₦airaland Forum

The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) has provided a N5billion grant to the Akwa Ibom State Government targeted at healthcare and social development as part of its annual $100 million dollars Annual Africa Fund for Social Development and Renewal. This was announced during a presentation of the grant award letter by ASR Africa to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel in Uyo, Thursday.

Speaking at the presentation, Kabiru Rabiu, representing the Chairman of ASR Africa and BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, commended Governor Udom for his strides in upgrading the State healthcare infrastructure and referral system at the Primary and Secondary levels, as well as the state’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic for which the BUA Foundation donated 5 ambulances and 50,000 reusable facemasks during the pandemic, and which were distributed to students and vulnerable groups across the state.

He disclosed that the project initiation process and development of mutual accountability frameworks to guide the grant usage will commence immediately whilst adding that ASR Africa has also approved the immediate and initial disbursement of N2.5billion from the total sum to a jointly managed fund guaranteeing the commencement of the programme.

In his remarks, Governor Udom praised the Founder of the Initiative, Abdul Samad Rabiu for his consistent commitment to social good and philanthropy. He also added that the projects to be funded by the grant will be jointly approved and implemented in line with the ASR Africa Grants Utilisation Framework. Furthermore, Governor Udom said that the state will continue to do more to boost social development and improve the healthcare infrastructure for its citizens considering the great strides have already been made.
While reiterating the purpose of ASR Africa, Ubon Udoh, Managing Director of ASR Africa said, “The initiative’s core areas of intervention are Education, Health and Social Development in Africa and our main focus is on equipping facilities, researchers, healthcare practitioners and community-level service providers and also supporting the efforts of various Governments in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.

“The purpose of this initiative is to give back to the society. ASR Africa has set aside100million dollars annually for social development, health and education intervention in Nigeria and Africa through the ASR Africa Fund for Social Development and Renewal. Of this amount, 50million dollars is being committed to Nigeria and another $50million for the rest of Africa. Prior to now,, the initiative had donated N1billion each to the University of Ibadan, Oyo State and the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State under our education intervention programme.. Akwa Ibom state will be the first sub-national government to benefit from this Fund as well as the first to benefit from the healthcare component. We are currently evaluating other beneficiaries within Nigeria and the rest of Africa.

ABOUT ASR AFRICA
The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative seeks to support sustainable development initiatives in the Health, Education and Social Development within Nigeria and the rest of Africa, every year. For more information visit asrafrica.org or email asrafrica[at]buagroup[dot]com.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, has reversed an earlier letter he sent to the Minister of Finance, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, prohibiting the importation of sugar from the free trade zones into the Nigerian customs territory.

According to TheCapital.ng, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service and the Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian Ports Authority were copied in the letter. Adebayo’s letter was predicated on a petition to him by the chairman, Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; and chairman, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Mr. John Coumantaros

Reacting, the BUA Group chairman, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, said that his investment in Port Harcourt did not in any way pose a threat to the country’s sugar policy. Rather, he said that it would checkmate arbitrary price increase by the major players among other benefits to Nigeria.

With some agencies of the federal government acting immediately on the minister’s letter, particularly the NPA, which directed all Terminal operators to ensure strict compliance with the directive in a letter dated 8th April. This is despite the court order obtained by BUA refraining the ministry and all the agencies including the NPA from disturbing its operations pending the outcome of the court case.

However, some government agencies hastily acted on the letter without recourse to the court order in a move that insiders say embarrassed the government.

According to credible sources, Adebayo has written a letter to the Minister of Finance, rescinding his earlier directive while asking every agency of government concerned to stay action on the matter.

Meanwhile, the MD/CEO of the NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman has been suspended from office. She got her letter today and has vacated the office for an acting MD, Mohammed Koko. The reason for her suspension is still sketchy at the time of this report.

Popular Redeemed Christian Church of God Pastor, Dare Adeboye is dead.

POLITICS NIGERIA learned that Dare, a son of RCCG overseer, Enoch Adeboye, died in his sleep on Wednesday in Akwa-Ibom state. He was the third son of the revered cleric.

The deceased, who was the Assistant Pastor in charge of Region (Youth) 35, had ministered the previous day and was said to have retired to his bed and did not wake up.

His wife, Temiloluwa, went to check up on him on noticing that he had slept for too long, when she discovered he was not breathing.

He was aged 42.

About this time last year, President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled his new Chief of Staff, after the sad passage of the occupant of the office, Mallam Abba Kyari.

The new Chief of the Presidential Villa was none other than respected academic and International diplomat, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari. The choice received wide plaudits, both from home and abroad. Gambari was sure a round peg in a round hole. A perfect fit.

The new Chief and Muhammadu Buhari were by no means strangers. In his first incarnation as military head of state (December 1983-August 1985), young Gambari was Minister of External Affairs to Buhari. He served well, and no wonder he got another nod 35 years later.

But as Gambari clocks one year in office, the hounds have come after him. The coyotes are baying for blood, which, unfortunately, is often the lot of public officers in this country, no matter how altruistic the officer is.

I have read a malicious piece making the rounds on social media, under the headline, ‘The Truth Gambari Must Hear About Himself.’ What a cruel hatchet job! Only a spiteful mind could have conceived and conjured such venom, no wonder the piece bears no attribution. The scuba diver went under the sea to do evil, and cowardly kept off his name.

What was the piece saying, in summary? Prof Gambari no longer picks phone calls. He has not used his position to help his people in Kwara in any way. His son now receives patronage and gratification from business men. He is not deploying his elevated position to find solution to the myriad of problems besetting the nation. He is not feared or respected in the Presidential Villa, unlike his predecessor. And on and on.

Now, should we begin to disturb the eternal sleep of Abba Kyari, after he has completed his course and gone to rest? Unconscionable. The dead deserves his rest, and it is a fate that awaits every mortal.

Comparing Gambari with Kyari, all in an effort to run down the former, is mean, dishonorable and reprehensible. Sadly, some people don’t know better. Style is peculiar to individuals. Kyari had his own, and Gambari has his. Those who know how the Villa runs now attest to the fluidity of processes under Gambari, without necessarily impugning Kyari’s style. He has played his part, and is off the stage of life.

The writer claims he has called the phone number of Prof Gambari repeatedly, without getting a response. So, what law has been broken? Doesn’t he know the pressures of the office of the Chief of Staff to a President? The situation calls for understanding, rather than condemnation.

Don’t we equally pile too much on people who hold public offices, and when we can’t have our way, we turn round to flagellate them unduly? If you, or any other person, can’t get a COS on the phone, it is no reason to conclude that he has changed, and joined the oppressors. That would be unkind, even cruel.

Why do we often believe the worst about people who hold elevated public offices, whether they have wronged us or not. Bile? Malice? Jealousy? But Prof Gambari has served far and wide, home and abroad, and acquitted himself creditably, so why begrudge him what the author called ‘a retirement position,’ in which he is also discharging his duties effectively?

The ghost writer alleges libelous things against Gambari and his son, as grievous as bribery and corruption. And what evidence has he adduced? He only quoted an online publication, without a shred of evidence. Shame. Must you run a man down by all means, without the slightest justification?Shame, again shame.

If those gunning for Gambari wish to know, the man is not being defined by his position as COS. He had been long proven, tested, and defined. He has just merely come to use that hard earned reputation to serve the President. Those of us who have known him for decades will attest to that.

When he came to the position in May, last year, Gambari granted an interview to Channels Television, and it is about the only interview in record against his name. He said he had come to government to help President Buhari succeed, and would be loyal and answerable to him and him alone. So, what’s all the trash about not using his position to help his native Kwara State? Doesn’t the state have a Governor, deputy governor, Senators, House of Representatives members, State Assembly members, local government chairmen, who have all been elected to serve their people? So why wait for a Chief of Staff at the Federal level, before things get done. Come on!

The hatchet piece says Gambari has contributed in no way to bringing peace to a currently troubled country. Ignorance. How many peace sorties has the COS embarked on, to different regions of the country? How many peace missions has he led, as representative of the President? One can only pity ignorant people.

The shadowy writer concluded the piece by saying Gambari would one day return to the society, “after brief luxury of power.” Ridiculous mindset. Gambari is no stranger to lofty positions, and the appurtenances thereof. Saying he would return to society “without honor and respect “ can only be an evil wish of the writer.

It won’t come to pass. Honor and respect are earned, and Gambari long got his stripes.

Former Aviation Minister, Olufemi Fani-Kayode has called on the Federal Government to arrest and Interrogate Shiekh Ahmad Gumi over his activities with Bandits in the North.

