AfDB

By Mustapha Sumaila
The African Development Bank (AfDB) says its COVID-19 emergency packages have reached five geographic regions in Africa.

The AfDBs Communications and External Relations Department made this known in a statement on Saturday.

The bank explained that before the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, West Africa was home to at least four of the continents fastest-growing economies, and it had felt the impact of the disease hard, as borders remained closed and economic and social distress deepened.

Gambia, Mali and Niger will benefit from an ECOWAS support package to bolster national health systems in response to the pandemic. Much of the funds to this region will seek to address shortages in personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators and other emergency equipment.

The support will also enable governments to provide shortfall cash to the millions of people who have been affected by mass layoffs or are unable to work because of lockdowns.

In the packages, Nigeria has 288.5 million euros, Senegal 88 million euros, Cote dIvoire 75 million euros, Cabo Verde 30 million euros and ECOWAS 22 million dollars.

In the North African region, the worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 60,000 cases as at 12 June. The disease has already triggered a sharp drop in household incomes in North Africa, as export and tourism earnings suffer.

The region will be assisted with a series of emergency operations to boost containment measures and help to ensure the supply and distribution of laboratory tests and reagents. The package will also support national and regional coordination mechanisms.

In the region, Morocco will get 264 million euros, Tunisia 180 million euros and Egypt 500,000 dollars.

In East Africa, the continents fastest-growing region economically has been simultaneously struck by the coronavirus outbreak and an infestation of desert locusts, a double whammy for the regions farmers and economies.

In a region of climate change and water scarcity, post-harvest losses and poorly developed agricultural markets could threaten the promise of economic reforms and investment.

Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda are the top-performing countries, which have all seen a sharp fall in tourism revenue. Kenya has 188 million euros the bank said.

AfDB disclosed that measures had been taken across the South African region to contain the pandemic, which had affected millions of people, many of whom work in the informal economy.

It added that assistance to this region came in the form of preventive and protection measures as well as financial assistance to the vulnerable beyond the end of the epidemic.

According to the bank, Mauritius will get 188 million euros while Zimbabwe receives 13.7 million dollars.

The AfDB stated that in Central Africa, the package approved for this region, was 13.5 million dollars, which would target the provision of PPE, testing kits and healthcare and laboratory facilities.

It said the beneficiaries were Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic, which is among the countries with the least number of ventilators on the continent and CEMAC/RDC had 13.5 million dollars.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Bank announced a COVID-19 Response Facility that would provide up to 10 billion dollars to African governments and the private sector to tackle the disease and mitigate suffering from the economic downturn and job losses.

Source: NAN News

ECONOMY

AGRICULTURE

The Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP)of the Central Bank of Nigeria, launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 17, 2015, has made available more than 200 billion Naira in funding to more than 1.5 million smallholder farmers of 16 different commodities (Rice, Wheat, Maize, Cotton, Cassava, Poultry, Soy Beans, Groundnut, Fish), cultivating over 1.4 million hectares of farmland.

The ABP has substantially raised local production of rice, doubling the production of paddy as well as milled rice between 2015 and 2019.

Between 2016 and 2019, more than 10 new rice mills came on-stream in Nigeria. Many of the existing Mills have expanded their capacity; several new ones are under construction.

More than a billion dollars of private sector investments in the production of Rice, Wheat, Sugar, Poultry, Animal Feed, Fertilizers, etc, since 2015.

Federal Executive Council approval (2020) for a National Agriculture Mechanization Programme, the Green Imperative, in partnership with the Government of Brazil and multilateral financing institutions.

The Presidential Fertilizer Initiative:

Launched in January 2017, as a Government-to-Government agreement with the Kingdom of Morocco

More than a million metric tonnes of fertilizer produced since 2017. This translated to distribution of more than 18 million 50kg bags of NPK fertilizer in the first three years of the PFI)
22 blending plants resuscitated (combined installed capacity of more than 2.5m MT)
Price reduction from 9,000-11,000 per bag, to 5,500
FX savings of m annually through the substitution of imported components with locally manufactured ones
Subsidy savings of 50 billion Naira annually

Making Business Work

Support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: The Administration has launched a series of funding and capacity development initiatives designed to support MSMEs:

The new Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has finally taken off, with initial funding of US.3 billion (N396.5 billion); to provide medium and long-term loans to MSMEs.

Since 2017, the DBN has disbursed a total of N100 billion through the banks 27 Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) impacting more than 100,000 MSMEs.

52% of loans disbursed in 2019 were to youths and women owned businesses.

Bank of Industry has disbursed more than N400 billion in loans to large, medium, small and micro enterprises since 2016.

It has also established a N5 Billion Fund for Artisanal Miners, as part of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals Developments Programme to boost Mining activities in Nigeria; as well as a million Fund to support young technology entrepreneurs in Nigeria

The MSME Clinics, which bring relevant Government Agencies together with small businesses operating in various cities across the country, to enable the Agencies provide direct support to these businesses. The interactions allow the Agencies better understand the issues facing small businesses, and provide a platform for speedy resolution.
The Ease of Doing Business Reform Programme (see below)
The Government Enterprise and Empowerment component (GEEP) of the Social Intervention Programme (SIP)

Ease of Doing Business Reform Successes:

The work of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (inaugurated by President Buhari in August 2016) and the Enabling Business Environment Secretariat (EBES) has resulted in Nigeria moving up 39 places on the World Banks Ease of Doing Business rankings since 2016. In the last 3 years Nigeria has twice been adjudged one of 10 Most Improved Economies in the Rankings.
The Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) in 2017 completed a long-overdue revision of the list of activities that can benefit from Nigerias Pioneer Status Incentive, which grants beneficiary companies a 3 to 5-year tax holiday. The revision, done more than 10 ten years after the last one, has modernized the List, expanding the tax holiday incentives to qualifying companies in E-commerce, Software Development, Animation, Music, Film and TV.
NIPC published a Compendium of all Investment incentives in Nigeria, making it easier for existing and potential investors to have equal access to the information.
Some of the specific Ease of Doing Business Reform achievements are as follows:
Assent by President Buhari to the Finance Bill, 2019. The Finance Act, 2019 is the first time Nigeria is accompanying the passage of a Budget with complementary fiscal and business environment reforms legislation. The 2020 Budget is also the first time in 12 years that a Federal Budget has been restored to the January-December cycle.
Creation of a National Collateral Registry (NCR). A NCR or Movable Assets Registry was established by the Central Bank of Nigeria, in May 2016. The NCR allows small businesses to get access to loans using movable assets machinery, livestock, inventory as collateral. As of the end of June 2018, the NCR online portal had registered 630 financial institutions. Between inception in 2016 and April 2020, these financial institutions had recorded a total of 65,370 moveable assets on the portal, belonging to 165,456 borrowers, and valued at 1.26 Trillion Naira
Automation of business name reservation, submission of registration documents, payment of registration fees, generation of Tax Identification Numbers (TIN), and filing of federal Taxes.
Implementation of functioning Visa-on-Arrival system for Business Visitors and AU nationals.

PENSIONS

In January 2019, President Buhari launched Nigerias Micro Pension Scheme which allows self-employed persons and persons working in organisations with less than 3 employees to save for the provision of pension at retirement or incapacitation.
The Buhari Administration is prioritizing the payment of pension arrears owed staff of current and privatized/defunct Federal agencies:
N54 billion released to settle outstanding 33% pension arrears (the 33% pension arrears date back to 2010 when the minimum wage was increased to N18,000).
Delta Steel Company (liquidated in 2005): 3,542 pensioners have now been placed on the payroll, ending a 13-year wait for their entitlements.
NITEL: 9,216 pensioners payrolled, after more than a decade of neglect
Retired Biafran Police Officers (dismissed by the Federal Government in 1971, after the Civil War ended, and pardoned by President Obasanjo in 2000): President Buhari approved the payment of the pensions, unpaid since their pardon in 2000. N571.56 million was paid to a total of 174 beneficiaries in October 2017
Nigeria Airways: President Buhari approved the release of N24 billion in September 2018, for the settlement of 50% of workers disengaged when the airline was liquidated in 2003/4.
Recoveries: The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has recovered cash and non-cash assets totaling N16 billion previously trapped in various insurance companies and underwriters managing the pension funds of Federal Parastatals and Universities.

