Emmanuel Akosile | ����

The Northern Media Forum (NMF) has mourned the passing of Chief Dan Agbese, a veteran journalist and Co-founder of Newswatch.

The NMF described Agbese’s death as a monumental loss to Nigerian journalism and the finest traditions of style, satire and elegance.

FinTech: Nigerian legislators decry increasing PoS, e-payment scams as losses hit N52.26bn

Zainab Suleiman Okino, Assistant Secretary of the Forum in a statement noted the Northern Media Forum said the news of Agbese’s death sent shockwaves across newsrooms nationwide, silencing a voice that stood for courage, refinement and integrity for decades.

The statement also noted that late Agbese was more than a trailblazer.

He was “a guardian of the media’s soul.”

It stated that from his early days at the Nigeria Standard and New Nigerian to his iconic years at Newswatch, his works exemplified journalism as a calling — “a moral covenant to inform, educate, and empower.”

The Forum as well noted that Agbese’s pen “bled ink that illuminated corners of society too often shrouded in darkness.”

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His words always carried the weight of conviction at a time the profession needed it most, the Forum recalled.

The statement also reads: “For years, he stood tall as an unflinching writer, editor and columnist, shaping opinions and inspiring generations of journalists with his fearless pursuit of truth and excellence.”

Beyond his celebrated newsroom exploits, the NMF said Agbese’s most enduring imprint was his leadership of the Northern Media Forum, which he chaired until his death.

Under his guidance, the NMF became a platform for courageous journalism in the North and a vehicle for national discourse, cohesion and agenda-setting.

The Forum further said: “He believed deeply that a vibrant media community in the North should not only guide leadership, but also shape conversations that unite the country.

“He worked tirelessly to nurture the Forum into a hub for strategic and purposeful engagement.”

The statement described his passing as an irreplaceable loss — not only to the media landscape but to the hearts of the countless journalists he mentored, colleagues who admired him, and communities he served with humility and wisdom.

The NMF stated: “In his passing, the North has lost a passionate advocate, Nigerian media has lost an icon of style and substance, and all who knew him have lost a gentle soul who taught us the power of words written and spoken with depth and conviction.” It added that Agbese’s legacy would endure in the pages he shaped, the journalists he inspired, and in the mission of the Northern Media Forum, which will continue to reflect his vision.

“May your soul rest in peace, Mr. Dan Agbese. Your words will echo forever,” the statement added.

Isola Moses | ����

For what he has described as the suspended Federal lawmaker’s failure to provide clarity on her “significant contradictions”, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, a legal luminary, ex-President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as urged Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, in Kogi State of Nigeria, to retract her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

��ñ���� reports Dr. Agbakoba, who stated this Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at a press conference, described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegation against Senator Akpabio as “clearly false and unsubstantiated.”

Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN

He noted that the female legislator has failed to provide clarity on what he termed “significant contradictions” in her allegations, particularly concerning her alleged harassment she said took place December 8, 2023, and her subsequent praise of Akpabio the following day across her social media accounts.

It is recalled that her suspension from the Senate Chambers and National Assembly (NASS), in Abuja, FCT, followed a dispute over a new seating arrangement, which she believed was meant to humiliate her.

The female legislator later claimed on national TV February 2025, that her suspension was punishment for rejecting Akpabio’s alleged advances.

She claimed that Akpabio made inappropriate comments and suggested her legislative proposal would only be considered if she “took care” of him. She also said he invited her to spend private time with him.

Akpabio, however, denied the allegations, saying he had never harassed any woman.

He rather urged Nigerians to let the court of law handle the matter.

Subsequently, the Senate March 6 this year Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months without pay, citing “unruly, disruptive”, and disrespectful conduct.

Sexual harassment allegation ‘timeline, dates’ don’t add up

In regard to her delayed proof of the sexual harassment claims against Akpabio, Dr. Agbakoba also questioned the timing of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public accusation.

He equally observed that the over 14-month delay between the alleged incident and her belated public revelation February 28, 2025.