In a statement sent to POLITICS NIGERIA on Wednesday, FFK accused Gumi of being a “Front, Bagman and PR” for the dreaded Bandits.

“I hereby call on the Federal Government to invite, arrest and interrogate Sheik Ahmad Gumi. Assuming this lady’s testimony is true it provides clear evidence of him being an accessory and accomplice to terrorism, abduction, kidnapping and murder.”

“He is a BAG man, a FRONT and a PR officer for the terrorists that have plagued our land and I have no doubt that he personally benefits from the ransoms that are being paid.”

“If this were not the case he would not spend his entire life attempting to defend, justify, rationalise and explain their barbaric, homicidal, savage and beastly ways.”

“These people have so much blood on their hands yet Gumi still holds himself out as their advocate and best friend. He is nothing but an extortionist who thrives on the misery and blood of those that have been murdered and kidnapped. First it was Pantami and now this!”

“How much longer do the people of Nigeria have to put up with evil and wicked men like this? Enough is enough! If no-one else will say it I WILL.”

“Gumi must be brought to justice and so must every single one of his foreign Fulani terrorist friends and all those within and outside Government that have links with ISIS, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, the Fulani terrorists, the Taliban, ISWA, Al Shabab and any other evil terrorist organisation which seeks to kill and Islamise our people and conquer and occupy our territory and nation.”

“Nigerians are being murdered every day and our soldiers are on the war front being slaughtered by these barbarians and animals yet some that are highly placed in society are still supporting them? This is nothing but wickedness. This is evil. This is wrong. This is unacceptable.”

“If the Federal Government refuses to act against Gumi it will raise questions about their commitment to fighting terror and stopping the terrorists. Every day people are being killed and kidnapped. This madness has to stop and those behind it and that covertly support it must be brought to justice.”

The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby condemns the unsavoury statements by misguided elements who have continued to threaten the government, sovereignty and corporate existence of this country. Notable are the unnecessary vituperations and activities of some religious and past political leaders who have either called for forceful change of government or mass action against it. It has been established that the main objective for these is to cause a disintegration of the country.

It is unfortunate that those in the forefront of this are respectable individuals who should be patriotic and not allow their personal ambitions to ruin the nation. The Service has also noted their desperation and penchant to collaborate with external forces and influences against Nigeria.

They are reminded that even though democracy offers free speech, it does not give room to reckless pronouncements capable of undermining security. It is instructive to note that the ballot box remains the vehicle of change in a democracy.

In this regard, self-centred individuals and groups are warned to stop engaging in acts inimical to the peace and sovereignty of this nation. In the same manner, influential personalities should be sensitive to the emerging situations and guard against divisive and inciting utterances that may cause a breakdown of law and order.

Recently, the Service invited and cautioned some persons who deniably recounted their earlier statements or said they were quoted out of context. The public should be wary of such individuals and their co-travellers who, incite them in the open but, turn in the secret to retrieve their words after they had caused the damage.

While the Service reaffirms its unambiguous support to an indivisible, indisolluble and united Nigerian State in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, it will no longer tolerate deliberate machinations by subversive and hostile groups whose agenda is to throw the country into anarchy so as to serve the interests of their sponsors. Consequently, the Servcie is assiduously working with other security and law enforcement agencies to ensure the maintenance of peace and internal security of the country.

BUA, one of Africa’s largest conglomerates, has signed a contract to build a 285,000tonnes per annum Polypropylene Plant as part of its proposed grassroots BUA Refinery with Lummus Technology – a world leader in the construction of polypropylene projects, using their Novolen technology. According to both parties, the scope includes the technology license for a 285,000tonnes per annum polypropylene unit as well as basic design engineering, training and services, and catalyst supply.

Speaking on the signing, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder/Executive Chairman of BUA said, “We are pleased to sign this Polypropylene contract for our BUA Refinery and Petrochemicals Project with Lummus Technology, a world leader in delivering polypropylene solutions, which will solve the increasing demand for high-performance grade Polypropylene in Nigeria, the Gulf of Guinea as well as the Sub-Saharan Africa Region. We are confident in the capacity and technical expertise of Lummus Technology to deliver a best-in-class, 285KTA polypropylene unit for our refinery project scheduled to come on stream in 2024.”

In his comments, Leon de Bruyn, Lummus Technology’s President and Chief Executive Officer said, “We look forward to working with BUA Refinery on this critical project and supporting the first Novolen polypropylene unit in Nigeria.”. “Our world-class Novolen technology is well suited to meet Nigeria’s increasing demand for the growing petrochemical products market. It offers a flexible range of industry-leading products for all PP applications, and the industry’s lowest overall capital and operational costs, while providing customers with high process reliability and flexibility in responding to market needs.”

Recently, BUA announced a proposed 200,000barrels per day refinery and petrochemicals plant which would include a polypropylene unit to be built in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria.

The French President, Emmanuel Macron, has commended the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu for his commitment to developing lasting relationships between French and Nigerian businesses. This came as the French Minister for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, Franck Riester, paid a visit to the BUA Group HQ in Lagos Nigeria where he handed over a personal invitation from President Macron to Abdul Samad Rabiu to attend the Choose France Summit in June in Paris representing business leaders from Nigeria and Africa.

The French minister also witnessed the signing of a progress acknowledgement statement between BUA Group and Axens of France for BUA’s proposed 200,000barrels per day refinery in Akwa Ibom. During the visit, it was also announced that the Chairman of BUA Group had been appointed Chairman of the France Nigeria Investment Club.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu thanked the Minister and President Macron for their unwavering support in bringing BUA and French businesses together. He further added that so far, BUA had initiated partnerships and have developed personal relationships with a few French businesses, including Axens whilst expressing confidence in the quality of expertise and technical know-how of the French companies BUA has partnered with.

In his comments, Jean Sentenac, President of Axens said that he is pleased that the project is advancing on schedule. He also praised the very good cooperation between all the involved parties and reiterated the commitment of Axens to delivering the BUA Refinery Project on time and with the highest standards.

Represented by Franck Riester, the French Minister for Foreign Trade and Attractiveness, Marcon invited Abdul Samad to the “Choose France Summit” and said the French Government is ever ready to support people-oriented and developmental projects in Nigeria. “I am very pleased to see how committed Abdul Samad Rabiu is for the refinery and in the space of philanthropy”. Macron said.

“I want to stress how keen you were in promoting the interest of Nigeria and its people during our meeting in Paris and how committed you were to make the economy stronger and more resilient. I want to congratulate you for the vision and ambition you demonstrate in many sectors in your will to build projects shaping the future of Nigeria.  We think that we have to support long term investment of French companies in Nigeria and Nigeria companies in France and this project of refinery is a wonderful project for Nigeria”, Macron said.

Earlier, Abdul Samad Rabiu who stated that Nigeria imports most of its crude oil consumed daily noted that BUA Refinery when fully operational will reduce the huge cost transporting crude oil offshore, refining it, and bringing it back into the country. Rabiu added that the decision to site the refinery in Akwa Ibom – Southern Nigeria was strategic due to huge availability of raw materials and its proximity to export petroleum products to regional countries.

Riester was accompanied by a high-powered delegation of Jerome Pasquier, Ambassador of France in Nigeria; Mrs Laurence Monmayrant, Consul General of France in Lagos; Quentin Teisseire, Chief of Staff, Alexis du Boisberranger, Technical advisor for export and strategic partnership; Ms Benedicte Constans, Advisor to the Minister, in Charge of Communication; Pascal Furth, Regional Economic Counsellor, French Embassy amongst others.

Former Governor of Imo state, Rochas Anayo Okorocha has been arrested by the Economic and Financial crimes commission, EFCC for Money Laundering.

Okorocha was arrested by EFCC officials on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has denied revoking 32 refinery licenses issued to private companies in Nigeria.

Mr Paul Osu, Head, Public Affairs, DPR, made the clarification in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

"We wish to clarify that DPR did not revoke any refinery licence."

"Refinery licenses, like our other regulatory instruments have validity periods for investors to attain certain milestones. This implies that after the validity period for the particular milestone, the licence becomes inactive until the company reapplies for revalidation to migrate to another milestone."

"This does not in any way translate to revocation of licence of the company,” Osu said. According to him, the DPR in line with the aspirations of the government initiated the refinery revolution programme of the country. He said it was aimed at boosting local refining capacity by enabling business and creating new opportunities for new investors with the granting of modular and conventional refinery licenses to investors."

Osu said the DPR would continue to provide support for investors in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria using its regulatory instruments of licences, permits and approvals to stimulate the economy and align with governments job creation initiatives.

