The purpose of the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to Turkey from December 16 to 19 was to participate in the 3rd Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit, with an appealing theme: “Enhanced Partnership for Common Development and Prosperity.”
Our national strategy was laid out before departure, based on a strong optimism that the summit will work well for all the leaders. Turkey is serious about working with Africa in a win-win relationship. Though not yet accepted as a member of the EU, it is a major player in the continent in many ways and is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Turkey also has strong links in the Middle-East. In Asia, the competition is stiff, with China, Japan, South Korea and the rest. But see what discipline, national mobilization and determination have brought Turkey to where it is today. So, Africa may seem for them, a good bet for solidarity and market.
For us on the continent, it is not in doubt that the big countries are not outrightly helpful at all times. In some instances, as with the COVID-19 vaccine, we have seen how might becomes right.
So, really, the embrace of Turkey by Africa is a logical path to follow, given that the country had gone through the big economies in search of economic and national development, abandoned that process and became, on their own, the fastest growing economy in Europe. Annual trade between Turkey and Africa was USD 5.5 billion in 2003. Today, it has risen to USD 26 billion. Under the Erdogan leadership, the country has grown its presence in Africa from 12 embassies to 42. Turkish Airlines flies to 50 destinations in 30 African countries.
President Erdogan has himself described his country as being an “Afro- Euro-Asian state,” and was on record as being the first non-African Head of State to visit Somalia. Turkey has arrived as a world power. They have advanced in so many areas.
In going to Turkey, the position of the President’s team was: If the partnership through the multilateral process works for us, it will help. All six ministers on the delegation held meetings with their respective counterparts to deepen the good bilateral relations between us. We went there in search of partnerships, partnerships that Nigeria stands to gain from.
When he came here in October, President Erdogan and President Buhari had the two countries sign three Memoranda of Understanding, MoUs, and four agreements on a variety of subjects that included political consultation, energy, hydrocarbons, mining, youth, double taxation and the reform and development of the Defence Industries Corporation, DIC in Kaduna.
The starting point of this engagement was the meeting between the two leaders-President Muhammadu Buhari and the Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The tone of this meeting was itself set by the officials who accompanied the President: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defence, National Security Adviser and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency. And from all accounts, the meeting met all expectations: Turkish leader Erdogan agreed to work with President Buhari in tackling insurgents and other security challenges facing this country.
This is significant in many ways. Turkey today not only has a modern defence industry but one that is technologically advanced. Their intervention against ISIL in Syria and Iraq and even Libya has brought them a lot of respect. When they intervened on the side of Azerbaijan in that country’s war against Armenia, that participation using especially that impressive drone technology was the single most important game-changer. Turkish technology, be they drones or even through the supply or manufacture of military ordinance in Nigeria will surely quicken the process and efforts to rid the country of pockets of terrorists and the menace of kidnappers and bandits. From their wide experience and advances in technology in fighting terrorism and banditry, they have a lot to give and they have assured us that they will give that support.
Flowing from the meeting of leaders, the heads of our defence and security establishments were afforded long engagements with their Turkish counterparts. The meetings took time to reflect on what Nigeria needs to overcome the problem of insecurity. These issues revolved around the use of technology to fight crime, something that everyone is doing, and so why not Nigeria.
As we go into January next year, a team from the Turkish defence establishment is expected to be in Nigeria in the effort to advance the discussions on the issue of military procurement.
The national security component equally has a Turkish angle to it and one that turned to be one of the gains, in the sense that both countries have a common view of what Turkey perceives as a security threat to their nation and its leaders present in Nigeria. This is about some Turkish investments, schools and hospitals associated with an opposition figure linked to the abortive coup and attempted assassination of President Erdogan. This had existed as a critical but unspoken issue, with the potential to undermine the relationship in spite of the strong bond of friendship based on trust between the leaders of the two nations. It appears however that a strong common ground and understanding is reached.
