NIGERIAN NOTCH

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON has congratulated Nigerians on the occasion of the nation’s 63rd Independence Anniversary. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Hon Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President while acknowledging present challenges in the polity said that there were many landmarks in the nation’s 63 years to give a sense of optimism for a better tomorrow. While noting the particular struggles that Nigeria has passed through as a country in the last 63 years, Senator Akpabio said that each country has its unique path with unique challenges it must pass through. Affirming that the fabrics of national cohesion are increasingly being braced by the unique Nigerian struggles, Senator Akpabio said that he was confident to assert that Nigeria was now on the correct pathway to rediscovery. “As we reminiscence on our 63 years as a country it is tempting to allow present economic and security considerations becloud the tri...

Nigerian labour leaders have insisted on going ahead with their indefinite nationwide strike starting on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. Yesterday, aviation and electricity union leaders directed their members to join the indefinite strike to protest the mounting hardships foisted on Nigerians due to the removal of fuel subsidy by the Tinubu administration. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) deputy general secretary, Comrade Chris Onyeka, said the strike will still start on October 3 as planned. He said: “We are at an advanced stage of the planning and mobilisation of members for the strike. We have also set up a joint committee between Trade Union Congress (TUC) and NLC for proper coordination of the strike. Don’t allow anyone to mislead the general public by what the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) said. If we are going to call off the strike, then we will let the public know.” It would be recalled that that the NLC had yesterday condemned the reported statement of the ...

The Apex Igbo Socio-cultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, on Friday said it is making frantic efforts to secure the release of the leader of the  Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, made this known during the grand finale of the 2023 Igbo Day celebration held at Michael Okpara Square, Independent layout Enugu. Chief Iwuanyanwu also said that though he believed that there is marginalisation of Ndigbo in Nigeria, he is seeing a bright future for Ndigbo. He said that after a series of research briefly after his inauguration as PG of Ohanaeze, he saw that Ndigbo are blessed with abundant natural resources such as coal, limestone and gas. Lamenting against the prevailing insecurity in South East, Iwuanyanwu said Ohanaeze would not sit and watch somebody who is sojourning abroad to ruin Igbo land with thoughtless sit-at-home order. “The leadership of Ohanaeze and other leaders in...

The Office of the President of the Senate wishes to alert the public on the existence of Parody X  Handles purported to belong to Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, this was made known by an official statement from Hon Eseme Eyiboh Special Adviser, Media/Publicity and spokesperson to the President of the Senate. The offending Parody X Handles are bearing "Senate President Godswill Akpabio @ oficialGAkpabio" with various messages on the proceedings of the Senate President Godswill Akpabio at plenary sessions. For clarity, the verified X Handles of the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio are "President of the Senate @SPNigeria...Official account of the office of the President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria" and @Senator_Akpabio, which is his personal account.  The Senate President therefore denounces the Parody X Handles and urges the public to disregard them. All X Handles other tha...

Lagos State Government has ordered the immediate closure of Ladipo Market, Mushin, over alleged environmental infractions including reckless waste disposal, unhygienic premises, and non-payment of waste bills, among others. The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, who ordered the closure in the early hours Friday, said the market would remain closed until the mandatory conditions of redress were met by traders and market stakeholders, adding that it was part of ongoing efforts at instilling compliance in markets around the state. Speaking on the development, Wahab underscored the critical importance of environmental hygiene in markets. He noted that, “It is imperative that markets in the state adhere strictly to environmental laws and regulations put in place for the well-being of residents. “The closure of Ladipo Market serves as a stern reminder that no entity, regardless of its size or influence, is above the law.” Wahab stated that th...

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, has identified lack of accountability in the use of taxes in Nigeria as one of the major issues preventing Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) from paying taxes to the government. Anite said the government used taxes received to improve the local business environment. Speaking at the 18th Abuja International Trade Fair organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), the minister stated that paying taxes by many small businesses and MSMEs is scary as they contend with tight profit margins. She, however, said financing and taxation could play a crucial role in driving a new economy in Nigeria, especially for MSMEs. According to her, “MSMEs are an essential part of our economy and contribute significantly to economic growth and development. A key focus for me is consumer credit reforms. Imagine what access to affordable credit could do for your businesses.” She added that consum...

The Nigerian government says it has earmarked a fund of 75 billion naira to support up to 100,000 start-ups and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises MSMEs at single digital interest rates repayable over 36 months. The Nigerian Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite said this during the opening ceremony of the 18th Abuja International Trade Fair organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. The minister who was represented by the Ministry’s Director Commodities and Export, Mr. Irimiya Kaura disclosed that the sum of 75 billion naira has also been earmarked in order to strengthen the manufacturing sector in response to the  current economic challenges. “We also intend to provide small grants to micro businesses in each to the 774 local governments of the federation,” she said. “As a government we are working hard to organize the disorganized SME market, and enable greater organization and formalization, We are ...

Poor execution of projects in the Country has got the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi worried, lamenting that all ongoing federal road projects are products of substandard construction none of which can last seven years. According to Umahi, except President Bola Tinubu does something to address the procurement system in the Country, “his lofty intention to help this country may not be achieved.” Umahi who is a certified Engineer premised his assertion on the inference drawn from findings gathered during his recent road inspection tour crisscrossing the entire nation. The former Governor of Ebonyi State noted that from the tour it was discovered major roads are riddled with potholes which he said have deteriorated into “boreholes.” While addressing contractors from the six geo-political zones at the Ministry headquarters on Tuesday, in Abuja, the Minister expressed dissatisfaction over the poor work done by contractors over the years Umahi who lamented the contractors have che...

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has felicitated the Muslim Umma on the occasion of this year’s Maulud Nabiy describing it as another opportunity to reminiscence on the virtuous legacies left behind by the Holy Prophet, (SAW) In a message issued on his behalf  by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Hon Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President said Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.) left behind positive marks on humanity for which his followers should emulate. Noting the need to be supportive of authority, Senator Akpabio enjoined the faithful to increase their prayers for those in authority and for the nation. “The occasion of the birthday of the Holy Prophet is a reminder to all adherents of the Islamic religion to rededicate themselves to prayerful support for those in authority and for the nation,” Senator Akpabio was quoted as saying. “Even more, it is an opportunity for everyone of us to devote ourselves to uncommon godly citizenship and love for one ...

The Nigerian Government announced that it will prioritise the processing of raw materials in Nigeria in order to give job opportunities to Nigerian youths and women.  This was disclosed in a statement by Mr Tunde MacAlabi, the Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Business, Trade and Investment Summit component of the Africa International Trade Exhibition (AITE) 2023’s Business, Trade, and Investment Summit on the sideline of the 78th edition of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).  He said President Bola Tinubu restated his administration’s commitment to promoting ease of trade for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across Africa in the summit which was organised by Mr. MacAlabi; Prof. Tai Balofin, President of Nigerian Progressive Professionals and Ms. Khuraira Musa, Chief Executive Officer of K-Pro Consulting of New York.  SME’s  The President represented by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, Tinubu said that the...