COVER
Obasanjo in Closed Door Meeting with Babangida in Minna
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From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday had a closed door meeting running into hours with former Military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (retd) as he marked his 80th birthday in his country home in Minna, Niger state.
Although another former military Head of state General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd) was early arrival at Babangida’s house, he excused himself before the closed door meeting commenced.
Journalists, who had gone to cover the birthday celebrations, were also asked out of the meeting, which far reaching discussions including 2023 elections were deliberated.
Obasanjo, who flew in from Abuja, arrived Babangida residence and the main sitting room was cleared of all guests to allow for private discussions.
No one was privy to the discussion of Generals Babangida and Obasanjo as newsmen were disallowed from moving beyond the first security post to the IBB house.
Others who reportedly visited to rejoice with IBB were former Senate President Bukola Saraki, National Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Uche Seconds, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Ben Obi, and Senator Philip Aduda.
The list also includes General Aliyu Gusau (retd), who was National Security Adviser during the administration of the celebrant, Media Mogul Chief Raymond Dokpesi, diplomats and members of the organised private sector.
Virtually all those who visited presented gifts to the former military president.
On Monday a lecture and presentation of a book on General Babangida took place in Minna where the Publisher of Blueprint Newspaper, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, who was represented by his Media Aide Alhaji Jibrin Ndace, stressed the need for people to be celebrated when they are alive to serve as motivation to the upcoming generation.
He noted that the present generation, especially, youths had a lot to learn from General Babangida on how he managed to keep Nigeria one despite daunting challenges as military president.
He, therefore, appealed to Nigerian youths to “stop the blame game” and focus on how to make the country prosperous and greater than it presently is.
“The biggest lesson to be learnt from the leadership of former military president Ibrahim Babangida is ability to take decisions at the right time and stand by that decision, take responsibility for such action”
The Niger state government later purchased 100 copies of the book for N2m while Alhaji Malagi, the Niger State House of Assembly through its Speaker Alhaji Abdullahi Bawa Wuse but the same number of copies for N1.5m each.
The book titled “The Pyrography of A General” was authored by Ibrahim Mohammed Muye and the lecture was organised by the Youth Congress of Niger state.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus and the Vice Presidential candidate of the party in 2019 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, had joined other admirers and associates of IBB to eulogize him at his 80th birthday reception at his Hiltop residence in Minna, Niger state.
Prince Secondus, who led some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to Minna, said the party was happy to be part of the 80th birthday ceremony as they always identified with great leaders who served this country well.
“Gen Babangida is our father, he is the father of the Nation, we will continue to identify with him”
The PDP leader said that General Babangida served this country wholeheartedly and his records of achievements speak for itself.
In a special Christian prayer during the prayer session for the celebrant, Prince Secondus asked God to grant him more years ahead on earth so that the country can continue tap on his wisdom and talent.
He said that more than ever before this country needs the deep wise counsel of General Babangida at this time and prayed God to grant him and his household the peace that is needed for his longevity.
In his own remarks, the former Anambra state Governor Obi said that IBB’s economic policy during his time is what is needed to salvage this country now.
Obi said that traders and bankers like him had their best during the era of Gen Babangida because under him Aba and Onitsha flourished and that meant a lot for them.
Obi also prayed God to grant Gen Babangida more years as he, Obi desires to return to Minna to celebrate his 90th birthday.
Former Head of state, Gen Abdulsami Abubakar, former Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki, former National Security Adviser Gen Aliyu Gusau, Governors among others graced the solemn occasion.
COVER
BOI Restates Commitment to Local Manufacturing, Job Creation
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Managing Director of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Mr Olasupo Olusi has reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting local manufacturing in Nigeria.Olusi said this when he visited the GU Ebeco facility and inspected ongoing projects at the Nisa Medical and Zeberced Group at the Idu Industrial Layout, Abuja yesterday.
He expressed delight at the progress made so far at the various facilities while commending the chief executives of the organisations, urging them to do more. During the visit to the GU Ebeco, the BOI boss emphasised the importance of job creation and the need for their products to proudly bear the “Made in Nigeria” label.Olusi praised GU Ebeco’s progress over the past seven years, applauding its expansion into a national enterprise with over 1,500 employees and several facilities across the country.“I am very happy with the fact that BOI has supported this enterprise for the last seven years. It is wonderful to see that it has grown.“It employs 1,500 staff, and operates a national distribution system. We are proud of the significant role GU Ebeco is playing in the Nigerian manufacturing landscape,” he said.The BOI boss also commended the loan repayment performance of the company saying it had taken multiple facilities from the BOI. He encouraged other young entrepreneurs to stay focused, while assuring them of BOI’s commitment to supporting them and Nigeria’s industrialisation efforts.Responding Mr Ebere Uzozie, Managing Director of GU Ebeco, expressed his appreciation for the continued support from the BOI.“We are grateful for the Bank of Industry’s backing. Their loans have helped us expand and create lasting change. We now have 34 facilities, and we are debt-free.” We are optimistic the visit will mark a new chapter for the company, and will ensure further growth and partnerships that will contribute to Nigeria’s industrial future,” Uzozie said.at the Zeberced Group, its Managing Director, Mr Aydin Kurt, said that Nigeria had lots of potential and could be the future of the world.While acknowledging the country’s potential in industrialisation, he emphasised the importance of producing locally in Nigeria rather than relying on imports.Kurt also appealed for more collaboration with the BOI to promote industrialisation, create jobs and help grow the economy.“I cannot do it alone. we have to come together and create a synergy to attract different investors to come and also invest in this country.“This is our vision we have a lot to share with you, and thank you once again for visiting our corporations,” he said.Responding, the BOI managing director said that the bank was keen on infrastructure and committed to supporting industrious infrastructure.“This project is very important to us and a critical objective for the county and, in that spirit, we have decided that we will continue to support the proliferation of industrial parts across the nation.Why yours is so unique is because it has a plan for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which is very important.“We have a mandate to support that particular segment of our economy because they are the ones that champion job creation and most of the growth of the economy is attributed to them,” Olusi said.The BOI boss thanked Zeberced Group for the opportunity while commending the groups’ vision, energy and optimism to carry the project forward.“We look forward to our partnership. Like I said, we all want to be parts and parcel of this project, we have already given you some money to implement it, and we will see how we can do more.“As you expand we will support, but you have to also show us the job creation numbers, and make sure your goods are branded made in Nigeria,” he said.The News Agency of Nigeria reports that GU Ebeco is a furniture company while Zeberced is a construction company. NANCOVER
FRSC Unveils App to Mitigate Road Crashes Impact
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By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has unveiled an app to boost efficiency and mitigate the impact of road accidents in the country.Speaking at the event yesterday in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume explained that the app was designed to digitalize FRSC operations for effective traffic management.