The legal luminary stated: “You claim the harassment occurred on 8 December 2023, but your allegation was not made until 28 February 2025 — one year and two months later.

“During this period, you were seen with Senator Akpabio at several legislative and non-legislative functions, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union session in Geneva on 24 and 25 March 2024, where you took selfies and group photos with him, which were posted warmly on your social media pages.”

Agbakoba, who is lead counsel to the Senate President, recently issued a second formal letter dated April 22, 2025, after an earlier request dates April 14, which reportedly went unacknowledged by embattled Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

He also stated: “In our first letter, dated 14 April 2025, we requested that you clarify contradictions in your sexual harassment allegation against our client, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

“Of note is the contradiction as to timeline and dates.”

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria further said: “You have failed to clarify your allegation of 8 December 2023, and your exaltation of Senator Akpabio on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) on 9 December 2023 — the very next day.

“Rather than explain, you deleted the social media post, which to us is extremely concerning.”

Presenting screenshots of some of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s posts, Agbakoba said the contradiction undermined the credibility of the Senator’s claims.

The counsel asserted: “In light of this and your failure to clarify inconsistencies raised in our first letter, we demand that you retract your sexual harassment allegation against our client.”

It is noted that the demand from Akpabio’s legal team came just hours after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan published a mock “apology” letter to the Senate President on her social media platforms.

Titled, “Satirical Apology Letter”, the post was laced with sarcasm and served as a sharp critique of what she described as the culture of entitlement, impropriety, and unmerited advancement within the upper chamber.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, in the satirical letter, had accused the high-ranking Senator’s and other Federal lawmakers of expecting political favours through personal compliance rather than merit, hinting again, at what she has repeatedly described as a pervasive “quid pro quo” culture in legislative politics.

Isola Moses | ����

Sequel to sweeping allegations of brigandage, and active connivance with militants to disrupt public peace and damage critical national oil assets in the Niger Delta region levelled against him, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has refuted accusations linking him with militant groups.

Fubara dismissed recent social media posts and videos, describing them as fake and malicious attempts to incite tension in the South-South state.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in a recent nationwide broadcast, suspended Governor Fubara, his Deputy, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months over the reported parlous state of affairs in the South-South state.

The President also appointed Vice-Admiral Ibot-Ete Ibas (Rtd.) as Sole Administrator of Rivers State, to restore public peace, governance, safety of lives and property to the state.

Nelson Chukwudi, his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), in a statement, noted Fubara however, condemned the circulation of fabricated videos purportedly depicting explosions at oil and gas facilities in the state.

The statement also clarified that affected communities have debunked the claims, assuring that all critical national infrastructure remains intact and operational.

The suspended Governor of Rivers State further clarified: “For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no link to any militant group, does not contemplate any such association, and has no reason to encourage any criminal elements to undertake actions that threaten peace, security, or the economy.”

He restated his commitment to maintaining peace in Rivers State, stressing that governance and development could only thrive in a stable environment.

Fubara as well cautioned against attempts to exploit the state’s ongoing political crisis for ulterior motives.

He also warned bloggers and social media influencers against spreading false information.

The actions of these individuals could escalate tensions and disrupt stability in Rivers State, said he.

Fubara, therefore, urged Nigerian security agencies to investigate and take a decisive action against those responsible for spreading misinformation about the state.

Isola Moses | ����

A Christian organisation, Jehovah’s Witnesses, has released an epic all-volunteer production portraying Jesus Christ’s Life and Teachings.

The production, which was released May 2024, has an 18-episode comprehensive look at the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, His personality, and interactions with people.

Ezekiel Bolaji, Regional Spokesman of Jehovah’s Witnesses, disclosed the Episode 1 is released as a special feature of the 2024 “Declare the Good News!” conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses, while subsequent episodes will be released at future conventions.

Bolaji stated: “We are excited to release this to the public after years of planning and set construction.

“We truly believe that this series will touch the hearts of millions of people in ways no other drama about Jesus Christ ever has.”

