A Second Prosecution Witness, PW2, in the trial of Nwachi Chidozie Kingsley, being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for defrauding an American, Nicole Kierulff Sayers the sum of $370,000( Three Hundred and Seventy Thousand United States Dollars) in a contrived marriage, Okanne Kelechi, on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 told Justice U.P Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Maitama, Abuja that the EFCC has recovered the sum of $13,204.00 (Thirteen Thousand, Two Hundred and Four United States Dollars) from the defendant.
Also recovered from the defendant is a plot of land in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, a Lexus Ex 350 and Toyota Venza cars.
The witness who was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Fatsuma Muhammad disclosed that among the evidence against the defendant are “various fraudulent profiles in Linkedin which he admitted to creating,” adding that there was also a fraudulent contract award letter printed from his phone. That same letter was sent to his American victim in chats claiming that the contract was awarded to him by the Federal government.”
Kelechi told the court that investigation into the matter involved writing a letter of investigation of the defendant’s activities to the Forensic Department of the EFCC, several local banks as well as the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, with the purported contract award letter attached.
He further told the court that a response from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing indicated that the award was not genuine. The defendant admitted sending the fake contract award letter to Sayers and other foreign .victims
“We received our report from the Forensic Department and our findings for his gadgets. The victim, Nicole, also sent evidence of transactions received from international money transfer operators. From other analyses, we discovered that part of this money was sent into his bank account supervised by his sister, one Nwachi Doris Chinenye”, he said.
Tendered in evidence against the defendant were certificate of identification, notice of nominal complaint with copies of intent to award contract and iPhone 11Pro Max. The PW2 further informed the court that upon confronting the defendant with the evidence, his lawyers responded with a letter for a plea bargain. “We recovered $13,204, Lexus Ex350 and Toyota Venza.
Justice Kekemeke adjourned the matter till April 30, 2024 for continuation of trial.
Nwachi was arrested on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 in Abuja for allegedly marrying an American, Nicole Kierulff Sayers falsely and defrauded her in the process. Sayers alleged that the defendant lured her into a false marriage and defrauded her of her savings.
Media & Publicity
February 14, 2024.
EFCC ARRESTS 14 SUSPECTED INTERNET FRAUDSTERS IN A “YAHOO ACADEMY” IN MAKURDI
Operatives of the Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 arrested 14( fourteen) suspected internet fraudsters in a training center of potential internet fraudsters in Makurdi, Benue State.
The operatives, acting on intelligence, arrested the suspects in a three- bedroom apartment allegedly serving as a training centre for internet fraud trainees along Achusa Road, Makurdi.
The suspects are: Asongu Terungwa, Aese Sonter,Nyoosu Terungwa,John Kator, Udi Micheal Aodona, Terungu Mnyam, Iorwuese Terhide, Ule Francis, Imoter Gloor Emmanuel and Samuel Lubem.
Others include: Wergba Tertamge, Erukaa Ephraim, Agenale Franklin and Abechi Toryila.
Items recovered include: laptops, ATM cards, phones, one Firman Generator and a Toyota Corolla car.
The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
Media & Publicity
February 14, 2024
GOMBE COURT JAILS BUSINESSMAN FOR N3.5M FRAUD
Justice Abdulhamid Yakubu of the Gombe State High Court Gombe, on February 12, 2024 convicted and sentenced one Isiyaku Dahiru and his company, Zafran and Brothers Investment Limited to twelve (12) months imprisonment for obtaining the sum of N3,500 000.00 (Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) under false pretences.
Dahiru and his company were arraigned on a one- count charge bordering on cheating and fraudulent conversion by the Gombe Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , EFCC.
The charge reads: ” That you Isiyaku Dahiru and Zafran & Brothers Investment Ltd on or about 18th April, 2022 in Gombe, Gombe State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently took the sum of N3,500 000.00 (Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) property of Usman Ahmad, which you claimed was payment for 50kg of 700 bags of salt but converted same to your personal use and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320 of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 322 of the same law.”
Upon arraignment, the defendant and his company pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to them.
Based on their plea of guilty , prosecutor counsel, S.E Okemini prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendant, Sani Rabiu pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy “as the defendant is a first- time offender who is remorseful for his actions and has restituted the money to the victim of crime.
Justice Yakubu, having listened to both prosecution and defense counsels, convicted and sentenced Dahiru and his company, Zafran and Brothers Investment LTD to twelve (12) months imprisonment.
