President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been congratulated on his successful inauguration as Nigeria’s 16th president by Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, the managing director/CEO of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and a senior member of the ruling All Progressives Party (APC).
The inauguration of Tinubu as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces on Tuesday, according to Maduekwe, has rekindled optimism for a united, secure, and prosperous Nigeria.
Therefore, the NFC chairman pleaded with those involved in the creative business, particularly filmmakers, to support the next president as he implements programs and policies aimed at guaranteeing a robust economy, adding that “ Nigeria is in capable hands as he is confident that this administration will drive sustainable economic growth and development across all sectors.”
“On behalf of myself and the Nigerian Film Corporation, I heartily congratulate His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his successful inauguration as the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“This is historic occasion in our democratic journey surely marks the beginning of a new chapter for our dear nation.
“The NFC, which by his mandate is committed to the development of a viable and sustainable film industry and cinema culture in Nigeria, is set to break new grounds under this administration.
“I therefore call on all stakeholders in the industry to ensure that the narratives moving forward should be geared towards building a strong and united nation by deliberately promoting those things that bind us as a people with common destiny.
“There is no doubt that after Agriculture the audiovisual sector in Nigeria is currently the largest employer of labour according to NBS statistical analysis ,” he said.
The NFC boss however noted that the sector remains the ‘low-hanging fruit’ in the Tinubu’s administration to ramp up the youth productive engagement in our economy.
Maduekwe lauded the seamless handover of power by the last administration, adding that it was possible because of the exemplary leadership of the Immediate-Past President, Muhammadu Buhari.
According to him, Buhari did not only ensure free and fair elections, but has also shown strong commitment for smooth transfer of power to the incoming government , demonstrating patriotism and Statesmanship.
The Minister of transportation, Mua’zu Jaji Sambo, has advised that Nigeria should not toy with the hidden treasures in the 850 kilometers inland waterways across the country.
Sambo, said this, over the weekend in Abuja while giving a valedictory speech in preparatory to his exit as a minister of transportation.
The Minister, reminded that his experience as a former Director in the department of inland waterways and a Minister in the entire ministry, exposes him to the economic values therein.
According to the Minister, country like the United States of America, derives much financial benefits with judicious use of its water ways in transporting Agricultural produce within the country.
Mua’zu Jaji Sambo, said, “experience, has shown that about 38 states in the USA, are currently making huge amount of dollars through perfect use of the inland waterways in transporting goods. Iam not saying that other means of transportation are not good. Railway transportation is also another better means of transporting goods. but my advise is that economic diversification evolves and the inland waterways in Nigeria should be exploited. So we should also ensure that already navigated 27 states across the country, should be of immense priority”
Also speaking, the Minister of state for transportation, Ademola Adegoroye alluded that the FEC approval of a decade long Ondo deep blue sea, is huge achievement under the ten months administration.
Adegoroye, further, stated that serving as a minister of state, was a privilege undeserved. ” My appointment actually came as a surprise because it came when I had stoped lobbing for it. Years past I came to Abuja to distribute my CVs but it failed to work but it came when I did not ask for it. May be the way and time God wanted it”.
Speaking earlier, permanent secretary in the ministry of transportation Dr. Magdalene Ajani, said, working with both Minister’s was such cordial and had resulted in huge achievement within a short period of time. Also leader of staff union in the ministry, Comrade Apampa Abey, while appreciating both Minister’s for a cordial working relationship, said that the staffs has enjoyed much benefits within the short period of time working with the Ministers.
The Federal Government has unveiled the Nigeria Airline.
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika unveiled the Nigeria Air, taking delivery of one aircraft, Boeing 737-800.
Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika who had promised to launch the long awaited airline, unveiled Nigeria Air less than two days before the inauguration of a new administration.
Speaking at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, while unveiling the Nigeria Air, the Minister said about 35 aircrafts are expected to come into the national carrier within the next five years.
The Minister said “when we came in 2015, we knew what to do. We commissioned consultants to give us a brief of what the sector would be…,” the minister said.
” Ethiopia Airline is a good airline and so we partnered it. Nigeria Air will help in Africa connectivity.
” our geography supports aviation operations: we have the population, economy, the know how and the market. It is a huge market with great potential.
“This airline is like any other airline and business entity in Nigeria. It is a limited liability company; the federal government owns only 5 percent shares the airline was an investment between entrepreneurs in Nigeria and an Ethiopian consortium.
