₦airaland Forum

FG to governors: Collaborate to develop regional railway infrastructure to improve trade



The federal government has asked state governments to pull funds together to develop railways in their various geopolitical zones to improve trade and regional integration.

Sa’idu Alkali, minister of transportation, spoke on Tuesday, at the 2023 inauguration and orientation summit of the Nigeria Transportation Commissioners’ Forum (NTCF) in Abuja.

Alkali was represented by Musa Ibrahim, a director at the transportation ministry.

He said efforts geared toward state government partnership to develop transportation infrastructure, will go a long way in addressing concerns in the sector.

The minister also said investing in the rail projects could help in establishing sustainable public transport and mass transit by the geopolitical zones, where they could have about 200 electric vehicles or compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquified natural gas (LNG) buses.

“Teamwork, pair mechanism is a great idea and that is why this forum excites me. But we must lower our individualism and leverage our corporate strength by going into cooperation and partnerships,” Alkali said.

“We must consciously decide and wholeheartedly tell our principals the truth concerning adapting and embracing innovative ideas and technologies that can revolutionalise our infrastructure and transportation systems.”

Alkali also expressed the federal government’s commitment to connecting all the seaports by rail, as well as connecting the airports and dry ports across the country.

On her part, Chinwe Uwaegbute, executive secretary of NTCF, said the forum aimed to provide a platform for enhanced coordination, share best practices, and collectively work towards the improvement of national transportation infrastructure.

Uwaegbute said the urban transportation system in Nigeria must undergo a transformational shift to meet the yearnings of the public with respect to the movement of goods and services.

“The dismantling of the fuel subsidy regime marks a pivotal moment that demands our attention, reflection, and collaborative exploration of alternatives,” she said.

She said the federal and state governments must see the need to have a paradigm shift towards a sustainable urban transportation system that aligns with global efforts.

This, Uwaegbute said, would significantly combat climate change and improve the quality of the citizenry.

FCT Police quells violence as DSS agent kills designer


Officers of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, on Thursday night, quelled a violent protest that erupted following the alleged killing of a fashion designer by personnel of the Department of State Services, who shot sporadically and injured several others.

One of our correspondents gathered that a customer brought the personnel to the deceased’s shop for allegedly failing to deliver some clothes on an agreed date.

A trader in the market, who did not want her name in print for fear of victimisation, said some of the fashion designer’s colleagues, who learnt about the matter intervened but that their interference did not go down well with the DSS personnel.

She noted that the personnel was arrested and detained by the police after he allegedly shot and killed the fashion designer.

“A female customer of the fashion designer brought the DSS. She said the fashion designer did not sew her clothes. Her colleagues joined and defended her. The issue led to a serious argument.

“We later heard a gunshot and learnt that the fashion designer had been killed and another injured. The DSS personnel was arrested and detained at Wuse Market Police station. That is where all our people are now,” the trader said.

Responding to the development in a statement on Thursday, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh said, “In an incident at Garki International Market on September 7, 2023, an altercation arose between market occupants and certain individuals, including a DSS personnel and a tailor named Muhammad Habibu. The Garki Divisional Police station mobilized officers in response to a received distress call reporting the invasion of the market by these individuals, who fired shots at a tailor known as Mubarak Mubarak.

“This incident led to some of the local youths reacting angrily and attempting to confront the DSS personnel involved. In response, the police intervened to rescue the individuals and protect public safety. During the incident, there was damage to a section of the Police outpost as some of the irate youths acted in a disorderly manner. It is important to note that some weapons used in the commotion have been recovered, and normalcy has now been restored.

“The Commissioner of Police, FCT, Haruna Garba, emphasizes the commitment to maintaining peace and respecting the rights of all citizens within the FCT. He encourages market occupants to also refrain from engaging in mischief involving public property, especially that which belongs to the security agencies in place to safeguard their well-being. Additionally, he urges the public to utilize the police emergency lines 08061581938,07057337653, 08028940883, for assistance when needed.”

However, in a statement on Thursday, the spokesperson for the DSS, Peter Afunanya, said the secret police was investigating the matter.

“The attention of the Department of State Services has been drawn to an incident that occurred a few hours ago between its staff and a mob at the Garki Market, Abuja. Information at the disposal of the Service was that its FCT Command responded to an SOS from their field operatives who allegedly came under a mob attack in the said market.

