Nigerian Govt Is Set To Borrow $1.5 Billion From World Bank: $80 Million From AfDB

October 16, 2023

The Federal Government of Nigeria has concluded an arrangement to borrow $1.5 Billion from the World Bank and $80 Million from the African Development Bank.

The Minister of Finance and coordinating Minister of the economy,

Olawale Edun announced this today, October 16 at a news briefing shortly after the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the presidential villa in Abuja.

He said: “We also approved today, the application for financing from the World Bank. And in particular, the International Development Association which is really the virtually free or zero interest lending arm or financing arm of the World Bank.

“The total is $1.5 billion. And the background is just as you heard from the Minister of planning and budget. The world today is one of high interest rates, as the developed world looks to fight inflation. They do it by restricting money, keeping interest rates high so that you can get inflation down.

“What that means is that interest rates for everybody else, become not just high but very painful, if not on affordable within that context.”

The minister said that

Nigeria has been able to make the kind of macro economic moves and take the tough decisions to restore balance in the economy in the government’s finances that has warranted support and gender and has elicited even support from the multilateral development bank.

He said that it is on the basis of that, that “the world bank is willing to consider and to process on our behalf, $1.5 billion of concessional financing, relatively cheap financing and financing that will be dispersed relatively quickly.

“And that was what was presented to the Federal Executive Council and the members approved that we go ahead with that financing even that it is affordable.

“Secondly, an $80 million financing from the African Development Bank was also approved by the Federal Executive Council. This financing is for a project in Ekiti called the Ekiti knowledge zone Project EKZ.

“An EKZ that is basically to support young people and their quest to take on technology to use it to be employed to be trained and to benefit from being part of the knowledge economy, being part of the technological wave that is present very much in Nigeria, which is becoming a bigger and bigger share of the economy.

“So it’s $80 million to help the young people in the sector of Knowledge Economy technology and communications generally.”

The Trajectory Of Robust 10Th Nigerian Senate, By Aminu Ebon

Editorial staff

October 16, 2023

A Frontline American (Wisconsin) Republican, a Senator named Joseph R. McCarthy once posited: “Sustainable parliamentary goals aimed at enhancing accelerated development of the State can easily be achieved when conducted under a peaceful, mutual and dynamic system.”

It has generally been acknowledged that the trajectory of the robust 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the leadership of Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio, is undoubtedly in agreement with Senator Joseph R. McCarthy’s assertion.

The robust legislations initiated by the leadership of the 10th Senate are generally seen as the right steps in the right direction. This refreshing development is anchored on the composition of the 10th Senate.

Unlike past Senate Assemblies, the 10th Senate has 8 different political parties disposing them to view matters in all shades and perspectives. Therefore, the best roadmap for the 10th Senate to accomplish its desired legislative goals is by conducting its affairs in an exceptionally harmonious and exceedingly dynamic way. This is the path distinguished Senate President Akpabio’s leadership is towing.

This is evident in the conduct of well coordinated, peaceful and understanding Senate plenaries through motions, bills and rancour free debates.

To say that the 10th Senate under the leadership of Senate President Godswil Akpabio is not only working hard towards the realization of legislative goals but is aiming at enhancing the development agenda of President Tinubu’s renewed hope for greater Nigeria is stating the obvious in a rather modest way. Akpabio is an embodiment of nationalistic fervour and the undercurrents of his conviction are eloquent in the manner he is steering the 10th Senate.

It is therefore important to advise some unpatriotic elements who take passion in distracting the 10th Senate through some misleading stories to refrain from such unproductive venture. Events of recent times, even from the inauguration of the 10th Senate shows that the current Senate means well for Nigerians. All I can sue for is patience and understanding among Nigerians; conditions that provide an atmosphere for accelerated development.

AIhaji Aminu Ebong wrote in from Abuja.

Senate President, Akpabio, On Condolence Visit To Senator Lawan

Greenbarge Reporters

October 16, 2023

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, yesterday, October 15, paid a condolence visit on his predecessor, ex-Senate President Ahmed Lawan in Gashua, Yobe State, over the death of Lawan’s mother.

Speaking during the visit, Akpabio said that the Senate mourns with Senator Lawan and the people of Yobe State, as the Senate had lost a mother.
“We are here with this large contingent to pay homage and respect to our departed mother, she was a mother of the Senate because Senator Ahmed Lawan has been in the National Assembly courtesy of your votes for the last 24 years, where he served us as a Senator for many years and also as the number three citizen of the country.

