President Buhari is not critically ill says Lai Mohammed cc @DrJoeAbah

Alhaji Lai Mohammed n Umuahia at the town hall meeting

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says President Muhammadu Buhari is neither critically ill nor in life threatening situation and there is no cause for alarm.

The minister reiterated this position on Monday in Umuahia at the second town hall meeting for the South East and the launch of national reorientation campaign, “Change Begins With Me’’ in Abia.

The minister, who was asked to tell the country about the health condition of the president and whether there was need for a regular briefing on his health stressed that there was no reason for such briefings.

Mohammed disclosed that the president spoke with him on Saturday in the afternoon and there was no reason for Nigerians to be worried.

“ I can say here very boldly and confidently that there is absolutely no cause for alarm.

“`Mr president called me at 2.43 p.m. on Saturday and we spoke.

“If Mr president is in the hospital or is critically ill, as minister of information, I will give daily bulletin on his health.

“Mr president is neither critically ill nor in the hospital and there is nothing life threatening about the checks he is going through,’’ he said.

Speaking on the state of the economy, the minister said that it was corruption that made the prices of commodities to go up.

He noted that no economy in the world could survive the blind and reckless looting perpetrated by the previous administration.

“If one person was found with almost 10 million dollar in an uncompleted house and another with 136 million dollar in fake account and other with N7 billion how can the economy survives the kind of looting.

“Naturally the price of commodities will go up.

“These are funds meant for development of infrastructure and for provision of services.

“That is why you cannot do anything with the economy without first facing corruption squarely.

“But the good news is that the government is doing both together, as we are fighting corruption, we are also making sure that we are ensuring we are out of recession by investing heavily on infrastructure.

Mohammed also pacified the audience who lamented the spate of attacks on farmers by the herdsmen.

He said contrary to the position of some elements who want to destroy the unity of the country, the government was not supporting any section of the country against the other.

He said it was purely security issue and it was being handled from both the federal and the state levels.

“I want to make the appeal that the strength of Nigeria is in its diversity and unity.

“We have been living together peacefully before and we shall continue to live together peacefully,’’ he said.

Speaking in same vein, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, apologised on behalf of the Federal Government to the farmers who had suffered from the ugly trend.

“We in the Ministry of Agriculture are mostly affected in this crisis and frankly we feel deeply disturbed about it.

“Like the two traditional rulers had said, you asked people to go and farm and there is this problem of herdsmen tormenting them and their cattle eating up their crops.

“It is affecting not only the farmers but the food that they are supposed to produce and sell to the society.

“As a farmer, nothing can be more upsetting to wake up and find out that my farm has been destroyed.

They have done it to me and I know how it badly affected me but we will bring the challenge to an end very soon,’’ he said.

Ogbeh said the Federal Government is training 3000 agro rangers who will protect farms in different places.

DAILY TRUST

Africa Has Too Many Pilots, None Of Them Taking Off! – by @DrJoeAbah (Agree or Disagree)

Dr Joe Abah

No! Not aircraft pilots, donor pilot projects. The world of development is littered with “pilots.” Demonstration projects that show it can be done. We know that with donor funding, donor expertise, discrete initiatives and clearly defined “results” certain things can work in developing countries. We know that! Doing new pilots do not tell us anything new.

The question is: do donor pilot projects lead to “organic diffusion? Does doing demonstration projects lead to systemic changes in institutions. By Institutions, we mean the way that things are done in a society. This is to be distinguished from Organisations (groups of people intentionally put together to achieve a set purpose).

Institutions are conditioned by history, sociology, culture and politics. They are the socially accepted norms that are practiced by society and handed down to successive generations through education and socialization. These include marriage, tradition, morals and ethical values. Accepted wisdom is that institutions take a long time to shift, sometimes as long as a whole generation or 40 years. Of course, there are occasions where institutions have changed more quickly. This often happens through a process of dislocation, where the normal rhythm of institutions is upset for the greater good. How can we get more dislocation in areas where we urgently need it?

I argue that this tends to happen in cases where there is an imperative to bring about change; that imperative is backed by the power to make the necessary changes; and there is altruistic patriotism to bring about a new order.

You see, reformers generally tend to pursue three, often distinct, approaches to institutional change. The first approach can be loosely termed the “big bang” approach. With this approach, the reformer develops a plan to pursue change in the key areas of planning, budgeting and delivery in priority areas, and complements this with relentless monitoring and evaluation, using feedback from citizens to close the loop and recalibrate interventions. While this approach is holistic, it can often suffer from over-ambition and a loss of focus. It also requires very strong political will, which is often lacking in developing countries. This approach succeeded in the United Kingdom where Tony Blair became perhaps the only recent global politician to have campaigned, and won elections, on a manifesto of public service reforms.

The second main approach is what Professor Matt Andrews of Harvard University termed the “Problem-Driven Iterative Approach.” With this approach, you focus on one major problem at a time. You solve that problem (and all the problems embedded within it, with the expected back and forth) and move on to the next problem. This approach suffers the risk that you could be stuck on one seemingly intractable problem for ever and take your eyes off other balls. For instance, most people agree that stable electricity is a key catalyst for development. However, it is rather difficult and slow to change the institutions (the way things are done) around electricity, particularly where there are strong opposing interests and a consistent failure to productively invest in electricity infrastructure for generations.

The third main approach is pilots, the donor darlings. Pilots are usually demonstration projects that show “the natives” that things are possible, usually followed by an expectation that once this is made clear to them, they would simply adopt the lessons more widely and solve all remaining problems. Do donor demonstration projects have a track record of bringing about institutional change? I argue that they do not. Donor pilot projects tend to be advocacy projects. They tend to demonstrate that, given certain conditions, some things can work differently. We know that! What precisely is the point of doing more and more pilots? The danger with pilots is that they can often ignore the institutional factors that constrain change in the first place. They beg the question: why does it take donor funding and expertise (using locals) to make some things work? Why do they not work without donor involvement? For those that work, why do they stop working when donor involvement ends?

Africa is littered with several of these pilots and demonstration projects. From solar-powered boreholes, to rural electrification schemes, to skills acquisition schemes, to improved processes for licensing. I could go on and on. They often work for some time, achieve the “success” that donors can report to their funders back home and are them swiftly abandoned when the donor programme ends. Many are designed without much thought as to the recurrent implications of maintaining them and without regard to the institutional changes in planning, budgeting, project management, service delivery and personnel requirements needed to even maintain existing initiatives, not to talk of adopting them for wider use.

Unfortunately, the current literature on reforms is such that various scholars are firmly entrenched in each of the three ideological camps. However, reformers with real world experience will know these three key approaches are not mutually exclusive. The “big bang” approach is necessary in order to have a reform “movement” that is based on a clear plan. Within this plan, it is important to ensure that reforms are problem-driven, rather than generic, and there is a need to focus on “wicked” problems that are causing blockages in the system. Finally, demonstration projects are important to build confidence that change is indeed possible.

Therefore, rather than undertake more and more pilots that do not teach us anything new, I would argue that Africa should focus on the levers that can bring about its development. Unknown to many Africans, the African Union has developed an agenda for Africa called “Agenda 2063: The Africa we want.” This agenda is a strategic framework for the socio-economic development of Africa over the next 50 years. The Agenda has 7 main aspirations which I will briefly take in turn.

You see, Africa and/or its donors cannot “pilot” itself out of poverty. Therefore, the first aspiration of Agenda 2063 focuses on prosperity, inclusive growth and sustainable development. Africa must produce more. It must trade more. The African market of 1.1 billion people is enough to generate great wealth for the continent, even by just trading with itself.

