₦airaland Forum

@ProfOsinbajo #VPPresidentialPolicyDialogue

President Muhammadu Buhari receives a team of the United Nations Population Fund at the State House in Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari Swears-in Special Adviser on Economy Amb. Adeyemi Dipeolu; Special Adviser on Planning, Alhaji Tijjani Abdullahi; Special Adviser Political Sen. Babafemi Ojudu; Special Adviser on Social Investment Bar. Mariam Uwais; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, at the Council Chambers in State House Abuja.

AGRICULTURE REMAINS OUR HIGH PRIORITY — PRESIDENT BUHARI
President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration will continue to accord agriculture premium importance through programmes and initiatives designed to motivate the citizens to produce enough food to feed the nation.
Speaking at a farewell meeting with Mr. Hoang Ngoc Ho, the out-going Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the State House on Tuesday, President Buhari said the high profile of agriculture in the priorities of his administration was primarily to achieve food self-sufficiency, economic revival and jobs creation.
“We are hoping to motivate fellow Nigerians to work hard in this regard. We will continue to work closely with other countries to re-orient Nigerians towards their active involvement in the sector. We believe that the impressive agricultural developmental strides achieved by countries such as Vietnam, especially after the 1975 war, will be replicated here,” the President said.
President Buhari congratulated Vietnam for choosing the correct priorities that have led the country to feed itself and feed the world.
“Your country deserves to be congratulated on this achievement”, the President told the Ambassador.
Ambassador Ho expressed satisfaction with the growth in relations between his country and Nigeria recorded during his tenure, citing especially the cooperation with several Nigerian states in the area of agriculture which is producing excellent results.
He said his country was ready to play a big part in the economic diversification schemes of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
August 9, 2016

PRESS RELEASE
August 9, 2016
Review of 2016 Budget only when absolutely necessary - Udoma
Although current economic realities have threatened the smooth implementation of the 2016 Budget, government will only consider a review when there are clear indications of persistent fall in revenue expectations.
Budget and National Planning Minister, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma who gave this indication while responding to questions at a Town Hall Meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, said although the disparity between projected revenue and actual receipts in the last two quarters was obvious, government was optimistic that the current situation will not prevail for long.
The meeting which was inspired by the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) focused on “Effective implementation of the 2016 Budget”.
Senator Udoma said government was keeping close watch on the trend, particularly on the economic indicators.
He admitted that government is worried about the current trend which does not align with expectations as contained in the budget fundamentals.
The Minister said however that if the downward trajectory persists, government might make reasonable adjustments to accord with prevailing realities.
He explained that at the inception of the current Administration, the economy was facing several challenges including declining oil prices and production which led to declining external reserves and GDP growth rate. There was also rising inflation, increasing unemployment rate, insecurity, high cost of governance, corruption, infrastructure deficit and the worsening of key socio-economic indicators.
The 2016 budget, he explained, was therefore designed to deal with these problems and in doing so government had to take a deliberate decision to deviate from the past by assigning a reasonable portion of the budget to infrastructure development.
This was not only to provide backbone infrastructure to the agriculture and solid mineral development, which are to redirect the country from sole dependence on oil for revenue, but to energize other sectors that are not fundamentally affected by government overheads that take the bulk of national budgets.
Senator Udoma said in spite of the dwindling resources, government is determined to use the budget as an instrument to reflate the economy, which is why the budget was backed up with a Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) to fundamentally address the challenges.
The SIP, he added, was to direct the trajectory of the national economy towards the path of sustainable development and inclusive growth; explaining that the Plan consists of 34 priority actions to be implemented along six major strategic areas namely Policy, Security & Governance; Diversity the Economy; Power, Rail & Roads; Oil and Gas Reforms; Ease of Doing Business; and Social Investment. Government has also set measurable targets for implementation.
In its determined efforts to provide the necessary infrastructure to help boost economic activities, government has so far released more than N330 billion for capital projects, inclusive of the capital in statutory transfers, it was disclosed.
The Minister also said government is partnering the private sector to fix infrastructure.
Information Minister and moderator of the Town Hall Meeting, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said government was ever ready to engage with Nigerians and to explain its policies and actions as well as seek inputs from the people for the better governance of the country.
He was delighted that instead of joining the band of fault-finders and traditional critics of government, the alumni of NIPSS decided to constructively engage with government towards finding solutions and contributing to the growth of the economy.
Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, traced the journey to the current state of economy to more than seven years ago when successive government gave more premium to recurrent expenditure to the detriment of capital spend. This coupled with other untoward economic policies paved the way for the current poor outing, she added.
She said however, that government has decided to reverse the trend with increased capital expenditure and diversification of the economy from the current mono-product status.
Adeosun said diversification is an agenda which government must achieve, because it is a veritable means to unlock the economy and create more jobs for the people.
Other Ministers at the meeting include Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babtunde Raji Fashola; Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh; Health, Dr Issac Adewole; Foreign Affairs, Godfrey Onyema; and Environment, Amina Mohammed. The Vice President was represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Dr Adeyemi Dipeolu.
The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Sa’ad Abubakar, was chairman at the event and was accompanied by the Etsu Nupe, His Highness Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.

