₦airaland Forum

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria has said voice and data services affected by the cut in the undersea fibre optics along the coasts of Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal will be completely restored on Tuesday (today).

The Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, made this disclosure in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Monday.

Last Thursday, cuts in the undersea cable supplying broadband Internet connectivity to Nigeria and countries in the West African sub-region forced many banks, financial institutions, telecom companies, and allied firms to scale down their operations.

The cable companies affected include the West African Cable System and African Coast to Europe on the West Coast route from Europe, both of which have experienced faults. Additionally, SAT3 and MainOne have reported downtime due to the cable cut.

Over the weekend, the telcos, banks, and other financial institutions rerouted their traffic to alternative service providers in a move to mitigate the impact of the disruption. While some providers had confirmed the gradual restoration of services, others were still in the process of migration, leading to ongoing delays and congestion.

On Monday, the Nigerian Communications Commission announced in a statement that services had been restored to approximately 90 per cent of their peak utilisation capacities.

The statement read in part, “Following the disruption on March 14, 2024, which affected data and voice services due to cuts in undersea fibre optics along the coasts of Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal, we are pleased to announce that services have now been restored to approximately 90 per cent of their peak utilization capacities.

“All operators who were impacted by the cuts have taken recovery capacity from submarine cables that were not impacted by the cuts and have thus recovered approximately 90 per cent of their peak utilisation capacities.

“Mobile Network Operators have assured the Commission that data and voice services would operate optimally pending full repairs of the undersea cables as they have managed to activate alternative connectivity to bring the situation back to normalcy.

“We extend our appreciation to telecom consumers for their patience and understanding during the downtime caused by the undersea fibre cuts,” the Director of Public Affairs at NCC, Reuben Muoka, noted.

Speaking with The PUNCH, Adebayo expressed confidence that services would be back in full operation by Tuesday, underscoring the substantial efforts undertaken to minimise the disruption’s impact.

He said, “From the progress we have seen, services will be restored completely tomorrow (Tuesday). We are almost there. There are many submarine cables routed to Nigeria. Some are routed through the Ivory Coast and Senegal. Others are routed in other directions. So, that incident was an incident affecting that particular route.

“The other operators not following that route were not affected. So, they improvised an alternate route. It could have also been the other way, with other people routing their traffic the other way. Its actually a common thing in network planning.”

According to Adebayo, none of the telcos operating in Nigeria are exempted from the disruption; however, the degree of impact remains different.

The chairman stated, “Every telco was affected by the cable cut because it was a major link to Nigeria. The degree of the impact may differ for network providers. All communications in West Africa were affected. There was no exemption. It’s not just Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, disclosed plans to spearhead a global collaboration aimed at enhancing the protection of undersea cables.

Tijani said there was a need to review international laws and foster partnerships with regional and global bodies to accelerate efforts to safeguard this vital infrastructure.

The minister had acknowledged the role of the NCC alongside Globacom, West Indian Ocean Cable Company, MTN, and MainOne to swiftly resolve the issues.

According to him, the initiative marks a significant step towards ensuring the resilience and reliability of undersea cables, crucial lifelines in today’s interconnected world.

The minister said submarine cable cuts, while disruptive, were proving to be a catalyst for resilience and growth in our digital economy.

Apart from the telcos, cable company MainOne was also hit by the disruption in services. Most of the Nigerian banks rely on MainOne for Internet services.

It said on Friday that the repair process for its damaged submarine cable may take up to five weeks.

The firm revealed that it had a maintenance agreement with Atlantic Cable Maintenance and Repair Agreement to provide repair services for its submarine cable.

The repair procedure involves inspecting and testing the cable joints for defects, followed by lowering the cable back to the seabed and guiding it to an optimal position.

Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union have begun a nationwide strike today (Monday) over alleged unfair treatment and disparity in the payment of salaries by the Federal Government.

Last Monday, the unions threatened to shut down hostels and power supply in universities across the country if the Federal Government fails to meet its demands before today, March 18, 2024.

National President of SSANU, Muhammed Ibrahim, said his members, including Vice Chancellors, registrars, and bursars, have not been paid 2022 arrears.

On Sunday, Ibrahim informed The PUNCH that the two unions were set for their nationwide strike.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, stated that he was unaware of SSANU/NASU’s planned strike.

However, during the Channels Television’s Morning Show programme, Ibrahim declared that the strike had started.

“Definitely, it (the strike) has already started.

“As of today (Monday), all our workers in registry, bursary, works and maintenance, security, and students’ affairs have withdrawn their services and nothing moves within the administration of any public university in Nigeria and that will be the case for the next seven days until and unless the needful is done,” he stated.

The SSANU president stressed that no government representative has reached out to the non-academic unions, noting that though some have reached out unofficially, their assurances cannot be taken to the bank.

He wondered why some government officials would not fully comply with President Bola Tinubu’s instruction to pay 2022 arrears.

He added that the Minister of Labour , Nkiruka Onyejeocha, has not reached out to the aggrieved unions despite issuing a seven-day notice last Monday.

This, he said was a departure from the responsiveness of the ex-Labour Minister Chris Ngige.

He stressed that the unions would go back to their toolbox and decide the next line of action should the government fail to heed the unions’ demands after the seven-day warning strike, which commenced today.

Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, on Thursday, convicted and sentenced a man, Nurudeen Nasiru, to life imprisonment for introducing his neighbour’s 13-year-old daughter to pornography and sexually assaulting her.

During the trial, the State Counsel, Mr Olusola Soneye, called three witnesses, a social worker, the survivor, and her father while the convict testified as a sole witness.

The confessional statement of the convict was tendered as an exhibit by the prosecution.

According to the prosecutor, the convict committed the offences on February 23, 2021, at about 3.45pm on Aminu Street, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos.

Justice Soladoye, in her judgment, held that the convict sexually assaulted the survivor through the anus and also introduced her to pornography.

She also held that the prosecution was able to prove beyond reasonable doubt the two counts of defilement and indecent treatment of a child against the convict.

Justice Soladoye said, “Nasiru was a neighbour who goes to the room of the survivor and opens his phone to show her pornographic videos and afterwards will force her to practise what he had shown her on his phone.

“Nasiru, in his confessional statement, admitted to having had sexual intercourse with the survivor.”

The judge further held that the ingredients of the offence of sexual assault by penetration and indecent treatment of a child were thoroughly satisfied under Sections 261 and 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

She, therefore, convicted Nasiru of the two counts preferred against him.

“On count one of sexual assault by penetration, Nasiru is sentenced to life imprisonment.

“On count two of indecent treatment of a child, Nasiru is sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

“The sentence should run concurrently, and his name is to be entered in the Sexual Offenders’ Register maintained by the Lagos State Government.”

MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecommunications provider, says its services in several West African countries have been disrupted.

In a statement on Thursday, the telco giant said the ongoing disconnection is due to breaks in multiple major undersea cables.

On February 22, 2024, Bayobab, a pan-African digital connectivity, partnered with MTN Nigeria to land a 45,000km subsea cable in the country.

The cable known as ‘2Africa,’ has its landing station at Mopo-Onibeju Lekki area of Lagos and in Qua Iboe, Akwa Ibom.

2Africa is said to be the longest underwater cable in the world, passing through three continents and 33 countries, several of which are in Africa.

Speaking further, MTN said efforts are being made to resolve the disruption.

“Recognising the critical importance of consistent internet and communication services, we are fully committed to swiftly addressing these disruptions,” MTN said.

“To mitigate the impact on our customers in the affected countries, our operations are actively working to reroute traffic through alternative network paths and engaging with our consortium partners to expedite the repair process for the damaged cables.

“Leveraging our robust and resilient network infrastructure, we aim to minimise service interruptions and maintain connectivity.

“We thank you for your patience and understanding as we work diligently to resolve this situation.”

In another statement, MTN Nigeria said the network disruption is due to damage to international undersea cables across East and West Africa.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Temitope Ilori as the new director-general (DG) of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA).

In a statement on Thursday, Toyin Aderibigbe, NACA head of public relations, said Ilori’s initial term of four years began on February 22.

She takes over from Gambo Aliyu, who was the DG of the agency, from June 2019 till February 2024.

Ilori is the first female to be appointed as the director-general of the agency.

“Up until her appointment, Dr. Ilori was a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Community Medicine, University of Ibadan, and a Consultant Family Physician in the Department of Family Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan,” the statement reads.

“Dr Ilori obtained her MBBS degree from the University of Ibadan and had her residency training at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. She graduated as the best graduating Fellow of the Faculty of Family Medicine, West African College of Physicians in April 2012 winning the A.O. Senbanjo Prize. She is also an Associate Fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

“Dr Ilori has a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science Degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She is a PhD Fellow at the Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa sponsored by the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa.