“The Senate will tomorrow, observe a minute of silence in honour of the departed and as I speak now if I had not seen the sign of Federal Government presence in Gashau, at least the gate is very impressive, that’s the first thing, the second one is that we landed in an airport, eventually you don’t know what that airport will become.”
In his response, Senator Lawan thanked the Senate President and his colleagues for the show of love and solidarity and prayed for their safe journey back to their destination.

Yobe Gov Flies To UK To Seek Help For His Educational Reforms In The State

Greenbarge Reporters

October 16, 2023

Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, flew to the United Kingdom at the weekend, to seek for the help of some educational institutions for the educational reforms he has embarked in.
The institutions include University of Sussex, University of York and Crick Institute.
A statement by Mamman Mohammed, Director General, Press and Media Affairs to the State Governor, said that the governor, while in the UK, would have critical discussions with these three renowned in particular.
He said that the visit is meant to attract educational support to institutions in the state.
“It would be recalled that some of the institutions had in the past supported the Yobe State University with equipment and pledged to establish a research centre at the university. “Governor Buni would also take advantage of the visit to explore other areas of support to the ongoing reforms in education through the emergency declared on the sector.
“There is no doubt that the visit to these institutions would facilitate the state government’s drive to improve education in Yobe State.”

Nov 11 Guber Poll: Let Us Disappoint Opponents Who Think We’ll Be Violent, Kogi Gov Cautions

Greenbarge Reporters

October 15, 2023

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has called on the supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its Governorship candidate in the November 11 election, Ahmed Usman Ododo to avoid any form of violence throughout the exercise.
“Let us disappoint our enemies and opponents by our calmness and maturity which will also neutralise their hostility against us.”
Governor Yahaya Bello, who addressed the party supporters in a campaign rally in Kabba today, October 15, assured that the party has a good candidate in Usman Ododo for the election.
“Don’t abuse anybody in this race because we have a good gubernatorial candidate in Usman Ododo, who by God’s grace shall win the Nov. 11 election.
“All that matters to us as APC members and supporters is how to market Ododo and his running mate for victory at the poll.
“We’re entrusting the future of Kogi in the hands of Ododo and his running mate and so we should be very ready to deliver them on the day of election.
“We are after the growth and development of Kogi and will ensure that APC wins the election for continuity and consolidation on my achievements.’’
The Governor stressed that violence and crisis would not do anyone any good and enjoined APC members and supporters to be peaceful in their conduct for a successful election.
Governor Yahaya Bello asked security agencies to be professional in the performance of their duties to keep the peace in Kogi before, during and after the governorship election.
Chairman of the Ododo Campaign Council, the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar-Audu, addressed the rally by asking the people of Kabba and the entire Kogi West Senatorial District to turn out en-masse and vote for Ododo for continuity.
The rally witnessed the receipt of defectors from opposition parties, including those of African Democratic Party (ADC)
Source: NAN.

House Of Reps Spokesman Confirms Move To Procure “Official” Vehicles For Members

Greenbarge Reporters

October 15, 2023

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi, Jr. has confirmed that the National Assembly bureaucracy is in the phased process of procuring and distributing operational vehicles to members over the coming weeks and months.
In a statement today, 15, reacting to series of comments on the social Media on the matter, Akin Rotimi said that this development is in accordance with extant procurement laws and has been the practice in previous assemblies.
“It is also not peculiar to the Legislature, as un-elected government officials in the Executive arm of government from Director level and above, in most cases, have official vehicles attached to their offices.
He said that the vehicles to be allocated to the offices of members are utility operational vehicles tied to their oversight functions in the discharge of their duties in the standing committees, adding that they are not personal vehicles gifted to members.
“For the duration of the 10th assembly (2023 – 2027), the vehicles shall remain the property of the National Assembly. “At the expiration of the tenure of the 10th Assembly in 2027, should the extant assets deboarding policy of government still be in place, honourable members may have the option of making payment for the outstanding value of the vehicles to government coffers before they can become theirs, otherwise it remains the property of the National Assembly.”
Akin Rotimi said that as part of the 10th Assembly’s objective to ensure integrity and independence, members of the Green Chamber have resolved to maintain a respectable distance from the Executive arm of government, especially in issues relating to logistical aspects of oversight functions, including reaching difficult terrains in the country.
“No matter how remote the location is, as long as there are Nigerian citizens living there, they deserve highly mobile representatives who can see first-hand what they are going through, and ensure government interventions, programmes, and policies are carried out effectively. This can only be possible with functional and reliable off-road vehicles.
“Also, the House would like to inform the public that we remain committed to reducing the cost of governance in line with present realities.
“Those willing to research further would find a significant body of work with evidence that the percentage of the component of the Legislature’s budget as part of our national budget has been on a downward trend over the past decade, despite inflation and the expanding role and relevance of honourable members in the lives of citizens. It currently stands at 0.5% of the Federal budget.
“Accordingly, as all stakeholders continue to advance the conversation about reducing the cost of governance, we encourage looking in the right direction, and not cause disaffection for honourable members who want to discharge their duties effectively and above board, without being susceptible to inducement when the enablement to function is impaired.
“The vehicles are work tools, and not status symbols – Honourable Members are diligent and patriotic elected representatives and not entitled. The anticipated allocation of vehicles will contribute to improved representation, constituency outreach and oversight functions.”