The government of Nigeria will not allow any part of our territory to be used to undermine a friendly state such as Turkey. Under our strict Central Bank and Financial Intelligence Unit’s governance structure and management, money from the investments in issue cannot be moved anywhere to finance subversive activities. While protection of foreign investment is sacrosanct, government clearly will not allow interest, individual or group, to undermine the very warm and cordial relationship between the two nations.
Turkey has achieved so much in infrastructure, which is something very close to the heart of the President. Turkey has shown real capacity in heavy capital projects in many countries and this has another advantage to us.
As it is now, we are reliant on just one country for infrastructure and Turkey should help us to diversify.
From these bilateral meetings, the ground has been laid for the setting up of education, health and leisure projects including the proposal for a big hotel and conference center project in Abuja.
In the not-too-distant future, the administration of the Federal Capital Territory will be receiving the team of investors including the world- famous Ma’arif Foundation to be shown exact locations for the setting up of a five-star hotel and conference center, schools and a world-class hospital.
Three other companies have a strong interest in other areas, with the first, in oil and gas, and from which a good outcome is expected by the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC Mele Kyari and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo. One of the other investors is coming with interest in the Abuja property market, real estate and the creative industry especially film making and another, with interest in the construction sector. This is the company that built Turkey’s famous undersea tunnel.
Finally, it is important to say that President Buhari was in Turkey on a special request by the Turkish President.
By an earlier agreement, the number of African leaders at the four-yearly summit was rationalized to just 15, and leaders were chosen to attend as representatives of either the African Union or the elected leaders of sub-regional groups such as ECOWAS, the South African Development Community, SADC and the rest. Each sub-regional leader presented a representative statement, and in the case of ECOWAS, it was President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, its Chairman. No national statements were planned for, except for Nigeria where our President was given a special speaking opportunity.
As to be expected, President Buhari used it to good effect, calling for increased support for Africa in fighting terrorism, vaccine equity and manufacture on the continent and for combined efforts to address the effects of climate change.
The Nigerian delegation returned to Nigeria on a high note of expectation that this was indeed, a visit worth undertaking.
Garba Shehu is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.
A middle aged man, Eze Onyebuchi and his wife, Oluchi Eze, are in police net in Ogun State for allegedly selling their one month old baby for N50, 000 to a human right activist, one Mrs. Ruth Obajimi.
The spokes person of the state police Command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a statement today, December 19 said that the couple, who reside at Ilara area of Ode Remo, in Remo North local government area, were arrested on December 16.
He said that the command had an information that the couple willingly sold their one month old baby to a woman who is now at large.
“Upon the information, the Dpo Ode Remo division, CSP Olayemi Fagbohun, detailed his detectives to the area where the couple were arrested and brought to the station.
“On interrogation, the suspects explained to the police that, it was one Mrs. Ruth Obajimi, who directed the yet to be identified buyer to them. They stated further that the woman came to them on December 14, 2021, and told them that she is from human rights office, and that she will help them to foster their child. The woman then gave them the sum of fifty thousand naira and they handed over the baby to her despite not knowing her from Adam.
“Effort is on top gear to apprehend the said woman with the view to recover the baby.”
The commissioner of police, Lanre Bankole, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the anti human trafficking and child labour unit of the state criminal investigation and intelligence department for further investigation.
He equally directed a massive manhunt for the buyer who has since disappeared into the air.
Embattled Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho may have been technically abandoned by his kinsmen and women as he clocked 153 days today, December 19 in Cotonou, Benin Republic prison.
Igboho was ‘arrested’ by the operatives of Brigade criminelle (Criminal Brigade) on July 19 in Cotonou after he escaped from arrest in Nigeria on account of his rise against the government.
Information has it that Igboho is unlikely to be released on bail considering the political interests involved in his case.
Lawyers, including Chief Yomi Aliu (SAN), Pelumi Olajengbesi, Benin Republic based team of lawyers as well as Ibrahim Salami, Olusegun Falola have been providing legal services for the embattled agitator to secure his release.
One of the lawyers had said that Igboho might be held in detention for weeks pending the conclusion of investigation.
