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  • Reform Growth Hub Holds 2nd Annual Conference in Enugu, X-rays Global Advancement

    Reform Growth Hub Holds 2nd Annual Conference in Enugu, X-rays Global Advancement

    Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

    A Not-For-Profit organization in Enugu, Reform Growth Hub has held the second edition of her annual “Elevate Conference”.

    The conference which was held on June 8, 2024 at the Exclusive Serene Hotel, Enugu, had the theme “Beyond Borders – Exploring and Taking Advantage of Global Advancement” and an array of speakers.

    Speaking on the idea behind the conference, the convener, Cynthia Chinasa explained that the conference sought to “offer a platform for personal development, business growth and global knowledge”.

    She noted that she was motivated to organize the annual event because of her desire to “train and equip young people to live our their full potentials and make our society and the world better”, adding that the event is expected to hold annually.

    Speakers at the conference who took turns to reveal tips for personal development were Uche Gabriel, Solomon Umezude, Dr. Chiedozie Okeke, Solomon Okeke and Faith Onyekwere.

    The conference which also featured a panel session had Kandre Victor, Ngozi Osaji, Stanley Mata and Adadiiche Maryan as panelists.

    Over 60 young persons attended, including delegates from secondary schools.

  • NiMet predicts heavy rainfall in Niger, Plateau, Benue, 11 other states this week

    NiMet predicts heavy rainfall in Niger, Plateau, Benue, 11 other states this week

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted heavy rainfall in 14 States this week.

    The States predicted to experience heavy rainfall are; Niger, Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, Taraba, Delta, Imo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, Ekiti and Osun States.

    The agency while stating that the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is expected to be strong within the week over the West African region, explained that the strong MJO would lead to good moisture influx and velocity divergence which is expected to enhance the prospects of heavy rainfall.

    This is contained in the weekly weather forecast bulletin on Tuesday by NiMet.

    The forecast is valid for seven days from 18th June to 24th June 2024.

    The bulletin reads: “During the week, the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is expected to be strong within the week over the West African region. Good moisture influx and velocity divergence is expected to enhance the prospects of Heavy rainfall over parts of Niger, Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, Taraba, Delta, Imo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, Ekiti and Osun states.”

    The agency also highlighted some States that would experience moderate to heavy rainfall.

    “Moderate to heavy rainfall is anticipated over parts of Zamfara, Kano, Borno, Gombe, Adamawa, the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Enugu, Ebonyi and Anambra states.”

    It predicted low rainfall over parts of Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa and Yobe States, adding that the rest of the country should experience low to moderate rainfall.

    The agency warned that the heavy rainfall in some parts of the country could lead to flash floods.

    “There are prospects of flash floods on roads, bridges & low-lying areas which can disrupt vehicular traffic. The public is advised to take necessary safety precautions; do not walk through fast-flowing runoff waters.”

    The agency also predicted the maximum and minimum temperature that would be witnessed by various States this week.

    It stated that the maximum temperature range of 35 – 40oC is anticipated over parts of Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Bauchi, Gombe and Borno states.

    “Temperature range of 30 – 35oC is expected over parts of Kaduna, Plateau, Taraba, Lagos, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states.
    The rest of the country is expected to experience a temperature range of 25 – 30oC.”

    According to NiMet, the minimum temperature range of 15 – 20oC is expected over parts of Plateau states.

    A temperature range of 25 – 30oC is anticipated over parts of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe and Borno states. However, temperatures 20 – 25oC and above are expected over the remaining parts of the country.

    Nation

  • Breaking: Rivers Police Confirm Killing Of Two Security Operatives In LG Crisis

    Breaking: Rivers Police Confirm Killing Of Two Security Operatives In LG Crisis

    Following the Local Government (LG) crisis rocking Rivers State in the oil-rich South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria, two security operatives have lost their lives in the line of duty.

    Though the details are a bit unclear, it was gathered however that the sad deaths which occurred in Omuma Local Government Area on Tuesday, might not be unconnected with the invasion of the council headquarters at Eberi-Omuma.

    Confirming the incident to Channels Television, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said two deaths were recorded.

    She said a policeman and a vigilante operative lost their lives in the crisis.

    When pressed for further details, she said investigations have commenced and more details would be released soon.

    Meanwhile, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has convened a security council meeting with heads of security agencies following recent political developments in the state.

