I have been reliably informed that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Gov. Umo Eno are currently working together on a number of significant initiatives that would be included in the 2024 Federal Budget for the benefit of AKwa Ibom State. Such projects will span infrastructure, environment and many more, and would be the first time in a long while that Akwa Ibom interests are captured in the Appropriation Bill of the federal government. I commend the two gentlemen for tossing aside partisan politics to collaborate in the interest of our people, and I thank all those working behind the scenes to make this new era possible. From the enthusiastic airport reception last Friday and the massive turnouts at his thank you visits to the various constituencies in his district, it is clear that Akwa Ibom people are pleased to have one of their own as Senate President.

 In addition to the whatever the governor and the SP are working on, I should mention the four major federal roads that lead into Akwa Ibom state which require urgent attention from Abuja. They are: Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Expressway; Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road; Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road and a section of the East-West Road. The Senate President should ensure that these roads are adequately provided for in the budgets in the next four years and contractors adequately funded for their reconstruction. Although the Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road is funded directly from the tax proceeds paid by NNPCL, it is important for us to keep a close eye on it. Of course, the Ibaka Deepsea port project is very dear to our people. The SP and the state government should work closely to close deal before the next general elections.

Akwa Ibom was completely forgotten by the Buhari administration, partly due to the arrogant aloofness of the former governor. He felt too important to go and see the Minister of Works and other relevant officials in Abuja who were in a position to help. In a complex federation like ours, a governor must come down from his high horse and seek help, even from lowly places. Now, that we have our son as the Senate President, it is important that we close ranks and work earnestly to cover lost grounds. Umo Eno is off to a good start on this.

On his part, Senator Akpabio is bent on leaving an enduring legacy as the most prominent politician from the state. Whosoever emerges as a minister from the state should quickly fall in as part of the political trinity for the development of the state. For now, the Senate President is taking steps to endear himself to his supporters and deepen his grassroots networks. His homecoming and the series of thanksgiving events he’s been holding in his senatorial district testify to his sense of gratitude. His people are now satisfied that the dream of his becoming the Senate President which dominated discussions during the campaign season has not turned out to be a hoax. They would be justified to expect some dividends from his exalted office.

 In terms of appointments, Chief Sylvester Okonkwo is a solid pick as the Chief of Staff. I knew him way back in 2006 as a member of Akpabio’s inner circle who worked with others for his gubernatorial election. Okonkwo was the intermediary between some of us in Lagos and the campaign in Uyo. He is very knowledgeable about Akwa Ibom and its politics. That he is not from Akwa Ibom should be an advantage. It will help insulate him from our peculiar ethnic issues in the course of his work. Okonkwo should not pay attention to such idle talks like ‘’enyem ado owo Attah, or enyem odo owo Etiebet’’.

Finally, as we continue to savour the shifting alliances in the state, I wish to draw the governor’s attention to the long line-up of abandoned projects in the state. The important ones are: The Worship Center; Airport Road expansion; Airport Terminal Building; the hotel and water parks at the Tropicana entertainment complex and the Science Park. I am told that the former governor received another tranche of N250 billion from the federal government as payment for Derivation shortfall in the last one month of his administration. Nobody knows how he spent all that money, but it is now up to Gov. Umo Eno to complete these abandoned projects and put them to use in the interest of Akwa Ibom people.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has set a daily cumulative limit for contactless payment.

The bank in a circular on Tuesday defined the transaction limits for contactless payment through accounts and wallets as N15,000 and daily cumulative of N50,000.

Contactless payment system are credit cards and debit cards, key fobs, smart cards, or other devices like smartphones and other mobile devices, that use radio-frequency identification or near-field communication for making secure payments.

“High-value contactless payments are transactions that exceed the above-stated limits and shall require appropriate verification and authorization. Limits above this stipulated daily cumulative limit shall be conducted using contact-based technology,” CBN said.

The CBN had in October 2022 released a ‘Draft Guidelines for Contactless Payments in Nigeria, ‘ which provides minimum standards and requirements for the operations of contactless payments in Nigeria.

