By Oluwatope Lawanson

Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, has said that the President Bola Tinubu administration has performed well as he marks his 100 days in office.

Hamzat made the remarks during a special prayer to commemorate 100 days in office of President Bola Tinubu, held on Thursday at the Lagos Central Mosque, Lagos Island.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu was inaugurated as the 16th President of Nigeria on May 29.

According to him, the past 100 days of this government have been very encouraging as different achievements and various initiatives are put in place by the Federal Government.

Speaking on the achievements of the Federal Government so far, the deputy governor stated that the administration had performed well.

“The first 100 days had been about economic reforms and enactment of laws than infrastructures.

“We can see judiciary reform, tax reform, education upgrade, which are part of the many things this administration has done,” he said.

Justifying the petrol subsidy removal, Hamzat said 93 per cent of the nation’s revenue was used for debt payment on fuel subsidy and the country was almost bankrupt.

“The fuel subsidy consumed more money than the Ministry of Works and Education put together and government is saying it is not sustainable as a nation,” he said.

Similarly, the deputy governor said that Nigerians have cause to give thanks to God for sustaining the country as there are many countries going through worse challenges.

Hamzat added that Nigerians have reasons to thank God for the peaceful moments the country had enjoyed in spite of the challenges witnessed.

According to him, every nation has challenges but it is the responsibility of the government to face those challenges and tackle them.

He cited examples of Sweden, Libya, Iraq and some other countries that are currently undergoing different challenges.

On Lagos State Government achievements since assumption of office for the second tenure, the deputy governor noted that a lot of initiatives had been put in place, which include the commencement of Blue Line Rail for commercial purposes.

“Lagos State Government is the only sub-sovereign that is funding rail from its balance sheet, no other sub-sovereign has done it anywhere in the world and this took a lot of financial engineering for us to build,” he said.

He disclosed that the red line would soon commence service.

Hamzat noted that the project is massive and would convey passengers from Agege through Ejigbo and Yaba within ten-minute interval.

Earlier, the Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheikh Abdul Abou, who was represented by the Bashorun of Lagos, Alhaji Sikiru Alabi-Macfoy said the country had witnessed a lot of transformation and policy reviews in the last 100 days of the Tinubu administration.

Abou was optimistic that the transformation would yield positive results for citizens and the country in due course.

He charged Nigerians to continue to pray for the president to come up with policies and reforms that would be in the best interest of Nigerians.

The sheik also commended the Gov. Sanwo-Olu Babajide administration for the successes recorded so far in the state in the last 100 days.

According bto him, the governor has been able to put measures in place to alleviate the pains experienced due to fuel subsidy removal by sharing palliatives to the most vulnerable in the state.

“Also, the recent commencement of the commercial Blue Rail Line will reduce traffic in the state,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Taiye Olayemi

No fewer than 29 countries and states have arrived Abuja for the 16th edition of the International Arts and Craft Expo (INAC).

Chief Olusegun Runsewe, Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), organisers of INAC, disclosed this on Thursday during the opening ceremony.

The theme for the expo is “Networking Nigerian Craft to the World”.

Runsewe said that the platform was deliberately created to market Nigerian arts and crafts to the world as well as unite individuals across cultural divide.

“INAC is a platform we consciously designed to market our crafts and arts to the world, as you can see the number of states and countries in attendance.

“We have 29 countries,16 states and 21 non-governmental organisations already at the opening. This is for everyone regardless of their country to network, collaborate and make fortune from the platform.

“For me, the sector is key to uniting Nigerians and the world, we must continue to put Nigeria together in all we do.

“The international communities are the biggest informants to the world, this platform tells the world that there is peace in Nigeria and it is a place for investment,” Runsewe said.

According to him, the expo is getting bigger and better as over 50 Nigerians have been helped to travel out of the country.

He said countries kept inviting Nigerians for different forms of business deals through contacts developed on the platform.

“For us, this is getting bigger every year.

“A cultural troupe that performed last year was invited by the Indian embassy to perform in New Delhi, similar opportunities abound.

The director-general said that the expo would be loaded with lots of entertainment as renowned artistes had been scheduled to thrill guests in the course of the expo.

He informed the audience that free skill acquisition programmes were also ongoing, urging interested persons to take advantage of the opportunity.

Also speaking, Masudur Rahman, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria, identified Nigeria as the centre of cultural gravity of Africa as the country is endowed with enormous tourism and cultural potential.

“It is a big opportunity for Bangladesh to partner with you since 2016 when we started our mission here.

“It is time to celebrate the strength of the world through Nigerian culture,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that some of the countries in attendance were: Iran, Philippines, Bulgaria, Venezuela, Syria, Malaysia, Trinidad and Tobago, China, Cuba, Indonesia, Columba, Korea, Burkina Faso, Lebanon, Mexico, Bangladesh, Iraq.

Also in attendance were states like Taraba, Lagos, Enugu, Borno, Katsina, Anambra, Rivers, Adamawa, Abia, Kaduna, Ogun, Yobe have mounted their exhibition booths. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

By Fortune Abang

The Toastmasters (TM) International Club, a non-profit organisation, on Thursday underscored the need for leaders to always develop their leadership skills to achieve meaningful progress.

