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Category: Nigeria

  • 2023: We will replicate Obidient movement in rural areas soon – Labour party

    2023: We will replicate Obidient movement in rural areas soon – Labour party

    The Labour party has disclosed plans to replicate the march in support of its presidential candidate Peter Obi in the rural areas.

    The South-South National Vice Chairman of the party, Felix Reuben, who briefed newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday, said the move is to prove that the “Obidient” movement is also popular at the grassroots.

    He was reacting to claims that the movement in support of Peter Obi is only evident in the urban areas.

    According to him, “We are going to shock them in the next coming weeks, because we are going to demonstrate this at the senatorial district, LGA and wards.

    “Each time they talk, they are only giving more strength to go ahead.

    “We want to let them know that we are not just in the urban areas, we are right there in the rural areas, we are going to these places they think we cannot reach.

    “They should just hold themselves. We have not started a campaign, we have time to move.

    “Every day we have people from the rural areas coming to identify with the movement.

    Reuben also debunked claims that the crowd seen during the rally of the Peter Obi movement is “rented”.

    He noted that other political parties are becoming jittery over the growing popularity of the Peter Obi movement.

  • Ecobank Nigeria unveils loans, remittances scheme

    Ecobank Nigeria unveils loans, remittances scheme

    Ecobank Nigeria has unveiled a special scheme on Back2School loans and remittances for all its customers.

    Head, Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Korede Demola-Adeniyi said the loan offerings have been developed based on the bank’s understanding of the importance of education and tsco further support customers with the financial freedom they deserve.

    She stated that, as part of the scheme, Ecobank will also be providing Back2School gifts to customers when they receive inflows for school fees payment into their domiciliary account, stressing that, the bank has consistently shown its commitment and support across various customer segments.

    Mrs Demola-Adeniyi noted that, both new and existing individual customers of the bank can benefit from the scheme, highlighting that, this is the perfect time to open an Ecobank account or reactivate dormant ones, in both local currency (LCY) and foreign Currency (FCY) to enjoy all the benefits of the Back2School Scheme.

    According to her, “we are aware that our customers are diverse with different needs and belong to different segments of the society hence we are always coming up with initiatives like this to cater to our various target markets.”

  • Ibru: South-south can influence Nigeria politically if United

    Ibru: South-south can influence Nigeria politically if United

    Gboyega Akinsanmi

    Former Chairman of Ikeja Hotels Plc, Chief Goodie Ibru, has said South-south, a geo-political zone comprising six oil-producing states, can influence Nigeria politically if the people work in unity across the federation.

    Ibru therefore, called on the people of South-south that chose Lagos as their residence to work together and take advantage of numerous empowerment and investment opportunities in the state to better their lives and families.

    According to him, about six million people of South-south live in Lagos.

    He made these remarks at the inaugural general assembly of CREDAB Peoples Association held at the Airport Hotel, Lagos recently while expressing satisfaction at the creation of the movement of the South-south people.

    CREDAB, an acronym of Cross Rivers, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa, is a socio-cultural organisation that aims at uniting all the people of the South-south that live in Lagos.

    The assembly, mainly convened to foster robust cultural relations among its members, was attended by the National Leader of Labour Party, Prof. Pat Utomi; Senior Pastor, Trinity Church, Pastor Ituah Igodalo; Lagos Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Sam Egube and CREDAB National Coordinator, Chief Lucky Oyakhere, among others.

    Speaking at CREDAB’s inaugural assembly in Lagos, Ibru urged the south-south people living in Lagos to take advantage of their numbers, currently standing above six millions, to benefit their lives, families and businesses.

    Ibru, who recently turned 80, observed that the South-south states “are all oil producing states. There are nine oil-producing states in the country. The others are Ondo, Abia and Imo States.

    “If we partner with other oil producing states, we can make up 25 percent of Nigeria. That also means that we are politically relevant. Consequently, we can determine the political future of this country to a large extent if we are united.”

    Ibru, former President of Nigeria Stock Exchange, further said Lagos “is very strategic, the fifth largest economy in Africa, although some say it is the third. Lagos is bigger than many member-states of the African Union.”

    He, therefore said: “Lagos is a place to be in because it has a wonderful economy and the development is enormous. In the South-south, we have a lot of commonalities.