The SGF who described the current rate of accidents as a great concern to the present administration, urged the FRSC management to involve stakeholders in the implementation of the app to monitor motorists and curb the excesses of FRSC officers and personnel. The Chairman, House Committee on Road Safety, Abiodun Adeshida said the National Assembly was ready to review the 2007 Federal Road Safety Corps Act for more efficient service delivery.The Kenyan Ambassador to Nigeria, Isaac Parashina said African countries have a lot to learn from the FRSC’s experience in addressing the high rate of road crashes across the continent.According to the him, Africans must come together and provide homegrown solutions to address road safety challenges.In his welcome remarks, the Corps Marshal FRSC, Shehu Mohammed stated that the innovation was part of efforts to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration on the use of the new technology to strengthen the commitment of road users and enhancing road safety operations.Mohammed said the corps would embark on aggressive sensitization in all motor parks and town hall meetings for stakeholders to key into the new technology.The Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Mohammed Bulama expressed confidence that the new technology would bring sanity to Nigerian roads.Dr Bulama commended FRSC management for the new operational initiative and pledged FRCN’s continued support to every program to reduce death and enhance economic activities in the country.The Acting President, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Isa Ore said leaders in the transport sector would contribute to the success of the application in saving lives on the highway.Other stakeholders in the transport sector promised to support FRSC in enforcing traffic laws and protect lives and property on Nigerian roads.COVER
Lokpobiri Meets Shettima, Denies Involvement in Petrol Price Hike
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By David Torough, Abuja
Minister of State (Oil) Petroleum Resources Heineken Lokpobiri yesterday denied that the Federal Government is responsible for the Tuesday increase in the price of petrol, saying it is a function of deregulation.The latest hike in the price of petrol has pushed up transport fares by over 50 percent in major cities across Nigeria.
The increase implemented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) Retail Management ranges from N855 to N897 per litre, depending on the location from the previous N568-N617. Independent marketers have adjusted their prices to between N930 and N1,200 per litre of petrol.The minister denied FG’s involvement while addressing State House correspondents after a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja.Shettima had summoned Lokpobiri along with the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Mele Kyari and the National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu over the recent hike in the price of petrol.Lokpobiri said, “This sector is deregulated. And we believe that with the availability of products, the price will find its level.“What is important is that the product is available in the country. Between now and weekend, there will be availability of the product across the length and breadth of the country.“We believe that by the time there is availability of the product across the country, the price itself will stabilise.”Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said regulatory efforts were geared toward stabilising supply of petrol in the country, which he said would impact positively on stability of price.Okuoha said, “The objective of the regulator is to ensure that there’s increased operating hours from all loading depots; vessels are being cleared promptly and extended hours where safety can permit truck outs as well.“More importantly also is the reinforcement of the support being given to local refinancing, because with increased production there will be higher supply, which will stabilise the price.”Despite making its product available, the Federal Government has not started lifting petrol from the Dangote Refinery.Yesterday, Dangote Group refuted the claim in the media that NNPCL is currently lifting petrol from its refinery and selling at N897 per litre.A statement signed by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina said the company has not yet finalised any contract with NNPCL.The statement entitled, “NNPC yet to lift our petrol” reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a headline “NNPC lifts Dangote Petrol, sells at N897 per litre” published in the BusinessDay Newspapers of Wednesday, 4 September 2024.“We would like to state that NNPCL has not commenced lifting of refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from our Dangote Petroleum Refinery.“Therefore, the issue of fixing the price of petrol lifted from our refinery does not arise, as we are yet to finalize our contract with NNPCL.“The PMS market is strictly regulated, which is known to all oil marketers and stakeholders in the sector, hence we cannot determine, fix, or influence the product price, which falls under the purview of relevant government authorities.“We urge the public to disregard the headline as it is misleading and does not represent the true position in this matter.“We are guaranteeing Nigerians of exceptionally high quality petroleum products that will be readily available all over the country.”