Dahiru’s journey to the Correctional Centre began when a petitioner alleged that he induced him to part with the sum of N3,500,000.00 paid into his company account for the supply of 700 bags of salt. Every effort of the petitioner to get the supply or refund of his money proved abortive.
Media & Publicity
February 14, 2024
PRESS RELEASE
TINUBU WILL INAUGURATE LAGOS RED LINE RAIL FEBRUARY 29, SAYS SANWO-OLU
…Says LASG is intentional, unrelenting in addressing traffic issues
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, said the much-anticipated Red Line rail will be commissioned on Thursday, February 29 by President Bola Tinubu.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the announcement at the Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) Stakeholders Forum themed: “Parking in Lagos, the journey so far – Assessing the social and economic impact of the industry” held at GRA, Ikeja.
He said the Red Line rail, which runs from Agbado in Ogun State and terminates at the Oyingbo area of Lagos, is one of the integrated mass transit corridors in the state in line with his administration’s THEMES+ Developmental Agenda.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said his administration, which is intentional and unrelenting in its efforts to address all traffic issues in the state, has identified indiscriminate parking as one of the major challenges of the free flow of traffic.
He said the Lagos State Parking Policy, which came into being with the establishment of the Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) was to regulate all forms of parking by adopting innovative, adaptable, and sustainable operational systems and technologies.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, while reiterating his administration’s zero-tolerance policy for the flouting of rules and regulations guiding the Lagos transport sector, urged all stakeholders in the sector to comply with the Lagos State Parking Policy in the renewed and intentional effort to curb indiscriminate parking in the State.
He said: “We have adopted a model that ensures a win-win situation between the State and Local Governments. Lagos has already shown that this kind of state-LGA partnership can work, through the establishment of LASAA, and the Land Use Charge, and we are now set to showcase the same with the Lagos State Parking Authority.
“Therefore, the Local Governments in Lagos State, under the Conference 57 umbrella, and Mr. Kolade Alabi, the National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), are our strategic partners in this renewed effort to regulate parking across the State.
“Just recently, we approved the On-Street parking scheme, to regulate the existing roadside parking and checkmate haphazard parking in line with global best practices. We are utilising existing major roads suitable to accommodate On-Street parking, and to create additional parking spaces, especially in areas with high parking traffic.
“The On-Street parking scheme, as with most of our projects, is being done in partnership with the private sector, and we will continue to explore the Public Private Partnership model to benefit from its effectiveness in delivering high-quality service to meet the needs of our increasing population.”
Speaking earlier, the LASPA General Manager, Mrs. Adebisi Adelabu, said parking management was on the centre stage towards meeting the target of traffic management of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
Adelabu urged all stakeholders to work with LASPA in its effort to rid Lagos of parking-induced gridlocks, through the effective implementation of the Lagos State Parking Policy.
She said: “As you are all aware Traffic management and Transportation is the first pillar of the THEMES+ agenda of the Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu-led administration. It might interest you to know that Parking management takes centre stage in the actualisation of this objective, as it is practically impossible to venture into traffic management without putting into consideration the issue of parking management.
“Our mandate is clear and we are resolute in pursuit of excellence in its actualisation in line with global best practices. We are fully empowered and also intentional about operating a more efficient and sustainable parking management system in line with the administration’s THEMES+ agenda to move Lagos State towards a 21st-century economy.
“We have a vision and are not unaware of the challenges to achieving it, but we are resolute in the pursuit of our goals and objectives towards the actualisation of this vision. This vision aims to achieve excellence in how Lagos State parking policies are envisioned and developed in line with the best global practices for a modern, efficient and sustainably managed parking system towards reducing congestion, disruption, improved road safety and changing travel behaviour.”
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
14 FEBRUARY 2024
Communique Issued at the end of the 76th Meeting of the Board of Trustees (Bot) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Today, Tuesday, February 13, 2024
The Board of Trustees at its 76th meeting today, Tuesday, February 13, 2024, thoroughly assessed the State of affairs of the nation and the Party and resolved as follows:
- The BoT expresses deep concerns over the biting economic hardship, high cost of essential life-enhancing commodities and alarming food scarcity in the country occasioned by the ill-implemented policies of the APC administration and which are already causing restiveness and agitations in various parts of the country.
- The BoT is alarmed by the worsening insecurity in the country as evident in the rising cases of mass killings, banditry, kidnap for ransom and acts of terrorism by assailants who are emboldened by the manifest laidback attitude of the APC administration to issues of security, especially in the last nine months.