    The meeting was held behind closed doors at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    After the meeting, Governor Fubara told the press that discussions with the security heads centred on strategies to contain the invasion of local government secretariats.

    Earlier on Tuesday, the governor directed heads of administration in the 23 local government areas to take over from the elected council chairmen whose three-year tenure elapsed on Monday.

    However, 21 of the 23 outgone LG bosses have insisted that they won’t hand over, sparking some heated moments in the state.

    Channels TV

  • Rising food inflation breeds uncertainty over feeding of Nigerian prisoners 

    Rising food inflation breeds uncertainty over feeding of Nigerian prisoners 

    The increasing cost of food stuffs and gas has led to grumblings among some inmates in the nation’s various prisons.

    Relatives of some inmates who confided in Vanguard, noted that the rising cost of foodstuffs has impacted negatively on their wards behind bars.

    They are, therefore, asking state governments to liberalize bail conditions for petty crimes in a way that offenders could easily meet their bail conditions and attend trial from home.

    Nigeria currently has 256 prisons with 81,647 inmate population as of May 31, 2024.

    This is made up of 5,853 for federal offences, comprising 3,774 pre-trial detainees and 2,079 convicts, while those for state offences are 75,794, comprising 51,934 awaiting trial and 23,860 as convicts.

    Recall that in 2021, the federal government had after a sustained public outrage, reluctantly increased the feeding allowance per inmate from N450 to N750 daily.

    It was gathered that when taxes, cost of gas and profits for the food vendors are taken from this N750, the actual amount used for feeding an inmate in a day could be less than N500.

    “The slow response to adjustment of allowance for feeding inmates is actually worrisome. It is perhaps trite to say that the price of most commodities in Nigeria, especially food, has gone beyond the reach of the average Nigerians.

    “As if this is not enough, one gets petrified that with this economic reality, the management of the Nigerian Correctional Service is still expected to feed inmates with N750.00 per day, including vendors profit and tax.

    “If the government would spend N700 on a little child of less than 10 years just for one meal as part of its school feeding programme, a child who probably ate breakfast before going to school and who would still eat dinner, you can imagine the implications of feeding a full grown adult who is incarcerated with N750 for a three square meal daily,” said a top security personnel who did not want his name mentioned in the report.

    Expressing fears of possible protests by some of the inmates, he said the situation could force some personnel to compromise security, especially with regard to “trafficking”.

    He added:  “The spirit behind legal internment of individuals, whether as suspects or convicted offenders, is to promote societal peace. This is in the understanding that some persons do not have the capacity to interact with others within civil boundaries, thus requiring the law to keep them out of circulation.

    ”It could also be to avoid tampering with the justice process while cases are on trial or, to serve as deterrent for convicts as well as would-be-offenders. Sometimes, incarceration also protects offenders from a vengeful society, among others.

    “However, contemporary practices in the management of persons denied of their liberty requires that such persons are kept humanely safe and basic needs for survival provided by the captors.

    “A growing concern about the Nigerian Prisons Service is the ‘inadvertent forgetfulness’ of the Nigerian government to make the most basic provisions for the upkeep of its prisoners in accordance with prevailing economic ecosystem.

    “My deep worry is a possible compromise of operational standards which may precipitate security breaches with far-reaching security and socioeconomic consequences. We are all witnesses to the unprecedented unrest and upsurge in crimes in contiguous communities each time there is a security breach and inmates escape from a custodial centre.

    “The stone a man sees flying in the air should not blind him. If we must save nine, we need to stitch in time. The federal government must avoid this looming crisis by intervening as speedily as possible”.

    A 62-year-old retired civil servant, Sunday Jegede, who said his son was being remanded in one of the prisons in the south, faulted state governments for their lack of interest in Prisons.

    “There is no doubt, state governments have shown no decorum in the use of incarceration for all manner of crimes in their jurisdictions and literally abandoning the inmates after remand, thus exacerbating the over-population phenomenon and the accompanying menace.

    ”This, more than anything else, justifies the decision by the federal government to transfer the burden of state offenders, which is over 85 per cent of the inmate population to states.

    “But given that state governments do not have the capacity to provide for these persons, why can’t they embark on massive decongestion of prisons, as against the tokenistic release of five to eight persons by visiting chief judges?