Based on the guidelines, the contactless transaction is limited to only accounts or wallets that have the Bank Verification Number.

On guidelines for merchants, the CBN said any amount above the stipulated limits per transaction will request for customer’s authorisation such as PIN, token, and biometrics.

“The bank shall determine the transaction limit and cumulative daily limits for contactless payments from time to time. Stakeholders shall be permitted to set limits in line with the bank’s limits,” the document said.

Cashless transaction has begun to gain traction in Nigeria with players like Interswitch, in partnership with ProvidusBank, Mastercard and Thales Group, announcing their Tap-to-Pay service in Nigeria in 2022.

Now-Now, a Nigerian Company that offers Tap-and-Pay services6 raised $13m seed to increase the adoption of Contactless Payment in Nigeria.

More international manufacturing companies may leave Nigeria and site their factories in other countries should power distributors implement the planned hike in the tariff payable by consumers from July 1, 2023, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has said.

It stated that some international manufacturing firms had already exited Nigeria as a result of the power crisis, coupled with the unpredictability of the country’s foreign exchange rate before it was recently unified.

The President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Francis Meshioye, told our correspondent on Tuesday that the over N144bn spent on alternative sources of energy by manufacturers in 2022 impacted adversely on the operations of his members.

He stressed that any further hike in tariff would lead to an exodus of companies, and called on the government to reconsider the move.

“In every system there’s always a core structure and this includes the elements that make up the total cost spent in generating your revenue. Now, what we experience as manufacturers is that energy cost is a major cost in processing our products.

“Now, if you spent N144bn on alternative energy sources in one year, you can only imagine the impact which that will have on your cost of operations. The manufacturing business in Nigeria is affected by so many factors, energy is a major one,” Meshioye stated.

He added, “Manufacturers provide almost every infrastructure by themselves. Outside the major roads, you find out that manufacturers provide water, power, security, etc. So when you look at it, you find out that the cost of doing business is so huge, that a businessman will ask, is this the only place I can do my business? Can I move may capital elsewhere?

“The downsizing of businesses in Nigeria, for instance, shows that businesses are not doing very well. So this power issue and other things have made some manufacturers, particularly international businessmen to relocate from Nigeria to other countries.”

He stated that something should be done about the power issue, adding that raising tariffs was not in the interest of manufacturers.

“Therefore anything to reduce this energy cost will be very beneficial both to manufacturers and the masses in general. So it (power) is a high cost to us, and a major driver in terms of cost. At the same time, it could lead to other things.

“It is one of the things that make some manufacturers to seek to move their business to another region and site their factories there. It is not the only reason, but, of course, it is one of the major ones,” Meshioye stated

In a statement issued last week, MAN stated that its surveyed data suggested that manufacturers spent at least N144.5bn on sourcing alternative energy in 2022, up from N77.22bn in 2021.

This, it said, translated to about 87 per cent increase in the cost of access to alternative energy sources by manufacturers within a year.

The statement read partly, “In the last eight years, electricity tariff has been increased by 186 per cent. The fact that the government itself is owing N75bn in unpaid electricity bill is indicative of how burdensome the cost of electricity has become.

“Therefore, it is highly concerning for manufacturers to witness the electricity tariff skyrocketing beyond the present high prices, starting July 1. A 40 per cent hike at this time is simply outrageous.”

When asked to name some other reasons that might make manufacturers to Nigeria, Meshioye replied, “We have the unpredictability of the foreign exchange rate.

“In a business model, the more predictable the forex, the better you are. But the availability of the forex itself is another thing. All these are problems that border manufacturers.”

On whether there was an estimated number of international manufacturing companies that had exited the country due to the issues around power supply and forex concerns or manufacturers that had closed down as a result of these challenges, Meshioye said, “I can’t say categorically now.”

Tariff may hit N300/kwh

The President, Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, and coordinator, Power Sector Perspectives, Kunle Olubiyo, explained that Nigerians might pay between N150/kilowatt-hour to N300/kwh once the Discos hike electricity tariffs from July 1, 2023.