“We are grateful to God that it is the Ethiopia Airline that own majority shares. Their history and market status speaks volume. They are in the right spot and destination,” Sirika explained.
The Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Mr Ado Yahuza, on Tuesday called for effective mobilisation of Nigerians towards a culture-oriented lifestyle that would promote the country’s cultural diversity.
Yahuza, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NICO, stated this at the 2023 Annual Public Lecture, with the theme’ Culture, Drug Abuse and the Future of the Nigerian Youth’, in Abuja.
According to him, NICO Public Lecture series is a veritable platform where eminent Nigerians and scholars engaged in intellectual discussion, on critical national issues from the culture standpoint.
“This year’s edition of Public Lecture on the topic ‘ Culture, Drug Abuse and the Future of the Nigerian Youth’, is a continuation of our strategic and sustained programme of public enlightenment, cultural sensitisation.
“It is also an orientation designed to draw national attention to the alarming rate of drug and substance abuse, especially among Nigerian youths.
“There is an urgent need for collective action to save our youths, as well as the nation from the avoidance of negative consequences,” he said.
The NICO boss said that the institute had established culture club in secondary school nationwide, which aimed at addressing critical issues of cultural orientation, such as examination malpractice, cultism, honesty, hard work , drug Abuse among others.
He commended retired Brig-Gen. Mohammed Marwa, Chairman and CEO, Nigerians Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for aggressive, proactive and effective manner it has executed its mandate in the last couple of years.
Yahuza added that the ‘War Against Drug ‘ prosecuted by NDLEA, has been a huge success, considering the large number of arrest , conviction they had secured.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the occasion, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, lamented on the extend in which drug intake had gotten deep into the nation.
According to him, there is co- relationship between drug abuse and self abuse, as such finding solution to the problem is a paramount thing.
He urged the keynote lecturer to emphasis more on cause, prevention and fight against illicit drugs, adding that complexity was the major issues according to research.
“Parents should do the needful by communicating with their children effectively, on what they need to know instead of running away from them”.
Also, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, commended NICO boss for drawing attention to the worrisome problem of drug and substance abuse among Nigerian youths.
Mohammed, represented by Mrs Zainab Ali-Biu, Director, International Cultural Relations, said the menace of drug Abuse among the youth, was a critical issue that deserved attention.
He called for urgent action by government and relevant agencies such as NDLEA, National Orientation Agency (NOA), NICO among others.
He added that family, religious bodies, socio- cultural organisations, civil society organisations, as well as mass media have a role to play to complement the effort of government.
” I wish to use this opportunity to reiterate that the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, is fully aware of the endemic state of drug abuse among youths on Nigeria.
” The president has approved several measures to tackle the menace,” he said .
Prof. Umar Danbatta Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), in his goodwill message, said the commission has put in place initiative , that would equip and empower young Nigerians with the ability to contribute meaningfully to the economy.
Danbatta , who was represented by Mrs Nnena Ukoha, Head of Corporation, said Digital Job Creation for Youths (DJCY) was a programme designed to enhance the skills of youths across all the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
” DYCY provides customised and offer fully loaded laptop computer with networking devices, to equip the youth for the purpose of engaging in different digital entrepreneurship businesses of their choice,” he said.
Mr Balarabe Ilelah , Director – General, Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC), in his goodwill message, commended the executive secretary of NICO for the tremendous initiative of the programme, aimed at helping to eradicate the drug intake.
Ilelah gave assurance that NBC would continue to maintain and enhance Nigeria national unity
Among dignitaries at the occasion were Mr Buki Ponle, Managing Director , Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, Director -General National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR)
Others were Mr Balarabe Ilelah, Director -General, Nigeria Broadcasting Commission(NBC).
Others were Alhaji Adedayo Thomas Executive Director, National Film and Videos Censor Board(NFVCB), Emir of Karashi, NYSC members, Secondary Schools students, Nigerian youths among others.
The peak of the event was Cultural performances by NICO cultural troupe and school presentation.
