“End profligacy, emulate Zambia”, Tinubu told...Aba Wonder!... NNPC and the $3bn Afreximbank Emergency Loan...Floods shut billion Naira automated farms…plus South East Digest…

“End profligacy, emulate Zambia”

Nigerians have continued to urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to use opportunity of the ongoing leaner and leaner times to put an end to profligacy in Government’s management of the nation’s economic resources.  They cite as a special example the N16 billion being projected as vehicles costs for the incoming 48-member cabinet.  They urged the President to look inwards in the purchase of whatever vehicles are needed as they believe that local manufacturers like Innosons would supply marching specifications at far cheaper prices.  They are quick to draw attention to a current viral video where the Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema told top Zambian Government officials that the Government cannot provide them with V8 engine cars urging those interested to buy same from their own personal resources. 

Nigerians say that nobody needs a Landcruiser valued at around N170 million, one Prado Jeep valued at around N75 million, and two Hilux trucks valued at around N90 million in the face of today’s economic realities, to function as a Minister, particularly, where the funds are from Government coffers.

Photos of The Week

Zambian President on V8 vehicles.

 

Youngest Lecturer

Aba Wonder! – Governor Otti’s magic!!

Feedback on Cabinet selection

 

 

All eyes on the Judiciary.  Even nature is watching them!

NNPC and the $3bn Afreximbank Emergency Loan

Our Special Correspondent, Dr. Ifediora C. Amobi, writes on the $3bn Afrieximbank loan:

Last Wednesday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) announced that it had signed a Commitment Letter and secured a $3 billion emergency loan from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to stabilise the Naira.

The highlights of the loan are that (a) it will assist NNPC in settling taxes and royalties in advance; (b) it is a cash loan and not a crude-for-refined products swap as has been the practice in recent times; (c) repayment will come from the sale proceeds of future crude oil production; (d) there are no sovereign guarantees tied to this loan; (e) the exposure for NNPC is very limited as the loan covers just a fraction of their entitlements; and (f) it will equip the Federal Government with the necessary dollar liquidity to stabilise the Naira, with limited risk.

Nigeria has a total foreign debt of almost ₦50 trillion ($108 billion) as at March 2023, which has been a huge burden on the economy, and FGN is still borrowing more to “stabilize the Naira!” This raises a lot of questions. Where is the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Debt Management Office in this arrangement, or is it now the responsibility of NNPC to stabilize the Naira? How can Afreximbank approve a $3 billion loan without any guarantee, or is NNPC is planning to cede the production of crude to an Afreximbank interest so that repayment is guaranteed?

Why couldn't NNPC have settled its taxes and royalties all these years? If it’s because NNPC has not been profitable, what guarantee do Nigerians have that they will be able to repay $3 billion? By the way, have we ever seen NNPCs published accounts to even know how much is owed in taxes and royalties? Or are we borrowing to on-sell to the parallel market in order to increase the supply of dollars and crash the exchange rate? Maybe this is the “activated strategy” that CBN warned will result in huge losses to foreign exchange speculators if they do not stop speculating. Hmmm, totally mind-boggling I would say! 

FG set to build AI developers’ communities across Nigeria

The Federal Government through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to build Artificial Intelligence (AI) developers’ communities across the country.  The Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, disclosed this while receiving instructors and some beneficiaries of NITDA AI Developers Training (NAIDT) in Abuja. 

According to him, the communities would help shape the future of technology in the country.

The AI training was organized by NITDA, through its subsidiary, National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) in conjunction with Google Developers Group (GDG). Inuwa said the program, being the pilot phase in Abuja, had achieved its purpose and would be replicated in other states.

Highlighting the government’s plans for AI developers in Nigeria, Kashifu said: Highlighting the government’s plans for AI developers in Nigeria, Kashifu said:   “The vision is to create a community of developers across the country where people can come, learn and after that, they can teach others or start their businesses and impact society.  I believe we can start with three states this year, then strategize on how to extend it to other states; with time, extend it to local government areas.  This is driven by my firm belief that in Nigeria, our most valuable asset as a nation is our human capital.” 

He added that the NAIDT platform could be used to create indigenous super applications like generative AI and language modeling, then a Proof-of-Concept (POC) could be done with NITDA and then escalated government-wide. According to him, it will encourage the government’s digitization agenda.