- The BoT is appalled by the monumental corruption and unbridled treasury-looting in the APC administration especially the looting of billions of Naira meant for palliatives for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
- The BoT is seriously worried over the fall of the Naira to an abysmal N1,500 to the Dollar, incessant increase in the pump price of fuel which now sells for over N700 per liter with long queues in various parts of the country.
These have attendant negative consequences as evident in the nearly 30% inflation rate, 41% unemployment rate and alarming 46% poverty rate where up to 130 million citizens have sunk deeper into multi-dimensional poverty in the last nine months.
- The BoT is disturbed that the catastrophic economic and security situation in the country have left Nigerians hopeless, despondent, angry and constitute a present and immediate threat to the survival of the country as hardworking young Nigerians, professionals in critical fields as well as major multinational companies are now leaving our nation in droves.
- The BoT is distressed that there are no concrete and coherent policy, measures and steps by the APC administration to address these existential threats which have put the country in a precarious situation.
- The BoT calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to know that the situation in the country has become unbearable. Mr. President should immediately address the issues of corruption in his administration, worsening insecurity in the country, continuous fall in the value of the Naira, high fuel price, unbearable food scarcity and unemployment in the country.
- The BoT reassures the Nigerian public that despite the challenges, the PDP remains united, stronger and more determined in its commitment to working for the wellbeing of Nigerians and defending their interest at all times.
In this regard, the BoT as the Conscience of the Party charges all Organs, leaders, critical stakeholders and members of the PDP across the country to remain united and focused as the Party further repositions for the task ahead.
- In the bid to further strengthen itself, the BoT has confirmed His Excellency, Senator Adolphus Wabara as its Chairman and His Excellency, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi as Secretary in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
February 14, 2024
Press Statement
PDP Mourns Ondo State Chapter Chairman, Fatai Adams
… Says He Was Exceptionally Dedicated
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is heart-broken and utterly devastated by the shattering news of the sudden death of its Ondo State Chapter Chairman, Hon. Fatai Adams.
Indeed, our hearts bleed! Our Party, the nation and indeed humanity have lost one of our brightest and best in Nigeria’s contemporary political leadership.
Hon. Adams was a humble, calm, insightful and sociable leader; a forthright democrat and charismatic mobilizer who stood for truth, justice, equity and fairness and played many pivotal roles towards the unity, stability, development and success of our great Party, the PDP at the State and National levels.
He was an exceptionally dedicated, loyal and beloved Partyman; a seasoned Party administrator who deployed his intellect, competence, skills, energy and personal resources in galvanizing and repositioning our Party in Ondo State despite dauting challenges.
Over the years, as a political mobilizer, a member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Vice Chairman and later Chairman of our Party in Ondo State, Hon. Adams excelled in all the assignments given to him by the Party, distinguished himself as a patriot and a selfless leader whose only focus was the good of the people.
Hon. Adam’s death is a huge blow not only to his family but also to the PDP in Ondo State and the National level.
The national leadership of the PDP commiserates with the widow and children of Hon. Adams, the PDP family in Ondo State and the entire Akoko people for this irreparable loss.
We pray to Almighty Allah to console us all and grant his soul Al jannah Firdaus.
Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary
February 15, 2024
Press Release
Tinubu’s Litigations: PDP Spokesman Quoted Out of Context
The attention of the Office of the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a report in the Punch Newspapers of today, Thursday, February 15, 2024 wherein the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba was said to have alluded as to why the Tinubu administration has failed.
This Office states that the said report was misrepresenting as the National Publicity Secretary was clearly quoted out of context in the said report.
If anything, the National Publicity Secretary had consistently, and even in the said interview, hinged the failure of the Tinubu administration on its manifest incompetence, lack of capacity, insensitivity and abysmal corruption.
While calling on the media to resist the urge for sensationalism in its reportage, we urge our Party members and the general public to ignore the said report.
The National Publicity Secretary will not be deterred in exposing the Tinubu administration, which has awfully failed solely due to its continuing incompetence, insensitivity and monumental corruption.
Signed:
Richard Ihediwa
Assistant Director, Publicity, PDP
PRESS STATEMENT
PDP GOVERNORS PLAYING TO THE GALLERY; OWE NIGERIANS AN EXPLANATION ON WHETHER THEY HAVE BEEN SPENDING INCREASED ALLOCATIONS ON THEIR PEOPLE
Governors elected on the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) platform met yesterday in Bauchi State and addressed a press conference, where their Chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed, read out their position on the country’s economic and security situation.