MONETARY, FISCAL, TRADE, IMMIGRATION, CONSUMER PROTECTION REFORMS

Tax

Launch of a new Tax Identification Number (TIN) Registration System in 2019. For the first time Nigeria has a consolidated, unified database of all taxpayers (individual and corporate), across all States.
This new System is the product of increased collaboration between FIRS and States Inland Revenue Services (through improved sharing of information, and an integration of databases, among others)
The new TIN Registration system leverages on existing taxpayer data available from databases of multiple organizations like Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Banks through Bank Verification Number (BVN), National Identity Card Management Commission (NIMC) and others.
The improved collaboration between FIRS and the various SIRS has resulted in an increase in Nigerias Tax Net (number of paying and non-paying individuals and companies in the Tax Database) from 13 million as at December 2015 to 35 million at the end of 2018, and a projected 45 million by the end of 2019.

Trade

Establishment of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations by the Economic Management Team (EMT). The NOTN has produced Nigerias first Annual National Trade Report, and is compiling, for the first time in Nigerias history, a comprehensive database of Nigerian Trade Deals and Agreements.
The Renminbi-Naira Swap Agreement between the Peoples Bank of China and the Central Bank of Nigeria: On April 27, 2018, the CBN signed a 3-year bilateral currency swap agreement with the Peoples Bank of China (PBoC), worth Chinese Yuan (CNY) 15 billon equivalent to N720.00 billon or US.5 billion.

Budget:

Budget proposal submission, which used to be done manually (submissions in hard copy and flash drives) has moved to an online platform, the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), since 2018. The new Budget Submission System significantly improves the transparency and efficiency of the budgeting system.
Restoration of Federal Budget to January-December cycle, with the 2020 Budget, for the first time in 12 years.

Immigration:

Installation of the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) a global travel security standard in 5 Nigerian International Airports, commencing in late 2019, with the support and collaboration of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
MIDAS is linked to Local and International Criminal Dabatases / Watchlists (INTERPOL etc), and achieves real-time synchronization of data between all of Nigerias International Airports and the NIS Headquarters in Abuja. It ultimately creates a faster and more efficient airport experience, while also ensuring that persons crossing Nigerias borders through the Airports do not pose any threats to national and international security.
Accompanying the installation of MIDAS, is the launch of a New Visa Policy, 2020 by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), as part of a broader 5-year Border Strategy Reform (2019 2023).
The new Visa Policy incorporates the following reforms:

Expansion of Visa Categories from 6 to 79, to reflect and cater to the full range of realities and scenarios for intending travelers to Nigeria.
Introduction of eVisas, which carry biometric information of visa holders. The eVisa issuance system is linked to MIDAS.
Automation of Visa Issuance and Payment to reduce human contact and associated corruption.
The Visa on Arrival Policy expanded to all holders of African Passports starting January 2020.
Consumer Protection:

President Buhari in 2019 assented to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) Bill, the first legislation in Nigerias history focused on curbing anti-competition practices; and the establishment of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

Debt Management:

Between 2017 and now, Nigeria has issued its first ever:

Diaspora Bond, in the International Capital Market. The Diaspora Bond was US million with a tenor of 5-years. The proceeds were used to partfinance the 2017 Budget.
Sukuk Bond (1st Tranche 100 billion Naira in 2017; 2nd Tranche of 100 billion Naira in 2018 and 3rd Tranche of 150 billion Naira has just gone on sale in May 2020). The Sukuk Bond proceeds are being used to fund major road projects across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
The Buhari Administration has issued Nigerias first ever Sovereign Green Bonds.

Domestic Borrowing Costs:

Through the CBNs policies and directives, Treasury Bill rates which represent domestic borrowing costs for the Government have fallen from 16-18 percent per annum in 2017 to 2-6 percent per annum in 2019/2020.

FISCAL SUPPORT TO STATES

The Buhari Administration has extended more than N2 Trillion Naira in bailout packages to State Governments, to enable them meet their salary and pension obligations, especially in the face of dwindling oil revenues in the first 3 years of the Administration. The support has come in the form of the following:
Budget Support Facility (Total of N614 billion extended to the States.
Paris Club Refunds (.4 billion)
Infrastructure Loans
Loan Restructuring for Facilities with Commercial Banks: In 2015, the DMO restructured Commercial Bank loans with a total value of N575.516 billion for 23 States to reduce the debt service burden on the states. In exchange for their loans to State Governments, the banks were issued 20-year FGN Bonds at a yield of 14.83% per annum. The Restructuring Exercise benefited the States through:
Reduction in the monthly debt service burden of States from between 55% to 97% for various States;
Interest rate savings for the States ranging from 3% to 9% per annum;
Longer repayment period for the loans now converted into Bonds; and,
Freeing up of needed cash to run the machinery of Government.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS

The Buhari Administration has, since 2017, issued a number of landmark Executive Orders:
Executive Order (001) on Improving Efficiency in the Business Environment
Executive Order (002) on Promoting Local Procurement by Government Agencies
Executive Order (005) on planning and execution of projects, promotion of Nigerian content in contracts and science, engineering and technology
Executive Order (008) on the Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularization Scheme (VOARS)
Executive Order (007) on Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme
Executive Order (010) Implementing Financial Autonomy of State Legislature and State Judiciary

INFRASTRUCTURE

The Buhari Administration has demonstrated a single-minded commitment to upgrading and developing Nigerias Transport, Power and Health Infrastructure.
Three major rail projects inherited from previous administrations have been completed and commissioned: Abuja Metro Rail and the Abuja-Kaduna Rail, and the 327km Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri Rail, started in 1987, have been completed in 2020.
A fourth Rail Project, the Lagos-Ibadan Rail Project, kicked off in 2017, and is due to be completed in 2020. The tracklaying for the main component of the project was completed in March 2020.

In May 2018, the Federal Government launched the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), under the management of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority. The PIDF kicked off with seed funding of US million, and has already disbursed funds for three critical road projects: Second Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway.
Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) in March 2018 invested USm to establish a world-class Cancer Treatment Center at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), which commenced operations in 2019.
Work is ongoing on two USm Diagnostic Centers in the Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.
Abujas Light Rail system has been completed; it connects the city center with the Airport, and the Abuja-Kaduna Railway Line.
New Abuja and Port Harcourt International Airport Terminals completed, in Q4 2018. New Lagos and Kano International Airport Terminals scheduled for completion in 2020. All were inherited from the previous administration at various stages of completion, and in some cases required project redesign and revision.
The Buhari Administration successfully completed the reconstruction of the Abuja Airport runway within the scheduled six-week period (March April 2017), and will complete the reconstruction of the Enugu International Airport Runway in 2020.
The following Water Supply Projects and Dam/Irrigation Projects have been completed by the Buhari Administration:
Central Ogbia Regional Water Project, in Bayelsa
Sabke/Dutsi/Mashi Water Supply Project, in Katsina
Northern Ishan Regional Water Supply Project, serving Ugboha and Uromi communities of Edo State.
Kashimbila Dam, Taraba State
Ogwashi-Uku Dam, Delta State (Actual Dam completed and reservoir impounded in 2016; also spillway discharge channel completed).
Shagari Dam Irrigation Project, Sokoto State
Mangu Dam and Regional Water Supply Scheme in Plateau State
Completion of Phase 1 of Galma Dam, Kaduna
Rehabilitation of Ojirami Dam Water Supply Project, Edo State

