Connect with us

Metro

Mutfwang Promises Business-friendly Environment in Plateau

Published

on

Share

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating a friendly environment to enable businesses to thrive in the state.

Mutfwang gave his word during a technical session and statewide townhall meeting on Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER), on Tuesday in Jos.

The meeting was organised under the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

PEBEC was established in July 2016 to drive Nigeria’s business environment reform.

PEBEC’s mission is to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria by implementing reforms that promote a more conducive business environment.

Represented by Samuel Jatau, the Secretary to the State Government, Mutfwang vowed to make Plateau one of the most business-friendly states in Nigeria.

The governor emphasised that the ease of doing business had become a top priority of the state government.

He noted that the state had made significant progress in implementing actionable reforms, which had helped to attract investors and promote economic growth.

“We are doing more in the area of ease of doing business because when we assumed office, Plateau was ranked number 14 in ease of doing business in Nigeria

“Last year, we improved and moved to number 10. We are expecting the new ranking to come out before the end of this year, and we expect to move up a little bit.

“And so once we move up, you will now see how we are doing better. So we are doing a lot in attracting more investors into Plateau,” he said.

Mutfwang, who thanked Plateau citizens for their prayers and support, called on the business community in the state to partner with the government to build a more thriving economy.

The Director-General of PEBEC, Zahrah Audu, explained that the ongoing nationwide subnational tour was aimed at strengthening state-level ownership of reform initiatives.

Audu explained that the move also aimed at deepening the implementation of SABER across the country.

She explained that part of PEBEC’s mandate was to translate national policies to the subnational level, ensuring that reforms were tailored to meet the specific needs of each state.

She also said that PEBEC was a World Bank funded project geared towards promoting economic growth and development.

“The sessions are to assess the state’s business reform progress, galvanise multi-stakeholder participation, and reaffirm the commitment of government.

“The move includes the private sector and development partners towards creating a more enabling and competitive business environment,” Audu said. 

Metro

S’West Doctors threaten Strike over Unfavorable Allowances

Published

on

Share

Torough David, Abuja

The South-West Caucus of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said its members may embark on strike if the unfavorable allowances introduced for doctors by the Federal Government is not withdrawn.

The caucus, which comprised Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun and Ondo states, said this at a news conference in Osogbo on Tuesday.

Dr Adeniyi Fasanu, the Caucus Chairman, stated that the recent circular issued by the National Salary, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) concerning doctors (increased) allowances, is not in tandem with economic reality.

Fasanu, who is also the Osun State NMA Chairman, said the national leadership of NMA had given the Federal Government 21-day ultimatum to withdraw the circular.

He said the southwest caucus aligns with national leadership of the NMA in demanding for: immediate correction of inconsequential adjustment in alignment with the 2001, 2009 and 2014 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).

“Full payment of 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and comprehensive review of the fund to reflect current economic realities,” he said

Dr Olumuyiwa Alonge, Ondo NMA Chairman, said the FG did not consult them before announcing the allowances.

Alonge said this was the time medical doctors needed to be motivated as there was a serious shortage of doctors in the country, with a ratio of one doctor to 10,000 patients.

Speaking, Dr Ifedayo Oreyemi, Ekiti State NMA Chairman, said 2,000 doctors leave the country yearly, adding that if doctors’ welfare was not given adequate attention, doctors would continue to leave the country for greener pasture.

Ogun State NMA Chairman, Dr Luqman Ogunjimi said the NWIC circular on doctor’s allowances would discourage doctors that were already overworked and underpaid, to want to remain and practice in the Nigerian health sector.

Oyo State NMA Chairman, Dr. Happy Adedapo said the government needed to be responsive to the plight of doctors, saying the allowance being introduced was insignificant against the rising inflation in the country.

The caucus, among their 18 demands, also ask for the implementation of the 2021 hazard allowance agreement, and implementation of the revised retirement age for medical and dental practitioners.

They said if the Federal Government failed to attend to their demands, the caucus would convene an emergency meeting to advise their members appropriately in concert with the national leadership of NMA.