Rights Group Appeals To National Assembly To Reject Bill To Regulate Social Media

Greenbarge Reporters

October 15, 2023

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has appealed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas to reject the recently reintroduced social media regulation bill which if passed would unduly restrict the rights to freedom of expression and privacy.
SERAP asked them to request the administration of President Bola Tinubu to drop any ongoing efforts to put pressure on Google, YouTube, TikTok and other social media companies to unduly restrict these fundamental human rights.
SERAP said that the bill would criminalize the legitimate and lawful exercise of human rights.
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), last week, reportedly said that one of Nigeria’s major problems now is social media, and described the social media as “a monster.”
In the letter dated 14 October 2023 and signed by SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group said: “the social media is neither Nigeria’s problem nor a monster. Any regulation of it would have arbitrary and excessive effects, and cause incalculable damage, both in material and human rights terms.
“Any move to regulate social media would be inconsistent and incompatible with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international human rights obligations.”
According to SERAP, the proposed bill raises serious concerns about the rights to freedom of expression and privacy, and would lead to digital siege.
The letter read in part: “Rather than rushing to pass the social media regulation bill, the National Assembly should encourage the Federal Government to maximize opportunities around social media access, and address the growing social and economic inequalities in the country.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are immediately taken upon the receipt and/or publication of this letter. SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions against the National Assembly and the Federal Government if the social media regulation bill is ever passed into law.
“We urge you to request the administration of President Bola Tinubu to publish the details of any ongoing discussion and engagement with Google, YouTube, TikTok and other social media companies.
“The reintroduction of the social media regulation bill would lead to deterioration of the human rights situation in the country and carry major economic costs for all sectors, as well as exacerbate social and economic inequalities.
“It would effectively deepen digital divides in the country and seriously undermine the Tinubu administration’s expressed commitment to develop this sector.
“Under international law, all restrictions on the operation of social media companies and other intermediaries must comply with the requirements of legality, legitimacy and necessity.
“The regulation of social media may be incompatible with the services of major social media and private messaging intermediaries, negatively impacting the free flow of information and ideas, and affecting economic and social activities.
“The National Assembly should put pressure on the Federal Government to comply with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 and the country’s international human rights obligations regarding the rights to freedom of expression, privacy and participation.
“Access to social media is widely recognized as an indispensable enabler of a broad range of human rights. It is central to freedom of expression and the realization of many other human rights including education, freedom of association and assembly, access to information, and participation.
“The Federal Government has the legal obligations to promote and facilitate the enjoyment of human rights, and to take all steps necessary to ensure that all individuals have meaningful access to social media. The authorities should refrain from unduly interfering with access to digital communications platforms.
“Under Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, any restriction on freedom of expression constitutes a serious curtailment of human rights.
“The Nigerian Constitution and these human rights treaties protect everyone’s right to freedom of expression, which includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information of all kinds, regardless of frontiers. States have the obligation to respect and ensure the right to freedom of expression, without distinction of any kind.
“The Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties protect a broad range of expression, including political discourse, commentary on one’s own and public affairs, canvassing, discussion of human rights, journalism, and artistic expression.
“This includes information that may be regarded as offensive, false or untrue by some people but is considered legitimate political discourse by others. Restrictions on the right to freedom of expression are only permissible when they meet the requirements of legality, necessity, proportionality and non-discrimination.
“The onus to show that restrictions comply with those requirements is on the State seeking to restrict rights. Social media regulation bills generally do not meet those requirements.
“The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has called upon States not to engage in or condone any restriction of access to the Internet or other digital technologies for segments of the public or an entire population.
“According to our information, Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Balarabe Ilelah, recently stated that the social media regulation bill has been sent to the National Assembly. The bill is reportedly seeking to repeal and reenact the NBC Act, CAP L11 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“According to the NBC, ‘We have already submitted a bill to amend the NBC act. One of our major problems now is social media. Unless there is a law that allows NBC to act on social media issues, the issue will continue to be a monster in our daily lives in this country.’”
“Similarly, Mrs. Francisca Aiyetan, Director, Broadcast Monitoring of the NBC, recently reportedly said that without regulation, young people could be misguided. According to the NBC, the Federal Government is currently engaging with Google or YouTube, TikTok, ‘so we know the faces behind these [social media] platforms.’”
“If the 2023 social media regulation bill which has reportedly passed the first reading before the National Assembly is the same as the 2019 bill, it would impose disproportionate penalties on Nigerians solely for exercising their human rights.”
“According to our information, the newly reintroduced social media regulation bill seems to be the replica of the version of the Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation Bill 2019, with provisions empowering the authorities to unilaterally order the shutdown of the internet.”
“A similar bill to regulate social media was considered by the National Assembly in 2015 but failed to pass into law after public outcry.”

