₦airaland Forum

jmoore:
Clowns!! Tinubu government should sell petrol from portharcourt refinery to African countries in naira.


Dangote will be laughing at this stupid idea. You don't want him to earn in dollars?

What will he do with dollars?

DeLaRue:
Nice thought, as it would potentially strengthen the naira.

But West African countries will need to hold naira, instead of dollars and Euros. Many of them will not want to do so. Naira is of no use to them.

And petrol is available from many sources around the world, so Nigeria cannot insist on naira, otherwise they'll buy from other sources.

Nigeria should strengthen its bilateral agreements with each country and make the naira available to them

Salewa97:
Good proposal from the group

It would help in strengthening our currency

Good to see some of the Nigeria's currency exchange rate crisis solution being proposed by a Nigeria group, not foreign NGOs

Cheers

2aces:
A country with an unquenchable hunger for the dollar will never accept this proposal, even if their lives depends on it

Nigeria should push it, even if they don't accept it.

If possible, we should give them incentives

magoo10:
And it is only fuel supplied by an indigenous company that you can boast to export that will warrant Africa countries to have their reserve in naira
Giant of Africa indeed

Nigeria has one of the largest fertilizer companies in world.

We have one of the biggest cement factories in the world.

We have one of the largest sugar factories in the world.

And now one of the biggest refineries, all of which are owned by Dangote.

These 4 items are huge and we can leverage on it to our advantage

Adblg0610:
This is a thought straight out of the box.

It’s a very creative and unusual idea that will definitely strengthen our currency, if other countries are given the option of buying our products in Naira.

It would stem the mad rush for the dollars and engrave President Bola Tinubu’s name in gold.

Yo shinai, Yo kangai- good thinking, good product.

You are right

*FG should liaise with Dangote to sell petrol to all African countries in naira-Kwara Must Change*

A leading Pro-Democracy group, Kwara Must Change has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to partner and collaborate with the Dangote Group to sell all its products, particularly petroleum products to African countries in naira.

Kwara Must Change also said that only countries in Europe, Asia and America should buy the product in dollars, ensuring that this landmark achievement of Dangote is not only serving Nigeria's national interest, but also serving its regional interest.

In a statement by the Convener of Kwara Must Change, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the group said the coming of Dangote refinery should be fully maximized and integrated, along with other major industries like the fertilizer, sugar and cement, which is sold to other African countries amongst others.

According to Hamzat,this proposal aligns with the larger vision of promoting the Nigerian currency across the continent, potentially strengthening its value and influence in regional trade and reducing reliance on dollars.

He also said that, rather than chase foreign exchange, particularly the US dollars, we should focus on making others look for naira, which will have a more broader impact on our economy.

Hamzat maintained that, if the federal government makes this a reality, this could create a more favorable business environment for Nigerian industries, promote regional economic integration, and reduce dependency on foreign currencies, particularly the U.S. dollar, adding that this move might help stabilize the naira and encourage other African nations to adopt similar strategies for regional trade.

"It should be recalled that the FG has approved the purchase of crude oil in naira for Dangote refinery and others in Nigeria and this means that the obligation of the refinery in foreign currency will be minimized, thereby making this initiative something achievable.

Kwara Must Change therefore urges the government and Dangote group to look into the proposal inline with Nigeria's overall interest.

End

Melagros:
COMRADES, those countries shouldn't think of rejoining ECOWAS, simple

Africa needs each other

How ECOWAS can reintegrate Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso- PeacePro

A peacebuilding think tank based in Nigeria, Foundation for Peace Professionals also known as PeacePro has counsel the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on how to prevent the permanent break away of the 3 Sahel states of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso and reintegrate them back into the community.

In a statement by the Executive Director of PeacePro, Mr Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the group said that reintegrating the Sahel states is not a complicated task, if ECOWAS is ready to address the core issues that led to the fracture.

According to Hamzat, ECOWAS needs to be ready to champion issues important to the 3 countries as articulated in their joint charter.

Hamzat said, To reintegrate Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso into the ECOWAS community, it is essential that we address their core concerns by supporting their security efforts, respecting their sovereignty, and championing their vision, adding that this reintegration should not be treated as a mere formality, but as a strategic partnership aimed at regional stability and growth.

Hamzat further explained that, once ECOWAS can demonstrate that it is ready to integrate their vision and champion the implementation, the three countries will likely reconsider their decision to leave the regional bloc.

"ECOWAS should also be committed to being involved in their negotiations with France and other foreign powers to address their economic and security concerns, which is one of the main issues articulated by the 3 countries" Hamzat said, noting that engaging in the Sahel states' negotiations with foreign powers, like France, ensures their concerns are heard on the global stage. By doing so, we not only strengthen the Sahel but also reaffirm ECOWAS' commitment to the entire region. He said.

