By Olukayode Babalola

Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has charged youth corps members to develop interest in agriculture to enable them be self-reliant.

He stated this at the inauguration of the 2021 Farming season by NYSC Youth Corps members on a 16-hectare farm land secured by the NYSC in Doma local government area of Nasarawa on Saturday.

Ibrahim said since 2012, NYSC had introduced a number of programmes, including Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme, aimed at teaching corp members skills they would need to be self-employed given the scarcity of white collar jobs.

He said one of the trainings offered by SAED is agriculture, a sector capable of lifting many from poverty and employing many young Nigerians.

With demonstrations on this farmland, we want to encourage corps members to show more interest in agriculture and earn their livelihood through it, he said.

Ibrahim thanked the Andoma of Doma, Alhaji Aliyu Onawo, for offering the land to NYSC for agriculture demonstration to corps members, among other uses.

He said that the acquisition of the land and the practical use of it would go a long way to convince corps members to see agriculture as a viable alternative.

We urge other royal fathers and state governments to emulate the good gesture of the Andoma to avail lands to our corps members so that they can showcase their talents and get experience in farming, he said.

Also speaking, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, Nasarawa state Deputy Governor, lauded the commitment of the NYSC in pushing the agriculture agenda of the Federal Government to youth corps members with a view to encouraging them to be self-reliant.

Akabe, represented by Prof. Allalana Otaki, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Water Resources, pledged Nasarawa state governments support for the NYSC agriculture initiative.

In a remark, Mr Stephen Dewan, Coordinator of the NYSC in the state, expressed excitement over farming season development.

He promised to ensure that corps members in the state are thoroughly trained and exposed to the numerous opportunities available in the agriculture sector.

In a speech, Mr Johnbenedict Tyoakosu, a youth corper and President, NYSC Nasarawa state Agro Allied Community Development Service (CDS) Group, said the group would commence the farming season with planting of melon seeds.

He said melon seeds mature in three months and two weeks, adding that they would also plant beniseed.

This farm will be used for demonstration purposes for corps members interested in farming to learn the best agronomic practices of the crops that will be cultivated here.

It will enable us to train the beneficiaries not just theoretically but practically, he said.

Tyoakosu noted that the agricultural activities on the Demonstration Farm would contribute to the food security of Nasarawa State and Nigeria as a whole.

Practical work on Agro based SAED can also be done to equip the corp members with the skills which will make them self-employed and subsequently employers of labour, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Gami Tadanyigbe

Noble Youths Mass Support Association (NYMSA), a social political group, has endorsed Dr Doyin Okupe, a physician and Special Assistant to two former Nigerian Presidents, as a presidential candidate for 2023 general elections.

The group National Coordinator, Mr Godwin Onmonya, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday that the group had hope in the former National Publicity Secretary of National Republican Convention.

According to Omonya, the group endorsed the former Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Olusegun Obasanjo as its own preference candidate because he is a reliable and credible choice for the 2023 Presidential race.

He described the former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan, as God-sent and capable of turning around the countrys economy, employment the youth, Agricultural innovation and protection of lives and property.

Okupe will create enabling environment for businesses to thrive, restore respect for the rule of law and job opportunities for the development of the country.

Okupe is a Nigerian physician and politician who co-founded Royal Cross Medical Centre.

He is a thoroughbred grassroots politician, who understands Nigeria and Nigerians challenges and can provide acceptable solution to them all, he said

During the Second Republic, Okupe was a House of Representatives candidate of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) for the 1983 parliamentary election.

In 2002, he also declared interest to be governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries in Ogun State, where he squared up as major contender with eventual winner, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Our decision to stand by Okupe is neither unguided nor borne out of sentiments, rather it is as a result of extensive analysis and assessment, he said.

The national coordinator said that the group would deliver more than five million votes for him in 2023 general elections.

He, however, urged the members across the country to ensure they collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in preparation to the general elections.

It is on behalf of the group that I hereby endorse Okupe candidacy and promise to deliver more than five million votes in the country for him and we must all get our PVCs ready.

The task ahead of us is huge but with dedication, hard work and the support of our members in all the states of the federation, we will surely come out victorious, Omonya said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Acha

Governors of the South-East and opinion leaders in the zone are currently in a closed-door security meeting at the Government House, Enugu State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that leaders of religious groups, traditional and sociocultural institutions in the area are also part of the meeting.

This is the second security meeting called at the instance of the South-East Governors Forum in the last two weeks and might not be unconnected to the worsening security situation in the area.