We welcome their call for a bipartisan approach to solving our nation’s economic and security problems.
As critical stakeholders and leaders at the sub-national level, the PDP governors certainly have the right to state their position on national concerns as is expected.
However, as leaders in the country who are members of two important constitutional organs of government – the National Economic Council, which is the highest economic management organ of the country, and the National Council of States, we believe the PDP governors did not conduct themselves in a manner befitting their roles as leaders.
It is far-fetched when PDP governors, who are supposed to be major players in driving economic growth and prosperity for our citizens in their respective states, mischievously and falsely compare our current economic challenges to Venezuela.
We want to state categorically that though our country is going through some rough patches, which are being addressed by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our situation is nowhere near what is happening in Venezuela.
The Nigerian economy is still very strong and is expected to record a 3% GDP growth this year. The economy is meeting financial obligations to lenders at home and abroad.
The Nigerian government is running effectively, and our government can pay all its bills while maintaining a healthy trade balance with trading partners worldwide.
While opposition politicians are expected to play politics, it should be done within the bounds of truth and fidelity to facts. It is unconscionable of PDP Governors to manipulate facts and misinform Nigerians about our country’s true state of affairs.
Since President Tinubu assumed office, the revenue available to the three tiers of government has more than doubled. All 36 States, including the 774 Local Governments, have been receiving significantly larger allocations on the back of the reforms being pursued by President Tinubu to reposition our national economy.
Nigerians should ask PDP Governors how far and how well they have utilised the increased revenue to better the lives of Nigerians in their respective states.
It is on record that most States controlled by PDP owe workers and pensioners months of unpaid salary and pension arrears. The PDP Governors have defaulted in paying gratuities to their retired workers. It is also a fact that many of the PDP Governors have not paid N30,000 minimum wage to their workers since it took effect more than 4 years ago. All of these anomalies in their states contribute significantly to the economic pressure their citizens face.
If PDP governors are genuinely interested in the living conditions of Nigerians and are not just stirring up disaffection and ill-will towards the federal government, we urge them to meet their obligations to workers, pensioners, and local contractors and see the multiplier effect.
It is disappointing that PDP Governors talk about rising costs of living and food when they have not done much to increase food production in their States. The land in Nigeria belongs to the States, not the Federal Government.
PDP Governors, in their communique yesterday, did not tell Nigerians how they are supporting farmers in their states to boost food production – a responsibility that is strictly within their purview. Instead, they shift all the blame to the Federal Government, while shirking their own responsibilities to the people they govern.
The All Progressives Congress-led administration of President Tinubu is working assiduously to address the current challenges. The President is working with his security chiefs to eliminate all security threats wherever they exist within our borders, and we are getting results in the number of terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers that have either been killed or arrested in the past few weeks. The success of the efforts is also reflected in the over 700 abducted Nigerians who have been rescued from captivity.
The Central Bank is addressing the problem of volatility in the exchange rate, and we are beginning to see stability that will eventually lead to the naira gaining its actual value against the dollar and other convertible currencies.
We urge the PDP Governors to join their colleagues in the Nigerian Governors Forum, who are collaborating with President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima to revamp our economy for Nigerians’ collective well-being.
Mohammed Idris
Minister of Information & National Orientation
February 13, 2024
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU’S MEETING WITH STATE GOVERNORS TODAY AT THE STATE HOUSE
President Bola Tinubu in company of Vice President Kashim Shettima today at the State House met with the 36 States Governors and the FCT Minister. The meeting agreed on common ground to addressing some of the challenges currently facing the country especially the rising cost of food and insecurity.
After extensive deliberations the President and Governors agreed to work together to solve the problems and tackle the economic pressure being faced by the citizens. Below are the key takeaways from what the President told the Governors to do:
- On addressing insecurity which is also affecting farming and food production, President Tinubu made 3 key pronouncements
- More police personnel to be recruited to strengthen the force.
- President Tinubu informed the Governors that the Federal Government will work with them and the National Assembly towards putting in place a mechanism that will engender state police instead of the vigilantes that are being used in some states.
- The President charged the Governors to strengthen their Forest Rangers and arm them to keep all the forest safe from criminals.
- Modalities for State Police and addressing security issues to be discussed further at National Economic Council.
- On rising cost of food: The President directed that the State Governments and Federal government should collaborate to increase local food production. The President advised against the idea of food importation and price control when local food producers should be encouraged to produce more food.