This leads to the second aspiration which is for an integrated continent that is united on the basis of Pan-Africanism. The European Union, despite Brexit, is one of the world’s most powerful trading blocks. The Asians and the South Americans have similar arrangements. Although southern and western Africa have taken some baby steps in this direction, Africa still does not have a truly integrated continental initiative. It does seem rather odd, for instance, that you can enter South Africa without a visa on a British passport but not on a Nigerian passport.

The third aspiration is good governance, democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law. While these are all important and is an area that donors favour, China and some other Asian countries have shown that you can have development without western-style “good governance.” Therefore, Africa must find what works for Africa in this regard, without constraining human freedoms. Unfortunately, Africa’s history of dictatorship has not had the same track record of “benevolence” as those in Asia. To convincingly argue for any sort of dictatorship as the solution to Africa’s problems is, therefore, a very difficult endeavour.

The fourth aspiration is peace and security. This is a given. Africa cannot grow without peace and security.

The fifth is strong cultural identity, with good values and ethics. Therefore, Africa must eschew harmful traditional practices that constrain its growth.

The sixth is to place people at the centre of its development. Africa has had too much economic growth that is not people-driven and that merely widens the equality gap.

Finally, Africa needs to be a strong, united global partner. The partnership approach is important. Partners are often equals, not donors and beneficiaries. Each partner supports the other for the overall benefit of the partnership enterprise. A poor, dependent Africa is of no benefit to an otherwise prosperous world.

In my opinion, Agenda 2063 provides the levers that can pull Africa out of poverty and into prosperity. Unfortunately, the African Union does not appear to have the convening power to facilitate a continental dialogue that can see this agenda influence the development plans of its constituent members. If this can somehow be done, donors and development partners will know exactly “The Africa We Want” and tailor their interventions accordingly. The era of donor-driven development focused on pilots and demonstration projects will start to wane. Without pulling the necessary levers, pilots will never be able to take off, no matter how many you have.

*Dr Joe Abah is the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, The Presidency, Nigeria, and a Visiting Lecturer at the Maastricht Graduate School of Governance, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.

Courtesy of AfricanLiberty.org

Prof Itse Sagay: ‘Stupid’ Nigerians should stop saying stupid things like when there was corruption life was easier. cc @DrJoeAbah

Prof Itse Sagay (SAN)

The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) Prof Itse Sagay (SAN), has stated that anyone that is not willing to support the current administration should be ready to ‘kiss Nigeria goodbye.’

According to him, the ongoing anti-corruption war led by President Muhammadu Buhari needed the support of all Nigerians and not unnecessary criticisms.

Speaking with Leadership, the outspoken anti-corruption crusader said that some ‘stupid’ Nigerians who have been fighting against Buhari’s war against corruption should realise that the president was elected to save the country from collapse.

He said, “Nigerians should not tolerate corruption. They should stop saying stupid things like when there was corruption, life was easier.

“There are some stupid Nigerians who talk like that forgetting that at that time oil was $110 per barrel and now its $37, forgetting that at that time the Niger-Delta Avengers did not destroy anything and we are getting 2.7 million barrels a day; now we are getting less than one million. And they are now saying corruption was better.

“Those very stupid Nigerians should realise that this regime that we now have is a regime that has come to save the country.

“They should support it strongly for the sake of their own future and that of their children and great-grandchildren. If we do not support this government to succeed, we can kiss Nigeria good bye.”

(DAILY POST)

N-Power Scheme: Additional 350,000 graduates to get jobs - Presidency. cc @DrJoeAbah

Following defence of the 2017 budget proposals before the National Assembly by Ministries and agencies, new details are emerging on the continuation of the Social Investment Programmes, (SIP) of the Buhari presidency, including a plan to hire 350,000 more unemployed graduates under the N-Power Volunteer Corps.

Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, in a statement on Sunday noted that President Buhari had requested appropriation of N157.75B in the 2017 budget estimates for the N-Power scheme.

“350,000 unemployed graduates more would be hired and trained, alongside 50,000 non-graduates youths to be engaged as artisans and in other creative ventures,” he said.

Under the N157.75B, a sum of N4.5B has been earmarked for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, STEM program to support young Nigerians in building skills in those disciplines.

“While we were able to engage 200,000 unemployed graduates last year, we will do 350,000 more this year,” he assured, adding that some of the teething problems were giving way to lessons that would smoothen implementation under the 2017 budget.

Akande disclosed that about N75B had been allocated for the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme, which will provide one hot meal a day to 5 million primary school pupils.


He explained that this would be an improvement on how far the feeding programme had been implemented so far under the 2016 budget which has so far attained the feeding of about one million pupils.

Akande also stated that under the 2017 budget, a sum of N112.2B had been allocated for the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme aimed at providing interest-free loans to up to 1.2million market men and women, traders, artisans, youths and farmers.

Under the GEEP, he explained that beneficiaries will receive between N10,000 and N100,000 loans with a one-time 5% administrative fee. Already under the 2016 budget, over 20,000 Nigerians in about 14 states and counting, have been benefiting from GEEP.

Similarly, the Conditional Cash Transfer which has kicked off in 9 states would be further expanded under the 2016 budget and will reach more states and much more Nigerians.


“The plan in 2016 budget targets one million poorest and vulnerable Nigerians. And in the 2017 budget an additional N54.98B has been allocated for the continuation of the N5000 monthly social safety net payments to the poorest Nigerians”, he said.

Akande further clarified that while President Muhammadu Buhari has further approved another N500B this year for all the social intervention programmes, N100B out of it has been allocated for the Family Homes Fund as already announced by the Ministry of Finance.

“2017 implementation of the SIP is going to be far more impactful than what we were able to do under the 2016 budget, so Nigerians should expect more this year, the resolve of the Buhari presidency is firm that more lives must be touched positively under this programmes which Nigerians have come to appreciate,” Akande concluded.

(DAILY POST)

A MUST READ - 'When money finishes, people remain: The challenges of youth unemployment in Nigeria' by @DrJoeAbah

Dr Joe Abah is the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms in the Presidency

The need to tackle rising youth unemployment is clear to all. Nigeria needs to develop a coordinated, overarching youth employment policy, approved at the highest level of government, to guide all the interventions.

A few days ago, Mr Bisi Ogunwale, a businessman, reported on Twitter how a young boy had begged him for money at a popular bus stop in Lagos, the bustling commercial capital of Nigeria. When he refused to give the boy any money, the boy is said to have told him: “Remember! When money finishes, it is people that remain.” Mr Ogunwale reported that the statement had had a chilling effect on him and that he was scared and sad at the same time. A short Twitter debate ensued as to the possible meaning of the statement. Some felt that it was an approximation of the quote often attributed to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, “When the people shall have nothing more to eat, they will eat the rich.” Others felt that it meant that you should be nice to the poor because if there is a breakdown of law and order, it is the poor people you have been nice to who will save you, the rich. Yet others felt that it was an admonition not to place too high a value on money, but to invest instead in people, particularly the youth. Virtually every commentator agreed that the statement was sufficiently chilling to concern every Nigerian adult.

High youth unemployment
According to its National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria has a youth labour force of 38.2 million people. For context, that is a youth workforce (between the ages of 15 and 24 years) that is more than three times the entire population of Belgium. Of this number, 48.7% or 15.2 million (much more than the entire population of Belgium) is out of work and actively seeking employment. The NBS figures include those that are unemployed and seeking work, as well as those that are under-employed. The NBS is careful not to include those that are not working and not looking for work, such as fulltime homemakers.