Signed

Akpandem James
Media Adviser to Honorable Minister

OUR GOAL IS TO DEVELOP OUR ASSETS ON A PERMANENT BASIS — PRESIDENT BUHARI
President Muhammadu Buhari has decried the culture of waste foisted on the country, due to lack of means of preservation of agricultural products.
Receiving the Global Chief Executive Officer of Friesland Campina, The Netherlands, Mr Roelf Joosten, at State House, Abuja, Tuesday, President Buhari lamented the situation in which cattle farmers throw away milk from their animals, because there is no means of preserving and processing the product.
"We have failed to develop our assets on a permanent basis. This, we are determined to work on," the President promised.
He urged Friesland Campina, in its collaboration with Nigeria, to educate cattle farmers that "quality matters more than quantity," and help them organize into cooperatives for better business.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe, who was also at the event, promised that herdsmen would soon be organized into ranches in the country, with special grasses and water, which will give better yield, and make the animals healthier. He also disclosed that special flasks, which can preserve raw milk for up to six hours, would soon be made available, enabling cattle farmers to get the product to dairies in good quality.
Mr Joosten disclosed that Friesland Campina is a cooperative owned by 19,000 farmers, and is 145 years old. It began business in Nigeria in 1973 as Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria.
The company wants to partner with the Federal Government to build a healthier populace through better nutrition, collaborate in the school feeding programme, and promote dairy development in the country. It has also been providing nutrition support for internally displaced persons in the North-East.
Also on the delegation of the Global CEO was the Managing Director of Friesland Campina WAMCO, Mr Rahul Colaco.
FEMI ADESINA
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
August 9, 2016

Now we are borrowing to invest in infrastructure—Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, on FGN's borrowing plans.

ENELAMAH: WE ARE REFORMING NIGERIA’S BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah has said that Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges offer an unprecedented opportunity to restructure and diversify the economy.

Speaking on Tuesday on Channels Television’s Sunrise Programme, the Minister said, “I believe that depending on what we do with this crisis we’re facing, it could actually be the impetus for this diversification. It’s extremely important that we make the most of what we’re going through.”

The Minister highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to implementing the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), as a tool for diversifying the Nigerian economy. “That Plan identifies sectors where Nigeria should be doing more, but for reasons that are well understood, we haven't. Our responsibility as a Ministry is to make sure that Plan is implemented; from Agro-processing to the automotive industry; Cotton, Textile and Garments; and Petrochemicals – the sectors around which we have a comparative advantage."

Speaking on some other reform efforts, Dr Enelamah highlighted the Ministry’s Ease of Doing Business Initiative. “The President has directed that we set up a Council, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), chaired by the Vice President, and that is focused majorly on making Nigeria more attractive for investment. A lot of work has gone on behind closed doors. The Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) is going to be the Secretariat. We’ve said that in the first year we want to move at least 20 spots ahead on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings. We have identified a private sector Lead, who will be announced soon, who is going to be the head of this Ease of Doing Business Forum. We’ve also identified private sector firms that are experts in it, and we’ve identified someone who led it in another country – Georgia – he's a former Prime Minister, who’s come to help us. I’m confident we’ll get results.”

Dr Enelamah also touched on the Ministry’s commitment to SMEs, highlighting the new microcredit scheme in the 2016 budget, which will see the Bank of Industry, one of the Ministry's parastatals, overseeing the disbursement of loans to 1.6 million traders, artisans, farmers and young entrepreneurs over the next twelve months.

He stressed that the current government takes policy stability and consistency very seriously. “We haven't done the classic policy flip-flops. The things that are [already existing] we have said we will implement them better. For instance the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), which is something that we inherited from the last government. Also what the NIPC is doing for investors.” The Ministry, he added, is also focused on ensuring "that only genuine manufacturers enjoy" already existing import and export concessions.

Dr. Enelamah called for patience and understanding from Nigerians. “It takes time for these things to take root. There is a time for implementation and a time for results. My view is that Nigeria is definitely going to get better; in the area of diversification of the economy, and of investors coming in, it will happen.”

Greyne Anosike (Mr.)
Deputy Director & Head of Press,
Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment,
Abuja, Nigeria
09 August 2016

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN was the Special Guest of Honour at the Inaugural J.F. Ade Ajayi Memorial Lecture, at the Main Auditorium of the University of Lagos, Akoka Campus, today.

President Buhari in Chad for inauguration of the President Idriss Deby in N'Djamena.

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI DEPARTS FOR REPUBLIC OF CHAD FOR PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION

Nigeria to strengthen cooperation with Italy on justice reforms_AGF

The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN has said that the underlying factors attendant to human trafficking, criminality and migration are issues of terrorism and corruption.

The Minister made this known at the meeting with an Italian delegation led by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Paolo Gentlioni Silveri last Thursday.

Comrade Salihu Othman Isah, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice disclosed in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja over the weekend.

Isah said the occasion was on the finalization of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation between the judicial systems between the two nations.

Malami who emphasized on the need for effective cooperation in order to reduce the incidents of human trafficking and other associated crimes, explained that unemployment in Nigeria had been a major cause of incessant migration of Nigerians to Italy.

He informed the Italian delegation that agreements between Nigeria and Italy had already been negotiated and was ready for execution in the following areas: Mutual Legal Assistance, Transfer of Prisoners and Extradition Agreements.

He therefore urged them to identify the timeline and venue for the execution of the agreements.

The Minister expressed appreciation to the Italian Government support to its Nigerian counterpart, in particular, as well as the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) requesting further assistance to strengthen NAPTIP skills and capacity.

In his response, the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Paolo Gentlinoni Silveri affirmed that they were perfectly aware of the connection between criminality, human trafficking and migration.

He advised that the Attorney General of the Federation could seize the opportunity to decide on the finalization of the agreements, on the three issues raised at the meeting.

