Vice President Kashim Shettima has taken off from Abuja, leading Nigeria's presidential delegation to the highly anticipated AFCON final against Côte d'Ivoire!
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, VP Shettima will be cheering on the Super Eagles as they aim to bring home the continental trophy.
naptu2: The craziest and most nerve-racking matches were
Nigeria vs Algeria in the semi-final of Maroc '88 (the one with the unending penalties).
The Miracle of Damman (the quarter-final of Saudi '89).
Nigeria vs Ivory Coast (the semi-final of Tunisia '94).
Nigeria vs Brazil at Atlanta '96.
I lost my voice and I could have sworn that my heart stopped beating during this game.
This was a game between the two most star studded teams in the competition. They were probably the two best teams in Africa at that time.
The 1994 Super Eagles team needs no introduction, so I'll tell you about the Ivorians.
They had the African legend, Abdoulaye Traore as their captain. They also had one of the best goalkeepers in Alaine Gouamene (who we renamed Allan Quartermaine).
They had Joel Tiehi and the Atletico Madrid star, Serge Alaine Maguy. They also had a young Ahmed Ouattara on the bench.
But I had never heard of Michel Basole before and he was the person that almost killed me on that day. He scored both of Ivory Coast's goals.
Thank heavenly God for Ben Iroha. Iroha injured both Michel Basole and Abdoulaye Traore (they both had to be substituted) and he only got a yellow card.
Not only did Iroha take out both of the Ivorian's danger men, but he also combined beautifully with Okocha to score the first goal (yes, a defender scored our equaliser). Then Yekini scored the equaliser for us.
The rest of the game became a crazy battle between Yekini and Gouamene. Alaine Gouamene showed why he was one of the best goalkeepers in Africa at that time. There was nothing that Yekini did not do, but Gouamene was always in his way.
This led to that famous shot of Westerhof asking God, "Why?"
It was 2-2 at the end of extra time, so the game went to penalties. Westerhof said that he decided that Yekini must take the last penalty because he had the most missed chances.
Of course Yekini scored and took Nigeria to the final.
Yesterday, I met with Hon. Ekprerikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), to address the ongoing challenge of insufficient gas supply to power generation companies (GENCOs). Nigeria has significant gas reserves, but delivering enough gas to meet domestic demand has been a persistent issue. To tackle this, we've established a joint ministerial committee.
It's crucial to find innovative solutions for ensuring stable gas supply to the power sector. Proposing domestic gas payment in naira is a key step toward stability, aligning with our economy's needs and promoting sustainable energy production. Payment shortfalls within the electricity sector pose risks to production and the entire value chain. Leveraging my financial sector experience and contacts, I'm working with stakeholders to advocate for legislative measures mandating naira-denominated payments for domestic gas supply.
Addressing the vandalization of gas pipelines in the Niger Delta is also a priority. A 2021 NEITI report highlighted 7,143 cases of pipeline breakages and deliberate vandalism between 2017 – 2021, significantly impacting the efficiency of the electricity supply industry (NESI).
Clear contractual arrangements between GENCOs and gas suppliers are essential to ensure consistent supply and maximize our power generation capabilities. The upcoming commissioning of the OB3 line is expected to greatly enhance gas supply to the northern region, fostering industrial growth.
In conclusion, the establishment of a joint ministerial committee to tackle the issue of inadequate gas supply to power generation companies (GENCOs) represents a crucial stride towards resolving challenges in Nigeria's energy sector. We are dedicated to assembling a team of experts for this committee, and upon its formation, we will publicly announce the timelines for our initiatives. #EnergySector #GasSupply
Tax dispute: MultiChoice agrees to pay N35bn to FIRS
MultiChoice Group has agreed to pay N35.4 billion as part of its tax obligations to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Multichoice owns the satellite television services, DStv and GOtv — popular subscription-based platforms in Nigeria.
In a statement to shareholders on Thursday, the firm said the payment is to offset against “security deposits”.
“Shareholders are advised that MultiChoice has reached a settlement with the FIRS in Nigeria in relation to the tax assessments raised in April 2021 on MultiChoice Nigeria (MCN) and in June 2021 on MultiChoice Africa Holdings BV (MAH),” the company said.
“The parties (FIRS, MCN and MAH) concluded a ‘without prejudice or precedent’ agreement in full and final settlement of all matters in dispute. In terms of the agreement, MCN and MAH shall pay a total tax amount of NGN35.4bn (~US$37.3m), to be offset against the security deposits and good faith payments made to date.”
In 2021, FIRS issued notices of assessment and demand notices in the sum of N1.82 trillion as tax bills.
The agency appointed some commercial banks as agents to recover the amount.
However, MultiChoice disputed the assessments and approached the tax appeal tribunal (TAT), which led to a series of cases at both the TAT and the federal high court.
Multichoice further instituted a court action on August 25, 2021, challenging the assessment of FIRS over unpaid value-added tax (VAT) amounting to $342 million.
Seven months after the challenge, FIRS and MultiChoice Nigeria agreed to an amicable resolution over pending tax disputes.
As part of the agreements, MultiChoice was to withdraw all pending lawsuits, while FIRS was to conduct a forensic system of the company’s accounts.
As electricity subsidy balloons, Nigeria to propose naira payment for local gas
February 10, 2024
Nigeria is proposing for gas producers to sell gas to local power plants in naira to solve problems of dollar shortages after a second currency devaluation in less than a year is expected to balloon costs and make it hard for firms to pay.