Several reasons have been advanced for the high rate of youth unemployment in Nigeria. These include high population growth rate (understandably), deficient school curricula and poor teacher orientation, lack of focus on manufacturing as a result of overdependence on the oil sector, and flawed and inconsistent government policies on youth unemployment. These will now be discussed in turn.

It is rather difficult to do anything to reduce Nigeria’s high population growth, particularly as it is tied to religious and cultural sentiments. Family planning campaigns are mostly run by foreign donors, and the cultural reliance on multiple births as a response to previously high infant mortality rates is still in the consciousness of many. There is also some evidence that a large population is not necessarily a bad thing if a country can leverage it as an advantage. Countries with large populations such as China, India, Brazil and Indonesia have made very good developmental progress in the last 50 years.

The school curricula at different levels are neither sufficiently geared towards the needs of employers nor do they equip young people for self-employment. Many young people complete even tertiary education without an ability to apply that knowledge to real life situations. This has led some to conclude that a majority of the youth are ‘unemployable’.

It is expected that the drop in oil prices will lead to a sharper focus on manufacturing and industrialisation, which should, in turn, create additional jobs. If it is true that “oil is over”, then there are likely to be more employment opportunities for young people in agriculture, solid minerals, telecommunications and services, as government and the private sector make efforts to diversify the economy.

Uncoordinated policies towards youth employment
The Federal Government of Nigeria has recently launched a programme called Npower, which is targeted at equipping youth with the skills to make them employable. It aims to help build entrepreneurship skills, facilitate mentoring and skills transfer, and provide internships and contract employment to more than 500,000 young persons.

Virtually every government in Nigeria’s history has created one programme or another in an attempt to tackle youth unemployment. The schemes tend to raise hopes and do indeed benefit some young persons while they last. However, policy inconsistencies mean that successive administrations abandon the initiatives of their predecessors and create new initiatives, often justifying their actions with allegations of corruption against their predecessors and accusations of nepotism in the selection of beneficiaries. This means that it would be difficult to point to a consistent, sustained youth empowerment initiative that can be tracked over time and assessed for impact.

It is also difficult to point to a coordinated youth employment agenda that is shared, understood and subscribed to by all relevant government actors. Different parts of government have different initiatives and ambitions for youth empowerment. The Office of the Vice-president, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development, the Ministry of Labour and Productivity and the National Directorate of Employment, among others, all have initiatives and schemes focused on youth unemployment. What is lacking is a coordinated, overarching youth employment policy, approved at the highest level of government, that guides all the interventions. Such a policy will foster coordinated strategies which should, in turn, produce sensible activities and initiatives in a measurable way across the whole result chain: input-output-outcome-impact.

The Bureau of Public Service Reforms, which I currently lead, will shortly be developing a policy paper titled “Understanding Youth Unemployment”. The paper will evaluate the effectiveness of current and previous efforts, including the major issue of coordination and an overarching policy and strategy, and propose ways forward.

The need to tackle rising youth unemployment is clear to all. Nigeria is currently in a recession and oil prices have been at their lowest for very many years. As the young boy at the Lagos bus stop said, “When the money finishes, it is people that remain.”


Photo: Street in Lagos Centre. Credits: Zouzou Wizman via Flickr.com.

This article was published in GREAT Insights Volume 6, Issue 1 (February/March 2017).

Acting President Osinbajo Rejects 4 National Assembly Bills. cc @DrJoeAbah

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has declined approving four bills the national assembly forwarded to the executive for approval and endorsement.

The bills are; Dangerous Drug Amendment Bill, 2016; National Lottery Bill, 2016; Currency Conversion Freezing Order Amendment Bill, 2016, and  Agricultural Credit Scheme Bill, 2016.

Yemi Osinbajo said he declined endorsement to some of the bills because of “concerns regarding words and phrases, and the spirit behind the amendment”,  and “the existence of pending legal issue”.

(BREAKING TIMES)

Stop calling Nigeria ‘Naija’ pleads DG, NOA. cc @DrJoeAbah

Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Garba Abari 

Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Garba Abari, has appealed to Nigerians to stop referring to Nigeria as `Najia’ to keep its originality.

Abari said, in Abuja, on Tuesday, that the new trend of making funky the original name of Nigeria was worrisome and not in the best interest of the country.

“We try in all our advocacy visits to insist that Nigeria must be referred to as Nigeria and not Naija.

“So, our schools have a role to play in this; the media itself has also got a very fundamental role to play because it is the media that helps in the propagation of this kind of misnomer.

“All of us, as individuals, as corporate organisations, as media, whether broadcast, print or online, must wake up to the reality.

“That the more we use these misnomers referring to our country, the fallout of it is that, a significant percentage of our younger ones will not even remember that Nigeria is the original name of our country.

“I want to appeal to all Nigerians, young and old to always refer to our country as Nigeria.”

Abari also urged parents to key into the efforts to preserve the country’s original name by discouraging their children and wards from referring to Nigeria as `Naija’.

(NAN)

New CBN Policy to BENEFIT Nigerians Paying School Fees and Medical Bills abroad. cc @DrJoeAbah

Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has explained that its new foreign exchange policy is to cushion the hardship faced by Nigerians in paying school fees abroad, medical bills and travel expenses.

The policy announced on Monday was a sequel to last Thursday’s directive by the National Economic Council, NEC, for an immediate review of the FOREX policy to stem the widening gap between the inter-bank foreign exchange and parallel market rates. The new policy takes immediate effect.

The NEC meeting presided by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo had expressed concern over the prevailing exchange rate situation in the country, especially the widening gap between inter-bank and the parallel market rates. While inter-bank rate, which is the official exchange rate approved by the CBN, stood at about N308.50 to the dollar, the rate at the parallel market, which is readily accessible by most Nigerians, rose to as high as N510 to the dollar last week.

The Bank, in a statement on Monday by its spokesperson, Isaac Okorafor, explained that the new policy was to ease the difficulties encountered by Nigerians in obtaining funds for FOREX transactions. Consequently, the Central Bank said henceforth it would be providing direct additional funding to deposit money banks to meet the needs of Nigerians for personal and business travels, medical needs, and school fees.

Such retail transactions, the CBN said, would be settled at a rate not exceeding 20 percent above the inter-bank market rate. On travel allowances, the Central Bank said it would immediately begin to provide FOREX to all commercial banks to meet the needs of both personal travel allowances, PTA, and business travel allowances, BTA, for onward sale to customers.

“All banks would receive amounts commensurate with their demand per week, which would be sold to customers who meet usual basic documentary requirements,” the CBN said in a statement. Similarly, commercial banks would henceforth make payments on behalf of parents, guardians and sponsors in need of FOREX for their children and wards’ school and educational fees directly to the institutions they specified. Equally, customers seeking FOREX to pay or settle medical bills would also have to pay directly to designated hospitals through their banks.

The Central Bank said it would ensure the process was as smooth as possible, by supplying the FOREX to as many retail end-users as genuinely demanded PTA, BTA, school fees, medical bills, etc. Besides, to further increase the availability of FOREX to all end-users, the CBN said it decided to significantly reduce the tenor of its forward sales from the current maximum cycle of 180 days, to no more than 60 days from the date of the transaction.

In addition, to ease the burden of travellers and ensure transactions were settled at much more competitive exchange rates, all banks were directed to open FOREX retail outlets at major airports as soon as possible. Other steps approved by the bank to cushion the difficulties faced by Nigerians include the immediate implementation of a programme to clear all unfilled orders in the inter-bank FOREX market as well as plan to meet all unfilled orders.