“Her areas of research interest include Primary Care, Immunization, Public Health Nutrition, Non-Communicable Diseases, and Women’s and Child’s Health. She is a prolific researcher who has co-authored over 30 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

“She has been involved in policy formulation and strategic development. She was a Commissioner for Health, Osun State, Nigeria from 2011 to 2014 and Chairperson, Osun State Agency on Control of HIV/AIDS, and Osun State Technical Working Group on Immunization.”

The president also approved the relocation of NACA to the ministry of health and social welfare.

NACA was previously domiciled in the office of the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF).

Tinubu said the relocation of NACA to the ministry of health and social welfare is to foster synergy and enhance collaboration in pursuit of the nation’s goal to achieve the 95-95-95 pathway for ending the AIDS epidemic.

The federal government has filed a criminal charge against Bello Bodejo, leader of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore group, over an alleged unlawful establishment of an ethnic militia group.

The charge was filed before the federal high court in Abuja on March 12.

Bodejo was arrested on January 23 at the Miyetti Allah office in Karu LGA of Nasarawa state, over the unveiling of a vigilante group.

The Fulani socio-cultural organisation had recently unveiled a vigilante group in Nasarawa.

Bodejo said the “nomad vigilante group” would assist security agencies in combatting crime in the north-central state.

The federal government had secured an order to remand Bodejo for 15 days in the custody of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

After the expiration of the order, Inyang Ekwo, presiding judge, extended the detention period by another seven days.

The judge also ordered the federal government to ensure that it filed a charge against the accused, and directed that the detainee be brought to court on the next adjourned date.

On Wednesday, the state failed to produce Bodejo in court.

However, Yetunde Imana, lawyer from the office of the attorney general of the federation (AGF), told the court that a charge has been filed against Bodejo.

But Ekwo noted that he was yet to receive the case file.

Mohammed Sheriff, Bodejo’s lawyer, informed the court of a pending bail application he filed for his client.

Sheriff proceeded to move the application and prayed the court to grant bail to his client.

Responding, Imana prayed the court to dismiss the bail application on the grounds that “it is a matter that touches on national security”.

Ekwo adjourned ruling on the application to March 22.

On Wednesday, members of the Miyetti Allah staged a protest outside the federal high court in Abuja, while demanding Bodejo’s release.

The Kano police command says a point of sale (POS) operator identified as Mohammed Abdulrahman, has returned N10 million mistakenly transferred to his account, to the sender.

In a statement on Thursday, Abdullahi Kiyawa, Kano police spokesperson, said the owner of the money is a businessman in Dawanau grain market in Kano metropolis.

Kiyawa said the POS operator explained that the owner of the money intended to send the sum of N10,000 but mistakenly transferred N10 million to his account.

“As the POS operator reported to the police that he has realised that one of his customers who is yet to be identified wrongly transferred to his account ten million naira (N10,000,000:00) instead of ten thousand naira (N10,000:00),” the statement reads.

“And it took the police investigation three months period in identifying the owner of the excess money.

“After getting all the proofs, CP Gumel casts encomium to both the POS operator and the police team from the state CID for the display of honesty, integrity, professionalism and encourages others to follow this rare exemplary track.

“It was since on 21/12/2023, that a Point of Sale (POS) Operator known as Mohammed Sani Abdulrahman, 37 years, ‘m’, of Kurnar Asabe Quarters Kano, reported himself at the Bompai Police Headquarters Kano.

“Where he stated that someone among his customers has overpaid into his POS business, the sum of nine million, nine hundred and ninety thousand naira (N9,990,000:00) while he wanted to make an online transfer of ten thousand naira (N10,000:00) only and mistakenly transferred the sum of ten million naira (N10,000,000:00).

“On receipt of the report, the commissioner of police, Kano state command, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc directed a team of detectives led by SP Abdulwahab Zubairu from the Command’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to carry out discreet investigation with a view to identify the owner and return his money.

“On the 14th of March, 2024, the investigation was concluded by uncovering the identity of the rightful owner, who is a businessman at Dawanau grain market in Kano metropolis.

“After a painstaking investigation and being satisfied with proofs of ownership, the money, the excess sum of nine million, nine hundred and ninety thousand naira (N9,990,000) was returned to the owner’s same account.”

The statement added that the POS operator was rewarded with a cash gift of N500,000.

“The owner admired the gesture of which out of joy and with pleasure, gave the POS operator cash gift of five hundred thousand naira (N500,000:00),” the statement adds.

“The owner also thanked the CP for his honesty, integrity, and showing good example.”

Access Holdings Plc has announced the return of Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, as the non-executive chairman.

In a statement filed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) on Wednesday, the financial institution said Aig-Imoukhuede will replace Abubakar Jimoh, the erstwhile chairman.

Aig-Imoukhuede retired from the bank as CEO in December 2013 — he became the president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) afterwards.

According to the company, Jimoh will remain on the board as an independent non-executive director.

Access Holdings said the decision, which comes after the death of Hebert Wigwe, the company’s immediate past group chief executive officer (GCEO), is the result of extensive consultations with key stakeholders.

Wigwe, wife and son died in a chopper crash on February 10 in the United States.

The company said the board unanimously invited Aig-Imoukhuede to the helm of governance, adding that he is a visionary and accomplished leader who brings an outstanding record of accomplishments, a wealth of expertise and leadership to guide the group into a new era of success.

“With an illustrious career spanning several decades in the banking and finance sector, Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede has proven to be an exceptional and influential leader, having admirably laid a solid foundation for Access Bank’s success as Group Chief Executive Officer between 2002 and 2013 ably supported by his partner and deputy, the late Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR who later succeeded him,” Access Holdings said.

“Under Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede’s leadership, Access Bank experienced remarkable growth and established itself as a trusted financial institution within the community. The Bank transformed from a minor player into one of Nigeria’s top 5 banks with presence in 9 other African countries and the United Kingdom.

“Under his stewardship, Access Bank grew its customer base from ten thousand to over six million with more Cress Book employees and an asset base of USD $12 billion, achieving numerous milestones and becoming a globally recognized name.

“His strategic vision, innovative thinking, and deep market insight were instrumental to shaping the Bank’s success.”

According to Access Holdings, Aig-Imoukhuede cofounded the Tengen Family Office Limited which oversees a significant portfolio of investments and businesses in banking, finance, insurance, technology, real estate, and energy.

“The decision to bring back Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede as the Group’s Non-Executive Chairman reflects the board’s commitment to our core values and determination to build upon the strong foundation he jointly established with Dr. Wigwe,” the company said.

“With his return, Access Holdings aims to leverage his extensive experience, industry knowledge, and exceptional leadership skills to consolidate on the growth and accomplishments recorded under Dr. Wigwe’s leadership.”

PROVIDE GUIDANCE, OVERSEE STRATEGY

Highlighting Aig-Imoukhuede new role, Access Holdings said as non-executive chairman, he will collaborate with the board of directors to oversee strategy and provide guidance to the executive management team.

“His return is not only a testament to his unwavering dedication to Access Group but also a clear demonstration of the Board’s confidence in his ability to lead the Group to new heights.,” the company said.

Commenting on the return, Jimoh said he is excited about the development.

“Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede’s appointment to the Board and subsequent election as Chairman is a landmark development for Access Holdings. All our board members are excited about our future,” Jimoh said.

On his part, Aig-Imoukhuede said he is determined to ensure the shared vision which Wigwe gave everything for, is realised.

Aig-Imoukhuede also said he is confident working with the directors, exceptional team of executives and banking and finance professionals, will deliver outstanding value to the company’s esteemed stakeholders.

President Bola Tinubu has implored governors to provide land for grazing in their states in order to address the protracted farmer-herder crisis in the country.

Tinubu spoke on Monday when he flagged off the food security and agricultural mechanisation programme in Niger state.

The project is an initiative of the Niger state government. It would “focus on the deployment of technology for large-scale agro-value chain development”.

Tinubu said his administration is committed to ensuring food sufficiency and protecting local industries for sustainable economic growth in the country.

The president said if land for grazing is provided by governors, he is committed to providing a comprehensive programme that will solve the farmer-herders crisis within two or three weeks.

“We have seen the level of commitment here. We have seen leadership. The success of any leader will depend on the ability to do what needs to be done when it ought to be done,” Tinubu said.

“It is now time for us to address the challenges and make Nigeria an economy of opportunities. We must care for our people; re-orient our people. I do not see why Nigeria cannot feed all students in its schools.

“I know what it means as an economic sabotage for roaming cows to eat up the crops and the vegetation of our land. I know it is painful. But when we re-orient the herders and make provision for cattle rearing, we can address that.

“You are the governors who must provide the land; provide us the land. I, as the President, I am committed to giving you, in two three weeks time, a comprehensive programme that will solve this problem.”

The president also appealed to sub-national governments, as an immediate intervention measure, to implement wage awards in their states.

He said this will complement the efforts of the federal government in easing the burden on citizens, pending when the minimum wage is increased.

