issue of ideology is squarely on the development of the people. So, we welcome good relationships between your country and APC in Nigeria. We will welcome invitations from your country and also officials from your party in Nigeria.

    “It is important we compare notes as political parties. It is important to compare the functions of the political parties. It is important to compare the role of the political party in governance.

    “It is also important to compare the role of political parties in recruiting members into the party; in recruiting officers for governance; and the role of the party in the overall development of the country.”

  • Tinubu appoints Fela Durotoye, Linda Akhigbe, three others as SSAs, PA

    Tinubu appoints Fela Durotoye, Linda Akhigbe, three others as SSAs, PA

    President Bola Tinubu has appointed former presidential candidate of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) and popular public speaker, Mr. Fela Durotoye, along with four others, as aides.

    The others are: Mrs. Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe, Mr. Fredrick Nwabufo, Mr. Aliyu Audu, and Mr. Francis Adah Abah.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, said the new appointees will serve under the Media and Publicity Directorate in the Office of the President.

    Durotoye will serve as the SSA to the President on National Values and Social Justice; Akhigbe, who has been designated SSA to the President on Strategic Communications, has been seconded to the Office of the President of the ECOWAS to serve as the Communications Adviser to the President.

    “President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of the following men and women to serve in the Office of the President under the Media and Publicity Directorate with full respect for the tenets of Nigeria’s federal character principle and the supremacy of merit:

    “Mr. Fela Durotoye (Senior Special Assistant to the President — National Values and Social Justice); Mr. Fredrick Nwabufo (Senior Special Assistant to the President — Public Engagement); Mrs. Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe (Senior Special Assistant to the President — Strategic Communications); Mr. Aliyu Audu (Special Assistant to the President — Public Affairs); and Mr. Francis Adah Abah (Personal Assistant to the President — Special Duties).

    Read Also: Solid minerals will promote climate change, says Alake

    “President Tinubu has further approved the secondment of Mrs. Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe to serve as the Communications Adviser to the President of the ECOWAS Commission.

    “The President tasks all new appointees, who are serving in the Media and Publicity Directorate, to uphold the highest standards of decorum and decency in their engagements with all members of the public as they advance the President’s determined bid to renew the hope of Nigerians in a restructured economy and unified society that caters sufficiently to the needs of all, regardless of any differences,” the statement said.

    Until her new appointment, Mrs. Akhigbe was a staff member of Channels Television.

    Nwabufo is identified as a journalists and communications specialist; Audu is a chieftain of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and served as Chairman of one of the ruling party’s pressure groups, the APC Rebirth.

  • It’s new dawn for  women under Tinubu, says First Lady

    It’s new dawn for  women under Tinubu, says First Lady

    The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has said the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration will give more room for women  to contribute to national development.

    Senator Tinubu said this while hosting the Minister of State for Police Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who led senior policewomen on a visit to her office at the State House yesterday in Abuja.

     The First Lady described the current administration as the beginning of a new dawn for Nigerians women.

     A statement by her spokesperson Busola Kukoyi said Senator Tinubu also said efforts to reshape Nigeria and address societal ills plaguing the female gender require active participation of women.

     According to her, it is a thing of joy that a large number of women are actively involved in policing and securing the country.

     “It is the beginning of a new dawn for women in the country as the current administration will give women more room to contribute their quota. I am also looking for ways to contribute. We cannot have a Nigeria without people doing new and great things,” she said.

     On how senior policewomen and other women could help Nigeria to have a brighter future, Senator Tinubu said they would need to lead the action in addressing some of the ills, such as rape, child abuse, human trafficking, and proliferation of baby factories, all of which affect them the most.

    “Women must thrive and be empowered in a safe environment. We want to see our children not abused through crimes and maltreatment, rape of minors and children. There must be reduction in cases of human trafficking, organ harvesting and baby factory,” she said.

     Applauding the First Lady for setting the pace and advancing the interest of women in the country, Hajiya Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted that gender equality, safeguarding of human rights and empowerment of women were key anchors of a just and fair society.

     “We are working on a bold initiatives aimed at not only addressing existing challenges but fundamentally reshaping the Nigeria Police into a modern, responsive, intelligence-led and technology-driven institution.

     “We recognise the limitations of past reforms and are now taking a more proactive and holistic transformation that permeates every facet of police operations.

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     “We are here today not just to discuss but to seek your collaboration, for we understand that the collective advancement of these crucial issues requires your esteemed support and partnership,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim said.

    Also, the Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Jon Tong Chol, yesterday said Nigeria is politically stable under the Tinubu administration.

     Chol said this when he visited the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

     “It is apparent that the new administration is making progress in the fields of national security and revival of the economy,” he said.

     The envoy noted that the current administration inherited several difficulties.

     Chol, who emphasised the need to exchange ideas between the two nations, also sought a partnership between the APC and the ruling Workers Party of Korea.

     He said: “I see that Nigeria is now a politically stable country, and we see the achievements made in the fight against terrorists, such as Boko Haram, and also the separatist groups.

     “We cannot achieve progress in nation-building apart from securing peace of the country. And we see that not only the administration but the leadership of the ruling party (APC) has been composed of very convenient statesmen.

     “The ruling political party of Korea, which is the Workers’ Party of Korea, wishes to strengthen ties with your political party.

      “So far, we have sustained cooperation and collaboration between the parties. But we still lack some substance. The Workers’ Party of Korea prioritises expanding relations with the ruling parties of Nigeria.”

     Commenting on the envoy’s observations, Dr. Ganduje said: “…We need to share experiences. The dichotomy between capitalism and socialism has become less since the demise of the Soviet Union.

     “The issue of ideology is squarely on the development of the people. So, we welcome good relationships between your country and the APC in Nigeria. We will welcome invitations from your country and officials from your party in Nigeria.”