He further stressed that they were in the Ministry to seek for collaborative efforts with Nigerian Government in the following areas: to strengthen political, economic relationship between Nigeria and Italy, the need to manage migration especially, migration through Nigeria to Libya and to Italy and also the need to control human trafficking.

PRESIDENT BUHARI ATTENDS NDC COURSE 24 AT NAT DEFENCE COLLEGE

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI RECEIVES THE ITALIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER AT THE STATE HOUSE IN ABUJA.

GOVERNING COUNCIL AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE OGONI CLEAN UP

BOT

1- Chaired by -Wale Edun
Members are:

2- Ibrahim Usman Jibril- Minister of State for Environment

3- Mrs Kemi Adeosun – Minister of Finance

4- Ibe Kachikwu- Min. Of State for Petroleum Resources/NNPC chairman

5-Dr Peter Medee and

6- Chief Bebe Okpabi are representatives of Ogoni Stakeholders

7- Osagie Okunbor

8- Insula Massimo and

9- Nicholas Terraz represent the multinationals being SPDC, Agip and Total

10- Prince Dr Mike Emuh, the National chairman of HOSCOM represents other communities in the Niger Delta

11- Nnimmo Bassey (HOMEF) represents NGOs

12-For a yet to be assigned UNEP observer

13- Secretary and HYPREP Legal Adviser to be appointed by the Governing Council

THE GOVERNING COUNCIL HAS THE FOLLOWING

1-Amina Mohammed- chairperson

Others are:
2- Ibe Kachikwu- Minister of State for petroleum and NNPC chairman

3- Sen. Udo Udoma- Minister of Budget and National Planning

4- Pastor Usani augury Usani- Minister of Niger Delta Affairs

5- Major General Babagana Monguno (Rtd)- National security adviser

6- Mr Nsima Ekere- Managing Director Designate NDDC

7- Mr Osagie Okunbor – Managing Director SPDC

8- Anyakwee Nsirimovu (IHRHL) – NGO

9- Prof Roselyn Konya – Represents 9 Oil Producing States

10- Mr Pyagbara Legborsi and 11- Prof Ben Naanen represent Ogoni Stakeholders

12- Dr Mrs Timi Agari and 13- Mrs Pamela Esiri represent other Niger Delta Communities

The alternates are:

Dr Batam Ndegwe
Mr Kami Ngelale
Mr Israel Kayode
Mrs Emem Okon

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI INAUGURATION OF THE GOVERNING AND BOARD OF TRUSTEE OF OGONI CLEAN-UP AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA.

THIRTY NIGERIANS PICKED TO PITCH INNOVATIVE TECH IDEAS AT ASO VILLA DEMO DAY, AVDD

*Outcome of the selection events in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt*

In fulfillment of its commitment to boost technology and encourage innovative ideas the Presidency through the platform of “Aso Villa Demo Day” has selected top 30 Nigerians among hundreds that pitched at three different events in Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt in June.

(The events were held in Lagos – June 23rd, Abuja – June 25th and Port-Harcourt – June 29th.)

The 30 selected Nigerians will be hosted top level at the Presidency, Aso Rock on a date to be announced soon to pitch their winning ideas.

During the pitch events, participating Nigerians demonstrated a spirit of resilience coming up with ideas and solutions for Technology, Agriculture, Communications, Power, Fashion and Entertainment which revealed talents, skills and critical thinking.

In the selection process, each applicant was assessed by a minimum of four judges and some of the criteria used in assessing were:
Can this idea make money?
Has a revenue model been defined and is it realistic?
What is the value proposition to customers?
Is there a functional product?
Does it deliver a compelling and captivating user experience?
How resource intensive is the idea?
Is this idea scalable?

The first thirty were picked from the average total of the scores.

Some of the winners and their ideas include “One Medical" created by Oladimeji Sofowora, Wole Ralph and Laolu Ojeniyi. It is a connected health records platform with a patient and doctor database and Emmanuel Okena’s Tracology, a patent smart payment app for waste management. It is an application that will track and fine defaulters as bar codes will be scanned to confirm who has paid dues, levies and rates.

Also selected were:

Loui Auta of Ceders Seeds Foundation whose idea is to build solar panels in strategic locations by disabled people.

Abubakar Gabar and Ahmed Gobir’s data capturing technology which uses radio frequency to connect.

Ife Oladapo’s Grit Systems that produce generators that would reduce power consumption.

Tolu Adeyanju’s Red Bank idea which will help blood banks manage their records and connect them with donors and hospitals.

Desmond Okoye’s Doctor’s NG, a platform that has been designed in such a way that users will have free access to doctors and also book an appointment from the comfort of their homes.

Peter Agada’s C4ISR infrastructure that has been designed as a surveillance and communication device for our nation’s military.

Angela Adelaja’s Fresh Direct, a platform for Nigerian farmers where they take their products to the larger public and also be trained to use technology to sell their farm produce.

NEXT STEPS:
The thirty (30) finalists will receive phone calls and emails shortly from the AVDD team on further instructions, some of which will state the Tech hubs each finalist has been assigned to for incubation ahead of their presidential level reception in Aso Rock at a date to be announced soon.

Technology industry experts believe this is a revolution of significant proportions never witnessed in Nigeria.

The Buhari presidency believes that by investing in technology and innovative ideas Nigeria is investing in its future.