Aba Power explains preference for only Innoson Vehicles

The recent decision by the board and management of Aba Power Limited, Nigeria’s newest electricity distribution firm, to patronise only Innoson vehicles is informed by not only patriotism but also the technical and cost competitiveness of the products, according to the managing director of the company, Patrick Umeh.

Umeh, the utility boss who used to be the commissioner in charge of markets, market rates and competition at the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), disclosed to newsmen in Aba, on Tuesday, after taking delivery of 25 brand new Innoson mini buses and six pick-up trucks to enhance the field operations of the power company’s staff, that Aba Power “has been using Innoson vehicles and we are satisfied with the performance.

“Even before we began operations last year at Aba Power, a member of the Geometric Power group founded and chaired by Professor Bart Nnaji, a former Minister of Power who has also been the Minister of Science and Technology, we were instructed to give priority attention to Nigerian-made products and services which meet our standards”.

Nnaji was one of the leading scientists and engineers in the world before he left the United States for Nigeria in 2004 to help revolutionise the country’s ailing power sector.

Umeh, a former executive with the Los Angeles Water and Power Corporation in California, United States, revealed that Aba Power last year acquired the latest model of Innoson’s one pick-up van, saying it competes effectively with the Toyota Hilux brand in its fleet.

(A digest of latest reports on the Economy, Industry, Politics, Sports, and developments around the South East of Nigeria)

ANAMBRA STATE

ANSEC awards Premier Road, Onitsha contract and others

In the march toward fulfilling the vision of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, of making Anambra State a liveable and prosperous megacity with the best road network, the Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) has approved the release of the sum of one hundred and eighteen million, eight hundred and fifteen thousand, five naira, ninety-six kobo (N118,815,005.96) inclusive of Preliminaries, Contingencies, and 7.5% VAT of N8,911,125.45 for the construction of Premier Road, Onitsha in favour of Alitho Nig. Ltd. Date of completion is a period of 4 weeks from the date of the payment of the mobilization fee. 

ANSEC also approved the release of the sum of one billion, eight hundred and fifty million naira (N1,850,000,000.00) being the Revised Estimated Total Cost (RETC) for the construction of Ukwuorji Awka - Umuenechi Village – Ifite Nibo – Isiagu Road with a 2.1km Spur to Zik Avenue. The contract was awarded to J. Quarison Int’l Ltd with a completion period of 5 (dry weather) months from the date of the payment of the mobilization fee.

The reconstruction of Port Harcourt Street, Onitsha was equally accented to by ANSEC at the sum of one billion, eight hundred million naira (N1,800,000,000.00) for the reconstruction of Port Harcourt Street, Onitsha. The contract was awarded to FEROTEX Construction Company with a completion period of 5 months from the date of the payment of the mobilization fee.

Miss Elems Road, Onitsha was awarded for reconstruction by council at the sum of four hundred and thirty million, three hundred and eighty-one thousand, three hundred and eighty-six naira, thirty-nine kobo (N430,381,386.39). The contract was awarded to Mashuchun International Ltd with a completion period of 3 months from the date of the payment of the mobilization fee.

Anambra conquers the World for Nigeria in Debate

…Governor Soludo commends the Champions

By Paul Nwosu 

Anambra State’s Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, gives perspective to the recent victory of the Anambra State Debate Team:

Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s pivotal investment in education yielded yet another remarkable dividend when Anambra students who recently represented Nigeria won the globally coveted 2023 Malaysian International Debate Championship.

The annual event organised by the Malaysian International Schools Debate Education Society (MISDES), under the auspices of Malaysia’s Ministry of Education, is geared towards fostering intellectualism and world peace initiatives and broadening the horizon of the world's young thinkers in critical thinking.

Team Nigeria, ably represented by the Anambra State Debate Team that won the Nigeria Inter-State Debate to become Nigeria's National Debate Team., defeated Team Hin Hua of the Kuala Lumpur region in the quarter-finals to qualify for the semi-finals.

In the hotly contested semi-finals, Team Nigeria successfully seized the belt of victory from Team Pin Hwa, which comprised of international students from India, China, Singapore and Pakistan who were winners in their regional tier of the quarter-finals.

The pulsating final pitched Team Nigeria against the Malaysian National Team. The Nigerians triumphed fair and square, thereby emerging overall winners of the 2023 Malaysian International Bi-Lateral Debate Championship. 