While reaffirming its commitment to prioritise the provision of FOREX to the manufacturing sector, the CBN said it would no longer impose allocation/utilisation rules on commercial banks. Emphasising the need for total transparency and efficiency in the operations of the FOREX market, the Bank warned it would neither tolerate unscrupulous actions nor hesitate to bring serious sanctions on offending individuals, banks and their staff.

“The Bank, therefore, encourages market participants to assist in ensuring that these new measures engender the preservation of our external reserves, stability of our financial system, and growth of our economy to the benefit of all Nigerians,” the statement said.

(BREAKING TIMES)

National Economic Council (NEC) appoints six NSIA board members. Agency gets fresh $250 million. cc @DrJoeAbah

Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

The National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday approved the nomination of six Nigerians for appointment into the board of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

The body also approved the injection of a fresh $250 million capital into the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

The fresh capital was sourced from the Excess Crude Account (ECA), an official said.

NEC is composed of all the 36 state governors, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Thursday’s meeting, the first this year, was presided over by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

A statement by Laolu Akande, the spokesperson for Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, said the nominations were unanimously adopted by council members after the list was tabled by the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun.

The nominees represent each of the six geo-political zones in the country.

They are Halima Buba (North-East), Bello Maccido (North–West), Lois Laraba Machunga-Disu (North Central), Babajide Zetilin (South West), Urum Kalu Eze (South East) and  Asue Ighodalo (South-South).

The nominations will now be forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari for final approval.

Established by an Act of the National Assembly in May 2011, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority manages Nigeria’s Sovereign Wealth Fund.

It was set up to receive, manage and invest in a diversified portfolio of medium and long term the revenue of the Federal Government, State Governments, Federal Capital Territory, Local Governments and Area Councils.

Also at the NEC meeting, the agency’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Uche Orji, presented a report on the NSIA annual reports and accounts for the year ended 2015 and update on 2016 activities.

“In his report to NEC, Council members were informed that Nigeria Sovereign Wealth Fund (NSWF) has the highest ranking in Africa in terms of performance and capitalization,” Mr. Akande said in his statement.

According to him, the report by Mr. Orji, highlighted, among others, the following:
•Financial performance 2014 to Q3 2016
•Update and investment strategy on the NSIA Future Generation Fund (FGF)
•NSIA Infrastructure strategy and Agriculture Fund
•NSIA – Old Mutual Real Estate Co-Investment Vehicle, among others.
• NSIA outlook, among others, are as follows:
•NSIA plans to increase domestic infrastructure investment in 2017 as there are compelling opportunities in the environment.
•NSIA will also focus on “Social Infrastructure” including investments in the form of affordable housing, and healthcare through the development of specialist hospitals.
•Council, while adopting the report of the NSIA,  decided to inject a fresh $250 million into the SWF sourced from the ECA.

(PREMIUM TIMES)

FG’s $1bn Eurobond begins trading on London Stock Exchange. cc @DrJoeAbah

The Federal Government’s $1bn 15-year government bonds started trading on the London Stock Exchange on Thursday.

The Eurobond is the longest ever maturity for an international Nigerian issuance, and its offer is nearly eight times oversubscribed, reaching approximately $7.7bn, highlighting strong international investor demand.

This, a statement by the LSE said, demonstrated confidence in Nigeria’s economy and reinforced London’s status as a leading global financial centre.

The statement added, “The LSE welcomes Nigeria’s $1bn Eurobond to start trading in London on Thursday. The 15-year government bond, paying a coupon of 7.875 per cent, is the longest ever maturity for an international Nigerian bond, the first international issuance for the country since 2013.

“The offer was nearly eight times oversubscribed, with the order book closing at approximately $7.7bn. The listing secured high quality investor support from across the United States and Europe and will support Nigeria in financing its long-term infrastructure projects.”

It said the listing builds on the recent pipeline of several high profile sovereign, supranational, municipal and private company bond issuances on the LSE. In January 2017, Israel listed its largest ever Eurobond offering of €2.25bn in London.

International Markets Unit – Head of Middle East, Africa and South Asia, LSE, Ibukun Adebayo, was quoted to have said, “Nigeria’s choice of the LSE for its first international bond offering since 2013 underlines the LSE’s position as a leading global venue for debt fund raising and London’s enduring status as a market open to the world.

“The success of Nigeria’s bond listing is a strong statement of international investor interest in building exposure to Nigeria’s economy. It reinforces the LSE’s status as a strong partner to Nigeria and the city’s ability to provide a deep additional channel of finance for the development of Nigerian infrastructure and the growth of the economy.”

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Simon Kirby, said, “I am delighted that the Nigerian government has chosen London as the location to list its $1bn sovereign bond.

“This issuance underlines Britain’s position as the world’s leading global financial centre and strengthens our economic and financial relationship with Nigeria.”

He added, “London Stock Exchange Group has a long history of supporting the development of African capital markets and investment in African companies. There are currently nine African sovereign bonds listed in London, from Gabon, Ghana, Namibia, Nigeria and Zambia

“There are 111 African companies listed or trading on the LSE – more than on any other international stock exchange. These companies have a total market capitalisation of over $200bn, and in the last 10 years have raised more than $26bn on our markets.”

Seplat was the first Nigerian company to simultaneously list equity shares in London and Nigeria in April 2014.

In November 2014, the LSE Group and the Nigerian Stock Exchange signed a capital markets agreement to support African companies seeking dual listings in London and Lagos. The agreement followed the implementation earlier in 2014 of a unique new cross-border settlement process between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.

(PUNCH)

1,350 Civil Servants to receive letters of allocation, courtesy of Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) programme. cc @DrJoeAbah

THE Federal Government has disclosed that a total of 1, 350 houses have been completed at various locations in Abuja and Lagos and their letters of allocation ready for distribution beneficiaries under the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) programme.

FISH programme, which is the initiative of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo–Ita, was to address the acute housing challenges faced by mainstream Federal Civil Servants. The mass housing programme was launched last year by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Executive Secretary of the Federal Government Housing Loans Board, Dr Hannatu Adamu-Fika, made this at the Lunch Time Seminar organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) in collaboration with the EU-SUFEGOR programme held at the Auditorium of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja.

A statement on Monday in Abuja by Mr Razaq Amuda on behalf of the Head, Strategic Communication Department, BPSR, said Dr Fika in her presentation described the FISH programme as a special welfare intervention to deliberately and sustainably address the housing challenges faced by core federal civil servants.

According to her, the initiative is similar to what is obtainable in the Post Service Housing schemes of the Military, the Nigeria Police, the Para-Military Services and other Federal Government owned institutions; all these schemes are aimed at motivating workers for improved efficiency.

She added that the “FISH” programme was also borne out of the need to raise additional resources in order to meet up with the housing needs of the Federal Civil Servants who are the least paid workers in the public service.

On the success achieved so far, the Executive Secretary praised the interest and enthusiasm shown by civil servants since the commencement of the programme, adding that FISH Cooperative Society had recorded over 20, 000 financial members in the last one year.

She said there was an existing partnership with some developers to build over 3,000 houses for members of FISH at negotiated prices within the affordable range.

She however urged all Heads of Human Resources in MDAs to encourage their workers to key into the FISH programme to enable them owned their houses.

Earlier, the Director General of Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr Joe Abah, said that lack of integrative approach to mortgage financing among the agencies of government such as Federal Mortgage Bank, Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), amongst others were part of the challenges of providing affordable houses for the population.

