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Tinubu woos Nigerians in U.S. to invest back home
- Overcome setbacks, adopt new mindset, President advises
Nigerians resident in the United States (U.S.) got an   invitation Wednesday night from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – they should bring their resources to invest in the Nigerian economy.

The President told a gathering of compatriots at a Town Hall meeting in New York that their fatherland had become home for business opportunities.

The meeting was organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) on the sidelines of the ongoing 78th  session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Tinubu also urged Nigerians eking out their living in the U.S. to rise above setbacks and adopt a new mindset that would enable them succeed in all of their endeavours.

He said: “I want to give you a measure that will resonate with you. I was once a Diasporan. What you have been through, I have been through it. Change of mindset is necessary. Take it this night that Nigeria is home for business opportunities.

“Also, anywhere you stay, there is always going to be an opportunity in it and in everything you do, there is always going to be an opportunity, if you know how to search and put your mind to it.”

The President said he was pleased with Nigerians’ exemplary conduct and how they had continued to do well in their country of residence.

He said: “You are lucky to be among those who are celebrated for good manners and behaviour and are operating in an acceptable manner.

“I’m very proud of you; I have also been a beneficiary of inspiration, determination, commitment and perseverance and that is all you need to pull through.

“But, we need you back home, Nigeria has arrived; forget the frustration of the previous years’ leaderships.”

Tinubu, who spoke on plans for out-of-school children, the healthcare programme and the need to eradicate poverty, said Nigeria was a blessed country.

The president said: “Sincerely, we don’t have any reason to be poor. We are just poor in some leadership areas. That is what I harped on during my campaign. It was a very gruesome campaign but I won the election. If I didn’t throw myself into it with strong determination and resolve, I wouldn’t have won.

Read Also: Protest rocks Osun govt secretariat over planned imposition of monarch

“There were so many hurdles on my way that would have stopped me. I refused to be stopped. Many of you here that are contesting elections can do the same.”

He also urged them to embrace one another, stressing that there should not be sentiments and discrimination among them.

“You ought to embrace one another. No labeling, you should remove ethnic identity that tend to differentiate us. We are one single family, living in the same house, but living in different rooms.”

Setting the tone for the meeting, NiDCOM chairperson, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, introduced some Nigerians excelling in their chosen fields in the U.S. to the president.

Some of the speakers expressed their delight in the leadership courage of the president and to continue to support him in his efforts to reform Nigeria.

Oye Owolewa, who is the first Nigerian-American elected into the U.S. Congress, said 25 per cent of business owners in the U.S. were black but 1.7 per cent got federal contracts.

Owolewa, who represents Washington DC, said they have been supporting people to take advantage of such opportunities for their economic empowerment.

“Those are the opportunities to make investors biggest in New York. In my office, we do not just talk, we teach our people how to get contracts, we teach our people how to get grants,” he said.

A Nigerian-American, Olufunmilola Obe, an Inspector working in the New York Police Department (NYPD), briefed the president on her efforts to make Africa, especially Nigeria, proud in her office.

Obe was the coordinator of an African Law Enforcement Organisation, an association within the NYPD, as Vice President and the first African-ever to be promoted to the rank of an Inspector in the history of NYPD.

Zuriel Oduwole, an American education advocate and film maker, famous for her works on the advocacy for the education of girls in Africa, said notwithstanding her work – involvement in peace mediation, including that of 2015, peace mediation between Guyana and Venezuela, and in 2018, invited by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi of Egypt to help get peace there as well, she remains proudly Nigerian.

Those who accompanied the President are: Ministers Yusuf Tuggar (Foreign Affairs); Adegboyega Oyetola (Marine and Blue Economy); Nigeria Permanent Representative to the UN, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande; Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S.,Mrs  Uzoma Emenike and her husband, Ikechi Emenike; Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Lot Egopija and Consul-General in Atlanta, Amina Samaila.

Others were: Governors Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom); Uba Sani (Kaduna) and AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq (Kwara).

