News Agency of Nigeria
2025 WEF: Shettima advocates equal aids partnerships
Economy/Business

2025 WEF: Shettima advocates equal aids partnerships

Aid

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has expressed his strong disbelief in dependency on foreign aid, instead emphasising the importance of equal partnerships that uphold dignity.

Speaking at the Financial Times Global Risk Roundtable at the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Shettima said, “I don’t believe in aid; I believe in partnership.

“I’d rather carry my poverty with dignity and deal with people, nations, and companies on a pedestal of equality, not in a master-servant relationship.”
He added, “I didn’t come with a begging bowl.”

Shettima said he was optimistic about Africa’s prospects, noting the continent’s rich resources and strategic importance to global growth.

“My continent is the richest in the world, and the global growth trajectory is facing Africa. Nigeria will make or mar that transition.
“The youths of Africa are the drivers of change,” he said.

He reiterated his belief that Nigeria’s dedication to harnessing the potential of its youth, investing in education, and advancing smart agriculture will go a long way in tackling global and domestic challenges.

The Vice-President also observed that while crises abound, they also present opportunities for nations to rebuild stronger.

“The word for crisis in Chinese is ‘Wei Ji’. Wei stands for danger, while Ji stands for opportunity. Yes, we have challenges, but those challenges are pregnant with opportunities to re-engineer our society and build back better,” he said.

Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s resolve to embrace innovation and empowerment, particularly through education, gender-focused initiatives, and smart agriculture, to propel its economy into the fourth post-industrial revolution.

“The crisis has given us a unique opportunity to invest in people, especially in areas that will enable us to leapfrog our economies into global competitiveness,” he added.

Acknowledging global crises, including conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Sudan, Shettima noted their impact on supply chains, humanitarian challenges, and peace.

He called for multilateral collaboration, stressing that the interconnected nature of global challenges requires collective solutions.

“There is an incestuous relationship between economy and ecology in the African continent. But hope springs eternal in the hearts of men.

“As members of the same human family, we can find solutions to our challenges. We must look inward to solve our problems, but multilateralism is key.

“These challenges are global, and we must fuse into one human family to overcome them,” the Vice President added. (NAN)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

Water to become precious commodity in Nigeria – UNICEF
Environment

Water to become precious commodity in Nigeria – UNICEF

Water

By Muhammad Nasir

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised an alarm that water could soon become a highly precious commodity in Nigeria.

UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Christiane Munduate, issued the warning during an interview with journalists in Sokoto on Thursday.

Munduate warned that, if authorities in Nigeria failed to address environmental challenges and combat the effects of climate change, there would be water scarcity across several communities.

She said that environmental degradation and improper waste management practices were aggravating water scarcity in the country.

The UNICEF official urged the authorities to enforce existing laws to curb the indiscriminate use and disposal of plastic and polythene materials, which were harming the environment.

“In Nigeria, water will become the most precious commodity or product in the future.

“This will surpass the current value of solid minerals, oil and gas resources,” she warned.

Munduate, who was on a working visit to the North West, also expressed concerns about the indiscriminate sinking of boreholes.

She stated that the practice was worsening the effects of climate change.

She called on governments at all levels to prioritise the provision of clean water, emphasising its role in preventing diseases and improving public health.  (NAN)

Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Christiana Fadare

Japa: Only 6,000 medical consultants still in Nigeria -MDCAN
Health

Japa: Only 6,000 medical consultants still in Nigeria -MDCAN

Consultants

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) says only 6,000 consultants are left in the country with others seeking greener pastures outside the country.

Its President, Prof. Muhammad Mohammad, said this during the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting in Ilorin.

The meeting was themed, “Policy Making for Quality Healthcare Services: Engaging Policy Makers for Quality Healthcare Delivery”.

Mohammad explained that 6,000 consultants remained as at February 2024, lamenting that data showed that about 1,300 left Nigeria in the last five years.

According to him, the number will continue to dwindle as the retirement age for medical consultants is 60 years.

“About 1,700 consultants are above 55 years of age.

“This means that in the next five years, they are going to leave the services on retirement,” he said.

The MDCAN president emphasised that the number of consultants would continue to reduce, as long as the country produces only one or two per annum.