Age-long clashes between farmers and herders, especially in Nigeria’s arid northern region, often lead to communal conflict, destruction of property, loss of lives, and displacement of whole communities — further exacerbating the country’s humanitarian crisis.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a generous donation of 25,000 tons of wheat from the Government of Ukraine that will help provide emergency food assistance to 1.3 million crisis-affected people in northeast Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, Senior Communications & Public Diplomacy Officer of the British High Commission in Abuja.

It noted that this vital contribution is part of Ukraine’s humanitarian “Grain from Ukraine” initiative launched by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It added that the arrival of the grains was timely as prices of staple food in Nigeria have risen, pushing basic meals out of the reach of millions of vulnerable families across the country.

The shipment was made possible following a collaborative effort from the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Norway, Republic of Korea and Sweden, which has helped cover the costs of transporting the wheat from Ukraine to Nigeria and its distribution to the families who so urgently need it.

To ensure continued food and nutrition assistance to crisis-affected people in northeast and northwest Nigeria, WFP said it urgently requires US$154 million for the next six months (March-August 2024).


Reacting to this development, David Stevenson, WFP Representative and Country Director in Nigeria said, “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Government of Ukraine, partners, and donors for their unwavering support through the Grain from Ukraine Initiative. This collaborative effort plays a crucial role in alleviating suffering and maintaining human dignity in areas facing conflict and food price increase”.

As part of WFP’s ongoing humanitarian operations, the wheat donation will be combined with cash and other commodities to meet the basic food and nutrition needs of crisis-affected women, men and children for a two-month period.

Speaking at the WFP Office on Thursday, Cynthia Rowe of the British High Commission Development Director said “This is a really tough time for many people across the world, including in Nigeria, it is important that we help the most vulnerable populations.

The UK is proud to be part of the global community supporting WFP to distribute lifesaving grain across Nigeria, reaching over 600,000 people. This contribution will go some way to addressing rising food insecurity, driven by conflict and regional instability. We continue to back measures that help reduce its impact in Nigeria, support livelihoods and promote peace.

Deadly conflicts and persistent violence in northeast Nigeria have driven millions of people out of their homes, off their farms and across the region, jeopardizing agriculture and livelihood production.

Over the past three months, unlike in previous years, prices of key staples across several markets in Nigeria increased above pre-harvest levels hampering food access for vulnerable families who depend on harvest and markets for their supplies. In Maiduguri, for example, the wholesale prices of red beans have increased by 210 percent compared to the same period last year (February 2023). Similarly, prices of maize and sorghum increased by 176 percent and 188 percent respectively.

The country is also grappling with its fourth consecutive year of chronic food insecurity with 26.5 million people across the country projected to face acute hunger during the 2024 lean season between June and August according to the November 2023 Cadre Harmonisé food security analysis.

WFP is committed to working with the government and partners to build more resilient, inclusive, and effective food systems taking advantage of its current footprint in the country. Through its “Out of Conflict into Solutions” food systems approach, WFP seeks to prioritize emergency food assistance to the most vulnerable groups while simultaneously supporting self-reliance by rebuilding assets to improve long-term food security and resilience including adaptation to climate change, providing timely access to nutritious food, and promoting innovative financing to support WFP operations.

In 2023, WFP invested US$ 200 million in the agricultural economy through locally purchased food and cash transfers to crisis-affected families for food redemption in local markets.



“WFP has the tools and willingness to support the government in restoring and unlocking the agricultural potential of northeast Nigeria making it again the breadbasket of the country. But we cannot achieve this alone.

“Collective action is needed to bring peace and stability, ensure stable markets, encourage financial investments, and generate employment through enhanced collaboration with Nigerian private sector partners, suppliers, transporters, service providers, and retailers” Stevenson added

The African Development Bank (AfDB) says it is supporting Nigeria with $134 million for the cultivation of rice, maize, cassava and soybeans to boost food production.

Akinwumi Adesina, president of the AfDB, disclosed this on Saturday after visiting the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) at Bayero University, Kano.

Adesina said the bank would support Nigeria in cultivating 300,000 hectares of rice and maize, 150,000 hectares of cassava and 50,000 hectares of soybeans during the 2024 planting season.

“This March, the AfDB is supporting Nigeria to cultivate 118,000 hectares of heat-tolerant varieties of wheat and another 150,000 hectares of maize,” [/b]Adesina said.

[b]“We live in an era of climate change and yet only 3 percent of African agriculture is under irrigation. We have to make sure we help our farmers with information that is timely and appropriate.

“We have no alternative but to adapt to climate change; adopt better ways of using water, particularly in the cultivation of dry land crops that are more resilient and tolerant.”

The economist said the AfDB would provide grants for the CDA and collaborate with it to become a centre used for the prediction of weather patterns and the gathering of information that would make farmers plan better.

“We will work with the centre to become one of the centres of excellence in technology,” he said.

“We will also support youths to develop their business ideas into reality with our 20,000-dollar grant on `Agri Pitch’ and `Agri Hacking’.”

Adesina commended Sagir Adamu-Abbas, the vice-chancellor of Bayero University, and Jibrin Mohammed-Jibrin, director of CDA, for assisting farmers with access to technology in the face of climate change.

In his remarks, Mohammed-Jibrin said the CDA is renowned for its research and teaching in development initiatives, focusing on dry land agriculture.

“The centre is dedicated to improving livelihoods, resilience and sustainable use of natural resources in African drylands through training and demand-driven research,” he said.

He said the CDA had received several World Bank grants for research and had so far enrolled about 1,153 doctorate and masters’ degree students and trained farmers in agro-ecological practices.

CDA is a World Bank-supported centre established to serve as a regional training hub for the West and Central African sub-regions

LISTEN: 'Let doubting Thomas know we'll rejoice' -- Kwam 1 sings for Tinubu
Wasiu Ayinde, the Fuji singer better known as Kwam 1, says he will not be celebrating his 67th birthday party due to the economic hardship in Nigeria.


In a post on his Instagram page, the ace singer lamented the rate of poverty in Nigeria, saying “many people are praying for survival at this point”.

He said although his 67th birthday is a “joyous day for me”, nothing in the country warrants him to celebrate.

Ayinde also urged his fans to use the occasion of his birthday to “help someone and share gifts with people”.

“To the glory of God Almighty, I shall be turning 67 years on this planet earth on 3rd of March 2024. A joyous day for me, that many of my friends and associates across the globe usually joined with me and my family to celebrate,” he wrote.

“My fans both home and abroad always make the best out of that day in history. Now that the day is near and inside of me, there is nothing much happening in our country Nigeria to warrant me celebrating at this point in time.

“Many people are praying for survival at this point, to feed well is a big issue for many, and as someone that benefits from many of this people crying and lamenting, I shared in their pains and see no reason I should be celebrating.

“Yes I agreed what our country is passing through now is not permanent and Government is trying in a possible way to get things fixed and I believe God Almighty shall open ways and better direction for the leadership of our dear country.

“I hereby implore and request all my loved ones, instead of coming to celebrate, eat, and drink at this time.

“Pls choose this my coming birthday celebration to help someone nearer to you, to at least secure a better living at this critical period of our nation’s travails to share however small the gift to people.

“God Almighty shall replenish your pockets in multiple fold as you choose to get along with me on this. I thank you immensely and I shall live to appreciate you all soo very much till my last day on this planet earth.”

In January, Kwam 1, who is an ardent supporter of Bola Tinubu, pleaded with the president to provide solutions to the problems bedevilling Nigeria.

Last year, the 66-year-old singer taunted critics who doubted Tinubu’s candidacy for Nigeria’s highest office.

On August 18, 2011, former President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated a seven-member committee on the restructuring of federal government parastatals and agencies.

Stephen Oronsaye, a former head of the civil service of the federation, was appointed as the chairman of the committee, while Umar Mohammed was the secretary.

Other members were Japh Nwosu, Rabiu Abubakar, Salman Mann, Hamza Tahir, and Adetunji Adesunkanmi.

The committee was mandated to “study and review all previous reports/records on the restructuring of federal government parastatals, advise on whether they are still relevant, and examine the enabling acts of all the federal agencies, parastatals, and commissions and classify them into various sectors”.

The panel was also expected to “examine critically the mandates of the existing federal agencies, parastatals, and commissions, determine areas of overlap or duplication of functions, and make appropriate recommendations to either restructure, merge, or scrap to eliminate such overlaps, duplications, or redundancies and advise the federal government”.

The committee based its review on the 541 bodies that existed as parastatals, commissions, and agencies. After submitting its findings, the federal government established a panel on the white paper for the report.

The Oronsaye report was submitted in 2012 while in 2014, the government released a white paper on the findings.

The administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari after re-examining the white paper also released a second white paper in August 2022 but did not implement the report.