Tinubu’s Man Opens Fire On Atiku Over Alleged Certificate Forgery

Greenbarge Reporters

October 15, 2023

A popular social media influencer, Abubakar Sidique Usman has opened fire on the former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar on the issue of certificate forgery against President Bola Tinubu.
Usman, who is popularly called Abu Sidiq, wrote on his X (former Twitter) handle, recently: “Atiku Abubakar didn’t identify as Sidiq Abubakar, at least up till when he entered secondary school.
“This very much was corroborated by his then spokesperson, late Adenoyi Onukaba Ojo (sic) in his book, “The Atiku: The story of Atiku Abubakar.
“According to him, Atiku identified as Atiku Kojoli during his primary education at Jada Primary School and only substituted Kojoli with Abubakar to read ATIKU ABUBAKAR after gaining admission at Adamawa Provincial Secondary School in Yola.”
Usman asked: “At what point did the new name “Atiku Abubakar” change to “Sidiq Abubakar” which is the name written on the WAEC certificate presented to INEC and when did “Sidiq Abubakar” change back to Atiku Abubakar, which is his current and official name?
“Honest question: Who is the Sidiq Abubakar that owns the WAEC certificate presented to INEC? Is it the same Atiku Kojoli/Atiku Abubakar or someone else?
“I have read arguments that anybody who identifies as Abubakar can also identify as Sidiq. This can be very true, but if it’s not your official name, it is not your official name. My parents chose my official names as Abubakar Sidiq and that’s why I use both till date, not because I can be called any or both.
“Besides, I didn’t see anywhere Adinoyi Onukaba Ojo referred to Atiku as Sidiq in his book. He referred him as either Atiku Kojoli or Atiku Abubakar. If you have read the book and you saw where he was referred to as Sidiq, please tell me the page.”
Usman’s posers were among the series of attacks against the former Vice President in the apparent turning of tables over the allegation against President Bola Tinubu.
Atiku has championed this case against the President leading amazing revelations by Chicago State University.
Tinubu’s supporters said that CSU has confirmed that he attended the University.
However, Nigerian opposition, especially those sympathetic to Atiku’s efforts say that Tinubu forged the certificate he submitted. The BBC has however reported that there is no evidence that Tinubu forged his certificate.
This is coming even as Atiku dismisses forgery allegation against him with one of his spokesmen, Dele Momodu saying on Twitter: “The APC busybodies have been bombarding me with allegations of forgery against my Principal, ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR (GCON), which I immediately forwarded to him and here is his copious response: ‘Yes I used Sadiq Abubakar to sit for my WAEC and after passing my exams I went to swear an affidavit to say I am the same person as ATIKU Abubakar. I went to ABU as Atiku Abubakar and passed my Exams as Atiku Abubakar. Interviewed as Atiku Abubakar by the Federal Civil Service Commission and hired into the Customs Service as Atiku Abubakar. So where is forgery there?’ – ATIKU ABUBAKAR
“CAN THE APC social media bullies forward the deluge of questions in circulation to their boss and get instant and direct response… I SALUTE ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR.”
Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe also defended his boss, saying: “In the last 24 hours or thereabouts, we have seen an avalanche of trolls on social media and some sections of the mainstream media that seek to query the educational credentials of Atiku Abubakar.
“We acknowledge these inquiries as being healthy because they seek to probe the truth.
“We also notice that a lot of those who engage on the issue are supporters and aides of President Bola Tinubu.
“Quite a number of their engagements suggest presenting a duality of allegations of forgery that put Atiku Abubakar at a parallel with the forgery committed by President Tinubu in his documentations to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“To start with, Atiku Abubakar wrote his WAEC examination in 1968 with the name Siddiq Abubakar.
“Every elementary student of Islamic civilization will not find it hard to decipher that both Siddiq and Atiku are names that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) gave to his bosom friend, Caliph Abubakar. Therefore, Siddiq and Atiku are names that have a historical link to one person in Islamic theology.
“Atiku Abubakar, knowing full well the importance of proper documentation, went ahead in 1973, more than 50 years ago to depose to an affidavit that he would wish to be known officially as Atiku Abubakar and still keeps the original copy of that affidavit up to this day.
“The meticulousness that has been displayed by Atiku in this instance shows an example of an upright man.
“However, while it has only taken Atiku less than 24 hours to come out with full disclosure on his public records, President Tinubu has lived behind the veil for more than half of a century.
“Since 1970 when President Tinubu came under public record to have falsified his academic credentials by claiming to have graduated from a school that was nonexistent, the narrative of his public profile continues to get dirty and messier by the turn of every decade.
“The latest in the rigmarole of President Tinubu’s life of forgeries and falsification of documents is the recent declaration by the Chicago State University that it is not the issuer of the certificate that Nigeria’s president presented to INEC in the run up to the 2023 presidential election – an act that constitutionally disqualifies the offender from the election.
“It is thus in this note that we call on President Tinubu to follow the example of Atiku Abubakar by coming before Nigerians and the world to explain how he got about his name, his educational background, the history of his early years, the true owner of the Southwest College transcript with which he got admission to the CSU, why he refused to go and retake his pre-qualifying examination for the admission and, more importantly, how he came about the discredited and forged certificate of the Chicago State University that he submitted to INEC.
“If President Tinubu refuses to take the lead set by Atiku, Nigerians and the world will forever judge him through a popular Yoruba proverb translation that says: “the upright walk on the straight path, only the crooked beat corners.”