“So you can see that the replacement cannot keep up with the loss from ‘Japa’ syndrome and from retirement,” he said.

Mohammad commended the government for its efforts toward finding solutions to the challenges.

According to him, the association is hopeful that consultants will be able to serve up to 70 years, while other healthcare workers will continue to serve up to 65 years.

He noted that such a move would ensure that medical and dental consultants who remain in the country continue to give their expertise in the health field.

Mohammad also appealed to the government at all tiers to ensure medical lectures are placed on the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), addressing disparities in their emoluments.

Similarly, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, said the theme of the NEC meeting was apt, noting that appropriate policies were critical to assist the government in delivering quality healthcare to citizens.

El-Imam said policies must be targeted toward the right segments, domesticated to the peculiarities of the state or nation and effectively disseminated to the end users.

“All of these contribute towards ensuring that the life and health of the people are safeguarded,” she said.

In his presentation, the Guest Speaker, Dr Amos Magaji, a Lawmaker representing Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency of Kaduna State in the 10th National Assembly, underscored the importance of policymaking in healthcare delivery.

According to him, healthcare is fundamental to life, noting that policies such as the National Health Insurance Authority will ensure Nigerians are captured for healthcare services.

Similarly, Prof. Tanimola Akande, Consultant in Public Health at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), advised doctors to focus on their health and well-being.

He underscored the need for self-care, regular and comprehensive examinations and exercise.

Earlier, Prof. Kazeem Ibrahim, Chairman, Local Organising Committee, MDCAN-NEC meeting, said that innumerable policies have been formulated in the past without significant impact on the health of many vulnerable citizens.

Ibrahim noted that the meeting would proffer solutions to the challenges, as well as the ‘Japa’ syndrome, pushing health workers to migrate from the country due to abysmal working conditions. (NAN)

Edited by Oluwafunke Ishola

Navy thwarts fuel smugglers’ activities in Badagry
Defence/Security

Navy thwarts fuel smugglers’ activities in Badagry

Smugglers

By Oladapo Udom

The Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy, Badagry has foiled the activities of suspected PMS smugglers in Tongeji Island in Lagos.

The suspected smugglers were preparing several jerry cans on Tongeji Island for onward movement to Benin Republic.

The Western Naval Command’s spokesman, Cdr. Abdulrasheed Ahmed, in a statement, said that the activities of the smugglers was foiled on Wednesday night.

According to Ahmed, FOB Badagry Quick Response Team was deployed to Tongeji Island, based on credible intelligence where they raided “Only God Jetty” in Farasime.

“The suspected PMS smugglers, on sighting the Nigerian Navy personnel, tried to resist but later ran into the bush due to the resolve of the personnel.

“The personnel acted professionally to prevent collateral damage and protect innocent people without the use of firearms,” he said.

The spokesman said that the action of these economic saboteurs and their collaborators would not deter the Nigerian Navy from discharging its constitutional mandate of protecting the nation’s economic interest.

He said that the Nigerian Navy warned those engaged in such illegal economic activities to desist or they would soon be arrested and handled according to the law.

“Also, the Nigerian Navy assures law-abiding citizens of its protection as they go about their lawful businesses,” Ahmed said. (NAN)

Edited by Christiana Fadare

INEC fixes Feb. 21, 2026 for FCT Area Council election
Elections

INEC fixes Feb. 21, 2026 for FCT Area Council election

Election

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Feb. 21, 2026 for the conduct of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this during the commission’s first consultative meeting with leaders of political parties on Wednesday in Abuja.

Yakubu, who recalled that the last FCT area council election was held on Feb. 12, 2022, said that by the effluxion of time, the tenure of the current Chairmen and Councillors ends 2026.

He said that voting would take place in all the designated Polling Units (PUs) across the 68 constituencies to elect the six Area Council Chairmen and 62 Councilors.

“In compliance with the mandatory legal requirements, the notice for the election will be published next month i.e. Feb. 26, 2025,” he said.

Yakubu said that primaries for the election would hold from June 9 to June 30, 2025, while the candidate nomination portal would open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from July 21 to Aug. 11.

“The final list of candidates will be published on Sept. 22, 2025. Campaigns in public by political parties will end at midnight of Thursday Feb. 19, 2026,’’ he said.