“Consequently, the Service has commenced an investigation into the matter. The public is assured that details of the inquiries will be communicated as soon as possible. The Service assures that it will not hesitate to mete out a proper disciplinary measure(s) to its staff if found culpable or running foul of Standard Operating Procedures on dealing with a member of the public.”

Eagles are underachievers – Wenger


FIFA’s chief of global football development, Arsene Wenger, believes the Super Eagles possesses an incredible talent to be a great footballing nation but they have failed to attain their heights, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Nigeria host Sao Tome and Principe in their final Africa Cup of Nations Group A clash at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo on Sunday, have won the AFCON thrice in the history of the competition despite reaching the finals on seven occasions.

They also won gold in the men’s football event at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta as well as silver at the Beijing Olympics and bronze at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Despite their feat globally, the former Arsenal coach believes the Eagles are underachievers considering the abundant of talent.

“Nigeria has incredible talent but they are the great underachievers of world football,” Wenger was quoted as saying.

The Frenchman is one of the most successful managers in English football having won three league titles, a record seven FA Cups, and two Manager of the Year awards.

Sao Tome land in Uyo, train today
However, the impact of Wenger’s on Nigerian players goes far beyond the pitch according to his former player Nwankwo Kanu.


“Wenger is not just a football coach,” Kanu, who helped Wenger win two league titles, said.

“He’s a man who knows we are all human beings before footballers. And that’s why he was able to affect the lives of so many people positively.

Wenger set a new English transfer record for an African player when he paid Inter Milan £4.5m for Kanu.

The 73-year-old also gave Alex Iwobi his breakthrough at Arsenal when he handed the Nigerian his debut in a Carabao Cup fourth round tie against Sheffield Wednesday at the Hillsborough Stadium.

benuejosh:
E better pass the many years Obi wasted as governor of that state.

When i see anything good from the South East i will always be the first to say it is good and even when there's bad attached to the good, i will still say.

I pray the evil eyes of ESN and Unknown Gun Men don't locate that factory to enforce sit-at-home. Because they hate development in their region.

Soludo has come to redeem the lost! The best thing to have happened from that state so far. The worst thing was P.O the Agulu man.

Acekidc4:
Ambassador to France Appointment Loading for Yul Edochie!! The Dude is Smart unlike his Nzobu Nzobu Brainless Emotional Blodas!!

keymatt:
It's not over my dear Agbadorians we will meet in Supreme Court.

xin5:
Please is that how it's been done? I bought a land early 2018 and now I feel like selling out. The families who sold it to me said they are entitled for their own percentage from the money the buyer is offering. Please I need to know if that's how it's done. I only went to inform them I would be handling the piece of land to a new owner and thought kola nut and palm wine would be it, since they also sold to several people there and also have some available I thought I should let them know for future reference... instead they are asking how much I am selling and wants to know every details of it.

Meanwhile the deeds that's about to be prepared would be in my name and that of the buyer, what consigns the family?

I had to tell them that's not possible it's my own land I bought from them I am selling, he went further and said it's either they buy it back from with same amount I bought 2018 or I give them their percentage from the appreciating amount or I develop and let matter rest.


Please help

Acidosis:
By 2031, you'll be approaching your late 50s. Shouldn't that bother you?

Beneficiaries of subsidy ready to undermine govt, says VP Shettima


Vice President Kashim Shettima has said that those who lost out as a result of the removal of subsidy were determined to frustrate the government’s policies and programmes.

Shettima made this disclosure in Abuja on Tuesday, September 5, at the 16th Annual Banking and Finance Conference organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

He said the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration remains committed to its decisions, policies, and programmes and vowed that the removal of subsidy is irrevocable.


Addressing the audience, Shettima stated: “We know the consequences of unveiling a masquerade. We know the fuel scam industry is a very hugely loaded industry, they will make every effort to undermine us but as I said earlier the removal of fuel subsidy is irrevocable; truly we are in dire straits.”

On the outcomes of recent government policies and programmes especially the removal of subsidy, Shettima said: “I must announce with pride that our decisions are already yielding tangible results, with both state and federal governments now enjoying more substantial allocations.”


“These funds promise a direct and positive impact on the lives of our citizens. Without the serially unaccounted fuel subsidies, we can now redirect our savings towards more deserving causes”.

The vice president invited the banking community to join the government in rejuvenating the economy.

According to him, “We must now do what pessimists may regard as impossible: turning the economy around in record time. We seek your partnership in getting this done. We cannot take your support for granted.