Akpabio To Lawal: Nigeria Now Needs More Mothers Like Yours, In Condolence Message

Greenbarge Reporters

October 15, 2023

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has condoled with his immediate predecessor, Senator Ahmed Lawal over the death of his mother, Hajiya Halima (Baba) Ibrahim.
In a condolence he personally signed, the Senate President confessed: “I dare say, Your Excellency, that Nigeria at this time, needs more mothers like yours.”
He said the deceased symbolised the kind of human who must look beyond effervescent grandeur that society offers towards lasting imprints that define lasting legacies.
“Your mother chose and encouraged you in the path of intellectual attainment and it proved to be a better choice for you, your family and Nigeria.
“I can only imagine her satisfaction as you progressed in life knowing that the sacrifices were worth it.

“My brother, I mourn with you and join all your well wishers to pray for the repose of her soul in Aljannah Firdaus.”
Senator Akpabio expressed gratitude for the sacrifices and maternal tenacity provided by Hajiya Halima, which helped Senator Lawal attained his laurels in academia and Nigeria’s political space.
“Hajiya Halima will be etched in our national memory not only for being a virtuous mother, but as a woman, who played her role in raising up a child who rose to the top of academia and our political orbit.
“I am particularly impressed by the maternal support she provided in guiding you through your years of primary and secondary education in Gashua, despite her own limited education. Such foresight and maternal instincts in craving the best for their children must be commended and should be a guiding spirit for our mothers everywhere.”

“Grit,” A Book By Obari Gomba, Wins $100,000 Nigeria Prize For Literature

Greenbarge Reporters

October 14, 2023

The Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored by Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited, (NLNG), has announced a playwright titled: “Grit,” and authored by Obari Gomba, as the winner of the $100,000 prize for the 2023 cycle on Drama.
Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Chairperson of the Advisory Board, made the announcement at the Grand Award Night ceremony in Lagos, yesterday, October 13. The occasion was themed: “Redefinition.”

