Buhari Goes To Japan Sunday For Tokyo’s Conference On African Development

August 23, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to leave Nigeria for Japan on Sunday, August 25 to participate in the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) holding in the City of Yokohama from August 28 to 30.

A statement today, August 23 by the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said that President Buhari’s participation will be his second, having attended TICAD6 in Nairobi, Kenya, in August 2016.

The statement said that with the opening session of TICAD7 will be performed by the Japanese Prime Minister and host, Shinzo Abe. The Conference has as its theme “Africa and Yokohama, Sharing Passion for the Future.”

It said that President Buhari will deliver Nigeria’s Statement during Plenary Session in which he will appraise Nigeria-Japan relations and takeaways from TICAD6, adding that Buhari will also attend a State Banquet and also honour the invitation of Emperor Naruhito to a Tea Reception at the Imperial Palace, Tokyo.

“In addition to a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Abe, the Nigerian President will also attend some side-events and meet chief executive officers of some Japanese companies with huge investments in Nigeria.”

Formed in 1993, the now triennial TICAD, which has been convened alternately in Japan and Africa since TICAD6, according to the organisers, is the largest international conference held in Japan which “provides an open forum that generates innovative discussion among various stakeholders on African development.” Participants are drawn not only from African countries, but also international organisations, private companies and civil society organisations involved in development.

TCAD7 is expected to focus on Africa’s “economic transformation and improvements in business environment and institution through private investment and innovation; promotion of resilient and sustainable African society for human security; and peace and stability in support of Africa’s domestic proactive efforts.”

Nigeria has gained tremendously since her participation in TICAD6 at the highest level, during which Japan pledged $30 billion investment “for the future of Africa combined with the private sector;” $10 billion infrastructure investment, and $500 million for vocational training of 50,000 Africans.

Since the Nairobi Conference, Japanese government and companies have been very active in supporting Nigeria’s agriculture, healthcare, electricity and youth empowerment.

The statement said that President Buhari and his delegation are expected in Yokohama to push for broader Japanese assistance in the areas of science and technology, innovation, human resource development, education, agriculture, power, health and disaster risk reduction, among others.

It said that the President will be accompanied by Governors Babagana Zulum, AbdulRaham AbdulRazaq and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Borno, Kwara and Lagos States respectively; ministers and other top government officials.

The statement said that the President is expected back in Nigeria on Saturday, August 31.

Gov Ganduje’s Emirs Missing At Northern Traditional Rulers’ Meeting With Buhari

Editorial staff

August 23, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari and Northern traditional rulers at the Presidential Villa

Prominent Northern traditional rulers had a very important meeting today, August 23 with President Muhammadu Buhari’ without the four first class Emirs who Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje elevated in Kano State recently. They are the Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, Emir of Karaye, Ibrahim Abubakar II; the Emir of Rano, Tafida Abubakar-Ila and the Emir of Gaya, Ibrahim Abdulkadir.

The meeting with the President today was attended by the Emir of what remains of the State after the balkanisation of the Emirate, Alhaji Dr. Muhammad Sanusi Lamido II.

Also in attendance were the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Tor Tiv of Tiv land, the Emir of Bida, the Ohinoyi of Ebira land and many others.

There was no explanation as to why out of all the first class monarches from the North only the four recently appointed Emirs by Governor Ganduje were conspicuously absent.

Speaking at the meeting, President Buhari said that the entire structure of the Nigerian Police Force is being overhauled, re-positioned and primed with modern technological gadgets to meet rising security challenges across the nation, while an intelligence loop among all security outfits has been created.

The President said that the ongoing reform of the police will include recruitment of more hands, cultivation of stronger local intelligence and networking with communities, traditional rulers and adequate training.

President Buhari said that he created the Ministry of Police Affairs for the purpose of driving the new initiative of ensuring proper provision of security for lives and property, with proactive intelligence gathering to nip crimes in the bud before they escalate.

“I have decided to meet with Your Highnesses to assure you that government is determined to tackle and deal decisively with all security challenges facing us as a nation.

“This consultation therefore is to engage you, our royal fathers, so that, collectively, we can arrive at solutions to any and all security problems in the country.

“We must all play our part to finally address these security challenges, particularly traditional rulers, in your respective communities, where you feel the pulse of the people, being the closest to the populace at the grassroots level,’’ he said.

President Buhari called on the traditional rulers to provide more support to security agencies with their versatile knowledge of communities and individuals.

