₦airaland Forum

Better times are here again..


lalasticlala, mynd44

The governor of Borno state seems to be a man of many lives or you can say a man of his words. Gov. Kashim Shettima returning to Baga is a result of his word and also to ensure the availability of security in the region. Reconstruction work has started in the area as construction workers can be seen working and rebuilding houses which are destroyed by the insurgents. See more images below..


Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/09/borno-state-gov-begins-total.html

comradespade:
.

Bros, you can book for Africa..


Lalasticlala, Mynd44

ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE UNITED STATES – AFRICA BUSINESS FORUM, NEW YORK, USA, 21st SEPTEMBER, 2016

Protocol

I am delighted to be present here today at the 2nd edition of the United States–Africa Business Forum. I wish to thank the United States Department of Commerce and Bloomberg Philanthropies for organizing this event and for giving me this opportunity to address this august gathering of Political and Business Leaders from the United States of America (USA), Africa and other regions of the World. I believe all of us will take advantage of this Forum to establish and strengthen business relationships; share valuable experience; and collaborate for mutual benefits.

For the benefit of our prospective partners new to Nigeria let me briefly tell you about my country. It is a nation of about 180 million people. Which means an abundance of labour. We are blessed with arable land, forests water, oil and gas, solid minerals, livestock and great tourist potential. Many of these economic sectors have barely been exploited. There is therefore tremendous potential for the foreign investment and for the local economy.

The United States has historically been one of Nigeria’s main trading partners. For decades, the US was the biggest importer of Nigeria’s crude oil. In the last two years, however, the sharp decline in US imports of our crude, on account of rising domestic production of Shale, has altered the trade balance between our two countries. But it has also thrown up opportunities for Nigeria to increase its non-oil exports – especially in agricultural products – to the U.S.

But Nigeria enjoys a long and mutually beneficial trade and investment relations with USA. This relationship has culminated in massive inflow of Foreign Direct Investment into Nigeria. There are several US Companies doing business in Nigeria, including Exxon-Mobil, Chevron, General Electric, IBM, Microsoft, Procter and Gamble, Coca-Cola, Pepsi Company, British-American Tobacco Company, UPS Courier Company, BCG, Johnson Wax Nigeria Ltd, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, to name a few. Furthermore, Nigeria shares with America the democratic culture with respect to the rule of law in business and commercial intercourse.

These are no doubt challenging times for the Nigerian economy. But let me use this opportunity to boldly affirm our conviction that there is no crisis without an accompanying opportunity. In our case, we see Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges – occasioned mainly by the fall in oil prices – as an opportunity to set the economy firmly on the path of true diversification, sustainable economic growth, and shared prosperity.

Since the inception of this Administration in 2015, major efforts have been aimed at ensuring that Nigerians enjoy rising standards of living. We campaigned for and came into office on the back of three fundamental issues: One, Securing Nigeria from terrorism and banditry, Two, Fighting corruption and ensuring that public funds work for the public good, and Three, Revamping an economy that was dangerously dependent on crude oil, and afflicted by rising inequality and jobless growth. We are pleased to note that our efforts are yielding fruit.

(On Security) – Hundreds of communities and thousands of people have been liberated from the clutches of the terrorists, under our watch, and are now getting a chance with support from the government and the international community, to rebuild their homes and their lives.

(On corruption) – Our quest is to ensure, through a combination of institution-building and judicial efforts, that public funds work for the public good, and that persons responsible for overseeing the use of these funds come to this task with the utmost sense of transparency and accountability. Earlier this year we signed up to the Open Government Partnership, a clear demonstration of our commitment to a radical departure from a past characterized by large-scale state-sponsored corruption. Let me also assure this audiences that we will continue to strengthen Government institutions established to address investors’ concerns.

(On the economy) – We are weaning ourselves from a historical dependence on crude oil, diversifying our economy, and putting it on the path of sustainable and inclusive growth. To this end, we have embarked on policies aimed at establishing an open, rules-based and market-oriented economy. We will continue to actively engage with the private sector at the highest levels to listen to your concerns and to assure you of our commitment to creating enabling policies in which your businesses can survive and thrive. Indeed, we have constituted a Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, which is working on a wide range of business environment reforms, ranging from making our planned visa-on-arrival regime a reality, to ports reform, to improving the speed and efficiency of land titling and business registration. We aspire to make Nigeria one of the most attractive places to do business.

Let me now focus on the priority investment sectors for our administration: Infrastructure, Industry, Agriculture, Mining and the Digital Economy.

