***Says we’re exploring innovative strategies to achieve food, nutrition security

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has wooed foreign investors to invest in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, assuring them that the country is ready for agribusiness.

He said Nigeria remained the best place to invest given its 70 million hectares of underutilised arable land, which, according to him, is 75% of the country’s total land mass.
Senator Shettima, who stated this on Tuesday in Iowa, United States, during the 2023 Norman Borlaug International Dialogue, noted that there were substantial opportunities in Nigeria for local and foreign investors to boost agricultural productivity.

The Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, also referred to as the “Borlaug Dialogue,” is a gathering of individuals from more than 65 countries fully prepared to address cutting-edge issues related to global food security and nutrition.

Speaking at this year’s edition of the Dialogue with the theme, “Harnessing Change,” the Vice President told the gathering that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s watch, Nigeria has since demonstrated that the Agrifood sector was a top priority.

Delivering his address titled, “Nigeria’s Agribusiness Roadmap for a Prosperous Future,” VP Shettima said, “Our primary objective is to empower our farmers and attract investors. We are increasing primary production to harness the economic potential of agro-processing and industrialisation. This is why, upon assuming office, the President declared a state of emergency in agriculture.

“The connection between food and national security is too significant for us not to be alarmed by happenings around the world, whether in response to unforeseen disasters like the COVID-19 pandemic or the geopolitical frictions around us.”

Restating Nigeria’s firm belief in the power of partnership, the VP explained that it was for this reason that the country had prioritized interventions, which he said present profound economic opportunities for investors.

He listed the interventions to include the National Agriculture Growth Scheme (NAGS), the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT), the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), the Green Imperative Project (GIP) and the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programmes.

“Allow me to share that Nigeria understands the essence of partnerships in sustaining the dreams and promises that have brought us together today. This is why we are already collaborating with institutions such as the African Development Bank, the World Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Islamic Development Bank, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to achieve food and nutrition security in Nigeria and beyond.

“With the invaluable support of our partners, we are exploring innovative strategies to transform this quest for food security into a thriving enterprise,” Senator Shettima stated.

The Vice President highlighted critical areas Nigeria was assisting its farmers to increase productivity, including essential infrastructure for industries to increase their capacity.

He said, “With about 70 million hectares of underutilized arable land, which is 75% of our total land area, Nigeria offers a substantial opportunity to both local and foreign investors to boost agricultural productivity. This is why we’ve embraced the TAAT, GIP, and SAPZ programmes and are investing in agricultural research through the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF).

“This is why we are helping our farmers increase production and providing essential infrastructure for industries in peri-urban areas to expand their capacity. This, yes this, is the wisdom for our resolve to establish Mechanization Service Centres in all our 774 Local Government Areas to facilitate essential primary production services.”

He further stated that, while much of the demand for agribusiness products was satisfied through imports, the Tinubu administration is dedicated to reversing Nigeria’s over-reliance on importation.

VP Shettima noted that apart from the fact that its strategic location in West Africa provides easy access to regional and international markets, Nigeria was also poised to dismantle investment barriers.

This, he said, is being achieved through a supportive policy framework such as the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP).

He continued: “Because we believe that import rules are a significant factor, we’ve established a policy of zero duties on agricultural machinery and imposed restrictions on certain agricultural commodities to stimulate local production. We are also offering preferential financing and subsidies, exemplified by an agricultural credit guarantee scheme that guarantees up to 75% of loans for agricultural ventures.

“We’ve also introduced a range of tax incentives, including tax holidays, deductions for locally sourced materials, labour incentives, and pioneer status incentives, making it easier to conduct business. Notably, we’ve opened the doors to foreign investors, allowing them to have 100% ownership in companies and repatriate their profits and dividends without hindrance.”

Declaring that Nigeria was ready for agribusiness, the Vice President pointed out that the country was “committed to the journey towards a world where food security and nutrition are not luxuries but fundamental rights for all.”

While introducing VP Shettima earlier, Ambassador Terry Branstad, President of the World Food Prize Foundation and former U.S. Ambassador to China, described the Nigerian Vice President as a rare African statesman whose leadership qualities, loyalty as well as sense of commitment to nationhood and development can best be described as legendary.

He expressed optimism that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidency would be successful given its devotion to results-oriented diplomacy.