“These policies and programmes include a robust revamping of police intelligence gathering capacity and the significant boosting of the numbers of security personnel in our local communities. This in specific terms will include recruiting more police officers and doing so whenever possible from their local government areas, where they would then be stationed in the best traditions of policing world-wide.

“Working with the State governments also, we intend to improve the equipping of the police force with advanced technology and equipment that can facilitate their work. To drive this, I recently created a full-fledged Ministry of Police Affairs.

“As I said during my meeting with the Traditional Rulers from the South-West, directives have been issued to the appropriate federal authorities to speedily approve licensing for States requesting the use of drones to monitor forests and other criminal hideouts,’’ he added.

The President said that CCTVs will be installed on highways and other strategic locations so that activities in some hidden places can be exposed, more effectively monitored and open to actionable interventions.

The Sultan of Sokoto, who led the traditional rulers, assured the President of the full support of traditional rulers in the country.

“We have come to assure you of our total support, total commitment and undiluted dedication to moving the nation forward as one of the best countries of the world.”

He said that the traditional thrones in various communities predated the amalgamation of the protectorates, and all the forefathers had always upheld the virtues of peace, unity and stability, assuring the President that royal fathers across the country had been in constant communication on the security challenges, promising to support the government to succeed.

The Sultan commended Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara for the relative peace in the state after he was sworn into office, and decided to open up all channels of communication, urging other governors to adopt same model.

He also called on the President to strengthen the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for more effective monitoring of drug-related situations in the country for correction and prosecutions.

Nigeria Moves To License Foreign Broadcasting, Online Radio, TV Stations

Editorial staff

August 23, 2019

The government of Nigeria has concluded arrangements to begin wide ranging reforms in the

broadcasting industry, including the licensing of foreign broadcasting, online radio and television stations.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who dropped this hint in Abuja today, August 23 when he received members of the

Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) on a courtesy visit, said: “in particular, the President (Muhammadu Buhari) has approved that WebTVs and radio stations, including foreign broadcasters beaming signals into Nigeria, will be licensed because we must bring sanity into this industry.”

Lai Mohammed, who was responding to a request made by BON for the review of the Broadcasting Code, said that the President has already approved a review of the Broadcast Code that is

going to take care of many of the issues you have already raised here.

“Mr. President has also approved a wide range of reforms in the industry

which, at the appropriate platform, I will let you know.”

The Minister, who promised to carry along members of BON in the review of the Broadcasting Code, restated the commitment of the present administration to free media.

“I have said it on many platforms that this administration is not

about to gag the press. No! But we will appeal to the press to please self-regulate for the sake of this country and also for the sake of the industry itself.”

Lai Mohammed also appealed to BON to partner with the government in the promotion of peaceful co-existence and cohesion in order to engender progress and national development.

“Today, if anybody listens to what is being said on some radio or

television stations, you will think that this country is at war or that Christians actually cannot live with Muslims or that there is a dichotomy between the North and the South. I think we need to appeal to you to use your platforms for the unity and cohesion of the country.”

In his remarks, the Acting Chairman of BON, Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa, said that the re-appointment of the Minister was deserving because he brought life and great innovation to the broadcast industry during the first tenure of the administration.

He pledged the readiness of BON to key into the government’s agenda, especially the fight against fake news.

UPDATED: Tribunal Sacks Dino Melaye As Senator

Editorial staff

August 23, 2019

The National Assembly/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Lokoja, Kogi State has sacked Dino Melaye as the Senator for Kogi West Senatorial District.

The tribunal, today, August 23, ordered that fresh elections be conducted in the district.

Reacting to the judgment of the Tribunal, Senator Melaye vowed to appeal the judgment.

In a tweet shortly after the annulment of his election, Melaye said “On Tribunal judgment: No cause 4 alarm at all. Even if it went my way they will still go to the Appeal Court. Our mandate cannot be taken.

“We will get judgment at the Appeal Court. There will be fresh election in Kogi West bc I will be Governor. For my Senate mandate no shaking,” he tweeted.

He also tweeted a picture with a caption “He who laugh last, laugh best…KOGI Governor loading.”

Over N1.3 Trillion Spent In Last 4 Years On Education Sector – Buhari

Editorial staff

August 22, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his government has spent over N1.3 trillion in its first term of four years on education sector.

The President, who spoke today, August 22 at the commissioning of the Post Graduate Centre of Excellence at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State, said that he will pay greater attention to the sector in his second term because of its key importance to the overall development of the country.

Buhari, who commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for its foresignt in putting up such structure, expressed concern over the state of facilities in Nigerian universities, due to long years of perennial funding challenges, the President promised that his administration would continue to place premium on education at all levels.