Infrastructure: For far too long Nigeria has under-invested in the critical infrastructure necessary for a modern economy. Now, that is set to change. We are working hard to bridge an electricity deficit of several thousand megawatts, which will require substantial private sector investment, especially in Transmission. Our railway system is being opened up after decades of government monopoly that has hindered the needed private sector investment. We are well on course with a concessioning deal that will see General Electric take over hundreds of kilometers of existing rail assets, and invest billions of dollars to upgrade assets and services.

On Industry, there is the Nigerian Industrial Plan that has come into force. The implementation is directed at interventions to improve productivity and output in five industry groups, namely: agri-business and agro-allied; solid minerals and metals; oil and gas; construction, and light manufacturing.

Currently, investments and partnerships are being directed to leather and leather products; sugar; palm oil processing; food processing, specifically tomato and fruit processing. Automobile assembly and manufacturing are important to the diversification of the Nigerian economy. Industrial zones and parks are being established. This is work in progress. American, indeed other foreign investors, are invited to come and avail themselves of the opportunities we are creating.

In Agriculture, through our Agricultural Promotion Policy (APP), we are prioritizing the improvement in domestic production of rice, wheat, maize, fish, dairy milk, soya beans, poultry, fruits and vegetables, and sugar, as well as the export of cowpeas, cocoa, cashew, cassava (starch, chips and ethanol), ginger, sesame, oil palm, fruits and vegetables, groundnuts and cotton. To achieve these goals, we are ready to partner with and support willing private investors, by creating an environment that is stable, safe, and competitive. I am pleased to note that Coca Cola has recently invested substantially in one of Nigeria’s best-known dairy and fruit juice companies, and is looking to increase its stake over the next few years.

In Mining, Nigeria is determined to build a world class minerals and mining ecosystem designed to serve a targeted domestic and export market. To accomplish this, we are prioritizing exploration, local processing of our mineral assets with provision of generous incentives including favorable tax regimes and royalties to investors interested in our market. We have as part of this identified mineral resources, which exist in commercially viable quantities, and designated them as strategic priorities for Nigeria’s domestic Industrialisation and Infrastructure requirements. At the same time we are not unmindful of environmental concerns and safety and welfare of miners.

Opportunities abound in the Digital Economy, which, like Infrastructure, has a multiplier effect that touches every part of the economy, opportunities abound. We have welcomed and continue to welcome investors willing to take a stake in one of the world’s largest and fastest growing telecoms markets – a market which has attracted more than $35 billion in FDI over the last decade and half. The Nigerian Communications Commission will shortly commence a licensing process for the deployment of broadband infrastructure across metropolitan areas in the country.

Young Nigerians are increasingly demonstrating that they have the talent and the passion to leverage the digital economy for solving our most pressing challenges. We are seeing a lot of activity in that space, and not just in Lagos, but even in cities further afield, from Uyo to Abuja. There are currently 150 million active mobile phone lines in the country – sixty percent of which are connected to the Internet. I can confidently say that Nigeria is in the early stages of a domestic technology revolution, and the government is paying serious attention and offering its full support.

Three weeks ago I hosted Mark Zuckerberg, the Founder and CEO of Facebook, which is now used regularly by 17 million Nigerians, more people than in any other country in Africa. A few months ago Mr. Zuckerberg invested $24 million in Andela, a technology company that has Iyin Aboyeji, a 25-year-old Nigerian as one of its co-founders, and maintains its main campus in the city of Lagos. On the same day that Mr. Zuckerberg visited I also welcomed and interacted with 30 of the most exciting technology startups in the country; among whom lie tomorrow’s billion-dollar corporations.

Nigeria is keen to more effectively leverage the African Growth and Opportunity Act opportunities to boost exports to the US Market. In collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa we have developed Response Strategy to boost exports under this Act. We are willing to collaborate with willing development partners to address some of the constraints to accessing the US Market. For example, our inability to comply with US requirements. With our U.S. counterparts, we are also working on a post-AGOA framework. Nigeria will continue to work closely with the U.S. to ensure that trade enhances our development.

I urge the American businesses present here to take advantage of the investment opportunity that Nigeria represents. Nigeria remains the number one investment destination in Africa, with total FDI inflow of about US$3.64 billion in 2015. Apart from our domestic market, the largest in Africa, we are also the main gateway to a combined West African consumer market that is about as large as ours. With a median age of 19, and with 70 percent of the population below the age of 35, Nigeria’s greatest potential lies in the talent and energy of her youth.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, we recognize that the economic benefits of our trade and investment relations with the United States and other partners are unambiguous. In order to encourage private capital inflow, we have packaged some fiscal investment incentives which include the following: up to 5 years of tax holiday for activities classified as ‘pioneer’; Tax-free operations; no restrictions on expatriate quotas in Free Trade Zones; Capital Allowances (Agriculture, Manufacturing and Engineering); a low VAT regime of 5 percent; among others.