The Regional Spokesman also disclosed that cameras began rolling in May 2022 at the national headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, in Australia, where over 500 volunteers constructed over 75,000 square feet of historically-accurate sets.

He explained the sets also featured animals mentioned in the Bible, such as donkeys, sheep, pigeons and camels.

Some scenes were even shot on locations in the Judean wilderness in Israel, he stated.

Bolaji further said: “The release happens just weeks after the Witnesses commemorated their most important day of the year, the memorial of the death of Jesus Christ held on March 24, 2024.”

African First Ladies move to strengthen collaboration for development

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*Nigerian First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu is also expected to deliver her maiden address at the 28th General Assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies Sunday, February 18, in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia

Isola Moses | ����

The Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) have met on the sidelines of the ongoing African Union (AU) General Assembly with the organisation, in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopian capital, with a resolve to strengthen regional collaboration for development.

The meeting, chaired by the Vice President of the Organisation and First Lady of Democratic Republic of Congo Mrs. Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi noted that this collaboration must be encouraged to enhance more development and promote growth among member countries.

Busola Kukoyi, Special Assistant to
the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in a statement noted that the meeting, which had in attendance First Ladies from member countries in attendance, including Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, observed a minute silence in honour of the late Namibian President Hage Geingob whose wife was the President of OAFLAD until his demise February 4 this year.

The statement indicated the First Ladies also attended the opening session of the AU General Assembly alongside the Presidents of member countries.

The 28th General Assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies (OAFLAD) continue Sunday, February 18 with the technical sessions and presentations of positions papers on its #We Are Equal campaign among other issues.

Nigerian First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu is also expected to deliver her maiden address at the Assembly Sunday, February 18, 2024, said the statement.

*Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the 37th Ordinary Session of the African Union, in Ethiopia, posits that addressing the continent’s complex healthcare challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, involving robust investments in healthcare infrastructure, training, re-training, skilled manpower retention, and improving access to essential medicines among others

Isola Moses | ����

As the just-appointed continental champion for the African Union (AU) healthcare delivery partnership, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said the continent must forge partnerships that transcend borders and sectors.

President Tinubu, who opined this while speaking at the Ministerial Executive Leadership Programme on the margins of the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the weekend, stated the African continent should�� leverage collective expertise, knowledge, resources, and the private sector to address the complex challenges confronting the health sector.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement noted the Nigerian leader said Africa’s effective collaboration with the rest of the world to tackle existential health challenges is “not merely a strategic choice, but a moral imperative.”

Tinubu, whom the continental body has appointed as the AU Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership, said the challenges confronting the continent are too complex and multifaceted for any one entity to tackle alone.

He also stated: “Together, we can catalyse meaningful change and unlock new opportunities for innovation and impact in our continent.

“Not Africa in isolation, but a global Africa, engaged in respectful and well-considered partnerships with the rest of the world.”

The President equally noted: “Our continent still grapples with numerous health issues that require urgent attention.

“Infectious diseases remain a significant burden, such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and cholera, and threats of re-emerging infectious diseases that can devastate communities and entire economies. “Access to essential healthcare services remain limited, especially in many rural areas, due to factors, such as inadequate infrastructure, financial barriers, and more seriously, an acute shortage of trained manpower that is aggravated by workforce migration to wealthier countries.”

The AU healthcare delivery champion further stated: “Noncommunicable diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, are on the rise in our continent, further straining healthcare systems that are already struggling to cope.

“There still remains the critical need to address maternal and child health, as high maternal and child mortality rates continue to claim precious lives.”

Tinubu posited that addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, involving robust investments in healthcare infrastructure, training, re-training, skilled manpower retention, improving access to essential medicines, and promoting preventive healthcare measures.

The President as well linked the continent’s capacity to successfully address these problems with its ability to adopt a whole-of-government approach, recognising that health outcomes are intrinsically linked to a myriad of socio-economic factors.

“For instance, a healthy population is essential for a thriving economy as it leads to increased productivity and reduced healthcare costs.

“Similarly, education plays a crucial role in improving health outcomes by empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being,” stated he.

