President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, September 4, met with the Minister of Defense, Abubakar Badaru, the Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle, as well as the nation’s military leadership, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Also in the meeting were the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar.
The meeting, the first after President Tinubu decorated the Chief of Defense Staff and the service chiefs, which was held behind closed doors, lasted less than an hour and its details were however not available to journalists.
The meeting came ahead of the president’s trip to New Delhi, India for the G20 Leadership Summit in New Delhi, India.
It would be recalled that meetings like this usually feed the president on the general security situation in the country, including a review of areas where they (service chiefs) need to double effort as well as tie loose ends and close gaps.
Tinubu would later in the day proceed to New Delhi, India, to attend the G-20 Leaders Summit on the special invitation of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
On the sidelines of the Summit, the President will participate in and deliver keynote addresses at both the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and the Nigeria-India Business Conference.
President Tinubu aims to leverage this platform to attract global capital and promote increased foreign direct investments in key labour-intensive sectors of Nigeria’s economy for job creation and revenue expansion.
He would also use the opportunity to highlight Nigeria’s attractiveness as an investment destination, specifically outlining his cross-sectoral reform plan as encapsulated by the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Prof Okechuku Onuchuku, has said that the appointment of ex-governor Nyesom Wike as minister of the Federal Capital Territory, made economic sense.
Onuchuku said Wike would expose, unearth all the hidden treasures in Abuja and opened it up for business and investment opportunities.
The professor of economic spoke during an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital yesterday.
His position followed the robust economic profile and channels Wike created during his reign as Rivers State governor.
He lauded President Bola Tunubu for his foresight in appointing Wike the FCT minister, describing it as a square peg in a square hole.
Onuchuku said: “Just few days of his resumption in office, HIS Excellency Nyesom Wike has engaged with contracts handling various projects in Abuja. Look at the tour of the Abuja Light Rail, that’s the way to go.
“I can tell you for free, Wike has gone to renew Abuja. He will like to make name for the Country and not for himself.
“Already Wike has began moves to restructure the FCT beginning with demolition of some unapproved buildings in the area.” he recalled.
The University Don appealed to Nigerians and Abuja residents to corporate, support and prepare to work with the new Minister in the efforts to rebuild the capital Territory, to showcase Nigeria to the world, stressing that “the FCT is the face of the Nation and should be at its best at all times.
He added: “It takes only those with large heart like Wike to bring about business growth to a people,” insisting that, “development can not be pushed by self minded men, but people with driving force for positive change.”
Pic 6. Service Chiefs after their meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday (4/9/2013)
27248/4/9/2023/Callistus Ewelike/NAN
Pic 6. Service Chiefs after their meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday (4/9/2013)
27248/4/9/2023/Callistus Ewelike/NAN
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, parties to the three pending petitions before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) will know their fate on Wednesday, September 6.
The PEPC, headed by Justice Haruna Tsammani, confirmed in a statement on Monday that it has scheduled judgment for Wednesday in the petitions by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and that by Peter Obi and the Labour Party (LP).
It also said the proceedings, planned to commence at 9 a.m., will be aired live on television.
The statement, signed by the Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Umar Bangari, reads: “The Court of Appeal wishes to inform the general public that judgment in the following petitions before the Presidential Election Petition Court will be delivered on Wednesday 6th September 2023:
*CA/PEPC/03/2023 between Mr Peter Gregory Obi and another vs. Independent National Electoral Commission and 3 others
*CA/PEPC/04/2023 between Allied Peoples Movement vs. Independent National Electoral Commission and 4 others.
*CA/PEPC/05/2023 between Abubakar Atiku vs. Independent National Electoral Commission and 2 others.
“In a bid to promote transparency and openness, these judgments will be televised live by interested Television Stations for the public to follow.
“Access to the court premises will be strictly on accreditation. Only accredited individuals, including counsel and representatives of political parties, will be granted access into the courtroom.
“Interested members of the public are advised to watch proceedings from their television sets.
“We appeal for the maximum cooperation of the general public to ensure a hitch-free exercise, please.”
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, parties to the three pending petitions before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) will know their fate on Wednesday, September 6.
The Nation learnt that the PEPC, headed by Justice Haruna Tsammani had scheduled judgment for Wednesday in the petitions by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and that by Peter Obi and the Labour Party (LP).
President Bola Tinubu has reassured Nigerians of his determination not to fail the country in carrying out a permanent transformation of the nation’s economy to an enduring prosperity.