    ”Why can’t they liberalize bail conditions to enable inmates attend court sessions from their homes, at least, for minor crimes? Why can’t they even expedite trial processes so that the convicted population can be taken to farms to work and augment their upkeep?

    “We must realize that societal progress is a function of the level of safety the citizens enjoy. While chasing the criminals at large, those in custody should be kept in conditions that make them amenable to reformation and rehabilitation to promote enduring peace,” he stated.

    Vanguard

  • It is insensitive to contemplate buying presidential jets while Nigerians suffer – Obi to FG

    It is insensitive to contemplate buying presidential jets while Nigerians suffer – Obi to FG

    The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has expressed disapproval of the Federal Government’s consideration to add new aircraft to the existing Presidential fleet.

    This comes after the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence recommended the purchase of new planes for President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

    Reacting in a post on his verified X handle on Monday; Obi termed the move as “unacceptable” and “insensitive” to the economic hardships faced by Nigerians.

    He stated that it is unfortunate that the government is prioritizing luxury expenses while the country struggles with economic challenges.

    “It is unacceptable that the government is considering purchasing new presidential jets when Nigerians are wallowing in poverty,” Obi said in a statement on his social media handle.

    “This is a clear show of insensitivity to the suffering of the Nigerian people.”

    Obi’s criticism comes as the country grapples with economic woes and the government’s decision to sell three planes from the Presidential Air Fleet earlier this year.

    Tribune

  • Multichoice Obeys Court Order, Readjusts Subscription Prices For Dstv, GOtv Users

    Raducanu
    Multichoice Logo

    Following a court order mandating it to halt the move to hike prices, MultiChoice has readjusted its subscription rates for DStv and GOtv users in Nigeria.

    The company had vowed to challenge the order of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal’s ruling in Abuja after reporting a decline in its subscriber base in Nigeria, leading to the loss of over a million subscribers.

    MultiChoice has reflected the readjustment on its company’s apps as at Sunday, June 16, 2024.

    Due to the adjustments, DStv subscribers will now pay N29,500 instead of N37,000 for the Premium package, while Compact+ package subscribers can now pay N19,800 instead of the new price of N25,000.

    The readjustment now have Compact Bouquet subscribers paying N12,500 previously being charged instead of N15,700, while Confam package subscribers will pay the old price of N7,400 instead of N9,300 per month.

    For the Yanga package subscribers, old rate of N4,200 will be paid against N5,100 placed as new rate; while Padi subscribers will pay the former price of N2,950 instead of the N3,600.

    Same goes for GOtv subscribers who are now required to pay the old rates of N12,500 for the Super+ package instead of N15,700.

    GOtv Super users are required to pay N7,600 from N9,600, which the company charged; GOtv Max subscribers are to pay N5,700; GOtv Joli, N3,950; and N2,700 for GOtv Jinja.

    Leadership

  • [SPOTLIGHT] Updates on the Scorecard of the Chief Uche Nnaji-led Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (2)

    [SPOTLIGHT] Updates on the Scorecard of the Chief Uche Nnaji-led Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (2)

    Isa Umar, Abuja

    Building and Infrastructure

    -The Ministry through NBRI has commenced Building Technology using Bamboo as an innovative cost-effective way of building houses and sensitization going on to get buy-in from the public.

    [SPOTLIGHT] Updates on the Scorecard of the Chief Uche Nnaji-led Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology
    Complete Bamboo Building

    -The Ministry expanded the NILEST’s scope of operation by increasing the number of extension centers across Nigeria from 9 to over 22. Expanding these extension centers underscore a commitment to decentralizing NILEST’s operations and maximizing its impact nationwide in advancing the leather sector across various regions of Nigeria.

    -The Honourable Minister has revived the tanneries at NILEST’s Maiduguri and Sokoto extension centers. By the third quarter of 2024, these tanneries are poised to resume operations, each projected to produce up to 5 tons of leather weekly. This strategic move aligns with the government’s agenda of promoting local content and revitalizing critical sectors of the economy.

    -In the period under review, the Minister revitalized, constructed and equipped FIIRO zonal offices in the six zones.

    -Through the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), the Ministry has developed and established a Cosmic Ray Muon Detector (CRMD), developing a weather station and a continuously operating reference station. These will aid climate change atmospheric research and high-precision positioning data, which are essential for various applications such as surveying, mapping, and scientific research.

    -The Ministry procured broadcast equipment for the full take-off of NSTI TV to advocate and disseminate information.

