NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Features

Reshaping prospects of manufacturing industries amidst economic challenges

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By Rukayat Moisemhe

Companies, not just in Nigeria, have always been challenged, over the years, by a culmination of problems.

These problems range from high cost of energy generation, multiplicity of taxes, influx of substandard products and the recent twin economic policies of exchange rate unification and fuel subsidy removal.

It is also not news that manufacturing companies in Nigeria have in their operations laid off staff to remain profitable or shut down completely due to a myriad of problems.

According to Mr Femi Egbesola, President, Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON), over seven million small businesses have died within the last two years.

Also, many large corporations, including Nigerian Breweries Plc, Guinness Nigeria, Dangote kCement, Airtel Nigeria, MTN, Lafarge Plc and Cadbury Nigeria Plc, declared losses running into billions for the first half of 2023.

Most recently is the exit of GlaxoSmithKline Nigeria (GSK) from Nigeria after 51 years of delivering wholesome pharmaceutical services to the nation.

Nigeria, an import dependent nation, has expended some efforts to diversify its economic earnings from oil to non-oil components such as agriculture, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, mining, financial services, amongst others.

However, there is the need for an excellent and a business friendly environment for such diversification to thrive; which may have become hampered by recent economic developments.

Dr Muda Yusuf, founder, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE), said that the last few years had been very challenging for businesses in the Nigerian terrain.

He noted that in the case of GSK, the company had been scaling down its operations over the years with many of their products and facilities franchised to other companies.

Yusuf said that for many multinational corporations, exchange rate stability remain a very critical component of their operations to facilitate the sourcing of materials for production.

He added that the country’s operating environment had become very competitive, particularly with the involvement of some Asian companies.

The CPPE boss further said that structural problems such as constant power supply for production, bottlenecks at the ports have existed for years, making it very difficult for indigenous manufacturing to flourish.

“On the way forward, we understand that the current administration is a new government and some of the reforms have created some short term challenges for these businesses. However, they are necessary to put the economy on the right path.

“Government has pledged to intervene and may not leave the entire foreign exchange thing to market forces.

“There are hints that government may intervene in the foreign exchange market to stop the free fall in the currency and the results may take some months to manifest.

“However, the palliatives that government has promised should be speedy implemented.

“All the interventions they listed in the areas of agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, small businesses once implemented would be largely reduced,” he said.

Yusuf said that for immediate impact, government should work toward providing tax relief and fiscal policy incentives such as reduction of import duties for critical manufacturing components for companies.

He said government must ensure a deliberate implementation of the Executive Order 003 and mandate that all stationaries, office consumables, furnitures, vehicles and pharmaceutical products must be supplied by indigenous manufacturing companies.

“Government must insist that those things are supplied by local manufacturers and continue to provide concessionary credits for small businesses to yield quick results.

“More efforts should be expended to tackle oil theft to see improvement in foreign exchange earnings which would help the country’s external reserves and stabilize the exchange rate.

“The moment that is stabilised, more inflow of foreign exchange would come in through autonomous forces to help stabilise the markets,” he said.

Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director-General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), said the North-East where 60 per cent of its member companies had closed down is in dire need of a special policy initiative to address the revival of closed and distressed industries.

He said sequel to the unification of the exchange rate, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should be prevailed upon to give priority to the allocation of foreign exchange to the productive sector.

This, Ajayi-Kadir said, is critical, particularly to manufacturers to import raw materials, spares and machinery that are not locally available.

He also emphasised the need to direct the National Electricity Regulatory Commission
(NERC) to admit all qualified applicant companies into the Eligible Customer Scheme to allow them access power as stipulated in the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005.

The MAN DG said all all relevant agencies of government must ensure that the electronic call-up system at the ports aimed at addressing congestion works without failure.

“It is important for government to craft and announce a special policy initiative to leverage diaspora expertise and investment to address evident gaps and help to boost the performance of the economy.

“Government must also direct all ministries, departments and agencies of government to unfailingly comply with Executive Order 003 on patronage of made in Nigeria products.

“In this regard, there should be strict application of the margin of preference, effective monitoring and periodic evaluation of compliance and appropriate sanctions meted out to MDAs acting in breach of the executive order,” he said.

Buttressing, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, said to reduce the shocks from global disruptions, manufacturers must be assisted with subsidised input and more allocation of foreign exchange for the importation of critical inputs.

Olawale-Cole said there must be a continuous improvement of electricity supply and that all issues on distribution companies profitability must be addressed.

He noted that the outlook for the oil and gas sector in the third quarter appeared positive due to the resolution of some maintenance issues and partial recovery.

This, he said, means that production levels were expected to continue recovery though with a high risk of reversal due to insecurity, theft, vandalism, force majeure events, and lack of payment discipline.

The LCCI President urged government to share in the sacrifices made by Nigerians and Nigerian businesses by reducing the high cost of governance in all its tiers and ensuring fiscal leakages and corruption are strategically dealt with.

According to him, this will demonstrate to Nigerians that the leaders share in the suffering and sacrifice of the people.

“The perks available to public office holders are so enormous that it is difficult for the average Nigerian to understand why they suffer so much and those in leadership are unaffected.

“The issue of oil theft must not be sidelined at this stage as it has critical implications for the rule of law and our economic well-being as a nation.

“Government should also track down and apprehend the culprits of oil theft as this will act as a deterrent and communicate powerfully that crime must be punished,” he said. (NANFeatures)(www.nannews.ng)

*If used, credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)*

Features

Encouraging women inclusion in governance; lessons from Kwara

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Encouraging women inclusion in governance; lessons from Kwara

A news analysis by Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

For Rukayat Shittu, a 27-year-old woman and a member of the 10th Kwara State House of Assemblyrepresenting Owode/Onire constituency in the Asa Local Government Area of the state, it is a dream come through venturing into politics.

Applicable to most Nigerian women, Shittu’s interest in politics dated back to her secondary school days but did not know how to go about it, going by the prevailing circumstances triggered by culture and religion.

Her journey into politics started during her undergraduate days at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

To realise her ambition, she began to contest for different positions at various levels, among which was the position of first female senate president of the university’s Students Union in Ilorin Study Centre.

Shittu might have learnt the ropes as a class captain in her primary and secondary school days.

To help her call, Shittu leveraged journalism. She joined Just Events Online where she was renowned for Daily Newspaper reviews and Women and Youth programmes.

“Journalism is what I am passionate about, but I will say that governance drives my passion into journalism, because I feel we will always have a voice to lend to the people and advocate for the rights of the people through the media.

“Before now, my programme at Just Event Online, ”Women Hour” was made for women and youths and I bring in women as well as men ready to lend their voice for the women in the society.

“We discussed women’s participation in politics, governance, challenges faced by women, factors that can enhance the participation of women and so on.

“So, I didn’t just wake up to it, it has been in me and it wasn’t a switch (from journalism to politics) for me, because I feel it is still part of what I have been doing, it’s just that it is in another way,” she said.

Rukayat Shittu
Rukayat Shittu

Shittu’s motivational factor in politics was however different from her fellow lawmaker, Arinola Lawal, who got the inspiration to go into politics from her late father and former governor of Kwara State, Muhammed Lawal.

Arinola Lawal said her late father’s style of governance and how his good legacy speaks for him after his death was an encouragement for her.