PARASTALS, AGENCIES AND COMMISSIONS AFFECTED

At the end of the weekly federal executive council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, it was resolved that the Oronsaye report should be implemented to “enhance efficiency in the federal service, and reduce the cost of governance”.

The council inaugurated an eight-man committee that has a 12-week deadline to ensure that the necessary legislative amendments and administrative restructuring needed to implement the reforms are effected efficiently.


The committee comprises the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF); head of the civil service; attorney general of the federation and minister of justice; minister of budget and national planning; director-general of the bureau of public service reform; special adviser to the president on policy coordination and special assistant to the president on national assembly. The cabinet affairs office will serve as the secretariat.

Below is the list of parastatals, agencies and commissions that are affected by the implementation of the Oronsaye report.

1. The National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) is to be subsumed under the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). The National Assembly will need to amend the constitution as RMAFC was established by the constitution.
2. Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to be merged with the Bureau of Public Enterprise and be renamed as Public Enterprises and Infrastructural Concession Commission.
3. The National Human Rights Commission should be merged with the Public Complaints Commission.
4. The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) is to be scrapped and its functions will be taken over by the federal ministry of finance.
5. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Commission for Refugees to be fused to become the National Emergency and Refugee Management Commission.
6. The Border Communities Development Agency to become a department under the National Boundary Commission.
7. The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are to be merged.
8. SERVICOM is to become a department under the Bureau for Public Service Reform (BPSR).
9. The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) to return to the ministry of agriculture and food security.
10. The federal ministry of science will supervise a new agency that combines the National Centre For Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM), the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Projects Development Institute (PRODA).
11. National Commission for Museums and Monuments and National Gallery of Arts to become one entity that will be known as the National Commission for Museums, Monuments and Gallery of Arts.
12. National Theatre to be merged with National Troupe.
13. The Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa and the Directorate of Technical Aid Corp are to be merged under the ministry of foreign affairs.
14. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to become an agency under the ministry of foreign affairs.
15. Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and Voice of Nigeria (VON) are to become one entity to be known as Federal Broadcasting Corporation of Nigeria (FBCN).
16. National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) and the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology are to be merged into an agency to be known as the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA).
17. The National Institute for Leather Science Technology and the National Institute for Chemical Technology are to become one agency.
18. Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development to become one agency.
19. The National Metallurgical Development Centre and National Metallurgical Training Institute will be merged.
20. National Institute for Trypanosomiasis to be subsumed under the Institute of Veterinary Research in Vom, Jos.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has asked the Presidency, the Federal Judicial Commission, and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies, to submit their anti-corruption strategies, as part of the agency’s efforts to stop the abuse of contracts.

All the MDAs have until March 1 to submit their strategies to the anti-graft agency.

The directive was contained in separate letters to the Chief of Staff to the President; the Permanent Secretary, State House, Aso Rock Villa; the Chairman, National Assembly Commission and the Secretary, Federal Judicial Service Commission.

The EFCC said the directive was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to tackle corruption in MDAs, and the launch of the Fraud Risk Assessment Prevention and Control Project for MDAs by the President in January.

The letter read in part, “The aim of the project is to assess extant anti- corruption measures in MDAs with particular focus on identifying gaps, vulnerabilities, develop strategies and techniques to mitigate corruption and other financial crimes prevalent in MDAs.

“You are kindly requested to forward to the commission a detailed anti-corruption policy or strategy deployed by your office to prevent abuse in contract and procurement processes.

“Kindly note that the commission expects your response to this request on or before the close of business on Friday, 1st day of March, 2024.”


A source in the agency also stated that the agency hd earlier given hints of the directive in January, noting that the EFCC wanted to prevent corruption as much as possible.

“The correspondence to the key government institutions is a bold effort to jumpstart the corruption prevention agenda of the Ola Olukoyede- led EFCC.

“The anti-corruption boss had hinted of this move at a Public Engagement on Youth, Religion and the Fight against Corruption and Launch of Fraud Risk Assessment for MDAs it held in Abuja on January 31, 2024. It is no more business as usual. We want to prevent corruption as much as possible,” the source said.

The Federal Government is to stop the exportation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, popularly called cooking gas, in a bid to increase its volume domestically so as to warrant a crash in price.

It stated on Thursday that LPG producers in Nigeria and key stakeholders in the industry had been told to stop exporting the commodity out of Nigeria, following the recent jump in the cost of cooking gas.

Although the volume of LPG consumption in Nigeria depends on the specific timeframe, figures obtained from the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority indicated that in 2022, the total cooking gas consumption across the country was 1.4 million metric tonnes.

Data from the agency put total domestic production during the review period as 600,000MT, while imports accounted for 800,000MT.

In 2021, total consumption was estimated at around 800,000MT, as domestic production was about 300,000MT, while the volume that was imported in that year was put at 500,000MT.

Cooking gas consumption has been increasing significantly, with ambitious targets to reach five million metric tonnes by 2029, as LPG dealers stated that though Nigeria exports the commodity, the country relies heavily on imports to meet domestic demand.

This implies that the Federal Government could stop the export of over 600,000MT of cooking gas based on its drive to crash the price of the commodity locally.

Findings showed that the cost of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and some other states had climbed to about N18,000. It was specifically N17,500 in Abuja on Thursday, a product that sold for less than N9,000 in November last year.

LPG dealers under the aegis of Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers had predicted mid last year that a 12.5kg cylinder would cost N18,000 going by the incessant hikes in its cost.

To tackle this, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, constituted a committee in November 2023, headed by the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed.

But up till today (Thursday), the cost of the commodity has maintained a northward movement, as many LPG users are gradually shifting to the use of charcoal.

But while speaking on the sidelines of the internal stakeholders’ workshop in Abuja on Thursday, Ekpo stated that the Federal Government had asked LPG producers to stop exporting the commodity.

He named some international oil companies including Mobil, Shell and Chevron as producers, stressing that the government was interfacing with them to crash cooking gas prices.

In November 2023, a kilogram of cooking gas was about N700, but the product is now sold at about N1,400/kg. Some operators stated that the cost would increase further if the government fails to intervene.

Ekpo said, “With the issue of gas, you have seen the demonstration of the Federal Government by withdrawing all taxes and levies from the importation of gas related equipment. It is a big incentive.

“On the issue of LPG (cooking gas), we are interacting with the critical sectors to ensure that there is no exportation of LPG. All LPG produced within the country will have to be domesticated. And when this is done, the volume will increase and, of course, the price will automatically crash.

“I’m in contact with the regulator, NMDPRA, we have meetings almost on a daily basis and with the producers of the gas like Mobil, Chevron and Shell. So there is that hope that things will turn around.

“And that is also why we are having this engagement to know exactly what the problems are, so that we can address them once and for all.”

When told that the removal of Value Added Tax on LPG seems not to be reflecting on the cost of the commodity, the minister stated that cooking gas investors were trying to maximise their profit from the sale of the product.

“Excuse me, it is not going to reflect that way. We are dealing with human beings. A policy has been put in place and these people, the investors, want to maximise the profit that they are going to get from it all.

“So at the end of the day we had to come in, which is why you have the regulator. We are interfacing with them to make sure they crash the price. We are meeting with them on a daily basis,” Ekpo stated.

It was reported in December 2023 that the Federal Government had exempted the importation of LPG and its equipment from the payment of customs duty and Value Added Tax, as the move was expected to result in a drop in the cost of cooking gas across the country.

This was disclosed by the Federal Ministry of Finance in a letter (dated November 28, 2023) to the Special Adviser to the President on Energy; Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service; and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, signed the letter.

Meanwhile, when asked on Thursday to state when government vehicles would start running on Compressed Natural Gas as always championed by the government, the gas minister stated that he would speak on this later.

“The Presidential Initiative on CNG was set up before the inauguration of the ministers, but I’m interfacing with them. The Federal Government committee is working towards realising the goals. So the moment I get a clearer picture about it I will address you accordingly,” Ekpo stated.

Nigeria has over 208 trillion standard cubic feet of gas reserves and is now viewed as a gas-rich nation.

But most of the country’s gas resources remained untapped due to several reasons such as lack of investments in the sector, the shift from fossil fuels, policy issues, among others.

Ekpo was also asked whether the government would allow operators in the sector to run most of their transactions in naira, as against the popular practice of dollar transactions, and he said the matter would be discussed at the meeting by stakeholders.

“If you were there when the director on gas was presenting what we discussed during the stakeholders meeting on February 6, 2024, it (the concern) was presented, and I will have the views of the implementers and regulators today. Then from there we can take a decisive decision on how to address it,” the minister stated.

Earlier during his speech at the workshop, he said the aim of the event was to reposition the Nigerian gas sector for optimal performance, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to unlock Nigeria’s abundant gas resources for economic development and poverty eradication.

“This is the second in a series of engagements with stakeholders in the gas sector, the first being the consultative meeting I held with external stakeholders in the gas sector on February 6, 2024 which provided a platform for me to hear from the various associations and groups operating across the gas value chain with a view to understanding the pain points of the industry operators.