    -In December 2023, the Minister launched the National Policy on Welding. This has been followed up with several agreements with the private sector for its full-scale implementation nationwide. The Ministry has concluded arrangements under the 2024 Procurement implementation to train many Welders from the six zones of the Federation and the FCT.

    -Others are Development of self-ignition fire extinguisher ball devices for buildings and vehicles; Development of an Auto Gas Technology to power vehicles at lower prices and Development of an accelerometer sensor for monitoring bridges to measure the vibration of road bridges.

    Information and Communication (ICT)

    -Bilateral agreement for collaboration on Science, Technology and Innovation with Cuba. The Minister of Innovation, Science & Technology, Uche Nnaji, signed on behalf of Nigeria while Cuba’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment, Elba Montoya signed on behalf of Cuba.

    -The Honourable Minister launched the TechAdvantage Platform on February 19, 2024, to bridge the gap between apprentices, business owners, and aspiring entrepreneurs in the tech industry, facilitating knowledge transfer and skill development.

    -In April 2024, the Ministry launched the i-step Naija digital technologies program. The program is a multi-strategic socioeconomic empowerment scheme imparting up-to-date innovations to young and middle-class Nigerians for solution-driven enterprises across all spheres of the Nigerian economy.

    -Through NBTI, the FMIST established Technology Incubation Centers (TICs) in the following locations: Ahuwa Oboro Ikwuano LGA, Abia State; Adikpo Benue extension; Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago Iwo, Ogun state; Oko Polytechnic, Anambra State.

    Engineering, Industrialization, Digitization, Creative Arts, Manufacturing and Innovation

    -The Honourable Minister in line with his target of attracting Foreign Direct Investments has formalized collaboration with Domineum/Edenbase UK by signing a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of Abuja Tech City, which Mr. President approved. The Abuja Tech City is expected to replicate the success of the London Tech City, which generated over 61 billion pounds in its fifth year of operation. Upon its full implementation, the partnership envisions Abuja Tech City as a full-fledged smart and green city.

    -Through the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP, the Ministry facilitated the registration of 27 Patents in the management of intellectual properties in the country as a necessary step towards promoting entrepreneurship in innovation, science and technology.

    -The Ministry, through NNMDA, established collaboration and partnerships with 22 organizations worldwide. These collaborations led to scholarships for staff, educational resource donations, training, and access to expensive international reference documents. These organizations include United State Pharmacopoeia (USP), Aberdeen Commercial, Evans Baroque Pharmaceutical Industry, etc.

    -The Ministry, through NNMDA, established Research Farms across the country. The integrated agro-allied medicinal product development platform has resulted in medicinal eggs, medicinal garden eggs and organic bio-pesticides. This feat, which has attracted the interest of a renowned international farming association from the Netherlands, is the first integrated bio-farming with medicinal products as the output. These centers are being developed at Gberigbe in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Akure in Ondo, Jesse in Delta, Obinagu in Enugu, Karu in Nasarawa, Kano in Kano State, Jos in Plateau and Calabar in Cross River State.

    -The Ministry through the Raw Material Research and Development Council, RMRDC, has developed and patented CHITOSAN. Chitosan is a naturally occurring polymer derived from the deacetylation of chitin, a key component of the exoskeletons of crustaceans, insects, and arachnids. It has a number of valuable applications in water treatment and waste water management, cosmetics and skincare, etc.

    -The Honourable Minister perfected arrangements to establish a pilot state-of-the-art floating glass manufacturing facility named N-SEGMA (Nigeria Silicon and Glass Manufacturing) in Nigeria by facilitating private sector investments. This Project encompasses a silica extraction plant and a float glass production line with an annual capacity of 500,000 tons.

    -The Honourable Minister concluded plans and obtained the President’s approval to set up a 2500-Ton/day Pilot Methanol Plant. The President’s focus on achieving the methanol economy revolution is to harness the vast potentials of methanol as a clean and sustainable energy source and position the Nation as a leader in Africa’s energy transition.
    It also constructed a Multi-Chemical Plant for the six geopolitical zones of the country. It also established prototypes for Model Science Laboratories across the six geopolitical zones.
    On April 26, 2024, the Honourable Minister concluded and Signed an MoU with Enthrust Microgrid UK to repair, maintain, repurpose, reuse, recycle, and recover advanced technological products, including electric vehicle (EV) batteries and high-value computing and electronic products, in Nigeria (“the Project”). The Project will promote the Research and Development and Utilization of our Local Lithium to manufacture batteries in Nigeria.