The 25 Road Projects being funded by the Sukuk Bonds:
Construction of Oju/LokoOweto bridge over River Benue to link Loko (Nasarawa state) and Oweto (Benue state) along route F2384
Dualisation of AbujaAbajiLokoja Road section I (International Airport link road junctionSheda Village)
Dualisation of SulejaMinna Road in Niger State Phase II (km 40 000-km101 000)
Dualisation of AbujaAbajiLokoja Road: Section IV Koton KarfeLokoja in Kogi State
Dualisation of Lokoja-Benin Road: ObajanaOkene in Kogi State
Dualisation of KanoMaiduguri Road linking KanoJigawaBauchiYobe
Dualisation of KanoMaiduguri Road linking KanoJigawaBauchiYobeBorno States. Section III (AzarePotiskum) in Bauchi
Dualisation of KanoMaiduguri Road linking KanoJigawaBauchiYobeBorno States. Section IV (PotiskumDamaturu road) in Yobe
Dualisation of KanoMaiduguri Road linking KanoJigawaBauchiYobeBorno States. Section V (DamaturuMaiduguri)
Dualisation of KanoMaiduguri Road linking KanoJigawaBauchiYobeBorno States. Section I (KanoWudilShuari) in Kano
Dualisation of KanoKatsina Road Phase I, Kano Town at Dawanau roundabout to Katsina border in Kano
Construction of Kano Western Bypass as an extension of dualisation of KanoMaiduguri Road Section I
Construction of Kaduna Eastern Bypass
Rehabilitation of outstanding section of OnitshaEnugu Expressway: AmanseaEnugu border
Rehabilitation of EnuguPort Harcourt dual-carriage Section I: LokpantaUmuahia in Abia
Rehabilitation of EnuguPort Harcourt dual-carriage Section II Umuahia towerAba Township Rail
Rehabilitation of EnuguPort Harcourt Road Section III: EnuguLokpanta
Rehabilitation of EnuguPort Harcourt Road Section IV: AbaPort Harcourt in Rivers
Dualisation of Yenegwe Road JunctionKoloOtuokeBayelsa Palm in Bayelsa
Dualisation of LokojaBenin Road: Obajana JunctionBenin Section II Phase I: OkeneAuchi, Kogi/Edo states
Dualisation of LokojaBenin Road: Obajana JunctionBenin Section III Phase I: AuchiEhor in Edo
Dualisation of Lokoja-Benin Road: Obajana junctionBenin Section IV Phase I: EhorBenin City, Edo state
Reconstruction and asphalt overlay of BeninOfosuOreAjebandeleShagamu dual-carriage Phase IV
Reconstruction of outstanding section of sections of BeninOfusuOreAjebandeleShagamu dual-carriage Phase III
Dualisation of IbadanIlorin Road. Section II: OyoOgbomosho Road in Oyo

Power Sector:

The Federal Governments Energizing Economies Programme is a public-private partnership led by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), to deliver stable power supply to markets and economic clusters across the country. The initial phase is ongoing in Ariaria Market in Aba, Abia State (32,000 shops), Sura Shopping Complex in Lagos (1,000 shops), Shomolu Printing Community in Lagos (4,000 shops) and the Sabon Gari Market in Kano (12,000 shops). The Sura Shopping Complex project was completed in August 2018, and commissioned by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in October 2018.
Launch of a 1.3 Trillion Naira Payment Assurance Programmedesigned to resolve the liquidity challenges in the Power Sector by guaranteeing payments to Generating Companies and Gas Suppliers.
Implementation of a Willing Buyer, Willing Seller Policy for the power sector, which has opened up opportunities for increased delivery of electricity to homes and industries. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has also recently issued an Order capping estimated billing by DisCos.
More than 90 Transmission Projects completed or ongoing since 2016.

Oil and Gas:

NNPC is set to commence construction of the 614km Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) natural gas pipeline, which will traverse Kogi, Niger, FCT, Kaduna and Kano, and feed power plants and industries along the corridor. NNPC has paid the 15 percent counterpart funding for the .9 billion project, while the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the issuance of a sovereign guarantee to cover the rest of the funding, coming from the China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation.
Nigeria LNG Limited concluded Final Investment Decision (FID) on its Train 7 project at the end of 2019, and signed an EPC contract for the project in May 2020. A financing arrangement worth 3 billion US dollars was also concluded, the largest financing deal in Africa so far in 2020. NNPC owns a 49 percent stake in NLNG, on behalf of the Nigerian Government.
Controversial Offshore Processing Arrangement (OPA) has been cancelled and replaced with a Direct Sales and Direct Purchase (DSDP) scheme with reputable offshore refineries.
The Passage of the long overdue Deep Offshore and Inland Basin PSC (Amendment) Act, 2019, which will deliver increased revenues to the Federation.
Negotiation of the billions of dollars in arrears of Cash Calls we inherited when we assumed office, resulting in an agreement for a significant discount of .7 billion. Since 2017 the NNPC has commenced payment of the arrears to the Oil Companies, with a view to clearing the backlog. As at Q4 2018, about billion of the .5 billion arrears had been cleared.
Removal of the fuel subsidy regime and replacement by a market-led price modulation mechanism.
The Modular Refinery Initiative of the Buhari Administration has delivered 3 completed private sector-led projects, in Rivers, Imo and Delta States, and several others are in progress. Eminent persons like former President Olusegun Obasanjo have publicly commended the success recorded in that sector by the Buhari Administration.
INVESTING IN PEOPLE

The SIP is the largest and most ambitious social safety net programme in the history of Nigeria, with 12 million direct beneficiaries so far:
500,000 N-Power beneficiaries currently enrolled and have been deployed and are receiving N30,000 in monthly stipends. Additional 40,000 are at various stages of enrolment.

Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP):

36.9 billion so far disbursed in interest-free loans ranging from N50,000 to N350,000 to more than 2.3 million market women, traders, artisans, farmers across all 36 States of the country and the FCT, under GEEP, using locally developed and implemented technology solutions (More than half of the loans have gone to women).
In terms of advancing the financial inclusion goals of the Buhari Administration, GEEP has led to the opening of 2,023,145 new mobile wallets for beneficiaries.
In November 2017, GEEP was chosen as the pilot programme for the Bill

The Federal and Kwara State Governments had spent N1 billion on procurement of vaccines and solar power cold chain equipment.

Dr Michael Oguntoye, the Director, Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Ilorin.

Oguntoye disclosed that the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation (GAVI) was also involved in the procurement of the vaccines equipment.

The director said that vaccines cold chain equipment that would be operating on solar direct drive in Kwara had been installed across the 117 electoral wards in the state.

This 117 is just the first tranche of the cold chain equipment, another tranche is coming as the second batch.

By the time the second tranche comes before the year runs out, all the other wards that dont have cold chain equipment will have.

So the strategy is that in every ward, across the state, there should be at least one functional cold chain equipment that can be used to store vaccines.

This is to make vaccines available and make potent and efficacious vaccines available to the end users, he said.

According to him, the vaccines equipment has been deployed to primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities in wards.

Oguntoye said that the equipment would offer solutions to challenges of insufficient vaccines as well as gap in supply chain, and make vaccines readily available to children and communities in the state.

This will in turn help prevention of vaccines preventable diseases and by extension reduce out of pocket expenditures on the part of parents and caregivers, he said.

The expert in epidemic diseases said that the state government and its partners had found the need to increase performance, efficiency and coverage in reaching every eligible child for immunisation.

He added that apart from the normal vaccines, new vaccines were being introduced, which had additional challenges on the existing cold chain capacity.

Oguntoye said that new vaccines needed to be properly stored under ideal condition, adding the storage had to do with specialised equipment powered by electricity.

According to him, electricity in the country is a challenge, coupled with the fact that cold chain equipment are very expensive, not readily available and required a lot for maintenance.

This is the reason why the state government and partners procured the equipment, in order to equip primary healthcare centres and wards including secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities, he said.

Source: NAN News

Plane Crash

The police aircraft, which was en-route to Marsabit in northern Kenya, crashed at Kaithe Kithoka in Meru after developing mechanical problems.

Police Air-wing Commandant, Rodgers Mbithi, said the pilot in the ill-fated chopper and himself left Wilson airport in Nairobi with two choppers heading for the meeting.

I have talked to the pilot and he, with the others, who were on board are okay and are in stable condition, he said of the aircraft, which carried six people including the pilot.

Mbithi, who was on a different aircraft, said he managed to fly to Garissa and Wajir in the northeast region to pick up his team.

It is not clear if the meeting will go on.

Witnesses said the chopper hovered over the same spot before crashing minutes after it had taken off from an airstrip.

Police said the injured were rushed to the hospital in the area in stable condition and there were plans to transfer them to Nairobi.

The scheduled meeting was to solve a number of security issues in the Marsabit region which is prone to cattle rustling and inter-communal conflicts.

The crashed chopper is an AgustaWestland AW119 and is among the new fleets acquired by police.

It is suspected that bad weather caused the crash.

Aviation officials have launched investigations into the incident. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

UN-Secretary-General-Antnio-Guterres

By Harrison Arubu

He reiterated his call for an immediate end to the fighting in Libya in order to save lives and end civilian suffering.

Source: NAN News

National Open University (NOUN)

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has matriculated 15, 000 students admitted into 78 study centres in the country.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdalla Adamu, has called on the students to rise up to the challenges of the modern world and join government in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.

Adamu made the call in an address to new students during the universitys 19th matriculation ceremony, which was held online on Saturday through Zoom application.