Recall that in the latest security breach in the region, hoodlums on Saturday attacked the country home of Imo governor, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, in Omuma, Orlu, during which part of the building and some vehicles were burnt down.

Already in attendance are Ebonyi governor, Chief David Umahi, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Deputy Governor of Imo, Mr Placid Njoku.

Others are the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, the President General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Prof George Obiozor, Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma.

Others are Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, South-East, former Governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, elder statesmen, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu among others.

NAN further reports that the governors of the South-East had during a similar meeting held in Owerri on April 11 floated a joint security outfit code-named Ebube Agu.

Source: NAN News

CBN and the regulatory role of printing money

By Kadiri Abdulrahman of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Governments printing of Naira simply means loans advanced to states to pay salaries and survive; and not the literal interpretation of printing money from the factory and sharing to the public, according to Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

It was Emefieles initial reaction to a recent comment by Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo that the CBN printed about N60billion to augment Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) subvention to states in March.

Speaking at the Edo Transition Committee stakeholders engagement, Obaseki had raised concern that the step the apex bank took was an indication that the Nigerian economy was ailing.

The Edo governor said: when we got FAAC for March, the Federal Government printed additional N50billion to N60billion to top-up for us to share.This April, we will go to Abuja and share. By the end of this year, our total borrowings are going to be within N15trillion to N16 trillion.

This position by Obaseki elicited varied reactions from cross sections of Nigerians, most of it creating panic.

Economists and financial experts have warned that Nigeria faces the risk of falling off the fiscal cliff if the Federal Government continues its reliance on Ways and Means to fund its widening deficits.

The experts said Obasekis revelation reflects the sad reality of the economy and that the future appears increasingly bleak except the trend is reversed.

However, the National Economic Council (NEC) has affirmed that there was no printing of N60 billion or any other amount to shore up allocation for the month of March.

The council, which is chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, took the position during its meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

A statement by Laolu Akande, spokesperson for the Vice President, said that the Council expressed satisfaction with clarifications made by the Nigeria Governors Forum, represented by its Chairman, Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.

Akande said that the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, and Emefiele also made clarifications on the issue.

Having received presentations from the Minister of Finance, the Central Bank Governor, and the NGF, the NEC has affirmed that there was no printing of N60 billion or any other amount whatsoever to shore up allocation for the month of March as wrongly insinuated recently in the press.

The Council expressed satisfaction with clarifications made by the NGF, the Finance Minister and the CBN Governor.

Both the Minister and the CBN Governor stated to the Council that the allegation of the printing of money to augment allocation was outrightly false. The NGF also supported the conclusion and NEC affirmed same as the highest constitutional body tasked with economic affairs in the country, Akande said.

Meanwhile, Emefiele had earlier explained that the apex bank does not just print money and distribute to people.

He warned that the apex bank would take immediate steps to recover all N614 billion credit facilities given to states in budget support and bailouts to enable them pay salaries in the past.

I think it is important for me to put it this way, that in 2015 and 2016, the kind of situation we found ourselves, we did provide a budget support facility to all the states of this country. That loan is still unpaid up till now.

Most countries in the world today are confronted not only by the challenges coming from the COVID-19 pandemic, but other issues causing economic crisis.

What I keep saying is that it will be irresponsible for the CBN or any other federal reserve bank to stand idle and refuse to support its government at this time, he explained.

The Finance minister, Zainab Ahmed, had also countered Obasekis position on the issue.

Speaking to newsmen after a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, Ahmed said that what was distributed at the monthly FAAC meetings were generated revenue from government institutions available to the public at the ministrys website.

The issue that was raised by the Edo governor for me is very, very sad, because it is not a fact.

What we distribute at FAAC is revenue that is generated and in fact distribution of revenue is a public information.

We publish revenue generated by FIRS, the customs and the NNPC and we distribute at FAAC. So, it is not true to say we printed money to distribute at FAAC, it is not true, the minister said.

Some analysts believe that Obaseki was probably drawing attention to the undeniable revenue challenge the Nigerian government presently contends with, and the dire need to accelerate economic diversification to accommodate broader revenue options.

According to Mr Laoye Jaiyeola, Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), central banks of other countries facing similar economic challenges as Nigeria also print money.

Jaiyeola corroborated Emefiele explanation that printing money does not always have to do with physical cash.

He said: When they say printing money, it is not cash. You know how banks create money; it is not only cash.

All the money we have in Nigeria is not in cash. So, the CBN can create N1billion and only about N100million out of it can be in cash.