“His style of governance motivated me and even after his death, his good works are still being talked about.

“That gave me the motivation that a lot of things he did as a governor, I am still benefiting from them.

“So I felt it is good for me to give back to the society that appreciated the good works he did,” she said.

However, attaining these positions was no mean feat for these women as society and culture were meant to believe that women are meant to be subjective and answerable to men in all spheres.

Women and their priorities are under-represented in politics and leadership in Nigeria, due to the popular traditional and cultural norms that they are not supposed to be at the forefront.

This, however, has affected decisions taken by men on their behalf in policy making which in turn comes back to affect the women folks.

After the 2019 elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) expressed disappointment over the low participation of women in the election.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said only 62 out of the 2,970 women who contested for the 2019 general elections were elected.

This shows 4.17 per cent of women representation in the 2019 general elections, as against 5.65 per cent elected in the 2015 general election.

However, in the 2023 general elections, according to the United Nations, only 1,533 out of the 15,307 total candidates that participated in the general elections were women.

This shows that a lot still needs to be done to give women more access and visibility to participate actively in politics.

Given the need for women to be involved to ensure inclusivity, the Federal High Court, Abuja, had in 2022 ordered the Federal Government to comply with the 35 per cent affirmative action for women under the National Gender Policy (NGP).

Arinola Lawal
Arinola Lawal

The judgment delivered by Justice Donatus Okorowo said that the 35 per cent affirmative action which entailed appointive positions for women to ensure inclusivity, must not be merely on paper as Nigeria is a signatory to international treaties, particularly on those entrenching the rights of women.

Study reveals that as of 2023, affirmative action has not been upheld by some states in Nigeria, while some states have religiously stood by it.

One such state that has upheld the 35 per cent affirmative is Kwara, a state in the North Central, with 16 local government areas.

Gov. Malam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, after his emergence in 2019, appointed a female majority cabinet (56.25 per cent) where nine out of his 16 commissioners were women.

The Governor has also appointed at least 50 per cent of females as permanent secretaries in what was another first in the history of the state.

These acts have won Gov. Abdulrazaq several laurels locally and internationally with some referring to him as the ”He for She governor”.

At the 2023 House of Assembly elections in March, the five females (one of which is a 27-year-old who is the youngest elected House of Assembly member) that contested, won seats in their various constituencies which makes it the highest female candidature in this election cycle by any major political party in Nigeria (APC).

In as much as these lawmakers got what they wanted on their first attempt at contesting, they found the state as one with an enabling environment going by the 35 per cent women affirmative policy implemented by Gov. Abdulrazaq.

For Hon. Shittu, the success of having five women among the 24 lawmakers presently in the 10th Assembly in the state was due to the 35 per cent women affirmative consent by the state government.

“I was still on the field when the affirmative was signed into law and I was part of those that attended the public hearing held to make contributions through Kwara Must Change and as a media person.

“This bill contributed a lot of things and it is part of what we are enjoying today,” she said.

Shittu, however, noted that apart from putting Kwara in the limelight as the state for women, the affirmative action for women has attracted investors and international donors to the state.

“From 2019 till now, with the gender inclusion policy, the state has attracted so many people and things.

“People outside the country are coming in to see what the government is doing regarding women and international donors.

“We are doing the right thing in Kwara, so we want every other state to emulate what Kwara is doing to attract investors into their states,” she said.

Mrs Ronke Ehindero
Mrs Ronke Ehindero

On the part of Lawal, the state under the leadership of Gov. Abdulrazaq also gave the women a sense of belonging by subsidising the form fee for the women during the primaries to encourage more participation.

“The governor is a ”he for she” governor and I want to encourage other governors in other states to key into the programme of encouraging women and giving women support for them to come out.

“Before the primaries, APC subsidised the form for women by paying a token sum compared to what the men paid, I think that was a commendable one.

“Some other women may want to come out but are not financially capable. So I want to urge all governors in other states to key into the ‘he for she’ programme like Gov. Abdulrazaq,” she said.

In the same vein, the 2023 gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party in the state, Mrs Ronke Ehindero said though the political space is dominated by men, there is an enabling environment for women to thrive in Kwara.

“The religion and cultural relativity is there, but the attitude of the present administration has tried in the area of appointing women into positions.

“That has been the motivation and the example when seeing another female counterpart doing well in politics, it motivates others to join,” she said.

The LP Gubernatorial candidate added that the ratio of women to men at the State House of Assembly was still low, but the media, Civil Society Organisations, and Non-Governmental Organisations have roles to play to sensitise the people, especially rural dwellers, that gender does not affect governance.

“The ratio is not well balanced because we have 24 members and I believe it is a bit small. But in Kwara, we are coming up, going by what we used to have.

“I believe that by 2027, more awareness will come from NGOs and CSOs towards ensuring that more women are elected into office.

“One of the things we need to do towards 2027 is advocacy and the media should be helpful in terms of awareness to the electorate, especially rural dwellers that there is nothing the men can do that women cannot do.

“That gender relativity does not affect governance, even from antecedents; we have good women that have done so well in politics.

“So, an increase in awareness and more orientation for the electorate, especially those in the rural areas will yield results,” she said.

Dr Limota Goroso, the Executive Director, International Women Communication Centre (IWCC), added her voice to the call for affirmative action.

Goroso called for a special fund for the promotion of women’s participation in politics.

She said governments at all levels should set aside a certain amount of money, through the Nigerian Women Trust fund, to support the participation of women in politics.

According to her, this is important because women also need money to pursue their political ambitions like men.

”Government needs to support women through the Women Trust Fund and other agencies that are ready to assist.

“Donor agencies and international communities can also support CSOs to bring out and amplify voices of women who want to participate in politics.

“Political parties can sacrifice by encouraging women to take part in politics by making sure they offset part of the expenses that come with politics.

“This is because if one is interested in a candidate, such a person can finance the candidate. Political parties can also finance women for political positions,” she said.

The IWCC director advocated for affirmative policy at all levels of government that would allow a certain number of women in political positions.

She also demanded that INEC be empowered to disqualify any political party that violates the arrangement.

“Another way to ensure participation of women in politics is to mobilise women who are interested to come out and be courageous enough to vie for any vacant position that they think they can occupy.

“We need a change from what we are used to, and women are ready to make the necessary change for Nigeria to excel.”

She called for synergy among women’s rights groups, women in politics and women journalists to promote women’s rights, as well as amplify and resolve those challenges inhibiting their participation in politics. (NANFeatures)

NB: This write up is part of the African Women in Media (AWM)/Luminate Young Women in Politics Media Project

**If used, please credit the author and the News Agency of Nigeria.

FIFA Women’s W/Cup: Gaps narrowing as powerhouses crash out
Features

FIFA Women’s W/Cup: Gaps narrowing as powerhouses crash out

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News analysis by Victor Okoye, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

There were fairytales in the first two weeks of the ongoing Women’s World Cup being hosted by Australia and neighours, New Zealand with Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco, Norway and Australia zooming into the round of 16.

The notable losers? Second-ranked Germany, seventh-ranked Canada, eight-ranked Brazil, 16th ranked Italy, 21st ranked Portugal, 28th ranked Argentina, the other co-hosts New Zealand, Ireland and China.