Since he was arrested, the legal battle to either extradite Igboho to Nigeria or hand him back his freedom has witnessed a series of dramatic twists and turns.
The court on July 27, ordered that he should be remanded in a facility in the country, pending the conclusion of the investigation.
The judge who is currently investigating Igboho’s case is expected to table his ruling before another judge who will give judgement.
Sunday Igboho’s lawyers had said that the Yoruba Nation agitator was remanded to allow police to conduct a thorough investigation into the charges, which included illegal migration, attempt to cause civil unrest, others.
Abother of his lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi said that the chances of getting Igboho out of prison in 2021 is very slim.
“Frankly, the hope of getting him released this year is still very slim. There are diplomatic consultations going on in respect of that because as you know, Igboho, in the eyes of the law, is a very free person. He has committed no crime.
“We know he’s being held against his will. He’s a prisoner of conscience and so we believe that he will be out soon but I can’t guarantee he will be out before the end of this year. There are lots of diplomatic discussions going on in that regard.”
A member of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited, Dr. Lami Onayi Ahmed has been conferred with a Doctorate Degree in Public Administration (Honoris Causa) by the Africa Institute for Public Administration (AIPA), Ghana, in partnership with the London Bridge Business School, United Kingdom. She has also been inducted as fellow of the institute. She was also certified as Leadership Solution Strategy Expert. Special Assistant (Press) to the President of the Senate, Ezrel Tabiowo; Director, Emerald Energy Institute (Petroleum and Energy Economics, Policy and Strategic Studies), University of Port Harcourt, Professor Chijioke Nwaozuzu; former General Manager, Nigeria Airways Dr. Samuel Barko Lar: Member, House of Representatives, Dr. Ifeanyi Anthony Ibezi and a Hospitality Specialist, Dr. Eric Mekwuye were similarly conferred with the same honour. The award ceremony took place at the 10th fellowship induction and honorary investiture ceremony after a three-day Transformational Leadership Conference organized by the Institute in Abuja. Dr. Lami Ahmed is an accomplished entrepreneur, business woman, human rights activist and an administrator per excellence. Dr. Tabiowo is a media guru and administrator, who has held several leadership positions. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants – Nigeria; Fellow of the Institute of Management Specialists, United Kingdom; Fellow of the Centre for Public Service Productivity and Development (CeProd); and Fellow of the West African Society for Communication and Administration (WASCA). Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute, Dr. Ben Nwankwo, in a speech at the investiture ceremony, urged members of the 10th class to be good ambassadors of the institute. “We are admitting you into the Fellowship of Africa’s premier and apex professional Institute in the education and practice of Public Administration as the 10th class. “First and seventh classes took place between Accra, London, Dubai, Abuja and Kigali, in a tight curriculum schematics that is a mix of theory and practice. “Our learning partners have graciously consented to further admit few of the members of the class who have track records of service, achievements, and moral rectitude into the honorary degree of Doctor of Public Administration and Business Administration to strengthen your spark to lead in government, society or business. “By virtue of your fellowship induction and other investiture, you have become alumni of the Institute, our role models and ambassadors. We charge you to show the light that others may follow.” The Africa Institute for Public Administration is the continent’s professional education platform that seeks to innovate and reshape the operationalization and management of government systems in Africa. AIPA is affiliated to the European Association for Public Administration Accreditation, The Netherlands; International Public Policy Association, France; the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA), Brussels Belgium; and the American Society for Public Administration, Washington DC.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Mustapha Shehuri has said that the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP), is the best way to improve and revolutionize Agricultural mechanisation in the country.
Speaking today, December 17, at the national validation exercise of the draft NATIP 2022 to 2025, in Abuja, the Minister said that the policy would also enhance access to improved inputs and linkages among research and teaching institutions as well as boosting extension service delivery.
“This draft National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy will create access to finance and ensure security of agricultural land and other investments that are Agro-based.
”The thematic issue in this policy framework include stakeholders’ synergy, knowledge creation and transfer, private sector driven mechanisation, commodity value-chain development.
