The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Market & Men Association of Nigeria has officially welcomed Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of President Bola Tinubu, as an honorary member, expressing their support and gratitude for her positive contributions to women’s welfare nationwide.

Mrs. Felicia Sani, the National President of the Association, made this declaration during an event in Abuja, where she praised Mrs. Tinubu for fostering a peaceful environment under her administration, which has greatly impacted the success of market women in their businesses.

Sani highlighted the importance of Mrs. Tinubu’s continued support and urged her to provide resources that would further enhance the economic growth of market women. As a gesture of appreciation, the women presented yams, onions, peppers, and tomatoes to Mrs. Tinubu.

In response, Oluremi Tinubu, represented by Mrs. Adedayo Benjamin Laniyi, the Mandate Secretary of FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, expressed gratitude for the warm adoption and pledged ongoing support for the market women. Recognizing their resilience, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, Mrs. Tinubu reiterated her commitment to assisting them.

The women, through their adopted representative, also called for peace in the country, urging against actions that may lead to violence. This gesture reflects their collective advocacy for stability and harmony within the nation.

Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, launched three impactful programs facilitated by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) in Osun State.

The ceremony, held at the Industrial Development Centre (IDC), Oshogbo, marked the initiation of the Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) for micro-enterprises in Osun State, the National Business Skills Development Initiative (NBSDI), and the commissioning of an ultra-modern Common Facility Centre for Garment and Fashion.

Commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s initiative for stimulating the economy and providing welfare for the people, Minister Oyetola stated, “Today’s interventions are loud testaments to the Federal Government’s determination to protect businesses in the country, especially the Nano, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (NMSMEs), which is a critical sub-sector of the Nigerian economy.”

He urged beneficiaries to seize the opportunities presented by President Tinubu’s administration, encouraging them to become active contributors to the small and medium scale business sector.

Charles Odii, Director General of SMEDAN, highlighted the significance of Nano, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (NMSMEs) in job creation, employing over 62.5 million individuals and contributing substantially to the GDP and exports.

Odii explained that SMEDAN’s Conditional Grant Scheme aims to formalize micro-enterprises in Nigeria, involving capacity building, CAC registration, micro insurance provision, and granting N50,000 to each recipient. This program has impacted over 40,000 entrepreneurs across 22 states.

The National Business Skills Development Initiative (NBSDI), implemented in 12 states and FCT, focuses on providing entrepreneurship skills, vocational training, and empowerment materials to address the capacity gap among youths. In Oshogbo, 55 individuals received state-of-the-art equipment for fashion, catering, and leatherworks, along with cash grants of N50,000 each.

The day’s activities also included the provision of ATM cards to CGS beneficiaries and the distribution of industrial sewing machines, cookers, mixers, and fabricating machinery to the participants of NBSDI. This comprehensive effort aims to uplift and empower entrepreneurs in Osun State’s fashion and garment industry.

In a recent session, the Kogi State House of Assembly formally endorsed the appointment of 15 commissioners put forth by the newly inaugurated Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.

The confirmed commissioners include Engr Farouk Danlami Yusuf, Barr Salami Ozigi-Deedat, Basiru Abubakar Gegu, Dr Adams Abdulaziz, and Engr Joseph Oluwasegun Stephen. Additionally, Muizideen Yinusa Abdullahi, SAN, Rabiatu Okute, Hon Kingsley Fanwo, Fatima Momoh, Engr Mohammed Yusuf, Timothy Ojoma, Sunday Faleke, Mr Abanika Taye, Asiwaju Idris Asiru, and Engr Mohammed Adbulmutalib complete the list.

Rt. Hon Aliyu Umar Yusuf, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, encouraged the newly confirmed Commissioners to channel their efforts towards the state’s development. He stated, “I urge the Commissioners to work hard for the development of the state.” The Speaker’s words underline the Assembly’s expectation of dedication and commitment from the appointed officials as they assume their roles in steering the state towards progress.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed deep concern about the rising insecurity in Nigeria and criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s response.

Atiku, in a Facebook post, accused Tinubu of playing the fiddle while Nigeria faces security challenges.

He highlighted recent incidents, including the kidnapping of a nursing mother and grandmother in Abuja and the killing of two monarchs in Ekiti.

Atiku called for decisive leadership and suggested that if the responsibility is too burdensome for the current leadership, they should step aside.

He emphasized that Nigeria needs 24/7 leadership to address the pervasive insecurity and economic challenges.

In a mild drama in the Senate, Senator Suleiman Kawu criticized what he deemed the premature removal of Mansur Kuliya, the Executive Director of the Midstream, Downstream, Gas Infrastructure Fund. Kawu argued that Kuliya’s removal, as indicated in President Bola Tinubu’s letter, was unlawful as it cut short his five-year term that began in 2022.

Senator Kawu raised a constitutional point, citing Section 34(2), 5, and Section 36(1) of the Petroleum Industry Act, which outlines the process for the removal or replacement of an executive director. He emphasized that there was no official communication or due process followed in Kuliya’s removal.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the matter to the Senate Committee of the Whole and the Senate Committee on Gas and Downstream for further investigation. Akpabio instructed the committees to consider Kawu’s claims and make recommendations to the Senate for appropriate legislative action.

The Senate has adjourned plenary until February 6, 2024, following an Executive Session. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision and stated that the Upper Chamber resolved to invite heads of security agencies to provide updates on the security situation in the country.

The invitation aims to address the ongoing insecurity crisis, covering issues such as kidnapping, murder, banditry, and the killing of hostages after ransom payments. The Senate is particularly concerned about the bomb explosion in Ibadan that resulted in the destruction of private and public facilities.

During the session, President Bola Tinubu’s letter requesting the confirmation of the sack of the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Babatunde Irukera, was read. The request, in line with the provisions of Section 8 (2) of the FCCPC Act, 2018, was referred to the committee of the whole for further action.

President Tinubu had terminated Babatunde Irukera’s position as CEO of FCCPC, effective from January 8, 2024. The Senate will now deliberate on the confirmation of this decision.