In spite of starting off on a largely disappointing note, African teams made history at the 2023 edition of the World Cup.

Three of the four sides that represented the continent namely; Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco and Zambia made it to the knockouts, the first time such will happen in the competition.

Nigeria (40th), South Africa (54th), and Morocco (72nd) all reached the tournament’s round of 16, while debutants Zambia (77th) were eliminated after losing two of their first ties.

While none of the African teams won their first games in Australia and New Zealand, they did not lose their last round of matches at the competition.

That was enough to earn three of them places in the next phase of the football showpiece.

Being the first African side to reach the Women’s World Cup knockout phase, the Super Falcons once again set the pace for other teams from the continent in Australia and New Zealand.

They were the first African team to reach the next stage of the tournament, earning five points to finish runners-up in Group after drawing Canada and Ireland with a win over co-hosts Australia.

Coach Randy Waldrum’s girls are to square up against England’s Lionesses in their next match.

Days after the Nigerian side sealed qualification for the knockouts, South Africa followed in their footsteps.

The Banyana Banyana needed a late goal to see off Italy in their last Group E game to book a spot in the round of 16.

South Africa are not used to dominating outside their own continent and the nation erupted in celebration after Banyana Banyana knocked out the Italians.

The Italians were quarter-finalists four years ago with bottom-placed Argentina also bowing out of the world cup without a single win.

It was even more historic for the African champions being their first ever World Cup win.

They will now face the Netherlands, winners of Group E, on Sunday for a place in the quarter-final.

After the qualification of South Africa and Nigeria, attention shifted to debutants, Morocco.

Morocco were expected to make an early exit as the 72nd-ranked team, but bounced back from a 6-0 defeat in their opener to become the lowest ranked side ever to make the knockout round with their 1-0 win over Colombia in Perth.

They still needed South Korea to prevent a Germany win in Thursday’s other group match and had a few nervous moments while waiting for the final whistle in Brisbane.

In spite of the 6-0 bashing from Germany in their first match, the North Africans had enough to change the narrative.

They beat South Korea in their second match before shocking high-flying Colombia 1-0 to write their names in the country’s football folklore.

Thanks to Germany’s stalemate against the Asians on Thursday, as the Reynald Pedros’ tutored side finished second on the log.

But against France in the Round of 16, the first Arab team to feature at the Women’s World Cup will hope their fairytale in the tournament continues.

Meanwhile, the stunning upsets sent two-time champions Germany packing in their first exit from the group stage in nine editions of the World Cup.

The fairytale continued on Wednesday as Jamaica also clinched a spot in the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup at the expense of soccer giants Brazil.

Jamaica’s joy meant despair for Brazil, who exited from the group stage for the first time since 1995, following Canada’s premature exit at the hands of co-hosts Australia on Monday.

That left the tournament without two of the game’s greatest players with Brazil striker Marta and Canada’s talisman captain Christine Sinclair, who both bowed out of their sixth World Cups in the worst possible way.

Australia’s chances were on a razor’s edge before they crushed Canada 4-0 without needing injured forward Sam Kerr, their leading scorer.

Their advancement was a huge shot in the arm for the tournament after the loss of New Zealand.

Their courageous win made Canada the first reigning Olympic champions to get knocked out in the group stage.

The image of shell-shocked keeper Kailen Sheridan in tears before the final whistle captured Canada’s collective heartache.

Revived Norway were big group stage winner, brushing off a turbulent two weeks to squeeze into the knockout rounds on goal difference over New Zealand.

Norway’s advancement sealed New Zealand’s fate, In spite of the Football Ferns having edged the Norwegians 1-0 for their first win at a World Cup at the tournament’s opening match.

The game itself was a big winner in the Island nation of five million people, with 42,958 fans at Auckland’s historic Eden Park for Portugal versus the U.S., the largest crowd for a soccer match in New Zealand.

Defending champions the United States did not lose a game in the group stage but scrapped through to the knockout rounds in second place with a nervy 0-0 draw against debutants Portugal.

Also, China’s Steel Roses, once titans of women’s soccer with silver medals from the 1996 Olympics and 1999 World Cup, were shock losers in the group stage, bowing out in a 6-1 thumping by England.

Shui Qingxia, who coached the team to the Asian title last year, vowed China would regain its status after the fall, just like England did.

For now, the qualified African teams and their army of fans in the continent are still basking in the euphoria of reaching the next phase of the competition.

They will be hoping to go at least one more step further to reach an unprecedented quarter-finals stage and make it a truly remarkable world cup campaign for Africa. (NANFeatures)

Russia-Africa summit: African countries embracing partnership for devt.
Economy/Business , Features

Russia-Africa summit: African countries embracing partnership for devt.

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An Analysis by Salif Atojoko, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

 

There now seems to be a shift from going cap-in-hand begging for aids to forging partnerships where hitherto African countries are known to kowtow to the U.S., China and Western countries for aids.

This was demonstrated at the recently concluded Russia-Africa Economic Summit 2023 where many African countries signed partnership agreements with the Russian government and some of its corporations.

The shift from aid to partnership underlined the Russia-Africa Economic Summit 2023 in St. Petersburg, Russia, with the host country seeing African countries as development partners.

Indeed, the words partnership and cooperation resonated throughout the panel discussions at the summit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, had this to say about the summit: “We had a substantive and engaging exchange of views on the entire range of themes of strategic cooperation between Russia and African countries.

“We have identified the main areas for further joint work and outlined plans to strengthen foreign policy coordination and increase trade and investment flows, as well as industrial cooperation between Russia and the countries of the African continent.

“I firmly believe that the results we have achieved will form a good foundation for the further deepening the Russian-African partnership in the interests of the prosperity and well-being of our peoples.”

The participants declared their commitment to jointly building a new, fairer multipolar architecture of the world order based on the sovereign equality of states and mutually beneficial cooperation.

To demonstrate the shift, a panel session was aptly titled, ‘From Aid to Partnership: Working Together to Fight Epidemics,’ where Ms Anna Popova, Head of Rospotrebnadzor, noted that Russia and Africa had successfully cooperated in epidemic prevention.

“Cooperation between Russia and Africa is capable of moving from assistance to partnership between countries, which will help the continent to gain sovereignty in the field of biological security, strengthen its own potential and remove obstacles to economic development caused by infections,” noted Popova.

The focus of the session was how to ensure the independence of African countries from external assistance in biosecurity, as well as the possibilities of transition from importing anti-epidemic technologies to their development by African countries.

Ms Jane Ruth Aceng, Minister of Health of the Republic of Uganda, emphasised that the partnership would help to promote cooperation in epidemic control, build human capacity and ensure technology transfer.

From internal mechanisms to battle epidemics to best practices in infrastructure development, the summit was an eye opener for many African leaders.

For example, Mr Nikita Stasishin, Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities, Russia, said African countries could draw a lesson from the the experience of Russia’s construction sector.

In particular, he drew attention to the fact that, “today Russian developers compete not with the cost per square metre, but with the quality of the project.”

This implies, among other things, the creation of a comfortable environment during the integrated development of the territory.

Stasishin said: “On the instructions of the President, an infrastructure menu was launched. This is a huge amount of funds that go towards modernising engineering, transport, utilities and social infrastructure.”