- President advised Governors to follow the example of Kano State in dealing with hoarding of food for profiteering by commodities merchants. He directed the Inspector-General of Police, National Security Adviser, Department of State Services to monitor warehouses hoarding food items across the country and stop profiteering by merchants.
- President charged Governors to pay attention to livestock development in their states and increase production most especially poultry and fishing products.
- President pleaded with Governors to ensure all salary arrears to workers, gratuities to retired workers and pensioners are cleared as a way to put money into the hands of the people since states are now getting more monthly FAAC revenue. Spend the money, don’t spend the people, he urged the governors
- President Tinubu implored Governors to create more economic opportunities for the youths in their states to keep them more productively engaged.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy
February 15, 2024
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU TO ATTEND 37TH AU SUMMIT IN ADDIS ABABA
President Bola Tinubu will, on Thursday, February 15, depart Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to participate in the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).
The theme of this year’s summit is ‘‘Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa.’’
The President will join other African leaders in high-level meetings on institutional reforms of the African Union; peace and security; specific thematic issues such as climate change, as well as modalities of participation and priorities of the continental body in the G20.
On the margins of the summit, President Tinubu will also attend an extraordinary summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS in his capacity as the Chairman of the regional body.
President Tinubu will be accompanied on the trip by some ministers and other top government officials, and he is expected to return to Abuja following the conclusion of the summit.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
February 14, 2024
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU APPROVES LEADERSHIP CHANGES IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE SECTOR
In furtherance of his determination to bring world class standards to Nigerian public health administration and to manifest his commitment to deliver affordable and quality care to all Nigerians under governance and regulatory frameworks commensurate with international best practice, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment and reappointment of the following Board Chairpersons and Chief Executive Officers under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare:
(1) National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC):
Board Chairperson: Dr. Mansur Kabir || Chief Executive Officer: Prof. Moji Adeyeye
(2) National Blood Service Commission (NBSC):
Board Chairperson: Prof. Abba Zubairu || Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Saleh Yuguda
(3) Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN):
Board Chairperson: Prof. Afolabi Lesi || Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Fatima Kyari
(4) Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN):
Board Chairperson: Pharm. Wasilat Giwa || Chief Executive Officer: Pharm. Ibrahim Ahmed
(5) Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN):
Board Chairperson: Dr. Babajide Salako || Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Tosan Erhabor
(6) Moddibo Adama University Teaching Hospital, Yola (MAUTH):
Chief Medical Director / Chief Executive Officer: Prof. Adamu Girei Bakari
(7) Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua (ISTH):
Chief Medical Director / Chief Executive Officer: Prof. Reuben Eifediyi
Futhermore, as part of efforts to bolster the resiliency of Nigeria’s public health surveillance and security architecture, President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer for the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to assume office on February 19, 2024:
(😎 Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC):
Director-General / Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Olajide Idris
Moreover, it is pertinent to note that President Tinubu has painstakingly considered the wealth of experience of each qualified and aforementioned Nigerian, who will be tasked with driving his Renewed Hope Agenda in the sector, some details of which include the following:
New NCDC Director-General/CEO, Dr. Olajide Idris, received his MBBS degree from the University of Lagos’ College of Medicine, after which he obtained a Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH) from the Ivy League’s Yale University in Connecticut, United States of America. He would go on to serve as the Commissioner of Health in Lagos State from 2007 to 2019, after serving as the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Health from 1999 to 2007.
New NBSC Chairperson, Prof. Abba Zubairu, PhD, has served as the Medical Director of the world-leading Mayo Clinic in the United States of America, following a long career in which he served as a Resident Doctor at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) Hospital as a Post-Doctoral Fellow, and undertook a Clinical Fellowship at the Harvard Medical School’s Transfusion Medicine Programme during which he obtained a Master’s degree in Clinical Science at the same institution.
New MDCN CEO, Dr. Fatima Kyari, PhD, is a renowned ophthalmologist and Fellow of the Nigeria Academy of Medicine (FNAMed) who obtained an MBBS degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, after which she obtained a Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH) from the University of London’s School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine before she obtained a Doctorate degree in Public Health from the same institution.