Prominent Nigerians, who participated include: Healthcare Logistics Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Oje Russel; community activist/NIDO President (New York chapter) Bobby Diggi Olisa;  NIDO President (New Jersey) Dr. Adeola Popoola; a youthful Artificial Intelligence (AI) guru/CHIPLAB CEO Ola Fadiran; renowned Physician and President of Nigerian American Public Affairs Committee (NAPAC), Dr. Nelson Aluya and a New York-based medical doctor, Dr. Bola Omotosho.
September 22, 2023
Health workers hail Tinubu over implementation of salary adjustments

Health workers under the umbrella of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) have applauded President Bola Tinubu for approving the implementation of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers.

The CONHESS is the salary structure for health workers in the public service.

Ag National President of MHWUN, Comrade Kabiru Minijibir gave the commendation during the 49th National Executive Council Meeting of the Union at the secretariat of the MHWUN on Wednesday.

Minijibir confirmed that the salary adjustment took off from June 2023.

He urged President Tinubu to also accede to other demands causing disaffection within the health sector in order to guarantee industrial peace at all times.

A circular dated 25th July 2023 by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSWIC) had been issued reviewing the CONHESS for health professionals including the payment of N25,000 accoutrement allowance to medical and dental doctors in the federal public service.

The Circular was signed by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NSIWC, Ekpo Nta.

“The new salary table is attached as Annex 1. 3. All enquiries concerning this circular should be directed to the National salaries, incomes and wages commission,” the salary review circular read.

Commending the Federal Government, Minijibir said: “This conglomerate under the leadership of our Union has embarked on many struggles with the federal government on many issues.

Read Also: Tinubu woos Nigerians in U.S. to invest back home

“Among these issues was government failure to address our flagship agitation for CONHESS adjustment, this issue led JOHESU to embark on a one week strike action which later attracted the attention of his excellency, President Bola Tinubu.

“The good news is that the adjustment of the CONHESS table has finally received approval of the President, effective June 2023.”

The Ag MHWUN President also commented on the state of the nation, saying the country was faced with challenges of banditry, kidnapping, oil bunkering, illegal mining and agitation for secession from various parts of the country, paralysing social and economic activities.

Lamenting the situation, he said: “Hardly any day goes by without one negative news or the other. Painfully, all the assurances from the successive government have not manifested to any meaningful outcome, leaving citizens to the mercy of the dreaded non-state actors.”

Speaking on the decision of the Federal Government to remove subsidy on fuel, former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba said the only option open to the incumbent government was local production of crude in indigenous refineries

Wabba noted that the crisis would remain on ground irrespective of any interventions or palliatives unless local refining of crude was achieved.

He said the concept of democracy was to bring prosperity to the people, stressing that even the little interventions in terms of palliatives, not many governors have been able to implement it effectively.

Wabba said: “As a union fighting for the cause of our members, we must build a strong financial base to be able to defend workers’ rights. What we see now in the world of work is a dissatisfied workforce, no worker can boast that his or her salary can last for 30 days.

“Democracy must bring prosperity to the people. Talking about palliatives, not more than 10 per cent of the governors are utilising the money effectively. I believe that there should be a template for the distribution of these palliatives. “Talking about our present predicament as a nation, the best way out is refining our own crude here at home because we can determine how we use it or price it.”

September 22, 2023
Tinubu will restore country’s glory, says Idimogu

The former member representing Oshodi/Isolo State Constituency 11 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Jude Chukwuemeka Idimogu, has said the Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration would restore the country’s glory.

Addressing reporters in Lagos, the former lawmaker noted that some of the policies and programmes that he has enunciated are aimed at improving the economy and the well-being of Nigerians.

Idimogu said: “There is optimism among Nigerians. People are beginning to realise that they didn’t make a mistake voting for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. If the current momentum in the country’s fiscal and monetary policy environment, which has been the focus of strategic changes and decisions by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, is intensified and sustained, the economy will make a drastic rebound in a short time.”

Idimogu said he was encouraged to work for President Tinubu and the APC by the sterling qualities he noticed Tinubu possessed.

According to Idimogu, Tinubu has the innate political will to take bold and difficult decisions; a quality he said some leaders do not possess.