At the same time, he noted the need for a scientific approach to the development of territories: “We have created a huge scientific base with technical solutions for the development of both agglomeration of million-strong cities and single-industry and small towns.

“This is something we could share with African countries.”

It appeared that many African leaders at the Summit heeded the counsel, with Mr Tafadzwa Muguti, Secretary to the administration of the president of Zimbabwe for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province, speaking about the prospects for cooperation with Russia in developing the country’s transport sector.

““One of the opportunities to improve transport infrastructure is to intensify partnership relations with the Russian Federation.

“Through cooperation with Russian cities, we could create new masterplans for the development of municipalities,” she said.

Nigeria is not left out of the new wave of partnerships with Russia to develop key infrastructure as its Vice President, Kashim Shettima, engaged stakeholders during the summit to revive the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria.

 

“The sooner we get this plant back to production, the better for everyone. We need to walk the talk; the Nigerian people deserve better,” Shettima said at a meeting with the management of Russian Aluminium Company, UC RUSAL, and other stakeholders on the sidelines of the Summit.⁣

The meeting was in furtherance of the efforts by the Federal Government to reactivate production lines at ALSCON by re-engaging UC RUSAL and other partners.⁣


Speaking after a presentation by the UC RUSAL management, Shettima noted the enormous benefits of the aluminum company to the economy in terms of energy transition, job creation and its impact on the development of small businesses.

⁣Ghana is also leveraging the Russia-Africa Summit to develop its transport infrastructure.

Mr Desmond Boateng, Chief Director, Ministry of Railways Development of the Republic of Ghana, said at the summit that the country had embarked on a 4,000 kilometre railway project to connect West African countries.

“We are ready to negotiate with the Russian private sector to find the best ways to create an effective mechanism for mutually beneficial cooperation within the framework of this large-scale project.

“Now 250 kilometres have been built, but when all the lines are built, the railway will provide links to Burkina Faso, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire and other countries on the African continent,” said Boateng.

To demonstrate their seriousness, some African countries signed numerous Memoranda of  Understanding (MoU) and cooperation during the Russia-Africa summit.

This, as part of the Forum’s business programme, a memorandum was signed between Russian Export Centre (REC) and the Agency for Promotion of Investment and Exports of Mozambique (APIEX).

According to the agreements, the parties will organise business missions and educational events aimed at fostering business development and strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.

“The memorandum is an important step in the development of economic ties between Russia and Mozambique.

“This cooperation will enable enterprises from both nations to effectively penetrate each other’s markets and bolster the irrespective positions.

“It is also planned to exchange information on major projects in order to attract companies,” said Nikita Gusakov, Senior Vice President of the REC.

He said special attention would be paid to the exchange of analytical materials on priority sectors of cooperation.

“This will enable the parties to stay abreast of current trends and developments in vital sectors of the economy.

“As a result, this collaboration will foster the creation of new opportunities for Russian exports.

“Currently, there is a balance in foreign trade turnover between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Mozambique, demonstrating the complementarity of exports and imports between the two nations.

“Russia remains a major supplier of agricultural and chemical products to the Mozambican market, while Mozambique is one of the suppliers of rare earth metals and tobacco products to Russia’s market,” he said.

In addition, a memorandum was signed with Multi-Services EtMateriel Industriel (MSMI) SARL (Cameroon).

The main objective of the agreement is to jointly promote Russian industrial equipment in the Central African markets, especially in Cameroon.

It is anticipated that REC and MSMI will engage in active information exchange concerning major government projects while also extending support to Russian companies aiming to enter the Cameroon market.

Currently, Cameroon is undergoing significant industrial growth and implementing crucial infrastructure projects, offering favourable opportunities for Russian companies to compete with other global players in this region.

“Cameroon is one of the leading economies in Central Africa and offers a wide range of investment opportunities. The volume of REC Group’s supported exports to Cameroon last year totaled 19.6 million dollars.

“The joint efforts of the REC and MSMI will allow Russian companies to increase their presence in this promising market and strengthen their positions,” said Dmitry Prokhorenko, Director for Development of the REC’s Foreign Network.

It appears REC is on a rampage, revving Russia’s shipments of mineral fertiliser to Africa.

Facilitating this increase is REC’s Senior Vice-President, Mr Nikita Gusakov, who spoke at the session,  “Stabilising the Fertiliser Market to Eradicate Hunger in African Countries”.

Gusakov touched on increasing trade between Russia and Africa and the need to carry out settlements with African counterparties in currencies other than the dollar or euro and connect to alternative channels of communication between financial institutions.

He said some transactions were already being made in yuan, and in the medium term, the ruble may also be an option.

He added that the first contracts had already been concluded in Russia’s national currency.

According to him, to incorporate local currencies in a more systematic way, it will be necessary to develop financial infrastructure and the share of goods imported from Africa.

He said this would make it possible for more transactions to be conducted in the national currency later and gradually decrease the number of financial transactions carried out in the currency of a third party.

He added that trade deficit could also be offset by investment, with the financing companies received from exports to Africa being invested on the continent.

The Second Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, organised by Roscongress Foundation was, indeed, a game changer for many African countries, if they walk the talk. (NANFeatures) (www.nannews.ng)

 

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

 Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Boosting primary healthcare delivery through GIZ’s intervention
Features

Boosting primary healthcare delivery through GIZ’s intervention

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By Ruth Oketunde and Angela Atabo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Primary healthcare (PHC), the lowest level of healthcare system, is incontrovertible the closest to people. It is meant be easily accessible and provide basic healthcare services at the grassroots at the lowest cost possible.

When they function at their optimum, PHCs have the capacity to reduce maternal and infant mortality, manage illness such as malaria, and undertake routine immunization campaign and other campaigns against child killer diseases; among other important functions.

However, some stakeholders say PHCs in Nigeria have not fully delivered on expectations. They are not far from the truth given the myriad of challenges this very important of healthcare system faces.

Usually located in the rural areas, PHCs are not the preferred destination of many health workers as most of them opt for urban areas with good amenities, infrastructure that would enhance their wellbeing and practice.

The remuneration of the PHC health worker is not the best among health workers hence many qualified doctors and nurses will shun it for bigger hospitals with better pay package.

Usually operated in dilapidated infrastructure, PHCs are the most neglected and poor funded in Nigeria’s healthcare, hence many healthcare personnel would not want to practice in a place they will constantly have to improvise.

Over the years, government at various levels have beckoned on development partners and international donors to assisting in funding the PHCs and in providing logistics, including training, for their smooth operation

The German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), offers to help in making the country’s primary healthcare system effective.

Under the Pro-Poor Growth and Promotion of Employment Programme (SEDIN) and BACKUP-Health programme, GIZ works to improve capacities of national stakeholders and institutions.

GIZ supports healthcare delivery, primarily from global health initiatives to promote synergy in health sector.

Mr Markus Wauschkuhn of the GIZ-SEDIN programme, said that it would support the development of the country’s primary healthcare sector.

According to him, it will also promote the adoption of innovative business and digital solutions for the benefit of citizens and primary healthcare practitioners.

“To achieve this, SEDIN has carried out desk review, qualitative and quantitative research and analysis, validation session with critical stakeholders.

“Three winners emerged and they developed solutions at different stages of development and commercialisation.