”Also, land and climate management, agricultural financing and appropriate strategies have been highlighted for smooth implementation.
”The strategies have been re-defined to also focus on the establishment of cottage industries and agro-processing zones for priority commodities, establishment of functional models of Ranches, Grazing reserves, Integrated meat and dairy processing facilities.
”It also gives adequate attention to the Fisheries Value Chain particularly the artisanal Fisheries with the aim of reducing the import to meet domestic consumption.
”The approach adopted by the Ministry to achieve sector policy of ensuring National Agricultural development is through commodity value chain across the Crops, Livestock and Fishery sub-sectors.
”As well as through investments in Rural Infrastructure, Research technologies, Credit access, Climate adaptation, Mechanization, Storage facilities, Extension services, Agro input and Processing plants.
” These are fundamental and basic issues on Agriculture that have been appropriately dealt with in the new Policy.”
Shehuri said that the Federal Government has been developing agricultural policies and strategies from Operation Feed the Nation in mid 70s to Green Revolution in the early 80s.
He said that the National programme for Food Security and the recent Agricultural Transformation Agenda and Agricultural Promotion Policy were aimed at ensuring Food and Nutrition security, Wealth and Job creation in the country.
”This validation exercise is a platform for sharing experiences and making input into the draft NATIP.
”The forum will enable stakeholders to understand the policy direction seamlessly towards economic diversification, food security and wealth creation in the country as the objectives of the Ministry.
”The Ministry has facilitated agro-input centers, agro-processing centers, agribusiness incubation centers and agro-industrial estates.
”All these interventions have translated to an appreciable contribution of the sector to nation’s gross domestic product.
”These efforts have translated into the sector positive growth throughout the COVID – 19 period and beyond.
”Following the above and other special interventions into the development of agriculture, the Ministry from 2015 to 2020, has developed and promoting over 30 commodity value chains.
”It has embarked on construction of rural roads, provides solar and motorized boreholes as well as many mini water treatment plants in Rural areas facilitated across the country.
”Other Interventions include, mini earth dams, water harvesting structures, tube wells, silo complexes, processing complexes and farmers markets as part of collective effort to upscale infrastructure that is required to make Agriculture works.”
The Minister advised the participants to be open-minded in sharing ideas with a view to contribute to the development of this robust sector strategic plan that would help Nigeria achieve food security, create employment and stimulate economic growth for national development.
The Editor-in-Chief/Chief Operating Officer of PREMIUM TIMES Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed has emerged the President of the Nigeria chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI).
He was elected unopposed during a session of the General Assembly of the IPI, held physically and virtually in Abuja on December 6.
Also at the meeting, the General Manager, Business and Strategy of Media Trust Limited, publishers of Daily Trust, Ahmed I. Shekarau, was elected Secretary.
Shekarau won the majority of the votes cast at the election, defeating his only contender, Dr. Qasim Akinreti, who is the Deputy Director, Digital Media at the Voice of Nigeria.
A statement today, December 7 by the Executive Board member of the global body of the Institute, Raheem Adedoyin, also announced the emergence, unopposed, of Rafatu Salami, Assistant Director, Digital Media of VON, as Treasurer.
The statement said that the General Assembly mandated the newly-constituted executive committee to work towards filling the vacant positions of Deputy President, Assistant General Secretary, Financial Secretary and Legal Adviser, which were not filled on Thursday because there were no nominations into them.
The election was conducted by a three-member Electoral Panel, which had the Chairman of Daily Trust, Kabiru Yusuf; founder of Radio Now, Kadaria Ahmed and Adedoyin as members.
The oath of office for the newly-constituted executive committee members was administered immediately after the General Assembly by a Lawyer/Notary Public, Zainab Musa.
In his acceptance speech after his emergence as President, Mojeed, expressed the appreciation of his team to all members of IPI Nigeria for the confidence reposed in them, assuring that the new executive committee would work harder towards deepening press freedom and accelerating free speech in Nigeria, and the world at large.