    -The Honourable Minister launched four (4) Oral Solid Dosage Formulations at the NNMDA. The four oral products developed 100 % from our indigenous herbs using science and technology are now ready for clinical trials. The products are for managing and treating upper respiratory infections, anti-aging, sickle cell disorder, and diabetes mellitus.

    -The Ministry, through NARICT, designed and developed a pilot plant to utilize indigenous technologies in salt production, intermediate chemicals, chlorine gas, Sodium hydroxide and Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) from salt deposits in Nigeria. It also developed a Semi-continuous Process Plant for extraction of essential oils from aromatic plants in rural communities of Nigeria for poverty alleviation.

    Conclusion
    -The Honourable Minister, Chief Uche Nnaji was quoted to have said: “It makes no sense expending money on R&D, if there are no applications in mind. My goal therefore is to push for collaboration between investors/entrepreneurs and the agencies of the Ministry. My target goes beyond the shores of Nigeria as I also work to attract international investors and Foreign Direct Investments, FDI.”

    Sourced by PACESETTER from the Office of S.A, Media & Publicity to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology; Published Sectoral Updates on the Achievements of the FMIST 2023-2024; Official X and Facebook handles of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.

  • Eid-el-kabir: President Tinubu Celebrates with Nigerians, Calls for Reflection on Sacrifice, Duty, and Unity

    Eid-el-kabir: President Tinubu Celebrates with Nigerians, Calls for Reflection on Sacrifice, Duty, and Unity

    President Bola Tinubu celebrates with the Muslim Ummah on the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, an event that denotes sacrifice, faith, and obedience to the will of the Almighty.

    The President congratulates the Muslim faithful and prays that Allah accepts their supplications and acts of obedience.

    President Tinubu enjoins Nigerians to reflect on the essence of the occasion, which bears strong meaning and significance for the nation.

    The President emphasizes that sacrifice and duty are essential ingredients to nation-building, noting that it takes collective purpose, will, and action to bring about great change.

    President Tinubu calls on citizens to spare a prayer for the nation for continuous peace and stability while working according to purpose in promoting unity, peace, and progress.

    The President acknowledges the sacrifices that Nigerians have made in the past one year as his administration sets the nation on a firm pedestal of growth and development.

    President Tinubu affirms that the sacrifices and great expectations of citizens will not come to nought as already propitious outcomes are beginning to manifest with the economy strengthening and vibrancy returning to critical sectors.

    The President reassures Nigerians that his administration is prioritizing their physical, social, and economic security and will not relent on this noble endeavour.

    President Tinubu wishes Nigerians happy Sallah celebrations.

    Chief Ajuri Ngelale

    Special Adviser to the President

    (Media & Publicity)

    June 15, 2024

  • EID EL-KABIR: Gov Mbah Felicitates Muslims, Harps on Love, Sacrifice

    EID EL-KABIR: Gov Mbah Felicitates Muslims, Harps on Love, Sacrifice

    Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has felicitated the Muslim ummah in the state and across the nation on the occasion of this year’s Eid el-Kabir, calling for love, tolerance, peace, unity, and a sense of sacrifice among Nigerians to move the nation forward.

    Mbah spoke on Sunday in his goodwill message to the Muslim faithful at Eid el-Kabir, stressing that the present socio-economic challenges would ultimately abate through the collective sacrifice and commitment to nation-building by all Nigerians.

    He said, “I extend warm greetings to our Muslim brothers and sisters in Enugu State in particular and across the nation on this occasion of Eid el-Kabir.

    “As we celebrate, let us also reflect on and imbibe the essence of sacrifice, charity, love, service, peace, unity, humility, and submission to the command of God that this occasion represents.

    “Let us remember to be our brother’s keeper and spare a thought for our neighbours to ensure that no one is left behind as we navigate through the difficult times. It is only by working together in love and commitment to nationhood that we can overcome the present challenges and build a Nigeria of our dreams.

    “As a government, we remain committed to building an egalitarian Enugu State where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and achieve his or her dreams, irrespective of political, religious, and ethnic backgrounds.

    “I wish all Nigerians a happy Eid el-Kabir celebration.”