A statement issued by Mr Ibrahim Sheme, Director, Media and Publicity, NOUN disclosed that Adamu urged the students to assist government in eradicating future diseases like the current coronavirus.

The VC urged them to see any challenge they encounter in their quest for knowledge as a building block.

One block at a time, and you will erect a mansion, he said, adding, You are in the best position to do this because your learning is powered by your personal desire to learn.

Adamu noted that while many students enter higher institutions in order to become educated and get jobs, the matriculating students at NOUN already had jobs and occupations.

According to him, NOUN has optimised its online facilitation exercise such that students can easily interact directly with their lecturers because technology has become a commodity.

He pointed out that the university was the only one having a Directorate of Learning Content Management System (LCMS) which in due course could become a full-fledge online university.

He added that all the academic programmes of the university were fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in order to ensure their integrity.

Our programmes, quality assurance and delivery mechanisms are, therefore, more solid than those of many conventional universities who keep coming to us to see how we work this technological magic.

Adamu, who informed the students that his tenure of five years would end February 2021, noted that the 19th matriculation would be his last with the university.

I want to meet you in the next four years, during your graduation, not as Vice-Chancellor, full of knowledge and ready to take on the world as a result of your studentship in NOUN.

I want to proudly watch you graduate with flying colours as simply the best of the best, he said.

The matriculation oath was administered online on the students by the Registrar of the university, Mr Felix Edoka.

It ended with exchanges between the vice-chancellor and some of the students, who joined from remote locations as the event was beamed live on the social media and NOUN platforms.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NOUN is the only single-mode open and distance learning university in Nigeria and the largest in West Africa with 580,000 enrolled students spread in 78 study centres across Nigeria.

Source: NAN News

EFCC, key player in preserving democratic governance in Nigeria official

By Ifeoma Aka

Mr Johnson Oshodi, South East Zone, Deputy Head of Operations, Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) said the commission was key in preserving democratic governance in Nigeria.

Oshodi stated this at a press conference organised to commemorate this years Democracy Day on Friday in Enugu.

He said that establishment of the anti graft agency in 2003, brought new lease of life to a country acknowledged as a cesspool of corruption among the comity of nations.

This, he said, led to the country pariah state in the 1990s.

The activities of EFCC has helped in sustaining the gains of democracy by saving the country billions of naira from the hands of corrupt public offices, he said.

Oshodi said that the commission in South East zone had the following modest achievements recorded between January 2019 and May 28, 2020.

During the period under review, a total of 730 petition sourced from intelligence gathering, complainants and through the commissions executive chairmans office for investigative were approved and assigned for investigation, Oshodi said.

He said that the zone had always been pro-active in intelligence gathering and carried out several raids beyond its area, including Awka in Anambra, Enugu and in Benin, Edo.

This led to the arrest of over 200 cyber criminals and secured several convictions, the zonal boss said.

He further said that the zone had recovered looted funds and assets in public and private dealings of about N400 million within the period under review.

He noted that the commission had also seized 61 different brands of exotic cars which were registered with the exhibit keeper.

The zone is investigating some cases of public interest mostly involving high profile personalities and politically exposed persons such as INEC ad-hoc officials from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo and Enugu states.

These people are involved in diverting state funds running into billions of naira.

The zone has successfully concluded and secured 113 convictions for the period under review.

It has equally charged 180 cases to court for various offences during the period, Oshodi said.

He decried the debilitating effect of cyber crime in the south east zone, noting that it was leading the pack of perpetrators in the country.

Oshodi commended the judiciary for making the commissions job easy and urged them to put more effort in quick dispensation of justice in the interest of the country.

The deputy head of operations called on indigenes of the zone to take up the challenge of curbing cyber crime. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, First Bank PLC, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan and Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the presentation of 20,000 E-Learning devices for Lagos State Schools by First Bank at the Lagos House, Marina

By Florence Onuegbu

The Lagos State Government says it is collaborating with First Bank Plc, to boost e-learning among students in the states schools.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State noting that technology/e-learning was a way to go in the education sector.

He spoke during the presentation and hand over of 20,000 e-learning devices by First Bank to the Lagos State Government at the State House, Marina,

Sanwo-Olu said his administration was passionate about education and technology, as these would help to define the next generation.

He said that a year ago, nobody thought COVID-19 would define the way people live, hence, the need to use technology to define the education system.

According to him, First Bank has helped to actualise the vision of the state government to use technology as the way to go.

COVID-19 has made us to fast-track our vision, and we are at a level not just to talk; we need to actualise it and it is interesting that we have found a real partner in First Bank.

Our Permanent Secretary, Tutor-General and students should ensure that this is not put to waste, because that is the most important thing.

Technology cannot speak for itself, it is the use you put to it that matters; it is when you activate it and use it that you can give it in the real life.

So, at the end of the day, it is the learning and the skills that are required of these things to come to reality.

It will amount to waste if we dont see the output and outcome in the number of distinctions that we see in our students; in the number of the quality of tomorrow that we want to begin to build for these students and in the number of ability to which they use technology as a strong enabler for their tomorrow, he said.

The governor said that everyone had a role to play, and it was only when everybody worked well that a system that was enabling and sustainable could be built.

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, said the donation of the e-learning devices was a major milestone in the journey to provide good quality online education for students.

Adefisayo said that the 20,000 devices were a step toward the provision of one million e-learning devices for students.

We are extremely grateful; this is the picture we must ensure our children are part of in the global movement, she said.

The Managing Director, First Bank, Dr Adesola Adeduntan, said the bank had always taken it upon itself to be part of where it operated.

Adeduntan said the bank was in business not just for profit, but for economic growth of the country and development of neighbourhood.

A representative of the students, Miss Sherifat Umar, a SS2 student of Elegbata Senior High School, Lagos Island, commended Sanwo-Olus efforts and administrative acumen in ensuring their future was structured.

Umar promised that the e-learning devices would be properly used, toward enhancing their education. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources

By Edith Ike-Eboh

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has congratulated Nigerians on the occasion of 2020 Democracy Day.

Sylva believes that a healthy democracy guarantees a greater nation.

He made this known in a statement signed by his media aide, Julius Bokoru, on Friday in Abuja.

The minister described June 12 as a moment of national pride and introspection, noting that a virile democracy was a veritable platform for entrenching national integration and greatness.

He acknowledged that Nigerias democracy has had its share of hiccups and setbacks, but expressed optimism that the country would come out stronger and better.

Sylva advised Nigerians on the need to guard the hard earned democracy jealously and shun deeds capable of undermining it.

He praised the people for embracing democracy, their love for country and sense of patriotism.

The minister also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to the tenets and values of democracy.

He said this had enhanced and strengthened the current democratic experience.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

By Nicholas Obisike

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Friday inaugurated projects in Nsukka including at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), in commemoration of the Democracy Day.

The projects included modern complex of eight magistrate court halls, complex of two High Court halls and one Open Registry at Nsukka Judicial Division, located at the GRA, Nsukka.

The governor also commissioned some road projects in the University town of Nsukka.

Inaugurating the court buildings, Ugwuanyi stated that the event marked another significant milestone in his efforts to reposition the states judiciary.

He said the inauguration was also to perform his administrations mandate of ensuring the concordance of the society with all extant laws and tenets of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Inaugurating the Nsukka town roads, Ugwuanyi said that the projects were in fulfillment of his administrations inaugural address to create more urban areas.

The governor said it was also to boost economic growth, equip and to modernise the Nsukka University town.

He added that the roads would enhance connectivity and access to homes and business premises as well as economy of the city.

The governor recalled that his administration had in its first term delivered the 11.6km Opi-Nsukka dual carriageway with a spur to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) gate.

He said that the carriageway enhanced movement in and out of the University.

This road also provides the much needed infrastructural services to the University and showcased the first underground functional drainage system in this part of the world, he said.

Empasising on his administrations procurement policy, the governor said that the contracts for the internal roads were awarded to competent contractors.

The contractors are with proven and verified track records on road construction, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the contractors are Ferotex Construction Company Limited, Marcico International Alliance Limited, Eketeson Nig. Ltd and Usmomen Nig. Ltd

In her address, Justice Ngozi Emehelu, the Chief Judge of Enugu State, described Ugwuanyi as Gods gift to Enugu State, thanked and congratulated him for inaugurating the projects.

Emehelu told the governor that she was overwhelmed with joy by the love, attention and support the judiciary of Enugu State had received and still receiving from his administration.