“This journey towards economic rejuvenation is not one to be undertaken in isolation. It is a call to forge robust partnerships with strategic nations and multilateral organizations, for in unity, Nigeria can reposition itself as a formidable, globally competitive partner.”

Speaking further Shettima said: “We have promised to reposition consumer finance, and that can’t be done without you. We have promised to incentivise and finance value-addition to our agricultural and other products, and you are our ally in this. We need you because Nigeria teeters on the edge of a precarious balance of payments as we import more than we export.

“The future is already here, and this industry is a springboard for the success of our reforms and programmes. Whether in incorporating blockchain technology or expanding financial inclusion to deliver dividends of democracy to banking and unbanked citizens, Nigeria is here to occupy the high table in a fast-changing world”.

The government he said envisions “a future where no leader can resort to the tired excuse of ‘scarcity of funds’ to evade completion of projects or delayed salary payments. Nigeria is crafting a story where the welfare of our people takes precedence, and financial accountability reigns supreme.”

vice president said: “We have resolved to prioritise food security and ending poverty. We are prioritising economic growth and job creation. We are prioritising access to capital and improving security.

“We are prioritising improving the playing field on which people and particularly companies like yours operate. We are also prioritising the rule of law and the fight against corruption. Each agenda cannot be fully implemented without your cooperation.”

Earlier in his remarks, the president of the Chattered Institute of Bankers, Ken Opara said the event which has grown to become the largest gathering of banking and finance professionals in Africa, provides the platform for professionals to come together to drive the conversation on topical issues that are critical to the growth of the Nigerian economy.

He praised the reform initiatives of President Bola Tinubu, noting that “the reform initiatives such as subsidy removal, unifying the foreign exchange regime, investing in infrastructure, promoting agriculture, supporting SMEs and tax reforms, among others, if well implemented will unlock the economic potentials of the country.”

The chairman of the Body of Bank CEOs and Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Ebenezer Onyeagwu called for deliberate action from commercial banks and development banks in Nigeria to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and promote economic growth.

Onyeagwu argued that commercial banks should not be solely responsible for financing and supporting SMEs, as this would not lead to progress and development. He suggested that “development banks should also share the risk and support SMEs, as a collective effort is needed to grow these businesses”.

The minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu in his address said the government has resolved to make the annual budget plan-based and noted that the banking sector is well placed to contribute to national growth.

In his goodwill message, the acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi lamented that the banking industry is not contributing enough to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

He stated: “When we look at economic contribution, we are fighting below our weight so can we promise them that instead of 3.6 percent we will be contributing a lot more than that and we will sit down and find what the drivers are that we can influence and we can do.”

yarimo:
Am an Illiterate and very 🌽🌽🌽-fused boy in a 🌽🌽field

Dreal1247:
Until we are able to change our mentality towards governance, government and appointments, we should not expect a better society. Nobody is concerned about the delivery of the dividends of democracy but everyone is just concerned about the personal benefits instead of the general wellbeing of the masses and the society at large.

Memphitz357:
Hope those E-diots, Helinues & Mannabbqgrillz get to see this😒

Lagos Assembly probes missing intestine boy’s case


The Lagos State House of Assembly, on Monday, commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for visiting 13-year-old Master Adebola, the boy with a case of alleged missing small intestine.

The Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, during plenary, described the governor’s action as a reflection that the government was responsive and caring.

“It shows the governor is caring for him to have visited the mother and the child at the hospital and the promise he made which gives hope. It is commendable,” Obasa said.

He, however, said it was important to have a system in place to ensure a structure that curtails any challenge that affects institutions in the state.

He added that it was necessary to get to the root of the problem.

The Speaker, therefore, set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the issue with the Majority Leader, Noheem Adams, as chairman.

Other members of the committee are Temitope Adewale, Steve Ogundipe, Surajudeen Tijani, and Lawal Musibau.

The Deputy Whip of the House, David Setonji, thanked the Speaker for calling the attention of the lawmakers to the issue, adding, “We need to look more into the health sector of the state.”

He noted that the House had taken pragmatic steps to pass a law on organ harvesting and that the law has an important role to play in the progress of the state.

Sanwo-Olu had on Sunday paid an unscheduled visit to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital where Adebola Akin-Bright is receiving treatment.

The governor had assured the boy and his mother that his government would take up the medical care of the boy, adding that what was important was for Adebola to get well and return to school.