The President expects that the new leadership across this critical human development sector will substantially raise the standard of healthcare service delivery for the exclusive benefit of all strata of the Nigerian population as his administration is committed to implementing a whole-of-government approach to transforming the sector to enhance aggregate national quality of life and productivity. Owing to the high cost of historical underperformance in the sector, the President anticipates the immediate and effective implementation of new policy frameworks to reposition the sector under the able leadership of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
February 15, 2024
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU TO 36 STATE GOVERNORS: THERE MUST BE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR INCOMPETENCE; SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS TO BOOST FOOD PRODUCTION AND REMOVE RENT SEEKERS
President Bola Tinubu says his administration is evolving home-grown solutions to address the nation’s food security challenges by setting up schemes to support local production and discourage all forms of rent-seeking that are associated with food importation.
The President made the declaration at a meeting with 36 state governors, attended by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, and some ministers at the State House in Abuja on Thursday.
On security, President Tinubu approved the establishment of a committee comprising state governors and representatives of the federal government to, among other things, explore the modalities for establishing state police.
The President further endorsed the training and equipping of forest rangers by sub-national governments to safeguard human and natural resources in local communities.
”My position at this meeting is that we must move aggressively and establish a committee to look critically at the issues raised, including the possibility of establishing state police.
”From Kano, we have read reports about large-scale hoarding of food in some warehouses. The National Security Adviser (NSA), the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services should coordinate very closely and ensure that security agencies in the states inspect such warehouses with follow up action.
”We must ensure that speculators, hoarders, and rent seekers are not allowed to sabotage our efforts in ensuring the wide availability of food to all Nigerians.
”What I will not do is to set a price control board. I will not also approve the importation of food. We should be able to get ourselves out of the situation we found ourselves in, because importation will allow rent seekers to perpetrate fraud and mismanagement at our collective expense. We would rather support farmers with the schemes that will make them go to the farm and grow more food for everyone in the country.
”We must also look at the rapid but thoughtful implementation of our livestock development and management plans, including dairy farming and others,” the President stated.
President Tinubu urged the governors to trust the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) with the management of the country’s monetary policy, emphasizing the importance of allowing designated institutions to fulfill their mandate effectively.
He said the ”cacophony of postulations” on the fluctuation of foreign exchange rates was unduly affecting the market negatively.
”Every one of us can not be an expert. If we have given someone an assignment, let us allow them to do it. If they can not do it, then we find a way to quickly get them out of the system,” the President affirmed.
President Tinubu asked the governors to always make the welfare and prosperity of the people a priority of their development programmes, assuring them that the federal government will continue to work diligently to improve the nation’s revenue profile.
At the meeting, the President and the governors emphasized the importance of working together to address issues of insecurity, food security, and out-of-school children.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for convening the meeting and affirmed the governors’ commitment to partnering closely with the federal government.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
February 15, 2024
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU APPROVES LEADERSHIP CHANGES IN THE HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SECTOR
As part of a holistic approach to repositioning the national housing and urban development sector to meet the present and future needs of Nigerian families nationwide, President Bola Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the executive management teams of parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development:
Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN):
(1) Managing Director / CEO — Mr. Shehu Usman Osidi
(2) Executive Director (Finance & Corporate Services) — Mr. Ibidapo Odojukan
(3) Executive Director (Loans & Mortgage Services) — Mr. Muhammad Sani Abdu
(4) Executive Director (Business Development & Portfolios) — Ms. Chinenye Anosike
Federal Housing Authority (FHA):
(1) Managing Director / CEO — Hon. Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo
(2) Executive Director (Housing Finance & Accounts) — Mr. Mathias Terwase Byuan
(3) Executive Director (Business Development) — Mr. Umar Dankane Abdullahi
(4) Executive Director (Project Implementation) — Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye
(5) Executive Director (Estate Services) — Arc. Ezekiel Nya-Etok
New FMBN CEO, Mr. Shehu Osidi, is a banker with over 30 years of work experience, including 13 years of experience in mortgage banking. He is an alumnus of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government as well as the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Housing Finance.
New FHA CEO, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, is a former Member of the House of Representatives with over a decade of work experience in the housing and hospitality industries. He holds a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Greenwich, United Kingdom.
In view of President Bola Tinubu’s historic approval of the establishment of Building Materials Hubs across all six of the nation’s geo-political zones; financing and establishment of a National Social Housing Fund for low income and vulnerable groups, and land reforms to collaboratively streamline access to land across all states and unlock nearly $300 billion of dead capital in the sector, his expectations are high that the above-named appointees will hit the ground running in the delivery of affordable housing for millions of Nigerians in need, while providing millions of new job opportunities for Nigeria’s talented youth population presently searching for work.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
February 15, 2024
High expectations as Julius Berger sets to execute rehabilitation of Cotonou roads
