News
Tinubu’s Economic Decisions Yielding Positive Results -Shettima …Seeks Partnership With Banks For Speedy Economic Turnaround
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, yesterday, said President Bola Tinubu’s economic decisions in the past 100 days in office are yielding positive results.
Shettima made the assertion to a cross-section of stakeholders in the banking and finance sector at the opening of the 16th Annual Banking and Finance Conference themed, ‘Nigeria’s Economic Growth and Empowerment: The Role of The Financial Services Industry’.
He noted that the aftermath of the petrol subsidy removal and the unification of the exchange rate availed state and federal governments substantial allocations.
“I must announce with pride that our decisions are already yielding tangible results, with both state and federal governments now enjoying more substantial allocations”, he said.
The Vice President, who was the special guest of honour at the conference held in Abuja, spoke on the topic, ‘Our Priorities in a Post-Pandemic World’.
Shettima’s remarks came barely three weeks after the National Economic Council (NEC), which he chairs, approved N5bn for states and the Federal Capital Territory to procure food items for distribution to the poor in their respective domains.
While noting that the funds promised a direct and positive impact on the lives of Nigerians, Shettima said without the serially unaccounted fuel subsidies, Nigeria can now redirect her savings towards more deserving causes.
“We envision a future where no leader can resort to the tired excuse of ‘scarcity of funds’ to evade completion of projects or delayed salary payments.
“Nigeria is crafting a story where the welfare of our people takes precedence, and financial accountability reigns supreme,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Vice President sought a stronger partnership with experts in the Banking and Finance industry, saying that such synergy could turn the economy around in record time.
He said “We must now do what pessimists may regard as impossible; turning the economy around in record time. We seek your partnership in getting this done. We cannot take your support for granted,”
Shettima noted that the journey towards economic rejuvenation is not one the Tinubu administration can undertake in isolation, adding,”It is a call to forge robust partnerships with strategic nations and multilateral organisations, for in unity, Nigeria can reposition itself as a formidable, globally competitive partner.”
The Vice President harped on the role of banking and finance in rejuvenating the economy and called on stakeholders to join in serving the nation.
“We have promised to reposition consumer finance, and that can’t be done without you. We have promised to incentivise and finance value-addition to our agricultural and other products, and you are our ally in this.
“We need you because Nigeria teeters on the edge of a precarious balance of payments as we import more than we export.
“The future is already here, and this industry is a springboard for the success of our reforms and programmes. Whether in incorporating blockchain technology or expanding financial inclusion to deliver dividends of democracy to banking and unbanked citizens, Nigeria is here to occupy the high table in a fast-changing world”, he said.
Speaking on the ‘Eight-Point Agenda’ of the Tinubu Administration, the Vice President said the government is prioritising food security and poverty eradication.
According to him, “We are prioritising economic growth and job creation. We are prioritising access to capital and improving security.
“We are prioritising improving the playing field on which people and particularly companies like yours operate.
“We are also prioritising the rule of law and the fight against corruption. Each agenda cannot be fully implemented without your cooperation.”
Earlier in his remarks, the President of the Chattered Institute of Bankers, Mr. Ken Opara, praised the reform initiatives of President Tinubu, noting “the reforms such as subsidy removal, unifying the foreign exchange regime, investing in infrastructure, promoting agriculture, supporting SMEs and tax reforms, among others, if well implemented will unlock the economic potentials of the country.”
Present at the event were the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu; Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market, Sen. Osita Izunaso; Ag. Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Folashodun Shonubi, and World Bank Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Shubam Chaudhuri, among others.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.