    “We are endowed with natural resources, common culture and common heritage. It is only natural that we get together and forge ahead. I am pleased we are able to get together at last. We can leverage our number, which is over six million, to benefit from opportunities.

    “If we want to raise money today to help members of the South-south in Lagos and we get a contribution of N1, 000 from each member, we will have N6 billion. That will empower our people in Lagos State. That is significant,” Ibru said.

    In his remark at the assembly, Egube revealed that the association was created about two years ago to give people of the South-south a platform to have a voice as well as gain empowerment opportunities abound.

    Egube, currently Chairman, CREDAB Board of Trustees, said the executives of the association have sought a partnership with Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) to log in over 150 registered members of the association for free in the Lagos Health Insurance scheme.

    “We are glad to announce to us that because of the importance to the health systems and healthcare to our people. CREDAB has partnered with LASHMA on ILERA EKO to offer free healthcare insurance to over 150 registered members.

    He, therefore, urged members of the association “to tap into many of the programmes provided by the Lagos State Government like the LAGRIDE; empowerment schemes in the Ministries of Wealth Creation and Employment, Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and, as well, in Agriculture.”

    Also at the assembly are Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Olatokunbo Emokpae and Director, Poverty Alleviation Department, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

    They attended the assembly to enlighten over 800 members of CREDAB at the inaugural assembly on the numerous benefits of the state government empowerment initiatives.

  • Violence reports don’t reflect entire country, says Osinbajo

    Violence reports don’t reflect entire country, says Osinbajo

    The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has said it is unfitting to compare the realities of the Nigerian economy with those of other smaller African states.

    He argued that at least 10 Nigerian states “have bigger GDPs than those countries”.

    Osinbajo also noted that the violent reports emanating from Nigeria did not reflect the reality of the entire country which, he said, is too vast in landmass.

    He noted that the international community must understand Nigeria’s population and geographic size to better grasp the enormity and complexity of her nuanced challenges.

    According to a statement signed on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo made the argument when fielding questions from a group of Harvard Business School students who visited him on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The students, who were on an African excursion, interacted with VP on leadership, faith, spirituality, government policies in education, health, economy, and national image, among others.

    The statement is titled ‘Why I value transparency & social justice, by Osinbajo.’

  • More hardship awaits Nigerians, Army will go on strike: Primate Ayodele

    More hardship awaits Nigerians, Army will go on strike: Primate Ayodele

    Primate Elijah Ayodele of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church said Nigerians will face more hardship because the government is in debt that cannot be paid off in the next six years.

    The cleric made the statement through his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin.

    In his “fresh prophetic warnings,” Ayodele stated that people will begin to protest economic hardship because things will become more expensive in the coming days, resulting in government officials being stoned, embarrassed, and mocked publicly.
    The Lagos-based cleric added that the situation of the country is getting to a point where the police and army will go on strike because the government will not be able to pay their salaries.

    He registered that basic amenities, especially food items will be so costly and it will be difficult for citizens of the country to feed themselves.

    ‘More hardship awaits Nigerians because this government is serious on debt that cannot finish in the next six years. Even the next government will still continue to service debt. Only God can help Nigeria because there is going to be a massive protest against the economic hardship. Things are going to be very expensive, the government is just telling Nigerians lies, I am not seeing any better days ahead because everyone will be affected. It will amount to stoning, embarrassing and mocking our leaders.’

    ‘’Our economy is in serious shambles, it will get to a point where the police and army will go on strike because of payment. There will be inflation in the country and pure water will sell for N50, local rice will sell for N30,000, five litres of groundnut oil will sell for N5,000, there will be no N200 bread, Congo of garri will sell for N1500, with N1,000 you won’t be able to feed yourself, cement will sell between N5,500-N6,000, minerals will sell for N200, Petrol is still going to N250/Litre. Nothing is coming out of this government anymore, it is confusing and will affect the rich and poor and even banks will fold up and forcefully retire some of their staffers. With this economy, hard times await private sectors, multinational companies will begin to shut down’’

    Primate Ayodele also spoke on the ASUU strike.

    He said the federal government cannot reach an agreement with the union because they are confused about how to get the economy back together.