“It is my expectation that having heard from the operators in our industry, we as policymakers, regulators and policy implementers will internalise the feedback from our stakeholders and customers to proffer workable solutions to tackle the issues bedevilling our nation’s gas sector.

“With over 208 trillion standard cubic feet in proven gas reserves, Nigeria has no business with energy poverty, and it is imperative for us to rise up as a people to tackle these challenges head-on,” Ekpo stated.

He stated that as part of efforts to ensure a high level of performance and accountability within the Federal Government, the President, through the office of the Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, had released the Presidential Priorities and Ministerial Deliverables for 2023 – 2027 to create a performance tracking mechanism for the Minister of Petroleum Resources and relevant agencies.

“The theme for this workshop – ‘Harnessing Nigeria’s Proven Gas Reserves for Economic Growth and Development,’ is very apt and provides a platform for us to galvanise action and take the necessary steps to release this nation’s abundant gas reserves to accelerate our industrialisation and develop the economy for the good of our teeming population,” Ekpo stated.

The Chief Executives of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Ahmed Farouk, and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Gbenga Komolafe, were in attendance at the internal stakeholders’ workshop on Thursday.

Representatives from other agencies under the petroleum ministry such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Petroleum Technology Development Fund, directors from the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, among others, were also in attendance.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, on Thursday, described those clamouring for a coup d’état as enemies of Nigeria, saying the military remained resolute to protect the nation’s democracy.

This was as the Kaduna State Overseeing Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed that the mastermind of the August 2021 attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna was eliminated by troops on Wednesday.

The CDS, who spoke to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Thursday, warned coup mongers in the country.

The economic hardship in the country, which has seen Nigerians trooping to the streets in protests against the rising cost of living has precipitated the fear of military intervention, more so as three member states of the Economic Community of West African States have fallen into the hands of military juntas.

However, the Nigerian military has consistently maintained that it had no interest or plan to take over power, saying it remained loyal and committed to the democratic government.

Restating the military stance in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Musa said, “Whoever is making that call (coup) does not love Nigeria. We want to make it very clear that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are here to protect democracy.

“We all want democracy and we do better under democracy. And so we will continue to support democracy. And any of those ones that are calling for anything other than democracy are evil people and I think they don’t mean well for Nigeria. And they should be very careful because the law will come after them.”

The CDS urged Nigerians to exercise patience with the Federal Government, saying efforts being made would soon result in improved conditions of living.

He said, “We can see that with democracy a lot of things are happening in Nigeria. Yes, we are going through trying periods, but in life, nothing is one hundred per cent; everybody goes through a trying period in life, but it is what you do with them.

“You can see the government putting in efforts to ensure that we come out better. And it is when you go through difficulties and come out better you will really appreciate what it is to build a nation. And so we are going through our trying period, but I can assure Nigerians that it will get better.

“What is needed is for all of us to put our hands together to ensure that we defeat those enemies of the government, those enemies of this country that don’t want us to succeed.

“We will surely succeed and the Armed Forces are here to support the government in ensuring that we develop, we succeed and to see that there is peace in Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, in a statement on Thursday in Kaduna, Overseeing Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Aruwan, said troops on Wednesday intercepted a notorious bandit, Boderi Isyaku, who is believed to have masterminded the August 24, 2021 attack on the Afaka campus of the Nigerian Defence Academy, which claimed the lives of two soldiers.

According to Aruwan, Isyaku was intercepted and killed by troops during an operation led by the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. V.U. Okoro.

The bandit, he said, was killed around the Bada/Riyawa general areas of Chikun and Igabi Local Government Areas of the state.

Aruwan said, “Boderi, known for his ruthlessness and cunning, had long eluded the grasp of security forces while orchestrating the kidnappings of prominent figures, innocent civilians, schoolchildren and students with impunity.

“His activities not only caused untold pain to thousands of victims and families but also posed a stiff challenge to law enforcement agents, who, at various times, were only a whisker away from apprehending this menace.

“Boderi was involved in a range of deadly attacks spanning Sabon Birni, Rigasa, Buruku, Gwagwada, Rijana and Kateri general areas, the Kaduna-Abuja Road, the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road, as well as Shiroro, Alawa, and Mangoro general areas of neighbouring Niger State.

“He was also known to have built a close rapport with terrorist groups, collaborating with them towards establishing footholds in these areas. Recent intelligence reports revealed his plans to attack a school in his sphere of operation. Those plans have been thankfully truncated.

“It was Boderi who plotted and executed the 11th March 2021 abduction of 39 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Igabi LGA.

“This high-profile kidnapping generated shockwaves and massive panic around the country, as dozens of young students were whisked away and their families left to deal with unimaginable turmoil.

“On the 24th of August 2021, Boderi masterminded another deadly attack, this time on the Afaka campus of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Igabi LGA. Two officers were killed and another was abducted. Weeks later, on 14th September 2021, Boderi led his gang of bandits in the kidnapping of the Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Atto, around Dutse village, Chikun LGA. The Emir’s Police Detail was killed.”

The commissioner also quoted Governor Uba Sani to have been excited over the development which he described “as a pointer to the bravery and professionalism of the troops involved.”

The governor commended the commanding officer Okoro for his stellar leadership and praised the troops for their assertive victory.

“Governor Sani went on to assure security forces in Kaduna State of his unflinching support and readiness to sustain cooperation, towards the successful achievement of their objectives,” Aruwan said.

Governors on Thursday denied a claim by Senate President Godswill Akpabio that the Federal Government disbursed N1.08tn to states to address the food crisis in the country.

During the inauguration of the renovated central mosque in the Iseyin area of Oyo State on Thursday, the state Governor, Seyi Makinde, said as the Vice-Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, he could attest to the fact that state governors did not receive N30bn each as claimed by the Senate President.

Also, officials of Lagos, Zamfara, Benue, Osun, Katsina, and Enugu states told The PUNCH on Thursday that their state governments did not receive N30bn.

State governments had in September 2023 received N2bn each out of the N5bn loan offered to them by the Federal Government as a palliative to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy.

The economic reforms, including the subsidy removal implemented by the Federal Government, had precipitated a cost of living crisis across the country following higher transport costs, food inflation, and the plummeting value of the naira.

Speaking during the plenary on Tuesday, Akpabio said an unconfirmed report indicated that state governors received N30bn each from the Federation Account to ameliorate inflation and the high cost of food in their respective states.

“I must say that unverified report has it that each of the state governments in the last few months has received additional N30bn from Federal Inland Revenue Service outside their normal allocations from the Federation Account to assist them in ameliorating the food situation,” he reportedly said.

Akpabio challenges govs

The senate president, Akpabio, advised the governors to utilise the funds judiciously to reduce the high cost of food items and other challenges facing the country.

“We believe that every state government should utilise the funds received towards ensuring that food is available in the country.

“So, the state governments have a lot to do. They are closer to the people and I do not want to mention local government because most of the local governments are controlled by the state governors.

“My belief is that if the state government does what is needed, then the local government will be involved in sharing to make sure that these things get to the people. But we must not overlook the fact that Nigerians are not going to be interested in stories.

“Nigerians want to see action. Nigerians want to eat and we will provide food for them, there is no excuse. Despite what we met on the ground,” Akpabio added.

However, the Vice-Chairman of the NGF, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, at Iseyin, denied receiving N30bn from the central government.

Speaking on behalf of other governors, Makinde, wondered why the President of the Senate would rely on an unconfirmed report.

Makinde said he could speak for himself and other state governors said no such money was disbursed to any state.

According to him, the FIRS could not give such funds to any state, adding that all revenues go directly into the federation account, where allocations will be given to all the tiers of government.

Makinde tackles Akpabio

Makinde said, “I can speak for Oyo State, and I can also speak for any of my colleagues because I am the Vice-Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. I know when things happen. And if we want to play politics, we will keep quiet and say, let it slide, but we are not going to let this slide.

“First, the FIRS cannot give any money to any state; it is not possible. All revenues accruing to our country go into the federation account, and the money is distributed to all the tiers of government. The Federal Government does not give money to the state; the money in the federation account belongs to all of us, and it is not only to the Federal Government.

“We need to engage with our people; if our policies are not working, we need to listen to them and amend them. If the number three citizen says this is an unverified report, why does he need to say it? Does that give confidence to our people, or does it solve the problem of hunger and anger in our land?’’

“Let me say it clearly: for Oyo State and my colleagues, there is nothing like N30bn being given for food security to the states, and I stand to be challenged,’’ he declared.

Corroborating Makinde’s statement, Lagos, Osun, Benue, Katsina, and Sokoto States also denied receiving N30bn each from the Federal Government.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, refuted the claim that Lagos received N30bn.