He urged stakeholders to understand the concept of ways and means to get the issue in proper perspective.

The concept of ways and means is something most of us should understand. If government says this is our budget for the year, these are statements of where they expect income to come from and what expenses they are going to have.

But this income does not come at the time they expect it. So, the central banks as governments bankers are allowed to give some amount of money to the governments pending when they then pay back.

So, the CBN does that through the concept of ways and means. So, when government eventually gets this money, they pay back, he explained.

Shedding more light on the contentious issue, a professor of Economics from the University of Ibadan, Lanre Olaniyan, also said that the idea of printing money mainly relates to the CBN creating money for government.

Olaniyan said that creation of money for government by central banks was normal, adding that cash will only be involved if the cash reserve was extremely low.

He explained that the idea was for the central bank to give loans to government as the lender of last resort.

In elementary economics, we are told that the central bank is the lender of last resort to the government, he said.

He described Seigniorage, the process where the apex bank prints money to fund activities of government is a welcome development in economics when necessary.

He added that a country freshly out of recession, like Nigeria, needed to put money in peoples pockets.

The Federal Government will have to spend enough money that will go round a large percentage of the citizenry to sustain the post-recession economy; it is called quantitative easing, he said.

However, a breakdown of details of the February revenues which were shared by the three tiers of government in March listed VAT as contributing a total of N157.327 billion; the largest revenue shared.

This was followed by petroleum profit tax of N137.583 billion, and remittances by the Department of Petroleum Resources of a total of N133.583 billion.

Nigeria Customs Service contributed N89.350 billion; company income tax, and related taxes, N66.356 billion; the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, N64.161 billion; and the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development provided N976 million.

The breakdown shows a gross income of N649.336 billion, but when the cost of revenue collection as well as the 13 per cent derivation payment to oil-producing states were deducted, the total came to N596.944 billion.

N8.645 billion was taken from the Forex Equalisation Fund Account to augment the allocations, making it a total of N605.589 that was shared by the three tiers of government.

The document shows that the federal government got N205.160 billion as its share, while the 36 states received N166.085 billion and the 774 councils got N122.853 billion.

Oil-producing states shared an additional N37.143 billion as derivation payment.

There is no entry to indicate that N60 billion was added from any source.

An economist, Mr Tope Fasua, believes that printing of money is an integral part of the functions of the CBN.

Fasua said that the apex bank performs that function through the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc, where it is the largest shareholder.

He added that the reason why the CBN will want to print money ranges from the routine to the emergency.

Routine because the CBN has to ensure that banks are always liquid in terms of cash, and emergency for the purpose of economic intervention.

The Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, also waded into the controversy.

Bugudu explained that due to the shortfall in revenues by N43.34 billion compared to the previous month, an augmentation was made in the sum of N8.65 billion from the Forex Equalization Fund Account.

He said that this brought the total distributable revenue to N605.59 billion.

He added that revenues distributed monthly primarily consisted of mineral revenues from the sales of oil and gas, as well as non-mineral revenues from customs and excise duties, company income tax and value added tax.(NAN)
***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Source: NAN News

By Nefishetu Yakubu

The Nigeria Petroleum Development Company Ltd. (NPDC) on Saturday said more than 10,000 indigent students from its host communities benefited from its scholarship programmes since year 2000.

Mr Dahiru Abubakar, the Manager, Community Relations Department, NPDC, made this known during the conduct of the year 2019/2020 scholarship examination in Warri, Delta.

Abubakar noted that about 379 students were invited for Saturdays examination from all the NPDC host communities.

Represented by the team leader of the Warri examination centre, Mr Noble Imabibo, Abubakar revealed the examination was being conducted simultaneously in three centres at Warri in Delta , Egbema in Imo and Port Harcourt, Rivers.

We are here to basically conduct NPDC yearly scholarship examination. This exercise is for year 2019/2020 and the process is going on smoothly.

Basically, this is a tertiary scholarship exams, what we do is to send invitation to our host communities asking them to nominate four candidates to compete for one slot per community.

The Warri venue has about 179 candidates, while Egbema and Port Harcourt centres have 100 candidates each.

In total, we have 379 candidates sitting for the exam out of which about 160 successful candidates would be awarded the scholarships.

The NPDC Scholarship Programme started in the year 2000, and since then about 10,000 students have enjoyed and still enjoying the programme, he said.

According to him, the effort is part of NPDC corporate social responsibilities to its host communities aimed at promoting human capital development.

Abubakar further stated that to ensure transparency in the process, NPDC engaged the management of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) as consultant to conduct the examination.