The Anambra State students who represented Nigeria so excellently are: Ezechukwu Emmanuel and Okey-Okonkwo John of All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha; Okafor Obioma of Mater Amabilis Girls Secondary School, Umuoji; and Mbachu Promise of St. Michaels Secondary School, Nimo.

The team was led by the highly resourceful Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh.

A grateful Governor Soludo, beaming with smiles upon seeing the manifestation of his pacesetting educational excellence in Anambra State on the world stage, commended the returning debating champions for yet another feat attained on a global platform by the Anambra State-led Team Nigeria as overall winners of the 2023 Malaysian International Bi-Lateral Debate Championship.

Mr. Governor stated that the latest achievement is a further evidence of the world-class scholarly excellence for which Nigerians in general, and Anambra State students in particular, are known for.

Governor Soludo showered stellar commendation on the outstanding leadership of the Anambra State Debate Team whose stage-by-stage brilliant performances have brought high honours to Nigeria. 

In the outlook of Prof Soludo, the resounding victory reflects the amazing depth of talent, scholarship and eloquence that Anambra State nurtures and cultivates as the government continues to prioritize educational reforms via a favourable learning environment.

The students’ performance not only brings pride to Anambra State but also exemplifies the significance of investing in quality education and nurturing the youth to become global thought leaders. 

The outstanding feats in education since Governor Soludo mounted the saddle are too numerous to mention but it just suffices to recall that in June this year Mr. Governor  celebrated 16-year-old Miss Kamsiyochukwu Umeh, from Anambra State, as the best candidate in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations [UTME] who scored a total of 360 out of 400 marks.

Solution is indeed here in Anambra State.

Anambra State multi-Billion-Naira automated farms shut over flooding

Tired of perennial flooding, the people of Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State have called on the state and federal government to as a matter of urgency, come to their aid, as multi billion naira automated farms shut down.

In a Save-Our-Soul (SOS) message, a community leader, Dr. Patrick Sule Ugboma urged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to consider the construction or rehabilitation of the Onitsha-Atani-Ossomala-Ogwuikpele-Ase Azaga-Ndoni Road, which is in a deplorable state.

Dr. Ugboma noted that the economically impactful road will link the Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra State with their kith and kin in Delta, Imo and Rivers States.

Dr. Ugboma in his words said; “The agriculture, which is the main stay of the peoples’ economic life has suffered unduly by the neglect of the communities by successive state and Federal Governments.

While remarking that the communities are largely agrarian, the community leader, Dr. Ugboma regretted that although the terrain is very fertile for crop production and fishing, the area is very prone to perennial flooding due to its proximity to the River Niger.

“These perennial flooding has terribly affected farming activities and further impoverished the people. Most of the communities have become inaccessible due to the deplorable state of the only existing road leading to all the communities.

“Furthermore, about a half of these communities have been in total darkness for upwards of ten years in most cases. Ogbaru Local Government has been totally neglected by successive Local, State and Federal Governments despite its food-basket status.

“It is equally noteworthy that Ogbaru hosts the eight viable oil wells in Anambra State which had conferred Oil- producing status of the state. Despite the oil revenue accruable to Anambra State from the Ogbaru Oil Wells, basic infrastructure is nearly non-existent, the few existing ones are in total collapse, while poverty among the people is on continuous, upward rise.”

Dr. Ugboma however expressed worry that a multi-billion naira automated farm (Matucci Farms Limited) located at Agbobo Umuoga Ossomala community has been shut down following the recent flooding that ravaged the farm. 

He also said that about 400 workers of the company lost their jobs following the flood disaster, adding that this development has adversely affected the economy of the area in particular, and the state in general.

Anambra's Best and Brightest for NIPR

By Paul Nwosu, Anambra State’s Commissioner for Information

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations conference, aka Abuja 2023, promises to be different. The NIPR Annual General Meeting (AGM) Conference-cum-Elections slated for NAF Suites, Abuja from Wednesday 23rd to Friday 25th August, 2023 bears the theme: Leadership, Public Relations & Value Creation.

A major highlight of the conference is the Anambra Night socio-cultural event to be hosted by NIPR Anambra Chapter from 6pm on Wednesday, August 23rd at Piccatel Hotel with the Governor of Anambra State Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, as the Chief Guest of Honour.