“We will also work at deepening collaboration with newsrooms and other organisations in the defence of press freedom in Nigeria and elsewhere.
“We will implement measures and programmes that will make ours a stronger voice as we firmly stand up for media freedom, freedom of speech and the free flow of news and information whenever, wherever and however they are threatened.
“Our team will also take a holistic look at the key issues confronting our newsrooms today and undermining press freedom one way and another. The issues include those concerning ethics, regulation, sustainability, credibility, and fake news.”
Mojeed and Shekarau took over from Yusuf and Adedoyin, who had piloted the affairs of the body for years as chairman and secretary respectively, and have since been elevated to the Board of Trustees of the organisation.
Other members of the Board of Trustees of IPI Nigeria are Ahmed; the Managing Director of ThisDay Newspapers, Eniola Bello and veteran journalist and publisher of Newsport Online, Folu Olamiti.
The General Assembly of IPI Nigeria had at a session held on August 5 this year, ratified proposals made for the expansion of its current executive council, which gave room for the creation of additional offices such as deputy president, assistant secretary and legal adviser.
The congress also approved the change in nomenclature of the highest leadership position in its executive council from being addressed as Chairman to President, while also adopting a proposal to adopt the name Secretary in place of General Secretary for its scribe.
The International Press Institute is a global network of media executives, editors and leading journalists.
Since its establishment in 1950, it has consistently and strongly crusaded for media freedom in every corner of the world.
The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total of N675.946 Billion for the month of November from Federation Account Revenue to the Federal, States and Local Governments.
According to a statement by Director of information, Press and Public Relations, Henshaw Ogubike today, December 17, the N675.946 billion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N488.674 billion; distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N182.678 billion, Exchange Gain of N4.156 billion and Excess Bank Charges Recovered of N0.438 billion.
The statement said that the total deductions for cost of collection was N30.957 billion and the total deductions for statutory transfers, refunds and savings was N136.908 billion.
It said that the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) is $35.365 million.
The communiqué confirmed that from the total distributable revenue of N675.946 billion; the Federal Government received N261.441billion, the State Governments received N210. 046 billion and the Local Government Councils received N155.456 billion.
It said that the sum of N49.003 billion was shared to the relevant States as 13% derivation revenue.
The distributable statutory revenue of N488.674billion was available for the month. From this, the Federal Government received N231.863 billion, the State Governments received N117.604 billion and the Local Government Councils received N90.668 billion.
The sum of N48.540 billion was shared to the relevant States as 13% derivation revenue.
The communiqué said that the gross revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) was N196.175 billion.
This is higher than the N166.284 billion available in the month of October 2021 by N29.891billion.
The sum of N5.650 billion allocation to NEDC and N7.847 billion cost of collection were deducted from the N196.175 billion gross Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, resulting in the distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N182.678billion.
From the N182.678 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the Federal Government received N27.402 billion, the State Governments received N91.339 billion and the Local Government Councils received N63.937 billion.
The Federal Government received N1.946 billion from the total Exchange Gain revenue of N4.156 billion.
The State Governments received N0.986 billion, the Local Government Councils received N0.761 billion and N0.463 billion was shared to the relevant States as 13% derivation revenue.
The Federal Government received N0.231billion, the State Governments received N0.117billion and the Local Government Councils received N0.090 billion from the N0.438 billion Excess Bank Charges Recovered.
According to the Communiqué, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Oil and Gas Royalties, Companies Income Tax (CIT) and Value Added Tax (VAT), increased remarkably. Also, Import and Excise Duty increased marginally.
“Turkey understands the challenges facing Nigeria and its needs, and we are ready to assist to meet those needs, especially in the area of defence.”
This was the promise made to President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria by the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a bilateral meeting with President Buhari shortly before the official commencement of the 3rd Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit in Istanbul today, December 17.
Erdogan said: “I am happy Nigeria is stepping up cooperation with other nations in areas of defence and health, and we are ready to cooperate with you on these areas and more.”