The devaluation of the naira has led to the emergence of a government subsidy as high as N160bn a month but it is unclear for how long the government will continue to cover such massive bill.
Nigeria has 24 gas power plants with a combined output capacity of 11,434 megawatts, but it only delivers around a third of its capacity to the grid due to issues with gas supply.
“Proposing domestic gas payment in naira is a key step toward stability, aligning with our economy’s needs and promoting sustainable energy production,” Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu said in a post on X.
Adelabu added that he plans to create legislative measures that will mandate naira payments for domestic gas supply.
Natural gas is sold in dollars to power plants because investments tied to building gas plants and pipelines are priced and paid for in dollars.
However, local operators have had difficulties making dollar payments since a currency crisis which has seen the naira lose significant value. The currency weakness is expected to force the price of gas in the domestic market sharply higher.
Nigeria has proven gas reserves of 206 trillion cubic feet which it has struggled to tap due to capital constraints. The government hopes it can fix the challenges by switching to naira payments and capping dollar prices.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the local gas regulator, has asked producers to keep gas prices at $2.18 per million British Thermal Units (MMBtu) as per agreement with unions three-years ago
Babangidapikin: Excuse not to attend the Finals .. he is obviously exhausted after the event...
What do you mean by excuse? It is not mandatory that he attends the finals. How many Nigerian presidents have attended AFCON finals? He has already directed Shettima to represent him.
Attending NDA anniversary would not have stopped him from attending AFCON finals.
Besides, presidents usually attend NDA anniversaries, especially if it's a big one like thr 60th anniversary.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 60th Anniversary Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade at Oliver Nzalgana Parade Ground, Afaka, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Office of the SA on social media to PBAT @Dolusegun16
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU TO THE ARMED FORCES: WE CELEBRATE YOUR SACRIFICES; CONTINUE TO PROTECT NIGERIA'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY
President Bola Tinubu has charged the armed forces to continue to protect Nigeria's territorial integrity against all threats, commending them for their dedication to duty and sacrifices for the nation.
Speaking at an event marking the Diamond Jubilee of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna, on Saturday, the President assured the military of his administration's commitment to its welfare, as well as unflagging support in the discharge of its duties.
The NDA was established about six decades ago, on February 5, 1964. The institution has undergone various stages of transformation in its quest to fulfill its mandate of training officers for the Nigerian Armed Forces. Before obtaining independence from Britain, Nigeria’s first set of officers were trained in Ghana and subsequently at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, England. But by January 1964, four years after independence, the first batch of 64 army and navy cadets commenced training at the NDA.
President Tinubu highlighted some of the milestones recorded during the transformation of the NDA to include the subsequent addition and training of Air Force cadets, the successful reunification of the country after the Civil War in 1967 as well as the various short-service military training programmes instituted to fill the manpower needs caused by the Civil War.
Other noteworthy achievements he accented include the upgrade of the NDA from a non-degree awarding institution to a full-fledged degree-awarding university in 1985, thereby phasing out the Nigerian Defence Academy Certificate of Education hitherto awarded to cadets.
"The government is also pleased to note that the curriculum approved by the National Universities Commission, the regulatory body is sufficiently robust and broad-based to enable the cadets to acquire the knowledge, skills, values, character, and discipline required for effective and efficient service in the Nigerian Armed forces in peace times and in times of crises
"I understand that other giants’ strides recorded in the NDA include the establishment of post-graduate programs, the creation of research centres and centres of excellence to facilitate research, and enable cross fertilization of ideas.
"The consistent academic calendar devoid of industrial disputes and strikes should make the NDA postgraduate school an institution of first choice not only for Nigerian students but also for students across the globe. I therefore charge the academic staff both military and nonmilitary to transform the NDA into ‘Nigeria’s Silicon Valley,’ a hub for startups where ideas are not only incubated but also actualized," the President said.
President Tinubu commended the past and present leadership of the NDA for the quality of military and academic training, which has continued to attract clientele from other African nations.
He said with the quality of training at the Academy, the military is capable of bringing to an end all acts of banditry, insurgency, and criminality that have ravaged the country.
"Let me also add that although the war against the enemies of Nigeria is not over, it is fair to state that relative peace has been recorded across the major flash points. These successes have come at a price for the government and the populace. We remember our fallen heroes and those out in the trenches for the sake of our fatherland. Let us also celebrate their resilience and sacrifice at this diamond jubilee.
"I urge you to continue to play your constitutional role of safeguarding the territorial integrity of Nigeria, our fatherland. You must shun any acts that are inimical to the well-being of our nation and acts which can destroy the gains of democracy which we have enjoyed in the last 20 years.
"The government is fully aware of the service and sacrifices that members of the Nigerian Armed Forces have continued to render across the length and breadth of this country, especially in the face of daunting challenges We, as a government, will continue to accord priority to the needs of the armed forces to enable the military to play its constitutional role without let or hindrance.
"Let me reiterate the urgency to upscale the fight against insecurity, which has robbed us of peace and progress. While the relative peace you have been able to secure is worth celebrating, you must remember that the war is not yet over until every parcel of land held by the enemy is flying the flag of the Federal Republic of Nigeria," the President said.
Sports › AFCON Final: Kashim Shettima Departs Abuja For Abidjan (Videos). by naptu2(op): 4:32pm On Feb 11, 2024