The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa (ASR Africa) initiative has announced the appointment of consummate International Development and M&E expert, Ubon Udoh as its pioneer Managing Director/Chief Executive effective immediately.

The ASR Africa Initiative, which is the brainchild of industrialist and Philanthropist, Abdul Samad Rabiu was recently set up with an annual pledge of $100million dedicated to Health, Education and Social Development issues within the African continent - with Nigeria to benefit $50million yearly and the rest of Africa, $50miilion dollars in what is the largest private philanthropic giving of its kind by an individual in Africa.

Speaking on the appointment, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of ASR Africa who is also the Founder/Chairman of the African conglomerate, BUA Group, said Ubon’s appointment signaled the seriousness with which the initiative intends to carry out its mandate with a focus on systems, programme development and deployment, monitoring and evaluation as well as sustainability.

“We are pleased to have Ubon Udoh lead the team at the ASR Africa initiative which has been set up to help bridge the development gap in these key areas of health, education and social development within Africa. A well respected and proven expert in building systems and processes and managing donor funds and grants, with an exceptional record of tangible results and value for money, Ubon has added immense value to every institution he has been a part of, and we believe he is a perfect fit for the goals and aspirations of ASRi.

He brings with him many years of experience as well as the expertise needed to drive the ASR Africa Mandate whilst also engendering sustainable partnerships for development across the African continent. ASR Africa is confident that he will bring these to bear in developing a sustainable programme for the initiative’s annual $100million Africa Fund for Social Research & Development.”

With over 20 years of international development and project management experience, Ubon Udoh has a strong Monitoring & Evaluation background, and an operational track record of programme coordination and results management of international donor funds and loans from Multilateral development banks. Prior to joining the ASR Africa Initiative, he was the Head of Monitoring & Evaluation at the North East Development Commission – North East Recovery and Stability Programme which included responsibility for over 1 billion dollars in loans and grants (World Bank, AfDB, Islamic Development Bank) across various projects dedicated to the recovery of North East Nigerian states from the ravages of the Boko Haram Insurgency, and multilateral interventions with national coverage for COVID 19 response.

Over the course of his career, Ubon has provided expertise and support in several capacities with multiple agencies like The World Bank (North East Nigeria Multisectoral Crisis Recovery Project), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), African Development Bank (Nigeria Inclusive Basic Services Development Programme), GIZ, UN Women Peace and Security Programme, Presidential Committee on the North East Initiative (PCNI), North East Development Commission, North East Recovery and Stability Programme (NERSP) and several state Governments in Nigeria. Ubon Udoh was responsible of the overall coordination of M&E of the World Bank supported Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project – NERSP at the Presidential Committee on North East Initiative – a role he joined from being an M&E consultant to the UN Women in Peace & Security Programme (WSP-UNSCR 1325).

Prior to this, Ubon had worked at the German Agency for Technical Cooperation & Development (later GIZ) where he held several roles in the GTZ/FGN Multisectoral Women Empowerment Projects in NE Nigeria and the GIZ/FGN Gender & Good Governance Projects in Plateau and Borno States, Nigeria in project development, strategy, and coordinating Monitoring and Evaluation.

Ubon Udoh has also supported the coordination of interventions in the lake Chad region with the countries of Chad, Niger, and Cameroon as part of the World bank PROLAC intervention. An Alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University with experience cutting across multiple sectors like Capacity Development; Water, Sanitation & Health; Infrastructure; Peacebuilding & Social cohesion; IDP Management & Durable Solutions; Education, Health & Governance, Ubon has completed a diverse spread of gender mainstreaming, management, monitoring and conflict prevention courses. He is a past winner of the prestigious President Nana Akufo Ado Presidential Award of Excellence from the Kofi Anan International Peacekeeping and Training Institute.

The Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative for Africa is the brainchild of philanthropist and the Founder/Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu that was established in March 2021 with an annual fund of 100million dollars dedicated to solving development issues in the areas of Health, Education and Social Development on the African Continent. asrafrica.org

The drive by the Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to boost in-country refining capacity was bolstered on Tuesday with the signing of the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning (EPCIC) contract for the rehabilitation of the 210,000 barrels per day capacity Port Harcourt Refinery in Alesa-Eleme, Rivers State.

The rehabilitation project which has a completion timeline of between 18 and 44 months under a three-phase arrangement was awarded to Milan based Tecnimont SpA at a lump sum contract price of US$1.5 billion, inclusive of VAT and other statutory payments.

An elated Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, described the PHRC rehabilitation project as a dream come true, noting that the project was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise to the Nigerian people to make the refineries work.

Mallam Kyari reiterated that in arriving at the choice of Tecnimont SpA, the Corporation embarked on a transparent tender process which can withstand any forensic audit, noting that NNPC was ready and open to answer any question pertaining to the project.

He assured that the same transparent process has been emplaced for the rehabilitation of the Warri and Kaduna Refineries whose EPCIC contracts would be awarded in June 2021.

The GMD explained that the rehabilitation exercise was very different from a routine Turn-Around Maintenance as it would entail a total retrofitting of the plant with major part and equipment replaced with new ones.
Providing further insight into the project, Managing Director of Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited, Engr. Ahmed Dikko, explained that Phases 1 and 2 of the project would get the refinery ready to receive hydrocarbon, while Phase 3 will focus on the start-up the refinery for operation, stressing that the entire work shall be delivered in 44 months from today.

In his remarks, Vice President, Sub-Saharan Africa Region of Tecnimont SpA, Davide Pelizzola, pledged the readiness of his company to work assiduously with the NNPC to comply with the terms and obligations of the contract.

The signing ceremony of the PHRC rehabilitation project was witnessed by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers NUPENG amongst others.

ASR Africa Initiative – the brainchild of Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder and Executive Chairman of BUA Group has provided a grant of One (1) billion Naira to Ahmadu Bello University as part of its yearly $100million ASR Africa Fund for Social Development & Renewal. This One Billion Naira grant will go towards the provision of a Hostel and Department Building as identified by the University today.

African Industrialist and Philanthropist, Abdul Samad Rabiu, had on Monday launched the ASR Africa Initiative for Education, Health and Social Development in Africa which focuses mainly on equipping facilities, researchers, healthcare practitioners and community-level service providers and also supporting the efforts of various Governments in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa in Education, Healthcare and Social Development.

Speaking at a ceremony at the Ahmadu Bello University today, Abdul Samad Rabiu also named the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Maiduguri; University of Ilorin; University of Ibadan, and University of Benin as other beneficiaries of One Billion Naira each in the first cohort of the intervention grant.

According to Rabiu who was represented by Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, he commended the Vice Chancellor for promptly identifying the projects that needed intervention. “In view of this and starting immediately, we intend to be on ground to commence the project. We are hoping the other five universities can also quickly identify such projects with our team to fast-track the project initiation.”

“It is our belief at the ASR Africa Initiative that this support will go a long way in bridging the infrastructure deficit in education within Nigeria and other African Countries in our cohort. We are excited about the endless possibilities that lie ahead of Africa and because The Time for Nigeria and Africa is now, and business development is nothing without citizens’ development.” “On behalf of the ASR Africa Initiative, we look forward to commencing the work to build for the benefit of Africa’s children and her future”. Abdul Samad Rabiu added.

ABOUT ASR AFRICA

The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative seeks to support sustainable development initiatives in the Health, Education and Social Development within Nigeria and the rest of Africa, every year. For more information visit asrafrica.org or email asrafrica[at]buagroup[dot]com

President Muhammadu Buhari has put to death rumours of an alleged rift with political collosus, Bola Ahmed Tinubu adding that he is a Strong Ally.

In a statement on Wednesday, signed by Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu, President Buhari described the Asiwaju of Lagos as "one of the most respected political leaders in the country who has stuck to his principles in the face of all adversities".

"Recent reports of a rift between the two leaders of our party are false; the handiwork of some media mischief makers. It is quite unfortunate that certain sections of the media feed on birthing controversies, providing a nexus for naysayers who work behind the scenes planting such stories which are absolutely false."

The President also described Tinubu, who is also known as the "Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom", as being "instrumental to the formation, growth and development of the APC into a formidable political party and the political alliance is waxing even stronger."

The statement went further; "This administration is aware of pessimists and cynics who willfully spread misinformation to create doubts in the minds of the people about the relationship between its leaders and whether the party will remain intact or not."

"There is no doubt that the President and the party are focused on development, peace and security, restructuring of the economy and war against corruption in the country and will not be diverted to anything else.  This desperate attempt to fool the people will not succeed.", the statement read.

