NEWS
i-DICE Programme will Redefine Nation’s Digital, Creative Landscape – Shettima
The Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, has expressed optimism that the $617.7million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) Programme would redefine the nation’s digital and creative landscape.
Shettima said this on Wednesday at the inauguration of a technical committee to kick start the programme, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
I-DICE Programme, a collaborative effort between the government and international partners, including the Bank of Industry (BoI), African Development Bank (AfDB), French Development Agency (FDA) and Islamic Development Bank (IDB), aims to nurture and empower enterprises in the digital and creative sectors.
The National Economic Council (NEC) had, at its last meeting in March, endorsed the implementation of the programme in the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Vice-President, who described the development as the dawn of a new era in Nigeria, revealed that the Ministry of Finance had been mandated to ensure the expeditious disbursement of funds for the iDICE Programme.
This, according to him, will pave the way for its swift implementation.
“We’ll embark on a journey of innovation, collaboration and boundless opportunities
“A journey that holds the power to redefine the trajectory of our nation’s digital and creative landscape.”
Shettima highlighted the significance of the partnerships forged with institutions, describing them as a “convergence of vision and purpose” in pursuit of shared prosperity.
He commended the meticulous preparations undertaken by the Ministry of Finance and partners, affirming the programme’s readiness to unleash its full potential.
“With every condition met, we stand poised to unleash the full force of i-DICE upon the world.”
He applauded the accomplishments of members of the programme coordination Unit, over the past year, including its establishment, procurement of fund managers and engagement with ecosystem stakeholders.
The Vice-President described them as a testament to Nigeria’s indomitable spirit of innovation.
According to Shettima, the programme represents a catalyst for transformation and a beacon of hope for future generations.
Earlier, Chairman of the Technical Committee on the I-DICE programme, Mr Tope Fasua, noted that i-DICE’s substantial financial backing underscored the programme’s potential to drive transformative change in Nigeria’s digital and creative sectors.
Fasua, who is also the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, (Office of the Vice-President), disclosed that the selection of fund managers for the programme was being conducted through an open and transparent process.
According to him, the process is guided by the African Development Bank (AfDB) to ensure that the best-qualified firms are entrusted with managing the programme’s financial resources.
He said AfDB had completed all necessary documentation and was ready to disburse funds, subject to agreed terms.
“Similarly, the French Development Agency (AFD) has signed the required documents, pending internal processes.
“The Islamic Development Bank (ISDB) is in the final stages, with one last document awaiting approval from the Ministry of Finance.
“With the groundwork laid, the committee anticipates the first drawdown of funds on April 15th, marking a significant milestone in the programme’s implementation.”
Fasua expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, contribute and impact society and the nation’s human capital and economic development. (NAN)
Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo has ordered immediate freezing of all the state bank accounts until further notice.Okpebholo gave the directive in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Fred Itua, on Thursday in Benin.He warned that non-compliance by commercial banks as well as heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) would result in severe penalties.
“All bank accounts in all commercial banks are now frozen. Commercial banks must ensure strict adherence and prevent any withdrawal from government accounts until further notice,” the statement said. Okpebholo stated that necessary investigations and financial reconciliations would determine subsequent actions.He also ordered the reversal of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to the old Ministry of Works with immediate effect.The governor cited what he called lack of completed bridges or significant road projects as a justification for changing the ministry of roads and bridges back to ministry of works.“It is ironic that despite its name, the ministry did not construct a single bridge, not even a pedestrian one,” he said.The governor directed immediate implementation and reflection of the new name across official documents and platforms. (NAN)
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC Ltd.) says it has achieved 1.8 million barrels per day crude production following continuous dislodgement of pipeline vandals and crude oil thieves.Mr Lawal Musa, Chief Production War Room Officer, NNPC Ltd., said this on Thursday in Abuja during a briefing on NNPC Ltd.
production.Musa, who is also the Senior Business Advisor to Malam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), NNPC Ltd. , said that the achievement was based on the collaboration between the leadership of NNPC, stakeholders and security agencies. “We achieved this because of the clear mandate by President Bola Tinubu to ramp up crude oil production in the country,” Musa said. (NAN)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has admitted the co-defendants in alleged money laundering charge filed against the immediate-past Governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to administrative bail.EFCC’s counsel, Jamiu Agoro, informed Justice Maryann Anenih of an Abuja High Court on Thursday upon resumed hearing in the charge.
The former governor, alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are being prosecuted as 1st to 3rd defendants, respectively, in a fresh 16-count charge instituted against them by the anti-graft agency. Agoro also sought for adjournment in the fresh case the EFCC instituted against the ex-governor, saying the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued. running.The EFCC, however, said, it admitted Bello ‘s alleged co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, to bail and prayed the court for extension of time for the Bello to appear.At the resumed hearing before Justice Maryann Anenih , Counsel for EFCC, Jamiu Agoro, said the order of the court, given on Oct 3 had not elapsed.“In that wise, we feel it will not be appropriate for us to take proceedings while that 30 days is still running.” So we have discussed and agreed to come back on the Nov 27,” he told the court.He also noted that the Nov 20 date earlier given was not convenient for the Prosecution counsel.Counsel to the 2nd Defendant, Aliyu Saiki, SAN, confirmed that his client had been granted administrative bail by the Prosecution.He said he had no objection to the application for adjournment.The 3rd Defendant’s Counsel, ZE Abass, concurred also.The prosecution Counsel also asked the court to grant an application to paste the notice of hearing on the last known address of the former governor.After listening to all counsel, the judge granted the EFCC’s application for adjournment, including the hearing notice.“I have considered the application for adjournment by the complainant and issuance of hearing notice and the submission by the 2nd and 3rd Defendants. The application is granted,” she said.Justice Anenih thereby adjourned the case until Nov 27.Report says that Justice Anenih had on Oct. 3, 2024 issued a public summon against Bello following his absence in a fresh arraignment on 16-count charges preferred against him by the EFCC.Justice Anenih issued the summon in a ruling following an ex parte application by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN praying the court to grant leave that Bello should be served the charge via substituted means.The court ordered that the charge should be served on Bello at his known residence, No 4, Bengazi Street, Maitama, Abuja, through a public summons to be published in widely circulated national newspapers and also pasted within the premises of the court.(NAN)
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