BELOW IS THE COMPLETE LIST OF THE 30 FINALISTS SELECTED FOR THE ASO VILLA DEMO DAY:


1. Chika Uwaze – Talent Base

2. Obidipe Oluwaseun – Mocapro

3. Tele Ogundipe – Egusi Soupe

4. Amaka Osita – Fuel Voucher.com.ng

5. Tolu Adeyanju – Red Bank

6. Ifedayo Oladapo – Grit Systems

7. Nkem Okocha – Mama Moni Limited

8. Ebuka Nwora – Etyres

9. Dami Olokesusi – Shuttlers NG

10. Amarachi Nwanamodo – Amagzy Global Ventures

11. Oladimeji Sofowora, Wole Ralph, Laolu Ojeniyi – One Medical

12. Mogbeyiteran Tosan – Blackswan

13. Angela Adelaja – Fresh Direct

14. Ahmed Sodiq – Micro Scale embedded

15. Dimgba Kalu – Projaro

16. Abubakar Garba & Abdul Samad Gorbin

17. Emmanuel Okena – Tracology

18. Lois Auta – Cedar’s seed

19. Kamaludeen Sabiu – Seamless system’

20. Peter Agada – Tiller Cyrus

21. Desmond Okoye – Doctor’s office

22. Uzuq Tim – Tembe.com.ng

23. Alifa Nicholas – Ajaoku.com

24. Roland Reagan & Edmond Adoku – Meditech

25. Akinola Solomon – Africa on the rise tech community

26. Alison Ukonu – Recycle points

27. Uche Ariolu – Foodstantly

28. Benson Godwin – Tuteria

29. Mina Ogbanga – Ascent GP

30. Odior Yole – GO CV

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant-Media & Publicity

President Muhammadu Buhari on the Economic Management Team (EMT)

Today, President Muhammadu Buhari will
Inaugurate the Governing Council and Board of Trustees for Niger Delta CleanUp

President Muhammadu Buhari receives the former President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at the State House in Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Cross sections of Minister as President presides over Aug 3 FEC Meeting at the Council chambers, PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE/STATE HOUSE. AUG 3 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari receives his Togolese Counterpart, President Mr Faure Gnassingbe on a courtesy visit at the State House in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE/STATE HOUSE. AUG 2 2016.

The President Republic of Benin, Mr. Patrice Talon inspects parade of guards during official visit of the President of the Republic of Benin at the State House. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. AUG 2 2016.

PRESIDENT BUHARI'S ECONOMIC TEAM IN SPECIAL MEETING WITH EXPERTS, CONSIDER QUICK RECOVERY OPTIONS

*CHALLENGES MANY, BUT OPPORTUNITIES MUCH GREATER, SAYS VP OSINBAJO

Concerted efforts to address the country's economic challenges intensified as President Muhammadu Buhari's Economic Management Team, EMT, held a consultative forum with a team of notable economic and financial experts at a meeting presided over today by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

At the parley which held at the Presidential Villa, strategies and suggestions on how best to reflate the economy, bring it out of recession and promptly restore growth topped the agenda, with the Vice President expressing the President's determination to continuously consider and adopt policies that would boost business, increase employment and provide succor to the poor and disadvantaged.

Speaking at the forum, Prof. Osinbajo said "we will continue to engage with experts and other stakeholders so we can measure progress of the economic policies that have been put in place. The challenges are many but the opportunities are much greater, we are clearly on the path to building an economy that will create jobs and ensure inclusive growth."

The EMT meets weekly and also hold special consultations with members of the private sector and economic experts from time to time.

Experts who attended the four-hour long special meeting were Mr. Bismarck Rewane, Mr. Bode Augusto, Prof. Akpan Ekpo, Dr. Ayo Teriba and Prof. Badayi Sani.

Issues discussed at the consultative forum include the review of the new foreign exchange regime and its effect on the economy as well as the draft Medium Term Economic Framework for 2017-2019. The EMT members and the experts made a plethora of suggestions on how to reflate the economy, especially through massive infrastructural spending with active private sector participation, ensure pro-people economic policies, increase the supply of dollars to the forex market among other issues.

Also speaking with reporters at the end of the meeting, Minister for Budget & National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma said "we’ve just finished a special meeting of the economic management team, as you know, we are in the middle of consultations to develop the new mid-term economic framework, M-TEF."

He further disclosed that the meeting is "part of a comprehensive consultation process that we are embarking on to make sure that we reach out to a wide spectrum of Nigerians to get a feed back in terms of how best to make sure that we come out of this recession."

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant-Media & Publicity
In the Office of the Vice President
August 2, 2016

Comments by Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, after Economic Management Team (EMT) Meeting, Tue 02 Aug 2016

"We just finished a special meeting of the Economic Management Team. As you know, we are in the middle of consultations to develop a new medium-term economic framework. Last week, we had meetings with NGOs, today we met some economists, we met with Mr. Bismarck Rewane, Professor Akpan Ekpo, Dr. Ayo Teriba, Professor Badayi Sani, and Mr. Bode Agusto, and they made presentations to the Economic Management Team on their response to the draft Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which is still a consultative document. So this is part of a comprehensive consultation process that we are embarking on, to make sure that we reach out to a wide spectrum of Nigerians to get feedback in terms of how best to make sure that we come out of this recession; and that we get the best possible MTEF. The Fiscal Responsibility Act requires us to do so. On Thursday (Aug 4), we will be meeting in Lagos with the private sector, to carry on with the consultations. So at the end we will come out with a programme that has received the buy-in of many Nigerians; and in which there has been wide consultation."