“They address core challenges like maternal and infant health care delivery, data interoperability and management, mobile-based solutions for patients’ management and continuous learning for healthcare workers”, he said.

Ms Margherita Trestini, Marketing Director, Prototipi, said SEDIN Primary Health Care Quali-Quantitative Research was carried out between November 2022 and March 2023 focusing on five states.

She said Lagos, Edo, Ogun, Plateau and Niger were selected with the aim of understanding the level of awareness and adoption of digital solutions skills at the primary health care level.

Trestini said it also aimed to understand the risks and foreseeable challenges in the support to the selected sector in general and regarding the political environment, stakeholders involved and possibly distortion of markets.

She said that the research revealed PHCs challenges.

“For instance, it showed that the primary level of care is rather dominated by Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) and junior CHEWs, who make up about 36.8 per cent of all care providers at the PHC level.

She said the research showed that the awareness of the usage of technological innovations in Nigeria’s PHCs is limited to rudimentary and tradition where their operators mainly have knowledge of computers and mobile phones.

“Emerging technologies such as drones, AI and blockchain have a very low level of awareness.

“Some of the reasons why emerging technologies have low likelihood of adoption included; lack of knowledge about them and their functions as they are perceived to be expensive, very technical, undependable and even not feasible.

“Health workers perceive rural life as difficult and lack the desire to work in PHCs located in rural communities, lack of manpower, that is, low doctors to patients’ ratio, unbalance is service delivery between rural and urban areas.

“Other challenges are inadequate budgetary allocation by the Federal Government, lack of skilled personnel and lack of ICT infrastructure, poor funding, bad roads, among others, she said.

Trestini said that it was based on these that the Primary Health Care Hackathon challenges were formulated.

She said the aim was to provide mobile-based solutions for primary health care patient’s management.

She said it was also designed to monitor medication delivery, facilitate health workers continuous learning, solutions dedicated to improving women health or maternity care services, insurance, among others.

According to Mrs Sina Uti-Waziri, Team Leader, Local Economic Development, GIZ, “the research we run allows us to shed a light on the specific needs of primary health care workers”.

“We know that only innovation which meets the needs of healthcare workers can be successfully adopted”, she said

Some of the healthcare hackathon winners who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shared the solutions they created.

Mr Eric Maranga, Head of Growth, AfyaRekod, said the organisation addresses the gap in access, ownership and mobility of health records across Africa.

The initiative is a patient healthcare platform that focuses on consolidated ownership, continued access and mobility of healthcare data for patients across various value chain.

“It connects all the various ecosystems to the patient through the platform built using blockchain and AI technologies.

“Through this, patients are able to digitally store and access their health records, track their health status, communicate with providers among others.

Also, Mr Uche Udekwe of Natal Care said the organisation leverages on the power of mobile technology, machine learning and low-cost innovation to combat maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria.

He said it primarily focused on providing life-saving healthcare information, mental and emotional healthcare support.

“Natal also works to monitor medical emergency services to at-risk pregnant women, vulnerable children and nursing mothers reaching them in their home towns and advocating for better access to healthcare at PHC centres especially in under-served communities,” he said.

Dr Simpa Dania, Co-Founder at Healthstack Solutions, said the organisation is a global healthcare platform that digitilises all forms of provider organisations.

He said that the organisation provide solutions to primary, secondary and tertiary hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, imaging centres, blood banks and health insurance .

“Healthstack uses technology to streamline various healthcare providers’ operations and processes to deliver high-quality care within the healthcare system.

“Such as telemedicine capabilities, appointment scheduling, medical record-keeping and payments, thereby reducing the administration burden on healthcare”, she said.

Given the enormity of competition for scarce government resources, stakeholders in the health sector say donor agencies and development partners should continue to support governments’ efforts to fund, equip and staff PHCs.

They say while this is important, governments should not continue with the culture of underfunding these centres and make them attractive for health workers. (NANFeatures)

**If used please credit writer and News Agency of Nigeria

Adefela’s Memoirs: Journalist’s journey of transcending barriers of Lockdown
Features , General News

Adefela’s Memoirs: Journalist’s journey of transcending barriers of Lockdown

315 total views today

 

By Dianabasi Effiong, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

 

The presentation of the book, `Notes Along The Way’, written by Prof. Victor Adefela, was a net worth event from the perspective of some retired and serving staff of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The conviviality that prevailed on June 30 among management, former and present staff at the NAN Media Centre, Iganmu, Lagos State, was awesome.

Mr Buki Ponle, the Managing Director, NAN, in his preamble said the book presentation was like “giving honour to whom honour is due’’.

Ponle, who led the staff to sing: `Count your blessings’, described Adefela as father-mentor, before ushering him and his wife, Oluyemisi, to the high table.

After the rendition of the Nigeria’s national anthem, Ponle said the author opted for a simple presentation and donation of 50 copies of the book to fellow retirees.

“He called to express his desire to present `Notes Along The Way’ to retirees and former pioneer staff of NAN.

“I suggested that we should do a formal launching; give the book the visibility required. But he said: `No’.

“He is publicity shy, insisted that it is for NAN staff only; that he would simply present the book. I realised that since he had made up his mind, I should not argue with him!

“Adefela joined NAN before anybody joined, having been appointed as the pioneer Editor-in-Chief in 1977.

“I am one of the pioneers, started here in 1978. Onuora Nzekwu was also appointed the pioneer General Manager. The office was at the National Arts Theatre.

“He celebrated his 85th birthday on June 19. He is humble; a disciplinarian. These are virtues that kept him,’’ Ponle said.

Ponle also recalled an incident during a four-day Editorial Conference in the 80s in Port Harcourt: “We saw him sitting alone, eating watermelon opposite a hall where there was a party.

“Those of us who took stout and other brands of beer, said: `Can you imagine Oga eating watermelon alone instead of joining us?’.

“But we know better now. What you give yourself when you are young and growing up is what you get at old age. He is still strong,’’ Ponle said.

He further recalled `an exigency then’ when he advised Adefela to drive against the traffic, `He refused’.

“When you are with Adefela don’t suggest anything bad because you are on your own. I am happy that I met him, happy that our paths crossed several times.

“We used to call him `NAN Headmaster’. We had spies then to monitor for us when Adefela will come, for us to tidy up as the case may be.

He also lauded Adefela “for imparting some of these virtues and for making me what I am today and the sacrifice to make us what we are today’’.

“He made us his sons and daughters. I want to emulate him, write books. We are here for his book presentation, not a launching,’’ Ponle said.

The Book Reviewer, Mr Segun Adeyemi, was represented by a retired staff, Dr Kingsley Kubeyinje, who joined NAN in 1984.

Adeyemi, formerly New York Correspondent, NAN, is the immediate past Special Assistant to the former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Before reading Adeyemi’s message, Kubeyinje reiterated: “Adefela , who was in NAN from 1977 to 1985, was the first journalist to be employed in NAN.

“There is no way you write the history of NAN without devoting a chapter on him. NAN is: `N’-Nzekwu, `A’-Adefela and `N’- others!

“He interviewed, employed me; used to ride the car with registration number: FGN-02. He was number two after Onuora Nzekwu, the then General Manager.

