Category: News

Frank Nweke has called on the Enugu State government to adopt a policy of transparency, accountability, and inclusion as provided by the Open Government Partnership Initiative in the management of the state’s affairs.

In a statement commemorating the 32nd anniversary of Enugu State and made available to Pacesetter, Nweke questioned what he described as the government’s failure to disclose the current financial status of the state, noting that the funds received from the Federal Allocation alone should be over N20 billion.

In the 18-page statement, the 2023 APGA Guber standard-bearer in Enugu State also described Michael Okpara, a former Premier of the Eastern Nigeria, as one who “intentionally envisioned a future of influence for our people”, noting that “Okpara’s worldview, leadership model and economic policies need to be studied extensively and adopted to answer many burning questions of development that plague the southeast today”.

The former Minister for Information further addressed issues ranging from “insecurity and the militarization of the Southeast” to economic instability, Water, Sanitation and Health, Local Government performance and accountability, and the E-Ticket scheme for tax management. He went further to enumerate expectations for improved communication, stakeholder engagement and data gathering to ensure accountability and inclusion in government.

On Security, he shared reservations about the heavy presence of the military across the state and the Southeast, citing reports of excessive checkpoints characterised by intimidation and undue embarrassment. Noting that these were detrimental to personal safety and offputting for potential investors, he charged the government and the Nigerian military to address the concerns and revisit the approach.

Meanwhile, he commended the government’s initial action to address pensioners’ welfare and further called for better data-driven approaches to economic and social planning. With particular attention to slums, senior citizens, and People Living With Disabilities, Nweke charged the government to create a verifiable State Social Register working with the traditional rulers and the town unions in communities across the State. According to him, this was required to ensure that the vulnerable members of society were protected and included in social, economic, and infrastructural planning from the initiation process.

Nweke charged both citizens and the media to take a greater interest in the economic development of the state and demand information from the government, stating that “we must consistently remain curious about the management of our affairs in the state, ask questions, and be active partners in the development of Enugu.”

The full statement which includes glowing commendations of some young pacemakers in technology, media, economic and social advocacy can be read on his website via https://www.franknwekeii.com/post/enugu-at-32-appraising-the-coal-city-state-and-demanding-transparency-and-accountability-in-governance

Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has stated that contractors to the ministry who insist on the use of asphalt in road construction, despite the new direction to use concrete, will face the consequences if the facilities fail in a short time.

Umahi spoke while meeting with 46 contractors handling road projects in the South-east region as well as four contractors from the North-east over the weekend at the ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja.

A statement by the Director of Information, Press and Public Relations Unit, Blessing Lere-Adams, said Umahi maintained that under his watch, road construction, starting from design and actual construction must henceforth meet the needed requirements.

“We will get it right, the time to do a good job is here, if you were doing a bad job before, this period is not for you. Every 24 hours that I work must be characterised with good and acceptable construction that will last,” he stated.

While reiterating his belief in the use of concrete technology in road pavement because of its durability and affordability, Umahi explained that such roads do not also need much maintenance.

He asked the contractors to decide on the use of asphalt or concrete, but said that if any of them decides to continue the use of asphalt, then they will sign an undertaking that if the road fails, they will bear the burden.

“I will challenge you contractors that the use of concrete technology on our road pavement is the best. The nation is endowed with natural resources, so we should be prepared for the renewed hope of the present government that is anchored on change.

“My instruction is for us to start using concrete technology, but if you insist on using asphalt, you will sign an undertaking for me that if the road fails you will bear the burden alone, ’’ the minister explained.

Umahi encouraged the contractors to embrace the new technology with ease, which he said will help cushion the effect of dilapidated roads in the South-east region of the nation because of the terrain in the area.

Meanwhile, Umahi has explained the reasons for his working visit to the South-west and other regions of the country in recent times.

“I have been in Lagos and South-west since to evaluate the ongoing projects especially bridges that are so important to Lagos economy, the issue of concrete technology on our roads and review of road contracts. That is why we are going around to see how we can redesign our roads with concrete pavement,” he stated.

He made the remarks while meeting with the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who received him and his team on behalf of the state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The minister during his visit also explained how Ondo state could partner with the federal government through the Highway Development Initiative (HDMI ) in building federal roads in the state.

“Most federal roads connect one state to the other and when they are cut off, the economic viability of such states are in trouble. That is why I am presenting a memo to the Economic Council to allow us to access funds to conclude some of these roads and if we don’t conclude them, it will impact negatively on these states’ economies,” he added.

Earlier, the minister after his assessment of Mayfair Junction and the Lagere-Iremo –Enuwa- Ilesha by-pass in Osun state, paid a courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

The deputy governor of Ondo state, in his remarks, earlier described Umahi’s appointment as well deserved, noting that as a former governor, his antecedents in infrastructural development and governance were top-notch.