Find out what the Fed Govt is up to; sign up for our newsletter, delivered weekly to your inbox #GovtAtWorkNG

APPLICATION TIME FOR N-POWER JOBS & TRAINING PROGRAMMES EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER MONTH TO WIDEN OPPORTUNITY

In order to pull in more potentially qualified candidates and expand the opportunity base around and across the country, the deadline for N-Power online jobs and training applications has been extended till the end of August.

The application process commenced on June 12th 2016 and was to close on Monday, July 25, 2016.

However being very keen on keeping its promise of empowering and uplifting young Nigerians by improving their livelihood and creating opportunities such as this (in an as inclusive and diverse manner), the Federal Government is providing an additional grace period for more young Nigerians to access the N-Power opportunity.

The new deadline for the receipt of applications is now Wednesday, August 31, 2016.

N-Power is one of the initiatives of the N500B President Muhammadu Buhari's Social Investment Programme designed to empower young Nigerians with life-long skills to find or create work.

The N-Power programme is segmented into three:
N-Power Teachers Corps Agriculture & Health related jobs
N-Power Knowledge for ICT
N-Power Build for building services & artisanal training

N-Power is targeted at young Nigerians aged between 18 and 35 and is aimed at enlisting a total of 600,000 young Nigerians in phases, and under different sectors, in the largest capacity development and empowerment effort yet in the country.

The Federal Government will continue to work with the State Governments through their respective focal persons on Social Investments to ensure that N-Power is diverse and inclusive.

This extension presents an opportunity for persons who have not had the opportunity to apply to do so now. This will also allow those yet to complete the application process to ensure they see the process through as incomplete applications will not be processed.

To apply, simply log on to www.npower.gov.ng and register for any one of the three sub-programmes.

Please note that applications may be subject to other criteria which can be found on the N-Power website. Any prospective applicant, who has any challenge with uploading supporting documents unto the Portal because of the size of the files, should attach these documents in a mail transmitted to support@npower.gov.ng

After the Application portal closes, there will be a verification, testing and selection process before successful applicants are enlisted in phases as the specific programme design may necessitate.

The Federal Government will publicise the selection criteria before the application process comes to a close.

Modalities relating to the enlistment process will no longer commence today as earlier envisaged due to the demand for extension by many Nigerians from across several states.

Once again, the Federal Government is committed to ensuring that through N-Power, young Nigerians will acquire the skills and knowledge to become the driving forces of Nigeria’s economic growth and social development.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant (Media & Publicity)
In the Office of the Vice President
August 1, 2016

BUHARI PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR UNITED NATIONS ON NIGERIA – CAMEROON BORDER DEMARCATION

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that his administration will abide by the decision of the International Court of Justice on the Nigeria – Cameroon border.

Speaking Monday in Abuja when he received a United Nations Mission led by a Special Representative of the Secretary General, Mohammed Ibn Chambers, President Buhari said that Nigeria will not do anything to hamper the work of the various UN committees on the border.

“We will abide by the law. Having accepted the judgment of the ICJ, we are ready to support the security and logistics requirements of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission (CNMC) to carry out the border demarcation,” the President said.

President Buhari expressed his total support for the exercise, recalling that as Military Head of State between 1984 and 1985, his administration instituted the demarcation of the Nigeria land borders from Benin to Bakassi and urged that all committees be allowed to carry out their functions in line with the ICJ decision.

Earlier, Mohammed Ibn Chambers, Chairman of CNMC, had informed President Buhari that 2,001 kilometers out of 2,100 kilometers separating Nigeria and Cameroon had been marked, leaving a balance of 99 kilometers to conclude the demarcation.

He expressed hope that the remaining area will be completed latest by the first quarter of next year following the relative calm that has returned to border areas earlier inhabited by Boko Haram terrorists.

GARBA SHEHU
Senior Special Assistant to the President
Media & Publicity
August 1, 2016

BEING THE SPEECH DELIVERED BY BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN AT NIAF, LONDON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Thank you for inviting me, and also thank you to NIAF for the support they have provided to Nigeria in the area of capacity building and reform for infrastructure.


I think the biggest lesson that all of us can glean about infrastructure generally is the impact on our lives.

The man on the street must be connected to it and understand it.

Perhaps more than we have ever cared to talk about at the street level, it is infrastructure that determines our quality of life.


It is infrastructure that helps define how long and how well we live. Infrastructure is definitive in the question of whether a child dies before 5 or lives up to 80 years.


It is infrastructure that defines how long it takes to travel a fixed distance, in what comfort we do so, and at what cost to our disposable income.


It defines how far or how near we have to look in order to acquire skills for our survival. It defines whether we are secure or insecure in our homes, communities, cities or countries.


Infrastructure is certainly defining in whether natural disasters result in temporary displacement or snowball into a humanitarian disaster.


Infrastructure is the big currency that no Central Bank prints but which all Financial Systems can support. Its sufficiency or dearth is a product of a choice between fiscal profligacy or fiscal prudence by a State.


All of what I have said attempts to sum up the presence or absence of roads, bridges, hospitals and clinics, airports, seaports, ferry terminals, bus systems, bicycle lanes, traffic systems, Internet penetration, schools and universities, security apparatus, emergency response, drains, flood control systems, water supply, firefighting systems, telephone connectivity and, of course, electricity.


The list is, of course, almost endless. As the human civilization evolves, the quality, type and complexity of infrastructure it procures is defined by the collective aspiration of the people of a particular State.