Nadine Mbikina, District-Director of TM Club, District 94, in charge of Southern and Western Africa, gave the advice in her address at the Division “E and U ” Town-hall in Abuja.

According to her, it has become important for leaders to place priority on investment in leadership development to advance Nigeria growth.

Mbikina said: “TM Club is a non-profit organisation, which helps our members to be better public speakers and inspiring leaders.

“As you know leadership is very important, all the competencies that you can gain in TM can build a strong leadership in our countries.

“TM can provide all those skills our young people need to be better leaders, particularly all the skills that can enable people to achieve successes.”

For his part, Kayode Yusuf, the Programmes Quality Director for District 94 of the TM Club, declared the readiness of the organisation to hold its district conference in 2024.

Yusuf said that it was an annual conference that would bring together TM from across 23 countries, to learn, have fun and network with other people.

He said: “Strategies have been put in place to ensure that we have a good conference in 2024; we are getting interest from our members across 23 countries.

“So, we are going to be seeing about 1, 000 people flocking into Abuja in 2024, for the conference.

“The conference is not just for TM alone, but people will get trained on leadership; there will be speech contest from all Area to Division levels.”

Yusuf furthfer said that some of the contestants would participate at the international convention scheduled to be held in California, in the U.S., in 2024.

High point of the event was panel discussion on marketing Toastmasters to non-Toastmasters and updates on District initiatives.

TM International Club with Division E and U, and Districts in Northern parts of Nigeria promotes improvement in public speaking, self-confidence, leadership and networking skills. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Bashir Rabe Mani

By Adebola Adegoke

A Child Rights and Gender Equality Advocate, Ms Detutu Ajibodu, has underscored the need to integrate global best practices in combating sexual and gender-based violence to enhance local impact.

Ajibodu, who was selected to represent Nigeria at the International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) in the United States of America, said this in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday in Lagos.

The child rights advocate and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Cece Yara Foundation, a child-centred NGO, was selected by the U.S. Department of State to represent Nigeria at the programme.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the African countries that attended the event include Algeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Mauritania, Mozambique, Ghana, and South Africa.

IVLP stands as a pinnacle initiative by the U.S. Department of State facilitating profound cross-border exchanges among current and emerging leaders from diverse fields.

Ajibodu said that her aspirations after her return to Nigeria from the IVLP was to infuse the insights gained during the conference into the Cece Yara Foundation’s initiatives.

According to her, the infusion of international best practices and the local know-how would further enhance the impact made locally and create a safer environment for all vulnerable individuals.

She stated that her experience in the international space and interaction with representatives of other African countries at the event, showed that Nigeria has made significant strides in combating gender-based violence.

Ajibodu however noted that there was still room for improvement; hence, the need to fortify collaboration between governmental bodies, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and communities.

“Robust legislation, accessible support services, and comprehensive education are pivotal to expedite our response to these pressing issues,” she said.

Speaking further, the child rights expert said that the programme nurtured deep-rooted connections between international leaders and their American counterparts, enriching both parties with first-hand insights into each other’s areas of focus and expertise.

She noted that the IVLP 2023 cohort engaged wide spectrum of thematic discussions, aligning with participants’ professional passions, the foreign policy objectives of the United States, and the developmental focus of the participating countries.

Ajibodu said among the core discussions were strategies for countering gender-based violence – a subject matter that resonated deeply with Ajibodu and her role as the CEO of the Cece Yara Foundation.

NAN also reports that Ajibodu’s child rights and advocacy journey includes collaborative efforts with prominent organisations such as United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Deloitte, and a multitude of international bodies.

Her professional repertoire extends across a rich tapestry of endeavours, having consulted for the likes of Disability Rights Advocacy, the European Union, the United Nations, and the British Council. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bayo Sekoni

By Felicia Imohimi

An International NGO Oxfam has called for review of tax policy in Nigeria to reverse the current trend of payment of higher taxes by the vulnerable in the society than the rich.

Dr William Mafwalal, Acting Head of Programmes, Oxfam Nigeria made the call on the sideline of the Fiscal Accountability for Inequality Reduction FAIR4ALL Media Colloquium and Exhibition in Abuja.

The programme was organised by Oxfam Nigeria in collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Connected Development (CODE), Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), budgiT and Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre.

Mafwalal representing the Acting Country Director, Oxfam Nigeria Hamza Tijani, frowned at current practice of payment of higher or multiple taxes by market women and farmers.

He described the inequality as a contributing factor to the high rate of poverty in the society.

“Our tax system need a lot of work to ensure that this taxes are collected as they should and also ensure that the people saddled with the responsibility of pushing this taxes do their job.

“We have seen through research conducted that vulnerable people down the ladder in terms of economic status are the ones that pay more taxes than people up there having more economic opportunities due to policies and systems put in place by our government.