The whole idea is to make the examination highly competitive and transparent in line with the TAPE agenda of the NNPC administration, he added.

Also speaking, Professor Prekeyi Tawari-Fufeyin, Coordinator of the NPDC Scholarship Examination, (FUPRE) thanked NPDC for the privilege given to the students.

Tawari-Fufeyin urged other corporate organisations to emulate NPDC by coming up with people oriented programmes.

We are acting as consultants to NPDC to conduct the exams, she said.

She advised the students to always prepare well for the examination, adding that performance in the past few years had reduced.

Miss Utohware Oghale, an ND-II student of Ozoro Polytechnic, Delta, said the scholarship if awarded to her would be used to pay school fees and buy books.

Mark Mane, a 200 level Physics student of University of Abuja expressed satisfaction in the process.

According to Mane, it is the first time he is writing this kind of scholarship examination and he hopes to pass and get the scholarship.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the examination was conducted in full compliance with the COVID-19 protocols .

Source: NAN News

By Abbas Bamalli

Hajiya Maryam Ado-Bayero, mother of the Emirs of Kano and Bichi in Kano State, has died at the age of 80 years after a protracted illness.

Alhaji Yusuf Nabahani, the Madakin Kano, confirmed the death in a statement on Saturday in Kano.

He said that the deceased, who was the eldest surviving widow of Late Ado Bayero, died early Saturday in a hospital in Cairo, Egypt.

Nabahani, who is also the Chairman, Kano emirate kingmakers, prayed to God to grant her mercy and abode in Aljannah Firdaus and urged the public to pray for the deceased.

He said that the funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the deceased was a princess and elder sister to the present emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

Source: NAN News

By Suleiman Shehu

The Founder of One Love Family, Sat Guru Maharaj Ji, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to take steps that will ensure speedy completion of pending corruption cases against some public officers in Nigeria.

Maharaj Ji gave the advice at a news conference marking the 34anniversary of the establishment of Mahara Ji Village, on Saturday in Ibadan.

He urged the president to order the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, to ensure that all pending corruption cases against the public officers were vigorously pursued to logical conclusion before digging up new cases.

The religious leader said that it was a big slap on Nigerias moral fabrics to see some corrupt public officers roaming the streets and flaunting their ill-gotten wealth after leaving public offices.

He said that the president, being an anti-corruption ambassador in Africa, should act fast to ensure that corrupt public officers were dealt with to serve as deterrent to others.

Mahaj Ji said that doing so would save the image of the country and help recover looted funds.

He further said that adequate security must be provided in offices where Nigerias sensitive documents were being kept to prevent them being tampered with by enemies of the country.

According to him, some people are not happy with the achievements so far recorded by the Buhari-led administration and may be attempting to cause trouble for the government through destruction of sensitive documents.

Maharaj Ji called on those standing against the progress of the country to give way and allow Nigeria to work.

He also expressed support for the ongoing agitation for the autonomy of the judiciary in the country, saying that it was sacrosanct.

Maharaj Ji said that a situation whereby the judiciary, as an arm of government, was subjected to the whims and caprices of the executive arm was not acceptable.

The 1999 Constitution (as amended) has made provision for power sharing among the three arms of government.

This is to check abuse within the system, such that each of the three arms of government will be financially independent, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Shedrack Frank

The Bayelsa Government has reassured the Nigerian Army and other security agencies of its commitment and support in the fight against crime and criminality in the state.

The Deputy Governor, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpogave the assurance on Saturday at a send-forth party, in honour of the outgone Commander, 16 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Ephraim Essien in Yenagoa.

The deputy governor said the state government would do everything within its reach to assist the military and other security agencies in the state to perform their duties.

He described Essien as a thoroughbred professional whose services contributed to the successful swearing in and take-off of the present administration in the state.

Ewhrudjakpo noted that Essien assumed leadership of the brigade at a time Bayelsa was experiencing remarkable turbulence, following the Supreme Court judgment on its 2019 governorship election.

He said the brigade, working in concert with other security services, helped to calm the turbulence at the time and also prevented the #EndSARS protest from wreaking havoc in the state.

While thanking the celebrator for his meritorious services to the Nigerian army and the state, the deputy governor wished Essien greater success in his new posting.

Even after our swearing in, you and your men were able to contain a few skirmishes that tried to rear up their ugly heads in this state.

So, I want to thank you for your show of professionalism and competence, he said.

The deputy governor also used the opportunity to welcome the incoming commander, Brig.-Gen. Olurotimi Awolo, to the state and urged him to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor.