Nigerian Industrialist and Philanthropist, Abdul Samad Rabiu, today announced the launch of the ABDUL SAMAD RABIU AFRICA INITIATIVE (ASR AFRICA) as well as a yearly Africa Fund endowment of USD100million starting from 2021 that will cater to various interventions in Education Health and Social Development. According to a statement by the ASR Africa Initiative, USD50million will be dedicated to Nigeria yearly and USD50million to the rest of Africa.

Rabiu, who is the Founder and Chairman of BUA Group, one of Africa’s largest Foods, Mining, Infrastructure and Manufacturing Conglomerates is also the sixth richest black person in the world according to the latest Forbes rankings.

The initiative also announced grants of 1billion Naira each to 6 Nigerian Universities across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. These grants will go towards the initiation and upgrading of infrastructure, where applicable. The universities benefitting from the first phase include Ahmadu Bello University, University of Maiduguri, University of Nigeria, University of Benin, University of Ilorin, and University of Ibadan. These grants will be directed towards projects that will be delivered by the ASR Africa Initiative for the project duration.

"It is with the blessings of the Almighty, my family, colleagues, the support of my community and the backing of my conscience, that I announce the launch of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative, with an Africa Fund endowment of USD100million every year starting from this year, 2021; USD$50million to Nigeria and USD$50million to the rest of our beloved continent."

"Over the years as a corporate, and through the BUA Foundation, we have been actively involved in corporate philanthropy in various sectors – from health, education, community development, water & sanitation, sports, and even more recently, our work on COVID-19."

"However, with the Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative and its annual USD$100million Africa Fund for Social Development, we are specifically extending this work to the Education, Health and Social Development sectors, starting with infrastructure and capacity development in these areas and supporting the efforts of various governments in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. Our broad focus is equipping facilities, our researchers, healthcare practitioners and community-level service providers, with the aim of providing sustainable solutions for generations to come."

"They say life begins at 50; what they never tell you is that a pandemic can change your life at 60."

"In that year 2020, when I turned 60, at least two million others turned into memories, taken by this deadly virus. I watched millions become numbers in a global death toll and ancestors in the world beyond. The same pandemic that forced us humans to slow down, now forces our humaneness to square up. The plans I once took time to construct, now take up all my time."

"The challenges are manifold in various areas of our lives, from education, on to healthcare, and throughout social development."

"Therefore, based on the results of extensive deliberation over the course of a year, our first cohort for Nigeria will be NGN1billion each in grants to 6 universities in the 6 geopolitical zones in Nigeria, towards the initiation and upgrading of infrastructure, where applicable. The universities in the first phase include Ahmadu Bello University, University of Maiduguri, University of Nigeria, University of Benin, University of Ilorin, and University of Ibadan. These grants will be directed towards projects that will be delivered by the Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative for the project duration."

"For accountability, we will present annual reports, with all activities overseen by a sterling board of trustees. More importantly, I am counting on you as beneficiaries, end-users and therefore custodians of these projects to hold the Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative to account; contact, commend, recommend or complain to us on asrafrica.org."

"Over the course of the year, I expect to also announce funding opportunities of USD$50million for the rest of Africa – we are currently in talks with our stakeholders and other partners and announcements will be duly made."

"As the world tries to claw its way back to business as usual, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative’s Africa Fund for Social Development & Renewal aims to be a modest reminder to us all that until our health, education and other development issues are fixed, business as usual in these times, means business as brutal. We pledge to continue to do what we can to support ongoing efforts by various governments to bridge the development divide across Africa."

"This is my promise. This is the goal of ASR AFRICA."

AIM

Unlocking sustainable development opportunities in Africa, by Africans, for Africans.

FOCUS AREAS
- Education
- Health
- Social Development

The creative industry is affectionately referred to as the showbiz (show business) industry and for good reason mostly on account of the overwhelming image of glamour and stardom.

With Nigerian music and movies cornering large swathes of the global market (Nollywood, the local variant, is considered the 3rd globally, ranked just next to Hollywood and Bollywood and Nigerian Afrobeats is staking a major claim on the backs of artistes like Burna Boy, Wizkid and Davido) major stakeholders and businesses are beginning to take notice of not just Nigeria but the African creative industry.

But a careful consideration will show that the show business industry in Nigeria and most of Africa is more show and sadly not so much of a business. Why is this so? Why is African showbiz more show than business?
Doctors say diagnosis is often the first step to a cure. If we agree that the African creative industry is full of artistes who produce good music and movie makers who churn out gripping stories why is the industry not as robust as its counterparts in Hollywood and Bollywood?

Granted Hollywood and Bollywood were not built in a day but many will agree that Nollywood and others have dwelt for too long in the valley of potential. The time to consolidate on the business side of things has come.
These were some of the issues that agitated the minds of the keynote speaker and Plenum at the Africa Soft Power Series fire side chat event which held virtually on Thursday, February 23, 2021 and which proceeded under the theme – “The New Face of African collaboration”.

There was a key note by Benedict Oramah, President Afrexim Bank followed by a very interactive and insightful panel with Chinelo Anohu, Senior Director Africa Investment Forum, Dean Garfield, VP Public Policy at Netflix and His Excellency, Wamkele Mene, Secretary General African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat with Omar Ben Yedder, Group Publisher and MD at IC Publications moderating.

The insights shared and experience-led submissions that followed pointed to the clear and present need for the African creative sector practitioner to become fluent in the language of business and finance as a means of accessing much needed funding that will help them scale. Other considerations included providing capacity building and infrastructure which will enable the sector grow and develop to its true potential.

To understand the potential market size of the African creative industries let us consider a few developments. The Nigerian government’s projection captured in its forecast for the 2020 Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, projected export revenues of $1 billion from the creative industries alone. That was before Covid-19 struck.
In January 2020 the African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank) announced a $500- Million Creative Industry Support Fund “dedicated to promoting exchange within the creative and cultural industry.” Making the announcement in Kigali during the Creative Africa Exchange Weekend (CAX WKND), Prof. Benedict Oramah, President Afreximbank said the fund “would be accessible as lines of credit to banks, direct financing to operators and as guarantees."

Speaking on the imperative he noted that “creative industries can be potent vehicles for more equitable, sustainable and inclusive growth strategies for African economies.”

He however lamented the sad state of affairs where despite Africa’s deep pool of local talent, the continent still lacked the infrastructure and capacity to scale by commercializing its creative output in order to reap the huge dividends accruable.

That sentiment was echoed by speaker after speaker at the Africa Soft Power Series event. The overwhelming concern was how to monetize intellectual property, access finance and achieve scale.

Professor Oramah was clear that the African creative industry must move from the stage of potential to achievement. And this sentiment assumes specific gravity when considered in the context of the fact that Netflix has invested $3bn in the EU and employed over 18,000 people in the space of eight short years according to Dean Garfield of Netflix who, in speaking to their African aspirations, noted that “our mission is to entertain the world and we can’t achieve that mission without Africa. Africa has 1.2bn people with the youngest population in any region in the world and a strong story telling tradition.”

So, if the market is there and the pool of talent is not lacking, what is keeping Africa from taking over? The answer lies in collaboration, capacity building and an enabling creative infrastructure.

The message of collaboration was emphasized by Dean Garfield who further stated: “One of my key action items coming out of this conversation is to make sure that I follow up with you and figure out how we can learn more and partner with AIF because there seems to be a lot of alignment in our mission, and ways for us to enable each other’s success.”

The point was brought home by Ms. Anohu, Senior Director at Africa Investment Forum who noted that the idea behind setting up the AIF was to facilitate collaboration which has seen to the creation of over 15,000 jobs in Mozambique as well as the exchange of ideas at the AIF’s Marketplace.

As she put it “I think the very ethos of the AIF is a collaborative effort. Even though it’s an initiative of President Adesina of AFDB, he still sought out partners from all over and so far we have seen that collaboration works.”
Ms. Anohu also made the point that the AIF will collaborate with Netflix because of her belief that the African creative sector is a pot of gold hiding in plain sight. According to her “the creative sector is so vast and one of the biggest markets the African continents has and so to ignore it is to do a disservice to the continent. The kind of strides recorded without institutional support shows that giving them support will galvanise the sector.”

That institutional support will enable African creatives to access finance, obtain financial advisory, and with the AfCFTA now on stream, enable them better access to a continental wide as well as global market which will help them achieve economies of scale.

