NEWS
Gambari Tasks Tertiary Institutions, Host Communities on Peaceful Coexistence
Fromc Lokoja
Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the Chief of Staff to former President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged tertiary institutions worldwide to embrace mutual and peaceful coexistence with host communities for accelerated development.
Prof. Ibrahim Gambari made the call at the 4th Distinguished Public Lecture of the Federal University, Lokoja.
He spoke on the topic titled “The Relevance of University Education in Innovation for the Advancement of Town and Gown Symbiosis”.
He described Lokoja as a critical launching pad for what the future holds for the country, reason why the Federal University Lokoja must through research and her contributions to knowledge seek way of ensuring her relevance.
He said universities like that of Lokoja has witnessed an expansion in terms of size, and an overall improvement of other services and quality of life, reason why the need for a symbiotic relationship between the town and the gown.
“A university with a student population in the tens of thousands is suddenly unable to function due to the physical absence of students. People whose sole occupation evolved around the presence of these students were suddenly caught off guard, from the shoe shiner/cobbler to commuter buses/ porters in the hostels who relied on daily tips. All the way to Landlords who rented off-campus housing to students were suddenly caught in a very difficult position.
“These developments do not happen without a firmly established basis for cooperation and collaboration between the Town & Gown components” stressing the relevance of a University Education relative to innovation.
According to Prof. Gambari, “The Gown must be cognizant of not isolating themselves and ensure they descend from their ivory tower and engage with the town, build inroads into the community, and embrace them with open arms and finding a way to embed them into the campus. The town on the other, should also understand the enormous responsibilities that comes with playing host, to a very diverse group of people young and old, who may not fully understand the nuances of their cultures, societal norms and traditions and learn to accommodate by being warm, friendly and hospitable.”
Prof. Gambari described the relationship between Town and Gown in academic circles as an “arranged marriage” in which partners have no choice, but to be together, secondly, divorce is not a realistic option for the town-gown partners. Infact, Town & Gown relationships are the true embodiment of the phrase “till death do us part.”
Prof. Gambari advocated, “environment and Community Development that continues to support the development of ideas by students and staff towards innovation in supporting host communities and the entire state, describing it as an example of Town and Gown collaboration he witnessed.
The guest speaker noted that the ability to maximize the potential of the Town and Gown relationship, completely resides in partners commitment to align their priorities and have a harmonious working relationship.
While observing that the campus and the town should have mutual concerns about shared facilities, utilities, cultural centers, social centers, safety and health, population management, economic development and land use, the demand for these services he added is constantly evolving, pointing out that there is never an ending need to manage them in the present as well as plan for them in the future.
Prof. Gambari also observed that neither the school nor the town can have the economic means to take on the complete burden of satisfying these needs.
NEWS
FAAC: FG, States, LGs Share N1.727 Trillion November Revenue
The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), has shared N1.727 trillion among the Federal Government, states, and Local Government Councils (LGCs) for November.
This is contained in a communiqué issued after the FAAC meeting on Thursday in Abuja.
According to the communiqué, the N1.
727 trillion total distributable revenue comprised statutory revenue of N455. 354 billion.It also comprised distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N585.
700 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N15.046 billion and Exchange Difference revenue of N671.392 billion.The communiqué indicated that total gross revenue of N3.143 trillion was available in the month of November.
“Total deduction for cost of collection was N103.307 billion, while total transfers, interventions, and refunds was N1.312 trillion,” it said.
It said that gross statutory revenue of N1.827 trillion was received for the month of November.
“This is higher than the sum of N1.336 trillion received in the month of October 2024 by N490.339 billion.
“Gross revenue of N628.972 billion was available from the VAT in November. This was lower than the N668.291 billion available in the month of October by N39.318 billion ” it said.
The communiqué said that from the N1.727 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received the total sum of N581.856 billion, and the state governments received N549.792 billion.
“The LGCs received the sum of N402.553 billion, and a total sum of N193.291 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue,” it said.
On the N455.354 billion statutory revenue, the communiqué said that the Federal Government received N175.690 billion, and the state governments received N89.113 billion.