The former lawmaker said he joined forces with the founder of the Igbo Kwenu 4Asiwaju Presidential Campaign group, Ambassador Ginika Tor. Igbo Kwenu4Asiwaju is an Igbo campaign organisation in the APC that sought the election of Ahmed Bola Tinubu for President and a Federal Character Commissioner for Enugu State.

He said the group campaigned for the presidential bid of Tinubu in Kano, Nasarawa, Abuja, Enugu, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Yobe, Cross River and Lagos states.

Read Also: Lagos Assembly names standing committees, chairmen

Idimogu is the Southwest Coordinator of the group.

The lawmaker had facilitated the donation of a building for the Igbo Kwenu 4Asiwaju campaign group by an Igbo Community Leader in the state, Chief Leo Okafor.

The donor, Okafor said: “The Igbo cannot be outside in the politics of Nigeria anymore because it has caused them so much. That’s why I support anybody who helps to drive the Igbo in APC to where they are supposed to be.

“It’s well known that where we are now as the Igbo nation is not where we are supposed to be. It’s because we don’t sit down and analyze things very well and I believe though there are several paths to it all I know is that this path will certainly lead us to our destination,” he said.

Idimogu said the donation was to make the Igbo in Lagos organise themselves in their effort to promote the Asiwaju/Shetima course in order to join the national level which is the APC.

He noted that being a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly was good because it was a good platform I prayed for to serve humanity which was my greatest joy. It helped me to express myself and take the problems of my constituency/community to where they should be heard.

“It was a privilege for me as the only one who is not indigenous to Lagos State that has achieved such a feat. It’s good news for the Igbo in Lagos because they could be entrusted with more opportunities for power regardless of the constituency, they would always refer them to my track record,” Idimogu said.

On whether he will offer himself once more to serve if called upon for any appointment, Idimogu said his calling is to serve humanity, adding that a political position will give him a better platform to serve the people.

The Federal Character Commissioner had also advised Ndigbo to always support the APC.

While commending Idimogu for carrying out the massive campaign, Tor insisted that the former lawmaker would be rewarded whether at the federal or state level for what he did for the party in Lagos State.

September 22, 2023
UNGA78: Tinubu, Adeboye lead African First Ladies in peace moves

First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu yesterday added her voice to the call for global peace and justice.

She made the call at the First Ladies High Level Forum to celebrate the 2023 United Nations (UN) Day of Peace, a side event at the ongoing 78th General Assembly (UNGA 78) in New York, United States (U.S).

Speaking on the theme: Gender actions for peace: Ambition for women leaders as key players on the global peace”, the First Lady said peace remained a collective responsibility, especially in a world replete with conflicts and uncertainties.

Reiterating that peace was not just the absence of war but presence of justice, equity and harmony, the First Lady, said every individual, regardless of their gender should be able to thrive in an environment free from violence and discrimination.

She said: “The journey towards a lasting peace requires dialogue, engagement and empowerment of all members of society, in particular women in leadership roles.

“Women bring unique perspectives, qualities, compassion and experience which can play transformative roles in conflict resolution, peace and sustainable development.”

She urged the women to make use of their soft power in advocating for peace and pursuing democracy, urging them to contribute in reducing underage violence.

Read Also: Tinubu mandates training of talents in digital skills

“As peace keepers, we contribute to reducing underage violence. As mediators, trauma killing counsellors and policy makers, women work to transform relationships and address the root of violence.

“Finally, as educators and participants in the development process, women contribute to build in the capacity of their communities and nations.”

As the 517th person that rang the World Peace Bell, signifying commitment to global sustainability, love and peace, and one world, she wished for divine peace upon the world.

At its 1981 session, the United Nations General Assembly declared third Tuesday of September as International Day of Peace.

Yesterday coincided with the opening of the annual sessions of the General Assembly. The purpose of the day rests to strengthen the ideals of peace and harmony around the world.

Founder, African Missions Global, Pastor Folu Adeboye, urged the First Ladies not to let their husbands cause trouble for their respective countries or go to war.

She used Biblical references to highlight the importance of a woman or wife to a leader in the peace and development of a society.

Co-convener of the forum and Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, presented the SDG 16 Nigeria 2022 Shadow Report 2023 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, which showed areas Nigeria needed improvement on.