But the end game is one in which a well-funded creative sector enables practitioners produce better quality works which would in turn help change the existing state of affairs captured succinctly by Professor Benedict Oramah who noted that owing to “underinvestment in the creative and cultural industries, Africa is largely absent in the global market of ideas, values and aesthetics as conveyed through music, theatre, literature, film and television. African countries import overwhelmingly more creative goods than they export or trade amongst themselves.”

To achieve that, African Creatives and those in the financial services sector as well as streaming companies and content buyers like Netflix must collaborate in order to fully explore that nexus linking the show to the business side of the creative economy.

A few weeks ago, I was unfortunate enough to catch the latest performances from Nigeria’s strangest comedy act. Though their performance has remained with me, indelibly seared into the deepest recesses of my mind, I have not wanted to pass public comment lest I breathe new life into that which is already almost forgotten. However, when one sees how something should be done, one cannot help but think back to recent examples of how it should not. The latest offering from the abominable vaudeville act of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi and High Chief Femi Fan-Kayode of the backside of the Moon would give farce a bad name. Dissatisfied with outcome of their previous misadventure, the botched, on again, off again aborted return of FFK to the APC, this duo insinuated themselves into the mean food blockade called by the Amalgamated Union of Food and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN). The outing was a crass and shallow attempt at grabbing the limelight, low politics at its very lowest ebb.

This was all for a worthy cause but only if you believe having Bello as a permanent fixture is a cause of worth and not derision. Bello wants to be president more than a drug addict wants his narcotic. And if FFK cannot be VP, he has the makings of an outstanding palace jester. One would be amiss to fault Bello for his lofty ambitions. After all, he huffed and puffed and behold he kept Kogi free of the scourge of COVID by sheer force of will. That he could not do the same to develop his state, create jobs or build infrastructure is, of course, to be ignored or excused. Seems he is only a demi-god and not a full-fledged deity until he ascends to Aso Villa.

Having awarded himself a mandate to deal with the blockade, Governor Bello hastily arranged a press conference to celebrate his latest non-achievement. His head is filled with ideas no reasonable mind should be made to endure. Worse, the ideas of his febrile friend tend to be worse. Together, they hatched a caper they hoped would lift the governor’s public appeal by making him seem the peacemaker and solver of the nation’s woes. Thus, the fake statesman and the genuine madman took to the stage to give us their interpretation of slapstick politics. It was comedy, yes, but also an omen, a forewarning of the lunatic capers that would plague Nigeria should this duo get any closer to true power than they already are.

Bello botched his grand attempt. While trying to pull off a delicate high-wire act, he bumbled like a clumsy man slipping on a banana peel. Instead of deceiving Nigerians with a mask of sagacity, he appeared to Nigerians as exactly the man he is; a shallow and cynical soul whose lack of judgment is surpassed only by his arrogant ambition. Governor Bello and his mendacious sidekick wanted Nigerians to believe that they alone were responsible for solving this mini-crisis. In their telling of it, the governor received a call from unknown quarters asking him to don his superman cape, swoop in and save the day. This, we are told, he achieved within a matter of days, before calling his celebratory press conference. Watching him carry on, one could not help but wonder if there was anything Governor Bello would not take credit for.

Bello explained how, thanks to his intervention, food will continue to flow, violence abate, bandits will turn into Benedictines, insecurity will end and the lion will rejoice with the lamb. However, all who know this man know he is a maker of trouble not a resolver of problems. If there is a crisis that he has a hand in ending it is because his hand was also present in its instigation.

Making matters worse, Chief Fani-Kayode got carried away by the false grandeur of it all. Not one to let pass an opportunity to bask in the spotlight, the wannabe jester spilled the beans.

Using his fake choirboy voice, FFK began safely enough, obsequiously thanking his new best friend and the AUFCDN ‘dignitaries’ for choosing, however inexplicably, to spend time in his company. However, a bout of verbal diarrhoea quicky set in. FFK did what he does best; harm his friends and arm their enemies. By the time he was done speaking, FFK had inadvertently revealed something his companion would rather have buried. He told everybody listening that Governor Bello had prior knowledge of the blockade.

FFK revealed that Governor Bello had showed him information that the AUFCDN was planning attacks against southerners in the north. Apparently, according to FFK, Bello persuaded them against the attacks. However, when told they would begin an embargo, Bello lifted not a finger to stop them. Indeed, in FFK’s telling the embargo was the governor’s own idea. Nevertheless, if the governor could dissuade the attacks, he also could have used his obviously formidable powers of persuasion to dissuade the blockade before it started. That he apparently did nothing, means he did not object to the hateful blockade. Guess he figured it was daintier for those behind it to starve their fellow countryman than to beat him to death.

Having green-lighted the plot, according to FFK, the governor wasted no time proclaiming himself chief negotiator and purporting to enter negotiations with AUFCDN to end the blockade he winked at them to start. (if you doubt my words, I urge you to go back and listen carefully to the full statements made by FFK and Bello at their 4, March 2021 press briefing held in Abuja).

Having been clued in to the caper from the onset, it would not prove particularly difficult for Governor Bello to wrestle it to the ground. Those gullible enough to be tricked by the governor’s ruse marvelled at the speed with which he seemed to resolve this crisis. It might have raised his status among the naïve. However, thanks to his loquacious sidekick, we know how the sausage was made. FFK’s spectacular revelation dissolves any mystery, for nobody is better placed to quickly end a crisis than a man involved in midwifing it. As eloquent as he claims himself, FFK cannot now deny that he did not mean what he said. The only thing he can do is admit to himself that he did not mean to say it.

FFK’s contributions did not end there. In addition to letting us know the darker side of Governor Bello’s role in the crisis, he asserted numerous claims so self-evidently false that one cannot help but question the wisdom and sanity of those who would voluntarily associate with a fire-eating, sword swallower such as him.

This event was clumsy but entertaining theatre. But that was not its intent. It was a clutch at presidential politics and governance. As such, it forewarned of great danger should either man become more than an infrequent and unwanted visitor to Aso Villa.

In its determination to reduce youth unemployment in the South East, the federal government has concluded arrangements to equip the vulnerable in the ninety-five Local Government Areas that constitute the zone with vocational skills and other empowerment initiatives.

This is in furtherance of the ongoing social investment programmes (SIPs), spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

The disclosure was made by an indigenous support group, the South East Support for N-Power and Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs (SESNAM), in a statement by its National Coordinator, Kamsi Uzodimma.

According to SESNAM, the investment programmes are in the areas of vocational skills (tailoring, carpentry, shoe making, trading etc), aquaculture, and healthcare.

This was as the support group explained that the social interventions, approved by the federal government, were part of measures to assure the South East it remained an integral part of the Nigerian State, which is founded on equity, justice and egalitarianism.

To demonstrate its commitment towards making the programmes a huge success, government has since appointed Focal Persons in the five states of the zone, saddled with the responsibility of monitoring and evaluation.

This is with a view to ensuring that intervention programmes across the ninety six LGAs and fifteen Senatorial Districts, were executed to specifically, thereby meeting the sole objective of impacting positively on the youths and vulnerable women.

"We use this medium to assure Ndigbo - both home and in the diaspora - that the federal government is interested in the development of the South East, as in other zones of the country", to the statement said.

It added thus: "As a support group, SESNAM is undertaking awareness campaigns throughout the length and breadth of the South East, aimed at calling out beneficiaries of N-Power and other SIPs in the zone, to come out and tell the stories of their turn-around.

"Apart from the tens of thousands of the beneficiaries, we are also sensitising our youths and women on how to apply to be beneficiaries of the N-Power Batch C, which was recently laid he'd by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq, in Abuja.

"In fact, beneficiaries of N-Power and other intervention programmes have been coming out to tell their stories of breakthrough to the public, which has continued to change hitherto-erroneous narratives.

"Many of the beneficiaries have gone ahead to establish businesses, which have made them employers of labour, as seen in the number of youths they currently have in their employ".

Worried by the level of unemployment in the country, and its consequential negative effect on social security, President Muhammadu Buhari had established the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

The ministry has continued to alleviate poverty across the country, through such programmes as N-Power, Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), School Feeding programme among others.

Fatgbems Petroleum, one of Nigeria’s largest indigenous petroleum products marketing companies has announced that it has completed technical checks on its IBB Abeokuta retail outlet which was affected by floods due to the heavy downpour witnessed in Abeokuta over the weekend. This was contained in a second update to the public on the incident which saw fuel storage tanks flooded with water at the outlet.