He added that the policy of monetisation which led to the sale of government houses and low pay of civil servants have also added to the challenges and called for an approach that would allow civil servants to key into mortgage arrangement early in their career.

The seminar with the theme: “Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) and What It Means for Public Servants” was attended by directors of human resources, reform coordination and service improvements from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other senior civil servants.”

(NIGERIA TRIBUNE)

FG Gives 11 reasons (PROOFS) why it believes Recession is almost over. cc @DrJoeAbah. What Do You Think?

The Federal Government has given 11 reasons why it believes that the economy is on its way out of the recession that has rocked the nation for almost a year.

The government described the reasons as proofs in a report contained in Issue 23 of Aso Villa’s Newsletter titled: ‘Government at Work’

The reasons stated in the report are summarised as follows:

1. Over-Subscription of FG’s Eurobond.

According to the report, the government targeted $1 billion but got $7.8 billion in one week, which has confirmed the confidence level of the international investment community in Nigeria’s economic reform agenda.

2. Growth in the non-oil sector of the economy.

The report states that agriculture grew by 4.54%, crop production is at nearly 5% (its highest since the first quarter of 2014) and the solid mineral sector averaged about 7% during the third quarter of 2016.


3. The Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The programme substantially raised local rice production in 2016 (yields improved from two tonnes per hectare to as much as seven tonnes per hectare, in some states) and produced a model agricultural collaboration between Lagos and Kebbi states.

4. The Fertilizer Intervention Project.

According to the report, the project involves a partnership between the federal government and the government of Morocco, for the supply of phosphate. It is on course to significantly raise local production, and bring the retail price of fertiliser down by about 30 percent.

5. The Take-off of the newly established Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN).

With an initial funding of US$1.3bn (provided by the World Bank, German Development Bank, the African Development Bank and Agence Française de Development), medium and long-term loans to will be available for Micro, Small, Medium-scale Enterprises (MSME) for job creation.

6. A new Social Housing Programme.

The programme is kicking off in 2017. The ‘Family Homes Fund’ will take off with a 100 billion naira provision in the 2017 Budget. (The rest of the funding will come from the private sector).

7. More than N800 billion released for capital expenditure in the 2016 budget.

The report claimed that this is the largest ever capital spending within a single budget year in the history of Nigeria. These monies have enabled the resumption of work on several stalled projects – road, rail and power projects – across the country.

8. Implementation of the Social Investment and Empowerment Programme (SIP).

All the four components of the SIP, the report noted, have now taken off. It described the SIP as the largest and most ambitious social safety net programme in the history of Nigeria, with more than 1 million beneficiaries so far: – 200,000 N-Power beneficiaries, 23,400 Government Enterprise and Empowerment (GEEP) Scheme beneficiaries, 1,000,000 Homegrown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP) beneficiaries, and ongoing Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) payments across nine pilot states.

9. Strategic Engagements with OPEC and in the Niger Delta

According to the report, the engagements have played an important part in raising expected oil revenues. Already, Nigeria’s External Reserves have grown by more than $4 billion in the last three months.

10. Collaboration with China.

President Buhari’s April 2016 visit to China, has unlocked billion of dollars in infrastructure funding. Construction will begin on the first product of that collaboration, a 150km/hour rail line between Lagos and Ibadan, in Q1 2017.

11 The National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (NERGP).

The Federal Government’s medium-term Economic Plan, is due for launch in February 2017, and will chart a course for the Nigerian economy over the next four years (2017 – 2020),” it stated

(DAILY POST)

United States to invest $1b in Nigeria’s power sector. cc @DrJoeAbah

Few days after the United States, US, President, Donald Trump, called his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari, an initiative of the US country to light up Africa, ‘Power Africa,’ says it’s planning to invest about one billion dollars on the power sector in Nigeria.

This was disclosed by the programme’s Coordinator, Andrew Herscowitz while addressing a press conference in Abuja, on Tuesday.


Noting that the programme was aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s power sector, Herscowitz said US has already committed billions of dollars in funding the nation’s energy projects.

Herscowitz disclosed that the programme which was launched by the immediate past US President, Barack Obama in 2013 is aimed at adding more than 30,000 megawatts efficient energy development in sub-Saharan Africa.

According to Herscowitz, the project also targets unlocking the substantial wind, solar, hydro power, natural gas, biomass, and geothermal resources on the continent.

He said, “Since Power Africa was launched, U.S. Trade Development Agency has committed approximately 6.5 million dollars in funding for 10 activities supporting Nigeria’s energy sector, which could leverage up to 2.7 billion dollars in investment.


“It has advanced 50 million dollars in financing from the Oversea Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to Lumos, a Nigeria-based solar energy company, to scale up it’s off grid solar power service to about 200,000 Nigerian homes and businesses.

“Power Africa has supported power companies in the country to the tune of 100 million dollars capital expenditure credit enhancement facility with a corresponding 6.5 million dollars in technical assistance

“And (supported) another 1.5 million dollars for limited commodity to turn around the DISCOS.”

(DAILY POST)

FG Inaugurates Ultra-modern Abuja Passport Office. cc @DrJoeAbah

The Minister of Interior, retired Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, has inaugurated an ultra-modern Passport office complex at Gwagwalada for the FCT, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Command.

Mr James Sunday, the NIS spokesperson disclosed this in a statement made available on Wednesday in Abuja.

The minister promised Nigerians ‎that similar passport offices would be inaugurated across the country in the nearest future.

He said that the measure was to reduce the stress and inconveniences being faced by applicants who hitherto travelled to Abuja from their various locations for resolution of passport-related issues.

“This inauguration is in‎ line with the decentralisation policy of passport offices by the Nigeria Immigration Service,” he said.

Earlier, the‎ Comptroller-General of the NIS, Mr Muhammad Babandede, had pledged to ensure improved training for passport officers to ensure better service delivery.

He also warned them against corruption and exploitation of those applying for passports, insisting that those found culpable would face the full wrath of the law. ‎

NAN reports that there have been cases of delays and exploitation of Nigerians seeking to get or renew their international passports from the various NIS offices.

(VANGUARD)

FG Alerts Nigerians on Planned Deadly Attacks by Terrorists. cc @DrJoeAbah

The Federal Government has alerted Nigerians on the plan by a Boko Haram affiliate, Muslim Brotherhood Cell in Kogi State, to acquire bomb-making chemicals and high-calibre weapons to perpetrate acts of terror, including attacks on banks, arms depots and prisons.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said intelligence monitoring has shown that the cell is making frantic efforts to advance its IED-making capability through the acquisition of such chemicals as Sodium Azide (for producing improvised detonators), Potassium Chlorate (alternative to ammonium nitrate used for producing IEDs) and Aluminium Powder (a fuel source for amplifying explosions).

‘’One Usman, an IED apprentice, left the cell some time back to join Islamic State in Libya. The new desire to acquire IED precursor chemicals could suggest that Usman or other persons may have returned from Libya and have acquired IED-making skills intended to increase the activities of the group,’’ he said.

According to the Minister, intelligence gathered also revealed that the group is making serious efforts to acquire sophisticated arms, including shoulder-fired rocket launchers.

(VANGUARD)

Nigeria Promotes Six Gallant, Bribe-rejecting Police Officers (Full list). cc @DrJoeAbah

The Police Service Commission says it has promoted six police officers to their next ranks for outstanding performances in their various areas of duty.