He argued that, trying to reintegrate the 3 countries for formality purposes without putting into consideration, issues driving their popularity in the continent is a counter productive strategy.

According to him, ECOWAS should pay attention to the mood of the continent, not just the 3 breakaway countries and develop strategies that will endear the organization to the people and members, instead of just trying to win back the break aways.

"By taking these steps, ECOWAS can demonstrate its commitment, not just to the 3 Sahel states' concerns and vision, paving the way for their reintegration into the regional community, but also winning back trust of the people of the continent and leading the region out of the current state of despair" Hamzat concluded

Hon Rukayat Shittu drum support for Minister of Women Affairs

_Calls for outcomes driven empowerment for women_

Full statement

Some moments ago, I came across a trending video online, in which the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barr Uju Kennedy Ohanenye was expressing her disapproval with endless hosting of workshops and conferences with huge budgets at the detriment of outcomes driven interventions.

According to the honourable minister, organizing workshops and seminars with huge budgets will not impact the people and she's determined to set a new priority.

As someone who has participated in several events of such nature, I have equally shared similar observation while talking in different panel sessions, calling attention of funding organizations to more impactful priority.

Records show that a significant amount of money is allocated for women empowerment especially by international organizations, but the focus is not on providing real empowerment for women, such as paying skills, practical training, education, or economic opportunities.

Instead, the funds are usually spent on hosting workshops and conferences, at the end of which no tangible impact is made on the livelihood of women.

Meanwhile, many women continue to struggle with poverty and lack access to resources that could improve their lives.

According to data by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), more than 65% of women in rural Nigeria live in poverty, more than 63% are with no higher education and more than 73% are unemployed.

These and many other issues are what programs aimed at empowering women should focus on, which would complement efforts of government across the country.

Workshops and conferences cannot become an end on their own, they should be a means to an end.

Workshops and conferences, while valuable for awareness, should indeed not overshadow the critical need for direct support that can uplift women from poverty, provide education, and create economic opportunities.

I therefore urge all Non Governmental Organizations and development partners to support the advocacy of the Minister of Women Affairs by channelling 80% of resources spent on workshops and conferences on practical empowerment of women, especially at the grassroots level to reduce poverty and increase enterprising capacity.

The Hon Minister’s approach may seem odd, but her advocacy is valid and it's essential to ensure that efforts to support women are effective, sustainable, and focused on making a real difference in their lives.

Hon. Rukayat Shittu
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/UdxGqSt5pD9HrR8w/?mibextid=oFDknk

Kwara preparing for the post otoge era, as group setup think tank to develop plan

_Appoints former commissioner as head_

A leading Pro-Democracy group, Kwara Must Change has setup a think tank to develop a policy document for the post otoge administration, which it describes as post otoge project (POP2027).

Kwara Must Change also appointed to head the POP2027 think tank, Dr Mopelola AbdulMalik Bashir, a former commissioner and prominent pro-democracy activist.

In a statement by the Convener of Kwara Must Change, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the group said that POP2027 think tank will develop a policy direction for the next administration to consolidate the gains of Kwara liberation, strengthen weaknesses identified in the current system, expand scope of governance coverage, enhance economic capacity of the state, sustain data based developmental approach, build more human capacity and rebuild political capacity.

According to Hamzat, Dr Mopelola led POP2027 think tank will not only produce a policy document, the committee will also develop an implementation framework, Monitoring and observation template as well as priority focus on the scale of preference.

"Kwara Must Change is planning for the future by making this significant effort to solidify and guide future direction in the post otoge era rather than be stuck in the Otoge movement's initial success".

Hamzat maintained that, the Otoge administration is a new start for Kwara state and the hope and expectations of the people is for every successive government to do better than the last.

Kwara Must Change is therefore committed to building a development based polity, where issues of governance and development is the driving force of our politics.

https://tribuneonlineng.com/ex-kwara-commissioner-leads-think-tank-on-future-politics/

STATE OF THE NATION: GBENGA HASHIM VISITS NEPU LEADER, FORMER MINISTER IN KANO

Wednesday 14 August, 2024, Kano, Nigeria

A former Presidential candidate and a prominent political chieftain from the Middle Belt region piloted the plane of his "State of the Nation" consultation to prominent politicians in the North West region.

Specifically, Wednesday, 14 August, he led a delegation and visited. Mr Hashim said on his Facebook official page "I visited with our leader in the Northern Progressive Group, Alhaji Sule Lamido, Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Former Governor Jigawa state."

Lamido, according to a statement developed and released by Mr Hashim's media department "was a protégé of our leader, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, the Former Governor of Old Kano state, who is now late."

According to the former Presidential candidate "Alhaji Rimi and his friend, Chief Doushep Solomon Lar (Former Governor of Old Plateau state), provided leadership and inspiration for those of us in the Northern Progressive Movement in the struggle to end Military rule."