“He never smiled. Hard to know what is in his mind, but he seem to know everything, everybody.’’

Adeyemi, said that though he initially misunderstood Adefela during his working days in NAN, Adefela later became Adeyemi’s  hero.

He said the book captured the reality of the life of the reputable journalist, academician who had travelled 40 countries.

He said 22 of the book’s pages were dedicated to his times in NAN, adding that it also captured escapades of his early adventurous childhood which were daring, with many turns and twists.

“Notes along the way, the imaginatively-titled memoir of now Prof. Victor Olufemi Adefela, captures the life story of a boy who was born in Lagos, grew up partly in Igbara-Oke and Ile-Ife, went to school in both, as well as in Ibadan and the United States.

“He then became a world citizen, a renowned Journalist, a global Consultant and a University Teacher who has visited 40 countries in three continents!

“What many readers, especially from the NAN family, will look forward to in the memoir is his notes on the time he spent in the agency.

“Especially because he was the very first journalist to be employed in NAN, and the agency’s pioneer Editor-in-Chief, who largely charted its editorial pathway.

“Only 22 of the 274 pages in the book were dedicated to the eight years he spent in NAN, but so much was packed into those pages that I do not think he left much untouched.

“Find out why the story of NAN will be incomplete without this man,” he said.

 

From left: Representative of the book Reviewer, Dr Kingsley Kubeyinje; Mr Tony Nezianya; Managing Director, NAN, Mr Buki Ponle; the Author, Prof. Victor Adefela, and his wife, Oluyemisi; Mr Isaac Ighure; and Ag Head of Lagos Office, Mr Kayode Olaitan, at Adefela’s book presentation at NAN, Lagos. Picture Credit: Atolagbe Babatunde/NAN.

 

Also, a former Editor-in-Chief, NAN, Mr Isaac Ighure, and others respectively reminisced about exciting moments in NAN where Adefela laid the right foundation.

“Adefela was `the Editor-in-Chief of the Editor-in-Chief’. We met NAN that was sweet, well-organised with incentives, especially the Editorial Department.

“Hardworking people had double promotion in a year. The NAN we have now is different from the NAN we had then. We were breaking the news and the others were following us,’’ Ighure said.

He recommended the book “for those seeking growth…and to those seeking better understanding outside the agency’’.

Mr Tony Nezianya, Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Olympic Committee;a former Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Head of Sports Desk in NAN said: “If your copies lacked clarity or coherence, Adefela will tell you, `my friend, read what you are writing’ ”.

Adefela, the author, recalled the circumstances that made him to write the book, saying that, while on vacation in the U.S., he remained indoors for about six months during COVID-19 lockdown.

He decided to write the book to kill boredom!

He expressed his passion for the journalism profession, adding that his experience had been wonderful, having traversed more than 40 countries across the globe.

He said that life is interesting and meaningful when people do what they actually like, as against professions imposed by parents for various reasons.

“I am that I am a journalist. It has been a wonderful experience being a journalist. I have visited more than 40 countries.

“I have interviewed Presidents and Prime Ministers, criminals, convicts and others. I pray and hope that many of you here have that kind of experience.

“Please, give your children the necessary support to be what they want to be; that is the only way they can fulfill their dreams

“Let people be what they want to be, that is the only way they can find fulfilment,’’ Adefela said.

According to the professor, although change is constant – in people, institutions and everything – passion endures.

“In whatever you do, it is self fulfilment that matters. There is progress today in NAN.

“The first building we put up here sank because of the marshy nature of this place. Now we have an edifice here.

“Things change; human beings, institutions change. There is no way that NAN then will be NAN today. The feeling now is that of great experience.

“Do your best to serve people. You are employed to serve. I hope that you find my book interesting and learn a few lessons from it.

He said although he started his career in the Ministry of Information in 1961, working in NAN (1977 to 1985) was the highpoint and most fulfilling of his career life.

He said he spent one tenth of his life in NAN, devoted one tenth of the more than 200-page book to NAN which had impacted his life and journey in life positively.

Adefela said the book remained a collective story of his life journey and not just about NAN.

“This is not the story of NAN, this is the story of Victor Adefela,’’.

He said that his colleagues at the onset of NAN were excited working hard to achieve something new and useful for the growth of the nation.

He expressed the hope that the present crop of NAN staff would uphold the high standard they met.

“In all my working years, I think the years in NAN were definitely the most productive and the most satisfying.

“NAN made such an impact on me although others say I made an impact on NAN,” he said.

“We had a wonderful experience then because none of us did anything wonderfully new. We were all working hard to make an impact on the development of our country,’’ he said.

Adefela also served as Director of News, Pan African News Agency (PANA) in Dakar, Senegal, on leave-of-absence from NAN, from late 1980s to early 1990s.

He had at various times, between 1982 and 2008, conducted media capacity-building workshops in 16 African countries as a Consultant to World Health Organisation and UNESCO.

Adefela had, during an occasion to mark his 80th birthday at NAN, Abuja, unveiled one of his books, `Mind on The Wing’.

The 92-page collection of poems reflected his thoughts on wide-ranging issues facing mankind, including change.

He brought intellectualism to NAN editorial operation which also impacted on staff.

Staff under him, who further acquired more academic laurels, included a the former deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Adigun Agbaje, Prof. Innocent Okoye of Kwara State University and late Prof. Lai Oso of Lagos State University.

Oso (67), died in a car accident on June 24 while returning from a conference at the Delta State University, Abraka.

Although this is `Not the story of NAN’ but `the story of Victor Adefela’, it also demonstrates the power of the mind and human beings over obstacles – natural or man-made.

It is man versus limitations. It is about growth, change and perfection. (NANFeatures)

**If used, credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria**

 

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adefela’s Reminisces
Assessing new NNPCL consolidation deals, crude oil production benchmark
Features , Oil & Gas

Assessing new NNPCL consolidation deals, crude oil production benchmark

298 total views today

News Analysis by Emmanuella Anokam, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) was first presented to the National Assembly in 2008, during the leadership of President, Umar Yar’Adua, now late.

Energy experts were confident that the bill would turn around the misfortunes of the oil and gas industry in the country.

In spite of the several roadblocks encountered then, the experts knew that it was a matter of time for things to begin to take shape, as European and American companies dominated the nation’s oil exploration.

Shell Petroleum Development Corporation, Chevron, Total Energies and ExxonMobil had being the front liners.

Attempts were made to incorporate companies from China, Saudi Arabia and India into the country’s oil exploration.

However, but the existing Nigerian laws would not allow the leasing of oil wells to prospective companies from abroad since most of the Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) were in firm grip of the existing International Oil Companies (IOCs).

The firms had held the OMLs for many years before the bill was proposed, and to change the situation, an overhaul was needed in the country’s energy law. Interestingly, this development necessitated the introduction of the PIB.

Furthermore, the expectation of the proposed reform in the oil industry was that the sector would be free from government control in a deregulated environment and at the same time unbundle the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

It was like prayers answered when the former administration of Muhammadu Buhari signed the bill into law in August 2021.

Forty eight hours after signing the legislation into law, Buhari approved a steering committee to oversee its implementation, stressing that Nigeria lost an estimated $50 billion worth of investments in just 10 years.

Buhari was quoted by the media as saying that the loss was created by the uncertainty of non-passage of the PIB.