The President emphasised that healthcare professionals are the backbone of the healthcare system, and as such, investments must be made not only in training but also in creating conducive environments that enable healthcare professionals to thrive.

He said community health delivery must be the cornerstone of Africa’s efforts, fostering partnerships with local stakeholders and empowering individuals to take charge of their own health.

He explained that the true measure of the continent’s success lies in its ability to reach the most vulnerable members of its communities.

Tinubu also said: “In our quest for universal health coverage, equity must be our central guiding principle.

“Health disparities, rooted in socio-economic inequality, gender discrimination, geographic isolation, and other systemic injustices, demand political will and targeted interventions to address them.

“We must listen to the voices of marginalised communities, amplifying their concerns and aspirations as we strive to build more prosperous, just, and inclusive societies.”

The President stated: “In Nigeria, we are making significant efforts, aimed at enhancing healthcare accessibility, affordability, and quality for all citizens, irrespective of socio-economic standing. “This initiative is driven by a multi-faceted approach focusing on strengthening leadership and governance within the health sector, optimising quality service delivery for efficiency and effectiveness.”

The President said: “The Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), which I unveiled last December, stands as a pioneering endeavour, deployed through a Sector-Wide Approach, to improve health outcomes at scale. “This initiative is strategically crafted to swiftly improve health indicators and unlock the economic potential embedded within Nigeria’s healthcare value chain. “Central to its mission is the unleashing of the nation’s human capital, alongside the potential economic boon that has been long dormant in the healthcare sector.

“The Federal Government, under my leadership, has already signed a Compact with State Governments and Development partners in this multi-stakeholder effort to improve health in Nigeria.”

President Tinubu, therefore, urged Africa’s leaders to commit to concrete actions and policies that will drive positive change in healthcare delivery within their respective countries and regions.

“Together, we can build a prosperous, healthier, more equitable future, for all Africans, in line with Agenda 2063,” he declared.

*Some of the variables shaping the value of the Naira, Nigeria’s national currency include limited production resulting from insecurity, Nigerians’ high taste for imported products, dwindling exports, poor Dollar remittances, humongous school fees of Nigerian students abroad and medical tourism

Tunde Rahman

Those who know Mr. Olayemi Cardoso will agree he got his current job as the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria on a platter of solid professional background and strong personal attributes.

His pedigree is rich as his character is unsullied. Cardoso had a remarkable private sector career where he shone brilliantly in banking, stockbroking and consulting.

Cardoso also came from a very solid family pedigree. Nigeria’s late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, appointed his late father, Mr. Felix Bankole Cardoso, as the first Accountant-General of the Federation in 1963. The late elder Cardoso served with enviable record till 1971.

Part of the remarkable private sector career of Olayemi Cardoso was his appointment as the Chairman of the Board of Citi Bank in Nigeria.

Cardoso began his public service journey when he became the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning in the cabinet of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governor of Lagos State as he then was in 1999.

In addition to superintending that ministry, Cardoso was charged with several other responsibilities, including heading important cabinet committees that birthed landmark agencies in the state.

Cardoso was known for enforcing strict budgetary discipline that contributed significantly to the overall success of the Tinubu administration in Lagos. He refused to authorise the release of funds for projects or programmes that had no budgetary head.

For all of that and many more, Cardoso was nicknamed the Headmaster.

Armed with a Bachelor of Science degree in Managerial and Administrative Studies and Masters in Public Administration from the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School of Government and parading strong personal attributes, Cardoso is obviously a perfect fit for the CBN top job.

He is calm but firm, strict but fair, prudent but practical, straightforward and honest with loads of integrity.

These are the unique qualities he carried unto his job at the apex bank and his major selling points when September 23, 2023, he officially assumed office with the Senate confirmation of his appointment.

However, it does appear Cardoso will need much more than that to succeed in his present assignment. Under him, the CBN seems to be doing the right thing or doing things right: thinking and working on coming up with appropriate monetary policies, moving to rein in the rising Foreign Exchange rates, and particularly achieve an appropriate value for the Naira, which Cardoso believes has been undervalued.