Let me use this occasion to announce the commencement of the latest in a series of bilateral engagements between the United States and Nigeria: the U.S. Nigeria Commercial and Investment Dialogue. This Dialogue, which will focus on Infrastructure, Agriculture, the Digital Economy, Investment and Regulatory Reform, will be jointly led by the Nigerian Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the US Commerce Secretary, and will include business executives from both countries.

By strengthening existing trade and investment ties between our two countries, as well as opening up new vistas, it will complement the work currently being done by the US-Nigeria Binational Commission, the US-Nigeria Trade and Investment Framework, and similar initiatives. We very much look forward to the mutual benefits that will accrue from this Dialogue.

On this note, I enjoin investors here today to take advantage of this Forum to establish links that would translate to increased trade and investment flows between Nigeria and United States of America. Nigeria welcomes you.

I wish you a fruitful deliberation. Thank You.



Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/09/pres-buharis-speech-at-africa-business.html

Garshyzee:
baba is not smilling...

He knows every of their plans, so he has told him... No go area..

Of all ladies in Nigeria, you can't marry one except Zahra wey people dey queue for... Take time oo



lalasticlala, mynd44

President Mohammadu Buhari has given a stern warning to his daughter, Zahra Buhari, to stay away from Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State who has made several moves to marry the pretty daughter of the President, Presidential sources told Pointblanknews.com.

The Zamfara Governor is currently at the UN Millennium Hotel, New York, where the President and his families are lodged as a member of the Federal Government’s delegations to the United Nations General Assembly.

Zahra turned 21 December 18, 2015. Governor Yari claimed in his biography that he was born January 1, 1969.

Governor Yari said to be desperately interested in marrying Zahra to boost his political chances is using the opportunity of the U.S trip to fine tune his marriage plans and sending emissaries to persuade the President to rescind his earlier stonewalling.

Sources told Pointblanknews.com that the Zamfara Governor has gone as far as dolling out gifts to the first lady and other members of the Buhari family.

He is also alleged to have funded the First Lady’s recent Hajj trip to Saudi Arabia with $1million.


Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State had earlier been rumored to be interested in the President’s daughter.

Yari, has as part of his moves enlisted the husband of Halima, elder daughter of Buhari, showered him gifts including awarding him contracts in Zamfara state to persuade the first family into accepting his overtures to marry the President’s daughter who just graduated from a British University.

“He has not only been using Halima’s husband, he has also reached out to the first lady and showered her with several gifts including money when she was going for the Hajj. I think the First Lady is playing along.”

Governor Yari’s desperation to marry Zahra is a subject of discussion in Gusau Government House where senior officials condemn the Governor’s desperation.

A Government source told Pointblanknews.com that in spite of the lean resources of the Governor, he makes available cash gifts running into several millions to the First Lady, Halima’s husband and other members of the Buhari’s family in a bid to have them convince President Buhari who has frowned at the Governor’s antic.

“Things are not going well here in Gusau. The story is everywhere and we are particularly not happy with the fact that state resources have now been committed into wooing the President’s daughter. It is very embarrassing the way the Governor is going about it, an official at the Government House, Gusau told Pointblanknews.com.

The source who shares family relationship with the Governor said the only stumbling block is the President who has given a stern warning to his daughter to stay away from Governor Yari. “The President wants his daughter to marry someone not as old as Governor Yari,” according to thesource

Sources told Pointblanknews.com that the Governor argued that the President does not have the moral right to reject his overtures to marry Zahra on account of age because Buhari is over 30years older than Aisha.

The Zamfara Governor is notorious with Political Marriages. His third wife is the daughter of Umaru Shinkafi, a popular Politician in Zamfara State. Yari married her to get political blessings for his Governorship ambition.

“Yari is a politician who wants to survive at all cost. He married his third wife, the daughter of Shinkafi and got the support of the people of Zamfara because of Shinkafi. Shinkafi is dead now and the people are not happy with him so he wants Buhari’s daughter because that is what may guarantee him survival in 2019,” a source close to the Governor said.

Sources told Pointblanknews.com that Yari is eyeing the Presidency or a Senate seat in 2019 and would need to solidify his base by marrying the daughter of the President to edge out any opposition.