“The policies give sometimes tax relieve on some of these corporations and organisations that are suppose to pay heavy tax and allow the vulnerable market women and farmers in the villages pay tax on everything that they need or access to earn a living.

“Government should look at their policies again and ensure that those policies are balance that is ensuring fair taxation.

“Those who are suppose to pay taxes should pay those taxes and those who are suppose to pay more pay more while those that are suppose to pay less pay less,” he said.

He said the vision of Oxfam is for a Nigeria without inequality and poverty, and where every voice counts.

According to him, Oxfam Nigeria mission is to strengthen and empower civil society to help shape a Nigeria without inequality and poverty.

Mafwalal said Oxfam was trying to foster partnership among government agencies to strengthen system and block leakages within the tax system as well as ensure the budget system is as participatory as possible and delivery services as it ought to community.

“Part of what we are doing is Oxfam strategy of reducing inequality and gender justice and also contributing to global oxfam strategy on just economy, gender justice and accountable governance,”he said.

Henry Ushie, Project Coordinator, FAIR4ALL identified the programme as a global programme implemented across 14 countries including Netherlands.

“The overall objective of FAIR4ALL is to see how we reduce inequality as one of the root causes of poverty.

“Base on the research we conducted we realised that the reason for this much poverty is inequality which has really be endemic. We need to end that menace that is why this programme was introduced, ” he said.

According to him, through the programme supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oxfam since inception of the programme three years ago has been able to work across policy area in terms of fostering policy implementation within the tax industry.

Ushie further said the organisation in collaboration with partners “have also ensure that budget is as participatory as much as it can and also promoted fair taxation,”.

Foluso Adejoro, Policy Advisor, Food Security and Climate Change, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands expressed concerns at the high inequality in rural areas.

He however said everyone should strive for positive change.

Adejoro who congratulated Oxfam and other partners for the progress so far in tax justice said it is important that “in driving change the action start at the community level”.

Also, Joseph Amenaghawon, Strategy, Growth and Analytics Advisor, budgiT, said the biggest trigger was to energise Nigerians to prioritise fiscal accountability adding that the measure could be used to deal with challenges of inequality.

Amenaghawon said his organisation working with Oxfam in three focal state of Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Delta, identified one of the biggest area as collaborating with the media.

“Also to train government around open contracting and also enabled communities better understand the dynamics around budget and planning.

“Ultimately the combination of all this things will enable citizens directly involved in how to manage public finances and most importantly how we can then use that to deal with challenges of inequalities,” he said.

Participants at the colloquium were drawn from Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), National Environmental Standard Regulations and Enforcement Agency, National Human Right Commission among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

By Constance Athekeme

Some electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have continued to count their losses following the power outage recorded in the territory for two days.

The consumers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Wednesday in Abuja that blackout had adversely affected their socio-economic life.

NAN reports that there has been blackout in most parts of the FCT, following the 2-day warning strike by the NLC.

They, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government to urgently resolve  the problem that necessitated the two-day strike.

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) attributed the power outage being experienced in its franchise areas to the NLC warning strike.

The management of AEDC made this known in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

”We are aware of the general power outage being experienced across our franchise, this is due to enforcement of the two-day warning strike embarked upon by the labour union.

”We apologise for any inconvenience you may be experiencing as a result of this, as we continue our engagement with key stakeholders toward minimising the impact of the strike on our customers,” it said.

AEDC however urged the customers to take necessary precautions to manage the power outage effectively.

The electricity consumers residing in Lugbe, Kuje, Garki Area10, Central Area and Nyanya told NAN in Abuja on Wednesday told NAN that the blackout had affected their sources of income.

Mrs Esther Ojo, a Hair Stylist resident in Garki Area 10, said that since the strike started on Tuesday, she has found it difficult to carry out her business.

Ojo said that she rely on electricity to run her business, adding that a lot of customers reurned disappointed because of no power.

“”A lot of customers turned back because I need electricity to power my  hair driers, if I wash a customer’s hair, I cannot afford to put fuel in my generator to dry it because of the high cost of fuel.

‘’I know the strike is for our own good but it is also affecting our businesses, so I am appealing to government to quickly look into the demand of  NLC,” he said.

Mr Monday Izekor, a Fashion Designer residing in Lugbe, said that the blackout has made him not work effectively for two days so he could not meet customers demand.

Izekor said that most of his sewing machines use electricity, using the manual one slows him down.

“”I have not been meeting my customers demand because most of my sewing machines use electricity and my appeal is that government and NLC should settle their difference for the good of Nigerians.”

On her part, Mrs Comfort Maduka, Ice Block seller resident in Kuje, told NAN that the strike has not been easy as she cannot buy diesel to power her generator.

“Diesel is expensive, I cannot buy it and now no light but I know NLC is fighting for us, government should intervene as cost of living is so high,” she lamented.

Mr Johnbull Oche, a resident of Nyanya who runs a laundry service, said that the past two days had been terrible for him.

According to him, he has not been able to meet up with customers demand because of the power outage.

”I am appealing to government to settle with NLC so that the light can be restored,” he urged. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Muhammad Suleiman Tola