The report was prepared using a Transparency International global template for cross chapter comparison amongst countries and was produced by CISLAC as TI Nigeria under the project which seeks to improve democratic accountability of public institutions and anti-corruption deficits by Strengthening Accountability Networks among Civil Society (SANCUS) which is supported by the European Union (EU).

The report is an updated assessment of the previous editions of the SDGs Shadow Report published by CISLAC in 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. The aim of this report is to monitor and explore the progress within the agenda 2030 with the focus on the SDG 16 targets earlier mentioned (16.4; 16.5 and 16.10) which have been analysed in depth.

The research encompasses over 14 policy areas and 76 indicators distinctly developed as part of the global Transparency International project of ‘shadow reporting’ the official Voluntary National Reports (VNRs) prepared by the governments as a self-assessment against the SDG goals.

President, Naval Officers Wives Association, (NOWA) Mrs. Ijeoma Ogalla, who was represented by her deputy, Zainab Akpan, said peace would not come unless people make it happen.

She said: “Today, we remember that women have been the major victims of wars, conflicts and inequalities. But women are more than just victims; they are also powerful agents of peace.”

September 22, 2023
Tinubu woos global investors with reforms, incentives
- First African leader honoured at NASDAQ
- Reforms boosting confidence, says NGX
- Millions of tech skills coming
Nigeria is open for business and all investors will be provided with enabling environment to thrive and earn globally competitive returns on their investments.

This was the central message of President Bola Tinubu to the global investment community as he interacted with investors, business leaders and top government functionaries on the sidelines of his well-applauded participation at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Tinubu was honoured with the symbolic ringing of the closing bell at the NASDAQ in New York, becoming the first African leader to be so honoured. This was followed with several top-level engagements with global investment leaders and policy makers.

Tinubu, surrounded by Nigerian business leaders and officials of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), said Nigeria is ready to be the continental hub for global investments, urging investors to come and take advantage of the huge opportunities in the country.

He said the focus of his administration on reforms and key initiatives being taken would engender a secured and prosperous business environment.

“The greatest economy in Africa is Nigeria, there is an immense opportunity in Nigeria where you can invest your money without fear,” Tinubu said.

He noted that his government has continued to address longstanding problems and impediments, citing his work to restore and unify the foreign exchange rate market to a stable and trustworthy level, allowing new investors to seamlessly bring their money into the country, free of worries about whether or not they can take their money out at any point in time.

“You’re free to take in your money and bring out your money. I count on you to invest in Nigeria,” Tinubu said.

At the Nigeria-U.S. Executive Business Roundtable held just after the NASDAQ closing bell, Tinubu assured prospective investors that while he recognized that investment capital is cowardly in nature, he intentionally brought successful Nigerian industrialists and public officials to share their experiences and operational plans respectively, in addition to all that he has already done to boost the confidence of the global investment community in Nigeria’s presently reforming fiscal, monetary, regulatory and tax policy environment.

“Nigeria is an opportunity that is impossible to replicate or find elsewhere in any part of the world. We have brilliant young people who both innovate and consume at a large scale. Our entrepreneurial spirit is a major part of what makes our market totally unique, aside from demography. Nigerians build businesses and Nigerian businesses partner with other businesses to conduct larger business.

Read Also: Lagos Assembly names standing committees, chairmen

“There is enough value to spread around. Be careful of what you hear about Nigeria. You may be dissuaded out of a major opportunity that others will take up. We are here for you. We will give you all the support you need to succeed and succeed abundantly,” Tinubu assured.

On behalf of the United States (U.S). Government, U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary, Wally Adeyemo, who just returned from an official visit to Nigeria, said he saw in Lagos, some of the major reforms Tinubu had implemented as the Governor of Lagos and the transformative effect it has had on Nigeria’s commercial capital.

“People have attested to the fact that the reforms you have put in place as President are quickly enhancing confidence. American business is paying attention to that and from what we have seen for ourselves, Nigeria is proving to be a new frontier for investment. We will encourage our companies from our end as those reforms continue to deepen,” Adeyemo said.

