By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has sought for huge investments from Indian investors, as part of strategies to fast tract the development of the capital territory, Abuja.

Wike made the call when the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Shri Balasubramanian, visited him in Abuja on Tuesday.

He acknowledged the presence of many Indian companies in the country, particularly petrochemicals and fertiliser companies among others.

“We would also like to have this kind of relationship in Abuja.

“You have seen improvement in security; you have seen improvement in infrastructure in Abuja. That is part of the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“We will discuss other areas that will be of mutual interest between India and Nigeria, and Abuja in particular,” he said.

The minister said that it was within the purview of the FCT Administration to ensure that all Embassies in Nigeria, have an unhostile environment to enable them perform their assignments.

Earlier, Balasubramanian said that the excellent relationship between India and Nigeria was quite old.

The Ambassador explained that India began its diplomatic relationship with Nigeria two years before the country became independent in 1958, when India established a diplomatic office in Lagos.

He said that there were over 155 Indian companies in Nigeria, with more than 27 billion dollars of investments in various manufacturing areas.

He said that companies ranged from plastics to steel, oil, and pharmaceuticals among others in every sector.

According to him, Indian companies are the second largest employer of labour after the Nigerian government.

“So that is the level of engagement that we have, including wonderful political relationships.

“Culturally, we also have excellent cooperation. We have been having various groups from Nigeria going to India to participate in different exhibitions and cultural activities.

“We are very happy with all the facilities that are being extended to our Embassy.

“We are more than happy about it and would like to continue the relationship”. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Ekemini Ladejobi

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has urged government at all levels to step up efforts at addressing growing insecurity across the country, in line with their constitutional responsibility of securing life and property.

This was contained in a communique signed by NGE President Eze Anaba and the General Secretary Iyobosa Uwugiaren, after its Standing Committee Meeting held in Enugu.

Observing a slide in the security situation in the country, the professional body of editors and media executives, however, acknowledged efforts by government to reverse the troubling trend.

The body acknowledged the recent release of students of LEA Primary School/Government Secondary School in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, as a good development.

The Guild congratulated the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State and security agencies for their roles in securing the release of the students, after three weeks in kidnappers’ captivity.

The Guild also called on the federal government to speak out on the whereabout of the Editor of FirstNews Newspaper, Segun Olatunji, who was abducted from his Lagos home by some men in military uniform.

The editors also demanded for the immediate release of the editor, contending that any publication by the media, if believed or suspected to be false, should be interrogated and tested through the legal process.

They condemned the way the editor was abducted, saying that such action had no place in a democracy, especially under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government.

The editors contended that the administration had consistently promised to be guided by the rule of law in all its actions, policies and programmes.

“The media/journalists must be allowed to continue to operate in an atmosphere conducive for the performance of their constitutional duty of holding government accountable to the people.

“Government or security agencies must not be perceived to be doing anything to the contrary or attempting to stifle the media under a democratic government,” the NGE warned.

The Guild described the recent ambush and killing of 17 military personnel on March 14 in Okuama community, in Delta, as disheartening.

It called on the federal government to dig deep into the killing of soldiers in Okuama and unravel the circumstances in which the incident and its aftermath occurred.

While noting the rising cost of living in the country which saw Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increase from 29.90 per cent in January to 31.70 per cent in February, the editors attributed the current harsh economic space to the worsening security situation.

They also attribute the rising cost of living to removal of subsidy on petrol and the devaluation of the Naira, following the unifying of exchange rates.

“The Guild observed measures by the Central Bank of Nigeria to reverse the falling value of the Naira and urged it to ensure the results are long-term and not temporary.

“The professional body also acknowledged initiatives by government at various levels to reduce the hardship in the country – through various palliatives and intervention schemes.

“Such measures should not be beneficial only in the short-term; government policies, in the long run, should make life easier for the people.”

The Guild commended the mass media for their resilience amidst the harsh economic realities of the times and called on journalists to continue to perform their responsibilities with a sense of professionalism.

“In the face of the nation’s security challenges and tough economic ecosystem, the Guild urged journalists to be circumspect and not sacrifice truthfulness in their reportage.

“The media must continue to carry out its responsibilities with a sense of nationalism and be careful not to inadvertently give stimulus to terrorists/bandits in their reportage,” the editors added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Victor Adeoti

Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun says his agenda is always designed to meet the needs and aspirations of the masses in the state.

Adeleke said this when the management team of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) led by its Managing Director, Malam Ali Muhammad Ali, visited him at the Government House in Osogbo.

The governor said that his administration was building a legacy for present and future generations.

”Our government is running a horse race in the field of good governance.

“From day one, we created a people-focused agenda designed to meet the needs and aspirations of our people.

“Our government developed niche areas from digital economy to climate action plan.

”We target upgrade of our infrastructure, from flyover bridges to road dualisation, from rural roads to urban roads.

“We are rehabilitating all our health infrastructure while our schools are being upgraded in terms of structures and learning facilities,” he said.

Adeleke also said that his administration would continue to maintain strong partnership with the media.

”Ours is a media-friendly regime. We lay emphasis on regular and detailed communication with the public and other stakeholders.

”I have a very strong media team that markets the truth about the huge successes our government is recording.

“It is our honour and privilege to host the top management of NAN at the Government House.

“It is a significant meeting between Osun State Government and one of the most powerful news agencies in the world, ” he said.

In his remarks, Ali commended the governor for making the people of the state the focal point of his administration.

He said that the prompt payment of workers’ salaries and pension by the governor was commendable.

”More importantly, because government is about the people, I can see that the people have become the focal point of your administration. How? By prompt payment of salaries.

”When you pay salaries, you are improving the local GDP, the local economy and for that you really deserve accolades, you deserve commendation.

”Every salary earner has dependants and by that prompt payment of salaries and pension, you are actually empowering the people.

“Most governors are scared of paying pension, especially huge inherited pension.

”We congratulate you for that and the infrastructure development.

“The amazing thing is how you are doing what you are doing with limited resources, ” he said.

He commended the governor for the peace and tranquility in the state, describing Osun as one of the most peaceful states in the South West Zone.

“In a way, Osun like they say, is the cradle of civilisation, so it is homecoming for me.

”I may have come from the North, but I have this deep kinship with the people of Osun state and indeed the whole of South West, having grown part of my career in the South West,”he said.(NAN)

Edited by Mufutau Ojo