Turkey, which has growing recognition in the world as a military power and had successes to show in Iraq, Syria, Libya and lately Azerbaijan said it appreciated the Nigerian government’s decision to buy naval ships from their shipyard.
The Turkish leader said that discussions are ongoing on how to strengthen the capacity of the Defence Industries Corporation (DICON) in Kaduna in line with an agreement signed during his last State Visit to Nigeria.
This was even as President Buhari vowed that Nigeria will partner with Turkey in dealing with the current security challenges, acknowledging that Turkey had garnered a lot of experience dealing with security challenges of various kinds.
“Turkey has practical experience dealing with challenges over the years and Nigeria stands to gain from that.”
Giving assurances that the relationship between the two states will continue to grow for the mutual benefits of both countries, President Buhari said that he is pleased with the Turkish offer of support in the area of security and peace in Nigeria.
“I wish to express my appreciation for the special invitation for this meeting and to express my happiness with your offer of assistance in dealing with the challenges facing us.
‘‘I await the reports of officials and the ministers as they hold meetings with their counterparts. I assure you that I will endorse all their positive recommendations
President Muhammadu Buhari has shown his desire to return to his farm in Daura, Katsina State after handing over to his successor in 2023.
Speaking at a surprised reception for him today, December 17 in faraway Turkey, on his 79th birthday, Buhari said: “I look forward to the year 2023 when I finish, to go home to take charge of my farm. Between now and that time, I will do the best that is possible to advance the interest of the nation and its people, and carry out my duties as prescribed by the Constitution.”
In Istanbul, Turkey, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, had led other Ministers in the entourage to celebrate the day for the President.
As he stepped out of his suite moving to the meeting room, President Buhari met a surprised lineup of the Nigerian delegation who broke into a chorus, as they began chanting “Happy Birthday, Mr. President.”
A birthday cake decorated in Nigeria’s national colours of green-white-green was presented to the President, which he symbolically cut.
The surprised Buhari said: “I thought that being away from Abuja I will escape these things. The Guards Brigade had written to tell me what they wanted to do on this day. Now here you are doing this far away from home.”
The President, who later chaired a planning meeting with officials in his delegation and thereafter drove to the Dolmabahce Palace for a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Tayyip Recep Erdogan, said that he will put in his best for Nigeria until the last day.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs who spoke on behalf of the delegation and the Ambassador of Nigeria to Turkey, Ismail Yusuf Abba, congratulated the President on the good work he is doing for the country and wished him a happy birthday, many healthy years ahead and the energy to give his best to the nation.
Minister Onyeama noted in particular that the President continues to have a good run with his health, getting better and more active with time.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige has said that the threat by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to embark on indefinite nationwide strike again shows that the members are not aware of the latest developments.
Dr. Ngige, in a chat with newsmen today, December 16 in Abuja, recalled the crisis that had been brewing between ASUU and their direct employer, which is the Ministry of Education, saying that it all revolved around the Memorandum of Action signed in 2020.
He said that last year December, the President gave them a blanket clemency “and we paid them their money for the nine months, spanning into January, February of this year.
“We gave them back nearly nine months’ pay. After doing that, we also gave them a revitalization fund for N40 billion, early this year, for the revitalization of the university system.
“In the MoA, we agreed that they should get another revitalization this year and by last July, August, the money for revitalization was paid to them, for the university system that were entitled to that. N30 billion was paid.
“Last week, N22.127 billion was also released to the university system for the unions, workers university system to benefit in consonance with the MoA we signed in December 2020.”
According to Dr. Ngige, a lot of the members don’t know that the federal government had paid this quantum of money.
“Maybe it has not gotten into the accounts of the people, the persons involved, but I expected ASUU to inform their people; let them know that this is what has happened.
“They also have a grouse with the negotiation of 2009. The 2009 agreement was being renegotiated before Babalakin left and a new committee was set in place.
“That committee had advisors from Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labor and Employment, Minister of Budget and then Head of Service of the Federation and Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, because part of the renegotiation was the renegotiation of the conditions of service.