Hon. Blessing Onuh, the Lawmaker representing Otukpo/Ohimini Federal constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has enjoined politicians to stop the culture of filing frivolous petitions that could distract public office holders from delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.She gave the charge at a world press conference in Abuja, where she hinted that elections were over and it is time for political stakeholders to work together irrespective of political leanings.Onuh, while acknowledging that elections petitions was an essential part of our democratic process, however warned that culture of filing frivolous petitions against political opponents was a distraction.The Federal Lawmaker was reacting to the recent withdrawal of the suit instituted by Hon Alex Enokela Ogbe, against her victory in the February 25th National Assembly election.It would be recalled that Hon. Ogbe had on Friday, May 19th 2023, announced his decision to withdraw the case instituted against Hon. Lady Blessing Onuh, the APC and INEC in the 2023 election petition tribunal.The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in a statement personally signed himself, stated that the difficult decision was for the general interest of Otukpo Ohimini people.Ogbe, while congratulating Lady Blessing Onuh, vow to offer his support and assistance to her where needed for the betterment of the people. “We are using this medium to make known our intention to withdraw the case instituted against Hon. Lady Blessing Onuh of the APC, the APC and INEC in the 2023 election petition tribunal. “We have taken this difficult decision for the general interest of Otukpo Ohimini people who we seek to serve.”We will offer support and assistance to the house of representatives member elect Otukpo Ohimini where needed for the betterment of the people of Otukpo Ohimini.”We pray God gives her the strength to meet the desires of the people of Otukpo Ohimini for which she represent,” he stated.Onuh while applauding Mr. Ogbe’s decision to withdraw his petition, described his action as political maturity which speaks volume about the unity in Benue South.The lawmaker who however, maintained that she won the February 2023 election conducted in a free and fair contest, enjoined him to work together with her and all Idoma progressives in the progress, unity and development of Otukpo/Ohimini Federal constituency.According to him: “I acknowledge the withdrawal of the suit instituted against my victory by Mr Ogbe. However, I must state categorically that I won the February 2023 election conducted in a free and fair contest.”I view the decision of Mr Ogbe as an act of political maturity which speaks volume about the unity in Benue South. I urge politicians to avoid frivolous petitions which is a distraction.”I feel honoured by the humble demonstration of his sportsmanship and enjoin him to work together with me and all Idoma progressives in the progress, unity and development of Otukpo/Ohimini Federal constituency.”Elections have come and gone, I want to emphasize that I represent the entire constituency irrespective of political leanings,” she stated.
The Nigeria Polo Federation (NPF) will compete in the 4th Moroccan King Mohammad VI International Polo Tournament, which will be held from May 22 to 27 in Rabat and Tangiers, Morocco.
The Moroccan Royal Federation of Polo is in charge of organizing the King Mohammad VI International Polo Tournament.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant, Technical, Joesef Karim, on Thursday in Abuja, Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), said Nigeria’s participation in the event was confirmed on May 17.
Kangiwa, who is also the current President of NiPF, stated that the tournament included teams from Morocco, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Argentina , USA, Spain and Dubai.
According to him, the Nigerian polo team participating in this 4th edition of the Tournament are quite formidable and very experienced.
Members of the Nigeria polo team are my humble self (Kangiwa) , Abdulkarim Jibril, Murtala Ahmad Laushi, Mohammed Abba Kyari, Shehu Sani Kangiwa, Hamisu Buba, Solomon Bassi, Fernando Munoz, Abdulmalik Bariki and Bello Samaila.”
NIHOTOUR boss further said that the tournament remained one of the biggest sporting events that would traditionally turn a serene polo ground into the battlefield of high- end polo.
He added that such would attract international VIPs and celebrities from far and wide.
” Our attendance at this annual tournament will no doubt help to develop and enhance Nigeria’s profile throughout the world.
”Polo was first played in Nigeria in 1904 in Lagos and the governing body of polo in Nigeria was the Nigerian Polo Association (NPA), which was established in 1920.
It was subsequently transformed into the Nigeria Polo Federation (NPF),” he said
The NPF is the official Polo games regulator in Nigeria and is a member of Federation of International Polo, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and International Olympic Committee (IOC), as a whole over the years.
NPF has effectively led the Nigerian polo team to partake in numerous international competitions, including the Federation of International Polo (FIP), World Cup qualifiers in Malaysia.
Borno State has been named the overall winner of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and UNICEF’s inaugural Primary Health Care Leadership Awards.
The Governors’ Awards recognize excellent leadership and commitment of Governors who have made major investments in Primary Health Care (PHC). These initiatives have made a significant difference in the lives of women, girls, and children throughout Nigeria. Borno, the country’s best-performing state, will receive $700,000, demonstrating the transformative impact of excellent leadership and strategic investment in Primary Health Care (PHC).