He vowed that his government will not rest until it delivers on its commitments on quality education, including investing more resources in the sector and providing a conducive learning environment in the academia.

‘‘It is no longer a secret that the state of facilities in our universities and other institutions of higher learning has not kept pace with the requirements of the ever-growing population of students and other stakeholders or with modern methods of learning.

‘‘This has largely been due to the perennial funding challenge over the years. As an administration, we are committed and determined to continue to fund our vital institutions, even in the face of limited financial resources.

‘‘Let me reiterate here that this administration places much premium on education at all levels, as it is the bedrock of society’s progress, and the way to overcome poverty,’’ he said.

The President expressed confidence that efforts at improving access to quality education in tertiary institutions will enable young Nigerians to make meaningful contributions towards the nation’s development.

‘‘The wealth of nations today is being shaped by investment in education rather than emphasis on mineral resources.

‘‘Investment in education is a critical factor in driving innovation, technological advancements and employment opportunities in advanced economies.”

Source: NAN.

Finance Minister Paints Bright Economic Performances, Says Inflation Is Declining

Editorial staff

August 22, 2019

Newly sworn-in minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed has painted a bright feature of the economic performances in Nigeria, even as she said that inflation has been dropping since 2017.

In a report she presented today, August 22 at the meeting of National Economic Council (NEC), presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Zainab Shamsuna said that the macroeconomic environment of the country has shown significant growth and stability since after the recession.

According to the minister, there have been eight successive quarters of economic growth since the country emerged from recession.

She explained the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), as the basis for the Medium Term fiscal strategy, adding that economic stability has been achieved with growth in end Q3, 2019 at 3.01 per cent; continued increase in Real GDP from 1.89 per cent in Q2, 2018 to 2.01 per cent in 2019; there has been significant growth in non-oil sector.

The minister said that other significant economic growth records include the fact that inflation has continually declined since 2017 from 18.72% to 11.08% in July 2019; contribution of the non-oil sector to GDP has also increased 90.4% in Q1 2018 to 90.9% in Q1 2019.

BELOW ARE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NEC DELIBRATIONS:

A. UPDATES ON NEC COMMITTEE ON EXPORT PROMOTION, PRESENTED BY ALHAJI MOHAMMED BADARU ABUBAKAR, GOVERNOR OF JIGAWA STATE

· The Governor of Jiagawa State, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, presented an update on the activities of the Committee.

· The report is sequel to the Zero Oil Plan, envisioned in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) which is developed by the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

· The implementation of the plan is expected to yield results in 3 key areas:

o Add an extra UDS150 billion (minimum) to Nigeria’s foreign reserves cumulatively from non-oil exports over the next 10 years;

o Create 500, 000 jobs annually,

o lift 20 million Nigerians out of poverty, contributing towards SDG-‘’ No Poverty’’.

He reported that the committee has recorded the following achievements:

· Designed an implementation Plan for Project implementation

· Harmonized Export Development Plan Submitted by states

· Identified Projects based on the Implementation Plan and States Submissions.

· Set- up Templates and Schematics for Domestic Export Warehouse and Anchor Programme for Exporters.

· Provide processing equipment and conducted Capacity Building Programme on Strategic Products in the Zero Oil Plan in Kaduna, Benue, Ondo, Edo and Imo States. The products are Palm oil, Soya Beans and Ginger.

· Identify Companies for the Domestic Export Warehouse and Aggregation Centre for exportable products.

· He further revealed that the other achievements of the Zero Oil Plan to date includes:

o Non- oil exports (excluding natural gas) have risen from U$1.17 billion in 2016 to US$3.16 billion in 2018 meaning that Strategic sectors identified in the Zero Oil Plan have seen growth. For instance, cocoa exports have risen by $79.4 million since 2017, while sesame exports have also increased by $153 million since 2016 – an increase of more than 100% (source: International Trade Centre).

· The plan has identified the creation of five million jobs to date directly supported by no-oil exports, with efforts underway to increase this by 500,000 new jobs annually in line with SDG 8 – “Decent Work and Economic Growth”

· A state Export Development Fund has also been created through N50bn debenture to be disbursed by NEXIM, in which the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has invested. The Fund offers long –term loan at single-digit interest rate to qualifying export-oriented projects under the State Export Development Programme and the Anchor exporter scheme.

Council Decision

After the presentation and discussion, Council agreed to

· Include the Minister of Foreign Affairs as a member of the Committee.