The officers are Suleiman Abdul and Olusoji Akinbayo, assistant commissioners of police; Mu’awuyya Abubakar, a superintendent of police; Sunday Idowu, a deputy superintendent of police; Eheziekia Abiona, an assistant superintendent of police; and Ogunbiyi Agbabu, a police inspector.

Ikechukwu Ani, head, Press and Public Relations of the commission, said in a statement in Abuja on Monday that the commission took the decision in its 19th meeting in Abuja.

He said that Mr Abdul, who is currently with the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, recently recovered N42 billion for the Federal Government.

Mr. Ani said that Messrs. Akinbayo and Idowu had rejected a bribe of $21 million and another $12,900 from one Samuel Wilberforce.

“The officers in spite of this huge inducement defied the temptation and arrested the pipeline vandals,” he said.

He said their actions portrayed the Nigeria Police Force in good light as they exhibited professionalism, fearlessness and incorruptibility in the conduct of their assignment.

He said that the chairman of the commission, Mike Okiro, was poised to enthrone honesty, responsibility and fear of God in the Nigeria Police Force.

Mr Okiro noted that the special promotions were meant to spark off a new wave of integrity in the conduct of police officers.

“The promotion is another way of motivating the honest and disciplined officers and a wake-up call to the few disgruntled elements still in service,” he said.

He warned that officers who failed to embrace the new disposition of the commission would be shown the way out of the force.

Mr Ani said that the special promotions take immediate effect.

(NAN)

In spite of Economic Gloom, Nigeria’s 3rd Eurobond issue was over-subscribed by almost eight times. cc @DrJoeAbah

Dollar notes

In spite of the gloom on the country’s economy, investor confidence in Nigeria remains high as the $1 billion Eurobond issued by the federal government on Thursday was over-subscribed by almost eight times.

The over-subscription was with orders in excess of $7.8 billion compared to a pre-issuance target of $1 billion.

The bond, issued under Nigeria’s newly established Global Medium Term Note programme, is the third in the series after the ones in 2011 and 2013.

The note has February 16, 2032 as maturity date for repayment on the principal, and is expected to yield interest at a rate of 7.88 percent.

The Federal Ministry of Finance said proceeds from the bond would be used to fund capital expenditures in the 2017 budget.

The government said the offering attracted significant interest from leading global institutional investors.

The notes would be admitted to the official list of the UK Listing Authority and available to trade on the London Stock Exchange’s regulated market.

“Nigeria will apply for the Notes to be eligible for trading and listed on the Nigerian FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange and the Nigerian Stock Exchange,” finance ministry said in statement.

The pricing for the bond was determined during a roadshow to promote the issuence of the bond.

The roadshow was led by the minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; accompanied by her counterpart in the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma; Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele; and Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Abraham Nwankwo, as well as the Director General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze.

“Nigeria is implementing an ambitious economic reform agenda designed to deliver long-term sustainable growth and reduce reliance on oil and gas revenues while reducing waste and improving the efficiency of government expenditure, ” Mrs. Adeosun said of the bond.

“At the heart of the agenda is a commitment to invest in developing Nigeria’s infrastructure through a target 30 per cent annual budget commitment to capital expenditure.

“We are establishing the building blocks for long-term growth and making the hard decisions that must be made to reset our economy appropriately.”

Commenting on the Notes’ pricing, the DMO Director General, Abraham Nwankwo, said:

“Nigeria is delighted to have successfully priced its third Eurobond issue. We have successfully extended the tenor of our borrowing programme in the international capital markets to 15 years, at a price that reflects belief in the quality of Nigeria’s cash flows and government.

He said the Eurobond is the latest step in a broader debt strategy designed to significantly re-balance our debt profile towards longer term financing and reduce the burden of interest on our annual budget.

(PREMIUM TIMES)

FG. takes over distressed Arik airlines, appoints new management. cc @DrJoeAbah

The Federal Government on Thursday took over Arik Airlines and announced the appointment of a new management in a bid to save the country’s aviation industry from total collapse.

Under the new arrangement, Roy Ilegbodu, a veteran aviation expert, has been named to take over the management of the airline under the receivership of Oluseye Opasanya, a senior advocate of Nigeria.

Besides, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, said the government would give a lifeline to support the financially-distressed Arik Airlines continue as a going concern in the aviation industry.

AMCON spokesperson, Jude Nwauzor, said the government’s decision to intervene clearly underscores a commitment to instil sanity in the country’ aviation sector to prevent a major catastrophe in the country.

“The development will afford Arik Airlines, which is the largest local carrier in the country, to go back to regular and undisrupted operations, avoid job losses, protect investors and stakeholder funds as well as ensure safety and stability in the already challenged aviation sector,” Mr. Nwauzor said.

Arik, which controls about 55 percent of the country’s passenger traffic, has for some time faced threat of liquidation as a result of heavy financial debt burden, weak corporate governance, operational difficulties, bad management and inability to pay staff regularly.

Apart from backlog of accumulated staff salaries, AMCON said the airline has the most demotivated workforce in the sector, while being in constant default in its lease payments and insurance, resulting in aircraft getting confiscated by lessors.

Besides, the airline has been operating extremely erratic schedules not good for a strategic carrier, with its flights routinely either delayed or cancelled without explanations to customers.

Other corporate issues, which have eroded Arik brand reputation include negligence of operational regulations, luggage pilfering or outright disappearances, poor corporate governance, and disregard for safety procedures.

Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said the government’s decision to take over the management of Arik Airlines would stabilise its operations, enhance its long term economic value, revitalise its ailing operations, and sustain safety standards, in view of its pivotal role in the Nigerian aviation sector.

The Minister pledged the support of the Federal Ministry of Aviation for the new management to make Arik remain a strategic carrier, saying the intervention was in the best interest of the general public, workers, creditors and other aviation interest groups.

“All necessary steps have been taken to ensure that there would be no undue disruption on Arik’s regular business operations or activities of other stakeholders, on account of the recent changes in the leadership and management of Arik Airline,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, the new management of the airline has assured both the staff and other interest groups that it would work to add value to its operations, improve customer experience, and sustain the safety, reliable and secure operational history it was known.

Prior to the takeover, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, stormed the head office of the airline, to meet with its Chairman, Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide.

(PREMIUM TIMES)

The UNILAG Reform. Imposes Dress Code. Bans Low Waist Jeans, Mini-Skirts And Tight Outfits to Campus. cc @DrJoeAbah

In a circular, the management of UNILAG cautioned the undergraduates to desist from wearing tight outfits and those that expose sensitive parts of the body.

THE CIRCULAR READS IN PART: “IT HAS BEEN OBSERVED THAT SOME MALE AND FEMALE STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS DRESS INDECENTLY ON CAMPUS, EVEN TO LECTURES. INDECENT DRESSES ARE EITHER TOO TIGHT, TOO SHORT OR EXPOSE SENSITIVE PARTS OF THE BODY.

“STUDENTS SHOULD MAINTAIN A CLEAN AND WELL-CARED FOR APPEARANCE IN ALL SETTINGS ON CAMPUS. WEARING OF TIGHT, STRAPLESS AND REVEALING CLOTHES WHOSE LENGTH ARE ABOVE THE KNEES ARE INAPPROPRIATE.”

HENCEFORTH, MALE AND FEMALE UNILAG STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WEAR THE FOLLOWING:

I. ALL TIGHT-FITTING CLOTHES INCLUDING SKIRTS, TROUSERS AND BLOUSES

II. ALL CLOTHES, WHICH REVEAL SENSITIVE PARTS OF THE BODY SUCH AS THE BUST, CHEST, BELLY, UPPER ARMS AND THE BUTTOCKS. EXAMPLE OF SUCH DRESSES ARE TRANSPARENT CLOTHING, SPAGHETTI TOPS, TUBES AND. SKIRTS AND DRESSES WITH SLITS ABOVE THE KNEES FALL IN THIS CATEGORY.