Zonal prizes go to Kwara for North central, Jigawa for Northwest, Borno for Northeast, Ebonyi for Southeast, Rivers for South – South, and Ondo for Southwest. The first runners up in these zones are Bauchi, FCT, Zamfara, Abia, Edo, and Ogun. Each zone’s winner will be awarded $500,000, and the first runners-up in each zone will receive $400,000.
Cristian Munduate, the Representative of UNICEF Nigeria, said that the courage, vision, and dedication shown by the leadership in the winning states is truly inspiring.”
“Their commitment to improving Primary Health Care has brought about significant and positive impact on the lives of its constituents, particularly women, girls, and children. Borno State’s double victory underscores the power of strategic investment and collaboration in building a healthier future for Nigeria. I congratulate all the winners for their exemplary commitment to Primary Health Care.” She added.
The Director of Nigeria Governor’s Forum added, “This is an important moment to acknowledge the governors’ dedication to Primary Health Care. Their initiatives serve as a testament to the power of collaboration and strategic investment in building a healthier future for Nigeria.”
The PHC Leadership Challenge, which culminated in these awards, was born from a historic gathering in November 2019, hosted in Seattle by philanthropists Bill Gates and Alhaji Aliko Dangote. Organized by NGF, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and UNICEF, with generous support from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), the challenge aimed to enhance governors’ commitment to human capital development and to Primary Health Care, mobilize State resources, promote accountability, and foster innovation for gender-specific health outcomes.
A Civil Society Organization, Alpha Omega World Peace Community Development Foundation Nigeria, has written to the Anti-Graft Agencies, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) requesting that Hon Benjamin Kalu be investigated for forgery and diversion of public funds.
In a letter dated May 12th, 2023, signed by Chijioke Ogboji Esq on behalf of the organization and addressed to the chairman of the two anti-graft agencies, which reads in parts ” We write to complain agains Benjamin Okezie Kalu over his criminal intents and discrepancies in his names all geared towards deceiving innocent members of the public against knowing his true identity. It is our brief to complain of the ffalsification of names , criminal deciet , unlawful diversion of funds using false names and calculated plan to decieve the members of the general public by one Umunna Okezie, who later on claimed to have changed his name to Osisiogu Benjamin Okezie and thereafter alleged to have changed the said name to Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
“It is our further brief that right from time immemorial Benjamin Okezie Kalu has always been known and has always maintained his name as Ummunna Okezie. This asscertion is supported by his first School leaving certificate dated the 17th November, 1987. That we are suprised and worried that he has suddenly dumped Umunna Okezie to Osisiogu Benjamin Okeziea and is now parading himself as Benjamin Okezie Kalu without any justfiable means. That he has continued to forge all his documents to allign with the new name that he is parading which has posed a threat to the nation sanctity.
“Benjamin Okezie Kalu has failed to fulfil the requirement of the law on change of name . Therefore , a deliberate change of name or initial of a person is fradulent and the law forbids it. In the light of the fore going , we are requesting that the activities of Benjamin Okezie Kalu be carefully investigated”.
The Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) escalating security issues may be resolved by completely demolishing the Gishiri community and other slums within the Capital City.
This is as victims of the most recent demolition called on the authorities to rid the community of criminal hideouts, saying, criminals who attack residents in Maitama, Central Area, Jahi among many others hibernate there.
Narrating her experience in the course of living in the community for over five years, Mrs Comfort Gabriel not real name said residents have suffered loss of lives and property from the hands of the criminals.
Saying, “Even though, I built my house in this community and unfortunately it has been demolished that does not mean I should not say the truth about the security challenges we are facing here.
“Just yesterday, the day one of the demolition, a pregnant woman whose house was demolished and was trying to salvage her television was stabbed by these hoodlums and still went away with the television.
“The slum neighborhood has served as a shelter for criminals that operate in and around the area, most of the robberies are committed by criminals who live in the Gishiri and Mpape communities”, she said.
Meanwhile, in an interview with the Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister on Monitoring Inspection and Evaluation, Comrade Ikharo Attah hinted that the residents of the community gave ample opportunity to scavengers “Babanbola”who feasted on their property.
According to him:” To keep Abuja clean is a job that must be done constantly. Sadly for us, the Director, Development Control and some of his Deputies said we should come back that people will not move their property until they see the bulldozers.
