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  • Be patient with Tinubu, SWAGA boss urges Nigerians

    Be patient with Tinubu, SWAGA boss urges Nigerians

    The National Chairman of South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA), Dayo Adeyeye, has appealed to Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Tinubu as he takes decisions for the growth and transformation of the country.

    The former minister of state for works explained that the steps and decisions taken so far by the president in the first 100 days in the administration, no matter how painful, were to preserve the future of Nigeria and the economy.

    Adeyeye spoke in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital on Monday,  September 18, during the distribution of palliatives to SWAGA members and the vulnerable citizens across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.

    He noted that the president meant well for the country and that his renewed hope agenda for the economy, education, infrastructures, and other sectors would soon be witnessed by the people.

    According to him, the decision of the group to provide palliatives for the people was meant to reach out to them after securing victory at the February poll and as well cushion the effect of the economic situations in the country.

    He said: “The present circumstances in the country informed our decision to reach out to the people, especially looking at the inflation on essential commodities and we felt that we need to ameliorate the hardship of the people and that is why we presented succor to masses of the state especially our members.

    “I am absolutely convinced that Nigerians have taken the right decision in voting for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. And let me say that everything that will bring great gain, it will bring a lot of pain at the beginning, that is the mark of leadership. If these decisions were not taken, it will be at a time the naira will be like N5000 to a dollar, not only that, you will not see the fuel and there will be queues with high cost everywhere.

    “Imaging what would happen if there is no fuel at all, you can say the type of hardship people will be subjected to. It is better to prevent the horrible situation now. A leader must take painful decisions for the future and if he(Tinubu) had not removed fuel subsidies, in a year he will not be able to run the government.

    “I believe as time goes on, we will begin to see the gains of these decisions in our economy and things will start shaping up. The government will create an enabling environment for people to thrive and ultimately enhance the socio-economic development of the country.”

    Read Also: Tinubu arrives New York for UNGA 78

    He revealed that the first 100 days of the President has been impactful and commended by stakeholders including international communities, adding that the nation’s economy will be better for it in a matter of time.

    On those criticizing the high number cabinet members of the president with the latest appointment of two more ministers, the APC chieftain said, “ the constitution did not stipulate the number of cabinet members the president can appoint, it only specified that you can appoint from every state of the federation.

    “ It is his prerogative, since there is that gap in the constitution at the moment, and maybe in future we can get a constitution amendment if you want the president to be limited to the number of people he can appoint.”

  • Tinubu approves appointment of 18 new aides for Shettima

    Tinubu approves appointment of 18 new aides for Shettima

    President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of 18 special advisers and Senior Special Assistants to actualise the agenda of the federal government across the different sectors of the economy.

    This was contained in a statement issued on Monday, September 18, by the Director of Information in the office of the Vice President, Olusola Abiola.

    The team comprising six special advisers and 12 senior special assistants will work in the office of the Vice President, supporting the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of the Tinubu administration. 

    The statement read: “The appointments in the Vice President’s office includes; Rukaiya El-Rufai, Special Adviser (SAD) to the President on NEC & Climate Change; Tope Kolade Fasua as Special Adviser (SAD) to the President on Economic Matters; Aliyu Modibbo Umar, Special Adviser (SAD), General Duties; Hakeem Baba Ahmed, Special Adviser (SAD) on Political Matters, and Jumoke Oduwole, Special Adviser (SAD) to the President on PEBEC & Investment.

    Read Also: Tinubu arrives New York for UNGA 78

    “Others include, Sadiq Wanka, Special Adviser (SAD) to the President on Power Infrastructure; Usman Mohammed, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration & Office Coordination; Kingsley Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications; and Ishaq Ahmed Ningi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Media & Emergency Management.

    “Peju Adebajo, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Investment & Privatisation; Mohammed Bulama, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political/Special Duties; Kingsley Uzoma, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Agricbusiness & Productivity Enhancement; Gimba Kakanda, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Research & Analytics, and Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Job Creation & MSMEs.

    “Nasir Yammama, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Innovation; Zainab Yunusa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on NEC; Mariam Temitope, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Regional Development Programmes, and Bashir Maidugu, Deputy State House Counsel (Senior Special Assistant to the President), completes the list of appointments in the Vice President’s office.”