TemplarLandry:
Pessimistic statesman.

^{How Ex-President Buhari, Officials Mismanaged €44Million UN-Funded Jubilee Programme, Abandoned Over 20,000 Enrolled Nigerian Graduates}



The shortlisted 20,000 unemployed graduates who lamented that since the inception of the programme, only about 2,183 of them have been matched to organisations with monthly stipend of N100,000 as stipulated by the programme, alleged that the programme was hijacked and compromised by the NJFP team leader, William Tsuma and the Nigerian representative of the UNDP, Muhammad Yahya.



Fellows of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) created by the former President Muhammadu Buhari government in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2021 have lamented total abandonment after being shortlisted for the programme.

The shortlisted 20,000 unemployed graduates who lamented that since the inception of the programme, only about 2,183 of them have been matched to organisations with monthly stipend of N100,000 as stipulated by the programme, alleged that the programme was hijacked and compromised by the NJFP team leader, William Tsuma and the Nigerian representative of the UNDP, Muhammad Yahya.

The programme created by the former President Buhari government was aimed at matching 20,000 unemployed graduates in Nigeria to private and government sectors with a monthly stipend of N100,000 for a period of three years.

The programme was also meant to be an opportunity where the fellows gain relevant experience and skills that would make them employable and/or become self-employed.

In August 2022, Buhari while launching the programme had said, “We estimate that about 2million people would join our labour force annually. We continue to work with our partners to provide more opportunities to create jobs and the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme in partnership with the United Nation’s Development Programme being one of such opportunities.”

“We believe that as this programme creates new opportunities for 20,000 recent graduates annually, the beneficiaries will maximise the opportunities presented to them and maximise their 12 months of engagement on the programme.

“I will encourage all eligible Nigerians to apply for this programme, I also urge private sector organisations in Nigeria to join us on this programme to provide work placement opportunities, mentors, and funding to support the programme.”

However, on Monday, fellows of the programme from across the country, in different accounts to SaharaReporters, said they had been completely abandoned and “as a matter of fact, we are completely frustrated by the NJFP Team in charge of the programme.”

The fellows said that the EU supported the programme with €44 million and that over 116,000 graduates applied for the programme.

According to one of them, “For qualification determination, a series of cognitive and assessment tests were conducted for us, including a Soft Skills Training conducted by Jobberman Ltd. The assessment phase ended sometime in June 2022, as the 20,000 fellows got shortlisted; after which the matching phase began early September, 2022. 2,183 out of the 20,000 fellows formed the first batch of the programme, who were purportedly matched with different organizations.

“The NJFP Team led by Mr. Mohammed Yahaya (Nigeria Representative to UNDP) promised to release the second batch of the matching process in October, 2022, but unfortunately we did not get any information regarding that until December, 2022, when the Team suddenly announced that the matching process would no longer come in batches but individuals would get matched as soon as Host organizations were/are available within our locations.

“This development threw us into a total confusion as we could no longer confirm the number of fellows matched with organizations. Early December, 2022, the NJFP Team held aTweeter space meeting with us after much complaints as to why there was/is much delay in the matching process, as well as their perpetual refusal to release the complete list of the shortlisted candidates.”

They noted that the team reluctantly communicated that the delay was due to lack of host organisations.
“We then suggested a number of methods, one of which is using the NYSC method - inviting organizations through tv, newspaper and radio advertisements, but they rejected all the suggestions.

“The NJFP Team finally released the complete list of the successful candidates after several online protests carried out by us. And they promised to fast track the matching process. We waited for a long time without receiving any update from the team.

“After another agitation was launched by us, few more fellows were matched, who till date have not been unbothered. The matched fellows were warned not to resume work with their host organizations until they were unbothered.

“When we realized that something was wrong with the integrity of the programme, we took it upon ourselves, moved round the streets to invite organizations to apply. We got several of them who registered but most of them were not attended to by the NJFP Team.

“It is just quite unfortunate that over 12,000 fellows have NOT been abandoned. The NJFP team no longer picks our calls nor responds to messages from both fellows and Host organizations. They have completely abandoned us.

“Fellows who were onboarded and working with their host organizations are not being paid their monthly stipends. A number of already matched fellows have been delisted by the NJFP Team for some obvious reasons.”