  • Tinubu appoints 560 persons into FG-owned tertiary institutions’ governing councils

    A total of 560 individuals were appointed to the governing councils and boards of Federal Government-owned tertiary institutions.

    President Bola Tinubu approved the reconstitution of Governing Councils and Boards of federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

    In a statement on Friday, the Permanent Secretary, General Services, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Nnamdi Mbaeri, noted that the approval was given for the effective management of Nigerian tertiary institutions across the country.

    The statement read, “His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, has approved the reconstitution of Governing Councils and Boards of Federal Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education for the effective management of Nigerian tertiary institutions across the country.”

    For the University of Ibadan, the President appointed Chief Bisi Akande as the Chairman of the governing council. The board members are Alexander Ajipe, Nelson Alapa, Ifeoma Nwankwo, and Prof. Emmanuel Alo.

    Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) was appointed as the Chairman of the governing council of the University of Lagos, while the council members are Bello Kumo, Prof. Idowu Mark, Niyi Akande, and Bola Njoku.

    Isa Yuguda chairs the board of the National Open University with Goddy Etta, Yomi Balogun, Deborah Apah, and Hingah Biem as council members.

    Siyan Oyeweso was appointed to head the governing council of Obafemi Awolowo University, while Edward Sarki, Joseph Abaagu, Wahaab Owokoniran and Abubakar Kachaalla are members of the council.

    Adebayo Shittu, Muiz Banire, and Senator Florence Ita Giwa were appointed as the chairpersons of the governing boards for David Umahi University of Medicine in Ebonyi State, Federal University of Transportation in Katsina State, and Federal Polytechnic in Ugep, Cross River State, respectively among others.

    Punch

  • Politics too important to be left to politicians – VP Shettima to Top industrialists

    Politics too important to be left to politicians – VP Shettima to Top industrialists

    Vice-President Kashim Shettima has called for a collaboration between the government and business leaders, saying politics is too important to be left to the politicians alone.

    The Vice President said this collaboration is necessary to propel Nigeria’s economic growth and prosperity.

    According to him, open dialogue, shared insights, and collaborative work between the public and private sectors are necessary to develop solutions tailored towards Nigeria’s realities.

    Speaking at a gathering of top industrialists at the Heirs Holdings Group Directors’ Annual Summit Dinner in Abuja on Friday, Shettima called for synergy between the political class and economic stakeholders, explaining that the two spheres are not opposites but complementary forces vital for national stability and progress.

    “Politics is too important to be left to the politicians, and enterprises that define our economic destination are too important to be left to the businessmen alone to develop,” he said.

    Aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s economic agenda, the Vice President urged conglomerates to serve as pipelines for the administration’s practical economic vision, departing from cosmetic reforms of the past.

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    “Collaboration between the public and private sectors is the ingredients of a thriving economy. We must engage in open dialogue and share insights and work together to crop solutions that are peculiar to our realities. Whether it is tackling unemployment, reducing poverty, or enhancing education and healthcare, our partnership must aspire to drive sustainable development and create a safe future for all Nigerians,” he added.

    He hailed the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Group Tony Elumelu, describing him as an “enigma and a banking colossus whose entrepreneurial exploits have carved a niche in Africa’s economic landscape.”

    Earlier, Elumelu reaffirmed the group’s commitment to the philosophy of Africapitalism and empowering young entrepreneurs across the continent.

    He said the annual gathering serves as a platform to review achievements, business practices, and learn from the experiences of over 100 board members.

    Daily Trust

  • FG Declares Monday, Tuesday Public Holiday For Eid-ul-Adha Celebration

    FG Declares Monday, Tuesday Public Holiday For Eid-ul-Adha Celebration

    The Federal Government has declared Monday 17th, and Tuesday 18th June 2024 as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Adha celebration.

    Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Aishetu Gogo Ndayako who disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja said the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.

    She said the minister congratulated thr Muslim Ummah both at home and in the Diaspora on this occasion.

    Tunji-Ojo called on the Ummah to continue to imbibe the spirit of peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for unity, prosperity and the stability of our country.

    “The Minister assured that the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR is committed to safeguarding the lives and property of all Nigerians.

    “While wishing the Muslim Ummah a happy Eid-ul- Adha celebration, the Minister advised all Nigerians to take responsibility in the resolve to hand over a prosperous Nigeria to our children”, the statement added.

    Vanguard