“It’s not true. Our government, the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dr Obafemi Hamzat, didn’t get N30bn from anybody to do anything. All of the things we are doing are in the people’s interest and we’re open and transparent. Anybody making such an allegation should put the facts on the table. Our governor didn’t get N30bn from anywhere.”

Speaking with one of our correspondents, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Kolapo Alimi, similarly dismissed Akpabio’s claims.

Alimi, who said Osun did not receive N30b as claimed by Akpabio, added that the state account books were open to scrutiny.

He simply said, “Osun did not receive N30bn. Our account books are open.”

The Benue State Commissioner for Finance and Budget Planning, Michael Oglegba also faulted the statement attributed to the senate president.

Oglegba stated that the meeting of the Federation Account Allocation Committee was ongoing in Abuja as of the time one of our correspondents spoke with him on the phone.

When asked about the disbursement of N30bn to each state, the commissioner said, “That is not true; I hope the Senate president was not misquoted because I have not seen that report. I’m presently at a FAAC meeting in Abuja.’’

N30bn hunger fund

He further said, “We have received many things but definitely not tackle hunger.’’

When asked to elaborate on the things received and for what purpose, Oglegba said, “I don’t have those things off-hand now.’’

The Director-General in charge of Media in Katsina State, Maiwada Dammallam, said he was not aware of any disbursement of the fund to the state government.

“I’m not aware that the Federal Government has given any governor N30bn,” he stressed.

Similarly, the Special Assistant to the Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal on Media and Communications, Mustafa Kaura, said he was not aware of the N30bn said to have been given to each state.

Kaura who spoke to The PUNCH on the phone said, “I am not aware of the money you are talking about. I am not aware of the N30bn said to have been given to each state by the Federal Government.”

Also commenting on the controversial disbursement by Akpabio, the Enugu State government said it did not know anything about the fund.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Peter Mbah on media, Mr Dan Nwomeh, stated, “We are not aware of that.”

Meanwhile, the Sokoto State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party has challenged the All Progressive Congress administration in the state on wage awards for civil servants and to be transparent in the management of the state resources.

The party described as ‘uninspiring’ and ‘empty words’ the speech delivered by Governor Ahmed Aliyu to a gathering of interest groups and stakeholders invited to brainstorm on how to address the problems of the high cost of foodstuffs and poverty ravaging the people of the state.

This was contained in a statement by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Hassan Sanyinnawal.

The statement said the governor’s speech should have dwelt on hope and assurances and the readiness of his administration to deploy optimally and transparently ‘’the recent humongous financial allocation/aid amounting to N30bn to the state.’’

The fund, it added, could assuage the challenges of galloping inflation, poverty, and hunger among the people due to the elimination of the subsidy on fuel and devaluation of the nation’s currency, which have caused untold hardships to the common man.

Instead of addressing these issues, the PDP said the governor’s speech merely ended up rehearsing the government’s past ‘minute amount of endeavour’ on the distribution of bags of grains to disabled persons and the enhancement of their monthly stipends.

The party stated, “All through the speech, the governor did not disclose how his administration intends to utilize the ‘subsidy windfall’ provided, particularly in ameliorating hunger, support to local councils and provision of Federal Government’s sanctioned wage awards to civil servants, which a number of states had done and are still doing.”

It noted that the governor’s speech left many attendees of the meeting including local government council sole administrators and civil servants disillusioned and disappointed.

PDP faults gov

The PDP, therefore, challenged Aliyu to toe the examples of his counterparts in Kaduna and Borno states, ‘’who with an air of openness told their people their monies will be solely utilized for the purpose of eradicating hunger and provision of other welfare packages as prescribed by the President.’’

Also, the party described as an ‘eye service’ the live coverage of the event on national television, saying it’s an attempt to hoodwink ‘Abuja People’ on the supposed sincerity and seriousness of the governor, ‘’which are in all senses a pseudo tackling of the myriads of socio-economic problems plaguing his state.’’

The statement read partly, ‘’The PDP in Sokoto State deeply appreciates the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, for his boldness in telling the citizens that each and every state of the federation received from the federation account N30b as part of the determined effort to neutralize the effects of poverty, hunger and high cost of foodstuffs faced by Nigerians.

“All eyes are now on Governor Aliyu on whether or not he will justify the confidence of the people of Sokoto State, especially civil servants who are gasping in horror by their not-so-good relationship with his administration.’’

The governor’s spokesman, Abubakar Bawa, could not be reached on the phone for comment on Thursday but a top official denied that the state received any funds from the Federal Government.

Also, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor, Ahmed Idris, said, “Honestly, I’m not aware of such money and my boss is not around now for me to get information from him.”

Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti, has criticised Adams Oshiomhole for allegedly attempting to impose a gubernatorial candidate on the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo.

Fayemi accused Oshiomhole, a senator and former national chairman of the party, of playing a “disruptive” role during the February 17, 2024, governorship primary election in the state.

THE CONTROVERSY

Last Saturday, the APC organised primary elections in Edo, ahead of the September 21, 2024, governorship election in the state.

Three governorship aspirants were declared winners of the primary election by three different umpires.

Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo and chairman of the primary election committee, declared Dennis Idahosa, a member of the house of representatives, as the winner of the election.

However, Ojo Babatunde, spokesperson of the returning officers, declared Sunday Dekeri, a lawmaker representing Etsako federal constituency in the house of representatives, as the winner of the primary.

In another twist of events, Monday Okpebholo, the senator representing Edo central, claimed that he won the election with over 6,000 votes.

Before the election, no less than three aspirants announced their withdrawal from the race, including Osagie Ize-Iyamu, APC candidate in the 2020 governorship election.

On Tuesday, the national leadership of the APC declared that the primary election was inconclusive.

The party fixed Thursday, February 22, 2024, as the new date for the completion of the primary election process.

The party appointed Bassey Otu, governor of Cross River state, as the chairman of the primary election committee.

On Wednesday, Oshiomhole paid President Tinubu a visit at the presidential villa over the Edo primary election.

The senator said the president expressed his commitment to a free and fair primary and that he is not in support of zoning the party’s ticket.

FAYEMI’S CRITICISM

In a statement by Ahmad Sajoh, his media aide, Fayemi, on Wednesday, said Oshiomhole ousted Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, from the party during the buildup to the 2020 gubernatorial poll in the state.

The former Ekiti governor said Oshiomhole should have ensured a level playing field for all aspirants in 2024 instead of trying to impose a candidate.

“Earlier, Oshiomhole had attempted to eliminate some aspirants from contesting the primaries but failed. This is reminiscent of his high-handedness as national chairman when he manipulatively schemed Governor Godwin Obaseki out of the electoral process. That action led to the unfortunate loss of Edo state by the APC,” Fayemi said.

“It would appear the ground was being prepared by Oshiomhole yet again for the APC to lose the coming election in Edo state because of his unconscionable behaviour.

“However, the party has demonstrated independence and impartiality in cancelling and reordering the primaries.

“We hope the fresh primaries will now take place in an atmosphere deemed free and fair by all, for the sake of our great party.

“Oshiomhole may decide to support any of the aspirants if he chooses not to be neutral but the process must be open, free, and transparent, following the laid down rules.

“My interest is the APC and the party must put its best foot forward in the forthcoming elections.’’

Fayemi commended the national leadership of the APC for rescheduling the primary election.

Yakubu Gowon, a former head of state, says Nigerians should give President Bola Tinubu more time to address the various challenges facing the country.

Addressing journalists after meeting with the president at the State House on Wednesday, Gowon asked Nigerians to be patient with Tinubu.

He said it is too early for the president to “achieve absolute results” after eight months in office.

“Well, I was telling him (Tinubu) that no Nigerian leader can get there and will not have all the report of what is being said about him,” Gowon said.

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“But certainly, there’s no doubt from what one hears and what one sees on the various media, etc. I think the government is trying their best to deal with the various problems of the country.

“Don’t you worry, you will get criticised, but people who get there know better than you know.

“I think that all one can say is that Nigerians, we’ve got to give the president time. And it is too early to sort of say absolute result, perfect result will be achieved now. That is my opinion.

“I know and if I can remember, when I was fighting the war, I was told I was too slow and that probably Nigeria cannot make it and that we should now seek for discussion.

“Well, did we do it or not? They probably do not know the problem underground, so that is where we are.”

The former head of state added that he also discussed recent issues about the ECOWAS with the president.

“Luckily enough, this time he gave me the opportunity to see him to discuss various matters, especially the issue of the ECOWAS problem at the moment which I think needs to be resolved,” he said.

“And being the surviving member of the founding fathers, I think we have to discuss some of his plans in order to see what can be done to bring the matter under control.

“So, this is what has brought me here and we had an interesting discussion”

The senate has confirmed 17 nominees as commissioners of the National Population Commission (NPC).

President Bola Tinubu had asked the upper legislative chamber to screen and confirm 19 nominees as NPC commissioners.