III. OUTFITS SUCH AS KNICKERS AND MINI-SKIRTS, DRESSES, WHICH ARE NOT AT LEAST, KNEE LENGTH.

IV. INAPPROPRIATE OUTFITS E.G PARTY-WEAR, BEACHWEAR AND BATHROOM SLIPPERS SHOULD NOT BE WORN TO LECTURES.

V. OUTFITS SUCH AS T-SHIRTS, SKIRTS AND JEANS, WHICH CARRY OBSCENE AND SUBLIMINAL MESSAGES.

VI. TROUSERS SUCH AS HIP-RIDERS AND LOW WAIST JEANS.

The management also mandated students to wear academic gowns on a black or grey suit during matriculation and graduation ceremonies.

In the circular, lecturers and administrators were also empowered to exclude students from academic activities if they are not properly dressed.

(BREAKING TIMES)

Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed Appointed As Senate Leader’s Chief of Staff. cc @DrJoeAbah

Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed

Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki has appointed Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed, as his new Chief of Staff.

In a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said the appointment takes immediate effect.

Baba Ahmed, 61, was educated at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, London School of Economics and University of Sussex, both in the United Kingdom. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree.

A consummate public servant and intellectual, he started his working career as a lecturer with the then University of Sokoto now known as Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, before joining the Kaduna State Civil Service. He later transferred his service to the Federal Civil Service where he rose to become Permanent Secretary.

He was permanent Secretary at various times in the Presidency and later Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He later became Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He is a holder of the national honour of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).

The new Chief of Staff to the Senate President is a columnist with the Daily Trust newspapers.

(NTA)

12,000 Asylum Seeking Nigerians In Germany Likely to be DEPORTED. cc @DrJoeAbah

At least 12,000 Nigerians living in Germany may be deported next year.

Germany’s global head of programme, migration and development, Ralf Sanftenberg, disclosed this during a visit to the senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on foreign affairs and diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

According to him, “We have over 37,000 Nigerians in Germany and more than 12,000 of them are asylum seekers.There is a little chance for their applications to be moved and they may be forced to come back to Nigeria next year.”

Sanftenberg, who is the leader of a delegation from the German ministry of economic cooperation and development, said he was on a site assessment mission for Nigerians who are voluntarily returning to the country.

He said 99 percent of the asylum seekers would likely be denied asylum status because Nigeria is not among war countries and added that asylum seekers willing to return to Nigeria voluntarily will not be forced back or deported but would be assisted through a support programme organised by Germany.

(THE LEADERSHIP)

Built to last 20yrs, in use for 34yrs. Abuja Airport Closure Will Not Exceed 6 Weeks says Minister. cc @DrJoeAbah

In a bid to address doubts over the duration of the closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for repairs, the minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has assured that the Federal Government’s total rehabilitation of the airport runway for smooth operations will not exceed the planned six weeks.

Amaechi who acknowledged the pains the closure of the airport would cause the economy, maintained that his ministry will ensure the reopening after due rehabilitation is concluded in six weeks.

The minister gave the assurance when he appeared alongside his colleague at a town hall meeting organised by the Federal Ministry of Information in Ilorin, Kwara State on Monday.

According to him, “ We are saying that the Abuja Airport runway was built to last for 20years but we have been using it for 34years. It has become extremely dangerous to continue using it the way it is right now. We need to close it to rebuild it and reconstruct it.

The foundation is almost gone and what we are asking for is patience. If we don’t close it we will be exposing lives. One of the constitutional responsibilities of the president is to protect lives and property. So you can’t deny us that responsibility.

We believe that if we close it by March, in six weeks’ time we shall be able to reopen it. We know it is challenging for our economy. We think that we will keep to that six weeks,” he said.

While explaining issues concerning Maritime, particularly in the North Central, Amaechi noted that his ministry was determined to commission the Baro River Port by the first quarter of next year.

(THE LEADERSHIP)

FG Outlines Economic Recovery Plans to Pull Nigeria out of Recession. cc @DrJoeAbah

The Federal Government has outlined plans to pull the country out of recession and get it on a path of sustainable growth in the shortest possible time.

According to the federal government, the medium term plan is expected to drive Nigeria to a minimum GDP growth rate of 7 percent within the planned period.

The minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma disclosed this yesterday at the government/private sector engagement forum on Nigeria’s economic recovery and growth plan at Aso Villa, Abuja.

He also stated that the plan is aimed at having an economy with low inflation, stable exchange rates and a diversified and inclusive growth.

According to him, while the plan is designed to be national in nature, the government had received inputs from all segments of society and from the sub-national governments.

Noting that the time frame for the plan is 2017-2020, Udoma explained that some of the 34 key actions selected for immediate implementation were already yielding results, especially the reforms in agriculture and solid minerals.

He said the federal government would focus on tackling constraints to growth, noting that, while Nigeria’s growth faces various supply constraints, including fuel, power, foreign exchange and even business unfriendly regulation, the said plan focuses on overcoming and resolving these input challenges.

The minister also pointed out that the federal government would leverage on the power of the private sector, as economic recovery and transformative growth cannot be achieved by the government alone.

He said: ‘‘In promoting national cohesion and social inclusion, the ultimate beneficiary of more inclusive growth is the average Nigerian man and woman. We recognise the power of markets to drive optimal behaviour among market participants. The plan to prioritise the use of the market as a means of resources allocation where possible and support a more business friendly economic environment.

‘‘The economic recovery and growth plan is rooted in the core values that define the Nigerian society and are enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, notably discipline, integrity, dignity of labour, social justice, religious tolerance, self-reliance and patriotism.’’

The minister further listed the immediate execution priorities of the recovery plan to include agriculture and food security, energy (power and petroleum), small business and industrialisation, as well as stabilising macroeconomic environment.

‘‘There will be a major emphasis on implementation, monitoring and evaluation of this plan and plans to set up a specially staffed delivery unit to drive implementation of the NERG plan,” Udoma added.

(THE LEADERSHIP)

FG dismisses misleading HIV/AIDS cure claims. cc @DrJoeAbah

The Federal Government through the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has dismissed the claims by a Professor of Veterinary Medicine and Clinical Virology at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State, Maduike Ezeibe, to have discovered a new drug for the cure of Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

An editorial in a Nigerian newspaper, not The Guardian, quoted the professor as saying that the drug, produced with “Aluminum Magnesium Silicate” was tested on ten persons living with HIV. The newspaper reported a clinical outcome of an ability to “reach all cells” and making HIV “a conquered organism.”

Director-General, NACA, Dr. Sani Aliyu, and Chief Executive Officer NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, in a joint statement yesterday said there was no evidence from the publication that the authors obtained ethical clearance from an appropriate body in Nigeria to conduct this study, and only ambiguous evidence that informed consent was sought from the evidently vulnerable patients.

They said there is really no basis for a claim to cure of AIDS in this study and are concerned that the publicity given to this claims will stop patients with HIV from taking life-saving anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) and give them false hope of a cure.
The statement noted: “It will be a great disservice to this vulnerable group of patients for the media to disseminate this claims in the absence of sound scientific evidence. There are long established, tried and tested routes for the discovery, development and validation of modern medicines before they can be registered and used for treatment in humans and animals.”