Anambra will partner with NIPR to raise the bar via the theme: Anambra Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow: Rebirth as a Catalyst to Sustainable Social Transformation.

In the true spirit of Anambra State being the Light of the Nation, two enlightened candidates with capacity, Dr. Ike Neliaku and Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha, will be showcased to contest for the coveted posts of President and Council Member respectively.

Ike Neliaku, Ph.D, fnipr, is an accomplished Public Relations Practitioner, Development Administrator, Real Estate Developer, and Researcher who worked in the Federal public service for over 20 years, holding key positions in Federal Ministries and The Presidency at different times. He has travelled to over 45 countries as a member of various Federal Government delegations, and participated in more than 55 technical missions on sustainable development; information and communication management; negotiations, conciliation and diplomacy; cultural relations; public sector administration; infrastructure development; leadership and management development; gender equity and empowerment; youth development; etc. A personable leader, he served variously as Chairman, Technical Coordinator, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Member, of over 37 specialized committees at various times while in the service of the Federal Government of Nigeria, and equally served as a Member, Governing Board, Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State. Dr. Neliaku is the founding CEO of Cymbals Ltd; founding Vice-Chairman/CEO abc Shelters Ltd; Principal Partner, Rightangle PR; Executive Producer, Rightangle Productions; and Convener Issachar-200 Centre for Research and Development.

Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha is a consummate educationist, literary-gender-and-cultural studies specialist, author and the second female professor of Mass Communication in Nigeria. She distinguished herself as the Anambra State Commissioner for Basic Education and was the only commissioner in the education ministry to complete two terms with a state governor. During her tour of duty, Anambra State beat the rest of Nigeria in debating competitions and conquered the world in academic competitions. Prof. Omenugha has over the years made huge and enviable investments in students and teachers capacity development. In a word, she is a brand. 

With the dynamic duo of Dr. Ike Neliaku and Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha, Anambra State is poised to bring competence, vision and transparency to bear on the affairs of NIPR.

A new dawn truly beckons on NIPR.

ANINVEST (@ANINVEST2023)

Register for the biggest gathering of stakeholders across the public and private sectors.

Discover how the private sector can contribute to the transformation of Anambra State under Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo.

Get your tickets: https://t.co/qbSAhSXwmF https://t.co/xO6DeqZe6D

(https://twitter.com/ANINVEST2023/status/1692825216441798928?t=UkxWEBg3yjvgYFdFwMOcUQ&s=03)

Soludo's radical reforms in Anambra Educational Sector continues to yield dividend

By Christian Aburime 

As Anambra State proudly continues to take the spotlight of educational excellence lately with its sons and daughters winning national and international laurels after laurels, success indeed is bound to attract many friends.

No doubt, the present educational improvements are the direct result and unmitigated facts of the many strategic interventions made by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo as part of his five-pillar Agenda for transforming Anambra State into a liveable and prosperous homeland.

For the avoidance of vagueness, let us put things in context. Before the Soludo government came to office, 22% of the 2,781 primary and secondary schools in Anambra State were classified as substandard in a 2020 UNESCO report. 

Also, a 2020 report by the National Journal of Educational Leadership (NJOEL) highlighted a 22.24% dropout rate in secondary schools in Anambra State as a result of factors such as teenage pregnancy, poverty and insecurity among others.

Then, most pitiful was the fact that most of the schools in the state lacked teachers such that PTAs (Parents Teachers' Association) had to be the ones hiring teachers for them. Yet, the number of teachers was never enough to guarantee quality education that would produce the kind of results we are witnessing from our students today.

Realizing the unacceptable hitherto situation, the Soludo government came to office with certain critical interventions to salvage the educational sector. In an audacious instance, Governor Soludo undertook an unprecedented recruitment of 5,000 teachers at a go via an open-source application portal for transparency to end the era of schools without teachers. Nowhere in the history of Nigeria has such a feat be done by a government that was barely less than 9 months in office. But Soludo broke the jinx 

The hired teachers were deployed across the 21 LGAs of the state.

As part of his systemic reforms, the governor also established an Educational Advisory Council as well as embarked on a strategic revision of schools’ curricula on the primary and tertiary levels to guarantee best standard practices within the system. 

What is more, special scholarships intervention was also introduced by the Soludo administration for over 107 indigent students of the hard-to-reach, disadvantaged and riverside communities in the state.