However, only 17 out of the 19 nominees appeared before the committee on national identity card and population.

While presenting a report for the consideration of his colleagues on Wednesday, Abdul Ningi, chairman of the committee, said the nominees representing Ogun and Ondo states did not appear because of “recent political developments in their states”.

Ningi said those who appeared before the committee met the requirements for confirmation.

Thereafter, the upper legislative chamber went into the “committee of the whole” where it confirmed the nominees after votes.

The 17 confirmed nominees are Emmanuel Eke (Abia); Clifford Zirra (Adamawa); Chidi Ezeoke (Anambra); Isa Buratal (Borno); Alex Ukam (Cross River); Blessyn Brume-Maguha (Delta) and Jeremiah Ogbonna Nwankwegu (Ebonyi).

Others are Tony Alyejina (Edo); Ejike Ezeh (Enugu); Abubakar Damburam (Gombe); Uba Nnabue (Imo); Sa’adatu Garba (Kaduna); Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa (Kano); Yori Afolabii (Kogi); Mary Afan (Plateau); Saany Sale (Taraba) and Ogiri Henry (Rivers).

Senate President Godswill Akpabio says some of the street protests against the rising cost of living in the country are sponsored.

There have been pockets of protests in different parts of the country, with the latest on Monday in Ibadan, capital city of Oyo state.

Residents had also taken to the streets of Niger, Kano and Sokoto states to protest the prevailing economic hardship.

Inflation has spiralled in Nigeria since President Bola Tinubu ended the subsidy on petrol and unified the exchange rate in 2023.

Speaking on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Tuesday, Akpabio said the protesters are not aware of the efforts made by the senate and the federal government to tackle the situation.

“You can see a lot of sponsored protests here and there but those people are not aware — most of those sponsored protesters are not aware of the kind of efforts made by this senate to tackle the situation together with the management team of the federal government,” he said.

“Unverified reports have it that state governments in the last few months have received additional N30 billion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), outside their normal allocations from the federation account, to assist them in ameliorating the food situation.

“So we believe that every state government should utilise the funds received towards ensuring that food is available.”

The senate president said the national assembly will not approve anything that would not benefit the citizens

EFCC declares Leno Adesanya, promoter of Sunrise Power, wanted over ‘corrupt offer to public officers’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Leno Adesanya, the promoter of Sunrise Power and Transmission Ltd.

In a notice issued on Tuesday, the EFCC said Adesanya is wanted “in an alleged case of conspiracy and corrupt offer to public officers”.

Adesanwa was mentioned in three out of the seven-count charges preferred against Olu Agunloye, former minister of power and steel.

The EFCC is prosecuting Agunloye over the $6 billion Mambilla hydropower contract.

TheCable had reported that EFCC traced some suspicious payments made by Sunrise Power and Transmission Ltd to Agunloye’s bank accounts.

In one of the counts, the EFCC alleged that on August 10, 2019, Agunloye “corruptly received the sum of N3,600,000.00” through his Guaranty Trust Bank account no.0022530926 from Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) and Leno Adesanya for approving the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station project.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had challenged Agunloye to tell Nigerians where he derived the authority to award a $6 billion contract to Sunrise for the Mambilla hydropower project in 2003.

Sunrise Power is in arbitration with Nigeria at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Paris, France, alleging a breach of contract.

The company said it was awarded a $6 billion build, operate and transfer (BOT) contract in May 2003 by the Obasanjo administration but that the federal government repudiated the agreement.

Sunrise is asking for a compensation of $2.3 billion, claiming it had spent millions of dollars on financial and legal consultants before the contract was jettisoned.

In its defence at the arbitration, the Nigerian government is alleging fraud and corruption of public officials in the award of the contract.

The matter is similar to the P&ID case in which a UK court nullified an $11 billion award against the country for the same reasons.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Hafsat Bakari as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, announced her appointment in a statement on Tuesday.

Ngelale said Bakari’s appointment would be definitive pending her confirmation by the senate.

Bakari is a lawyer and financial intelligence expert with years of experience in anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and counter-proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF).

The NFIU is a federal agency responsible for collecting and analysing disclosures from reporting organisations, to produce financial intelligence to other agencies combating money laundering, terrorism financing, and other financial crimes.

Before she was appointed NFIU CEO, Bakari served as the agency’s deputy director.

At the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) where she previously worked, Bakari headed the general services unit, strategy and reorientation unit, and the board secretariat.

“The President anticipates that Ms. Bakare will bring her wealth of experience and expertise to full discharge in this critical role, especially in view of his administration’s war against illicit financial flows and other sharp practices currently prevalent in segments of the nation’s foreign exchange markets,” the statement reads.

Tinubu had last week approved the appointment and reappointment of chairpersons of boards and CEOs for eight agencies under the federal ministry of health and social welfare.

Tinubu had also appointed Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, his son-in-law, as the CEO of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) have entered a partnership to investigate and penalise those involved in illicit activities within the foreign exchange market.

The arrangement was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday, signed by Zakari Mijinyawa, ONSA’s head of strategic communications.

He said the CBN and ONSA’s efforts to combat illicit activities in the FX market are being undermined by speculators — both domestic and international — operating through various channels, thereby exacerbating the depreciation of the Nigerian naira and contributing to inflation and economic instability.

“Recall that to address the exchange rate volatility, CBN initiated a comprehensive strategy to enhance liquidity in the forex market, including unifying FX market segments, clearing outstanding FX obligations, introducing new operational mechanisms for Bureau De Change operators, enforcing the Net Open Position limit for commercial banks, and adjusting the remunerable Standing Deposit Facility cap,” the statement reads.

“To reduce the pressure on the naira, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised a 7,000-man special task force across its 14 zonal commands to clamp down on dollar racketeers.

“Yet, recent intelligence reports have highlighted continued illicit activities within the Nigerian foreign exchange market. The ONSA and CBN are therefore, embarking on this collaborative approach to tackle these infractions.”

According to the statement, the partnership will involve a coordinated effort with key law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria police force (NPF), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

Mijinyawa said the joint efforts demonstrate the Nigerian government’s commitment to improving its anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) framework and exiting the grey list of the financial action task force.

He added that the efforts will make progress in ensuring a stable and transparent FX market, fostering investor confidence, and advancing the nation’s economic wellbeing.

Davido, the Afrobeats star, has announced that he will be donating the sum of N300 million to orphanages across Nigeria.

The award-winning singer broke the news in a short statement via social media on Tuesday.

The music star said the donation, which would be made through the David Adeleke Foundation, is part of his annual contribution to the nation.

He added that details of the fund’s disbursement will be disclosed on Wednesday.

“I and my foundation pledge the sum of 300 million Naira to orphanages around Nigeria … as my yearly contribution to the Nation .. details of disbursement tomorrow,” he wrote.


Davido first embarked on the philanthropic routine in November 2021 — on the occasion of his birthday.

The ‘Timeless’ hitmaker launched a Twitter fundraiser and donated the N250 million realised to orphanages.

In July last year, the Afrobeats star also gave out the sum of N237 million to various orphanage homes across Nigeria.

The 31-year-old singer went on to reaffirm his commitment to continually assist the less privileged in any capacity.

The donation also comes at about the same time when many citizens of Nigeria are grappling with economic hardship occasioned by the policies under the government of President Bola Tinubu.

Residents in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, took to the streets on Monday to decry the state of the country.

Several protests were also staged in Kano, Ogun, Niger and Sokoto states.

The labour union announced a nationwide protest on February 27 and 28 over the rising cost of living.

Food prices have been on the rise since Tinubu pronounced an end to the petrol subsidy regime on May 29, 2023.

There have also been reports about an imminent increase in the cost of fuel from N585.

The Distillers And Blenders Association Of Nigeria has said that investments worth over N1.2tn will be lost while 5.5 million direct and indirect workers would be out of jobs if the Federal Government insists on the recent ban implemented against the production and sale of sachet and PET bottle alcohol in the country.

DIBAN, a sub-sector under the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, stated in an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu.

In the letter dated February 18, 2024, DIBAN noted that on January 31, 2024, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control placed an outright ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and PET bottles.

The reasons given by the regulator were that the packaging of alcoholic beverages in sachets and pet bottles was responsible for the increase in alcoholic use among underage and that the packaging of alcoholic beverages in sachets and pet bottles increases the use of hard drugs.

In its pushback, DIBAN argued that NAFDAC had no legal or moral justification for placing an outright ban on the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and pet bottles.

It said the alcoholic beverages were not produced or manufactured with hard drugs contrary to the assertion of NAFDAC.

The distillers also noted that there were no reports from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to support the position of NAFDAC that the alcoholic beverages in sachets or pet bottles contain any hard drugs.

DIBAN said it had a conglomerate membership of over 24 corporate organisations mostly indigenous companies with few multinationals and are into production and manufacturing of wines and spirits with over 70 per cent local inputs.