The event was attended by Deputy Gov. Cecilia Ezeilo, Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Centus Nweze, and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Edward Ubosi.

Others includes were Chief Judge of the State, Justice Emehelu, and the President of the State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice George Nnamani.

Also the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Prof. Godfrey Onah, the State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Augustine Nnamani, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Greg Nnaji, among others. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Hope Uzodimma, Imo state Governor

By Chidi Opara

Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo said his government would raise the states monthly internally generated revenue (IGR) to N5 billion in the next few years.

Uzodinma, who made the promise at the maiden stakeholders forum held on Friday in Owerri to mark Democracy Day said the state currently generates N1.2 billion monthly.

He also approved the payment of the new minimum wage for Imo workers with effect from July.

The governor said that he met an internal monthly revenue of N600 million when he came on board but had so far moved it to N1.2 billion.

He said his government had worked out the framework to achieve the new monthly target without increasing taxes or introducing new ones.

According to him, a combination of creative interventions and prudent warehousing of government receipts and inflows will do the magic.

Uzodinma said his government had abolished all forms of consultancy so that every kobo belonging to the state would go straight into the IGR coffers without passing through a middle man christened consultant.

I can also proudly announce that we have managed to save an average of N2 billion every month from this exercise.

We have plugged leakages in the civil service, public service and the pension payrolls.

This will increase as the months go by and heads of various ministries, departments and agencies imbibe the new culture of transparency and probity.

We have also established a digital template, which ensures that all payments, into and out of government coffers must be automated.

This is to ensure proper accountability, he said.

Uzodinma said that his government had equally taken proactive measures to safeguard the health of Imo people in the face of the dreaded coronavirus pandemic.

We have taken immediate steps to prevent and control the spread of the virus in the state.

We provided 30 ambulances, one for each Local Government Area and three for the state capital.

We also provided six well-equipped isolation and treatment centres.

Each of the ambulances is connected to the call centre so that any emergency development reported to the call centre is handled with dispatch.

He noted that the government has not relented in carrying out aggressive public awareness campaigns on safety protocols for COVID-19.

We have used all available medium; electronic, print and social media to carry the message of safety measures to the people.

It is to the glory of God that Imo is one of the states with the lowest COVID-19 incidents, he said.

On democracy, Uzodinma said that May 29 marked the end to impunity but a triumph of the rule of law.

I believe that President Muhammadu Buhari deserves commendation for his courage and foresight in rightly legalising June 12 as the official democracy day celebration for the country.

Without the travails and struggles of June 12, the final retreat of the military to the barracks on May 29, would have been actualised.

June 12 is your day! It is the day of Nigerian voter; it is the day that assures us that no force on earth, nor intensity of capricious manipulation can trample the collective will of the people, Uzodimma said.

He added that democracy was so important, as it was the only system of government that guarantees accountability.

Democracy without accountability and transparency is worthless. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov.Godwin Obaseki of Edo State

By Deji Abdulwahab

The screening committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified Gov. Godwin Obaseki and two other aspirants, Mr Matthew Iduoriyekemwe and Mr Chris Ogiemwonyi, from participating in the June 22 Edo governorship primaries.

The seven-member screening committee, headed by Prof. Jonathan Ayuba, also cleared three aspirants: Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Hon. Osaro Obaze and Dr Pius Odubu to contest the primaries.

Ayuba said this on Friday, while presenting the committees report to the partys National Chairman, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, at the APC national secretariat in Abuja.

He described the methodology used in screening the aspirants as evidence-based.

The methodology we used is clear. It was evidence-based. All we did was an interaction.

We screened six aspirants, three were eligible to contest and three were deemed ineligible to participate, the committee chairman said.

He said that the committee disqualified Obaseki due to what he called the defect in his Higher School Certificate (HSC).

Ayuba added that Obasekis name, written in his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, was issued in error by the NYSC authority.

Though, His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki, in his nomination form claimed to have obtained a Higher School Certificate (HSC) from an Institute of Continuing Education, Benin, it was observed, however, that no educational certificate such as HSC is known in Nigerian educational system.

Even then, the same HSC was never presented in the course of the screening exercise. The aspirant admitted that he has never collected it.

The attestation from the Institute of Continuing Education, Benin, from where the alleged HSC, which was indicated in the field of attendance, is of no consequence.

According to him, it only attests that Obaseki was a student of the institute.

So what we had was like an attendance; it was not a result.

Although, the committee received a petition on his University of Ibadan Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Classics certificate, which he submitted to INEC in 2016, when he first contested as governor, it, on further probing, was presented with original certificate, issued by the university and the original was sighted.

On the NYSC certificate, dated 6th August, 1980, the committee observed that he bears the name Obasek Godwin.

While this may be an error on the part of the issuing authority, we observed, however, that the aspirant has not taken any step to have the anomaly corrected by the issuing authority.

In our interaction with the issues raised, we concluded that HSC was defective and the NYSC certificate, and based on the partys constitution, this has made us to recommend that the above candidate, Obaseki, is not eligible to participate in the election, he said.

Ayuba also said that the names on all the certificates presented by another aspirant, Ogiemwonyi, were in contradiction with one another.

Also the sworn declaration of aged, deposed to by one Capt. Steven on 3rd June, 2016, bore two conflicting names of the aspirant.

There is discrepancy in all the certificates presented and also the difference in the names contained in the sworn affidavit of June 2016.

Having regards to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, APC constitution and the partys guidelines for the nomination of candidates and the reliance on the cases that have been settled by the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, it is the considered view of the committee that this aspirant does not meet the requirement to participate in the APC primary.

In view of the findings of the committee above, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi is not cleared, he said.

He, however, said that the committee, after screening and the verification of Mr Osaro Obazes documents, found him eligible to contest the primary.

Based on the committees observation above, the candidate is cleared, Ayuba said.

Responding, Oshiomhole, who said that the outcome of the committee was subject to appeal, urged any aspirant, who disagreed with the committees report, to present his appeal or disagreement to the partys appeal panel. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Godwin Obaseki

By Kevin Okunzuwa

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, says he will not appeal his disqualification by the Governorship Primary Screening Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Obaseki, who said this in a statement issued by Mr Crusoe Osagie, hisSpecial Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, however, described the action as a mockery of the democratic process.

According to the statement: We have watched the mockery of democratic process, which Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is administering and superintending over in our great party the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It has been an unfortunate, disheartening and dreadful spectacle.

We had initially asserted that going by the open display and enthronement of illegality by one man in the party that comprises several organs and eminent personalities, there is no way that Gov. Godwin Obaseki would get a fair assessment in the run up to the nomination of candidates to fly the flag of the party in the forthcoming Edo gubernatorial election.

It said that it was unfortunate that this open show of shame, illegality and travesty of justice was the brand of democracy which Oshiomhole had reduced the APC into.

The situation is quite saddening because this is a party supposedly reputed for change, equity and social justice.

We have, therefore, decided that it would be effort in futility to appeal whatever the unjust outcome of the evaluation and screening process of the APC will be.

(This is) especially when Comrade Oshiomhole has declared that he is the Supreme Court and ultimate determiner of the fate and future of our great party.

We wish Oshiomhole luck in his maladministration of the party and trust that the Almighty will help our country to find the path to true liberty, freedom and justice.

We call on all party members and the teeming supporters of Gov. Obaseki to remain calm and await further directives, the statement added.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Mr Solomon Adodo, President, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN)

By Emmanuel Afonne

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has said that its permanent national secretariat would be ready in 18 months .

National President of NYCN, Mr Solomon Adodo, said this in Abuja on Friday at the inauguration of its national office, a rented apartment located near the popular Area 1 Shopping Complex.

Adodo said the council decided to occupy a rented apartment for now to have a place of convergence where issues concerning youth development would be deliberated upon pending the completion of its national secretariat.

He said the building, a five-storey structure to be known as the Nigeria Youth House, when completed, would be a multipurpose edifice with modern facilities.

This development was achieved because of the peace we now have among our members; the NYCN is now a one united body with no more faction and this youth house is a testament to that.

We have never had a structure like this since the history of the national youth council of Nigeria; this is just the beginning of great things to come.

We will soon invite you to the formal commissioning of the Nigeria youth house owned by the National Youth Council of Nigeria.

The prototype design is there and it will be completed in 18 months; it is a five-storey building and with a lot of facilities.

We are going to trigger flashpoint of development everywhere in the nation.

We will begin a step at a time and concentrate on the six geopolitical zones, and God willing, before the end of our tenure, we must have gone if not the whole 36 states, at least half the number, Adodo said.