  • Tinubu arrives New York for UNGA 78

    Tinubu arrives New York for UNGA 78

    President Bola Tinubu has arrived New York for the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 78).

    The Boeing 737 conveying the President and his entourage, touched down in New York on Sunday.

    President Tinubu was received by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN); Amb. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar.

    Six Governors and seven Ministers are part of President Tinubu’s 17-man delegation to UNGA.

    For his first appearance at the annual gathering as Nigeria’s President, Tinubu will attend several high-level meetings and engagements with other world leaders and business executives on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

    The Nation learnt the President might meet with the Nigerian community in New York.

    The theme of the 78th UNGA is “Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability for All”.

    Read Also: Dispute stalls Federal Govt, Emefiele plea bargain talks

    President Tinubu will deliver his inaugural national statement on September 19, the first day of the high-level general debate of the session.

    Before that, he will join other world leaders to participate in the high-level political forum on sustainable development (UN 2023 Summit on SDGs).

    “His address will encompass several issues such as sustainable development, climate change, global cooperation, and the imperative to address inequalities and global humanitarian crises,” Ngelale explained.

    While engaging with officials at the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations Headquarters in New York City, the Nigerian leader will have the honour of conducting the NASDAQ closing ceremony during its trading session, making President Tinubu the first African president to do this.

  • Tinubu nominates Jamila Ibrahim, Olawande as youths ministers

    Tinubu nominates Jamila Ibrahim, Olawande as youths ministers

    President Bola Tinubu  yesterday nominated Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim as Minister of Youth and Mr. Ayodele Olawande as Minister of State in the ministry.

    They are expected to take their seats in the Federal Executive Council (FEC), following their confirmation by the Senate, a statement issued by Presidentia Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said in a statement.

    Also, the president appointed the Head of Civil Service of Lagos State, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, as Principal Secretary in his office.

    A journalist, Stanley Nkwocha, was also named as Senior Special Assistant to the President, Office of Vice President. The appointments of nine other aides who will function in the office of Vice President were also approved by President Tinubu.

    Ibrahim, 37, a medical practitioner, served as Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to Kwara State Governor AbdulRaman Abdulrazaq between 2019 and 2023.

    She is the daughter of Bio Ibrahim, one-time Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly and former minister of transportation.

    Read Also: Nigeria, Cuba sign MoU on food security, agric advancement

    Dr. Ibrahim, former Kwara state Focal Person for the National Human Capital Development Programme (NEPAD), is the President of the Progressive Young Women Forum (PYWF).

    According to Ngelale, “President Bola Tinubu has approved the nomination of Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim to serve as the Minister of Youth, pending her confirmation by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “The President has further approved the nomination of Mr. Ayodele Olawande to serve as the Minister of State for Youth, pending his confirmation by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim is a young medical doctor and most recently served as the President of the Progressive Young Women Forum (PYWF). She has also served as the Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    “Mr. Ayodele Olawande is a community development expert and youth leader in the governing All Progressives’ Congress (APC). He most recently served in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Innovation from 2019 to 2023.

    “President Tinubu charges the above-mentioned nominees to ensure that they consistently reflect the dynamism, innovative zeal, and unyielding productivity that are synonymous with the young people of Nigeria as they discharge their duties.”

    Governor AbdulRazaq applauded the President for appointing another minister from Kwara State.

    conceding yet another ministerial slot to the state.

    The governor said that the president’s move “suggests a commendable direction to rightly accord the state its deserved place for the loyalty of Kwarans to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).”

    HD said Ibrahim’s nomination satisfied two major developmental milestones of youth empowerment and gender inclusion in the decision-making process in Nigeria.

    “We consider this additional nomination a great honour to our state, especially the rank and file of our party and its youth and women wings. Given her energy and impressive network among the youth constituency, we believe she is a good fit for the role,” the governor said in a statement.

    AbdulRasaq added: “The governor wishes the ministerial nominee all the best in her new assignment, urging her to be a great ambassador of the state, Kwara APC, and of the youth constituency that she now leads nationwide and requesting all stakeholders to support her in the new role as another representative of Kwara at the Federal Executive Council (FEC).”

    President Bola Tinubu has appointed Hakeem Muri-Okunola as Principal Secretary in his office.