He added that "in that struggle, Alhaji Rimi and Alhaji Sule were held in custody just as yours truly was held in detention in 1989 under Solitary confinement."

"A fearless upholder of the Northern Element People’s Union (NEPU) political tradition. We met in Kano yesterday and discussed THE STATE OF THE NATION", he concluded.

Before the trip to Kano yesterday, Mr. Gbenga Hashim consulted with prominent politicians in the First and Second Republics in all the Six Geo-Political zones in the country.

https://www.famouspeople.com.ng/state-of-the-nation-gbenga-hashim-visits-nepu-leader-former-minister-in-kano.html

EyeCumInPeace:
So much attention and focus on protests instead of the main issue of hunger and suffering.
If they are so worried the protest will threaten the regime or lead to destruction, then Tinubu should do the needful.

The same mouth he used to say "Subsidy is Gone", he should use that same mouth to say "Subsidy is Back"

Very simple stuff.

Anyone who wants to protest for hunger will go to farm.

Nobody will give you food on the street

Right to protest sacrosanct, but plotting regime change illegal, says Gbenga Hashim

Former presidential candidate Gbenga Hashim argued that the right to protest by any group of Nigerians or individuals is an essential part of the citizens’ freedom of expression, as provided in Nigeria’s Constitution, as long as such rights are exercised peacefully and without infringing on the rights of others.

In a statement by his media office, Hashim maintained that there are legitimate grounds for Nigerians to protest the prevailing economic situation and myriad of challenges that are not currently being satisfactorily addressed.

He noted that Nigerians even protested robustly under military rule.

According to him: “What government needs to do is to address the issues with utmost sincerity it is time for an honest introspection.”

Hashim added: “However, any group of people allegedly plotting extra-constutional regime change under the cover of protest would be engaged in treason and where credible evidence exists would be answerable to law.

“We are a democracy one that some of us suffer dearly to establish. Though our democracy may be slow to produce positive results for our people, we must resist the temptation and seduction of unconstitutional change which in our immediate past has produced horrible out comes.”

“We are a democracy one that some of us suffer dearly to establish. Though our democracy may be slow to produce positive results for our people, we must resist the temptation and seduction of unconstitutional change which in our immediate past has produced horrible out comes.”

He maintained: “Let us work instead harder to make our democracy produce more positive results, adding that God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/right-to-protest-sacrosanct-but-plotting-regime-change-illegal-says-gbenga-hashim/

Nigeria's former presidential candidate, Gbenga Hashim condemns political violence in US election

_Says assassination attempt on Trump reminds us of the killing of JF Kennedy and attempt on Regan_

Monday, 15 July, 2024, Abuja, Nigeria

The unfortunate attempt on the life of former US President, Trump, over the weekend and Candidate of the Republican Party who narrowly escaped assassination at a rally in Pennsylvania, United States, has been condemned by a Former Presidential Candidate in Nigeria, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim.

Trump was the previous president of the United States, losing his reelection bid to Joe Biden in 2020.

This was contained in a press statement released in Abuja today by his media team.

In the statement, the former Presidential candidate maintained that "he joined millions of people all over the world to thank God for the life of this enigmatic leader who has been preserved by Mercy of God."

According to him, "I also sympathize with the families of the victims of the shooting.

"The unfortunate incident, he added, is reminiscent of the assassination of J F Kennedy and attempted killing of President Ronald Regan, is a sad reminder that political violence remains a critical issue in one of the world's most advanced democracies, as it is a world wide phenomenon."

The former Presidential candidate maintained that "the assassination attempt is condemnable and every lover of democracy must work for unity and peace to remove the toxicity in the atmosphere that breeds this sort of barbaric act."

https://factualtimesng.com/us-election-gbenga-hashim-condemns-assassination-attempt-on-trump/

*20% of all petrol stations in Nigeria should be converted to CNG within 6 months- Abdulrazaq Hamzat*

The federal government of Nigeria has been urged to provide necessary technical and administrative leadership aswell as financial incentive to convert 20% of Petrol stations in Nigeria to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) within the next 6 months to 1 year.

The Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources is also urged to be more proactive and aggressive in its efforts to drive the adoption of CNG in the country.

This call was made by Mr Abdulrazaq Hamzat at an ongoing CNG station in ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Mr Hamzat, who is a clean energy advocate and a peacebuilding professional said that the CNG adoption programme of the federal government has been too slow in execution to become an alternative energy source to petrol users in a short term.

While speaking to members of a leading Pro-Democracy group, Kwara Must Change at the ongoing CNG station in ilorin, Hamzat explained that the Federal Ministry of Petroleum launched a CNG adoption program in August 2023, but the initiative is not only too slow in implementation, it is also too small to accommodate the volume of demand in the country.