American Business Council President, Mr. Sops Ideriah, said that the extensive turnout at the roundtable by American business chief executives served as a testament to the degree to which confidence is rising in response to the actions and words of Tinubu’s administration with respect to ease of business, investment promotion, and his willingness to personally intervene where required to ease the historical concerns of American business people about doing business in Nigeria.

“We are very positive about the potential of Nigeria and we are just reinforcing to our colleagues the message about the economic opportunities that exist there,” Ideriah said.

Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) Plc, Dr Umaru Kwairanga said Tinubu’s reforms have boosted investors’ confidence in the capital market, citing the world-leading rally at the stock market since the advent of the new administration.

According to him, under Tinubu’s leadership, the country has made significant strides and there are significant opportunities lie ahead

He urged the president to encourage further reforms that will help to unlock increased prosperity for the Nigerian economy, including legislative adjustments that will make listing more attractive.

Kwairanga also called for deepening of pension reforms and amendments to regulations governing free zone companies to facilitate their access to the capital market through listings.

He added that the government should work towards enacting policies to enable dollar-denominated transactions to unlock further capital into the country.

The closing bell ceremony was part of events lined up in the NGX Roadshow, supported by Stanbic IBTC, CardinalStone Partners and Chapel Hill Denham. Kwairanga also nudged the US business community to explore more partnership avenues with Nigeria.

Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, who also spoke at the SDG Media Zone on “How to Promote Poverty Eradication in Developing countries”, said the president has mandated initiatives to create millions of tech skills.

he emphasised on the importance of harnessing the power of digital technology to increase productivity.

Bosun noted that there’s need to leverage on the use of technology to address so many issues, and the government is focusing on critical sectors especially agriculture.

He said: “The President (Tinubu) has mandated that in the next two to three years, we have to train a million technology talents in Nigeria.

“What we are doing now at this phase, is to pull people together from the industry – tech startups

“We are also working with foundations and development agencies for us to put our resources together to meet the set targets. YouTube, Google, and the likes will be invited to train youths. We are harmonizing all these programmes.

“We are on a good trajectory in Nigeria. We are harmonizing our identity system. We recognize power of digital technology to improve education and to also reimagine how we solve problems. We’ll increase significantly the number of jobs we’ve in the tech space. We are working hard to become next exporter of technology talents.

“Nigeria is a key player in agriculture. More innovative practices in agriculture sector will create opportunities. It is a priority for my ministry, and this will be done by collaborating with the Agriculture ministry.

“We want Nigeria to be able to raise more than $4bn for start ups. We want to be able to make significant progress on digitalisation of government services.

Acting Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Zacch Adedeji, assured the American Captains of Industry that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, the nation’s apex tax authority will be focusing its efforts not on taxing the seed, but only on the proportionate taxation of the fruit of fully formed industry, through efficient policy synergy with Nigeria’s sub-national authorities.

“The President is a business enabler, not a handicapper. Everything we do will be geared toward making your tax assessment and payment processes as digitally efficient and transparent as possible. We are not after the seed, but the fruit and we will keep to this commitment,” Nigeria’s new tax boss affirmed.
September 22, 2023
Sen Oluremi Tinubu @ 63

Quintessential figure, says Bello

Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Olatunji Bello, has felicitated First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, at 63.

Bello described her as a quintessential figure, who has been a loving wife and caring mother to her husband, President Bola Tinubu.

Senator Tinubu, a pious disciple of Christ, and a devoted woman of prayer, has helped to drive her husband’s accomplishments, from the corporate arena to the political field, he said.

“The vigour and devotion she brought to bear in support of her husband, particularly during the NADECO struggle in Nigeria and in exile, will remain indelible in memory”.

Noting that Remi Tinubu was naturally a shy woman, who cherished the privacy of her home, Bello said her ability to sacrifice this for politics and her ability to master the rope during her stewardship in elective politics, stood as an apt indication of her unusual ingenuity.

Read Also: Tribunal: Labour Party vows to appeal judgement on Governor Mbah

“From a housewife and mother to Lagos governor’s wife, then senator, and now First Lady, Yeye, as she is popularly known through her traditional title, has come a long way as an encyclopaedic store of experience…” Bello said.