ReplyReply allForwardAdd reaction
Continue Reading

Metro

Don Urges Curricula Reform to Include African Perspectives in Science, Logic

Published

on

Share

Torough David, Abuja

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Oseni Afisi, on Tuesday called for reform of Nigeria’s education curricula to include African perspectives in science, logic and ethics.

Afisi made the call while delivering the 108th LASU Inaugural Lecture Series at the university’s main campus, Ojo.

Afisi is a Professor of Philosophy of Science, Logic and Critical Rationalism at the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, LASU.

Afisi’s lecture was entitled ‘The Oracle and the Open Society: Rethinking of Evolution of Authority and the Pursuit of Epistemical Justice in African Philosophical Thought’.

The inaugural lecturer said that teaching reforms should also emphasise dialogical reasoning, moral accountability and critical thinking rooted in local languages.

“Curricula at all levels of education must be reformed to include African perspectives in science, logic and ethics.

“Beyond token inclusion, educational content should reflect the depth, complexity and contemporary relevance of African philosophies.

“Teaching methods should emphasise dialogical reasoning, moral accountability, and critical thinking rooted in local languages, oral traditions and community experiences.

“Textbooks and materials should be developed to support these aims,” he said.

He said that scholars must rise to the challenge of rethinking epistemology beyond the western cannon.

“Scholars should embrace epistemic pluralism by critically engaging indigenous knowledge systems and legitimising their knowledge within global discourse.

“Research must not only be methodologically rigorous but also socially responsive.

“Interdisciplinary work that bridges philosophy, science and African worldviews should be encouraged through collaborative platforms and funding schemes,” he added.

He said that there was an urgent need to institutionalise plural approaches to knowledge.

He also said that national policies should formally recognise and regulate the interface between biomedicine and traditional healing system.

“Artificial Intelligence systems must be built with transparency, fairness and communal accountability at their core.

“Algorithmic decision-making tools should be subjected to ethical scrutiny informed by African communitarian ethics such as Ubuntu.

“Innovation hubs and tech curricula should incorporate training in philosophy of technology and digital ethics from African perspectives,” he said.

According to Afisi, the lecture was not merely about comparing African and Western systems of knowledge.

“It is about addressing a deeper concern: the epistemic injustice suffered by African traditions under colonialism and their continued marginalisation in our institutions today.

“It is about reclaiming the integrity of indigenous epistemologies, engaging critically with global thought systems.

 “Let us, therefore, re-imagine African societies where technological advancement is tempered by moral insight, where education is guided by critical consciousness and where governance reflects dialogue and dignity.

“May the African open society not be a borrowed idea, but a living tradition, critically reconstructed, philosophically grounded and ethically sustained,” he said.

Continue Reading

Metro

I was Pressured to Abandoned Benue Anti-open Grazing Law – Ortom

Published

on

Share

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom yesterday alleged that he faced severe pressure from the immediate past administration of Muhammad Buhari to abandon the implementation of the anti-open grazing law in the state.

He further revealed  that his refusal to step down the law as demanded by Buhari Govt, also denied him  N75 billion grant given to other states governors to clear salary arrears of civil servants, gratuities of pensioners and  infrastructural development.

Ortom, who disclosed this during a media interaction held at his residence in Makurdi on Thursday, explained that, at first, he was offered N40 Billion  free interest loan for infrastructural developments and another N35 billion to clear salary, gratuities of civil servants and pensioners.

“So, I was pressured to abandoned the law but I said no and I  was denied N75 billion in all, including taken free interest loan from infrastructural bank to finance development projects and clear salary and gratuities civil servants and pensioners because of my stance to defend my people”

“That was why the killings could not stop. Is not all about anti open grazing law. It is Fulani herdsmen agenda. Their plans to chase us out of our land. It’s about land grabbing and so, we must not allow it to happen. We should continue to pray for the governor of Benue State, Fr. Alia, the SGF and President Tinubu to succeed”, Ortom stated.

Speaking on the clamour by some northern politicians for power to return back to the north, Chief alluded that he stands with southerners to continue with the presidency comes 2027.

He maintained that in line with the gentlemanly agreement of rotating the presidency from North to South, he insisted that the South be allowed to complete its eight years before the baton returned to the northern part of the country.