According to Adodo, the unveiling of the NYCN office on June 12, is deliberate to highlight the importance of the youth in the development of the nation.

From L-R: Mr Steven Eriba, National Publicity Secretary; Malam Suleiman Musa, National Secretariat; Mr Solomon Adodo, President; Mr Adamu Matazu, Deputy National President; Mrs Transformer Eucharia, Stakeholder and Mr Emmanuel Odumosu, Vice President, South West, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN)

He said that June 12, was symbolic as it reminded Nigerian youth of the need to join hands and struggle for the liberation of the country in spite of the storm and despair.

Today is a symbolic day in the life of our country because we are all aware that the election adjudged to be the fairest and freest in the history of our nation held on June 12, 1993, never saw the light of the day.

All hope is not lost in the midst of storm and despair; we can put ourselves together, assemble our potential and channel them into productivity.

NYCN has always maintained that Nigerian youth have energies, and where we channel our energies determines the outcome.
We cannot channel our energies to destructive purposes like terrorism, armed robbery, kidnapping, cyber crimes and so on.

We hope to assist the government at all levels in driving Nigeria to the frontline of development in the comity of nations.

This will ensure rapid economic growth by bringing the potential of our youth to assist the president and state governors build a new Nigeria, Adodo added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

FG evacuates 102 Nigerians from Egypt, expects 260 from India Saturday

By Lizzy Okoji

The Federal Government on Friday successfully evacuated 102 Nigerians from Egypt while 260 others are expected to arrive Nigeria from India on Saturday.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama disclosed this via his verified twitter handle @GeoffreyOnyeama on Friday.

102 Nigerians arrived from Egypt and 260 are expected tomorrow morning from India.

@flyairpeace is bringing in the passengers from India and @EgyptAir brought the ones from Egypt.

Ms Sarah Sanda, Special Assistant, Media, to Onyeama told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that the evacuation was done following the new protocols.

She said that the returnees who arrived via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja are already self isolating and would undergo the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing within 72 hours.

Sanda said that the same procedures would be followed by the expected returnees from India on Saturday after which they would go into the 14-day self isolation.

According to her, the Air Peace carrier from India is expected to land in Abuja after which it will proceed to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos where the rest returnees will disembark. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan

By Naomi Sharang

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, said the Senate would focus on how to keep Nigerias economy from going into recession.

Lawan made the pledge in his message on the 1st anniversary briefing of the 9th Senate during plenary.

The 10th of June, 2020, marked our one year anniversary. So, today (Thursday) is the beginning of a new year for us in the 9th Senate. We have every reason to thank the Almighty God for His blessings, he said.

According to him, in the next one year, we should focus on how to keep our economy from going into recession.

This entails working together with the executive arm of government to implement the Economic Sustainability Plan of the Federal Government.

We have to ensure that the economy remains afloat, provides for our citizens sustainable means of livelihoods.

Our business concerns need intervention to keep them viable in order to protect jobs.

We need to ensure that the various fiscal and monetary interventions provided in the revised 2020 budget, and particularly, the economic sustainability plan component are implemented fully.

Our priorities should continue to be on growth-enhancing, pro-poor expenditures and social sector investments, he said.

The president of the Senate noted that the red chamber in the period under review passed a total of 450 Bills.

Some of these Bills have already been signed into law and the remaining are in different stages of legislative processing.

The Senate has passed the request of the executive on the Revised Budget 2020. The review of the Budget 2020 is largely due to the adverse impact of COVID-19 pandemic on our revenues.

As an oil dependent economy, the slump in the price of crude oil in the world market means that the revenues we earn cannot meet the planned expenditure, he said.

He further said that the Senate had approved foreign loans of about 28 billion dollars for government in the last one year in order to support and enable it raise the necessary funds for national development.

Meanwhile, the Senate has adjourned sitting to Tuesday, June 23.

Source: NAN News

Dr Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige says President Muhammadu Buhari reforms in infrastructure have yielded no fewer than one million jobs.

Ngige said this in his Democracy Day message to Nigerians issued by his media aide, Emma Nzomiwu on Thursday in Enugu.

He said that such successes recorded in job creation as a result of infrastructural development were fallout of the Executive Order 5 which the president signed in 2018.

The minister said that the order was meant to improve local content in public procurement with science, technology and engineering components to create jobs for millions of unemployed Nigerians.

He expressed satisfaction that Nigerians had begun to see the results of some of the policies of the Federal Government.

Ngige urged Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the 2020 Democracy Day to reflect on ways to create greater bond of unity and contribute in the growth of the country.

He appealed to Nigerians to see the 2020 celebration as a period to look at the journey so far, identify successes and shortcomings and chart the way forward.

The minister congratulated Buhari and all Nigerians for their efforts toward the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria after 21 years of experiment.

It is a thing of joy for me that democracy continues to thrive in Nigeria in spite of all odds, including the socio-economic and political challenges we face as a country.

However, we should appreciate the fact that democracy which has been globally adjudged the best system of government is not an end in itself.

It is a means to get to our destination, vis-a-vis national development, he said.

Ngige said that it was gratifying to know that the country was not looking back after 21 years of democratic experience.

He applauded Buhari for the successes recorded so far, particularly the enhancement of living standards of Nigerian workers through the increase in the Nation Minimum Wage.

According to him, the development of critical infrastructure, such as electricity, rail, roads and air transportation are some of the sectors the Federal Government recorded tremendous successes.

Ngige said government had also made huge investments in agriculture, resulting in the country becoming self sufficient in rice, sorghum, millet, maize and cotton production among others.

We now produce what we eat as the government introduced import restrictions in order to encourage local industries.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on its part is providing local manufacturers with loans and other incentives to encourage them, he said.

Ngige praised the commitment of the president to the crusade against corruption which he said had earned him plaudits from the African Union (AU) and other members of the international community.

Source: NAN News

World Athletics, the athletics global governing body, has published a set of health and safety guidelines to assist competition organisers.

The aim is to minimise the risk of spreading the coronavirus when staging in-stadium outdoor events during the current pandemic.

A statement on the bodys website read that the guidelines were drafted by World Athletics Health and Science Department.

The guidelines also addressed the post-peak period, as described by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and are based on scientific and medical knowledge of the virus responsible for COVID-19.

The document offers guidance for professional athletes, support staff, technical officials, workforce, volunteers, medical staff and media.

Although it does not include guidelines regarding spectators, the WHO has produced a document and risk-assessment tools for mass gatherings.

Competition organisers are advised to undertake a four-point risk assessment for all accredited attendants.

If an individual scores two or higher, it is recommended that they should undergo a medical clearance protocol before the event, the statement read.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the guidelines were for pre-event, at the stadium, during and after competitions.

Source: NAN News

The Executive Board of Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has approved a 24-hour change in start date for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

A statement on the CGF website indicated that the Games would now hold from July 28, 2022 to Aug. 8, 2022.

The announcement was made by both the CGF and the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee, and it has come after a significant negative impact on the international sports calendar by COVID-19.

This slight adjustment to the schedule is the result of multiple collaborative discussions between the leaders of some of the worlds major sports events.

It ensures that Birmingham 2022 will now boast two full weekends of Commonwealth Sports while extending the rest and recovery period for those athletes competing in the World Athletics Championships.

The alteration to the opening ceremony date also avoids a potential clash with the semi-finals of the recently-rescheduled UEFA Womens Football Championships, helping to protect and promote the profile of womens sports.

The UEFA Womens Football Championships will further enhance the ever-growing popularity of womens football, while Birmingham 2022 is expected to be the first major multi-sports event in history to have more womens medal events than mens events, the statement read.

It added that the global health pandemic had caused many major sports competitions to be cancelled or postponed.

This includes both the World Athletics Championships, scheduled for Oregon in the U.S., and the UEFA Womens Football Championships, billed for England.

Both events have now moved by 12 months from 2021 and will take place in July 2022.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the World Athletics Championships, the UEFA Womens Football Championships, and the multi-sports European Championships will now all be held over an exciting six-week period during the Summer of 2022, the statement added

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

1.The 2020 celebration of Democracy Day marks 21 years of uninterrupted civil administration in our dear country. This day provides us an opportunity to reflect on our journey as a nation, our achievements and struggles.

2.It is a day to honour our founding fathers who toiled to establish our republic and every Nigerian who has worked tirelessly to sustain it.