Tinubu said this while receiving members of Tinubu Support Organisation (TSO) on a solidarity visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
This is contained in a statement signed by Chief Frank Ebere-Njoku, National Spokesperson, Tinubu Support Organisation (TSO), given to newsmen in Abuja on Monday.
The president, who thanked the organisation for standing on his mandate, said that Nigeria was on the path of recovery.
Tinubu expressed confidence in the capacity of his cabinet members to rescue the country from the present economic quagmire.
“I have at this point assembled ministers to work toward achieving my goal of a progressive Nigeria.
“I am sure that they are capable of delivering on their primary assignment of rebuilding the Nigerian economy because I will remove anyone who fails, because I want results,” he said.
Tinubu, however, promised to run an all-inclusive government where everyone would be given the opportunity to serve, especially those that worked for him.
According to him, “I will always reward loyalty, excellence and hard work.”
Earlier, Alhaji Aminu Suleiman, Founder, Tinubu Support Organisation (TSO) reassured the president of their loyalty and support.
Suleiman, who expressed unwavering support to President Tinubu, said they were committed to making the government a great success.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that TSO is one of the associations that mobilised support for President Tinubu’s presidency.
The Senator representing Benue Northwest Senatorial zone, Chief Titus Zam, has assured his constituents that President Bola Tinubu will tackle the problem of farmers-herders clash.
Speaking at an interactive session with his constituents from Gwer West Local Government Area on Saturday in Makurdi, Benue State capital, Chief Zam said the President, alongside Service Chiefs, have mobilised security personnel to tackle insecurity, especially against farmers, so that they could return to their farmlands.
Zam, who spoke on the sustained herdsmen attacks on his Ityoshin communities, during the last political dispensation, described some of the attacks as political.
The Nation learnt that out of the 15 council wards in Gwer West Local Government,13 have been occupied by suspected armed herdsmen who are grazing on farmlands after setting their houses ablaze.
He said during the screening of the Service Chiefs, he drew their attention to the worsened security in his communities and that they assured him that the problem would be over soon.
He appealed to his people to be patient with him, saying: ” I’m less than 100 days in the office, and I have four years’ tenure. So gradually most of the critical issues would be solved.
“On the total collapse of Makurdi-Naka-Adoka Federal Highway in which the contractor has stopped work, Zam said, a new minister of works had been appointed, and he has tabled the matter before him, and soon the contractor will return to work.”
He described the Secretary to the Government of the Federal (SGF), Senator George Akume, as his leader and will continue to work with him. “I will work with Senator George Akume, and if anyone is not happy, ‘I’m sorry’,” said Chief Zam.
“Akume made me a Senator, I have been with him for more than 20 years. I can’t leave him,” he said.
He promised to continue the interactive session with his people , just as he advised them to support President Tinubu, Senator Akume, all APC candidates and avoid insulting elders on social media .
Earlier the guest speaker, Prof. John Ajai, and chairman of the occasion, Hon. Kenneth Iyo Iharev, commended Senator Zam for the interactive session, and appealed to him to attract development projects to the people of Gwer and Zone B.
The duo of Iyo and Ajai pointed out the perennial water scarcity in Naka town, which is the headquarters of Gwer West Council, unemployment of graduates, among others, as areas which need the urgent intervention of Senator Zam.
Those who responded commended the Senator for coming home to brief them within his 100 days at the National Assembly
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is spearheading a bid to attract global capital and sustainable foreign direct investment in the country’s economy with his visit to India.
He leaves today for New Delhi.
The President is seeking the collaboration of Indian businessmen and their Nigerian counterparts, and will attend the G-20 Summit, where issues of economic development will also take centre stage.
The President will be accompanied by leading business leaders in all major sectors . Also on the trip with him are: Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun; Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy Mr. Bosun Tijani; and Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite.
Since his inauguration, the President has embarked on massive economic reform on the planks of removal of petrol subsidy, which cost more than half of the nation’s revenue, and the multiple naira to dollar exchange rates, a policy which was unhealthy for the economy.
These two initiatives, although brought some pains, are believed by investors, locally and internationally to be good enough to attract forex inflow and thereby solve the problem of dollar shortage.
The savings realized from the termination of subsidy payment have raised the Federation Account inflow given the tiers of government more revenue.
The President has also initiated a plan to double the nation’s revenue within three years and raise the revenue to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 18 per cent.
The G-20 Summit will hold on Saturday and Sunday.
Ahead of the summit, the President will participate in and deliver keynote addresses at both the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and the Nigeria-India Business Conference.
Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngilale said: ”The CEO Roundtable will be attended by leading industrialists in the Indian private sector, Nigerian industrialists, as well as senior government officials from both countries. The President aims to leverage this platform to attract global capital and promote increased foreign direct investments in key labour-intensive sectors of Nigeria’s economy for job creation and revenue expansion.
“Moreover, he will use this opportunity to highlight Nigeria’s attractiveness as an investment destination, specifically outlining his cross-sectoral reform plan as encapsulated by the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Given the President’s renowned experience in attracting investment to Lagos State, leading industrialists have sought separate private engagements with him at the summit. The President’s itinerary will also feature bilateral meetings with a cross-section of world leaders from four different continents, representing both G-20 and non–G20 countries. These engagements are geared towards strengthening bilateral economic, trade, and investment partnerships for mutual benefit.
“At the G20 Summit, the Nigerian leader is expected to share Nigeria’s perspective on the theme: “One Earth-One Family-One Future,” which speaks to the global unity required to address the challenges facing humanity and the planet.
“With its collective contribution of up to 80% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and housing 60% of the world’s population, the G-20 constitutes a significant economic power bloc of socio-economic opportunity and geo-political stability.
“While Nigeria’s membership of the G-20 is desirable, the government has embarked on wide-ranging consultations with a view to ascertaining the benefits and risks of membership.
“This is consistent with the desire of the President to democratise foreign policy and articulate policy formulation and implementation through a Whole-of-Society and a Whole-of-Government approach that achieves the nation’s long-term strategic objectives.
“Once consultations are concluded, the government will decide whether or not to apply to join as appropriate. The participation of President Tinubu at the G-20 Summit in India is, in part, in furtherance of this objective”.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Reverend Yakubu Pam, has said one of the major successes of the Bola Tinubu/Kashim Shettima administration’s first 100 days in office is their defusing of electioneering period tensions.
The cleric said the tensions were created by politicians who falsely claimed that persecution of Christians would begin with the victory of the joint Muslim ticket.
Addressing reporters at the weekend in Abuja, Pam said he was at the Presidential Villa on Friday to thank President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s steady support for the NCPC, which is Nigeria’s sole facilitator of Christian pilgrimage.
“The first 100 days of the Tinubu/Shettima administration have been marked by a resounding message of unity and inclusivity that shows the current administration as a beacon of peace and unity in Nigeria.
“Last Friday, we briefed Mr. President on the activities and mandate of the NCPC and plans for Christian pilgrimages to Israel, Rome, Jordan and Greece. It was an opportunity for hundreds of Christians to have prayer retreats, and we are immensely appreciative of this administration’s unwavering support.
“Many will recall that during the electioneering period few months ago, some politicians stirred up dangerous sentiments and apprehensions by alleging that Nigeria was about to be converted to one religion. But we thank God that this administration embraces all,” he said.
Pam, who is also the Northcentral zone’s Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) comprising Plateau, Nassarawa, Benue, Niger, Kogi, Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), noted that the aggressive use of disinformation and misinformation against Nigeria’s political leadership posed a threat to democracy, unity and peace.
The NCPC boss said Nigeria faced numerous challenges in its bid towards actualising genuine populist developmental goals of the current administration.
He added that the nation’s politicians and their supporters must rise above dangerous propaganda and the dissemination of mischievous information that threaten national unity, peace, and progress.
Pam also announced the commission’s plan to organise a “Walk for Peace” to enable those who believe in the peace and unity of Nigeria to send a potent message to followers of all religions about collective resolve and support efforts for the actualisation and sustenance of peace across the country.
Group Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc, HEIRS Holdings, Tony Elumelu Foundation
Tony Elumelu
The private sector is encouraged with the bold decisions President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken and we hope that in the fullness of time, Nigerians will benefit from it because it’s all about the Nigerian people, it’s all about our youths, it’s all about making sure our women are involved and empowered.
“It’s all about making sure our youths get jobs and I think Mr President has this at the back of his mind and I believe, as a private sector person, that the actions and the decisions the President is taking will help our people in the long run. I appeal to Nigerians to exercise a bit more of patience, you know Rome was not built in a day.”
Experts: Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN)
Dr. James Neminebor,Chairman, ANAN
Dr. James Neminebor,Chairman, ANAN
The new government of President Tinubu has been very pragmatic. It is like they know what they are doing. The President has just put up a committee that will lead the fiscal policy of the administration.
“Incidentally, all the financially-involved professional bodies are in the committee. ICAN is a member, ANAN is a member, CITN is a member, and myself, I am a member of the committee.
“We are articulating what the fiscal policy of this administration will be, and of course the tax reforms, because if we change the fiscal policy and the tax reforms, such will bring relief to the ordinary people. That is why the government is there, government is not for itself, it is for the people.”