The INEC boss added that the detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the election as well as the list of constituencies and type of elections in the FCT would be uploaded to the INEC website before the end of the meeting.

He also reminded leaders of political parties that the primaries for the Nov. 8, Anambra governorship election would commence on March 20 to April 10.

He advised political parties to forward their schedule of activities for the election to the commission before the end of the week.

This, according to Yakubu would enable INEC to plan better for the deployment of personnel and resources for the monitoring of party primaries and campaign activities.

Yakubu, who said that 2025 would be a busy year for INEC, noted that the commission would soon come up with plans for other routine activities such as the resumption of nationwide Continuous Voter registration (CVR) and the conduct of outstanding by-elections.

In his remarks, the National Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Dantalle, urged INEC in preparation for Anambra governorship and 2027 general elections to immediately put in place requirements in due time.

Dantalle also urged stakeholders to support INEC in discharging its statutory duties essential in consolidating and strengthening Nigeria constitutional governance.

He said that stakeholders must continue to work together in ensuring electoral integrity, the sanctity of the ballot box and the mandate of the people.

“Similarly, the council urged the National Assembly to expedite action in the on-going Constitution and Electoral Act Amendments, as time is of the essence; as well as ensure diligent and speedy consideration and passage of the 2025 appropriation bill.

“We also urge citizens to be alive to their civic responsibilities and ensure that those they voted into office should give genuine account of their stewardship.

“Their performance will determine their fate in future elections,” Dantalle said.(NAN)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola and Yakubu Uba

FG, WIOCC commence fibre-to-home internet connectivity worth m
Economy/Business

FG, WIOCC commence fibre-to-home internet connectivity worth $10m

Internet

By Jessica Dogo

The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, in partnership with the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC), is set to commence the first batch of fibre-to-home internet connectivity in the country.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani made this known after the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), between the Ministry and WIOCC group on Wednesday in Abuja.

Tijani said that the project was worth ten million dollars.

According to him,  the initiative will boost the nation’s digital economy and Nigerians will have option of better, faster and affordable internet for digital connectivity.

“We know the role of digital technology in driving productivity across all key sectors. Our intention is not really to have a situation where the cost of providing these services will continue to go up.

“Telecommunications service providers will continue to invest, but at the same time, they have to ensure that their businesses are sustainable, not at a rate that will become challenging for our people.

“That balance is what we have been able to figure. But we also recognise that if our goal is meaningful connectivity, there is more than one way to meaningful connectivity,” he said.

He said that the ministry was encouraging investment in different parts of the value chain that gets connectivity to people.

“One of those areas that Nigerians have not truly benefited from is things like fiber-to-home.

“We mostly rely on connectivity on our mobile, on the go. But, there is immense opportunity to also stay connected while you are home,” he said.

Speaking on the MoU, Tijani said that the government would like to work with companies like WOICC to seamlessly deliver its goals across the entire country.

“It is going to put Nigeria in a position where the people have access to world class and high speed broadband internet in the major cities, and also in the rural and the unconnected locations.

” We also want to see how they can support more small businesses to be able to deal with other services across the country,” he said.

On the recent approval for tariffs hike for telecom services providers, the minister said that it was a difficult decision for the government.

He said that there was clarity on the role of connectivity in the society and development within the government.

“We appreciate that our goal of building a one trillion-dollar  economy will need to ensure that connectivity is at the heart of that.

“Productivity is key to be able to build an economy that is strong,” he said.

Earlier, the Group Chief Business Development Officer of WIOCC, Darren Bedford, said that the company had a target of three million homes in the first phase of the project.

Bedford said that there was an initial investment capital of 10 million dollars.

He said that the project would have a big impact because most of Nigeria is unconnected at the moment,  and majority of businesses and people in their homes have to rely on mobile internet.
(NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

Shettima reaffirms Nigeria’s resolve to champion AfCFTA
Economy/Business

Shettima reaffirms Nigeria’s resolve to champion AfCFTA

AfCFTA

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, says Nigeria is ready to spearhead the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Shettima said this at a forum of Friends of AfCFTA on the sidelines of the ongoing 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

While addressing the forum tagged, “Forum Friends of AfCFTA: Turning Digital Trade into a Catalyst for Growth in Africa,” Shettima said Nigeria was committed to AfCFTA as a vehicle for shared prosperity.