But in the wake of the floating of the Naira, some of the variables shaping the value of the national currency, including limited production in the country as a result of insecurity, Nigerians’ high taste for imported products, dwindling exports, poor Dollar remittances, humongous school fees of Nigerian students abroad and medical tourism all of which engendered a strong demand for Dollar, far outweighing supply, seem to be clearly beyond his control.

Until these situations change for the better, no amount of monetary policies by the CBN will work any miracle, hence Cardoso’s predicament. For instance, in his presentation at the sectoral debate organised by the House of Representatives two weeks ago, the CBN governor lamented that the growing number of Nigerian students studying abroad, increasing medical tourism, and food imports have led to the depreciation of the Naira against the Dollar. According to him, over the past decade, Foreign Exchange demand for education and healthcare totalled nearly $40 billion, surpassing the total current foreign exchange reserves of the CBN, while personal travel allowances accounted for a total of $58.7 billion during the same period.

Another critical yet intriguing factor but seemingly odd in Cardoso’s reckoning is the perception in some quarters of some of the decisions of the CBN, which the apex bank considers purely administrative, but which some others give strange connotations.

One of such is the decision to move some departments of the bank; notably banking supervision, other financial institutions supervision, consumer protection department and payments system management department from Abuja to Lagos.

Indeed, until the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, spoke on this issue last week, I had reckoned that the imperative of the planned relocation of some CBN departments and the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from Abuja to Lagos was evident enough.

I had reasoned that the Northern politicians, including Senator Ali Ndume from Borno State, who had moved to bring down the roof over the development were merely playing politics.

The Emir of Kano, a highly revered royal father, raised the ante last Monday while receiving the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who was in Kano to inaugurate the School of Law Building named after her by Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria, and had stopped by to pay a courtesy call on the Emir.

Emir Bayero, whose speech was translated from Hausa into English Language by a senior palace counsellor, had told the First Lady to convey his message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said among other things: “We are, indeed, suspicious on why Mr. President single-handedly relocated key departments of CBN, and outright relocation of FAAN to Lagos.

“We are receiving a series of messages from my subjects, and most of them expressed concern over the relocation of CBN and FAAN to Lagos. “President Tinubu should come out clean on this matter and talk to Nigerians in the language they would understand.

“Do more enlightenment on this matter. I, for one, cannot tell the actual intentions of the government.

“We should be made to actually understand why the relocation of the CBN and FAAN offices back to Lagos.”

Many will wonder why some members of the Northern elites are losing their cool, misinterpreting this move and, perhaps inadvertently, heating up the polity on this rather elementary matter.

Is their reservation altruistic? Or are they just being sincerely mistaken and reading unnecessary motives into the policy? With the benefit of hindsight, one can say that Cardoso and his team should have understood the political dimensions of the decision better and undertake a more effective public enlightenment on it rather than treat it as a purely administrative matter. Knowing the kind of people and country that we are and the fact that ours is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multicultural society where every action or decision is viewed from ethnic and religious lenses, the CBN ought not to have released the news about the movement of the departments concerned in a routine manner as it did.

It should have released the news with the detailed information and explanation behind the move.

The CBN Corporate Communications Department should have deployed all in its arsenal to explain the movement to its critical stakeholders and the general public. The apex bank should have seen the movement beyond a mere administrative move, which is within its remit to do.

The Bank should have situated the movement and anticipated the social and political meanings some may give it. That is how things run in Nigeria.

A deeper and detailed explanation was later provided when Cardozo appeared on the floor of the House of Representatives in Abuja. I was there at the session and witnessed it all.

Asked by one of the members of the House from the North, at the session, the rationale behind the movement, the CBN Governor said: “There is nothing political in the movement. We didn’t change any plan. It has always been like that to ease banking supervision. Most of the banks are based in Lagos.

“So, it works well for supervision if our officials are there with them and close to them and close to those the banks interact with. It’s for administrative convenience. It’s also cheaper for the CBN.”