Investment banker, leader
Mr. Olatunde Amolegbe, Managing Director, Arthur Steven Asset Management Limited.
Immediate Past President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS)
Mr. Olatunde Amolegbe
Financial professionals had been yearning for President Tinubu’s liberal but firm approach to policy. His willingness to take very tough decisions must be commended. For instance, the enormous subsidy that had been a gaping hole in the government’s finances has been removed. In the few months since the subsidy removal, the country had saved over N1 trillion, or about five per cent of the N21. 83 trillion budget for 2023.
“Even if the funds aren’t available because the majority of Nigeria’s budget is funded by debt, at least it will prevent the nation from engaging in excessive borrowing. Furthermore, the previous administration lacked the confidence to unify the exchange rate, but President Tinubu managed to do so. Even while there is still pressure on foreign exchange, the good news is that the enormous potential for arbitrage has passed, and currency round tripping activities will fizzle out as the money will have no choice but to be directed to the real economy.
“Furthermore, one can anticipate that the country’s credit rating will improve as a result of the liberalisation of the exchange rate, which is in line with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s recommendation, and the elimination of fuel subsidies. We have already noticed some positive outlooks from Fitch and S & P, and we anticipate that this will be a harbinger for the gradual inflow of foreign investors.
“The Tax Reform Committee under the leadership of Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, a leader in West African taxation, is an effort to strike a balance between business-driven economic growth and rising government revenue. The committee’s goal is to reduce excessive taxation while also assisting the government in increasing revenue by streamlining taxes from 52 to 10. Recently, the president also unveiled the eight-point programme, which serves as the cornerstone of his administration’s agenda. I am still confident that these measures will undergo a significant transformation in the country.
“However, given that several of these measures have led to some immediate hardship, I anticipate a high level of commitment from the government to lessen the immediate effects of some of these policies. For instance, I anticipate that the president will follow through on his pledge to open the Port Harcourt Refinery by December 2023, which will lessen the impact of the removal of fuel subsidies. Additionally, I anticipate an improvement in government revenue, which would result in a decrease in borrowing inclination. Additionally, when global rates begin to decline on the back of declining inflation in several major economies, I anticipate a gradual influx of foreign investors, which will strengthen the countries’ foreign exchange liquidity.”
Academics, thought leader
Prof Uche Uwaleke, President, Association of Capital Market Academics of Nigeria
Head, Securities and Investment Management Dept, Nasarawa State University, Keffi
Prof Uche Uwaleke
The fact is that a 100-day period is insufficient to assess the economic performance of a new administration. What is important at this point is to examine the policies already put in place to see whether they hold some promise to revamping the economy.
“In this regard, I think the major reforms to do with fuel subsidy removal and exchange rates unification are in order. However, the snag I see is the sudden manner of their implementation which is causing untold hardship on the citizens.
“The Executive Order by the President suspending the implementation of certain provisions in the Finance Act 2023 with a view to cushioning the economic hardship being faced by MSMEs was a good move. The Finance Act 2023 kicked-in September.
“Another welcome development is the setting up of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms expected to recommend measures to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria and boost the growth of the private sector.
“The crisis in Niger has remained a distraction, now compounded with the situation in Gabon. It’s important the President remains focused on myriads of economic challenges facing Nigeria despite the developments in other countries requiring his attention, especially now that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has been constituted”.
Investor, shareholders’ leader
Dr Faruk Umar, President, Association for the Advancement of Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS) Board member, NGX Limited, Greenwich Merchant Bank
Dr Faruk Umar
The removal of oil subsidy and the liberalisation of the exchange rate are commendable. We have stopped subsidising the price of petrol to our neighbouring countries and we have an idea of the daily consumption of petrol in the country. Although this has increased the inflation rate, it is going to be highly beneficial in the long run. The merger of the exchange rates has brought foreign investment into the capital market, leading to a sharp increase in the market capitalisation that has not been seen for several years.
“Also, the introduction of student loan policy, if properly structured, will go a long way to assist parents and students, and reduce or eliminate strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). I also see the signing of the Electricity Act improving power supply in the country.
“Going forward, while many politicians were appointed as Ministers, the parastatals should attract technocrats, if we want to see development and growth in the country. There is also the need to overhaul the civil service and ensure corruption in the civil service is reduced to the barest minimum or eliminated completely.
“If the government continues on this trajectory, the GDP is likely to go up; as long as we encourage export and reduce or stop the importation of products that are manufactured in the country.”