It was on this premise that Malam Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), NNPCL, recently made moves to set new investment benchmark post Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

The NNPCL had sealed multiple deals running into over $48.15 billion to rejuvenate the hitherto inept company.

Other key investment project slated for Final Investment Decisions (FID) by the NNPCL, include the $25 billion West African Gas Pipeline project (Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline).

The company will stake $12.5 billion to secure a 50 per cent equity and the $2.8 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project among others.

Also, in its quest to boast it financial base, the Nigerian government in June 2022 renewed talks with Algeria and Niger to kickstart the $13 billion (€12.8 billion) Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP).

No wonder oil and gas experts were full of expectations that with time, things would turn around for good in the sector.

Associate Professor of Energy and Natural Resources, Olanrewaju Aladeitan, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that what NNPCL was doing with the Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline (TSGP) project was what Nigeria should have done in 1970s, or thereabout.

He said that Nigeria would have been taking advantage of the vacuum created by the non-supply of oil to Europe by Russia and expand its gas projects penetration the European market.

“If we had done that, by now we would be smiling to the bank because we would have utilised the opportunity of market that was left by the withdrawal of Russia.

“So if we can achieve the same aim through the Trans-Sahara pipeline, it will be fine.

“We also have the West African Gas Pipeline, which passes through Benin Republic, Togo to Ghana, and that has also been in the works for some time.

“This is what has informed Nigeria looking at constructing these pipelines to Europe and the gas can flow from there,” he said.

The need for the NNPCL model of investments was also highlighted at the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES 2023).

Speaking during business leaders and regulatory dialogue session at the event, Mrs Nkechi Obi, Group Managing Director of Techno Oil Limited, called for significant investments and infrastructure to achieve global energy mix and sustainable energy.

The firm is an indigenous oil and gas company,

“There are about eight mitigants to achieving the global energy mix but the provision of infrastructure, reduction in biomass and fossil fuel were key to achieving success, especially in the downstream sector.

“Nigeria needs an enabling environment to drive investments to position itself strategically in view of global trend to transit to cleaner energy.

“She said the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021) was a big relief in pursuit of a cleaner energy”, she said.

Obi’s call was not different from what the country is trying to achieve through the investments embarked upon by the NNPCL, as gas is expected play a bigger role in the global energy mix and that Nigeria had enough of it to drive the industry.

Mr Olabode Sowunmi, Senior Legislative Aid to the former Senate President on Gas and Power said the industry particularly the gas sector, offers Nigeria great opportunities for industrialisation.

Sowunmi advocated consistency in the Nigeria Gas Master Plan, especially on projects such as AKK, Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and West African Gas Pipeline.

He expressed satisfaction that some reforms have started in the industry in view of the implementation of the PIA 2021.

Besides the multiple investments stakes, the company under the leadership of Kyari, has also taken positive measures aimed at blocking the loopholes in crude oil leakages, theft and vandalism.

Energy experts say the step is expected to propel NNPCL into a global profit-making brand like other major oil giants across the globe.

In pursuit of this role, the company in the last 24 months engaged in exploring new business ventures, investment opportunities.

It has also taken measures that had seen the nation’s dismal crude production of less than a million barrels per day increase to over 1.6 million barrels per day in the last 12 months.

The company successfully signed and acquired a 20 per cent Federal Government stake in the Dangote 650,000-barrel-per-day oil refinery for $2.76 billion.

It also secured over $3 billion local and foreign investment interests in the Kolmani Integrated Development Project.

The Kolmani project houses a 120,000-barrels per day refinery, a 500-million standard cubic feet per day gas processing plant, a 300-megawatt capacity power plant, and a fertiliser plant of 2,500 tons per day.

Earlier in 2023, the NNPC Renewed Oil Production Pact With its Partners For 10 billion barrel aimed at putting an end to the protracted dispute between the state-owned company and the contractor parties in OMLs 128, 130, 132 and 133, as well as 138 PSCs.

The agreements are the Production Sharing Agreement, Dispute Settlement Agreements, Settlement Repayment Agreement, and Escrow Agreement.

The signing of the agreement took place at the NNPC headquarters office in Abuja.

According to the NNPC Limited, the signing of the new PSCs is a key milestone achievement, which will ultimately unlock opportunities within the Nigeria upstream sector.

Only last Thursday, the NNPCL signed a Heads of Terms (HoT) agreement with UTM Offshore Limited for the construction of the nation’s first indigenous floating liquified natural gas (LNG) project with a $5.6 billion funding package from Afreximbank.

Speaking on the UTM deal, Mr Garba Deen Muhammad, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPCL, in a statement said the agreement was a step towards bolstering Nigeria’s energy security and promoting the utilisation of its abundant gas resources.

“In a major step towards bolstering Nigeria’s energy security and promoting the utilisation of its abundant gas resources, the NNPC Ltd and UTM Offshore Limited have today in Abuja signed a Heads of Terms (HoT) agreement.

“It is for the construction of the nation’s first indigenous Floating LNG project,” the company said.

The NNPCL as a company grew its profit after tax from N287 billion in 2020 to N674 billion in 2021.

It would be recalled that for the first time in the history, the company, last Thursday, July 20, 2023, it commenced the payment of interim dividend and Petroleum Sharing Contracts (PSC) profit oil into the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) with the of N123 billion.

A breakdown of the amount showed that the National Oil Company paid N81 billion as monthly interim dividend and N42 billion as 40 per cent PSC profit oil, this is in addition to compliance on payment of royalties and taxes.

Commenting on the NNPC Limited’s performance, Mr Horatius Egua, spokesman of the immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, said Sylva’s in ensuring the passage of the PIA was instrumental to the new feats.

According to Egua all that NNPC Limited has achieved today would not have been possible if the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) was not passed into law.

“Thumbs up must be given to Chief Sylva, the leadership of the National Assembly and former President Muhammadu Buhari”, he said.

He also praised Kyari for providing the leadership in the NNPCL that had enabled the company attain its present status.

“It is one thing to have a law but if you don’t have competent people to drive and implement that law, it becomes useless.

“So Malam Kyari has done well in his own capacity as the boss of the NNPC Limited.

“However, he needs to do more to take the company to a greater height like the Saudi Aramco, China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Exxon Mobil Corp., and others,” he said. (NANFeature) (www.nannews.ng)

Tinubu’s seven wonders in seven weeks
Features , General News

Tinubu’s seven wonders in seven weeks

259 total views today

Tinubu’s seven wonders in seven weeks

By Abdulaziz Abdulaziz

That President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ramped up the engine of governance in Nigeria and hit the waves immediately he was sworn in on May 29, 2023, is not news anymore. From Abuja to Zurich, the story is the same: a new sheriff is in town and he is in a haste to give the giant of Africa a new lease of life.

In the seven weeks he has been on the saddle at the Presidential Villa, President Tinubu has made those who stuck out their necks for him proud. He has also put to shame those who wanted anyone but him. Those who sold a grotesque caricature of the man in a bid to stop him are embarrassed. Doubters and naysayers who were either skeptical or outrightly opposed to a Tinubu presidency are being converted not by propaganda but by the weight of the man’s actions.