“The team has also come up with an idea of appointing Regional and State Focal Persons to make the programme effective, but all these are mere promises. A programme of one year has got to three years. It is clear that the integrity of the programme has been compromised.

“And we the graduates are terribly suffering. We therefore, humbly cry to the Federal Government and the other well-meaning Nigerians to come to our aid. We are frustrated,” they lamented.

Let's suggest all these problem solved technics to Tinubu....maybe we make headway....

Nigerian schoolboy beats 782,000 from 90 countries to win Toyota drawing contest


A Nigerian schoolchild, Oluwademilade Odumuboni, has emerged a global grand prize winner of the 2022/23 edition of the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest.

The 10-year-old boy, a pupil of Corona School, Gbagada Lagos, competed and won the coveted prize in the 2022/2023 edition after beating 782,852 other contestants from 90 countries.

The event is organised annually by Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), Japan for schoolchildren all over the world, challenging them to draw their dream cars with a free idea.

Master Odumuboni’s waste compactor vehicle (converter) with the concept of helping countries, especially African communities, in food production and ensuring clean environment, was adjudged the best globally.

He was on Saturday, September 2, honoured and presented with a cash prize of $5,000, a plaque, and a certificate at a special ceremony organised by Toyota Nigeria Limited in Lagos on behalf of the TMC of Japan.

His school, Corona, was also given $10,000 prize; while his Art teacher, Mr Ojeagbega Oserogho, received a laptop for helping the gifted boy to excel.

Speaking at the ceremony, Managing Director, Toyota (Nigeria) Limited, Mr Kunle Ade-Ojo, said, “We are very excited and elated. Indeed, we are very proud of the feat that Demilade achieved by also placing Toyota (Nigeria) Limited in the forefront of distributors globally.”

He said the Nigerian star boy “dared to dream and his unique idea and dream, today has placed him and Nigeria on the global map of one of the largest Global Art Contests for children.

“His unique and truly inspirational idea expressed in an equally creative drawing earned him a global grand prize in the contest beating over 782,852 contestants from 90 countries/regions.”

Ade-Ojo recalled that while the parent company, TMC of Japan initiated the contest in 2004, Toyota Nigeria keyed into it four years later as a corporate social responsibility initiative to help children express their imagination of a future car through drawing.

“Apart from the Shield and prize money from Toyota Motor Corporation that Demilade will be going home with, Toyota (Nigeria) Limited will also present a certificate and trophy to him,” he added.

The contest, he said, was also meant to drive the children to imagine a peaceful world full of smiles and to promote a friendly society.

“This way, Toyota is also cultivating a lifetime friendship with all these children while encouraging them to care for our planet and push their imagination beyond limits,” he stated.

Giving some details about the competition, Ade-Ojo said annually, like other participants countries, three winners are picked in Nigeria from each age category: Category 1(children not older than seven years); Category 2 (8-11 years); and Category 3 (12-15 years old), making nine winners.

The shortlisted nine national winners and their drawings are sent to Japan to compete with other drawings received from all over the world.

“Our Demilade is one of these three grand prize winners globally. He has been awarded 5,000 USD and his school, Corona School, Gbagada, has been awarded 10,000 USD.”

The ceremony was attended by parents of the star prize winner, family members, selected pupils from the school and their teachers led by the Head Teacher, Henrietta Eguagie.

Eguagie commended Oluwadamilade for his remarkable achievement that had brought glory to the school.

She also hailed Toyota for the initiative OF inspiring young people to unleash their creative expression and artistic potential.

“As one of Nigeria’s leading educational institutions, we are dedicated to utilising this prize money in A manner that directly benefits the learning experiences and development of our students.”

Specifically, Eguagie listed areas they plan to invest the money as Toyota Dream Car Endowment Fund, Oluwademilade grant for art, establishment of art gallery and exhibition, digital art studio, art and tech competition, among others.

The star boy, in his response expressed gratitude to the TNL AND TMC of Japan for the opportunity to express himself through art; AS WELL AS his school, art teachers, parents for their encouragement.

“I appreciate Toyota for this award and for believing in a little child like me..I’m also grateful for the big award shield; I’ll surely display it in my room and admire it every day when I wake up in the morning. This experience has taught me that hard work pays and that we should never give up.”

specialmati:
chai na president be this ,didnt i tell you guys to allow this man rest.una no gree

IconicR:
She's stupid
Is she daft not to know the Nigerian guy was after that same money she rejected for love mtcheww

Dpen11:
Already planned