     Muri-Okunola, 51, first son of the late Justice Muritala Okunola, holds a first degree in law from Lagos State University (LASU) and a Master’s degree in International Business Law, Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London.

    An experienced public administrator and technocrat, the new Presidential Personal Secretary was at various times Associate Solicitor, Adepetun, Caxton-Martins and Agbor, Company Secretary/Legal Adviser at Ibile Holdings Limited, Personal Assistant to Governor of Lagos State, Executive Secretary, Land Use and Allocation Committee and Permanent Secretary in Lagos State Public Service.

    Other appointments in Vice President’s office include those of Tope Fasua (Special Adviser on Economy), Dr. Muhammad Bulama (Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties);

    Sadiq S Jambo (Special Assistant, Economy); Mahmud Muhammad, (Personal Assistant Domestic Northeast); Ahmed Ningi  (Senior Special Assistant, Digital Media and Emergency Management); Musa Amshi Muhammad Al-Amin (Senior Special Assistant, Special Duties), and Emmanuella Eduozor ,(Specil Assistant, Multimedia Content Production).

  • Yoruba elders advise Tinubu on subsidy

    Yoruba elders advise Tinubu on subsidy

    Lagos State chapter of Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has set economic agenda for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

    The elders said although subsidy removal was necessary and good, palliative measures to cushion the effect of the removal by the Federal Government should not be in form of cash to any sector. 

    A statement by Lagos YCE Chairman, Francis Akinnikawe, Vice Chairman, Tawede Daniel, National Treasurer, Otunba Akindele Aremu and Acting National President, Funmilayo Jabaru, said government should improve power supply, to boost production capacity of manufacturing sectors, which would help small-scale enterprises and medium enterprises to operate in full production capacity.

    The statement said: “We advise the President to stop electricity distribution companies from increasing their tariffs at wilI. The generating and distribution companies should work hand in hand to improve electricity supply to Nigerians, including manufacturing, small and medium enterprises.

    “Artisans remain key players in the economy of any nation. Federal Government should create a conducive environment for them. Government should encourage and bring back the multinational companies/factories that left our shores for other countries due to epileptic supply of energy and power.

    Read Also: Obasanjo was wrong, says Adeniyi

    “We advise that you should apply your intelligence, wisdom and above all your dynamic, proactive and pragmatic approach you used in Lagos State during your eight years of governorship, which today Lagosians are enjoying.

    “We observe that the policy of unification of foreign exchange has also added another untold hardship and pains to Nigerians. It has eradicated middle level class status of the Nigerian society, while the lower class of the society has been buried underground.

    “Our suggestion on this is that the Federal Government should direct and stop the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from dealing with individuals. Rather, they should be dealing with commercial banks and licensed financial institutions since the Federal Government is not funding the exchange market.

    “We suggest the buying of big and small buses (popularly called korope by Lagosians), fully run by the Federal Government in each 36 state capitals/cities. The big buses should ply and travel long distances, while the small buses should be handed over to the local governments to manage. 

    “In addition, the fares of

    small and big buses should be reduced by 70 per cent in comparison with the private operators’ fares. This will enable workers move from their homes to their offices/working places. Also, this will allow petty traders to transport their goods to the locations of their businesses without too much financial stress.”

  • UNGA 78: Tinubu, other world leaders to mark halftime of SDGs

    UNGA 78: Tinubu, other world leaders to mark halftime of SDGs

    • President to deliver inaugural address tomorrow

    President Bola Tinubu will today in New York join other world leaders to participate in the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development Goals as the United Nations marks the halftime of the SDGs.

    The President arrived in New York yesterday, to attend the high-level meeting of the 78th UN General Assembly, holding between tomorrow and Saturday.

    The theme of the UNGA is: “Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all.’’

    Rescuing the SDGs

    As things stand, the goals UN member countries’ promised when they adopted them, with a promise to ‘leave no one behind’, are in serious trouble: despite some progress.

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the weekend said only 15 per cent of goals targets are on track, calling on key actors to rescue the goals.

    Guterres, at the opening of SDG Action Weekend at the UN headquarters in New York, rallied a diverse cross section of civil society actors to use their passionate voices and energetic grassroots networks to help rescue the SDGs.