He called on Nigerians to support the Federal Government, saying Tinubu will re-enact his successful achievements in Lagos as governor.

Noting that the administration inherited huge debts from the Jonathan and Buhari administration, he urged Nigerians to be patient.

Only a man like President Tinubu, with his managerial ingenuity could cope with the daunting odds in this crucial and critical period, Bello argued.

September 22, 2023
UNGA78: Tinubu, Adeboye lead African First Ladies in peace moves

First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday added her voice to the call for global peace and justice.

She made the call at the First Ladies High Level Forum to celebrate the 2023 United Nations (UN) Day of Peace, a side event at the ongoing 78th General Assembly (UNGA78) in New York.

Speaking on the theme “Gender actions for peace: Ambition for women leaders as key players on the global peace”, Tinubu said peace was a collective responsibility especially in a world replete with conflicts and uncertainties.

Reiterating that peace was not just the absence of war but presence of justice, equity and harmony, the First Lady, said every individual, regardless of their gender should be able to thrive in an environment free from violence and discrimination.

“The journey towards a lasting peace requires dialogue, engagement and empowerment of all members of society, in particular women in leadership roles.

“Women bring unique perspectives, qualities, compassion and experience which can play transformative roles in conflict resolution, peace and sustainable development.”

She urged the women to make use of their soft power in advocating for peace and pursuing democracy, urging them to contribute in reducing underage violence.

Read Also: Lagos Assembly names standing committees, chairmen

“As peace keepers, we contribute to reducing underage violence. As mediators, trauma killing counsellors and policy makers, women work to transform relationships and address the root of violence.

“Finally, as educators and participants in the development process, women contribute to build in the capacity of their communities and nations,” she said.

As the 517th person that rang the World Peace Bell, signifying commitment to global sustainability, love and peace, and one world; Tinubu wished for divine peace upon the world.

The Nation reports that in 1981, the United Nations General Assembly declared third Tuesday of September as International Day of Peace.

This day coincided with the opening day of the annual sessions of the General Assembly. The purpose of the day rests to strengthen the ideals of peace and harmony around the world.

Addressing the gathering, Founder, African Missions Global, Pastor Folu Adeboye, urged the First Ladies not to let their husbands cause trouble for their respective countries or go to war.

She used Biblical references to highlight the importance of a woman or wife to a leader in the peace and development of a society.

Co-convener of the forum and Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, presented the SDG 16 Nigeria 2022 Shadow Report 2023 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, which showed areas Nigeria needed improvement on.

The report was prepared using a Transparency International global template for cross chapter comparison amongst countries and was produced by CISLAC as TI Nigeria under the project which seeks to improve democratic accountability of public institutions and anti-corruption deficits by Strengthening Accountability Networks among Civil Society (SANCUS) which is supported by the European Union.

This report is an updated assessment of the previous editions of the SDGs Shadow Report published by CISLAC in 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. The aim of this report is to monitor and explore the progress within the agenda 2030 with the focus on the SDG 16 targets earlier mentioned (16.4; 16.5 and 16.10) which have been analysed in depth.

This research encompasses over 14 policy areas and 76 indicators distinctly developed as part of the global Transparency International project of ‘shadow reporting’ the official Voluntary National Reports (VNRs) prepared by the governments as a self-assessment against the SDG goals.

September 21, 2023
Tinubu mandates training of talents in digital skills

President Bola Tinubu has mandated the training for millions of citizens especially youths in digital skills within the next 2-3 years.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced this during the sidelines of the ongoing 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, at the SDG Media Zone.

Speaking on the topic: “How to promote poverty eradication in developing countries”, he emphasised the importance of harnessing the power of digital technology to increase productivity.

Bosun noted that there’s need to leverage on the use of technology to address so many issues, and the government is focusing on critical sectors especially agriculture (food security).

He said: “The President (Tinubu) has mandated that in the next two to three years, we have to train a million technology talents in Nigeria.

“What we are doing now at this phase, is to pull people together from the industry — tech startups

Read Also: Vice president Shettima to declare open two retreats for NASS leadership

“We are also working with foundations and development agencies for us to put our resources together to meet the set targets. YouTube, Google, and the likes will be invited to train youths. We are harmonizing all these programmes.