Today, the outcomes of all these interventions and other ongoing reforms are what we are currently seeing in our students excelling in diverse fields nationally and globally. 

It is therefore an incontrovertible fact to say that it is under the leadership of the incumbent governor that the state’s educational landscape has undergone a radical transformation.

The pivotal move to hire five thousand new teachers was a masterstroke that injected fresh energy into the education sector. This act alone showed a real commitment to invest in the future of the state’s youth, as well as a willingness to allocate resources where they matter the most. 

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and the current accolades and laurels that the state’s students are garnering on national and international stages are undeniable indicators of the positive impact of Governor Soludo’s policies. They are the product of a well-thought-out strategy, meticulous planning, proactive interventions and relentless pursuit of excellence that prioritized education as a cornerstone of development by the current administration.

Though, while it is acknowledged that progress is a continuum and each administration plays a role in building upon the foundation laid by its predecessors, there is a need for intellectual honesty and a genuine acknowledgment of where credit is due. As past contributions are not to be dismissed, it is crucial to recognize that the current educational excellence in Anambra State is largely due to the culmination of sustained vision, bold actions and tireless dedication of Governor Soludo.

Yet, the superlative accolades that our students are garnering across the nation and the world are only a beginning of greater feats to come because the Soludo government is not resting on its oars until Anambra State soars to new heights.  Indeed, Solution is here!

ENUGU STATE

Enugu in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines

The Enugu State Government in a bold and strategic move geared towards bolstering economic diversification and nurturing youth potential, has reached a significant agreement with Ethiopian Airlines.

In line with this collaborative effort, Enugu youths talented in the sphere of aviation shall be trained by the global aviation giant in Ethiopia

Envisioned as a catalyst for economic growth, the partnership will not only bolster the state’s gross domestic product but also foster a flourishing relationship between the Enugu State government and Ethiopian Airlines. 

Among the numerous prospects, the focus will extend to the training and development of Enugu’s young talents at the Ethiopian Airlines Aviation University, a groundbreaking opportunity for the aspiring aviation professionals of the state.

The unveiling of this partnership was marked by a notable meeting between the state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, and a delegation from Ethiopian Airlines. Led by the outgoing Traffic and Sales Manager, Mr. Henok Sirak, the Ethiopian Airlines team embarked on a courteous visit to the Old Government Lodge in Enugu over the weekend.

Describing the discussions as highly productive, Mr. Sirak emphasized that the core objective of the meeting was to reinforce existing ties and to chart a collaborative path that would reap mutual benefits for both entities. This interaction underscored the commitment of both parties to foster synergy, thereby contributing to the enhancement of Enugu State’s economic landscape.

In his response, Governor Mbah expressed his profound satisfaction with the outcomes of the dialogue, considering it a pivotal stride towards the realization of his administration’s economic development blueprint. He conveyed his best wishes to the outgoing manager, Mr. Henok Sirak, while also extending a warm welcome to the incoming manager, Mr. Zeleke Flate, who was introduced during the meeting.

Enugu Police Commissioner Kanayo Uzuegbu has assumed duty as the 28th Commissioner of Police in Enugu State

He assured residents of problem-solving policing.  Uzuegbu took over from CP Ahmed Ammani, who was redeployed to Force Headquarters, Abuja, on August 16.  This is contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, last week in Enugu.

Ndukwe said the new commissioner hails from Umuaka community in Njaba Local Government of Imo State, and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (B.A., Hons) from the University of Port Harcourt.

He noted that the CP also holds a Higher Diploma in Strategic Studies from the University of Maiduguri and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. 

Engineer converts Keke to electric-powered engines

An Enugu-based engineer, Chukwuemeka Eze, is bringing succour to transporters in Enugu by helping them convert their fuel-powered tricycles to electric-powered kekes.

Chukwuemeka Eze, a graduate of Electrical Engineering from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka, was a member of the team that built Nigeria’s first-ever electric vehicle, the Lion Ozumba in 2019. But rather than rest on those laurels, the young engineer went into the world with his expertise, assembling batteries and battery packs from China, and installing them into the tricycles.

He founded a green energy company called Revive Earth in 2021. The company aims to create a revolution in transportation by converting existing fuel-powered vehicles into full battery-powered ones. That business is what he currently spends most of his energy on while moulding the foundation of green energy with other visionary individuals and organisations.

 

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