He said Africa was in a unique position to take advantage of global talent deficits.

The Vice-President cited a Korn Ferry study that projected a global human talent shortage of more than 85 million people by 2030.

“By 2050, Nigeria’s population will surpass that of the U.S. becoming the third most populous nation on earth at 440 million people,” he stated.

Shettima said Nigeria’s technological strength was propelling it into the knowledge age.

“Today, we have 220 million telecom subscribers and 163 million internet users in Nigeria alone.

“This provides us with immense opportunities to empower our people. While our highest oil export earnings were 35 billion dollars in 2011, India last year earned about 120 billion dollars from outsourcing alone.

“The African Continental Free Trade Area is not only an economic arrangement but a bold statement of our shared destiny,” he said.

Aligning with Shettima, Mr Borge Brende, the WEF President, said Africa’s demographic advantage presented huge economic opportunities for the continent.

He noted that while most nations faced workforce challenges, Africa’s young population positioned it for unprecedented growth.

“If the Secretary General of the AfCFTA is given all the support he deserves, we can boost intra-African trade by a staggering 50 per cent.

“As of today, 29 trillion dollars represents one-third of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Africa is such a growing continent, and one of its key promises is demography.

“The challenge now is creating new jobs for the youth population,” he stated. (NAN)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

===================

NUC upgrades universities medical-related programmes
General News

NUC upgrades universities medical-related programmes

 

By Funmilayo Adeyemi
The National Universities Commission (NUC) says it has upgraded some medical-related programmes in Nigerian universities from Bachelor’s degree to doctoral status.

This is disclosed in a statement signed by the commission’s Acting Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Franca Chukwuonwo, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.

Chukwuonwo said the decision was driven by the need to incorporate more clinical and practical sessions, improve foundational course coverage, enhance clinical skills, and address all specialty areas comprehensively.

She noted that the upgrade aligned with global best practices for training professionals in these fields.

“This quest to upgrade the status of some medical-related programmes from Bachelor’s Degree to Doctorate was borne out of the desire to incorporate more clinical/ practical sessions.

“It is to provide sufficient coverage of foundation courses, improve on clinical skills and cover all specialty areas.

“The trend seeks to also align with global best practices applicable in the training of professionals in these medical related programmes.

“Furthermore, the certificates obtained from the Nigerian University System (NUS) can be at par with those obtained in similar programmes from other climes” she said.

She added that it would also ensure the requisite harmonisation, mutuality and global competitiveness of Nigerian graduates in terms of certificates evaluation, employability and further studies in the relevant disciplines.

She listed the programmes upgraded as: Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D), Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT), and Doctor of Optometry.

She added that the duration of the programmes was increased from five to six years to accommodate the additional courses and clinical incorporated into the curriculum.

“The general public and all stakeholders are hereby informed that the Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science (DMLS) programme does not exist in the NUC’s BMAS or CCMAS.

“And thus has not been captured as upgraded programmes. Consequently, DMLS programme is not approved in any university in the country,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Armed Forces Remembrance: Shettima, Akpabio, others honour fallen heroes
Defence/Security

Armed Forces Remembrance: Shettima, Akpabio, others honour fallen heroes

By Sumaila Ogbaje/Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday led the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, members of the Federal Executive Council, National Assembly, service chiefs and diplomatic corps to honour the nation’s fallen and living heroes.

The event, which involved the laying of wreaths at the National Arcade in Abuja, was the climax of activities for the 2025 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD).

First to lay the wreath was the Vice President, followed by the Senate President, Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas represented by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kerere-Ekun.

The wreath was also laid by Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, his Federal Capital Territory counterpart, Nyesome Wike, and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

They were followed by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa; Chiefs of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, and Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Other dignitaries, who also performed the wreath-laying ceremony, are members of the diplomatic corps, the Nigerian Legion and widows of late officers and soldiers represented by the Interim President, Military Widows Association (MIWA), Olubunmi Ese-Okiti.