Attending the Dialogue with the Vice President are governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, Miinister of Agriculture, Sen. Abubakar Kyari; Consul General (New York), Amb. Lot Egopija, and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement (Office of the Vice President), Dr Kingsley Uzoma, among others.

Stanley Nkwocha
Senior Special Assistant to
The President, Media and Communications,
(Office of the Vice President)
25th October, 2023

President Tinubu Appoints New Leadership in the Marine and Blue Economy Sector

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of two new Chief Executive Officers in Parastatals and Agencies under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in line with the recommendations of the Honourable Minister, H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola:

Managing Director / CEO, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) — Alhaji Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji

Executive Secretary / CEO, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) — Mr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima

Alhaji Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji is a graduate of Banking and Finance and holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Business Administration. He is an Economist with industry experience of more than 28 years before he entered the public service. In the public service, he first reversed the downward trajectory of the Osun State Investment Company Limited before serving as the Osun State Commissioner of Finance for eight years.

Mr. Akutah Ukeyima is a graduate of Law and holds a Master’s degree in Public International Law from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He most recently served as the Head of the Central Authority Unit, International Cooperation in Criminal Matters, Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

President Bola Tinubu tasks the new appointees in this vital sector to faithfully implement the policies and programmes of the Honourable Minister in pursuit of the expeditious and efficient attainment of bolstered revenues and investments as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda’s Blue Economy strategy.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

October 25, 2023

Seven EFCC operatives attacked, held hostage by staff and students of the Federal College of Forestry, Idi-shin Estate, Ibadan

Seven operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on routine verification exercise of a surety: Azeez Kazeem Oluwakemi were, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, attacked and held hostage by staff and students of the Federal College of Forestry, Idi-shin Estate, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The operatives were in the college to authenticate the address and identity of Oluwakemi, who stood as a surety for Alakinde Khalid Kolawole, a suspected internet fraudster in the custody of the Commission. A surety verification exercise is a standard law enforcement practice for the perfection of bail conditions of a suspect. This fact occasioned the mission of EFCC’s operatives at the college.

For some inscrutable reasons, students and staff of the college went on a frenzy of attacks against operatives of the EFCC, who were on an authorized assignment. This is in spite of the fact that the college community was duly informed about the mission of the EFCC’s team. The college’s Student Union President, in concert with his colleagues and some staff of the institution, reportedly ignited violent confrontation with operatives of the EFCC. Two main entrance gates to the college were barricaded with a car believed to be owned by one of the lecturers of the college. The bus that conveyed operatives to the college was vandalized, even, as students and staff of the college threw stones and dangerous objects at the vehicle. A rescue team that came successfully released the seven operatives held hostage by the riotous crowd.

It is noteworthy that, operatives of the Commission exercised restraint in the face of the unprovoked attack and refrained from applying any force against the belligerent attackers. No student or staff of the college was shot, as armed operatives merely fired into the air to disperse the unruly crowd.

The Commission wishes to assure the public that it will continue to perform its duties in line with its mandate, and unprovoked attacks against personnel of the Commission will no longer be tolerated.

Media & Publicity

October 24, 2023

NYSC warns Corps employers and others found to be aiding and abetting absenteeism of Corps members from the national service

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Wednesday threatened to apply appropriate sanctions against Corps employers and others found to be aiding and abetting absenteeism and abscondment of Corps members from the national service.

Director, NYSC Northwest area office, Mr. Kehinde Aremu who stated this in his keynote address at the 2023 Corps employers’ workshop in Kaduna noted that with the introduction of biometric verification for both primary and secondary assignments, clearance of Corps members and perpetration of sharp practices have been reduced.

Represented by the Deputy Director Operations, Northwest Area Office of NYSC, Abdulkarim Alima the Director added that the management of the Scheme would continue to sanitise the process to eradicate all forms of malpractices in the system.

On the area of rejection of Corps members by their prospective employers, he said, as far as Corps rejection is concerned, “NYSC is trying as .much as possible to post Corps members to where their course of study is needed based on request.

“We know if a Corps employer requests for Corps members, we know the issue of rejection will not arise. When they are rejected, we repost them to where they are needed.

“We are appealing to our Corps employers to be flexible with Corps members. They should look at their welfare in terms of transport and accommodation.

“It is the responsibility of Corps employers to accommodate them and in a situation where that is not possible, they pay them in place of that a reasonable amount considering the present economic realities in the Country”, he said.