He also disclosed that the movement of the departments concerned to Lagos is important because, according to him, the country is at the point where there is a need for more banking surveillance.

It is important that the CBN governor draws the appropriate lesson from this. He should learn from this experience that though his job of superintending the country’s monetary system is a professional and economic one, yet it has its political aspects. His decisions have consequences not only on the economy but also on the political front.

As such, the CBN Governor must always pay attention to the political ramifications of his decisions.

He must be political without being partisan.

Indeed, his situation is also not helped by the fact that he has had very political predecessors-in-office, including the high-sounding Professor Chukwuma Soludo, the soft-spoken but loud former Emir of Kano, Khalifa Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and the immediate-past Governor, Godwin Emefiele (this one even attempted to contest for President while holding the office as CBN governor).

There are a couple of things to say on the hoopla about the staff transfer though.

One, President Tinubu is receiving attacks over the movement. Emir of Kano says he must reverse it, urging the First Lady to deploy the feminine soft power to actualise this. Yet, to all intent and purposes, the President that is being asked to reverse the transfer may not have been apprised of the decision because he does not micromanage those he gives responsibilities to where their unique expertise and experience are called to service.

The CBN on its part may not have briefed the President because Cardoso had seen the planned movement as purely administrative.

Two, and more importantly, those who are responding negatively to the policy are treating Abuja as if it belongs to the North rather than being the symbol of the entire country as the Federal Capital Territory.

In that capacity, as the FCT, Abuja belongs to all and belongs to no one. In the same vein, as the economic capital and nerve centre of the country, Lagos is a melting pot where representatives of virtually all ethnic and cultural groups in the country reside and earn a living.

There is absolutely nothing that says that the headquarters of all Federal Agencies must be located in the Federal Capital even when economic considerations and efficiency dictate otherwise.

Some Federal agencies reside neither in Abuja nor Lagos at present and their work go on unimpeded.

In any case, President Tinubu’s pan-Nigerian outlook and credentials are too well-known.

His ability to build political and personal networks and relationships across the length and breadth of the country was partly responsible for his victory in the keenly contested 2023 Presidential Election. He will be the last person to approve or support any policy designed to be detrimental to any part of the country.

But for CBN Governor Cardoso, all of that represents his baptism of fire and a wake-up call for him to be a little more flexible, particularly in matters that have wider political connotations.

*Rahman is a Senior Presidential aide.

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*Dr. AdamuAbdullahi, Acting Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, warns businesses engaging in activities contributing to price gouging in Nigeria’s food chain sector to desist immediately or face the full force of the law

Isola Moses | ����

Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed off the popular Sahad Stores Supermarket, in Abuja, FCT, for price gouging.

���� reports price gouging is the practice of increasing the prices of goods, services, or commodities to a level much higher than is considered reasonable or fair.

The market regulatory Commission Friday, February 16, 2024, shut the store during an enforcement exercise Friday at Garki 2, in Abuja.

Dr. AdamuAbdullahi, Acting Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the agency, who led the enforcement team.

Abdullahi, therefore, businesses engaging in activities contributing to price gouging in the food chain sector of the Nigerian economy to desist immediately or face the full force of the law.

*The Federal Government says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is attracting global investments in Nigeria’s health sector for the provision of cutting-edge infrastructure, equipment, and world-class manpower for improved access to quality healthcare by all Nigerian consumers

Isola Moses | ����

Sequel to his ambitious, innovative, and people-focused efforts in the sector in Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been appointed as the African Union (AU) Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership.

The Federal Government noted President Tinubu’s appointment is in recognition of his commitment to training 120,000 frontline health workers nationwide within 16 months while doubling the number of primary health facilities in communities across all Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the Federation from 8,800 to over 17,000 over the next three years; his doubling of health personnel enrollment capacity from accredited nursing and midwifery institutions to accommodate the new demand created by new facilities across Nigeria, and his resolve to establish a paid volunteer youth force of social accountability officers to monitor the operational functioning and financial integrity of primary health centres.

