Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has made it clear that the destiny of Nigeria cannot and should not be tied to the world bank in anyway.
“I believe that our destiny is not in the hands or the fine prints of the World Bank.
“The bank may mean well, and can be of help to us, but they have not worn our shoes and they do not know where it pinches.
“It is our walk not their own, so while they talk the talk, let us walk the walk. We wear the shoes and we know where it pinches.”
Senator Akpabio, who was addressing fellow Senators at the beginning today, October 19, of four-day retreat in Akwa Ibom State, stressed the need for Nigerians to take their destinies in their hands.
“We must take our destiny in our own hands and make the legend of this country as the giant of Africa a reality.
“Let us build this country, and fix it in such a way that those who fled this country like Naomi fled Israel in the time of famine, in one of the stories in the Bible, would hear that the Lord has visited our country again and would run back cap in hand, like Naomi ran back to Israel.”
The Senate President noted that every major national development is based on a road map designed by citizens of the respective countries. “The Frenchmen, Montesquieu and Jean-Jacques Rosseau, were the brains behind the French revolution. “Kim Dae-jung changed the fortunes of South Korea. Lenin transformed Tsarist Russia and turned it into a super power. “These people and more succeeded because they had plans and their countrymen and women followed their plans.
“Let us follow the plan before us. The founding fathers of our nation (Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Owolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello etc.) had and followed a plan of development, and Nigeria, in their days, occupied a place of pride in the comity of nations. “Since then, we have not had the kind of elaborate plan put forward by Mr President (Bola Tinubu) and which targets growth in critical sectors of our economy and seek to remove wastages in our economic cycle.
“Let us provide the launching pad for this audacious plan and acquit ourselves as patriots and worthy representatives of our people.
“Every plan, no matter how lofty and noble, needs to be financed. “That is why we need to be taught public expenditure management, fiscal policy, and tax reforms. “Fortunately, the Renewed Hope plan is strong on the economic side. It proposes a ten percent economic growth, which experts claim are achievable.
“It singles out the digital economy as a quick win for foreign exchange and job creation.
“We should note that Nigeria is the seventh largest internet using country in the world with an estimated number of 104.4 million users.
“Let us remember what the President said, “Our Renewed Hope Action Plan outlines goals for greater economic growth in our cities and rural communities.
“We are committed to an economy of double-digit GDP growth, greater food security and one with a strengthened manufacturing base, as well as an active digital economy where young people will have ample space to fulfill their dreams and aspirations.” Akpabio described the measures as lofty goals which should pull the strings of the nation’s hearts, “and which we need to fully key into, understand, internalize, and market to our constituents.
“With these, we can go back to our Senatorial Districts and proclaim to them that “Things are getting better.”
According to him, the policies of the Federal Government have sometimes been misunderstood by some people, but that they are generally designed for long-term benefits.
“But we know that today’s pain shall lead to tomorrow’s gain. Out of the clouds of despair shall come showers of blessing.
“For example, the stock market is said to have jumped to N1.51 trillion as a consequence of the announcement to unify foreign exchange rates. Tax reforms, experts believe, could yield a N20 trillion tax gap in a nation with a tax-to-GDP ratio of 10.86%.
“There are several other benefits of the renewed hope program and the 8-point agenda of the present administration. “These benefits we must know in the course of this retreat. When we do, gather this knowledge, this retreat will lead to a great leap for our country as we would accelerate legislation to renew the hope of our people.”

The minister of information and orientation, Mohammed Idris has regretted that the concept of nationhood and patriotism has long broken down in Nigeria and needs reorientation.

He spoke in a media chat today, October 18. Read on:

What new ideas are you bringing to national orientation?

Well, of course, you know, that the belief in the concept of nationhood and patriotism has broken down in this country. This is not in doubt. We’re trying to rebuild that, to reconstruct that, as you say.

Mr. President giving me a match in order to see that Nigerians believe in this country once again, we’re coming up with national discourse on orientation or reorientation. So that Nigerians can believe in their country. You know that people don’t believe even leaders that they themselves have elected. Flags are not flying anymore. You go to government overseas, you don’t even see the symbol of our collective existence, flying even in public buildings.

We’re bringing that about, we are bringing back this concept of discipline that Nigerians should have. Patriotism. Belief in the nationhood that our founding fathers have told us so it is going to be a new Minister of Information and national orientation and national orientation is going to be at the center of it.

*How are you getting this message to the 774 LGAs?*

Well, the national orientation agency has offices in the 774 LGAs. Of course there’s attrition now, not all the people that will man this local government offices are there, but we are rebuilding that.

We are going to put officers of the envoy around all the 774 LGAs and we are coming up with your roadmap that will revamp that sector so that Nigerians can believe in their country once again.

*The Nigerian Press Council suggested registering journalists as a way to sanitize the profession. Are you thinking of that issue?*

Well, that is been looked at, you know that Mr. President believes in press freedom. He believes in the freedom of expression, and he’s not going to gag the press in any way, shape or form. He’s going to work assiduously to ensure that the Nigerian press that has been free is even freer. Yeah.

But like I said all the time. This freedom also comes with enormous responsibility. You can’t just say what is not right, because you’re enjoying press freedom. There’ll be freedom. But is that responsible freedom.

