National News
Tinubu faces screening, explains why he is most qualified
Tinubu faces screening, explains why he is most qualified
Sen. Bola Tinubu, a frontline presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday appeared before the party’s John Odigie-Oyegun-led seven-man Presidential Screening Committee.
According to a statement issued by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Director-General Tinubu Campaign Organisation, the former two-term Lagos State governor answered questions bordering on his upbringing, educational and professional background at the screening.
Onanuga said Tinubu, who is also one of the leaders of the APC, told the panel why he is qualified to fly the flag of the APC as its 2023 presidential candidate.
“He cited his success as governor of Lagos State, his raising the internal revenue generation of the state from a paltry N600 million monthly, which has now grown to N51 billion today.
“He also cited his invitation to Enron to begin the first state-backed power generation in Nigeria and how Nigeria will need to take the power transmission lines as a highway.
“Tinubu in his answers demonstrated vast knowledge in economic management and a perfect understanding of Nigeria’s political economy,” Onanuga said.
He added that the screening committee expressed satisfaction with Tinubu’s knowledge of the economy and socio-political issues that were currently affecting the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 11 other aspirants were screened by the committee, including former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Jigawa Governor, Abubakar Badaru.
Others are Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi, Pastor Tunde Bakare, General Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, former Minister of State, Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba and the only female presidential aspirant, Mrs Uju Ken-Ohanenye.
The rest are Sen. Ajayi Boroffice, Pastor Felix Nicholas, former President of the Senate Ken Nnamani, former governor of Ogun, Sen. Ibikunle Amosu and former governor of Zamfara, Sen. Sani Ahmed.
NAN further reports that though 28 presidential aspirants bought the APC Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, only 23 are listed for screening, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan being touted as a likely consensus candidate for the APC is, however, not on the list of aspirants to be screened by the Odigie-Oyegun led screening committee.
Members of the screening panel were inaugurated by Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, the APC National Chairman behind closed doors before the commencement of the screening at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja.
Tinubu, who arrived the venue at 5:50 p.m., was accompanied by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and some chieftains of the Tinubu Support Groups led by James Faleke and former Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal.
A source in the screening committee said Tinubu was ushered in at about 8:20 p.m. and left after less than an hour with the panel.
Rotimi Amaechi, who came in on the heels of Tinubu, was the last to be screened last night.
Aspirants left to be screened are Vice President Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, former Speaker Oladimeji Bankole, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and former Minister of Niger Delta Development, Sen. Godswill Akpabio.
Also left to be screened are Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi, Tein Jack-Rich, former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu, Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade and former Minister of Information, Ikeobasi Mokelu.
Mokelu served as Minister of Information in the military administration of late Gen. Sani Abacha.
Though slated for screening today, the fate of Sen. Rochas Okorocha, the immediate past governor of Imo who is presently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is unknown.
The former governor will have a date in court today over allegations of misappropriating N2.9 billion. He has also filed a N1 billion suit against the commission to challenge his arrest.
Missing on the list of aspirants to be screened, apart from Jonathan, are the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwunmi Adesina and Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emifiele.
Also missing on the list is the Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige and Minister of State, Petroleum, Timipre Sylva.
The APC special convention for its presidential primary had been fixed for June 6 to June 8 at the Abuja Eagle Square, while the screening of its presidential aspirants is expected to be concluded Tuesday.
Tinubu faces screening, explains why he is most qualified
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), on Wednesday said that the Federal Government’s programmes and policies under President Bola Tinubu-led administration were improving the welfare of Nigerians.
Mrs Adaline Patari, the State Director of NOA, Gombe State office, stated this shortly after a road show to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day anniversary in Gombe.
Patari said that programmes and policies of Tinubu-led administration had supported many Nigerians from the student’s loan to conditional cash transfer to support to small businesses amongst others.
She stated that the initiatives by the present administration had restored hope and put the country amongst serious countries pursuing better reforms to improve their economy while revamping infrastructure.
According to her, many undergraduates benefitting from the student’s loan scheme which has removed all financial hindrances impeding access to tertiary education now feel a sense of belonging.
She said that the programmes and policies of the Federal Government have benefitted many households and improved their welfare in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
“The reforms of the Federal Government are working and many persons are proud to be Nigerians and more persons are now trying to do the right things as Nigerians.
“People are beginning to see themselves as proud Nigerians and that confidence of being a Nigerian is being restored.
“Today, many Nigerians are benefitting from the programmes of the current administration, this means that the country is now working for them,” she said.
While acknowledging that there were still challenges that needed to be addressed, Patari said, at 65, we have made tremendous progress especially working together in peace and unity.
She urged Nigerians to continue to support Tinubu administration’s programmes towards building a better country that works for all Nigerians.
The state director said that with the necessary reforms being carried out and already yielding results in the economic, agriculture, security and other sectors, more Nigerians would be prouder to be Nigerians in the future.
“Today, the country is progressing and we are united; we are now prouder to be Nigerians and I can tell you that the labour of our heroes past, indeed is never in vain,” she added.
Commending the contributions of youths to national development, Patari urged them to have a positive mind-set towards Nigeria and to always express optimism of a better Nigeria for everyone.
Patari also lauded the renewed strength with which NOA under the Director General of the agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu was being driven.
She said that government’s policies and programmes were getting more supports from Nigerians because of the constant engagements of Nigerians by the NOA nationwide.
The event also featured sensitisation of residents on Federal Government’s policies, programmes and the need for the people to support the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue
By: Michael Mike
Senior Government officials of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) have today met in Abuja to assess the vibrant economic partnership between the two parties and chart a way forward.
The inaugural Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Trade and investment Dialogue (TID) was anchored by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, and Director of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security (DG TRADE), Ms Dora Correia,
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot,, welcomed the launch of the Dialogue, which they said underscored the growing importance attached to trade and investment in the EU-Nigeria partnership.
This Senior Officials’ meeting marks an important step in strengthening the trade and investment partnership between the EU and Nigeria, and provided opportunity for the officials to exchange views on areas of mutual interest; address potential challenges and explore opportunities for further collaboration.
Discussions focused on a range of issues, including trade and investment policy, cooperation on market access barriers and requirements, preferential trade and investment arrangements, investment, collaboration within the World Trade Organization (WTO), regulatory measures that could impact trade and investment, and the identification of trade and investment-related development cooperation areas.
Both sides expressed their interest to continue the Dialogue, with the second TID billed to take place in Brussels, Belgium, in 2026, on a date to be jointly decided.
Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue
FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, 1st of October as a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated all Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora on this historic occasion.
Tunji-Ojo, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, enjoined citizens to continue to uphold the patriotic spirit, unity, and resilience that have sustained the nation since independence in 1960.
He urged Nigerians to further keep faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which is anchored on national rebirth, economic transformation, and collective prosperity.
The Minister expressed confidence that, with the cooperation of all Nigerians, the country will continue to grow stronger in peace, progress, and development.
He wished Nigerians a happy and memorable 2025 Independence Day celebration.
FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary
RHI Flow With Confidence program Launched across Nigeria
Fagbemi Calls for Appellate Mechanism in ECOWAS Court
Trans-Border Security: Zulum travels to Niger Republic Community
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
News6 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