A source in Gusau said Governor Yari is contemplating taken over from Senator Sani Yerima whose relationship with President Buhari has waned.

Mr. Abdulaziz Yari who runs a haulage business in Washington DC and hardly stays in Nigeria, allegedly collected over N400million from the state coffers without appropriation by the State House of Assembly to entertain President Mohammadu Buhari’s visit to the state in July, 2016.

His incessant absence from Gusau has almost grounded Government activities and politicians are currently ganging up against him.


Sources:
http://pointblanknews.com/pbn/exclusive/cannot-marry-zahra-buhari-tells-governor-yari-zamfara/

http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/09/stay-away-from-zahra-you-cannot-marry.html

Bilateral talks on point...


lalasticlala, mynd44

President Muhammadu Buhari with French President Francoise Hollande shortly before a bilateral meeting on 20th Sep 2016, in attendance with him are Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Environment Amina Mohammed, Governor of Zamfara Abubakar Yari, Governor of Lagos Akinwunmi Ambode and Minister of Mines & Steel Kayode Fayemi as he attends Opening Session of the General Debate and attends Bilateral meeting with French President H.E. Francoise Hollande on 20th Sep 2016


Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/09/president-buhari-meets-french-president.html

I was confused too... I saw this on a friend's TL, so I just need to ask before DSS starts to dey trace people

Its getting interesting...

No be write am oo, just want clairifications..

According to reports on Social Media, it was alleged that the Mrs. Buhari did not meet Mrs. Obama as claimed by the media... That the picture was purely photo-shopped. You be the judge..

Please note, no be write am ooo

They have come a long way... that's why she didn't write negative about him..

Good thinking... Good product..


lalasticlala, pls..

Omo Alata is a Yoruba word which means pepper seller, some may call it the child of a pepper seller. (Omo means child, alata means pepper seller). This name caught my attention when I saw a business startup bearing Omo Alata, I have witnessed countless fight in my neighborhood when I was growing up just because his friend called him Omo Alata. I have this eagerness in me to meet the face behind the brand and Ms. Kasope Ladipo-Ajai VP (Operations) was gracious enough to grant my interview despite her busy schedule. Please read below..


Can we meet you please? My name is Kasope Ladipo-Ajai and I am a cofounder at OmoAlata. I am currently the VP Operations, responsible for daily activities of the business. I have a Bsc in Computer Science (Technology) and a PGd in Strategic business IT. I also have a diploma in Interior Design. I am currently studying at the Pan Atlantic University for a Certificate in Entrepreneurship Management

What is OmoAlata all about?
OmoAlata (McPeppers) is a Nigerian food service brand focused on the production and sale of hygienically processed and packaged local Nigerian soups, spices and peppers. Our entrant product OmoAlata peppermix is a smooth blend of farm fresh peppers, onions & tomatoes which has been parboiled and frozen in ready-to-use pouches. It comes in HOT, MILD & OFADA variants.

How do you get the OmoAlata Concept? OmoAlata is a derogatory Yoruba word, as some will actually want to have your head if you tell them such name, why did you use such?
Firstly, the word OmoAlata can be seen from different angles; to some it is derogatory to others it simply describes the everyday people on the streets of Nigeria trying to make a difference. We wanted a name that would appeal to everyone and still capture our objectives. It’s simple a pepper seller in Yoruba is literally called OmoAlata and that is who we are. We wanted a symbolic name to identify with someone who seeks to improve despite their origin/background. OmoAlata is a brand that is changing a culture (the culture of “Cooking is hardwork”) and our name needs to reflect a renewed way of seeing “the word”. We are not afraid of stepping out of the norm.

What makes your business different from the normal market woman that we buy from?
The market woman sells you the whole fruits. You need to combine, clean and blend yourself. OmoAlata has done all this for you to make cooking easy and convenient.

What has/have your challenge(s) so far in this business? In 2015, you won the She Leads Africa Entrepreneur Showcase, do you want to tell us about it?
Winning SLA Entrepreneurs pitch competition was a game changer for OmoAlata. First of all, it was validation for us that we were doing something right. It also helped bring the much needed limelight on our startup. Every startup understands the impact of good publicity on growth but usually cannot afford it.

In next 5-10 years’ time, where do you see OmoAlata?
Exporting to Europe and the USA becoming a globally recognized brand.

What do you want to be known for?
OmoAlata is a young, vibrant brand working hard to change perception. We want to dissect tradition, keep the positive aspects and improve the not so progressive. All our activities, business and social will always align with this.