In another sense, infrastructure projects national strength; it separates the boys from the men, and the big nations from the small nations.


But one thing is also certain--infrastructure ages, and needs to be renewed from time to time, just as it needs expansion to respond to the number of users as a result of a globally expanding population and urbanisation.


Nigeria and the UK

Except probably for Asia and a few European countries, who have managed to keep relatively smaller populations and are not migrant destinations, many of the world’s leading economies are struggling with aging infrastructure.


The position in the UK is perhaps best captured by her own media in the editorial in The Times of Saturday July 23, 2016, titled ‘Build and They Will Come.’:


“All eyes are on the UK economy and it needs a makeover. With congested roads, patchy broadband, deficient airport capacity and a dysfunctional railway network, Britain is crying out for the productivity boost that a burst of targeted investment in infrastructure would bring.”


Now, I have used that ‘patchy’ broadband, the ‘deficient’ airport, and ‘dysfunctional’ railway, and, without patronising the UK people or government, or putting down my own country, I will trade our airport, broadband and most of the rail service for the UK ones.


And this is where I come to the specifics of Nigeria’s infrastructure.


It is not that Nigeria lacks infrastructure, it is simply that what we have is insufficient and has aged.


Since the great construction boom of the 1970s, and the upgrade and maintenance which took place in the early 1990s under the Petroleum Trust Fund, managed by President Buhari in an ad-hoc capacity during a very dark political period in Nigeria, our population has grown much faster than our infrastructure.


For example, in Lagos, the two bridges built in the 1970s and the third one in 1991, which connect the Island and the Mainland, have not been added to, in spite of two oil booms between 1992 and 2013.


Between the early decade 1980-1990 when Jebba and Egbin Power Plants were built by the Buhari and Babangida governments, no major power plant was commenced until early 2000, a period of over a decade and a half. But during that period, our population exploded in leaps and bounds. But a lot of that is in the distant past.

Year 2000 is 16 years ago.

I will however look at the immediate past, today and tomorrow.

What is in the immediate past, between 2010 and 2015, is that oil prices soared and exceeded $100 per barrel, and we earned about $215 Billion in that period.


Today, we face challenging economic times. The commodities boom is gone. We have suffered consecutive negative growth and are economically experiencing a recession.


The reason is simple.


It is not what the Buhari administration has done, it is a result of the profligate fiscal policy between 2010 and 2015, when we not only under-budgeted (N4 trillion) in the face of deficient infrastructure, we also compounded it by providing 15% for capital expenditure, which was under-funded and 85% for recurrent, which we adequately funded.


If infrastructure drives growth as we have experienced from the great depression to the ¬¬¬Marshall plan, and lately fiscal stimulus in recent years, our current economic recession is the result of yesterday’s policies and choices especially during 2010- 2015.

Sometime in March 2015, a little over a year ago, before the Buhari Government, a snap survey of four construction companies which I constructed revealed that they had laid off 5, 150 workers because Government was not paying these construction companies for work done.

Since my assumption of office, in the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, meetings with contractors in power, works and housing reveals that contractors have been owed 2-3 years. These are the seeds of Recession, planted and nurtured between 2013 and 2014.

The Buhari government knows the cause, and has designed the proper solution: fiscal stimulus and capital spending.

CHANGE TODAY
So, from N4 Trillion average budget in a time of plenty, this administration sets an ambitious N6 trillion with a 30% capex.


It pays serious attention to its budget as the article of faith that defines its commitment.

Since the budget was passed in May, 70 construction companies got paid N63.169 Billion for Q1 in Works alone.

The response is that in the last few weeks since budget was passed, construction companies that had demobilised from their sites and laid off workers due to lack of payment since 2014, are re-mobilising to rail, road, power and other construction sites, and re-calling workers.

The Kaduna-Abuja Rail project, which was commissioned but never ran in the past Government, was opened to public service on 26 July by this new Administration.

These are the first signs of productivity; they signal a clear pathway out of recession, and although results take time to manifest, Nigeria has chosen an appropriate pathway out of economic difficulty.


We will recover from this recession period and also deliver new infrastructure and upgrade aging ones.


What can the UK do or learn from this?

I may not be the best suited commentator on how the UK engages Nigeria. This is a matter in the realm of Policy and Economic choices for the people and government of the UK.

However, I think history provides a guide for this ?

In the early 20th Century, when our infrastructure was developed by the UK, up to the 1970s when we were the UK’s largest trading partner, how did the UK’s economy fare?


In that period our inter-state Rail was built by the UK, but today China is building our inter-city Rail in spite of a language barrier. But how is the UK economy faring compared to China?


A few months ago when my topic was chosen, and this date was fixed, the EU referendum had not taken place. Now that it has taken place, and Brexit has occurred, my only suggestion is that in charting a way forward for renewed prosperity, UK must look back to partnerships that worked in the past.


The Nigerian market is bigger than what it was in the 20th century. About a third of Europe with a large youthful base; but its needs are different and it has evolved from a colony, through military dictatorships into a sovereign democracy.

I acknowledge DFID, NIAF – for the consultancy and advisory support.

However, more needs to be done. There is increasing opportunity for private capital in Power, Roads, Housing and other public infrastructure in Nigeria.

A re-engagement with Nigeria in a relationship of shared prosperity can be a useful way for the UK in her quest for growth after Brexit.


Thank you for listening.


Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing

Being The text Of The Speech By The Hon Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, At The South-East Edition Of The Federal Government's Town Hall Meeting in Enugu on Monday, Aug. 1st 2016

PROTOCOL

Good morning ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the South-East Edition of our Town Hall Meeting. Permit me first to thank the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, most sincerely for his immense contribution to the hosting of this event. By his efforts, His Excellency has shown that the development of our country transcends party affiliation and other divisive considerations.

2 May I also express my gratitude to my colleagues Honorable Ministers for accepting to be part of this meeting, despite their busy schedule. Honourable Ministers, your presence here is a testimony to the importance you attach to keeping Nigerians adequately informed of the activities of government.

3 This is the fifth in the series of the Town Hall Meetings which we started in Lagos on April 25th 2016, with a view to bridging the communication gap between the government and the people, carrying the people along in the process of governance and also getting the much-needed feedback from the citizenry. So far, we have also held the meeting in Kaduna, Kano and Uyo. We intend to take the meeting to all parts of the country, because people participation is at the core of democracy.

4 Your Excellency(ies), Honourable Ministers, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this is a critical time in the history of our nation! We are faced with two choices: whether to continue along the old path that has led us to where we are now, or to chart a new path. We have chosen the latter, simply because one cannot continue to do things the same way and expect a different result. That choice of a new path is the reason for our mantra, which is CHANGE. Many have said they are yet to see the change we promised. Many more have called the promise a ruse. In fact, they are now mocking us. But we remain undaunted, because we know that the change we promised is real

5 In fact, the change we promised is already here, and it is manifesting all around us. Before now, public officials simply opened the public till, took as much money as they wanted and walked away, without consequences! That explains why funds allocated to the military to fight Boko Haram ended up in the piggy banks of many unscrupulous Nigerians. Today, all those who looted the public treasury are being made to answer for their actions, as impunity gives way to accountability. Many have offered to return their loots, and many more are facing charges. At the last count, the Federal Government has made cash recoveries worth 78 billion Naira; 185 million dollars; 3.5 million Pounds and 11,250 Euros. In addition, over 9 billion dollars in suspected stolen funds have been frozen in various bank accounts. These are funds that would have built roads, hospitals, schools, power stations, etc. Now, those who have allegedly pocketed them are answering questions from the authorities and facing charges in court. If this is not change, what is?

6 Prior to now, funds accruing to the government were paid into so many accounts that even the government could not keep a tab on them, or worse still did not even know the accounts existed. Today, every kobo accruing to the government is paid into a single account, called the Treasury Singles Account (TSA), to be used for the benefit of all Nigerians. If this is not change, what is? Before now, thousand of ghosts earned salaries every month. Of course, we all know that ghosts don't work, yet they got paid in this country. Today, the ghosts are in trouble as over 30,000 of them have had their unmerited salaries stopped, saving the country millions and millions of naira. Many more ghosts are being smoked out. If this is not change, what is?

7 We promised to diversify the economy away from oil, to ensure that other sectors are able to ​significantly ​contribute to sustainable development. Well, in June 2016, for the very first time, about 70 per cent of the over 500 billion Naira raised from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee came from non-oil sector, while 30 per cent came from the oil sector. It was the first time in 2016 that the Federal Government shared over 500 billion Naira among the three tiers of government. If this is not change, then what is?

8 Prior to May 29th 2015, Boko Haram held sway in at least 14 out of the 27 local government areas in Borno State. They controlled territories, hoisted their flag, installed their own Emirs and collected taxes. They struck at places and times of their own choosing. Today, our gallant military has crushed these terrorists. Not a single territory is being administered by them. Major roads in Borno state are now open. A football league match was even played in a stadium in Maiduguri recently, an event that would never have been contemplated in the days that Boko Haram held sway. If this is not change, what is?

9 Before the advent of this Administration, many key roads across the country were abandoned, even when funds were budgeted for them, causing untold hardship for the people. Now, construction firms have been mobilized to sites across the country. As they move to site, they are creating thousands of new jobs. No part of the country is left out of this. Here in the South-east alone, I can list some of the roads to which contractors have been mobilized:

- The Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway Section 1 - That is Lokpanta-Umuahia-Aba in Abia State

- The Enugu-Port Harcourt Carriageway Section II - That is Umuahia-Aba in Abia State

- The Enugu-Port Harcourt Road Section III - That is Enugu-Lokpanta

- The Oji-Achi-Mmakwu-Awgu Ndiaboh-Mpu-Akaeze Road

- The outstanding section of the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway: Amansea-Enugu State Border

- The Nnene-Oduma-Mpu (Enugu state) - Uburu (Ebonyi State)

- And the Oji-Achi-Mmaku-Awgu Road, with spur to Obeagu - Ugbo.

Where the contractors have not been seen on site, it is because of the rains. not because of lack of mobilization. Affected contractors have written to say they will be on site immediately after the rains. May I use this opportunity to reiterate that this Administration will not neglect or marginalize any part of the country, whether in the distribution of amenities or appointments. No part of the country will be shortchanged. President Muhammadu Buhari is the President of all Nigerians, irrespective of their political parties, religion, ethnicity or gender.

10 Yes, there have also been complaints over perceived or real instances of lopsidedness in appointments. Our response is that there are hundreds of appointments yet to be made. It is an evolving scenario, and any lopsidedness is being addressed as we progress. The latest appointments by Mr. President, to the strategic health institutions in the country, as well as to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, attest to this!.