“At the moment, band C (customer category) that presently goes for about N40/kwh may be increased to about N100/kwh, while band A that is presently at about N56kwh might be jerked up to about N150kwh.

“What it means technical speaking is that electricity tariff is now going to be floated and it will be market driven as naira/dollar exchange rates, and it will now be subjected to a free market.

“With high exchange rate volatility, in the next few days, electricity tariff may go from a minimum baseline of N100/kwh to a maximum threshold of N300/kwh. As sad as it is, this shall not translate into any significant improvement in reliable electricity supply, nor translate into efficient service delivery,” he stated.

The World Bank yesterday disclosed plans to support the Nigerian Electrification Project (NEP) with an additional $750 million.

Ms Elizabeth Huybens, World Bank’s Director of Strategy and Operations for Western/Central African Region, disclosed this shortly after inspecting a 60kw solar-powered mini grid in Kilankwa II, a settlement in Kwali Area Council of the FCT.

Daily Trust reports that the initial $350m grant expires in August, 2023.

NEP, which is administered by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and funded by the World Bank, is a nationwide initiative aimed at delivering energy access to underserved communities.

Huybens said that access to electricity was a priority goal for the bank as it was one of the fastest routes to eradicating poverty.

She noted that: “It is hard for me to think about modern life without electricity. It is also hard to think about reducing poverty without access to electricity. And since the World Bank’s overarching goal is to help countries eradicate poverty, we need to help countries provide access to electricity to their populations.

“The $350 million grant is coming to a close. We we are preparing a successor project that will be $750 million. So, we are expanding our support to something that we think is really critical which, Nigeria is leading the world with this sort of small grant development.”

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of REA, Engr Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, said energy efficient equipment would be connected to the mini grid for more productive use.

“The 60kw capacity project is serving about 300 connections, and it’s been operational for some time now, so we’re privileged to have come here today with the director of the World Bank task team to see how it’s performing. We’re still looking for more productive use, ensuring that we have energy efficient equipment connected to the mini grid,” Ahmad said.

The Zamfara State government said it has embarked on some reforms to correct what it described as four years of mismanagement of the state’s resources by the immediate-past administration of Governor Muhammad Bello Matawalle.

Speaking at a press conference in Gusua, the State capital on Tuesday, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Malam Abubakar Nakwada, said: “The purpose of this conference is to throw light on some of the activities of the immediate-past administration of the former Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle, which greatly imperilled the state institutions, wreaked havoc on the state’s economy and rolled back some of the progress made since the creation of Zamfara State in 1996.”

The SSG announced the dissolution of new districts created in December 2022 and ordered the immediate suspension of the affected district and village heads.

The government also ordered a “return to status quo ante” even as it also directed the sack of permanent secretaries appointed after the last general election.

The SSG stated, “a well-articulated rationalization and harmonization of MDAs will be undertaken to reduce the cost of governance and improve efficiency, and details will be announced in due course.”

He regretted that the state was on the verge of collapse as at the time of the inauguration of the new government under Governor Dauda Lawal, with the state becoming incapable of fulfilling most of its obligations.

According to the SSG, “the purpose of this conference is to throw light on some of the activities of the immediate past administration of the former Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle, which greatly imperilled the state institutions, wreaked havoc on the state’s economy and rolled back some of the progress made since the creation of Zamfara State in 1996.

“This initiative is part of Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration’s commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in governance.

“As an administration that came to power through our people’s overwhelming and unprecedented support, we have a great responsibility to keep them informed about the true State of affairs.

“We are all living witnesses to how Zamfara State was run with reckless abandon by Bello Matawalle’s administration over the past four years.

“That administration indulged in excessive and wasteful spending as well as the rampant looting of government property.

“It is truly disheartening that while our peers have made significant progress in their respective states, we are still grappling with a myriad of issues caused by insatiable greed and the lack of patriotism exhibited by the immediate past administration.

