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President Buhari seeks growth of Nigeria’s assets

Bilkisu Halilu Pai
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Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has charged the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), to grow its Assets Under Management from the current value of 18 trillion Naira, to at least 100 trillion Naira in the next 10 years.

 

President Buhari gave the charge on Wednesday at the launch of the new MOFI and inauguration of the Governing Council and Board of Directors of the body shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council meeting.

 

The President also tasked the new board to, “be the clearing house for the management of Federal Government investments and assets in line with global best practices with a view to ensuring that these investments are delivering superior risk-adjusted returns to the government.”

 

He also called on the new MOFI to, “work with other MDAs to create a consolidated national asset register with a view to converting these assets into cash flow-generating entities to support the government’s revenue drive and; partner with the government with a view to using government-owned investments and assets to support the government in delivering on its social and economic obligations to the citizenry.”

To this effect, he directed the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed to commence the process of amending the MOFI Act and other legislations to further institutionalize this reform and ensure that MOFI is restructured and repositioned to become a trusted custodian and manager of Federal Government investments and assets.

 

President Buhari said the event was significant as the restructured MOFI will help identify “what we own” and how to get the best out of them.

 

According to him, the MOFI Act of 1959 now Cap. 229, Laws of the Federation, 2004 “explicitly empowers MOFI to enter into commercial transactions of any description on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria in its own name. As a result, MOFI was used as a Special Purpose Vehicle across different sectors, to invest in commercial entities over the last 64 years. To put this in context, MOFI was created even before Nigeria’s independence.”

 

Speaking further, the President said “MOFI was not structured to be governed or resourced to deliver on the mandate that was expected of it. MOFI’s peers, on the other hand, that were deliberately set up with the institutional framework, governance structure, and execution capacity have gone on to make major social and economic impacts in their respective nations. Many of which have become global brands for investing domestically and internationally.

 

“As part of the governance structure, there will be a Governing Council headed by me, a Board of Directors under the leadership of a former Minister of Finance, Dr Shamsudeen Usman and an Executive Management Team headed by Dr Armstrong Takang,” the President said.

 

President Buhari reminded members of the Governing Council as well as Board of Directors that this Administration expects much from them.

 

Specifically, he tasked Ministers who are members to “create an enabling environment that will facilitate the creation of a National Asset Register that will be harnessed to strengthen our fiscal and economic realities and the optimization of our investments and assets that will be under the purview of MOFI.”

 

In her remarks, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, thanked President Buhari for his support and approvals that have made the restructuring and repositioning of MOFI possible, assuring him that Council members and Board will ensure that the new MOFI delivers on its mandates.

Chelsea Seals Move For Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez

Chidi Uduma Nwoke
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Premier League club Chelsea agreed a deal on Deadline Day to complete the signing of Argentine International midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Benfica, for a British-record transfer of £106.8m.

Fernandez, 22, signed an eight-and-a-half-year deal at Stamford Bridge, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2031. The deal for the Argentine surpasses the £100m Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish from Aston Villa in 2021.

Chelsea had been in talks to sign the World Cup winner throughout January, but Benfica had refused to do business unless the Blues paid his release clause.

Fernandez was left out of Benfica’s squad for its match against Arouca on Tuesday night, with the World Cup Young Player of the Tournament undergoing a medical in Portugal ahead of his move to Stamford Bridge.

Benfica signed Fernandez in July 2022 from River Plate, who will also benefit from the deal courtesy of a 25% sell-on clause. Fernandez scored four goals and seven assists in 29 games in all competitions for Benfica this season.

Fernandez was instrumental in Argentina’s World Cup-winning campaign in Qatar, breaking into the starting lineup and playing every game. He finished the tournament by scooping the Young Player of the tournament Award as Argentina won the trophy for the first time since 1986.

FCT Commissioner of Police seeks Guards Brigade support

Bilkisu Halilu Pai
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The new Commissioner of Police in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, CP Sadiq Abubakar, has paid a working visit to the Commander Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Aminu Umar in his office at Aguyi Ironsi Cantonment, Asokoro, Abuja.

This according to the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations of Guards Brigade, Captain Geoffrey Abakpa, is part of efforts geared towards achieving total security of the Federal Capital Territory and its environs and to ensure continues synergy between the Nigerian Army and the Police.

In a remark, CP Sadiq Abubakar while appreciating the Commander and his Officers for the warm reception, noted that his visit to the Brigade was home coming having been trained by a former Guards Brigade Commander, Late Brigadier General Maxwell Kobe and also spent most of his service years in the Federal Capital Territory working alongside officers and personnel of the Brigade.

He stated that his visit was to formally seek the Commander’s strategic support to enable the police and other security agencies operating within the Federal Capital Territory succeed against criminal elements that may be tempting to disturb the peace of the citizens especially as the 2023 general elections draws closer.

The FCT Police Commissioner affirmed that Nigeria Police has in the past enjoyed the cordial relationship that has thrived over the years between the Brigade and the Police, stressing that Police Command under his watch in the Federal Capital Territory looks forward to a more robust cordial relationship to enable him succeed in his task of securing the Federal Capital and its environs.

Read Also: Guards Brigade: New Commander assumes office in Abuja

Responding, Guards Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Aminu Umar while congratulating the new Federal Capital Territory Police Commissioner on his appointment, appreciated him for choosing the Brigade as an important point of collaboration to call on.

He assured the New Police Commissioner of the Brigade’s total support in the area of operations and strategic collaboration stressing that as the lead agency, the police has continued to play very vital roles in addressing issues of conflict that may be hoodwinked by some unscrupulous elements who seize every opportunity to cause chaos between the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.

The Commander assured that Guards Brigade remains steadfast and committed in providing the needed role to ensure that issues of security challenges within the FCT and its environs are given urgent priority whenever they pop up.

The Commissioner was accompanied by the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Administration, ACP Emmanuel Inyang and the Force PRO, Josephine Adeh.

President Buhari will bequeath free and fair elections to Nigeria – FCT Minister 

Bilkisu Halilu Pai
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The Minister of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has reiterated the desire of President Muhammadu Buhari to bequeath a free, fair, credible and transparent elections.

Malam Bello, who spoke at the 14th edition of the Leadership Annual Conference and Awards held on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja said government has over the last seven years repositioned the Nigerian economy and put it firmly on the path of growth and economic sustainability outside of the oil and gas sector.

This action, he said, placed the Nigerian economy on the path of growth and recovery which a free, fair and credible election would sustain.

Speaking on the theme for the event, “Credible Elections and an Economy in Transit”, Malam Bello described it as timely, given that the upcoming 2023 general elections could be considered as the, “the most important leadership recruitment decisions to confront Nigerians in recent times.” 

 

He added that, “His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari has insisted on bequeathing to Nigeria a free, fair, credible and transparent election”.  

While commending the awardees for their deserving recognition, the Minister particularly appreciated the efforts of the Chairman of Afreximbank, Dr Benedict Oramah who is one of the award recipients, in the development of the health sector in the FCT.

He said, “The recognition of Dr Benedict Oramah, Chairman of Afreximbank resonates with us in the FCT as this international financial institution which he heads has keyed into our vision of making Abuja a global destination for the provision of world class healthcare with the construction of a 200-bed hospital in the city.

“Let me therefore seize this opportunity to call on other organisations and business concerns who share in our dream for the development of Abuja into a world class city to partner with us in this regard”, he added.

The Minister who welcomed the thoughts of the keynote Speaker and former Prime Minister of Kenya, Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga on the event’s theme, commended him for being among the special recognition award recipients while also welcoming him to Abuja.

Malam Bello also commended the Wife of the Late Sam Nda Isaiah, and Chairman of the Leadership Group, Mrs. Zainab Nda Isaiah, the management and staff of the Group for sustaining the annual event and keeping alive the memory and legacies of Sam Nda-Isiah whom he described as a patriot and one of Nigeria’s great visionaries.

The Minister along with the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Hon. Raila Odinga and the Etsu Nupe, HRH Alh. Yahaya Abubakar were bestowed with special recognition awards.