· Follow-up on the obligation of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Agency NIMASA regarding the financing of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

B. UPDATE ON POLIO ERADICATION IN NIGERIA PRESENTED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH

The update was presented by the Honourable Minister of Health and other health officials. He noted that 21^st August 2019 marks exactly 3 years milestone without a case of Wild Polio Virus (WPV) in Nigeria.

There is need to improve the quality of the campaigns in order to stop the outbreak of the CVDPV2 (polio)

· Need for increased routine immunization.

He, however, identified some challenges as follows:

· Lack of release of counterpart funds by the Local Government Chairman as one of the key problems in achieving successful routine immunization.

· Insecurity concerns in parts of the country.

· The Minister requested the Council to:

o Convey the meeting of the Presidential Task Force on Immunization quarterly

o Ensure the sustainability of political oversight by the political class.

o Establish and re-activate of State Task Force on immunizations.

o Ensure quarterly release of appropriated funds for Routine Immunization and other Primary Health Care Activities.

o Ensure timely release of funds by the States and LGAs for immunization campaigns.

UPDATE ON NEC AD-HOC COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND POLICING

A brief update was presented by Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum. He noted that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has initiated the commencement of Community Policing and there is a plan to consider using N-Power beneficiaries and Youth Corpers as Police Officers in their Local Government Areas.

· Full report to be given at the next NEC meeting

C. PRESENTATION ON THE NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE – BY MR OSCAR N. ONYEMA TITLED: “FINANCING THE NEXT LEVEL” ALTERNATIVE AND INNOVATIVE LONG-TERM FINANCING FOR NIGERIA CRITICAL NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

Council received a presentation from the Chief Executive Officer, The Nigerian Stock Exchange- Mr. Oscar Onyema.

The CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange noted that the Nigeria Stock Exchange has actively supported Nigeria’s growth since 1960.

· That Capital market is highly connected and therefore crucial to the country’s economic development.

· The NSE is today one of Africa’s foremost Exchanges servicing the No 1, Economy in Africa with a Market Capitalization of N25.7trillion ($70.7bn)

· Over the last 5 years, N10.3tn in long term capital has been raised by federal and state governments in the form of Government Bonds.

· The Capital market offers innovative financing solutions for Nigeria’s $100bn infrastructural challenge.

· That solving Nigerian’s infrastructure challenges remain the panacea for actualizing the country’s full economic potential.

· There are untapped state investment opportunities in $1 trillion global privatization market and N9 trillion local pension sector.

· Unlocking the value will require:

o Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs)

o Infrastructure, Sukuk and Green Bonds; Real Estate Investment Trust (REITs);

o Refinancing bank debt through capital market instruments.

o Partnerships with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) – onshore/Local currency bonds.

Council Decision

Council welcomed the presentation and noted the proposal

HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FINANCE, BUDGET AND NATIONAL PLANNING

C. UPDATES

REPORT SPECIAL ACCOUNTS

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning reported to council that balances in the under listed accounts as 20^th August 2019 is $95,329,245.24.

REPORT ON STABILIZATION FUND ACCOUNT.

The balance as at 20^th August 2019 is =N21, 729,976,810.66.

UPDATE ON THE NATURAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT FUND

The balance as at 20^th August 2019 is =N95,896,886,829.69

UPDATE ON THE NATIONAL BUDGET SUPPORT LOAN FACILITY.

The Honourable Minister of Finance briefed NEC on the progress of the facilitate detailing how the FG has made a total of over N614 billion available to 35 States being N175 billion each

· Council agreed to constitute a team from the Nigerian Governors Forum to meet with the CBN and Ministry of Finance to finalize modalities for commencement of payment.

UPDATE FROM AD-HOC COMMITTEE AND OTHER SPECIAL ACCOUNTS OF THE FEDERATION

The Committee requested for extension of time to finalise and present its report next meeting.

PRESENTATION ON THE MEDIUM-TERM EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK AND MEDIUM TERM STRATEGY PAPER

The Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning informed NEC that the purpose of the presentation is to get inputs and recommendation from the Council for further presentation to Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval and implementation. She underscores the importance of the presentation as follows:

· Nigeria macroeconomic environment has stabilized in recovering gradually.

· There has been eight (8) successive month of economic growth since emerging from recession.

· The Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), remains the basis for the Medium Term fiscal strategy.

The Honourable Minister also highlighted successes recorded as follows:

· Macro-economic stability has been achieved with growth in end Q3 2019 at 3.01%

· Continued increased in Real GDP from 1.89% in Q2018 to 2.01% in 2019

· There has been significant growth in non-oil sector.