“For the first time in the history of our State, workers were unable to receive their salaries for two consecutive months, despite the availability of ample resources during the twilight of the immediate-past administration.

“This unfortunate situation has subjected our workforce to unimaginable hardship and hunger, which in turn has had a detrimental impact on numerous businesses around the state, which largely depend on patronage from workers.

“Gladly, our administration has successfully settled the outstanding salary arrears for the two months and is actively working to ensure the timely payment of June salaries.

“The former administration exhibited utter negligence towards the critical sectors of the state’s economy, and education was not spared.

“The sector has noticeably deteriorated, a fact that all citizens of Zamfara State can attest to.

“To compound matters, the time-honoured government intervention to ensure that all secondary school candidates sit for WAEC and NECO examinations was abandoned.

“If not for the decisive intervention of our administration, our secondary school children would have been denied the opportunity to take this year’s NECO SSCE.

“Furthermore, it is truly alarming that an astounding amount of over N50 billion was allocated to projects within the Government House that have little to no direct impact on the lives of ordinary citizens.

“To make matters worse, many of these projects remain either incomplete or non-existent.

“Additionally, an astonishing sum of about N11.5 billion was expended on the construction of the Gusau Airport, yet there is no visible evidence of substantial progress or development.

“Similarly, an unjustifiable amount of 90 per cent payment has been made for the construction of extravagant Governor’s Lodges across the 14 Local Government Areas (LGAs), amounting to over N1 billion.

“Shockingly, there is a lack of concrete evidence to support the necessity of such expenditure, particularly when it comes to furnishing these lodges.

“Similarly, despite the previous administration’s expenditure of over N13 billion in the last four years for the procurement of utility vehicles, the present administration did not inherit any of these vehicles.

“We are resolute in our commitment to utilizing all legal avenues to recover these vehicles on behalf of the people of our beloved State and to prevent such incidents from occurring again in the future.

“Furthermore, the Government will ensure that all individuals involved in this reprehensible act of vehicle theft are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

“Most of these instances of theft, impunity, and reckless abandon were facilitated by a pervasive lack of record-keeping culture deeply ingrained in the public service of Zamfara State Our initial experiences within close to a month of assuming office have revealed the prevalence of this culture of non-record keeping across numerous Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and in many cases, it appears to be intentional.

“Accountability will be demanded, and the accounting officers will be held responsible for any breaches or failures in this regard. It is our firm stance that effective record-keeping is fundamental to transparent and efficient governance, and we are committed to instilling this principle across all levels of public service.

“The general public should be made aware that the judicial arm of the State is currently non-functional due to dilapidated structures and poor working conditions.

“As part of a comprehensive reform programme aimed at reversing the sordid condition of our dear state, the government will take several actions in the coming days.

“It is evident that we must work harder to expand our State’s revenue base and meet the aspirations of our large population for more effective and efficient service delivery.

“The government will explore all possible areas that can be leveraged to increase the revenue base in order to acquire more resources to address the development needs of our state and enhance the well-being of our people.”

Hoodlums have beaten a Naval officer, simply identified as Akingbohun M., to death in Imeri, Ose local government area of Ondo State following a minor disagreement.

The deceased, who was attached to the Navy Secondary School, Imeri, was said to have been beaten to death by a six-man mob in the ancient community.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the incident happened on Monday at Idoani and it was reported to the nearby Police Division by a friend of the deceased, Sunday Olaoluwa.

An eyewitness, who narrated the incident, said the deceased was driving in the community when he splashed mud water on an Okada rider and his passenger simply identified as Ayo.

According to him, the deceased parked his car and apologised to the Okada rider and his passenger but his apology fell on deaf ears.

He further explained that the Okada rider invited some hoodlums in the community to the scene and one of them hit the deceased on the head with an iron rod and he fell.

The Naval officer was rushed to the hospital in the town but was confirmed dead on arrival.