SFH Retreat: Participants Call For Improved Healthcare System

Temitope Obatoke
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Participants at the Society For Family Health (SFH) Retreat in Lagos said there was need to improve health outcomes in the country to attain Universal Health Coverage (UHC) targets.

According to them, this will include improving the country’s Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and creating a more sustainable healthcare financing system. The retreat had its theme as, Beginning with the End in Mind. The retreat marked the commencement of the 40th Anniversary and 2023 Leadership Retreat of SFH.

Dr. Oyebanji Filani, Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Ekiti state, spoke on issues around Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), National Health Act (NHAct) and National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in closing the social contract gap and improving outcome in sub national level.

Filani, Chairperson, Health Commissioners Forum, Nigeria, said that commissioners of health in the country resolved that states should put in place relevant institutions to support and drive reforms around healthcare services.

Dr Olumide Okunola, Senior Health Specialist, World Bank Group, emphasised that regardless of policy and government instruments, public financing was key to realising the goals of NHIA Act and UHC. One of his recommendations was for the future of health financing in Nigeria to be output-based financing budget. He urged SFH to help through technical assistance, domestic resource mobilisation, among others.

Dr. Ebere Anyachukwu, Senior Health Specialist, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), recommended some shifts to accelerate Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria. Some of the suggestions included country focused political priorities, in-country coordination approach, pragmatic delivery approach that is scalable. Others are capacity building alongside developing and strengthening local networks, domestic financing mobilisation, private and government partnership supported service delivery among others.

“It means that all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need as well as when and where they need them.”

Dr Murphy Akpu, Deputy Coordinator, PEPFAR Nigeria, also made a presentation.

Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, urged Lagos residents to enrol in the state’s health insurance scheme, Ilera Eko to enjoy quality and affordable healthcare delivery. Abayomi was represented by Dr Olamide Okulaja, Health Economist and Technical Adviser to the Commissioner.

Okulaja, who spoke on UHC, said the state initiated Ilera Eko in a bid to ensure that all residents in the state, irrespective of their status, got access to healthcare services.

“Part of the aims of the blueprint is health facilities upgrade, outsource some Primary Health Centres to private sector and improve patronage for health insurance. The best approach towards implementing a sustainable healthcare system is by building all encompassing facilities for all, for the benefit of both the rich and the poor in the society.”

Speaking earlier, Prof. Ekanem Braide, the President of SFH Board, reiterated the board’s resolution to keep the Foundation’s vision alive.

“This retreat, therefore, is to pause, learn, unlearn and reignite our collective purpose to finish the job we have started working with our partners. We have structured the agenda with activities ranging from lessons learnt in health policy and governance private sector-led advocacy, expanded regional reform, to truly reposition us for our aspiration of achieving Health for All.”

Dr. Omokhudu Idogho, the Managing Director of SFH, in his welcome address, evaluated the impact of SFH since inception.

“Our internal metrics suggest that as an organisation, we have contributed to a quarter of Nigeria’s Couple-Years of Protection (CYP) progress.

“A third of ITN distributed in Nigeria about 60 million reaching 25 million households. Provided health services to more than three million children, averted close to 180,000 HIV infections and generated more than 10.2 million DALYS in the last 40 years.

“This contribution has seen population level impact with maternal mortality down from 1,000 to 512/100,000 live births and infant mortality coming down from 132 to 54 per 1,000 live births.

“The next strategy calls us to leverage our 40 years experience to rewrite the construct of Africa health system, with a clear focus on stronger partnerships, forward thinking science and an untiring commitment to transform health outcomes for all.”

 

 

 

NAN

Nigerian President inaugurates Ministry of Finance Board, Council members

Bilkisu Halilu Pai
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President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the Governing Council, Board of Directors and Executive Management Team of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).

 

President Buhari performed the ceremony on Wednesday in the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, before the commencement of the week’s meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

 

MOFI is an investment vehicle as part of overall measures to revive and restructure non- performing assets and boost government revenue.