NACA and NCDC called on all academics to follow legal and scientifically acceptable methods in conducting their research and to avoid making premature claims capable of derailing the huge progress made in the last two decades on the war against HIV/AIDS.

The government agencies said millions of lives have been saved as a result of modern antiretroviral treatment and people living with HIV can now look forward to a normal healthy future. They, however, said they will continue to support the hard and diligent work being done by scientists in Nigerian universities and research institutions around the country. “We are always ready to partner with our scientists on all aspects of HIV research provided this is in line with international best practice,” they noted.

NACA and NCDC called on editors of media houses in Nigeria to seek comments from the leadership of relevant government parastatals and professional bodies when it receives new research findings related to their areas of responsibility. “We assure you that we will respond rapidly and constructively to any queries. We also urge the editors of media houses in Nigeria to support their reporters to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in the clinical trial process. In the run up to the next deadline, it is easy to fall into the trap of doing more harm than good, and the consequences of this can be deadly in the health sector. We will support the evolution of robust science journalism in Nigeria,” they noted.

They called on all patients living with HIV that are currently taking their medications to continue to do so and to see their doctors if they have any concern.

According to the statement, the NACA helpline (6222) is available on working days from 8am-8pm for the public seeking more information on HIV disease.

(THE GUARDIAN)

President Buhari Extends Medical Vacation. cc @DrJoeAbah

President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the National Assembly today, February 5, 2017, informing of his desire to extend his leave in order to complete and receive the results of a series of tests recommended by his doctors.

The President had planned to return to Abuja this evening but was advised to complete the test cycle before returning. The notice has since been dispatched to the Senate President, and Speaker, House of Representatives.

Mr President expresses his sincere gratitude to Nigerians for their concern, prayers and kind wishes.

FEMI ADESINA
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)

Nigerian ImeIme Umana makes history as first black woman President of Harvard Law Review. cc @DrJoeAbah

ImeIme Umana,

A Nigerian, ImeIme Umana, has made history as the first black woman president of the Harvard Law Review, a prestigious legal journal in the United States.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama was the first black to be elected president of the Harvard Review in 1990.

Congrats to Imelme Umana, HLS '18, on her selection as President of the Harvard Law Review. 1st black woman to serve as President. #Herstory pic.twitter.com/liqu40K4Va

— Harvard BLSA (@HarvardBLSA) January 30, 2017

Ms. Umana, who is of Nigerian descent, but hails from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in the United States, has become the 131st leader of the organisation.

The job is considered the highest student position at Harvard Law School.

As Harvard Law Review president, Ms.Umana will oversee more the than 90 student editors and permanent staff members who make up the Law Review and communicate with writers, including senior faculty members.

As a Harvard undergraduate in Lowell House, Ms. Umana earned a joint concentration in government and African American studies and served as the president of the Institute of Politics.

According to a Harvard Crimson report, the outgoing president of the Law Review, Michael L. Zuckerman, wrote in an email that he was excited to see where Ms. Umana will take the publication in the coming year.

“ImeIme is one of the most brilliant, thoughtful, and caring people I’ve ever met, and the Law Review is in phenomenally good hands,” Mr. Zuckerman email read.

According to Mr. Zuckerman, candidates for the Law Review’s top post must answer questions from a forum of editors, write responses to submitted questions, and participate in mock editorial activities.

This year’s field of 12 candidates featured eight women and eight people of colour.

“ImeIme’s election as the Law Review’s first female black president is historic,” Mr. Zuckerman wrote. “For a field in which women and people of colour have for too much of our past been marginalized or underrepresented, her election is an important and encouraging step toward a richer and more inclusive legal conversation.”

“Knowing ImeIme, I can’t wait to applaud her in a year’s time for the extraordinary work that I am certain she will do,” Mr. Zuckerman wrote.
Ms. Umana’s election comes as the Law Review aims to accept editors from a wider variety of backgrounds.

(PREMIUM TIMES)

FG will not prevent peaceful protests. cc @DrJoeAbah

The Nigerian government has said it will not prevent people from registering their displeasure with the state of the nation through peaceful protests.

"This administration will not prevent Nigerians from expressing themselves in peaceful protests," said Laolu Akande media aide to Vice President Yemi Osibanjo Friday on Twitter. "Tt's a fundamental right of the people."

1. This administration will not prevent Nigerians from expressing themselves in peaceful protests, it's a fundamental right of the people.

— Laolu Akande (@akandeoj) February 3, 2017

Akande's clarification came after the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, said his command would not allow the  protest planned by popular artist, Innocent Idibia, also known as Tuface, to hold in any part of the state.

He said his command had received an intelligence report that criminals were planning to hijack the process to wreak havoc on Lagos.
“We know that Tuface does not have the capacity to contain such a crowd and we will not fold our hands and watch while things go out of hand,” he stressed.

Tuface had announced that he would a 'massive nationwide' protest on February 5. He later postponed the planned mass action to February 6.

He said there was a “need for Nigerians to rise against what is happening in this country having waited patiently for the legislatures that were elected to represent the people all to no avail.”

“A call for good governance,” he said. “A call for urgent explanation into the reckless economic downturn nationwide. A call for nationwide protests as we say No to the Executive, No to legislatures, No to judiciary…. You have all failed us.”

But Akande said the government has been investing in social programmes aimed at easing off the suffering of millions of Nigerians, claiming that the level of such investment has never been seen in the country.

"No government has ever laid out the kind of Social Investment Programme the Buhari govt is now running across the nation that will touch millions," he said.

2. No govt has ever laid out the kind of Social Investment Prog, the Buhari govt is now running across the nation, that will touch millions

— Laolu Akande (@akandeoj) February 3, 2017

With rising prices of commodities, the effects of the programmes are yet to be felt by the people. The government acknowledged this problem on Wednesday at the Federal Executive Council and announced that it had set up a committee that would ensure a steady flow of produce to markets and reverse the rising food prices across Nigeria.

(THE GUARDIAN)

FG Introduces Security Reforms at Murtala Muhammed International Airport. cc @DrJoeAbah

Murtala Muhammed International Airport

The Federal Government is to introduce major security reforms at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMA), Lagos, to improve airline operations.

Mr Jeremiah Auta, the Airport Manager, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at MMA, said the reform was to make passenger experience more exciting in line with world standards.

Auta spoke at Murtala Muhammed Airport Stakeholders’ Forum, organised by FAAN and attended by Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service and aviation ground handling companies.

Auta said arrival experience was getting better with the newly installed conveyor belts at the airport and promised that the facility would be replicated at the departure section.

He said more equipment were being bought to automate processes and reduce human contact at the airport.

“Contractors are presently installing new cooling infrastructure and the central ‘’chillers’’ will also be revived,” he said.

Auta called for the streamlining of security agencies at Nigerian airports in line with global best practices.

The Managing Director, FAAN, Mr Saleh Dunoma, said the vision of the Federal Government was to make MMA a regional hub in West Africa and called for the collaboration of all to achieve the goal.

“On the part of the government, we are presently investing in the area of infrastructure development, recruiting and training of manpower, safety equipment, just to mention.

“All of these are to ensure that the safety, security and comfort of air travellers and other airport users are not compromised at our airports at all times in consonance with our vision.

“I, therefore, implore you all to continue to invest and partner with us in our quest toward developing our facilities and improving on our operations and service delivery in line with international best practices,” he said.

Dunoma, represented by the Director, Legal Services, FAAN, Mrs Ngozi Jipreze, urged stakeholders to strive harder to consolidate the achievements recorded in 2016.

(NAN)