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With massive and strategic investment drive in focus, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu departs Abuja, on Monday, in company with some ministers and industrialists, to attend the G-20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India, on the special invitation of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

The president has also continued to consult widely on the benefits and risk of joining the global economic power bloc.

According to a statement, Sunday, by the presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, those accompanying the president on the trip include four members of his cabinet, namely, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; his Finance counterpart, Wale Edun; Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy; Dr. Bosun Tijani and that of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite.

The statement stated further that, “While Nigeria’s membership of the G-20 is desirable, the government has embarked on wide-ranging consultations with a view to ascertaining the benefits and risks of membership.

“This is consistent with the desire of the president to democratise foreign policy and articulate policy formulation and implementation through a Whole-of-Society and a Whole-of-Government approach that achieves the nation’s long-term strategic objectives.

“Once consultations are concluded, government will decide whether or not to apply to join as appropriate.

“The participation of President Tinubu at the G-20 Summit in India is, in part, in furtherance of this objective. The president is expected to return to Nigeria at the end of the Summit,” it added.

The president aims to leverage the platform to attract global capital and promote increased foreign direct investments in key labour-intensive sectors of Nigeria’s economy for job creation and revenue expansion.

Also, Tinubu intends to use the opportunity to highlight Nigeria’s attractiveness as an investment destination, specifically outlining his cross-sectoral reform plan as encapsulated by the Renewed Hope Agenda.

On the sidelines of the summit, the president would participate in and deliver keynote addresses at both the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and the Nigeria-India Business Conference.

The CEO Roundtable would be attended by leading industrialists in the Indian private sector, Nigerian industrialists, as well as senior government officials from both countries.

“Given the president’s renowned experience in attracting investment to Lagos State, leading industrialists have sought separate private engagements with him at the summit.

“The president’s itinerary will also feature bilateral meetings with a cross-section of world leaders from four different continents, representing both G-20 and non–G20 countries.

“These engagements are geared towards strengthening bilateral economic, trade, and investment partnerships for mutual benefit,” the statement added.

At the G20 Summit, Tinubu is expected to share Nigeria’s perspective on the theme, “One Earth-One Family-One Future,” which speaks to the global unity required to address the challenges facing humanity and the planet.

With its collective contribution of up to 80 per cent of global GDP, 75 per cent of international trade, and housing 60 per cent of the world’s population, the G-20 constitutes a significant economic power bloc of socio-economic opportunity and geo-political stability.

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President Bola Tinubu, on Friday in Abuja, declared his unwavering support for a partnership between the Federal Ministry of Health’s National Eye Health Programme and the Peek Vision Foundation to provide more than 5 million pairs of eyeglasses to Nigerians with sight impairments.

The President recounted how close to home his first intervention in eye health was as he made a pledge on behalf of the Federal Government during a courtesy visit by the Founder and CEO of Peek Vision Foundation and Co-Founder of the Vision Catalyst Fund, Andrew Bastawrous.

“My first experience was with my mother of blessed memory. She was ill and she could not recognise me. When I intervened, she was treated and given a pair of glasses. The next question she asked me was: I have you, and you are able to do this for me. What about those other women and their children who may not have somebody like you to intervene for them?

“So I made a promise to her that I will pursue the mass provision of eye care vigorously and that I would provide free eye screenings and surgeries to people because of that question my mother asked me and because of her passion to see others healed. We eventually impacted the eye health of millions of people in Lagos, and you could see their joy over the immediate sight enhancements when they were given a pair of glasses,” the president fondly recalled.

Highlighting the pressing need for improved eye health services in Nigeria, President Tinubu expressed concern about the more than 24 million Nigerians grappling with varying degrees of vision impairments.

“We must act now because sight and vision are critical to economic development and growth,” the president said, recalling his visionary “Jigi Bola” programme, which was initiated during his tenure as the Executive Governor of Lagos State in 2001 and provided free eye screenings and surgeries to Lagosians while setting a new precedent for proactive eye care initiatives in West Africa.

“I am in support of this initiative, and I will encourage the mobilisation of further commitment to see this through and to reach vulnerable people all across our country. Some parents may not pay attention to this, but I will, because I am touched,” the president concluded.

Expressing his commitment to the cause, Mr Bastawrous said:

“Good vision unlocks human potential. It improves earning, learning, and wellness for individuals, communities, and countries.”