Just as I was settling down to work on this piece a cerebral friend, who I know as not generous with praises, called me to confess how he was “happily disappointed” by President Tinubu’s leadership skills. He has now been converted to be a PBAT cheerleader.

For my friend and many others, there are myriad of things that President Tinubu has done or traits he has exhibited in the past seven weeks that they never thought he could do. Some of us are not entirely surprised having had the opportunity to see the President at close quarters.

In the run-off to the election, the opposition threw spanners in the works, pulling the wool over the eyes of many Nigerians. But with President Tinubu now at the centre stage, at a vantage position for all to see the stuff he is made of, most Nigerians are now wiser.

In public and in small group chitchats, the talk now is how the President has been performing wonders to the surprise of many. Here I curate a few of the talking points on the lips of many Nigerians.

1. ENERGY, SHEER ENERGY: One of the first wonders for many people who were brainwashed into believing candidate Tinubu was some walking-dead person was the energy they now see him exude effortlessly. Some of us who were in the campaign had seen the real Asíwájú on the hustings, different from the insinuations and fake news they peddled out there.

In a piece just before the election, I wrote that Candidate Tinubu worked more than any other candidate. It was no exaggeration. The man visited all states, some of them more than once. He never rested. In fact, some times, he would have to be begged, cajoled or even compelled to take a rest as he worked even into the morning hours of the next day.

Nigerians began to see this energy from the inauguration day where President Tinubu stood through the long inauguration ceremony. Immediately afterwards, he moved to the State House for another long ritual of standing to receive the retinue of world leaders for pleasantries and photo opportunity.

From that moment, governance began and it’s no stopping. For many State House staff it was strange that the President would be in the office everyday of the week till late hours. Often very late. Many would have to quickly adjust to the extended schedule of the new Sheriff.

2. DECISIVENESS: In the weeks since coming on board, President Tinubu has demonstrated that important attribute of a leader: Decisiveness. It was the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, who said while a leader should always target the right thing in moments of decision, the worst thing to do is to do nothing.

Like all great leaders in history, President Tinubu has demonstrated that he is no fence-sitter in the business of governance. With him, there is no beating about the bush or procrastination in matters that require expeditious attention. Thus far, the President has left no one in doubt that he is fully in charge and responsible for decisions taken by his administration.

No shadow president somewhere or some clearing houses outside of the precincts of the President’s office.

With uncommon courage, President Tinubu has taken a number of decisions, which surprised many observers. Some of these decisions were on matters hitherto considered too hot to handle. The gist in town is the feeling that the country is not on autopilot.

One may disagree with the direction he goes but no one will accuse him of taking no decision at all. Yet, in taking these decisions President Tinubu has proven to be an inclusive leader who consults widely and falls for the wisest of counsel. His mantra is “open door policy”.

Among other many voices home and abroad, the Oba of Benin, Omon’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, expressed awe at the President’s energy and decisiveness when he visited him last week. “We’ve predicted that you will hit the ground running and you have done so, even faster than we thought,” the monarch said, wondering where the President’s tremendous energy comes from.

3. KILLING THE SUBSIDY LEECHES: It was a shock to many when on May 29 President Tinubu pronounced the subsidy leech dead. It was one decision that generated a lot of positive reactions home and abroad. Yes, it comes with some pains in form of inflationary trends but it is a concensus that it is the least pain to bear compared with the crumbling effect of continuous payment of subsidy on the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

In later speeches, President Tinubu would liken the current situation to the pains of labour and the happiness that comes with childbirth. We are currently experiencing labour pains but in the end, Nigerians would smile, like a mother who is comforted by the sight of a new baby.

The wisdom is already glaring. Two videos hit the social media since that decision. One was of a group of young people in one of the neighbouring countries lamenting the subsidy removal in Nigeria. The latest I watched showed a large number of fuel kegs and drums at a village along the border that have been rendered fallow by the subsidy removal. The village bristled with Nigeria’s smuggled fuel until May 29.

The magic reflected in the numbers as well. The regulator reported daily fuel consumption figures falling by a whooping 35 per cent.

4. SAVING THE NAIRA FROM THE RENT-SEEKERS: For years, experts and economists have warned that the hitherto way of managing our forex was unsustainable. Buoyed by permissible Central Bank management, rent-seekers had taken over, cashing out at the expense of our collective misery.

While it was increasingly difficult for ordinary Nigerian to get a few thousands of dollars to meet essential needs, a few people got huge allocations at unrealistic rates from the source. They then round trip it to the parallel market where they cash out big with no sweat!

Speaking at a civic reception in his honour at the Lagos House, Marina, during the Eid break, President Tinubu told the audience that the arrangement he met was tempting that he could choose to keep it and benefit from it. The multiple forex window had for a while served as an avenue of dispensing favours to family members and friends. His own family and associates could have been smiling to the banks, but “God forbid!” he said.

The decision has since restored confidence in the Nigerian economy with the Nigerian Stocks recording all time highs, and investors betting on our market.

5. HALTING A LOOMING STRIKE: The atmosphere was tense as the organised labour charged at the government for President Tinubu’s bold decision to stop the fuel subsidy hemorrhage. Typical of its default mode, organised labour saw the decision as an affront on the poor. They wanted the decision reversed and issued a notice of strike. It was President Tinubu’s first leadership test.

The skillful manager of men and materials he is, the President immediately swung into action inviting the labour leaders to negotiation table. Using facts and figures, he made them see the reason for the decision.

6. GETTING NIGERIA BACK ON THE GLOBAL STAGE: There is no gainsaying Nigeria’s respect and leadership role in the subregion and beyond are renewed.

At his first outing with ECOWAS, President Tinubu was unanimously elected by his colleagues as the new chairman of the regional body. He has since gone on to demonstrate leadership at that level as well as evidenced by his inaugural speech after taking over.

“Nigeria is back” he roared. The dignifying address was reminiscent of Murtala Muhammed’s January 1976 address in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Like General Muhammed, President Tinubu is a pan-Africanist who believes in the continent’s ability to tackle its own challenges and equal treatment at the global stage.

Beyond the West Africa and the larger continent, President Tinubu is coveted by all. Recall the warmth and affectionate welcome by President Emmanuel Macron of France?

7. BRILLIANT OFF-THE-CUFF SPEECHES: President Tinubu has been regaling his audience with off-the-cuff straight-from-the-heart speeches. For a man with original ideas and clarity of vision he needed no cosmetic scripting. This has enabled the President to speak from the heart and connect more intimately with his audience.

The brilliance of these speeches did not only draw applause, though claps can be for eye service, their deeper meanings also excite much after. The speeches change opinions about the President and turn the heart and minds. They draw respect.

A Labour Party lawmaker from Abia State, Hon. Amobi Oga, is one such person mesmerized by the President’s hearty address when he met lawmakers-elect on June 8, ahead of the National Assembly inauguration.

“Today is my best day. Today, I’m so happy that I’m an elected member seeing my President talking. In fact, I’ve never known that this man is so intelligent,” Oga told reporters at the end of the close door session. “I never knew that this man is so prepared to serve this country. I saw the love, character, and charisma — the belief that Nigeria can be a better nation.”

Indeed with the demonstrated leadership of President Tinubu “Nigeria can be better again”, to borrow the phrase of Rep Oga.

Abdulaziz, a presidential media aide, writes from Abuja

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