 

At the inauguration, the President urged the new Board, chaired by former Minister of Finance, Shamsudeen Usman, to raise the value of MOFI’s portfolio from the current N18 trillion to N100 trillion by 2033.

 

According to the president, the governing council is set up as a world class investment company with a new management and board, comprising core professionals with specialisation in portfolio management.

 

He said the new leadership would take steps to mobilise capital and invest same in assets that are critical to the Federal Government’s revenue drive.

 

He said the task of MOFI would involve turning the country’s current assets into aggressive cash flow generating entities.

 

He said the inauguration of Governing Council, Board and Executive Management Board became necessary to optimize returns on existing investments.

 

The Governing Council is chaired by the President, with the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, as Vice Chair.

 

Its members include the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva (State); Aviation, Hadi Sirika; Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo; Central Bank Governor, Dr Godwin Emefiele and three experts appointed by the President: Prof. Muhammad Sagagi, Dr Ayo Teriba and Prof. Ken Ife.

 

The Board members include former Finance Minister, Shamsudeen Umar (Chairman), Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Finance and Petroleum Resources, Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Olawale Edun, Fatima Mede, Ike Chioke, Muhammad Nda, Alheri Nyako and an executive from the CBN.

 

Members of the Executive Management Team are: Dr Armstrong Takang (MD), Eric solo (ED, Chief Portfolio Officer), Sani Yakubu (Chief Investment Officer), Oluwakemi Owonubi (Chief Risk Officer).

FCTA pilgrims board pegs minimum deposit of N2.5m for 2023 Hajj

Bilkisu Halilu Pai
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Intending Pilgrims who have missed the 2022 Hajj exercise have been directed to update their registration with the FCT Pilgrims board, while those who deposited less than the minimum 2.5 Million Naira have been requested to top up deposit to book a seat for the 2023 Hajj exercise.

 

The Director of the Board, Malam Muhammad Nasiru Danmalam gave the directives while briefing top Management staff on the first pre-Hajj visit to Saudi Arabia and preparation for 2023 Hajj activities.

 

Malam Muhammad said the directives became necessary to enable the Board compile the actual list of Intending Pilgrims for the 2023 exercise.

 

The Director also requested those who paid for the Hajj last year but missed the exercise due to any reason to report to the Board with original receipt of payment to declare their interest to participate in this year’s hajj or get refund.

 

He disclosed that a total of one hundred and eighty-five Intending Pilgrims who made complete payment last year missed the hajj due to the shortage of Hajj seat slot as a result of insufficient Hajj allocation by Saudi Arabia.

 

The Director disclosed that the Board has already registered over one thousand Intending Pilgrims for this year’s Hajj exercise and has since started arrangement for the Hajj operation.

 

He said the Board has commenced negotiations with service providers in Saudi Arabia for the provision of feeding and accommodation in Makkah during the Hajj.

 

He reiterated the Board’s readiness to continue to render the best services to FCT contingent to this year’s hajj in line with the desire of the FCT Administration.

Nigerian researchers submit COVID 19 DNA Vaccine Candidate for Preclinical

Bilkisu Halilu Pai
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Nigerian researchers engaged in the Tertiary Education Trust Fund-sponsored Vaccine Development Mega Research Project at Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, have handed over the Covid-19 DNA vaccine candidate for preclinical trials in Nigeria.

 

The academics, in a symbolic handover of the vaccine candidate in Sokoto state, said despite the numerous challenges faced during the procurement of some of the consumables, equipment and reagents from abroad, within 11 months of the receipt of the first tranche of TETFund grant, the vaccine was ready.

 

Speaking at the presentation, Vice Chancellor of Usman Danfodio University, Prof. Lawal Suleman Bilbis, said the handing over of a vaccine candidate for trials goes a long way to showcase the ability of indigenous scientists to solve the nation’s problems using home-grown resources and facilities.

 

According to Bilbis, “this milestone portrays our expertise in the application of state-of-the art technologies to rapidly develop vaccine candidates against any emerging or re-emerging Infectious diseases in Nigeria.”