11 I will leave it to my colleagues here to tell this audience how they have been manifesting change in their various ministries. But before I hand the podium over to them, please permit me to thank all Nigerians for their perseverance in these difficult times. We are very much aware of what Nigerians are going through. But I will liken that to the kind of pain that comes with the birth of a new child. The pain can be so unbearable that many women would vow never to go through it again. But a few minutes after the arrival of the baby, the pain gives way to unspeakable joy. It is inevitable that our people will feel the impact of the change process. but they can be sure that with the kind of disciplined, committed, honest and patriotic leadership being provided by President Muhammadu Buhari, the tough times being experienced by Nigerians will soon be a thing of the past.

12 To those who have been asking, where is the change we promised them, we say change is no instant coffee. It is a process. And to those who have been mocking us, we say let them continue to entertain themselves, because this change is irreversible. As the saying goes, the dogs may bark, but the caravan moves on!

13 Your Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the format for this Town Hall Meeting is that after my opening comments, each Honourable Minister here will give a five-minute overview of the programmes and policies of his or her ministry. It will then be time for Question and Answer. Permit me to now call on the Hon. Minister of ...... to make his opening comments.

14 I thank you for your kind attention

Arms Scandal Report Not Doctored - FG

The Federal Government has said there is no truth in the insinuation that the report of the Presidential Committee on the Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement in the Armed Forces (2007-2015) was doctored for whatever reason.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said what has been released so far is the report of the audit covering the period 2011 to 2015, adding that the Committee would commence the audit of procurement from 2007 to 2010 as soon as the necessary documents are available.

''When the documents regarding procurement from 2007 to 2010 are available and scrutinized, the committee will then issue its report on that. The audit is being done on phases, and the report that was released on Thursday is the third of such,'' the Minister said.

He assured that the Federal Government's anti-corruption fight is non-discriminatory, and called on Nigerians to keep an open mind as events unfold.

''No one should attempt to distract from the seriousness of the issues involved in this audit of defence equipment procurement. It is important to note that even though the total amount spent for procurement and operations within the period were N185,843,052,564.30 and $685,349,692.49, the irregularities in the awards ensured that the military did not get value for money, with very serious consequences,'' the Minister said.

Segun Adeyemi
SA to Hon Minister of Information and Culture
Abuja
July 15th 2016

PRESIDENT APPROVES FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO NIGERIAN ARMY PROCUREMENT SCANDALS

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the recommendation of the Committee charged with investigating the Defence Equipment Procurement from 2007 to 2015, for further investigation of those involved, after the committee found a number of irregularities in the contract awards.

The approval followed the Third Interim Report of the Presidential Committee on the Audit of Defence Equipment, which was released on Thursday.

Among those to be investigated are 18 serving and retired military personnel, 12 serving and retired public officials and 24 Chief Executive Officers of Companies involved in the procurement. All were either accounting officers or played key roles in the Nigerian Army procurement activities during the period under review.

Those listed for further investigation include two former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. O.A. Ihejirika (Rtd) and Lt.-Gen. K.T.J. Minimah (Rtd); former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs II, Dr Nurudeen Mohammed and three former Permanent Secretaries in the Ministry of Defence - Mr. Bukar Goni Aji, Mr. Haruna Sanusi and Me. E.O, Oyemomi.

Also, the CEOs to be investigated include Col. Olu Bamgbose (Rtd) of Bamverde Ltd; Mr. Amity Sade of Doiyatec Comms Ltd and DYI Global Services and Mr. Edward Churchill of Westgate Global Trust Ltd.

According to the Committee, the total amount spent for procurement and operations within the period were N185,843,052,564.30 and $685,349,692.49.

It found that the Nigerian Army Contracts awarded by the Ministry of Defence for the period under review were often awarded without ''significant input from end-user (Nigerian Army) and to vendors who lacked the necessary technical competence''.

''As an example, 3 contracts with a total value of N5,940,000,000.00 were awarded to DYI Global Services Ltd and Doiyatec Comms Nig. Ltd (owned by the same individuals) for the procurement of military hardware including 20 units of KM-38 Twin Hull Boats and 6 Units of 4X4 Ambulances fitted with radios. The committee found that the 2 companies collected N5,103,500,000.00, representing 86% of the total value of the 3 contracts worth N5,940,000,000.00, but only performed to the tune of N2,992,183,705.31,'' the report said.

The committee also found that a contract worth N169,916,849.77 for the procurement of 53 Armoured Vehicles Spare Parts, with 90 days completion time, is yet to be completed 5 years after.

With respect to contracts awarded directly by the Nigerian Army, the Committee found that many of the contracts were characterized by ''lack of due process, in breach of extant procurement regulations and tainted by corrupt practices.

''In this regard, a review of the procurement carried out by Chok Ventures Ltd and Integrated Equipment Services Ltd established that between March 2011 and December 2013, the 2 companies exclusively procured various types of Toyota and Mitsubishi vehicles worth over N3,000,000,000.0 for the Nigerian Army without any competitive bidding.

''Though the committee found no credible evidence of delivery of the vehicles, the vendors were fully paid based on job completion certificate authenticated by the then Chief of Logistics. Also, analysis of the various bank accounts of the 2 companies showed transfers to individuals related to then Chief of Army Staff,'' the report said

AVM Jon Ode (Rtd)
President of the Presidential Committee on the Audit
of Defence Equipment Procurement in the Armed Forces
(2007-2015)

​NOTE: FULL 3RD INTERIM REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE IS ATTACHED HEREWITH​ (Pages 5-7 below; 1-4 in another post)