Speaking on the incident, Mr. Shina Soleji, Group Sales Manager, Fatgbems Petroleum, while responding to questions from journalists, said that whilst the unfortunate incident has posed certain regrettable inconveniences on the outlet’s customers, the company had taken immediate remedial actions to fix the issues and had taken the extra step of involving the Department of Petroleum Resources and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for spot assessment, the residual products at the station is being evacuated, storage tanks/product pipelines leak and pressure testing are set to be conducted within the next couple of days before it is reopened for business again.

“This retail outlet is one of the most popular in the area due to its strategic location serving locals as well as interstate travellers. We are eager to reopen but in our culture of safety first, our technical team worked round-the-clock to resolve the issue and measures have been put in place to prevent a reoccurrence.” “We remain committed to exceptional service delivery”, he added.

Soleji, who was in company of other Senior Management staff displayed clean product dispensed from the pumps to re-assure customers.

The company also disclosed that the 10 customers whose cars were affected before the issue was detected have all been contacted, 9 of the vehicles were tuned-up and refueled at its other retail stations in Abeokuta, and the company has also intensified efforts to monitor the said vehicles for quality assurance and possible reimbursement of additional cost of repair incurred on the vehicles in the event of further breakdown. He however said that the owner of the 10th vehicle was lodged in a hotel on the day of the incident and later transported via an executive cab to his location in Lagos.

Rescue and Recovery Team were contacted in tolling the said vehicle to Skymit Motors Limited Service Centre located in Maryland, Lagos for repairs.

Consequently, he stated that the issue affected only the mentioned Abeokuta outlet as other locations of the company still continue to sell top quality products that the company has been known for.

Also speaking, a customer. Solomon Oyedokun, said that the Fatgbems brand is known for excellent service delivery and the quality of its products has never for once been compromised. “I believe this was an isolated incident and we can’t wait for the fuel station to reopen. Their service is super and we do not normally have issues here like in other filling stations around.”

Fatgbems Petroleum had initially released a statement in the aftermath of the incident where they detailed steps taken to remedy the issue.

The grand world leader (Caliphatul Arrm) Sheikh Mahi Nyass of Dhariqa Tijjaniyya has denied the report of the appointment of the immediate past Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, as the leader of the sects in Nigeria.

Mahi Nyass, who is the son and Vicegerent (Calipha) of Shehu Ibrahim Nyass, the reformer of Dhariqa Tijjaniyya, revealed this during a press interaction with newsmen in Sokoto on Monday.
Nyass, however, explained that the installation of Nigeria and African leadership of Dhariwa Tijjaniyya (Calipha) was an activity that must be subjected to scrutiny and nomination from scholars in the sect both in Nigeria and Senegal.

“Such decisions have to be discussed at different fora, agreement must be reached before the announcement.

“After nomination by leaders, a letter of credence endorsed by group of scholars, duly signed and stamped by grand world leader (Caliphatul Arrm) must be presented to the person appointed,” Nyass explained.
He noted that in the present situation with former Emir Sanusi II, such modalities have not been conducted and Sanusi II has not presented himself or indicated interest in the seat of African leadership of Dhariqa Tijjaniyya.
According to him, unity of followers was paramount and he enjoined adherents to dedicate themselves in true worship, foster increased brotherhood and love among them.

Nyass further urged the followers to be law abiding citizens, shun any form of restiveness and to preach peaceful coexistence among all humans. Also speaking, Sheikh Ibrahim Dahiru-Bauchi, the son of popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usama-Bauchi, described the circulation of purported appointment of former Emir of Kano, Sanusi II action of mischievous makers.

Dahiru-Bauchi said Dhariqa Tijjaniyya was based on knowledge and scholastic pursuits, rooted with extant adherence to stipulated guidelines and obedience to Allah and those in charge of Dhariqa affairs.

He explained that the younger brother of grand leader, Sheikh Makey Nyass, was quoted out of context as he referred Emir Sanusi II as following the footsteps of his late grand father, late Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi I.
He explained that Makey Nyass was describing the life experiences relating to activities where late Sanusi I was deposed as Emir and present Sanusi II experienced same fate.

The sect members converged in Sokoto from March 11th to March 13th 2021, and celebrated the posthumous anniversary of its late reformer, Shehu Ibrahim Nyass, where members of the global faith-based sect, Dhariqa Tijjianiyya, have among other lectures embarked on prayers against activities of bandits and other outlawed gangs threatening the peace and security of the country.

The event was designed to improve the relationship between the followers of Tijjaniyyah across the globe, amid the remembrance of Nyass.

The Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR) Plc has announced the closure of its company in Niger state over a land acquisition dispute. The company announced the development in its 2020 consolidated and separate financial statements.

It said the land was purchased for its backward integration project (BIP) which is ongoing in some other states including Adamawa, Nasarawa, and Taraba.

DSR said the BIP includes a 10-year sugar development plan to produce 1.5 million metric tonnes per annum of sugar from locally grown sugarcane.

It said the dispute in Niger led to a stretched situation that had started accumulating negative returns.

“The Company began its Backward Integration Project (BIP) with a 10-year sugar development plan, to produce 1.5 million MT per annum of sugar from locally grown sugarcane. The Project commenced with the acquisition of large expanse of land in strategic locations such as Niger State, Taraba State, Adamawa State, and Nasarawa State,” the report read.

“To this end, four (4) BIP sugar companies; Dangote Taraba Sugar Limited, Dangote Adamawa Sugar Limited, Nasarawa Sugar Company Limited, and Dangote Niger Sugar Limited were incorporated. Prior to the merger of DSR and SSCL, the Company had commenced rehabilitation and expansion of SSCL Sugar Factory at Numan towards increasing production capacity by 6,000 tons of cane per day (TCD).

“Sugarcane planting has also commenced in two other BIP locations. Regrettably, due to community dispute over the land acquired in Niger State, projected activities have not commenced in Niger State. This had been a stretched situation that had started accumulating negative returns.

“In view of this, the Board of Directors took a decisive decision to wind-up the BIP Company in Niger State. In December 2020, the winding-up proceedings for Dangote Niger Sugar Limited were completed.”

Women under the auspices of Amalgamated Union of Market Women Societies in the South East, have commended President Muhammadu Buhari on his social security investments in the geo-political zone of the country, saying the development underscored the first citizen's love for the Igbo.

This was as the market woman also applauded the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq, for driving the social investment initiatives of the Buhari-led administration with unparalleled passion.

According to the mothers, the social investment programmes (SIPs) of the federal government, especially the N-Power, have continued to impact positively on the lives of South East women, many of whom have established businesses across the states.

Speaking with a team of South East Support for N-Power and Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs (SESNAM), zonal secretary of the women union,
Mrs Okoronkwo Blessing, said members were overjoyed by the interventions, even as she encouraged other beneficiaries to come out for identification.

While expressing satisfaction with the implementation of the various social intervention programmes across the states of the zone, the association urged Igbo to develop confidence in the current administration, in the interest of unity and peaceful co-existence.

She disclosed that at least ten thousand women have so far benefited from the N20, 000 intervention scheme in each of the affected states.

Her words: "Today, we (members of the Amalgamated Union of Market Women Societies in the South East), wish to pass a vote of confidence on all the social security interventions of the Nigerian government, propelled by the ministry of humanitarian affairs and disaster management, especially for the unbiased manner of implementation as demonstrated in the South East.

"Here in the South East, when the (N20,000) individual grant scheme was launched, the South East women were the first set of beneficiaries.
It was launched in Ebonyi State with all stakeholders present.

"As mothers, we owe the president a duty to commend his efforts in offering social support to Nigerians.

"We are, therefore, thankful for the special attention that we have received in the South East, as manifested in the social security intervention programmes.

"It is noteworthy to say that, the ministry of humanitarian affairs and disaster management has enhanced other programmes such as conditional cash transfer (CCT) N-POWER and a host of other Covid-19 interventions in the South East zone", Okoronkwo said.

The gesture, she noted, was a demonstration of unity of purpose by the government.

The group said, it was confident that president Buhari would achieve the objective of lifting the targeted one hundred million people out of poverty in the next decade.

"My attention has been drawn to a statement with respect to OML110 and published online. This libelous statement purportedly originated from Cavendish Petroleum Limited and was allegedly authored by me whilst also falsely claiming that I, Alhaji Ibrahim Mai Deribe signed in the capacity of Managing Director."

I, Alhaji Ibrahim Mai Deribe, wish to state the following:

"I have not authored any such statement in any capacity – personal or otherwise. I have also not caused another to write on my behalf neither have I had any just or probable cause to author such false, misleading and malicious statements with respect to the revoked OML110."