*Welfare for press people in Nigeria. What’s the new things we are expecting?*

It is in the works. I have discussed that with Mr. President. He wants to see me come up with a roadmap for that we are going to work on that and in due course you will get to have definite answers.

*What are you doing about managing the excesses of social media?*

You know that is a very delicate line to toe. While government and Mr. President and all of us in that sector are committed to ensuring that there’s press freedom. That freedom, like I said, comes with responsibility. A lot of things that some of these people the social media are doing is also not very patriotic. Sometimes you say news that is not factual. But I don’t want a situation where it will be seen that government is trying to gag the press. I want that to be underscored. There is no attempt by government to gag the press. We’re going to do whatever it takes that is responsible and also accountable. Responsible journalism is the way to go.

President Bola Tinubu has listed down many steps his government is going to take to eradicate poverty in Nigeria, including the provision of policy framework and road map for an aggressive poverty alleviation drive.

At the launch of the Renewed Hope Cash Transfer for 15 Million Households in Abuja, President Tinubu, represented by

the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said that the step also includes developing the Renewed Hope Agenda for humanitarian response and poverty alleviation, and expanding the National Social Register to capture Nigerians living below one dollar ninety five cents per day.

Other steps, the President said, are restructuring of the National Social Investment Programme and repositioning it for quick and efficient delivery that is transparent and accountable as well as partnering with the World Bank Group and other development partners to implement conditional cash transfers, business grants and other forms of support for the most vulnerable households in the country.

“Investment of 100 Billion to purchase 3000 units of 20-seater Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered buses for cheaper transportation.

“Investment of N200 Billion to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmland to improve food security.

“The release of 2000 metric tons of grains from the strategic grain reserves to households across the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory.

“The distribution of 225,000 metric tons of fertilizer and seedlings to farmers committed to the nation’s food security.

“The release of 75 billion to support 100,000 SMEs and start-ups

“Renewed Hope Shelter Programme for the Poor, Refugees & Internally Displaced Persons targeted at one million households.

“Renewed Hope Business Grants & Loans for Vulnerable Market women, farmers, and traders to expand their business (GEEP) targeted at 2 million beneficiaries. among other interventions from various ministries through a multi sectorial approach.”

President Tinubu commended the theme of the commemoration of the 2023 edition of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty with the theme: “Decent Work and Social Protection: Putting Dignity in Practice for All,” saying that it is in perfect alignment with the Renewed Hope agenda of his government.

“My government will lead from the front in seeking to ensure that all Nigerians have decent opportunities for dignified work and sustained social protection”

The Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Edu, at the occasion, said that there is a call to action for all stakeholders, including the private sector development partners and other nations to support Nigeria in its aggressive drive to eliminate poverty.

“The cardinal goal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is to give the poor and vulnerable Nigerians a new breath of hope which is also inline with the SDG target.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would not relent until vulnerable Nigerians are completely pulled out of poverty by 2030 ”

According to Dr Edu, conditional Cash Transfers is a proven way to alleviate poverty as it gives household the financial support to start micro and small enterprises, provide basic health care, food, keep their children in school and attend to immediate needs of the households.

“Mr. President during the October 1st National Broadcast, announced  this intervention, we have gone through a thorough rigorous process of verification for the National Social Register, giving us the Lead way to begin payments.

“The beneficiaries are drawn from accross all states in the country plus FCT and is been done in a transparent manner that is traceable and verifiable.

“Beyond this, the government will be providing low-cost shelter for the poor and internally displaced persons as a form of providing that cover for them. Several other interventions, including the rural vocational skills Intervention, will be carried out at a country wide scale. All of these are targeted at the various dimensions of poverty in the country.”

The Minister assured that many more impact driven poverty alleviation programs are set to be deployed for the betterment of the living conditions of Nigerians.

She commended President Tinubu for adding Poverty Alleviation as a key thematic area of her Ministry, describing it as a first of its kind in the country.

On his part, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of economy, Wale Edun, said that a biometric auditing system has been introduced to ensure efficiency and accountability in the disbursement of the funds to all beneficiaries across the country.

The Minister said that this will ensure that those who are the target beneficiaries of the funds are the true recipients. He said that the economy will be positively affected by the conditional cash transfer.

The ministry of Finance has the coordinating role for this interventions for the economy.

The Country Director of the World Bank in Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, said that the bank will continue to support what he described  as a ‘laudable programme.’

Chaudhuri commended the political will of Nigeria President in removing the fuel subsidy, saying that the pain will be for short time after which Nigerians will begin to benefit from the though out good policy.

He assured that the World Bank will continue to Partner the Federal Government to provide soccur to Nigerians, especially the poor and  vulnerable citizens.

Some of the beneficiaries who recieved instant fund transfer into their wallet at the venue of the launch, include the visibly poor Lanai Sulaiman, Shuaibu Hassana, Sarki Bala Gamu, Okoro Jonah and Hamed Kosemani Isiaka.They all confirmed the receipt of the funds and commended the Federal Government for the initiative.

Others who attended the programme were, the  United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator For Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, Senate and House Representatives Committee Chairmen on Poverty Alleviation Permanent Secretary State House, Adebiyi Olusesan Olufunsho, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Abel Enitan, Directors, Programme Coordinators and managers and other top government functionaries.