There was also the firing of three volleys in honour of the fallen heroes which has its origin in the old custom of halting fighting in the warfront to remove the dead from the battlefield.

The Vice President, thereafter, signed the anniversary register and released the ceremonial pigeons as a symbol of national peace and freedom.

The celebration started with a series of activities including the Jumma’at prayer on Jan. 10 at the National Mosque and the Interdenominational Christian service on Jan. 12.

This year’s celebration also featured other activities, such as social and award evening for soldiers, ratings and airmen and Regimental Dinner and Award night for officers organised by the Defence Headquarters, among other activities.

The defence Headquarters also held a lecture and art exhibition as well as display of some locally produced military wares on Tuesday in Abuja.

The event, formerly known as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, but now changed to Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day to create an avenue to also celebrate and honour the serving personnel of the armed forces.

It is celebrated globally to recognise and appreciate the sacrifices made by citizens for the cause of peace.

In Nigeria, Jan. 15 is set aside annually to honour the fallen heroes, who laid down their lives in service to humanity during the First and Second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War, peace missions and various internal security operations.

The event is also used to honour veterans still alive and as a medium for soliciting financial, moral and material support for the families of the fallen heroes.

Edited by Remi Koleoso and Yakubu Uba

Alleged fraud: Court admits oil magnate, Akintoye, to N500m bail
Judiciary

Alleged fraud: Court admits oil magnate, Akintoye, to N500m bail

 

By Taiye Agbaje

A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, admitted Mr Akindele Akintoye, Founder and Chairman of Platform Capital Investment Partners Limited, to a N500 million bail with two sureties in like sum.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling held that though he was not unmindful of the serious nature of the offence preferred against the defendant, but he was minded to grant the bail in the interest of justice.

Justice Nwite, who ordered that the two sureties shall depose to affidavit of means, directed that the sureties must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court and the documents deposited with the deputy registrar of the court.

He ordered that all his international passports be deposited with the registrar and shall not travel without the permission of the court.

He also ordered that Akintoye and the sureties shall deposit two recent passport photographs each and the residence of the sureties verified by the court registrar.

The judge, who ordered that both the prosecution and defence counsel shall supervise and interview the proposed sureties before Akintoye is released on bail, adjourned the matter until March 4 for trial.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Nwite had, on Dec. 31, 2024, fixed today for ruling after Esedo and Martha Babatunde, who appeared for the EFCC, argued their case for and against the bail application.

Esedo, while moving the application, had posed a question whether the defendant was entitled to bail.

The lawyer argued that issues of bail is a matter of discretion which is exercised judicially and judiciously by the court.

He said Akintoye is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty, adding that he had met all the requirements for granting bail.

Esedo assured that if granted bail, the defendant would not jump bail and was ready to stand his trial.

Besides, he said that the anti-graft agency had already concluded its investigation, having held him for 55 days.

Babatunde, who vehemently opposed the bail plea, argued that Sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) did not impose on the court to grant bail.

The lawyer, who argued that a bail is not granted as a matter of must, said it is the duty of the applicant to place sufficient evidence before the court.

She argued that the evidence against Akintoye was weighty as it bordered on serious national economic sabotage and financial crime which is currently ravaging the country.

She said if admitted to bail, Akintoye would not attend trial, describing him as a flight risk.

NAN reports that Akintoye, in the four-count charge, was alleged to have diverted a sum of $26,,060, 406.00 US dollars meant to build a refinery in Brass, Bayelsa.

Akintoye, Platform Capital Investment Partners Limited and Duport Midstream Company Limited, where he is also the Managing Director and CEO, were sued as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively, by the anti-graft agency.

The EFCC, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/641/V/2024 dated and filed on Dec. 19 by its lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, alleged that Akintoye and Platform Capital Investment Partners Limited had between December, 2020 and February, 2021, indirectly retained 16 million dollars.

The amount, the EFCC said, was part of the funds dishonestly converted from the money paid by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Capacity Development Intervention Company Ltd to Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited as investment.

The said a sum of $16, 006, 000 is alleged to constitute proceed of unlawful activity.

The offence, EFCC said, is contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended) by (Act No. 1 of 20!2) and punishable under Section [5(3) of the same Act, among other counts.(NAN)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

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