Representative of one of the Corps employers in the State, Deputy Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Day Secondary School, Kaduna, Major Ajibola Usman attributed occasional Corps members’ rejection to inadequate facilities to accommodate them in his school.

“Usually we accommodate a lot of Corps members. However, as a result of the requirement of institutions like ours, there may be no need for having too many Corps members posted to us at the same time.

“In a situation where the school can only take care of 20 Corps members and you are having 40, there will be the need for rejection because you don’t plan for such a number”, he said.

Another Corps employer at the event, Mrs. Ganiyat Gafar called for system strengthening rather than calling the scraping of the scheme considering its impact on the Country’s workforce.

“The workshop is educative because many of us are just employing Corps members without knowing the nitty-gritty of what it takes. We are going to work on some of the things we were told here.

“Corps members have been up and doing. A Corps member from Bayelsa did so much while taking physics in my school and today, he has settled down in Zaria and doing well for himself.

“So, NYSC should be strengthened because the scheme is deploying these young Nigerians to unite the Country”, she said.

Coordinator of the Scheme in the State, Mr. Hassan Mahmud Taura said the purpose of the workshop was to brainstorm and to arrive at the possible best way to improve the welfare of Corps members in their places of primary assignments.

Timipre Sylva, Joshua Maciver,  APC excluded from final list of candidates ahead of November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has excluded the name of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipre Sylva, from the final list of candidates ahead of the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

The amended list which was uploaded on the commission’s website on Tuesday was signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The column for the names of the APC candidate and his running mate, Joshua Maciver, was left blank with “court order” remarks on it.

According to Oriaran-Anthony, the action of the commission was in obedience to court orders on the lists, served on the commission.

Supreme Court gives judgement Thursday on appeals filed by Abubakar Atiku and Peter Obi

The Supreme Court has slated Thursday for judgement on the appeals filed by the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Abubakar Atiku, and Labour Party, Peter Obi.

The judgement will lay to rest the legal disputes over the 25 February presidential election.

Atiku and Mr Obi had appealed against the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) which dismissed their petitions challenging the outcome of the 25 February presidential election and affirmed the election of President Bola Tinubu.

The Director of Information of the Supreme Court, Festus Akande, confirmed the information to journalists on Wednesday in Abuja.

Court jails Sadiq Mustapha.

The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, October 23, 2023, secured the conviction and sentencing of one Sadiq Mustapha to one year imprisonment.

He was jailed by Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri, after pleading guilty to one -count amended charge bordering on cheating to the tune of N3, 900.000.00 (Three Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira only).

The charge reads: “That you Sadiq Mustapha on or about 10th day of August, 2017, at Maiduguri, within the judicial division of this Honourable Court, did fraudulently induce Yawudi Zarma to deliver to you the sum of Three Million Nine Hundred Thousand Naira, N3, 900, 000.00, under the guise that the said amount represent payment for the purchase of a plot of land covered by grant right of occupancy No. BO/2065/16, Plot No. 7 on BOTP/64, Pompomari Industrial Layout, Maiduguri which you claimed to be the owner and thereby committed an Offence Contrary to Section 320 (a) of the Penal Code Law Cap. 102 Laws of Borno State and Punishable under Section 323 of the same Law.”

The defendant pleaded ‘guilty’ to the charge when it was read to him. In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, A. I Arogha, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.

Justice Fadawu thereafter sentenced and convicted him to year imprisonment, with an option of fine of N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira only).

Mustapha’s journey to the Correctional Centre began when he was arrested by operatives of the Maiduguri’s Zonal Command of the EFCC for obtaining the sum of N3.9million from a petitioner as a payment for a plot of land. He neither delivered the land to the buyer nor returned his money to him.

Media & Publicity

October 24, 2023

Olukoyede urges EFCC staff to immediately declare their assets in line with civil service regulations and procedures

As a bold move towards accountability and internal cleansing, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has directed staff of the Commission to immediately declare their assets in line with civil service regulations and procedures.

He gave the directive on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at the Corporate Headquarters of the Commission in Abuja while addressing senior staff of the EFCC. Olukoyede stressed that, fighting corruption required those at the vanguard to be above board.

“All of us are going to declare our assets; from level 17, downward. I did mine, so there’s no reason for anyone to be afraid to do same. Even the Commission Secretary did, you all may also have done it in the past, but there’s need for all of us to do it again. We will declare our assets, and we are going to investigate it. We must live above board by setting the pace with good examples. As anti- corruption fighters, our hands must be clean, so we must declare our assets”, he said.