3.We are celebrating this years Democracy Day despite the COVID-19 pandemic which afflicts our nation and the whole world.

4.It is indeed a very difficult time for everyone especially those who have lost loved ones to the virus and those whose sources of livelihood have been severely constrained by the stringent measures we introduced at every level of government to contain the virus and save lives.

5.The dedication of our health and other essential services staff towards containing this virus is a testament of our courage and resilience as a people and as a great nation, and I use this opportunity to say thank you to all of you for your service to the nation.

6.Sustaining our democracy thus far has been a collective struggle, and I congratulate all Nigerians and particularly leaders of our democratic institutions on their resilience and determination to ensure that Nigeria remains a shining example of democracy.

7.In my 2019 Democracy Day address, I promised to frontally address the nations daunting challenges, especially insecurity, economy and corruption. I therefore find it necessary to give an account of my stewardship on this day.

8.We have recorded notable achievements in the course of implementing our nine priority objectives and are establishing a solid foundation for future success.

9.On the economic front, our objectives have remained to stabilize the macroeconomy, achieve agricultural and food security, ensure energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products, develop infrastructure, fight corruption and improve governance.

10.We have witnessed eleven quarters of consecutive GDP growth since exiting recession. The GDP grew from 1.91% in 2018 to 2.27% in 2019 but declined to 1.87% in the first quarter of 2020 as a result of the decline in global economic activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

11.Every single economy in the world has suffered a decline. Ours has been relatively moderate.

12.In order to stabilize the economy, the Monetary Authority took steps to build the external reserves which resulted in improved liquidity in the foreign exchange market. The external reserves grew from .42 billion on April 292020 to about .00 billion in May, 2020 which is enough to finance seven months of import commitments.

13.Agriculture remains the key to our economic diversification strategy. The Presidential Fertilizer Initiative programme continues to deliver significant quantities of affordable and high-quality fertilizers to our farmers. This initiative has also revived 31 blending plants and created a significant number of direct and indirect jobs across the value chain.

14.Government is also revamping the cotton, textile and garment sector via a CBN Textile Revival Intervention Fund that would considerably reduce foreign exchange spent on cotton and other textile imports.

15.Through the food security initiative, we are promoting and . I am also delighted that more and more Nigerians are taking advantage of the opportunities in the agriculture and agri-business sector. I assure you that government will continue to support the Agriculture sector through the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme and similar schemes.

16.To protect our farming investments, we have deployed 5,000 Agro-Rangers and employed 30,289 in our para-military agencies.

17.We are also integrating rural communities to the formal economy by extending access to credit and inputs to rural farmers and building feeder roads.

18.Our efforts on growing non-oil exports have started to yield some results. For instance, in the past year, our revenue from Cocoa and Sesame Seed increased by .4 million and million.

19.Africa presents a huge opportunity for our export base diversification and we are developing our strategy to grow intra-Africa trade through the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.

20.Nigeria has risen by 25 places on the World Banks Ease of Doing Business ranking from 146to 131and is now rated as one of the top ten reforming countries.

21.This development is due to the Visa on Arrival policy, consistent promotion of initiatives that expand facilities available to Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, robust electronic registration and payment system, seamless processing of business registration and reduction of cost of registering business by 50%.We are confident that on-going efforts would result in further improvement of this rating.

22.We remain committed to expanding our mining sector. To this end, I have directed the resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant based on Government-to-Government financing and a Public-Private Sector financing.

23.With foreign and domestic investments and the participation of Small Scale Miners, we are harnessing the supply value chain in gold production.

24.We would also be launching a fully digitized mineral rights management platform for quick processing of mineral rights application, digitization of records and plugging revenue leakages.

25.The Power Sector remains very critical to meeting our industrial development aspirations and we are tackling the challenges that still exist in the delivery of power through different strategies.

26.We are executing some critical projects through the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme including the:

• Alaoji to Onitsha, Delta Power Station to Benin and Kaduna to Kano;

• 330kv DC 62km line between Birnin Kebbi and Kamba;

• Lagos/Ogun Transmission Infrastructure Project;

• Abuja Transmission Ring Scheme; and

• Northern Corridor Transmission Project.

27.Our agreement with Siemens will transmit and distribute a total of 11,000 Megawatts by 2023, to serve our electricity needs.

28.On transportation, another critical sector to improving our economic competitiveness, we are growing the stock and quality of our road, rail, air and water transport infrastructure.

29.Through the SUKUK-Funded Road Projects, a total of 412km of the targeted 643km road projects have been completed, representing 64%.

30.The Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund projects are also progressing very well. On the 2Niger Bridge, piling work has been completed and the approach roads are being constructed. 48% of work on this bridge has been achieved. We have constructed 102km of the 376km Abuja Kaduna Kano Road, representing 38%, and the 42.9km Obajana Kabba Road is 87.03% complete.

31.Furthermore, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency has completed routine maintenance on over 4,000km of federal roads out of the 5,000km targeted.

32.We are extending and upgrading our railway network too. We are introducing more locomotives, coaches and wagons for the Abuja-Kaduna Rail Line. The Central Ajaokuta Itakpe Warri Line has been completed and is being extended from Itakpe to Abuja on one end and from Warri Town to Warri Port on the other.

33.The Lagos-Ibadan Rail Line is 90% completed and would be extended to the Lagos Port which would help address the long-standing grid-lock at the Apapa port.

34.The Kano Maradi Single Track Standard Gauge Railway, Coastal Railway Project and Port Harcourt Maiduguri Standard Gauge Railway, with its associated branch lines running through the South Eastern and Gombe States, industrial park and Bonny Deep Sea Port are all ready for concessioning.

35.Government continues to make investments in the Aviation sector to position it as a travel and trade hub in West Africa and the wider African continent.

36.Airport Terminals in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt are being expanded, while the rehabilitation of the Enugu Airport is almost completed. All our airports are being raised to international standards with the provision of necessary equipment, especially navigational aids, to guarantee world class safety standards.

37.For the first time in over ten years, Nigeria is conducting bidding process for 57 Marginal Oil Fields to increase revenue and increase the participation of Nigerian companies in oil and exploration and production business.

38.We continue to grow local content in other areas of the oil and gas sector with the disbursement of funds from the million Nigerian Content Intervention Fund to indigenous manufacturers and service providers.

39.With sustained engagement of youths, opinion leaders and other stakeholders, we have restored peace in the Niger Delta Region and maintained our oil production levels.

40.The Head office of the Niger Delta Development Commission will be commissioned shortly. The Funding of sections IIV of the East-West Road shall be pursued with a view to completing the project by the end of 2021.

41.Furthermore, I am determined to ensure that development meant for the people of the Niger Delta get to them so I have authorised a Forensic Audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

42.Digital Economy continues to play an important role in our development agenda as we move into the age of Artificial Intelligence.

43.Since the creation of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy has been launched. Steps have been taken to achieve a reduction of connectivity cluster gaps from 207 to 114 as well as increase the level of 4G coverage by 30%.

44.Nigeria remains committed to expanding access to quality education to enhance the productivity of its citizens and would continue to pursue the enforcement of free and compulsory basic education for the first 9 years of schooling.

45.In pursuit of this, we have launched the Better Education Service Delivery for All in 17 states, established additional 6 Federal Science and Technical Colleges and currently executing a pro-active Teacher Training Plan with all states of the Federation.

46.In our revision of the operations of specialized education funds and to implement reforms that would optimize their benefits to the sector, we have adopted a Public-Private Sector Partnership for provision of infrastructure and also collaborate with the private sector to create jobs.

47.Our pursuit of affordable housing for the low and middle-income earners has received a boost with the delivery of 1,200 housing units, provision of 520 service plots with infrastructure through a Public Private Sector partnership and the issuance of 868 mortgages totaling N7.7 Billion. Similarly, Home Renovation Loans totaling N16.2 Billion have been granted to 19,210 people.

48.Toenable sustainable access to safe and sufficient water to meet the social, cultural, environmental and economic development needs of all Nigerians, we continue to expand our water supply, irrigation and dam facilities.

49.TheCompletion of Amauzari, Amla Otukpo and other 42 Earth Dams with combined job creation of about 43,354 direct jobs and 71,172 indirect jobs, would provide more support for irrigation agriculture and water supply.

50.To further institutionalize our effort in this regard, I signed the Executive Order 009 on Ending Open Defecation in Nigeria.