He further informed that the Okada rider was apprehended and handed over to the Police while the thugs that hit the deceased with the iron rod fled on hearing the news of his death

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Ondo State Command, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, explained that the deceased was attacked and killed during a disagreement that arose from a minor motorcycle accident.

According to SP Odunlami-Omisanya, the suspects used iron and plank to beat the Naval officer before he was confirmed dead at the hospital where he was rushed to.

The PPRO, however, said that the suspects were still at large.

Also, the Ose Local Government Council chairman, Hon. Dennis Adekunle, confirmed the killing of the officer.

Adekunle, who condemned the killing, assured the Naval authorities of the cooperation of the community in dousing the associated tension caused by the incident.

In a statement personally issued and made available to journalists, the Local Government Council boss appealed to Naval authorities in the school to apply minimum force while in search for the suspects.

As of the time of filing this report, some Naval officials were in the community in search of the fleeing hoodlums.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the presence of the Naval officers has turned the town into a ghost town.

The Lagos residence of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, has been razed by fire.

The entire building was said to have been burnt down after a strange noise was heard from the roof, which was mistaken for foraging domestic animals.

The inferno exploded in a ball of fire as members scampered to safety with nothing salvaged from the building.

It was learnt that at the time of the incident, Ajaero was away in Geneva.

Reacting to the incident, Ajaero gave glory to God that no life was lost during the incident.

Ajaero-led NLC had called for a nationwide strike following the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu.

However, the strike was suspended after intervention and negotiations by the Federal Government.

Nuhu Ribadu, the new National Security Adviser (NSA), has been given tasks to tackle as he assumes office.

Shehu Sani, a former Kaduna Central senator, said Ribadu should end the criminality of terrorism, banditry, killings, and kidnappings across the country.

Sani also urged Ribadu to ensure the protection of schools and farmers from terrorists.

Tweeting, the political activist lamented that previous governments wasted billions of dollars fighting insecurity without much success.

According to Sani: “Our expectations and the urgent task before the new NSA Ribadu are to end the criminality of terrorism, banditry, and the incessant killings and kidnapping for ransom in this country.

“There should be a renewed and result-oriented effort to secure our schools and protect farmers from terrorists.

“The past Government wasted billions of dollars, held hundreds of meetings, banned mining activities, banned the use of motorcycles, shut down telecommunications, claimed to have bombarded all sorts of places and even organised prayers and yet left us with terrorist kingpins in the likes of Bello Turji, Dogo Gide, Ado Aleru and co. We expect a different approach and a better result.”

The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has been urged to withdraw his case against the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the February 2023 presidential election.

The 2023 Labour Party governorship aspirant in Plateau, Chief Yohanna Margif, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.

He also urged the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who is also challenging Tinubu’s victory in the tribunal, to do the same.

The LP stalwart said that the call on Obi and Abubakar became necessary in order to foster national unity and integration.

“The new leadership of Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu has shown capacity to lead and improve the nation’s fortunes without fear or favour, which is crystal clear and visible within just four weeks in office.

“With is happening in Nigeria in the recent past, ranging from insecurity to unemployment and religious intolerance, it is critical to embark on a project of national unity and integration.

“This will ease the burdens and wounds caused by the outgone administration and enable Tinubu to sail the ship called the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the promised land.”

Margif lauded Abubakar and Obi for taking their case against the election to the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal instead of resorting to unconstitutional means.

According to him, such is in line with the spirit of democracy, sportsmanship, patriotism, national unity and integration.

“The electioneering campaigns have come and gone, leaving behind the unsettled dust at the PEPT, where both Abubakar and Peter Obi are challenging the outcome of the election won by Tinubu.

“This is democracy, and everyone has the right to be heard, but that notwithstanding, I wish to applaud the presidential candidates of all political parties for the peaceful conduct during the elections.

“Also for seeking legal redress over conflict, which is the virtue and spirit of sportsmanship.

“However, I call on both Obi and Abubakar to sheath their swords by withdrawing their cases at the tribunal for the sake of national unity and integration,” he said.