You can visit www.omoalata.com to make your orders and they promised to deliver


Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/09/awexclusive-getting-up-close-personal.html

This one is not the fault of govt but the residents..


lalasticlala, Mynd44, is this not FP worthy?

This is the situation of things at Odukoya Street Off Oshifolarin in Yaba area of Lagos. According to reports, this is as a result of the the downpour that happens this morning and also the area lacks good drainage system as all the gutters were blocked hereby blocking the free flow of water. The residents are seriously begging for boats, so if you have one, kindly go to Oshifolarin Str in Yaba. See more pictures below..


Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/09/after-rain-comes-flood-flood-takes-over.html

Hmmmm


lalasticlala

Nuhu Ribadu, pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says there is no way anybody can steal money recovered by the agency.

Speaking on Monday in Abuja during the annual conference of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), the anti-graft czar expressed surprise that people were saying such money could be tampered with.

He said there was no recovery without a court, explaining that the loot were exhibits, and that they would be eventually sent to the account of government.

He cited the case where the court ordered that the money recovered from James Ibori, former Delta state governor, be sent to the federation account.

Ribadu said it is the statutory responsibility of a country’s president to fight corruption from all angles.

“Nobody else, it is not the duty of any governor or any chairman of a local government; it rests on the shoulder of the president, Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

“If any one steals one naira in Uyo or Bayelsa State, it is the responsibility of the president to stop and bring him to justice.

“I think it is something the federation and the federal government should do a lot to ensure that they carry out constitutional duties and responsibilities.”

He called for the celebration of good people, adding: “Let there be acceptance that this is what we want and let there be disgrace for the opposite; it must be we who can do that.”

He also suggested a national conversation where the heads of the executives, legislature and the judiciary would sit together to accept that they would set an order to fight corruption.


Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/09/nobody-not-even-efcc-can-steal.html

abokibuhari:
see as he's looking like mumu

You guys ehn... How do you want him to look again, He smiled, wahala, he looked wahala, he bold na war... Naija I hailed thee

INTROVERT:
SEEN. am sure Obama will ask him bout the plagarized speech.

.. Why are you this wicked? Na Buhari write the speech... Maka why na?

Nice pictures.. Speech loading...



More pictures here..

http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/09/president-buhari-at-un-headquarters.html

President Buhari attends the opening of high Level Plenary Meeting on Addressing Movements of Refugees and Migrants at the UN Headquarters New York on 19th September 2016. With him are Minister of Foreign Affairs , Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, Governor of Zamfara, H.E Abubakar Yari and Minister of Interior, Alh Abdulrahman Dambazzau and others.. See more pictures below..



Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/09/president-buhari-at-un-headquarters.html

More...


lalasticlala, Mynd44, seun

Rio said farewell to the 2016 Paralympics in a closing ceremony showcasing Brazil's passion for music and celebrating what many consider to have been a surprisingly successful Games.

The famous Maracana football stadium was packed, with the Paralympians themselves seated across the field, as proceedings kicked off with fireworks.

Among the first performers was Jonathan Bastos, a Brazilian who was born without arms but has became an accomplished musician, playing the guitar with his feet. Then it was Ricardinho, star of Brazil's gold medal winning five-a-side Paralympic football team, who brought out the national flag.

This was the final, last lap as Brazil waved farewell to around 15,000 athletes who had descended on Rio for the Olympics and the Paralympics, and millions watched on their television sets across the globe.

See the glits and glamour of the closing ceremony..

Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/09/highlights-of-closing-ceremony-of.html

INTROVERT:
He should sell some of the garri and eat the rest. life goes ON.

Well, I see this as blessing in disguised, at least he saved some money he would have used to buy garri... Just my take anyway..

Whats your take?


Read more here...

http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/09/apc-is-fantastically-corrupt-party-man.html

For this young man, he's displeased with the present government over the untold hardship in the country caused by the stable economy. According to him, he now produces Garri in his village in Abia state (something he had not for over 20 years) which is due to the lack of funds to feed himself.
He took to his Facebook page few hours ago to vent his anger online. See below;

Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/09/apc-is-fantastically-corrupt-party-man.html

beycity:
We are getting there but how are we so sure that's Baga?

It's Baga town... I just confirmed Sir...


lalasticlala, FP pls

God bless our soldiers... The land is green...

The fishes must have eaten enough die to Boko people.. Now is the for harvest


See more pictures here...

http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/09/aftermath-of-boko-haram-defeat-baga.html

Peace is sweet, this is Baga of Borno the home of natural fishing just few months after regaining freedom from Boko haram kudus to our gallant Army... See more pictures below..


Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/09/aftermath-of-boko-haram-defeat-baga.html