    He also pointed out that the dollar exchange will keep getting high and that the crisis in the economy is going to affect everyone.
    ‘’ASUU and the Nigerian government will not reach any agreement now because of this economic crisis, they can’t give them what they want because of the situation of the country and some state governments will still owe workers, and some LG councils will be set ablaze because of salaries. Despite this, corruption will be on a high rate and the EFCC will go after some governors.’’

    ‘’There is no way Naira and dollar can match together, it will still exchange for N690 again and I don’t see it coming down for now because there is confusion in the government. The debt situation of the country will affect state government and local governments because they won’t get the money to even run administrative affairs.’’

    On the security challenges of the country, Primate Ayodele noted that he doesn’t see the election being held on the date set by the INEC due to the security situation.

    He stated that if it holds, the election will be declared inconclusive because it won’t be held in several places across the country.
    The prophet also mentioned some states that will face more security challenges in the coming days, while calling on the security operatives to immediately start working to prevent bloodbath in the places he mentioned.

    He noted that if the government wants to come out of this situation, they must support homemade products, indigenous manufacturers, mechanized agriculture, job creation for the youths, and restructuring.

    ‘’I don’t see our election holding on the day set by the INEC in 2023, it’s either the election is declared inconclusive if it is done on the day set by the INEC or the date will be shifted because more security challenges that will affect some government houses, emirs, royal fathers, churches and mosques, markets will be affected.’’

    ‘’Some of the states in the country that include Kogi, Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Benue, Plateau, Katsina, Nassarawa, Kaduna, Abuja, Zamfara, Imo, Anambra, Abia, Bauchi, Borno, must be careful against imminent attacks, incessant killings and bloodbath that may arise. The security operatives must rise to all these challenges that will cause killings by unknown people in the country.’’

    ‘’However, if the country wants to survive this, the government must support homemade product, indigenous manufacturers, mechanized agriculture, create job for the youths and restructuring.’’

  • Withdrawing licenses of 52 broadcast stations slippery road to press emasculation – Wabba

    Withdrawing licenses of 52 broadcast stations slippery road to press emasculation – Wabba

    The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has described the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) recent withdrawal of operating licences for approximately 52 radio and television stations as “very sad and unfortunate.”

    Remember that the NBC informed the management of 52 electronic media organisations in the country on August 20 of its decision to withdraw their licences due to their inability to pay their licence renewal.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, NLC President Ayuba Wabba said the NBC’s action is a “slippery road to press emasculation.”

    Mr Wabba, on the other hand, urged the Federal Government to review the operating licences of broadcast media organisations in the country as soon as possible in response to the country’s current harsh economic situation.

    “The most palpable reason for the failure of many of the media houses to pay for the renewal of their operating licenses could be easily found in the deteriorating economic conditions in Nigeria.
    “This is understandable given the severe stress and strain that businesses in Nigeria have been subjected to owing to fallout of the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.

    “The ongoing disruption in global and domestic energy supply, the foreign exchange volatilities, and the associated hyper-inflation,” he said.

    He said that many media houses just like most businesses in Nigeria suffered the double jeopardy of escalating business costs and plummeting revenues.

    “To compound the situation is the epileptic supply of electricity with the national grid collapsing intermittently for the umpteenth time in recent months,” he said.

    He also said this was in addition to the soaring and scary rising energy costs which hit electronic media houses hardest given that they must always be on air whether it makes economic sense or not.

    “There are salaries to pay, maintenance services, and sundry basic operating costs to keep the media houses running and serving their listening and viewing public.

    “Amidst these operational suffocations, how does the NBC expect the media houses to generate the money to renew their operating licenses?

    “Indeed, Nigeria’s media houses should be eulogized for resilience, and tenacity in the face of prevailing economic blizzards,” he said.

    Mr Wabba noted that the action of the NBC also smacks of insensitivity to the welfare of the staff of the media houses which operations were been shut down.

    He said it was unthinkable that in the middle of “very traumatic economic realities”, government would be thinking of flinging many Nigerians into the unemployment market.

    He noted that this was not new, as recently the Nigeria Governors Forum had made a case for the mass sack of Nigerians in government employment.

    “The unsolicited advice which had been robustly deflated by the NLC reveals a very embarrassing underbelly in the thinking of those commanding the reins of power in Nigeria today- crass insensitivity.