In his remarks, the Chief of Staff, 16 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Yenagoa, Col. Sani Usman, pointed out that Essien assumed office as the fourth commander of the brigade onJan. 8,2020.

Usman said the outgone commander made remarkable impacts in the areas of personnel training, operations and infrastructural development in Camp Tukur Buratai Barracks.

In their goodwill messages, the Paramount Ruler of Elebele Community, Chief Osene David Osene and the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Kennedy Egbuchulam, extolled the leadership qualities of Essien.

Responding, the outgone commander attributed the achievements recorded during his tenure in Bayelsa to unquantifiable support from the state government and other security services.

Essien, who has been redeployed to the Army Resource Centre, Abuja, also acknowledged the support of men and officers of the brigade, and urged them to extend same to his successor.

Source: NAN News

By Rabiu Sani-Ali

The Kano State Government has announced plans to conduct mass desilt and drain clearance to control flooding and protect the environment.

The state Commissioner for Environment, Dr Kabiru Getso, said this while inspecting the monthly sanitation exercise on Saturday in Kano.

Getso said the government was collaborating with the development and community based organisations to carry out the exercise in Kano metropolis and other major towns across the state.

He said the exercise was designed to desilt drains and clear waste to facilitate easy flow of water and control perennial flooding in the state.

The commissioner said the state government in partnership with MAMA Initiative, an NGO, cleared waste and desilt drains at Tarauni and Rimi markets in Kano metropolis.

According to him, the desilt exercise will be conducted in all the 44 local government areas of the state before the commencement of the rainy season.

Getso revealed that two filling stations and a perishable market in Fagge and Dala LGAs were sealed for violation of the monthly environmental exercise.

The commissioner, who expressed concern over non-participation in the exercise by some residents of the state, said that the trend posed serious threat to the environment and public health.

Getso blamed the trade union in the market for their inability to keep a clean environment, warning that the government will condone the act.

The management of the filling stations and trade union must ensure that their premises are sanitised and drains desilted to safeguard public health, he said.

According to him, the state government has dedicated last Saturday of every month for Monthly Environmental Sanitation Exercise in the state.

Getso said the measure was to protect the environment; sanitise markets, motor parks, offices and other business premises, to ensure that financial transactions and business activities were conducted in a sanitary manner without endangering life.

He said the Sanitation Committee set up by the ministry had visited markets, streets and motor parks as part of the exercise.

While commending the members of the committee for their dedication, Getso enjoined residents of the state to keep a clean environment and shun indiscriminate dumping of waste on water ways.

Also, Mr Opeyemi Akinfaderin, the Project Coordinator, MAMA Initiative, said the organisation was partnering with the Kano State Government on environmental sanitation.

Akinfaderin said the government, through the Refuse Evacuation and Management Board (REMASAB), donated protective kits to the organisation to enable it to conduct waste and drain clearance in many communities in the state.

Source: NAN News

By Funmilola Gboteku

Mr Tubosun Abioye, Co-founder of TRU, a new e-ride hailing platform, in Lagos on Sunday urged Federal Government to reduce taxes on business startups to create more enabling environment for SMEs.

Abioye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that government should make more policies that would encourage ease of doing business, especially with startups.

He urged the government to give soft loans/ grants to business owners, especially post COVID, having felt the impact of the pandemic.

They should create stable policies that would encourage companies to stabilise and grow to their full potential, Abioye said.

Speaking on e-ride hailing business, he said taxation was one of the reasons drivers had issues with the platforms they were on.

When companies like ORides and Gokada came into the country, it was massive and it made mobility easier.

Unfortunately, government policies in terms of taxation caught up with them and massively disrupted their business, he said.

Abioye, however, noted that in spite of the issue of taxation, ride-hailing business was a gold mine in Africa, where it is currently growing at about 20 per cent and expected to hit one billion dollars by 2024.

He advised the growing youth population to tap into transportation business, noting that it would ultimately reduce the rate of unemployment in Nigeria.

According to Abioye, TRU platform assists in transporting people from one place to another in comfort, safety, and at an affordable price.

He said that TRU came on board to address the age-long complaints from drivers and riders on other cab-hailing services available in Nigeria.

TRU platform will give room for ease of doing business with drivers who will be trained from time-to-time on proper driving skills, knowledge, customer care and emotional intelligence which is extremely key when driving.

The core value of TRU is to provide seamless transportation for its riders while ensuring the drivers can make more money than usual, Abioye said.

Source: NAN News