According to Hamzat, Ministry of Petroleum, through NNPC limited partnered with NIPCO Gas Limited, to establish CNG stations in the country.

"Although, Nipco is present in 22 states, but it currently operates just 15 autoCNG stations, with about 19 others coming up, 4 in Lagos" he said.

Hamzat explained that, NNPC's partnership with NIPCO will develop about 56 CNG stations across Nigeria, out of which 35 will be in Lagos state alone, adding that in the same Lagos, one other CNG station was developed with capacity to fill 600 trucks and buses per day.

Hamzat maintained that, these CNG stations are too insufficient, even as pilot, to 99accommodate the volume of demand that would come, even in its first few weeks of operations.

"The survey conducted by our research team shows that their is huge expectation from the public, beyond the plans of the federal government and this will create some setback in the subsequent advocacy for CNG adoption".

"Our research shows that one in every five Nigerians are willing to try CNG when it is available"

Hamzat therefore proposed that the federal should mandate all petrol stations to convert 20% of their facilities to CNG.

"What we would propose is for all petrol stations in the country to convert 20% of their stations to CNG in the next 6 months or 1 year for efficient coverage".

I think we are under estimating the quest for alternative fuel in Nigeria he said, noting that there's huge expectation for CNG beyond the plans of the government.

He concludes that, having such big ambition will force the government to adjust regulatory framework, fast track stakeholders engagement, invest more in equipment, logistics and distribution network to meet the projected demands of CNG.

End

https://thepridenews.com.ng/2024/06/04/20-of-all-petrol-stations-in-nigeria-should-be-converted-to-cng-within-6-months-abdulrazaq-hamzat/

Kwara State is also in the forefront, due to consistent efforts of the governments, over the years, but it can do more to expand electricity access and complete the task once and for all and move to other value chains of electricity, including energy equity and security,” Hamzat stated.

He urged the state government to make deliberate attempts to provide 100 per cent electricity access in the state within the next three years, to make Kwara State the first or one of the first three to achieve 100 per cent electricity access in the country.

Explaining to Arewa PUNCH the possibility of the task, Hamzat recalled that in November 1920, Vladimir Lenin, leader of the then Soviet Union (Russia) issued a slogan identifying electricity as the only remaining step in Russia’s development, thus making access to electricity a major target for the country and within the five years target, the entire Russian federation had electricity access.


“This therefore gave it the opportunity to concentrate on other aspects of power generation as part of its broad 10 year plan.

“Similarly, in 2015, China successfully connected all of its 1.4 billion population to electricity access,” he noted further.

The Kwara Must Change leader added that, in both Russia and China’s effort to ensure electricity access, three fundamentals were key – providing electricity access as part of the development plan, articulating the mission appropriately to all stakeholders, at all levels and making it the cornerstone of assessing progress and ensuring the right technology mix, especially at the rural areas.

“Achieving 100 per cent electricity access will open a new chapter in our quest for energy security and this will greatly help in attracting investment,” he stressed.

Speaking further, Hamzat said that while the group was aware that there were ongoing efforts by the state government to fully take advantage of the new electricity deregulation in the country, it urged the government to include 100 per cent electricity access within the next three years as part of its broad target in the Kwara State energy sector.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government has reiterated its commitment to offering long-lasting solutions to the declining electricity supply, seeking synergy with the private independent power plant, Dapik Energy to formulate an electricity market policy that will enhance economic growth, foster the development of human capital and create the enabling environment for businesses and future investors in the state.

The state Commissioner for Energy, Engr. AbdulAzeez AbdulGaniy stated this on Friday during a proposal presentation by Dapik Energy at the Ministry’s Conference Hall.


AbdulGaniy said, “We are ready to partner with you because we want a Kwara with a sustainable power market that will enable investors to come in order to create more employment opportunities and improve human capital development.”

In their remarks, both the Director, Personnel, Finance and Supply, Alhaji Hassan Taiye Afodun and the Director, Electrical Engineering, Engr. Anthony Ayodeji Alago, hailed the Chief Executive Officer, Dapik Energy, Mr. Dapo Adedoyin, for the innovative presentation which will enable Kwara State to achieve a sustainable energy market that will increase its revenue generation.

Earlier in his address, Adedoyin had remarked, “We want to develop Kwara State Electricity Market Policy, which will give us capabilities to generate, transmit and distribute electricity in the State through access to natural gas.

“This is in line with the 2023 Electricity Bill that was signed into law by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which gives the State the power to generate, transmit and distribute electricity for improved development,” Adedoyin added.

Therefore, he called for collaboration with the Federal Electrification Agency, Rural Electrification Agency, Distribution Companies and other stakeholders in the energy sector.


Tunde Oyekola

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