She also announced Eyoh Asuquo Etim’s entry: “Herstory versus ‘History’: A motherist rememory in Akachi Ezeigbo’s “The Last of the Strong Ones” and Chimamanda Adichie’s “Half of a Yellow Sun” as the 2023 winner of The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism, which comes with $10,000 prize money.

The winning book beat two other books on the Shortlist of Three: “The Ojuelegba Crossroads” by Abideen Abolaji Ojomu and “Yamtarawala – The Warrior King” by Henry Akubuiro. The book competed against 143 plays submitted for the competition in 2023.
Professor Hippolite Amadi, the 2023 winner of The Nigeria Prize for Science, sponsored by NLNG, was also awarded the prize money of $100,000 for his ground-breaking work on respiratory technologies for keeping Nigerian new-born babies alive. He was announced the winner in September by the Advisory Board, led by Professor Barth Nnaji.
In his welcome address, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, said that the theme for the event: “Re-definition” emphasised the need for redefinition in a rapidly changing world, characterised by pandemics, geopolitical events, climate change, technological advancements, and more.
He said that redefinition involved looking at things in new ways, whether at a national, communal, or personal level, which often begins with re-evaluation, re-assessment and revision of established positions.
Dr. Mshelbila expressed excitement about Nigeria’s prospects in the energy transition journey, particularly with natural gas as an enabler, highlighting NLNG’s support for the Decade of Gas policy.
“In NLNG, we supported the declaration of the Decade of Gas, which the federal Government launched in 2021 to help Nigeria achieve industrialisation, economic prosperity, and tackle energy poverty by using gas as an enabler which aligns with NLNG’s vision to be a globally competitive LNG company helping to build a better Nigeria.
“I have expressed optimism in several fora that the Decade of Gas policy would enable the country to catch up with the industrialised countries of the world if successfully implemented as planned, while at the same time decarbonising our ecosystem.
“Our bid for redefinition is further contextualised through the sponsorship of the Nigeria Prizes: the Nigeria Prize for Science, Literature, and Literary Criticism.
“This year, the theme of the science prize is Innovation for Enhancement of Healthcare Therapy.
“We need our people to be in their best form—physically, mentally, and emotionally—to tap into the wealth attainable through Nigeria’s reasoned potential. Likewise, the genre for the 2023 NLNG Prize for Literature is drama. As is apparent, drama has an adept way of communicating themes and messages for our deeper reflection.”
Speaking on the theme of the event, the Special Guest of Honour, His Highness, Muhammad Sanusi II, said that the theme transcends science and literature, and that it was time for Nigeria to redefine itself.
“We often lament our image, but what have we done to change it? When will we celebrate scientists like Professor Amadi?
“NLNG is shedding light on such individuals, and I hope more Nigerians will do the same. This is the essence of redefinition.
“We just listened to Professor Amadi. What I like about the speech is that in his work, he’s looking at the human being at the end of his work.
“I have always told people that one of the best ways to get value out of your life, out of your career and out of your position is to try from the beginning to figure out who is the human being at the end of your work.
“If you think of the human being at the end of your work, you will realise how important it is for you to stay alive so those human beings work.
“So the question is this: is it not time for our public office holders to redefine their roles and start thinking of the human being at the end of their actions?
“Is it not time to start asking that when you are made a public officer, after four years or after eight years, can you honestly look at yourself and say that you have positively impacted the lives of millions of Nigerians?
“You don’t know their faces or names, but you are thinking of the human being.
“Hippolite Amadi, the winner of the Nigeria Prizes for Science, does not know the names of the mothers of the babies he saved.
“He does not know. But he is telling you that he has an innovation that can reduce the mortality rate of newborns in Nigeria.
“He does not need to know the names of those people to know that his work has value to define himself.
“He has defined himself as somebody whose work is aimed at saving life.”
He said that NLNG has the potential to redefine the Nigerian economy by helping the country transition from oil to gas, which could cut energy costs by 50% to 60% in the country, significantly impacting inflation, people’s livelihoods, and the nation as a whole.
According to Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo, the winning book, Grit, is a dramatic journey into the destructive impact of soul-less politics of power and profit which brings out the beast in man.
She said that the play builds the motivations for the actions of every character in a lifelike manner “with apt characterisation and purposeful manipulation of plot and conflict. The play is filled with conflicts that create the mood of the inevitability of tragedy and the language is full of twists that entertain in the midst of pain.”

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