Margif, who described himself as an Ambassador of Peace, stressed that Tinubu’s emergence as President was God’s will and choice for Nigeria.

He added that Tinubu became President without having a political godfather because it’s the handiwork of God.

“Today, what all Nigerians are looking for is good governance and dividends of democracy and, as it stands, President Tinubu is already on the right track to economic recovery and nation-building.

“In my opinion, Tinubu is the will of God and we must accept it because, while I, for instance, voted for Obi; some voted for Abubakar, others voted for Tinubu but the outcome of the election favoured Tinubu.

“Personally, regardless of my litigation against LP’s Plateau State Chapter and the National Executive Councils pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja, I’m willing to withdraw the case and forgive all.

“As such, I also suggest that Obi and the LP, as well as Abubakar and the PDP, should do the same in the interest of national integration,” he said.

Margif, who was elected as the LP’s governorship candidate for Plateau but whose name was later substituted with that of Dr Patrick Dakum, also called on Tinubu to form a government of national unity and integration.

He said that one common thing among all the candidates, the political parties and their manifestos during the general elections was their emphasis on national unity and integration.

According to the LP stalwart, Nigeria’s unity and integration is the strength of the nation.

He urged the Tinubu presidency to ensure that it leverages the Renewed Hope mantra to usher in a new Nigeria that is in line with the dreams of the nation’s founding fathers.

“I, therefore, appeal to President Tinubu to consider and put national unity and integration above all by forming a government of national unity and integration.

“The leadership of the ‘Renewed Hope’ administration should also consider a platform that will include women and youth in governance,.

“It should also ensure that it designs and establishes enduring youth-based national policies,” Margif said.

(NAN)

The Canadian government has unveiled its first-ever immigration tech talent strategy that will create new job opportunities for other countries including Nigeria.

This comes a few days after Germany passed an immigrant law designed to encourage more people from outside the European Union to come to the country for work.

The talent strategy which was launched at the 2023 Collision Conference in Toronto includes new measures and improvements on existing measures to help businesses in Canada thrive in a competitive landscape.

“Over this year, Canada is going to be developing a specific stream for some of the world’s most highly talented people that will be able to come to Canada to work for tech companies whether they have a job offer or not,” Sean Fraser, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said on Tuesday.

“We are going to be launching a digital Nomads strategy which is going to allow people, who have a foreign employer to come and work in Canada for up to six months,” he said.

He said they will live in communities in the county and spend money and should they receive job offers while they are here, they are going to allow them to continue to stay and work in the country.

“Finally, we have been watching very closely what has been going on in the tech sector in the United States where we have seen a public narrative about layoffs. We have been having private conversations about opportunities” he added.

According to the minister, going forward, as of July 16, they will have a stream that will allow 10,000 H-1B visa holders in the United States to come and work in Canada.

“The reality is that you have the ideas but you need the talents. You have told us that and we have been listening. We are going to do everything we can to push Canada as the destination where your ideas can become a reality,’ he said.

Canada’s aging population and lower birth rate have been shrinking its labour force, forcing the country to intensify its efforts to attract large, young and vibrant immigrants by offering immigration-friendly policies.

The country landed 437,120 Permanent Residents (PRs) in 2022, a nearly eight percent increase from the total number of PRs in 2021, according to data the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

For Nigeria, it grew by 41.9 percent to 22,130 last year from 15,595 in the previous year.

Last year, the Canadian federal government announced an aggressive plan to take in 500,000 immigrants a year by 2025, with almost 1.5 million new immigrants coming to the country over the next three years.

“We’re enthusiastic about the ambitious goals we have set in immigration because they aren’t just about numbers—they are strategic. With this strategy, we’re targeting newcomers that can help enshrine Canada as a world leader in a variety of emerging technologies,” Fraser said.

Last month, Canada announced new measures to make it easier for families of recent immigrants to relocate to the country just a few days after the UK said it was restricting foreign students from bringing their families into the country starting next year.

That same month, the country announced that its express entry was now implementing a category-based selection to help tackle labour shortages and boost the economy.