“So, a lot of the ministries and agencies that served on that committee as advisors did not agree with the content of the agreement they reached.
“Minister of Education and his ministry did not also agree with that recommendation.
“So, as far as government is concerned, those recommendations are still at the level of what we call CBA, … bargaining agreement, at the level of the ministry.
“If the ministry agrees, the ministry will send it off to the Presidential Committee on Salaries, which is a high-level body for that, and we will look at it, and then advise them.
“It hasn’t come to the stage, now that ASUU members and chambers are flexing muscles and saying that government has refused to sign.
“We have not gotten to the level of signing; we are doing an internal committee meeting with the Ministry of Education, so it’s important that people know what the correct situation is.”
The Minister of Labour stressed that when they finish at Education, they would bring it to him in Labour and he ll forward it to the Finance Committee on Salaries, of which he is a member and Co-Chair.
“So, it’s not that the government is reneging; it’s important we tell the public that this is the situation.
“Same goes for their UTAS, university transparency solution platform, they have developed.
“The government is desirous. Nr. President has signed many executive orders; Executive Order 5, Executive Oder 3, on local content, anything that will save us foreign exchange, we are for it. “We have a government agency that is regulating everything that is digital communication platform, so that government agency is NITDA.
“So, they (NITDA) have subjected that solution to that center for interrogation.”
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A middle aged man, Eze Onyebuchi and his wife, Oluchi Eze, are in police net in Ogun State for allegedly selling their one month old baby for N50, 000 to a human right activist, one Mrs. Ruth Obajimi.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Mustapha Shehuri has said that the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP), is the best way to improve and revolutionize Agricultural mechanisation in the country.
The Editor-in-Chief/Chief Operating Officer of PREMIUM TIMES Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed has emerged the President of the Nigeria chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI).
“Turkey understands the challenges facing Nigeria and its needs, and we are ready to assist to meet those needs, especially in the area of defence.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has shown his desire to return to his farm in Daura, Katsina State after handing over to his successor in 2023.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige has said that the threat by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to embark on indefinite nationwide strike again shows that the members are not aware of the latest developments.
Takeaways From President Buhari’s Visit T Turkey, By Garba Shehu
Our national strategy was laid out before departure, based on a strong optimism that the summit will work well for all the leaders. Turkey is serious about working with Africa in a win-win relationship. Though not yet accepted as a member of the EU, it is a major player in the continent in many ways and is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Turkey also has strong links in the Middle-East. In Asia, the competition is stiff, with China, Japan, South Korea and the rest. But see what discipline, national mobilization and determination have brought Turkey to where it is today. So, Africa may seem for them, a good bet for solidarity and market.
For us on the continent, it is not in doubt that the big countries are not outrightly helpful at all times. In some instances, as with the COVID-19 vaccine, we have seen how might becomes right.
So, really, the embrace of Turkey by Africa is a logical path to follow, given that the country had gone through the big economies in search of economic and national development, abandoned that process and became, on their own, the fastest growing economy in Europe. Annual trade between Turkey and Africa was USD 5.5 billion in 2003. Today, it has risen to USD 26 billion. Under the Erdogan leadership, the country has grown its presence in Africa from 12 embassies to 42. Turkish Airlines flies to 50 destinations in 30 African countries.
President Erdogan has himself described his country as being an “Afro- Euro-Asian state,” and was on record as being the first non-African Head of State to visit Somalia. Turkey has arrived as a world power. They have advanced in so many areas.
In going to Turkey, the position of the President’s team was: If the partnership through the multilateral process works for us, it will help. All six ministers on the delegation held meetings with their respective counterparts to deepen the good bilateral relations between us. We went there in search of partnerships, partnerships that Nigeria stands to gain from.
When he came here in October, President Erdogan and President Buhari had the two countries sign three Memoranda of Understanding, MoUs, and four agreements on a variety of subjects that included political consultation, energy, hydrocarbons, mining, youth, double taxation and the reform and development of the Defence Industries Corporation, DIC in Kaduna.