· Contribution of the non-oil sector to GDP has increased by 90.4% in Q1 2018 to 90.9% in Q1 2019.

· Unemployment rate at 20.1% at Q3 2018

· Need for more diversification to boost inclusive growth.

· Mr. President is strongly committed to employment generation in this second term.

· Considerable success has been recorded in containing insurgency is parts of the North East, with economic activities recovering.

· Recurring conflicts between farmers and herdsmen, as well as incidences of flooding, has affected agricultural products.

· Breaches in NNPC pipelines still regular, partly accounting for low oil production volume in the first half of the year.

· Inflation has continually declined since 2017 from 18.72% to 11.08% in July 2019

The draft 2020 – 2022 Medium Term Fiscal framework indicates that Nigeria faces significant medium-term fiscal challenges especially with respect to revenue generation. Therefore there is need to improve revenue collections and expenditure management.

· Need to take a bold decision and urgent action to achieve fiscal sustainability and macro-fiscal objectives.

COUNCIL DECISION:

Council welcomed the MTEF and offered suggestions.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Council welcomed new Ministers in their midst namely Finance, Budget and National Planning, State, Budget and National Planning Health, State: Health, Agriculture and State: Petroleum.

Insecurity: Police Acknowledges Key Roles Of OPC In South West

Editorial staff

August 22, 2019

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has recognised the key roles which the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has been playing in collaboration with the police to significantly reduce the state of insecurity and crime rate in South West of the country.

The IGP, who spoke through a delegation sent to the Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yorubaland and Leader of the OPC, Gani Adams, in Lagos on today, August 22, said that he would sustain the synergy and partnership to further reduce crime rate and ensure peace in the region.

This was even as the Aare Ona Kankanfo commended the initiative of Mohammed Adamu to partner with his organisation to fight crime, pledging that the OPC will not betray the trust.
Gani Adams said that the most important part of security is intelligence gathering, recalling how the police in Lagos were able to end the menace of the dreaded Badoo cultists involved in several killings in the state by forming a partnership with the OPC.
He made it clear that the OPC was not set up as a crime-fighting organisation but that the circumstances that led to its involvement in security matters was when the landlords associations on Lagos Mainland sought its assistance to stem the tide of rising crimes.
He recalled the confrontations between the OPC and the police between 2000 and 2004, and expressed joy that today the IGP has found the organisation worthy of his collaboration in crime fighting.
Commending Mohammed Adamu for believing in community policing and taking pro-active steps, Gani Adams said that the OPC would work with the newly established Police Special Squad deployed to the South West to fight kidnapping and armed banditry, as his men who know the territory well are ready, willing and able to confront criminals in the region.
The Leader of the IGP’s delegation, Jude Nwankor, assured the Aare Ona Kankanfo that the mistake of the past would not be allowed to repeat itself.
Members of the delegation included the Officer-in-Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Lagos State, Chief Superintendent of Police Peter Gana and the Commander, Seme Border Patrol, CSP Ogechi Moses Udu.
Also at the parley on the side of Gani Adams were the former Special Adviser, Political, to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Basorun Akin Osuntokun; OPC’s Director of Mobilisation, Comrade Dauda Asikolaye; Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo; Osi Aare Ona Kakanfo, Gani Kola Balogun; Segun Sani; and key members of the OPC.

CBN’s Magnificent Centre Of Excellence In ABU Zaria

Greenbarge Reporters

August 22, 2019

Multi-million Naira magnificent Centre of Excellence, built and fully equipped by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as part of its social responsibility, was commissioned today, August 22 by President Muhammadu Buhari at the main campus of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in Kaduna State. The Centre is for senior students in account and finance as well as other related subjects.

Our Editor-In-Chief, Yusuf Ozi-Usman to capture the sprawling edifice.

Buhari Commissions CBN’s Multi-Billion Naira Centre Of Excellence At ABU Zaria

Editorial staff

August 22, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned a multi-billion naira Post-Graduate Centre of Excellence built and equipped by the Central Bank of Nigeria at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State.

Speaking today, August 22 before he unveiled the commemorative plaque, in a symbolic opening, President Buhari commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for supporting the Federal Government’s investments in the educational sector as well as other keys areas of the economy which are tied to overall national development.

He advised the Bank to sustain such funding support for research and overall economic development.