He called on staff of the Commission to pay more premium attention to the basis of fighting economic and financial crimes, pointing out that, such efforts should be geared towards growing the economy of the nation, creating rightful environment for enhanced investment and strengthening the productive base of the economy. “ We must do our job to add values to the nation. Investors must have confidence in the economy and we must help the country to be governed in an accountable and transparent manner. By doing this, it will offer us a new direction to redeem the image of the nation”, he said.

He also charged staff of the Commission to be professional, thorough in their engagements, rich in integrity and be non-partisan. “Please, I beg you, let’s our hands be clean and put our house in order. Some may not like me, but I am going to do the right thing and treat everybody equally irrespective of religion, ethnicity and region”. He assured staff of better welfare package, enhanced training and equal opportunities to ensure higher productivity. He warned “ those compromising their works and positon to desist from such conduct, as dire consequences await every unsavoury tendency”.

The EFCC boss assured the Commission’s staff that adherence to the rule of law would be an article of faith and defining principle of work. “ The EFCC is a creation of the law. We must do our job in line with the dictates of the law. This is a standard international practice and we would ensure that it is our established norm”, he said.

Media & Publicity

October 24, 2023

GOV AKEREDOLU RECEIVES SOUTHWEST GOVERNORS, HARPS ON CONTINUOUS COLLABORATION

Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, CON, on Tuesday, 24th October, 2023, met with Governors from the region to discuss issues of interest.

The Governors present at the meeting were Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Prince Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Engr. Seyi Makinde of Oyo, and Mr. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti.

Governor Akeredolu, who appreciated the Governors for their solidarity, harped on continuous collaboration among the Southwest States.

Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde said the Forum is praying for Governor Akeredolu, adding that he has the support of all the Governors in the region.

The Governors discussed National and other Issues affecting the region and the people.

Richard Olatunde

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.

October 24, 2023.

GOV AKEREDOLU APPROVES 100% HAZARD ALLOWANCE PAYMENT FOR DOCTORS

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, CON, has approved the payment of 100 percent hazard allowance to medical Doctors on the state government payroll.

The payment of the allowance will take effect from 2nd October, 2023

The Chairman of NMA in Ondo state, Omosehin Adeyemi-Osowe thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise.

He said this will in no small measure make work interesting for the doctors.

According to him, the state government has again demonstrated that it is committed to the welfare of health personnel in the state.

He also enjoined the Governor to as a matter of urgency direct the speed up of the recruitment process of health workers as promised .

President Tinubu Receives ‘Quick Win Report’ on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday in Abuja received the ‘Quick Win Report’ on fiscal policy and tax reforms from the Committee tasked with improving the nation’s revenue profile and business environment.

Responding to a presentation by Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, the President commended their work and assured them of his support for the review and implementation of key recommendations.

”I have listened attentively to your report. Charting the critical path forward for Nigeria’s economic recovery is crucial to all of us. I want to say thank you to your delegation,” he said.

President Tinubu granted the request of the Committee to address a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and apprise cabinet members of their work and expected outcomes to facilitate economic growth.

The President directed Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, the Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, to coordinate with the relevant government officials for the session.

In his remarks, the Acting Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Zacch Adedeji, pledged to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the Committee, as they may apply, pending the approval of the President.

Mr. Adedeji declared that beyond supporting the fiscal and tax reforms, the FIRS will explore opportunities to diversify the nation’s revenue sources, as the historical overreliance on oil has made the economy vulnerable.

”Nigeria’s fiscal policy serves as the foundation of economic stability. It dictates how the government collects, manages and allocates resources for the betterment of our people. A well-developed fiscal policy is crucial for provision of infrastructure, healthcare, education and social services to our growing population. Tax reforms are an integral part of a robust fiscal policy.

”While our current tax system has contributed significantly to our revenue, there remains room for further enhancement; enhancement that can be driven with digital technology. To achieve this, we are collaborating with the Presidential Committee to streamline our tax laws, improve voluntary compliance, and expand the tax base to ensure equity and fairness,” the Acting FIRS Chairman said.

In his prayers to the President, Mr. Oyedele, among others, called for an emergency economic intervention bill (Executive Bill) and the issuance of Presidential Executive Orders to address the duplication of functions across the public service, and to ensure prudent public financial management in a bid to optimize value from government assets and natural resources.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 24, 2023