The starting point of this engagement was the meeting between the two leaders-President Muhammadu Buhari and the Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The tone of this meeting was itself set by the officials who accompanied the President: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defence, National Security Adviser and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency. And from all accounts, the meeting met all expectations: Turkish leader Erdogan agreed to work with President Buhari in tackling insurgents and other security challenges facing this country.
This is significant in many ways. Turkey today not only has a modern defence industry but one that is technologically advanced. Their intervention against ISIL in Syria and Iraq and even Libya has brought them a lot of respect. When they intervened on the side of Azerbaijan in that country’s war against Armenia, that participation using especially that impressive drone technology was the single most important game-changer. Turkish technology, be they drones or even through the supply or manufacture of military ordinance in Nigeria will surely quicken the process and efforts to rid the country of pockets of terrorists and the menace of kidnappers and bandits. From their wide experience and advances in technology in fighting terrorism and banditry, they have a lot to give and they have assured us that they will give that support.
Flowing from the meeting of leaders, the heads of our defence and security establishments were afforded long engagements with their Turkish counterparts. The meetings took time to reflect on what Nigeria needs to overcome the problem of insecurity. These issues revolved around the use of technology to fight crime, something that everyone is doing, and so why not Nigeria.
As we go into January next year, a team from the Turkish defence establishment is expected to be in Nigeria in the effort to advance the discussions on the issue of military procurement.
The national security component equally has a Turkish angle to it and one that turned to be one of the gains, in the sense that both countries have a common view of what Turkey perceives as a security threat to their nation and its leaders present in Nigeria. This is about some Turkish investments, schools and hospitals associated with an opposition figure linked to the abortive coup and attempted assassination of President Erdogan. This had existed as a critical but unspoken issue, with the potential to undermine the relationship in spite of the strong bond of friendship based on trust between the leaders of the two nations. It appears however that a strong common ground and understanding is reached.
The government of Nigeria will not allow any part of our territory to be used to undermine a friendly state such as Turkey. Under our strict Central Bank and Financial Intelligence Unit’s governance structure and management, money from the investments in issue cannot be moved anywhere to finance subversive activities. While protection of foreign investment is sacrosanct, government clearly will not allow interest, individual or group, to undermine the very warm and cordial relationship between the two nations.
Turkey has achieved so much in infrastructure, which is something very close to the heart of the President. Turkey has shown real capacity in heavy capital projects in many countries and this has another advantage to us.
As it is now, we are reliant on just one country for infrastructure and Turkey should help us to diversify.
From these bilateral meetings, the ground has been laid for the setting up of education, health and leisure projects including the proposal for a big hotel and conference center project in Abuja.
In the not-too-distant future, the administration of the Federal Capital Territory will be receiving the team of investors including the world- famous Ma’arif Foundation to be shown exact locations for the setting up of a five-star hotel and conference center, schools and a world-class hospital.
Three other companies have a strong interest in other areas, with the first, in oil and gas, and from which a good outcome is expected by the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC Mele Kyari and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo. One of the other investors is coming with interest in the Abuja property market, real estate and the creative industry especially film making and another, with interest in the construction sector. This is the company that built Turkey’s famous undersea tunnel.
Finally, it is important to say that President Buhari was in Turkey on a special request by the Turkish President.
By an earlier agreement, the number of African leaders at the four-yearly summit was rationalized to just 15, and leaders were chosen to attend as representatives of either the African Union or the elected leaders of sub-regional groups such as ECOWAS, the South African Development Community, SADC and the rest. Each sub-regional leader presented a representative statement, and in the case of ECOWAS, it was President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, its Chairman. No national statements were planned for, except for Nigeria where our President was given a special speaking opportunity.
As to be expected, President Buhari used it to good effect, calling for increased support for Africa in fighting terrorism, vaccine equity and manufacture on the continent and for combined efforts to address the effects of climate change.
The Nigerian delegation returned to Nigeria on a high note of expectation that this was indeed, a visit worth undertaking.
Garba Shehu is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.