It said that the LGCs received N68.702 billion, and the sum of N121.849 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.
“From the N585.700 billion VAT revenue, the Federal Government received N87.855 billion, the state governments received N292.850 billion, and the LGCs received N204.995 billion.
“A total sum of N2.257 billion was received by the Federal Government from the N15.046 billion EMTL. The state governments received N7.523 billion, and the LGCs received N5.266 billion,” it said.
It said that in November, Oil and Gas Royalty and CET Levies recorded significant increases, while Excise Duty, VAT, Import Duty, Petroleum Profit Tax, Companies Income Tax, and EMTL decreased considerably. (NAN)
NEWS
All Denominations of Naira Banknotes StIll valid – CBN Reassures
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says all denominations of Naira banknotes currently in circulation remain indefinitely valid as legal tender and cannot expire or be phased out.
A statement on Friday by CBN’s Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mrs Sidi Ali Hakama, said all banknotes including the old and new designs of N1,000, N500, and N200 were valid.
Hakama urged the public to disregard misinformation regarding the validity of the old notes.
“In line with the bank’s previous clarifications and to offer further assurance, the CBN wishes to reiterate that the subsisting Supreme Court ruling granted on November 29, 2023, permits the concurrent circulation of all versions of the N1,000, N500, and N200 denominations of the Naira indefinitely.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all versions of the Naira, including the old and new designs of N1000, N500, and 4200 denominations, as well as the commemorative and previous designs of the 100 denomination, remain valid and continue to be legal tender without any deadline.
“We, therefore, advise the public to disregard any claims that the old series of the aforementioned banknotes will cease to be legal tender on December 31, 2024.
“We urge Nigerians to continue accepting all Naira banknotes (both old and redesigned) for their daily transactions and to handle them with care to ensure their longevity,” she said.
The director encouraged the general public to embrace alternative modes of payment, such as e-channels, to reduce pressure on using physical cash. (NAN)
NEWS
Lekki Project: World Bank to Provide Technical Aids
The World Bank has concluded plans to provide technical assistance to the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) on the implementation of the Lekki Green Corridor Project.
The Lekki Green Corridor Project includes Rail and Bus Mass Transit infrastructure, Traffic Management and other components.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Seun Osiyemi, revealed this in a statement on Friday in Lagos.
Osiyemi noted that the provision of rail and bus mass transit in the Lekki region was a critical part of the state’s comprehensive Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP).
He added that the plan would incorporate additional features such as a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor to serve as a feeder system to the rail line.
He said that this initiative aligned with the Nigeria National Urban Mobility Programme spearheaded by the World Bank.
Osiyemi highlighted the significance of the Lekki Green Corridor project, describing it as a top priority.
“The Lekki-Epe axis is an emerging Central Business District (CBD) corridor.
“The project will complement the expansion of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and support key infrastructure developments, including the free trade zone, port, refinery, and airport in the area,” he said.
The World Bank delegation, led by the Urban Transport Specialist and the Task Team Leader, Elkin Bello, expressed the Bank’s strong interest in contributing to the development of sustainable public transportation on the Lekki Green corridor axis.
Bello noted the importance of a holistic approach to urban mobility and inquired about Lagos State’s plans for integrating the informal transport sector into the city’s formal transportation framework.
“It is critical to ensure that all stakeholders, especially informal transport operators, are part of the transformation process,” he said
Responding, the Managing Director of LAMATA, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, provided insights into the bus industry transition programme, designed to transition informal operators into the regulated system.
She recounted LAMATA’s efforts to involve transport union leadership in the development process and noted that they had been included in local and international exposure visits and training to learn best practices from more developed urban centers.
“Our vision is to create an inclusive transportation ecosystem that integrates operators while ensuring efficiency and sustainability,” she said.
Akinajo expressed optimism on the potential partnership with the World Bank, stating that with the support of the World Bank, the Lagos State Government would be taking a greater step toward achieving a world-class transportation system for Lagos State.
She added that this would manifest in providing a seamless and sustainable commuting experience for residents.
“This project is not just about infrastructure; it’s about enhancing mobility, improving quality of life, and driving economic growth in Lagos State,” she said. (NAN)