This was as the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele said the Bank’s involvement in the funding and infrastructural support in the educational sector was borne out of the conviction that an educated workforce played a critical role in the advancement of the Nigerian economy and the society in general.

He said that the Bank’s analysis of the factors responsible for the growth of successful economies indicated that investment in education played a prominent role in driving innovation and growth in advanced and emerging economies, while also contributing to significant reductions in inequality.

He said that the CBN, being a knowledge-driven organization, had to ensure the sustenance of improvements in institutions of higher learning across the country.

Emefiele said that the Centre of Excellence project was designed to accommodate the Central Bank of Nigeria Collaborative Postgraduate Programme (CBN-CPP), which he described as a child of necessity in the Bank’s intervention programme in the educational sub-sector.

He explained that the project was conceived to produce a critical mass of skilled professionals that will be able to apply their knowledge towards supporting growth and continued innovation in our nation’s financial sector and the economy in general.

“This was against the recognition that the dearth of skilled manpower constituted a binding constraint towards making Nigeria the number one hub for economic activity in Africa.”

He said that the three first generation federal universities in the country across the six geo-political zones (Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan and the University of Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka) have been selected under the first phase of the intervention programme.

He added that the programme was later expanded to cover six other tertiary institutions across Nigeria, which are nearing completion.

According to Emefiele, the project is mainly to ensure that students at post-graduate levels in Economics, Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Administration and Statistics study in a serene environment that would stimulate effective learning with a view to building human capacity for the financial services sub-sector.

The apex bank boss stressed that the bank had taken steps to ensure that the investment in the special education yields considerable benefits.

He explained that the curricula for the target disciplines had been reviewed and harmonized across board to ensure that students are provided with the optimum level of knowledge relative to their peers in other parts of the globe.

“We believe that the Centres of Excellence will help support the government’s efforts towards reducing the incidence of brain drain, and curtail the huge foreign exchange being spent on school fees for Nigerians studying in other countries.”

Emefiele said that the three Centres of Excellence in Zaria, Enugu and Ibadan will commence operation in October 2019 and called on the universities to take maximum advantage of the world class facilities provided by the Bank to challenge their counterparts in London, New York and Dubai in the provision of training programmes in banking and finance-related disciplines for the global business community

He expressed appreciation to the stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the contractor, Messrs Afdin Nigeria Limited, for their support in completing the project.

The Post-Graduate School project is made up of a Faculty building and a block of rooms, as well as a 544-seater auditorium, four lecture and four tutorial rooms, traditional and e-libraries, and a telepresence room.

Emefiele used the opportunity to announce that the apex bank will subsequently provide funding support for the health sector in the country through the establishment of six diagnostic centres across the geo-political zones of the country.

He said that the decision of the bank to support the health sector is based on the realization that education and health formed the bedrock of development in any society.

Why I Assigned 2 Powerful Ministries To Zainab Shamsuna – Buhari

Editorial staff

August 22, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has given reasons why he decided to assign two powerful ministries to Hajiya Zainab Ahmed Shamsuna. She is minister of both Finance and Budget/National planning.

Speaking at the palace of the Emir of Zazzau in Kaduna state when he paid him a visit today, August 22, President Buhari acknowledged the commitment of Hajiya Zainab to his government’s actions at making life better for Nigerians.

“I also chose her because of her wealth of experience,” the President said, even as he made it clear that giving Kaduna State two ministerial slots is a way of showing his appreciation for the support the people of the state have been giving him.

He acknowledged that the state gave him one of the highest votes in the February 23 Presidential election, adding that he would do much to show his appreciation.

“I have heard the shopping list presented by the Emir. Despite the hard times, I will try to fulfill most of the desires of the people of the emirate so that when I leave office, I will be remembered for what I’m able to give.”

President Buhari said that the water project he had gone to commission in the emirate was part of the programme of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governments in the state and federal government to meet the essential needs of the people.

The Emir, Alhaji Dr. Shehu Idris had asked the president look into the issue of collapse of industries in the state.

He also requested the president for financial intervention in the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, the largest in the country that was established in 1967.

Emir Shehu Idris begged President Buhari to rehabilitate Zaria-Pambegua road, Kaduna-Jos road and Zaria -Funtua road.

He commended the President for his efforts in the fight against insecurity, adding that Kaduna State is now enjoying peaceful coexistence.

“We are highly delighted to say that the visit your Excellency today, will mark another history in my palace when you will honour us with commissioning of the Zaria Water Supply Expansion Project. We do hope that by this gigantic effect, the perennial water shortage in Zaria and environs will be a thing of the past.”

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