    With world leaders set to convene tomorrow for the annual high-level opening of the General Assembly, the UN is hosting an energetic range of actors.

    They include youth groups and women’s organisations, mayors, community activists and business leaders, looking to boost support for the goals ahead of the SDG Summit.

    The summit will mark the mid-point of the SDGs, between their 2015 launch and their 2030 deadline.

    Tinubu’s inaugural address agenda

    The president, who is on his first outing to the Assembly, will deliver his inaugural national statement to the world leaders tomorrow.

    His address will focus on economic diplomacy, global tax issues, investment, education, climate change, youth, digital transformation, global cooperation, and the imperative to address inequalities and global humanitarian crises.

    Read Also: Tinubu appoints Muri-Okunola his principal secretary

    President’s lined-up events

    The President and his delegation to UNGA 78 will attend the lined-up events and the bilateral meetings on the sidelines.

    On Wednesday, the Nigerian President is slated to participate in the high-level dialogue on financing for development.

    He will attend a high-level meeting on “Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response”.

    On Thursday, he will be participating in the UN Secretary General’s Climate Ambition Summit and attend a high-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage and join another high-level panel on reform of the global financial architecture.

    On Friday, he will be attending the high-level meeting on the fight against tuberculosis.

    During the week, Tinubu is scheduled to hold several bilateral meetings with world leaders including the Presidents of the European Union Commission, Brazil and South Africa, among others.

    The President will also advance his economic development agenda for aggressive investments attraction in meetings with the global leadership of transnational firms.

    Among such firms are Microsoft, Meta Technologies, Exxon Mobil, General Electric, and others.

    Also, the president will touch on details around emerging cross-sectoral investment opportunities in Nigeria in his address to American business leaders at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

    At the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) Headquarters in New York, Tinubu will conduct its closing ceremony during its trading session.

    This will make the Nigerian leader the first African president to do so.

    The president will also address the Nigerian SMEs Business Summit where he will seek to highlight the increasingly important role of Nigerian enterprises in global trade.

    Meanwhile, to mark halftime of the SDGs, a new SDG Pavilion has been constructed at the UN headquarters in New York, which will host an art exhibition during the session.

    The speakers include heads of state and government, business leaders, experts and advocates for halftime talks to mobilise the world to keep the promise of the goals

    One major indicator of the serious-mindedness of the Nigerian delegation at UNGA 78 is the leanness of the size. Tinubu had shown readiness and preparedness owing to his directive to bar federal government officials with no specific roles from participating in the New York meeting.

    The president, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to freeze the processing visas for all government officials seeking to travel to New York for this year’s UNGA’s scheduled activities.

    There are expectations that President Tinubu, as head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will speak on the spread of military coups in West Africa during his presentation. So far, it has been a test of will for Tinubu. Many are watching with keen interest how far he will go in this all-important assignment.

    Tinubu was elected chair of ECOWAS at its 63rd ordinary session on July 9, and confronted with a coup in Niger Republic 16 days later. Events in Niamey have been unpalatable. Tinubu in his acceptance speech emphasized on the sustainability of democracy in West Africa, stating that democracy is the best form of government due to its legitimacy on fundamental human rights.

    He was accompanied by Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State; Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State; Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; Uba Sani of Kaduna State; AbdulRahman AbdulRazak of Kwara State; and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

    Also with the president are his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Coordinating Minister of the Economy & Finance, Wale Edun, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Pate; Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite.

    The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa and other senior government officials.

  • Tinubu names Stanley Nkwocha as Shettima’s spokesman

    Tinubu names Stanley Nkwocha as Shettima’s spokesman

    President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Stanley Nkwocha as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Office of the Vice President, along with seven other office holders.

    The president also approved other appointments for the office of the Vice President, including the office of Special Adviser to the President on Economy, naming Tope Fasua as occupant.

    According to a list sighted by The Nation on Sunday, September 17, in Abuja, which was confirmed by a senior aide to the president, Muhammad Bulama has been appointed as senior special assistant to the president on special duties.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Tinubu nominates Jamila Bio Ibrahim as Minister of Youths

    The list said: “President Tinubu has appointed new aides to the Vice President’s office. Stanley Nkwocha SSA Media (VP Office); Tope Kolade Fasua, Special Adviser Economy (VP Office); and Sadiq S Jambo SA Economy (VP Office).