 

He assured that the nation is very close to reaping the benefits of the investment, he further added that the researchers will converge in the next few months to celebrate the successful completion of the project.

 

“Let me at this juncture Inform the Executive Secretary that through the support of TETFUND, researchers in this University have been able to work on many other high-impact projects that are already yielding promising results.

 

“As I speak, we have successfully designed and constructed a recombinant DNA vaccine targeting all the lineages of Lassa virus circulating in Nigeria, using a TETFUND National Research Fund (NRF) grant.”

 

He added that the TETFUND Covid-19 Special Intervention Research Grant has supported the study on t innovative approach to rapidly identify potential therapeutics for COVID-19.

Groups Call Airport Operators To Provide Roads For Persons With Disabilities

Temitope Obatoke
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Coalition of Disability Organisations, in collaboration with some organizations, have called on the airline industry to provide accessible roads for Persons Living With Disabilities in the nation’s Airports.

The Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, David Anyaele, made the call on Tuesday at a one-day sensitisation programme for airline operators in Kano.

Anyale, represented by Coalition’s Administrative Manager, Mrs Florence Chima, said the programme was aimed at sensitizing airline industries on the need to provide easy access roads to airport for persons living with disabilities in the Nigeria.

He said that Persons living with disabilities were often faced with the lack of amenities at airports such as ramps wheelchairs, inaccessibility to restrooms and at times denied them chances to travel.

“There had been numerous accounts of outright denial of air travel rights, as well as humiliating and degrading treatment of persons with disabilities at the nation’s airports.”

According to him, the Disability Rights Act is hinged on the provisions of the Act prohibiting discrimination against persons Living with disability, signed into law in 2018 by President Muhammadu Buhari. He said that the act provides for the person with disability the right access to the physical environment and buildings on an equal basis with others.

“Section 14 of the Act also demands that all airlines operating in Nigeria must ensure accessibility of their aircraft to persons with disabilities.

“Make available functional wheelchairs for their conveyance, assist them to get on and off board in safety and ensure they are accorded priority while boarding among other demands.”

Earlier, the Chairman, Spinal Cord Injury Association (SCIAN), Mr Matepo Abdulwahab, said there is the need to put logistics for persons Living with disabilities, make the structures accessible to them without double cost.

“We are calling for accessible format like, brail, large or bold print audio, visual and use of sign language interpreters for various languages.”

He also appealed for enlightenment programmes at all nation’s airports for People living with disability. Head of customer services, Aminu Kano International airport Kano, Hajiya Zuwaira Yahaya, assured the stakeholders that their requests would be forwarded to the government for action.

She assured Persons living with disability that they would be accorded due attention at the nation’s airports and therefore urged them to report any case of discrimination to customer service desk. “You are at our hearts and you have the right to challenge bad service,” she added.

In her speech, the Executive Director, Gender and Disability Inclusion Advocacy Centre (GADIAC), Rabi Gezawa, called for the special training for airport operators to enable them handle persons living with disability as well as creating sensory rooms to assist them.

 

 

 

NAN

President Buhari Mourns Emir of Dutse

Bilkisu Halilu Pai
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President Muhammadu Buhari is mourning the demise of Dr. Nuhu Muhammadu Sanusi, the first-class traditional ruler (Emir) of Dutse, the capital city of Jigawa State.

 

He was recognized as one of Northern Nigeria’s modernizing leaders.

 

Before his death, the Emir was the Chancellor of Sokoto State University.

 

He was considered as an exemplary leader in the global quest for a sustainable living environment and a lead advocate for afforestation and the green ecosystem.

 

The late Emir’s official biography equally puts him up as an advocate of the mitigation of climate change, prompting him to build the Dutse Royal Golf Course which is reputed to be one of the largest in Nigeria with lush vegetation, exotic flora and rare fauna.

 

Expressing sadness on the passing of the Emir, President Buhari said:

 

‘‘He was instrumental to the progress Dutse had achieved in the last three decades under his watch. He was a grassroots person who was loved by all.”

 

The President conveys his condolences and that of the nation to the Dutse Emirate, the government and people of Jigawa State over the sad loss.

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