    “This is very sad and unfortunate,” Mr Wabba said.

    He said that in defence of the media, democratic and economic rights of Nigerians, the Congress called on the NBC to rescind its decision to withdraw the operating licenses of the affected 52 media houses.

  • 2023 elections: Nigerians will rejoice, says Kumuyi

    2023 elections: Nigerians will rejoice, says Kumuyi

    The General Overseer of the Deeper Life Christian Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, has declared that only God will determine the next president of the country, come 2023.
    Also, the cleric noted that everything is in the hands of God concerning the change of power next year and that Nigerians will rejoice at the end of it.
    Kumuyi made the declaration on Wednesday at the palace of Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, when he visited the monarch, Oba Victor Kiladejo.
    The visit was part of the activities of the church to herald a six-day crusade tagged, ” Global Crusade with Kumuyi”, holding in the ancient town.
    He said, “As to next year, 2023 about the election, everything is in the hands of God. I want to tell you, no pin drops anywhere in the world without God’s knowledge and nobody goes ahead without God’s control. He controls everything that happens in the world.
    “Would there be an election next year? would there not be an election? Who will emerge as the president of our country? Who will come out as governor of each of the states? Known unto God before the beginning of time and what we want in answer to the problem of contentious people in our land. What He wants will come true. When a lion is coming, no rat stands in his way and says you can’t pass.
    “When the Almighty says this is what it is, for Nigeria in particular, for 2023 in particular, no elephant of a man can stand in its way. God’s will will be done and we will all rejoice.”
    Speaking on the programme, Kumuyi explained that the church chose Ondo the town for the crusade because God Himself chose the venue.
    “At this time, we are choosing Ondo City because God has led us to do so. He, God choose Ondo for GCK,” he simply stated.
    In his remarks, the Osemawe said the crusade would benefit the town and the state in general.
    Earlier, the state Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, had hosted the pastor and his team in Akure, where he commended Kumuyi for his passion for preaching the gospel saying his visit to the state would usher in good tidings.
    Akeredolu also lauded Pastor Kumuyi’s prowess as a former lecturer and accepted the invitation to be at the crusade with some of his cabinet members.

  • World Bank, US pledge $3billion as Nigeria launches transition plan for climate change, others

    World Bank, US pledge $3billion as Nigeria launches transition plan for climate change, others

    Nigeria has launched an energy transition plan to achieve universal energy access by 2030 and a carbon-neutral economy by 2060 in order to combat poverty and climate change.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, speaking at the global launch on Wednesday, said the plan was designed to address energy poverty and the climate change crisis, as well as to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) by 2030 and net zero by 2060.

    He stated that the plan is intended to lift 100 million people out of poverty, reduce Nigeria’s carbon footprint, drive economic growth, and create jobs.

    According to Osinbajo, “climate change threatens crop productivity in regions that are already food insecure, and because agriculture provides the greatest number of jobs, reduced crop productivity will worsen unemployment.”

    The vice president added that it is time for Nigeria and the African continent to take ownership of transition pathways and design climate-sensitive strategies that address peculiar growth objectives.

    Osinbajo noted that Africa’s increasing energy gaps require collaboration to take ownership of the continent’s transition pathways, adding that the action should be decisive and urgent.

    He highlighted the significant scale of resources required to attain both development and climate ambitions, saying Nigeria would need to spend $410 billion above business-as-usual spending to deliver its Transition Plan by 2060, which translates to about $10 billion per year.

    “The average $3billion per year investments in renewable energy recorded for the whole of Africa between 2000 and 2020 will certainly not suffice,” Osinbajo said.

    He disclosed that Nigeria is “currently engaging with partners to secure an initial $10 billion support package ahead of COP27 along the lines of the South African Just Energy Transition Partnership announced at COP26 in Glasgow.”

    Nigeria Country Director for World Bank Shubham Chaudhuri said it plans “to commit over USD 1.5 billion towards the Energy Transition Plan on renewable energy, on power sector reforms, on clean cooking, and wherever opportunities arise.”

    CEO of Sun Africa Adam Cortese said Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan has accelerated our efforts to prove that Nigeria will be a fertile ground for investments in the sector.

    “We are in the final stages of discussion with US EXIM Bank on a USD 1.5 billion financing package,” Cortese said.