    “Dr. Muhammad Bulama SSA Special Duty (VP Office); Mahmud Muhammad Personal Assistant Domestic North-East (VP Office); Ahmed Ningi, SSA Digital media and emergency management (VP Office); Musa Amshi Muhammad Al-Amin, SSA Special Duties (VP Office); and Emmanuella Eduozor as SA Multimedia Content Production.”

  • Kwara gov hails Tinubu over appointment of Jamila as minister of youth

    Kwara gov hails Tinubu over appointment of Jamila as minister of youth

    Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has commended President Bola Tinubu for giving an additional ministerial slot to the state.

    The governor sees this move as a positive step towards acknowledging the state’s rightful position due to the loyalty of Kwarans to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    AbdulRazaq extends his congratulations to Jamila Bio Ibrahim, his former senior special assistant on SDGs, on her nomination as the minister for youth.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Tinubu nominates Jamila Bio Ibrahim as Minister of Youths

    The governor added that Jamila’s nomination satisfies two major developmental milestones of youth empowerment and gender inclusion in the decision-making process in Nigeria.

    He said: “We consider this additional nomination a great honour to our state, especially the rank and file of our party and its youth and women wings. Given her energy and impressive network among the youth constituency, we believe she is a good fit for the role,” the governor said in a statement on Sunday.

    “The governor wishes the ministerial nominee all the best in her new assignment, urging her to be a great ambassador of the state, Kwara APC, and of the youth constituency that she now leads nationwide and requesting all stakeholders to support her in the new role as another representative of Kwara at the Federal Executive Council (FEC).”

  • BREAKING: Tinubu nominates Jamila Bio Ibrahim as Minister of Youths

    BREAKING: Tinubu nominates Jamila Bio Ibrahim as Minister of Youths

    President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, September 17, approved the nomination of Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim as Minister of Youth and Mr. Ayodele Olawande as Minister of State of the ministry.

    The new nominations are subject to confirmation by the Nigerian Senate, a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said.

    He said: “President Bola Tinubu has approved the nomination of Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim to serve as the Minister of Youth, pending her confirmation by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “The President has further approved the nomination of Mr. Ayodele Olawande to serve as the Minister of State for Youth, pending his confirmation by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Read Also: 100 Days: The untold stories of President Tinubu’s leadership acts

    “Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim is a young medical doctor and most recently served as the President of the Progressive Young Women Forum (PYWF). She has also served as the Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    “Mr. Ayodele Olawande is a community development expert and youth leader in the governing All Progressives’ Congress (APC). He most recently served in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Innovation from 2019 to 2023.

    “President Tinubu charges the above-mentioned nominees to ensure that they consistently reflect the dynamism, innovative zeal, and unyielding productivity that are synonymous with the young people of Nigeria as they discharge their duties.”

  • Tinubu appoints Tope Fasua Special Adviser on Economic Matters

    Tinubu appoints Tope Fasua Special Adviser on Economic Matters

    President Bola Tinubu has appointed the Chief Executive Officer of Global Analytics Consulting Tope Fasua, as Special Adviser on Economic Affairs in the office of the Vice President.

    Fasua, an economist and author, shared information about his appointment via his verified X handle (formerly Twitter) Friday night.

    “So, yours truly has been appointed Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs in the VP’s office. Just what I wanted for national impact. We thank God Almighty and those who remembered me and insisted. For God and country,” Mr Fasua said.

    Read Also: Six Govs, seven Ministers attend UNGA with Tinubu

    Fasua, according to Wikipedia, was born and raised in Lagos. For his secondary school education, he attended Army Comprehensive High School in his hometown Akure in 1985 before he went further to study Economics in Ondo State University, where he successfully graduated and received award for the best overall result in the department, faculty and entire school in 1991. In 1996, Fasua became a qualified accountant after attending the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria to obtain ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant). In between Fasua’s movement from his long banking practice into starting his consulting firm, he attended London Metropolitan University to gain Master’s degree in Financial Markets and Derivatives in which he got Distinction in 2006. Harvard Business School, University of Groningen, Lonestar Academy, Texas are some of the academic institutions where Fasua has attended for executive programmes. Currently, he is a fellow Academic with his Ph.D in Public Policy and Administration, in view at Walden University.