"I had also ceased to be the Managing Director of Cavendish Petroleum for a long time so to attribute a statement from me in that capacity or otherwise should be seen for what it is – a disdainful, calculated attempt by unscrupulous agents to mislead, malign and impugn on my integrity and that of others so mentioned for whatever sinister reasons."

"I completely dissociate myself from the false statement attributed to me and subsequent malicious report published on some faceless online sites without any proof to back it up whatsoever. The statement is highly libelous in its entirety."

"As far as I am aware, these malicious statements and report are not reflective of my opinion, thoughts or the true state of things based on the facts available."

"Further, to the best of my knowledge, neither Cavendish Petroleum or anyone associated with the company has authorized or caused the publication of the said false statements."

"I therefore wish to inform the public and other stakeholders that the purported statement is malicious against the persons mentioned, false, misleading and did not originate from me in any capacity. I fully dissociate myself from the purported, false and malicious report and urge the unsuspecting public and all stakeholders to disregard the statement in its entirety as I will not hesitate to pursue all legal means to prevent and protect my name and reputation from any further misuse and/or misrepresentation – in any capacity."

First came Sugar... then Cement… now, petroleum refining. The cycle of seeking protectionist Backward Integration Policies to protect a few players in limited industries keeps repeating itself. Only in this case, what should strengthen our collective economy is protecting a few big businesses and shutting out others, therefore holding Nigerians to ransom.

Let us say it as it is: We have seen this before, with all sorts of ventures in various sectors. One of Nigeria’s biggest businessmen sets out to enter a new industry in a big way. Government pulls out all the stops to support the actualization of that dream with several incentives because presumably, “it will support the economy and make the products/commodity more accessible and affordable.”

What has always happened next is that the government-backed backward integration plan is championed by this same player who is almost always a first mover in the private sector. What follows is a systemic closure of the operating space to others starts to occur, amid as well as a gradual increase in price. This is despite local production of said commodity going up. Why then does Nigeria keep granting such policies to favor a few despite the benefits not trickling down as promised? Have these so-called backward integration programmes ever helped or done so sustainably?

Let us take a look at the Nigerian Sugar Industry – a glaring example of the success and failures of a protectionist Backward Integration Policy (BIP). Twenty years ago, during the then President Olusegun Obasanjo-led administration, the Backward Integration Policy of the Nigerian Sugar Industry was championed to ensure that the “big three” Sugar refineries – Dangote, BUA and Flour Mills developed sugar plantations and were able to use homegrown sugar to substitute imported raw sugar. This was intended to bring down the price of locally available sugar as well as deepen the Nigerian sugar industry. Has it worked so far? Is sugar cheaper? Is the market more accessible for smaller players?

Twenty years ago, Dangote Group took over Savannah Sugar after acquiring it in the privatization process. How have they fared? Many suggest Savannah Sugar may be poorer for it. Asides marginal investments in new sugar fields, nothing else appears to have been done. Till date, the plantation has received no major upgrade and still cannot produce white sugar because it has no sugar refinery on site. About five years later, Flour mills of Nigeria, producers of the Golden Sugar brand, took over their own Sunti BIP site.

Despite receiving over 40billion Naira in FG intervention funds, their Sunti backward integration site still cannot produce edible sugar and only has a sugar mill similar to the one at the Dangote’s Savannah Plantation. The third producer, BUA is hardly any different. BUA took over its own Lafiagi site 10 years ago and didn’t start on time in developing the site. They claimed it was due to the government not handing over the land and associated infrastructure till 2014. Till date, work on their Sugar refinery and ethanol plant on site in addition to its plantation is still some way behind – just like the Dangote and Flour Mills, on delivering on their agreed BIP deliverables. Which serious companies take one to two decades to put the right things in place?

What has this led to? Prices of sugar have grown astronomically since the BIP programme started, even hitting NGN25,000 per bag during the COVID pandemic. It took a public outcry and the intervention of the government for prices to be reduced. Word on the street is that there may be another price increase towards the Muslim fasting period. Why is it that sugar is always expensive at this time of the year? Who shall successfully regulate these all-powerful oligarchs? New players are finding it difficult to break into the industry and those who try to are summarily pushed out.

To make matters worse, it seems there is also oppression among our oppressors. Any of the players who tries to break ranks is ganged up against by the others, as possibly demonstrated by with the recent debacle on BUA’s new export focused sugar refinery in the Bundu Free Zone in Port Harcourt. A recent leaked memo written by the two other players to the Minister of Trade urged the Minister to shut down BUA’s operations in Port Harcourt, despite the fact that increased operations would potentially solve supply side issues and by extension bring down the price of the finished commodity - issues – even when necessary duties are paid to bring the sugar into mainland Nigeria. To put it in simpler terms – imagine a sugar company unable to meet its target fighting for the shutdown of another, even when revenue is being expended to import sugar into mainland Nigeria. What hope then exists for the smaller producer or the consumers, who bear the brunt of these machinations?

It doesn’t end with sugar; Nigerians have witnessed the same thing with the Cement Industry, with the same cast of characters. Despite a series of waivers, pioneer status incentives and a backward integration policy championed initially by Dangote Cement and later enjoyed by Lafarge and BUA – the two other players in the Nigerian Cement Industry, retail prices of cement have grown astronomically in a way that makes everyday Nigerians question the benefits of Backward Integration in the Cement Industry. In a recent interview, BUA Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu who is a part and beneficiary of this system, ironically admitted that Nigerians are paying the highest for cement in most of Africa. His peers have not considered Nigerians worthy of hearing such truth, preferring to keep mum.

I must say, a Backwards Integration Policy should not create more unwieldy, extremely profitable monopolistic enterprises that somehow end up holding Nigerians by the pocket and therefore by the jugular. Rather, such policies should engender a more open, competitive industry, giving opportunities to all comers without the fear of the system and a few players frustrating them.

At a briefing over the weekend, Nigerians were shocked to learn again that one of these same players who is building a 600,000barrels per day petroleum refinery, is actively pushing for purchases of Crude in Naira as well as a new backward integration policy for refineries. This was more or less confirmed by the recent visit of the Senate Committee visit to the Dangote Refinery last week.

Here’s the clincher – the same company which has benefited immensely in other sectors to the detriment of Nigerian consumers are now requesting that this policy should only be extended to those who have ACTIVE refining licenses. What this means – just like in Sugar and cement, is that only these companies with active licenses will be able to import these products into Nigeria. This will effectively narrow the market for Dangote’s 600,00barrels per day refinery. In view of their current plans, the Dangote Group will be the only ones to enjoy the benefits of this policy and possibly, BUA, when its own 200,000 barrels per day refinery comes up in 2024.
What is baffling however, is that this policy if instituted, will ensure that only the usual elite group will be able to import petroleum products, just like we have seen in Sugar and Cement. It will also ensure that even our dear own NNPC will be forced to buy its refined petroleum products from these companies, ensuring unsustainable profits and arbitrary price fixing which is detrimental to Nigerians. Crude oil across the world is sold in dollars. Why will they pay for our crude in Naira and then sell back to Nigeria in dollars? The same thing will likely apply to BUA and these two companies may as well be controlling over one-third of our GDP.

Here’s the clincher – the same company which has benefited immensely in other sectors to the detriment of Nigerian consumers are now requesting that this policy should only be extended to those who have ACTIVE refining licenses. What this means – just like in Sugar and cement, is that only these companies with active licenses will be able to import these products into Nigeria.

This will effectively narrow the market for Dangote’s 600,00barrels per day refinery. In view of their current plans, the Dangote Group will be the only ones to enjoy the benefits of this policy and possibly, BUA, when its own 200,000 barrels per day refinery comes up in 2024.

What is baffling however, is that this policy if instituted, will ensure that only the usual elite group will be able to import petroleum products, just like we have seen in Sugar and Cement. It will also ensure that even the NNPC will be forced to buy its refined petroleum products from the companies, ensuring unsustainable profits and arbitrary price fixing which is detrimental to Nigerians. Crude oil across the world is sold in dollars. Why will they pay four our crude in Naira and then sell back to Nigeria in dollars? The same thing will likely apply to BUA and these two companies may as well be controlling over one-third of our GDP.

To rescue our country, the Government must do away with the truly backwardness of these Backward Integration Policies, except it guarantees truly free markets. It has never worked for Nigerians. Rather, it has only worked to help a few people boost their already fat pockets. At this rate and if left to subsist, Nigerians could likely end up paying triple for petrol as has happened in Sugar and Cement.