“We are on a good trajectory in Nigeria. We are harmonizing our identity system. We recognize power of digital technology to improve education and to also reimagine how we solve problems. We’ll increase significantly the number of jobs we’ve in the tech space. We are working hard to become next exporter of technology talents.

“Nigeria is a key player in agriculture. More innovative practices in agriculture sector will create opportunities. It is a priority for my ministry, and this will be done by collaborating with the Agriculture ministry.

“We want Nigeria to be able to raise more than $4bn for start ups. We want to be able to make significant progress on digitalisation of government services.”

September 21, 2023
Historic Tinubu first African leader to ring bell at NASDAQ – Presidency

President Bola Tinubu‘s symbolic ringing of the closing bell at the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (NASDAQ) on Wednesday in New York was historic as he became the first African leader to receive such honour.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, who pointed this out in a statement on Thursday, also said this was in honour of President Tinubu’s determined global push to aggressively attract foreign direct investment into Nigeria.

The President, surrounded by Nigerian business leaders and officials of the Nigerian Stock Exchange used the opportunity to invite global investors who are participants on the NASDAQ system, which is the world’s second largest stock exchange market, to take advantage of the huge and secure opportunities replete in the country.

“It’s a great honour for me to be here. I am happy to bring Nigeria to your doorsteps and I am honoured that we are here today with a bubbling Nigerian stock market that will evolve in the West African sub-region. The greatest economy in Africa is Nigeria, there is an immense opportunity in Nigeria where you can invest your money without fear,” the President said.

The President noted that his government continues to address longstanding problems and impediments, such as his work to restore and unify the foreign exchange rate market to a stable and trustworthy level, allowing new investors to seamlessly bring their money into the country, free of worries about whether or not they can take their money out at any point in time.

“You’re free to take in your money and bring out your money. I count on you to invest in Nigeria,” the President exclaimed under the lights.

Read Also: PHOTOS: Remi Tinubu addresses First Ladies forum at UNGA ’78

At the Nigeria-U.S. Executive Business Roundtable held just after the closing bell, President Tinubu assured prospective investors that while he recognizes that investment capital is cowardly in nature, he intentionally brought successful Nigerian industrialists and public officials to share their experiences and operational plans respectively, in addition to all that he has already done to boost the confidence of the global investment community in Nigeria’s presently reforming fiscal, monetary, regulatory and tax policy environment.

“Nigeria is an opportunity that is impossible to replicate or find elsewhere in any part of the world. We have brilliant young people who both innovate and consume at a large scale. Our entrepreneurial spirit is a major part of what makes our market totally unique, aside from demography. Nigerians build businesses and Nigerian businesses partner with other businesses to conduct larger business.

“There is enough value to spread around. Be careful of what you hear about Nigeria. You may be dissuaded out of a major opportunity that others will take up. We are here for you. We will give you all the support you need to succeed and succeed abundantly,” the President assured the roundtable as he pointed out cabinet officials.

On behalf of the U.S. Government, U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary, Wally Adeyemo, told U.S. business leaders that he was just a few hours removed from arriving in New York from Lagos where he was on an official visit that later became a fact-finding mission.

“In Lagos, I saw first hand some of the major reforms you implemented as the Governor of Lagos and the transformative effect it has had on Nigeria’s commercial capital.

“People have attested to the fact that the reforms you have put in place as President are quickly enhancing confidence. American business is paying attention to that and from what we have seen for ourselves, Nigeria is proving to be a new frontier for investment. We will encourage our companies from our end as those reforms continue to deepen,” Adeyemo said.

The American Business Council President, Sops Ideriah, said that the extensive turnout at the roundtable by American Business Chief Executives served as a testament to the degree to which confidence is rising in response to the actions and words of President Bola Tinubu’s administration with respect to ease of business, investment promotion, and his willingness to personally intervene where required to ease the historical concerns of American business people about doing business in Nigeria.

September 21, 2023
PHOTOS: Remi Tinubu addresses First Ladies forum at UNGA ’78

Remi Tinubu addresses First Ladies forum at UNGA ’78

September 21, 2023