The letter read in part, “DIBAN’S investment is worth over N500bn. Indirect investments of other companies having one business or the other to do with DIBAN is also worth over N800bn.

“DIBAN’S contribution to the economy of Nigeria is worth over N1.2tn. There are over 500,000 employees in the direct employment of DIBAN. DIBAN also provided indirect employment or work for over 5 million people.”

According to DIBAN, when NAFDAC first hinted at the ban, the association had spent over N1bn to support various media, advocacy and campaigns in various media outfits both print and electronics to ensure consumption of alcoholic beverages among our youth is not allowed no matter how little.

It further argued that bigger sizes encourage the consumption of bigger portions, while small sizes encourage portion control because it is logical that if you buy small you consume small but if you buy big you consume big.

“If NAFDAC takes away small sizes, the Agency is simply encouraging excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages,” it said.

Suggesting the way forward, DIBAN urged the president to issue a directive to NAFDAC or an Executive Order immediately lifting the ban by NAFDAC on the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and pet bottles.

It also called for the establishment of licensed liquor stores/outlets by Local Government Areas across Nigeria.

DIBAN posited that rather than implement an outright ban, the government should see to increased monitoring and compliance checks by NAFDAC, FCCPC, NDLEA and other Government Agencies to ensure strict product quality in terms of contents and safety.

It warned that if nothing is done to reverse the status quo, investments worth N1.2tn while 5.5m people will be thrown out of jobs.

“The Federal and State Governments will lose huge revenue streams from Excise Duty, VAT, PAYE, Corporate Tax and other revenues that should have accrued to these Governments,” DIBAN said.

On February 1, 2024, NAFDAC began the implementation of an earlier announced ban on sachet and PET bottle alcohol.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, said the ban was a collective recommendation of a committee and listed representatives in the committee as the Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

MAN, on its part, countered the claim by NAFDAC, insisting that its members were not on board with the decision to ban products belonging to the blacklisted category.

President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria is ready to host the African Central Bank according to the vision of the Abuja Treaty.

He affirmed that “his administration will engage the African Union Commission in collaboration with member states to ensure that the bank takes off as scheduled in 2028,” a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed.

The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu to AU leaders: Nigeria ready to host African Central Bank; prepare the youth for the 21st-century economy.’

Tinubu made these remarks when he addressed leaders at the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Saturday.

The President declared that Africa’s success in conclusively addressing its challenges hinges on the firmness of its resolution, built on a foundation of deep-rooted solidarity if it is to avoid perpetuating existing problems and creating new ones.

“As a continent and as individual nations, we face strong headwinds and difficult hurdles threatening to complicate our mission to bring qualitative democratic governance and economic development to our people.

“Many of these obstacles, such as climate change and unfair patterns of global trade, are largely not of our making.

“However, some of the pitfalls, including coup-birthed autocracies and the deleterious tinkering with constitutional tenure provisions, are developmental cancers we as Africans are giving to ourselves,” Tinubu stated.

Citing the military takeovers in the Republics of Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, and the exit of three of these nations from ECOWAS, Tinubu argued that disagreements over the unconstitutional changes of government should not mean a permanent rupture of the abiding lines of regional affinity and cooperation.

“The drive for a peaceful, strong, and united West Africa is bigger than any one person or group of people. The bonds of history, culture, commerce, geography, and brotherhood hold deep meaning for our people.

Stephen Angbulu
With three years of experience, Stephen, The PUNCH correspondent, has been covering Nigeria’s presidency, politics, security, immigration and trafficking in persons

President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Abuja from the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Tinubu, who departed Addis Ababa in the morning on Monday, arrived in Abuja around 3:40 pm.

While in Ethiopia, the Nigerian leader actively participated in the 44th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, held bilateral meetings and attended other events on the sidelines of the AU summit.

Tinubu joined other African leaders in high-level meetings on institutional reforms of the African Union; peace and security; specific thematic issues such as climate change, as well as modalities of participation and priorities of the continental body in the G20.

The theme of the year’s summit is ‘‘Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, lifelong, quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa’’.

The President, who was accompanied on the trip by some ministers and other top government officials, spent three days in the East African country.

David Umahi, minister of works, has summoned cement manufacturers over the rising cost of the product.

The price of cement has been oscillating between N8,000 and N10,000 per bag from about N4,000 a few weeks ago.

Dangote, BUA, and Lafarge are some of the cement manufacturers summoned by the works ministry.

Orji Uchenna Orji, media aide to the minister, said: “Worried by the escalating cost of cement despite huge patronage by road and housing contractors to cement manufacturers, the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen Engr Nweze David Umahi CON, has summoned an urgent meeting of all cement manufacturers in Nigeria”.


Orji quoted his principal as saying that the disparity between ex-factory price and market price is huge.

“It is common knowledge that the manufacturers have their challenges, which we shall look into, but from our findings, the disparity between ex-factory price and the market price is wide,” Umahi was quoted as saying.

“We therefore need to look into the situation and other issues with a view to finding a common front.”

The Lagos State Government on Thursday said it would penalise homeowners found guilty of renting out their apartments at exorbitant fees.

Commissioner for Housing Moruf Akinderu-Fatai in a statement, said the government would wield a big stick on allottees who engaged in sharp practices.

According to him, residents of various state housing schemes have filed complaints about the high rent being charged by homeowners.

He added that the state government will withdraw allocation from culpable homeowners.

He said: “The essence of asking allottees to make a five per cent down payment and spread the remaining amount for ten years was to make life bearable for Lagosians.

“This is what Mr Governor wants to achieve, but some people seem to be taking Mr Governor’s magnanimity for granted. They are renting those apartments out to make money. The question is why do people try to inconvenience others when the government intended to make life bearable for citizens?”

Akinderu-Fatai called on the facility managers and association members in the estates to report culpable allottees to the ministry, adding that those homeowners would forfeit their apartments with their payment refunded.

The commissioner assured that the State Government will continue to cater to the needs of first-time buyers who are in dire need of such accommodation facilities through outright purchase and rent-to-own platforms.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Abdulhafis Toriola, an engineer, said a lot of complaints have been received from some of the estates that some homeowners harbor people of questionable character hence posing a threat to residents.

He noted that the ministry as a matter of urgency shall investigate and take the right step towards safeguarding the lives and prosperity of residents in the affected estates.

The Permanent Secretary also urged allottees to take ownership of joint facilities and follow the rules put in place to maintain the estates.

The federal government says it plans to set up a commodity board to regulate the soaring prices of food in the country.

Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed this on Tuesday at a two-day high-level strategic meeting on climate change, food systems and resource mobilisation held in Abuja.

His statement comes after the federal high court in Lagos ordered the federal government on February 7, 2024, to fix the prices of goods and petroleum products within seven days.

According to Shettima, the board would be given the mandate to assess and regulate food prices, as well as maintain a strategic food reserve for stabilising prices of crucial grains and other food items.

He said food security was one of the eight areas of priority declared by President Bola Tinubu as part of his Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Our solution to the potential food crisis has become immediate, medium, and long-term strategies,” he said.

“The short-term strategy entails revitalising food supply through specific interventions like the distribution of fertilizers and grains to farmers and households to cushion the effects of subsidy removal.

“It also entails fostering collaboration between the ministries of agriculture and water resources for efficient farmland irrigation, ensuring year-round food production; and addressing price volatility by establishing a national commodity board.

“This board will continually assess and regulate food prices, maintaining a strategic food reserve for stabilizing prices of crucial grains and other food items.”

The vice president said Tinubu’s administration was fully investing in the restoration of degraded land.

According to him, there are ongoing plans to restore four million hectares, or nearly 10 million acres of degraded lands within the nation’s borders as its contribution to the AFR100 Initiative.

“I wish to assure you that we will engage our security architecture to protect the farms and the farmers so that farmers can return to the farmlands without fear of attacks,” he said.

“We won’t only make it safe for farmers to return to their farms, but we will also ensure the activation of land banks.

“There is currently 500,000 hectares of already mapped land that will be used to increase the availability of arable land for farming, which will immediately impact food output.”

Shettima also announced a collaboration between Tinubu’s administration and mechanisation companies to increase farmland availability, boosting agricultural production.

He further highlighted the ongoing support for the agricultural sector through funding from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“We will deploy concessionary capital to the sector, especially towards fertilizer, processing, mechanization, seeds, chemicals, equipment, feed, labour, among others,” he said.

“The concessionary funds will ensure that food is always available and affordable, thereby having a direct impact on Nigeria’s Human Capital Index (HCI).

“This administration is focused on ensuring the HCI numbers, which currently rank as the 3rd lowest in the world, are improved for increased productivity.”

The rising cost of food in the country has become an alarming issue, as data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on January 15, 2024, placed Nigeria’s food inflation at 33.9 percent.

Despite the government declaring a state of emergency on food security, prices continue to climb.