” This gave room for the scavengers to have a field day today. Stealing zinc, stealing things we chase them. We arrested about 10 or 15 of them at my last count. Despite the arrest, we felt nothing would have happened because if they removed their property, we wouldn’t have seen the scavengers coming in to steal where there are no carcasses, the vulture disappear. And it’s really very painful. We will come back again because we couldn’t finish the work today. We are coming back again and again and I think Gishiri is a very long journey for some us.
“They could see a massive road corridor coming and they bought a land on the road corridor, that’s illegal. A plot on the road corridor is illegal. That’s the truth you built on flood plains . They know all these things. Development control have been marking here for the past 16 years. The more the mark, the more that you build. When we came for the last marking. Some residents said nothing will happen. Anybody will come. The machines are constant. They will come and they’ll keep coming”.
Reacting to one of the residents claims, Attah said, “the administration is fully aware of the criminal activities going on here and that’s one of the reasons why we are sent to come and do the job we’re doing here. We are very aware. We have so many security reports from the police and others pointing to Gishiri as a very terrible criminal den the Police Commissioner for the FCT have been very, very up and doing or given the minister daily routine brief. We have become the closest on town within the hybrid area of the FCT that’s Maitama here not quite one minute away. The criminals here can easily launch attacks on Maitama , Asokoro, and the City Center.”
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, has tasked all involved parties and revenue-generating Secretariats, Departments, and Agencies in the Federal Capital Territory to coordinate the tax collection process in order to avoid the duplication of taxes owed by Territory citizens and corporate entities. The minister asserted that a new tax structure that harmonized tax collections would put an end to different taxes in addition to encouraging the growth of small and medium-sized businesses in the nation’s capital. Bello, who was represented by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, gave the charge at the Stakeholders Resolution Retreat on Harmonization of Revenue Collection and Ease of Doing Business in FCT, held Thursday, at Akure, the Ondo State capital. He said that the FCT Administration has over the years embarked on reform programmes that will encourage the harmonization of tax system and promote the Ease of Doing Business to allow Small and Medium Scale Enterprises as well as other businesses to strive in a friendly environment created by the government. The Minister hinted that some of the reforms being implemented include the automated platforms for the issuance of permit, licenses and approvals known as the FCT business portal, which allows businesses and individuals to apply for and receive all necessary permits and licenses in Realtime without physical contact with any government officials. He, however, revealed that the FCT Administration is assiduously working on streamlining and simplifying the regulations and procedure for Business Registration, Property Registration and Land Use planning. According to him:”These reforms will assist to create a more transparent and efficient regulatory environment for businesses in the FCT in order to encourage growth and rapid development of the city. “We need the active participation and engagement of businesses, investors and civil society organizations to ensure that our reforms are effective, inclusive and perhaps, above all sustainable.” Declaring the event opened, the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, said the event is historic and significant because it will equip the participants with the knowledge and skills required for effective tax administration and would also enable them to know about the tax regime being implemented by the Ondo State Government. The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa, commended the FCT Administration for the choice of Ondo State as the venue for the Retreat. In a paper presentation during the technical session “tagged agenda setting”, the Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, said that the current state of revenue collection in the FCT is a critical topic for discussion at this Retreat because it will provide the foundation for any efforts aimed at harmonizing revenue collection. Adesola bemoaned the present revenue collection in the FCT which carried out by different revenue generating agencies within the FCTA, the six Area Councils, and FCT-IRS. He said each of the Agencies has its own specific mandate for revenue collection; therefore, leading to a significant degree of overlap and duplication across the Agencies. Earlier in his address of welcome, the Acting Executive Chairman, FCT-IRS, Haruna Abdullahi, said the retreat is pathway towards achieving its vision to establish a world-class revenue collection system in the FCT that is transparent, accountable, and efficient. He noted that the stakeholders have made significant progress since the previous retreats, and are now ready to take the next steps towards achieving a harmonized revenue collection system that is efficient, transparent, and fair.The Chairman who revealed that with the administration is doing well in revenue generation, hinted that with the continue support from the office of the Honorable Minister, Permanent Secretary and other relevant stakeholders in revenue agencies within the administration, FCTA will continue to complete favourably in area of revenue generation amongst the committee of nation across the globe. Among dignitaries at the retreat the Chairmen of the FCT Area Councils, top FCTA management Staff, FCT-IRS staff, heads of revenue and finance departments of the Councils.