51.In order to improve our forest cover and in fulfilment of my commitment at the74Session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, we have commenced the planting of 25 million trees. This initiative will also contribute to our effort to mitigate the effect of climate change.

52.In the area of security, we remain unshaken in our resolve to protect our national infrastructure including on-shore and off-shore oil installations, secure our territorial waters and end piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

53.Ending insurgency, banditry and other forms of criminality across the nation is being accorded appropriate priorities and the men and women of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have considerably downgraded such threats across all geo-political zones.

54.All the Local Governments that were taken over by the Boko Haram insurgents in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa have long been recovered and are now occupied by indigenes of these areas who were hitherto forced to seek a living in areas far from their ancestral homes.

55.The total collapse of the economies of these areas, which constituted a threat to our food security, has also been reversed with the gradual recovery of farming and other economic activities.

56.Irecent sporadic incidents with tragic loss of lives in Katsina and Borno States as a result of criminals taking advantage of COVID-19 restrictions. Security Agencies will pursue the perpetrators and bring them to swift justice.

57.I must implore state and local governments to revamp their intelligence assets so that the Security Agencies can nip in the bud any planned attacks in remote rural areas. I send my heartfelt condolences to all the relatives and communities affected.

58.As part of the strengthening of our internal security architecture, the Ministry of Police Affairs was created.

59.Amongst others, Government has expanded the National Command and Control Centre to nineteen states of the federation, resuscitated the National Public Security Communication System and commenced the implementation of the Community Policing Strategy.

60.Government has similarly established a Nigerian Police Trust Fund as a public-private sector vehicle for alternative sources of funding security activities.

61.To reduce security challenges through our external borders especially smuggling of oil products out of the country, inflow of small arms and drugs into the country and equally protect our local manufacturers, we introduced operation Ex-Swift Response closing our borders from August 20th 2019, and have considerably succeeded in meeting its objectives as well as improving our national revenue.

62.Our Government has continued to work to reduce social and economic inequality through targeted social investment programmes, education, technology and improved information.

63.Our Social Investment Programme has continued to be a model to other nations and has engaged 549,500 N-Power beneficiaries, 408,682 beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme and 2,238,334 beneficiaries of the Growth Enhancement and Empowerment Programme. This is being done in collaboration with the States.

64.Similarly, Marketmoni and Tradermoni Programmes have provided affordable loans to small and micro scale enterprises to grow their businesses. Under the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, over 9,963,729 children are being fed to keep them in school and improve their nutritional status.

65.Fellow Nigerians, the year 2020 has been like none other. In January 2020, the COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. The number of global infections has risen from less than 8,000 shared between China and eighteen other countries to over 7million spread over 216 countries and on all continents.

66.Nigeria recorded its first case of COVID-19 on February 27th 2020 and within the first 100 days, I have had cause to address the nation on three occasions within one month, which underscores the gravity of this pandemic.

67.There is no doubt that this pandemic has affected the global economy and all known socio-economic systems. It has also brought grief and pain to families that have lost their loved ones. Like many Nigerians, I feel the grief and pain not only as your President but also as someone who has lost a close member of my staff and some relatives and friends.

68.In order to have a robust National response, I approved a Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to provide guidance and leadership in tackling the pandemic nationwide.

69.State Governments also constituted their own COVID-19 Task Forces.Complementing this was the establishment of a National Emergency Operations Centre responsible for providing technical and professional guidance in the National Response.

70.The overall objective of the PTF COVID-19 is to ensure that the pandemic does not overwhelm our health systems, while ensuring that we maintain an effective Case Management System to help in containing the spread of the virus.

71.The impact of the pandemic has disrupted our economic system and to ensure its functioning while still addressing the spread, the Federal Government put in place a number of various non-pharmaceutical measures to slow down the spread of the virus, in addition to a progressive re-opening of the economy.

72.As part of the strategy to create jobs in reducing the effect of COVID-19 on our youths, I directed the employment of 774, 000 Nigerians. These youths will be engaged in Special Public Works Programme aimed at cushioning the effects of economic downturn. Each of the 774 local government areas in the country will be allotted 1,000 slots. I am pleased to report that this programme has commenced.

73.I receive regular briefing from the PTF on COVID-19.I note that the National Response relies on Science, Data and Experience in taking decisions. This informed my approval for the ease of lock down phase to ensure a balance between lives and livelihoods.

74.I am confident that the steps being taken by the PTF would result in flattening the COVID-19 curve. I, therefore, implore all Nigerians to abide by the approved guidelines and protocols. There is hope for us all if we take individual and collective responsibility.

75.Government is determined to turn this COVID-19 challenge into a motivation to action by building a nation-wide public health care system that will help us overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for any future outbreak.

76.Already, we have begun to look inward and I charge our inventors, researchers and scientists to come up with solutions to cure COVID-19.

77.Government has continued to implement accountability and transparent policies through the Open Government Partnership and the transparency portal on financial transactions. Similarly, we have strengthened auditing and accountability mechanisms so as to ensure that rules and regulations are followed strictly.

78.Anti-Corruption Agencies have secured more than 1,400 convictions and also recovered funds in excess of N800 billion. These monies are being ploughed into development and infrastructure projects.

79.The Public Service of Nigeria remains the bedrock for the formulation and implementation of policies, programmes and projects in the country. This accounts for why it continues to evolve especially as new socio-economic challenges emerge for Government to address.

80.I will continue to give all the necessary support for the on-going reforms designed to return discipline, integrity and patriotism as the hallmark of the public service.

81.In the face of dwindling resources and rising cost of governance, I have authorized that the White Paper on the Rationalisation of Government Parastatals and Agencies be reviewed for implementation.

82.Our youth population remains a source of strength in achieving development objectives. In this regard, we would continue to concentrate in developing their skills, providing them with opportunities to express their entrepreneurial, research and industrial capacities as well as ample opportunity to take leadership positions in the service of the nation.

83.The commitment of this Administration to the well-being of people living with disabilities remains unwavering. Government recognises their contributions to development. I have directed that all relevant Government agencies pay special attention to the peculiarities of persons with disabilities in the formulation and implementation of their policies and programmes, and where suitable their employment.

84.Nigerian women remain a particular treasure to this nation and for this reason this Administration has continued to give them a place of pride in the affairs of our country.

85.I salute your courage, enterprise and resilience as well as your contributions to national development. I wish to assure all our women of this administrations determination to fight Gender Based Violence through the instrumentality of the law and awareness creation. I am particularly upset at recent incidents of rape especially of very young girls. The Police are pursuing these cases with a view to bringing perpetrators of these heinous crimes to swift justice.

86.Government continues to recognize and harness the power of the media for positive development. The reforms of the broadcast and advertising industries including digital switch over and continuous engagement through town hall meetings remain central to accurate and credible information dissemination.

87.Our culture provides the basis for our existence as a people and a nation. In preserving iconic aspects of our national culture, this government has been pursuing the recovery of artefacts removed from Nigeria, promoting heritage sites and festivals and working towards designating some of our heritage sites as UNESCO World Heritage Centres.

88.This administration is focused on ensuring that Nigeria would always be governed by the Rule of Law and I would do my utmost to uphold the constitution and protect the lives and property of all Nigerians.

89.Government has initiated a number of policies and programmes designed to promote the legal rights of Nigerians, facilitate the institutionalization of a responsive legal system, provide support to all constituted bodies in implementing their mandates and improve our custodial system of justice.

90.The National Assembly has been an important partner in our quest to sustain our democracy and achieve our development objectives.

91.I therefore greatly thank the leadership and members of the Senate and the House of Representatives for their invaluable support at all times.

92.I will also like to convey our deep appreciation to members of the Press for your doggedness in the struggle for attainment of democracy since the beginning of our nationhood.

93.I must admit that the relationship between the media and successive governments has not always been perfect. But there is no denying the fact that you have been an effective watchdog for the society especially in holding public officers to account. It is sad that in the course of securing our democracy, some of your colleagues have had to pay a heavy price.

94.We will continue to guarantee freedom of the Press as we place high premium on responsible journalism that is devoid of hate speech, fake news and other unethical professional conduct.

95.Fellow Nigerians, as we celebrate this years Democracy Day, let us remember that, notwithstanding our aspirations, humanity and indeed democracy is under the threat of COVID-19. Nigeria has survived many crises before and came out stronger. I am confident that by Gods grace we shall overcome this one and emerge stronger and more purposeful.

96.Thank you for listening. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Source: NAN News