He shared his personal story and the transformative power of vision care:

“When I was 12, I was told by my teachers that I was clumsy and lazy, but the results of an eye exam explained I had very poor vision. And when I put on a pair of glasses, I saw the leaves on a tree for the first time, and my life completely changed and two weeks later, I was using my first pair of free eyeglasses and I saw stars clearly for the first time. My grades improved, and the trajectory of my life completely changed, all because of a very cheap intervention that is 700 years old. Had that not happened, I would not be standing in front of you today. I would not be a professor, and I would not be involved in the work I am doing because sight gives opportunity,” the Peek Foundation CEO shared.

Professor Bastawrous noted that eye care is still chronically under-resourced in many countries, adding that the estimates in Nigeria show that 0.0002 per cent of the health budget is spent on eye health.

“The good news is that President Tinubu has an excellent team in the health sector, and some of them have demonstrated tremendous leadership in the sector. What we would like to offer is to bring our Peek Vision methodology and platform to Nigeria to help unlock resources from multiple sources. In the countries where we have worked, Peek in Botswana unlocked 10 million dollars for the school programme, and in Kenya, 17 million Euros. Through the Vision Catalyst Fund, we have secured a donation of 200 million pairs of glasses, and we would like a significant proportion of that to come to Nigeria,” he concluded.

At the end of the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Pate, was joined by the Coordinator of the National Eye Health Programme, Oteri Okolo, and the Director of Public Health, Chukuma Anyaike, as he presented a National Policy Document on Eye Health to the President.

Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

…To Meet With World Leaders, CEOs

President Bola Tinubu will be attending the upcoming G-20 Summit in New Delhi, India, from September 9th to 10th.

Addressing the State House correspondents on Friday, the Spokesman for the President, Ajuri Ngelale said the trip is expected to attract Foreign Direct Investment to the country.

According to him, the President will be hosting a round table made up of more than 20 Chief Executive Officers of major industries across multiple sectors of the Indian economy.

The president is as well expected to meet with a cross section of Heads of State such as Germany, India, South Korea, amongst others on the sidelines of the G-20.

“In addition to that we are focused on engagements that will be dealing with the critical sectors of the Nigerian economy involving steal development, involving electricity generation, transmission and distribution, involving ship yard building capacity and several other industries which we know to be labour intensive to ensure that we can create as many jobs for our teeming youth population as possible,” Ngelale said.

He noted that the President will also be meeting with the Nigerian in India and he will also provide set of remarks to the entire summit involving all Heads of State present and many other industry and business leaders across the world.

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The Nigeria Labour Congres (NLC) has declared a two-day warning strike over the effect of petrol subsidy removal on Nigerians.

The strike is to commence on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, according to the NLC.

President Bola Tinubu had declared an end on subsidy within his first hour in office, tripling the price of petrol from N197 per litre to N617.

NLC had kicked against subsidy removal and staged a nationwide protest to call on government not to plunge the masses into hardship.

President Bola Tinubu had subsequently hosted Labour leaders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

…Directs Relocation of Airlines To New MMIA Terminal

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said the national carrier project, Nigeria Air, will be suspended till President Bola Tinubu is properly briefed and the allegedly non-transparent processes are reviewed.

“No final decisions have been taken on the issues of airports’ concessions and national carrier. They are only suspended until all processes that are allegedly non-transparent and leading to those decisions are reviewed and all complaints are accessed for the benefit of Nigerians and Mr. President is fully briefed.”

Keyamo said that he is after protecting the average Nigerian, stating that “he is not a civil servant and is coming with a private sector mentality.”

He also ordered the relocation of all airlines from the old to the new Murtala Muhammed International Airport terminal in Lagos.

Keyamo said it is a complete disgrace to the country as a whole to continue the use of the old terminal which has become an eyesore, while the new terminal remains underutilised.

He said, “We have 60 check-in counters in the new terminal and most are not in use. Why are we struggling with the old terminal that is smelly and leaking and a complete disgrace to our country and that is why I said we should use the new facility.

“Just like it’s done in so many countries, we are going to do some emergency procurement, get buses, so that we can in – an orderly manner – board passengers and disembark them and also bring them to arrival and departure, to the aircraft. We would do this as a temporal measure.”

The minister also ordered owners of aircrafts parked in the old terminal to remove them from the facility within three months.

“The first directive I am giving, I have told the MD FAAN, some of these aircraft here that are totally unserviceable, you cannot park them perpetually on the property of the federal government.

“We want to expand the aprons here and so for all those who have unserviceable aircraft here, they have three months to come and take away their aircraft, after which we would be at liberty to do away with them.

“I have also seen reports that say we said we are going to totally close the airport down. There are fifth columnists who would like to misrepresent me at every point in time, to make our work difficult. All I have said is that we move and use the new terminal that is underused. The old terminal is a total eyesore.”

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