Chief AjuriNgelale, Presidential Spokesman, Friday, February 16, 2024, stated the African Union has identified the Nigerian leader as “the right champion for this noble and actionable continental effort.”

The Federal Government explained the Commission of the African Union (Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention — Africa CDC), in a letter to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had said President Tinubu was appointed on the recommendation of the Committee of Heads of State and Government of Africa CDC, under the leadership of His Excellency, President Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union.

The Spokesman also stated: “In his new role, the Commission subsequently invited President Tinubu to address the Ministerial Executive Leadership Programme (MELP) under the theme, ‘Impactful leadership in health: a whole government approach’, billed for Saturday, February 17, 2024, at the Africa CDC Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the margins of the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government.”

Ngelale further noted: “The Tinubu administration is attracting global investments in Nigeria’s health sector for the provision of cutting-edge infrastructure, equipment, and world-class manpower for improved access to quality healthcare by all Nigerians.”

Nigeria’s poised to apply home-grown solutions to insecurity, food security challenges, child education –Tinub

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*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu affirms the Federal Government will continue to work diligently to improve Nigeria’s revenue profile, urging the State Governors to work together to address issues of insecurity, food security, and out-of-school children in the West African country

Isola Moses | ����

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has restated his administration’s

commitment to evolving home-grown solutions to tackle current food supply chain and security challenges head-on.

���� reports President Tinubu said this Thursday, February 15, 2024, after his strategic meeting with the State Governors in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, FCT.

The Nigerian leader also disclosed that his administration, among other domestic measures, would set up schemes to boost local food production and block all forms of rent-seeking hitherto tied to food importation into Nigeria.

Tinubu, in a communique after the meeting Thursday, stated: “I reiterated this commitment during my emergency meeting today (Thursday) at the State House, with all 36 state governors, the Vice-President, KashimShettima, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, and some ministers.”

As regards security of lives and property of Nigerians, the President said he had approved the creation of a committee that includes state governors and federal government representatives to explore, among other things, the possibility of establishing the long-talked-about state police.

“I have also endorsed the training and equipping of forest rangers by sub-national governments to protect human and natural resources in our communities.

“My stance is unequivocal: we must move aggressively to examine the issues raised, including the potential for establishing state police,” he noted.

On food security for Nigerian consumers

Tinubu equally mentioned that his administration received reports about Kano and other areas in the country about large-scale hoarding of food in some warehouses.

In acting on the information, the President said: “I have instructed the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to coordinate closely to ensure that security agencies in the states inspect such warehouses and take follow-up action.”

Tinubu further assured that his administration would not allow speculators, hoarders, and rent seekers to undermine the government’s efforts at ensuring that food is widely available to all consumers.

The President noted: “I will not establish a price control board, nor will I approve the importation of food.

“We must extricate ourselves from this predicament because importation only enables rent seekers to perpetrate fraud and mismanagement at our collective expense.”

However, Tinubu disclosed his demonstration’s plan to “support our farmers with schemes that encourage them to cultivate more food for the nation.

“We must also rapidly but thoughtfully implement our livestock development and management plans, including dairy farming and others.”

Management of monetary policy and the CBN

President Tinubu also revealed part of his points of discussion with the State Governors at the Thursday meeting in Abuja.

He said: “I urge all Governors to trust the Central Bank of Nigeria with the management of our country’s monetary policy, and emphasised the need for designated institutions to effectively fulfill their mandate.”

He, nonetheless, frowned on what he described as the “cacophony of postulations” on the fluctuation of Foreign Exchange rates, affirming it is adversely affecting the market.

“Not everyone can be an expert. If we have assigned some a task, we must allow them to perform it. If they fail, then we must find a way to quickly remove them from the system,” said he.

President Tinubu as well reminded the Governor’s of their responsibilities to the Nigerian people.

He added: “I also asked our governors to always prioritise the welfare and prosperity of our people in their development programmes.

“I assured them that the Federal Government will continue to work diligently to improve the nation’s revenue profile.

“As leaders, we must all work together to address issues of insecurity, food security, and out-of-school children.”