The Policy of backward integration as implemented thus far has only enabled a monopoly that strangles the country’s chances at sustainably developing her commodities market and we must not mortgage our oil in this manner. The government must force these oligarchs to sit down and renegotiate all terms in these core industries as is being done in other countries like Senegal, for example.

Bottomline is, Nigerians and their stake in the oil industry appears to be heading towards a precarious end. So I ask again: BACKWARD INTEGRATION IN SUGAR, CEMENT AND NOW, PETROLEUM: WHO ARE THE REAL BENEFICIARIES? Certainly not Nigerians.

BUA group has called on the general public to Ignore malicious campaign posters alleging that its chairman, Abdulsamad Rabiu seeks to run for Public Office in 2023.

In a statement made available to POLITICS NIGERIA on Friday, signed by its Corporate Communications Chief, Otega Ogra, Mr. Abdulsamad has no intentions to run for office.

"Our attention has been brought to actions of certain unscrupulous elements printing posters linking the name and person of the Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu to a run for political office."

"We wish to inform the general public, on behalf of the Person of the Chairman that, Alh. Abdul Samad Rabiu is neither interested nor is he willing to run for political office. At no time has he indicated interest in running for an elective position neither is he looking to run for one in the near future."

"We find these posters to be malicious – whatever the intent, and hereby unequivocally dissociate the name and person of the Chairman of BUA Group, Alh. Abdul Samad Rabiu from these actions – in any form or manner.
In the event that these fraudulent misrepresentations continue, we will be left with no other option than to seek legal redress and report same to the law enforcement agencies."

"The general public, law enforcement agencies and relevant stakeholders should please take note."

Professor Benedict Oramah of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Ms. Chinelo Anohu of the Africa Investment Forum, and H.E Wamkele Mene of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Dean Garfield, Vice President, Public Policy at Netflix will all participate as panelists at a virtual session titled ‘The New Face of African Collaboration’.

Slated for tomorrow Tuesday February 23, 2021 at 6pm, the session hosted by The Africa Soft Power Project brings these leading voices together to discuss the evolution of infrastructure development on the continent and the transformative possibilities that this age of connectivity holds for Africa’s creative industries and knowledge economy.

With the emergence of the first woman and first African leader of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), African global standing has risen particularly at a time when the AfCFTA offers significant transformative opportunities for the continent's economic growth.

The session which will be moderated by Ben Yedder, Group Publisher & Managing Director, IC Publications, provides a veritable platform to explore the evolution of infrastructure development on the continent (including digital), whilst contextualising the strategic value of expanded trade opportunities to economic advancement and cultural integration in Africa.

The discussion will also explore how legacy reputation issues have hindered Africa’s investment opportunities on the world stage, and how this is now being remedied through soft power plays, as well as physical and digital infrastructure investment.

Yedder, who will lead the fireside and moderate the keynote conversation, will ask the guests to focus on the creative and knowledge sectors while examining how investors can take advantage of the inherent potentials to make Africa more appealing on the global stage.

Tolu Latunji has just been appointed as Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications at United Capital - a role in which he’s expected to drive a strategic communications, marketing and brand management programme for United Capital.


Tolu is a Communication and Marketing Expert with circa 12 years experience in Products Development, Marketing, Brand & Franchise building, Effective management and communication of strategic objectives whilst ensuring adequate visibility for both Organization and Product/Service offerings through product, content and brand initiatives. With a 360 degree knowledge of Communications and Marketing, which includes but not limited to - Brand Management and Initiatives, Corporate Affairs, Internal and External Affairs, Product and Brand Marketing, Event Management and Experiential Marketing, Cluster/Segment Marketing etc, Tolu has served at various capacities on Government constituted sub-committees on Financial Inclusion.

Prior to joining United Capital as the Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Tolu was the Managing Partner of Ten & Square Media Co., a bespoke creative ideation and Brand/Crisis Management firm, based in Lagos, Dakar and London.

Tolu was recently the Strategic Communications lead at FMDQ Securities Exchange, Nigeria’s first integrated financial market infrastructure (FMI), where he had the responsibility of effectively positioning the Group, together with its subsidiaries, as a the most sophisticated and technologically driven securities exchange in Africa.

Prior to that, Tolu worked in Guaranty Trust Bank for circa 9 years, with roles in Brand Management & Monitoring, Events and Experiential Marketing, Products and Content Marketing and User Experience. He led the Marketing team to the successful development and launch of various Retail, SME and Corporate products. He was also instrumental in curating and developing the Bank’s social footprints. Outside the Corporate environment, Tolu engages in various humanitarian activities with food banks and empowerment programmes.

He holds a B.Sc. Economics from University of Lagos.

BUA Cement, Nigeria’s second largest cement company, has announced full year revenues of N209billion in its unaudited 2020 Full Year financial accounts representing an increase of 19% from the corresponding period in 2019. The company also announced a 16% increase in gross profits to N95.4billion in 2020 from N82.4billion Naira in 2019. This further consolidates BUA Cement’s position as one of Nigeria’s most profitable companies – a position it is expected to strengthen further with the commissioning of its new 3 million Metric Tonnes Sokoto Cement Plant in 2021 and the addition of 3 new lines of 9 million metric tonnes total capacity in Adamawa, Edo and Sokoto States by 2023 for which it recently signed an agreement with Sinoma CBMI. This is expected to bring BUA Cement’s total capacity to 20million metric tonnes per annum upon completion.

According to various analysts, the strong performance by BUA Cement in its 2020 Full Year unaudited results was testament to its focus on efficiency, a strong management team, excellent cost management measures and newer, technologically advanced plants.

Speaking recently, the Managing Director, BUA Cement Plc., Engr. Yusuf Binji, said that BUA Cement’s exceptional performance in the 2020 Financial Year, is a reflection of the continued value and strength of the BUA Cement brand and product offerings as well as a nod to the excellent implementation of the company’s Business Continuity Plan which ensured that BUA Cement was able to withstand the impact of the pandemic throughout 2020. In an earlier statement, Binji said that, “despite the prevailing economic conditions in 2020, BUA Cement remains quite optimistic about the future because it affords us not only with the opportunity to further evolve our business model but also provides an opportunity for accelerated development. We will continue to push to new markets aided by a focused distribution strategy.” The company increased its net revenues by 19% to N209billion, with sales volumes up 13% by about 600,000tons to 5,100,232 tons in 2020. Operating profits increased to N82.5billion whilst PAT rose to N70.5billion from N60.6billion in the corresponding year. It should be noted that BUA Cement in 2020 entered strategic alliances for the supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) at its Kalambaina Plant, Sokoto State, and for the management of its mining operations. Given these deliberate and strategic choices amongst other cost management efforts, it is expected that BUA Cement will continue to combine development and innovation into its offerings and activities to drive efficiency, reduce operating costs and maximize profits.

In a recent interview, Chairman of BUA Cement, Abdul Samad Rabiu said that despite the strides made in the Nigerian Cement Industry in the past few years, there was still room for immense growth. According to Rabiu, Nigeria with its population of about 200million people was still greatly underserved by the Cement Industry with current consumption levels at about 130 kilogrammes per head compared to smaller African countries with consumption levels at about 170 to 180kilograms per head. Nigeria’s cement consumption is expected to increase to about 200kilograms per head in coming years which is one of the reasons why BUA Cement is ramping up its investments in new plants to be able to meet this potential demand as well as take advantage of regional export opportunities through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement which came into effect in 2021.

BUA Cement is the second largest Manufacturing and Cement Company listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange with its Headquarters based in Lagos, Nigeria. The company also operates 4 plants in Edo and Sokoto States with its key markets in the South-East, North-West and North East Nigeria. The Company recently completed Nigeria’s largest corporate bond offering ever of N115billion Naira which was oversubscribed to the tune of N137.82billion.

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

Popular Instagram Comedian, Mr. Macaroni alongside other protesters arrested by the Lagos state police command on Saturday morning, have been subjected to inhumane conditions.

In footage shared online by actor, Yomi Fabiyi, Macaroni is seen without a shirt crammed with other arrested protesters in a small bus. Some of the protesters had their hands tied behind their backs.

The video has generated negative reactions from Nigerians, condemning the police for subjecting the protesters to such terrible conditions.

POLITICS NIGERIA earlier reported that over 20 protesters have so far been arrested by the Lagos police command.

This is DE-HUMANIZING and UNACCEPTABLE. Every human being must be treated with dignity and respect.

This is how peaceful protesters are been treated. On whose order? Fellow citizens treating other fellow citizens this way. No crimes committed, just peaceful protesters in Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria. IN DEEP TEARS.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL1nMEfCzOw