“Till today, I, Ortom, believe in the southern presidency, even if my party (PDP) is producing a candidate for presidency in 2027, the candidate must be from the South. South should be allowed to complete eight years.

“So, for me, I am not supporting a northern candidate. But we will do strategic partnerships to win elections. I will encourage it. Samuel Ortom believed in the southern presidency. I will not support the northern presidency in 2027. It was a gentleman’s agreement that power should rotate between north and south”, Ortom stated. Even if my party is bringing a candidate from the south, we need to scrutinize the people before he can be accepted”.

Asked to assess the president’s administration, Ortom applauded the ongoing reforms of President Bola Tinubu, stating that the reforms were adding value to the economy.

“The Tinubu administration is doing well, je is ensuring that the rule of law prevails and this is good for our country.

“The oil industry had been a place where a few cliques siphoned our common wealth but with the removal of subsidy, there is a lot of money in all the states.

“The president even stated this during his visit to Benue at the height of the killing of our people in Yelwata where he said that no state would say it doesn’t have money to pay salary.

“Also, the tax reform is a good step, and the ongoing reforms will help our economy to grow, Tinubu is not partisan, his dream is to make the country grow.

While castigating Buhari’s administration the former governor said that the Buhari administration took the country from ‘top to bottom’.

Ortom who is now member of Board of Trustee of the Peoples Democratic Party said, he is not part of coalition, adding that he is a bona fide member of PDP, leader of PDP and member of BoT of the party which made him not to think of going out of the party.

“I remain a member and leader of Peoples Democratic Party, am even a board member of my party and I don’t believe in coalition but where there’s need for strategic partnership you will see me there.

“Politics is a game of interest, no permanent enemy or permanent friend, but permanent interest. I don’t believe in the coalition movement. President Tinubu is doing very well.

ReplyReply allForwardAdd reaction
Continue Reading

Advertisement

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS1 hour ago

Minister Describes Death of Leon Usigbe as Monumental Loss

ShareBy Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris has described the death of Dr Leon Usigbe,...

NEWS19 hours ago

Unique Secondary School Expands Outreach, Honors Ogbodo, Launches Scholarships

ShareBy David Torough, Abuja Unique Secondary School Makurdi (USSM), a leading private educational institution in Benue State, continues to make...

Foreign News1 day ago

Zelensky Announces New Draft Law on Anti-corruption Bodies after Protests

ShareUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he has approved the text of a draft law guaranteeing the freedom of two anti-corruption...

Entertainment/Arts/Culture1 day ago

Spotify Spotlights Fola, Thakzin as Africa’s Next Music Icons

ShareSpotify has announced Nigerian Afrobeats talent, Fola and South African Afro House DJ and producer, Thakzin, as part of its...

NEWS1 day ago

Why I Quit Banking for Music – CDQ

ShareNigerian rapper CDQ has revealed that he left a stable banking job to pursue his true passion, music. In an...

Entertainment/Arts/Culture1 day ago

Popular Chinese Singer Executed by Firing Squad over Murder of Girlfriend

SharePopular Chinese actor and singer, Zhang Yiyang has been executed for the murder of his underage girlfriend. Zhang Yiyang became...

NEWS1 day ago

Aba state: Stop Attacking Ikonne’s Patriotic Call, Analyst Warns Gov Otti

Share… Says EX-NALDA Boss Means Well, Patriotic By Mike Odiakose, Abuja A researcher and political analyst based in Abia state,...

Entertainment/Arts/Culture1 day ago

Why Igbo Men Struggle in Politics – Pete Edochie

ShareVeteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, has stirred controversy with a bold statement about Igbo politicians, claiming they are not adept...

NEWS1 day ago

TRANSCORP Hotels PLC Reports Strong Performance ,Delivers N1.024BN Interim Dividend

ShareTranscorp Hotels Plc (“Transcorp Hotels” or the “Company”) (NGX: TRANSCOHOT), the hospitality subsidiary of Transnational Corporation Plc (“Transcorp Group”), has...

Entertainment/Arts/Culture1 day ago

Wizkid Becomes First African Artiste to Hit Nine Billion Streams on Spotify

ShareNigerian singer, Ayodeji Balogun, aka Wizkid, has surpassed nine billion streams across all credits on Spotify. He became the first...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc