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VP SHETTIMA AT NEC MEETING:

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VP SHETTIMA AT NEC MEETING:

We Must Form Strong Alliance To End Poverty, Improve Lives Of Nigerians

*** As Council takes key decisions on flood, nutrition, state police, polio

*** Endorses N-774 Programme on Nutrition as states acknowledge receipt of N3b flood, disaster grant

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima has called for a formidable alliance among key players in government at all levels as well as development partners in the bid to wriggle Nigerians out of poverty and enhance the quality of life for all the citizens.

This, he said, will never happen if all those involved in the business of governance do not align with one another to create an environment where every Nigerian has the opportunity to thrive.

Senator Shettima who spoke on Wednesday during the 144th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, suggested ways to address the immediate needs of the citizens, including building sustainable systems that empower them to become self-reliant and prosperous.

He however acknowledged that even though the problems inherited by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot be solved overnight despite the long-term solutions in progress, Nigerians are in urgent need of quick, impactful measures.

“Our commitment to alleviating poverty and enhancing the quality of life for all Nigerians will never materialize if we do not align with one another. We must strive to create an environment where every Nigerian has the opportunity to thrive.

“This includes not only addressing immediate needs but also building sustainable systems that empower our citizens to become self-reliant and prosperous,” the VP stated.

He commended the efforts of development partners, particularly the co-chairman of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Bill Gates, and chairman of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who were at the NEC meeting, describing them as “two distinguished individuals whose commitment to Nigeria’s progress is unparalleled”

He said they have invested enormous resources into the welfare of Nigerians, spanning critical areas such as health, nutrition, agriculture, and education.

He stated: “Their philanthropy is not seasonal but a steadfast commitment that continues to shape our nation’s future. We did not survive the lowest points of our journey as a nation by the proactivity of the government alone; we did so because we remained partners in rain and sunshine.

“So, permit me to once again extend the nation’s deepest gratitude to our guests, whose empathy has always shone through whenever they are needed.

“Mr. Gates, in particular, has been a steadfast friend of Nigeria, contributing immensely to our nation’s inclusive economic growth and the well-being of our people in both tumult and tranquility. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has recently approved a significant investment—the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator (NCIA).

“This initiative, championed by my office and hosted by the Lagos Business School in partnership with the Boston Consulting Group, sets out to revolutionize our cassava industry, an essential pillar of our economy and food security.”
For the state governments, the Vice President said as sub-nationals in the federation, they are all “stakeholders in redefining the future” of Nigeria.

He continued: “We are gathered here because none of us can fulfill the goals of guaranteeing the survival of our people in isolation. Whether by expanding access to quality education, improving healthcare, or offering skills training and job opportunities, it is clear that each one of us has the power to influence policy and decisions at various levels.

“Our success relies on recognizing the socio-economic threats that have pulled us down the development index and, more importantly, on our resolve to walk the talk.”

Underscoring how critical investing in food security is, VP Shettima expressed delight with the efforts and reforms made so far by state governors to boost agriculture.

“However, we must not overlook the state of nutrition in our nation, which has led to stunting and other health challenges. This is a crisis that demands our unified attention and action. The future of this nation hinges on the health and well-being of our children,” he added.

On his part, Mr. Bill Gates reiterated his bet on the incredible potential of Nigerians, noting that “Nigeria’s economic leaders have done some difficult, but necessary things, like unifying the exchange rate.

“The next great hurdle is raising revenue. I understand this is a politically sensitive area where Nigerians are struggling. Incomes have fallen. Prices have soared. And like in many other countries, people are protesting.”

Describing President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda as ambitious, Gate however said the Nigerian leader has “assembled a cabinet ready to meet the challenge,” adding that “with limited resources, putting the funds to the best possible use is key.

Council also took some decisions on issues of flooding, nutrition, state police and polio as follows:

Flood:

Council gave the green light for the full implementation of the approved recommendations from its Ad-hoc Committee on Flood, Erosion, Drought, and Desertification.

This decision comes after a recent memorandum submitted by the committee’s chairman, Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo.

The report outlines a comprehensive Roadmap on Flood, Erosion, Drought, and Desertification, complete with detailed timelines.

Each MDA has been assigned specific responsibilities, with the creation of task forces recommended for inter-agency collaboration where necessary. The aim is to move away from the reliance on ad-hoc committees formed during the onset of the rainy season.

One of the report’s cardinal recommendations is the establishment of the National Flood, Erosion, Drought, and Desertification Management Council (NFEDDMC) under the Office of the Vice President.

The NFEDDMC will coordinate inter-agency efforts, ensure real-time information flow, and facilitate a unified response to natural disasters across the country. The Vice President will chair the council, which will include the following members: Governors of Kogi, Bayelsa, Oyo, Ebonyi, Bauchi and Jigawa States.

Others are Minister of State, Water Resources & Sanitation; Minister of State, Environment, Directors-General of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency; Nigeria Meteorological Agency; National Water Resources Institute and National Emergency Management Agency

Also, Managing Directors of National Inland Waterways Authority; Niger Delta Development Commission and North East Development Commission are members.

The Governors expressed their appreciation to the Federal Government for the recent disbursement of N3 billion to each state to assist in addressing immediate challenges, particularly those caused by flood and other natural disasters.

State Police:

Council also issued a final call to state governments that have yet to submit their memorandum on the establishment of state police.

As of now, only four states—Adamawa, Kebbi, Kwara, and Sokoto—along with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have not made their submissions. The council has mandated that these remaining states submit their positions by Monday, September 9, 2024, or face being bound by the resolutions agreed upon by other council members.

Nutrition:

Council also received a presentation on the state of nutrition in Nigeria by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate. Following the presentation, the council approved several critical resolutions aimed at enhancing the country’s nutritional outcomes.

Council agreed to prioritize nutrition interventions in the 2025 budget across federal, state, and local levels, ensuring that sufficient funding is allocated to meet the nation’s nutrition goals.

Additionally, the council resolved to reinforce the functionality and financing of State and Local Government Committees on Food and Nutrition. The establishment and operation of Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) task forces at subnational levels will also be supported to ensure effective coordination, monitoring, and reporting.

Council also endorsed the N-774 programme as a primary platform for combating malnutrition within Nigerian communities and encouraged development partners to provide financial and technical assistance, particularly in the areas of annual results monitoring and scaling successful interventions.

The Accountant General of the Federation provided the council with an update on the Excess Crude Account which currently stands at $473,754.57, the Natural Resources Fund has a balance of N3,451,078,538.57, and the Stabilization Account holds N33,875,398,389.75.

Polio:

In response to a presentation by co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, Council resolved to establish a Committee on the Eradication of Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus (VDPV). This follows reports of VDPV cases in Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.

The committee will be chaired by the Governor of Gombe State and will include the governors of the five affected states. Other members include Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Director-General of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and representatives from the NEC Secretariat and UNICEF.

Additionally, the Special Adviser to the President on NEC & Climate Change, the Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, a representative of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, and the Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum will also serve on the committee. The committee will be reporting monthly to NEC.

VP SHETTIMA AT NEC MEETING:

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VP Shettima Mourns Borno Terror Attack Victims, Says No Religion Endorses Killing Of Innocent Lives

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VP Shettima Mourns Borno Terror Attack Victims, Says No Religion Endorses Killing Of Innocent Lives

By: Our Reporter

Ahead of his trip to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, Vice President Kashim Shettima , has expressed grief over the death of 25 persons killed in the multiple explosions in different locations across Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on Monday.

He pointed out that no religion sanctions the killing of innocent lives, as the sanctity of human life remains a core tenet of major world faiths.

VP Shettima, who spoke on Tuesday during the closing of the Annual Ramadan Tafsir at the State House Mosque, Abuja, prayed Almighty Allah to grant the souls of those killed in the terror attack in Maiduguri eternal rest, reward them with Aljannah firdaus and give their family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Praying Almighty Allah to also vanish all agents of terror from the surface of the earth, the VP said, “May the lives of innocent souls – 25 of them – that lost their lives in Maiduguri last evening rest in peace. May Allah grant their souls eternal rest and reward them with His Aljannah firdaus, and may Allah also grant their families the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses.

“May Allah bring this madness to an end. No religion sanctions the killing of the innocent. Whatever that is motivating them, may Allah either guide them on to the right path or May Allah vanish them from the surface of the earth.”

The Vice President emphasised the need for all Nigerians to continue to pray for the country across every sector, as well as pray that the Almighty should continue to grant President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and members of his team wisdom, courage, sincerity and equity in service.

He noted that each season of Ramadan reminds Muslims of a truth that power often tries to hide from man, and that no sit is permanent, just as no office is ultimate and no human being stands above his dependence on his creator.

VP Shettima said, “In the presence of Allah, the distance between the mighty and the unknown vanishes. What remains is character, what remains is accountability, what remains is what we did with the trust placed in our hands.

“This is why gatherings such as this matters. They rescue public lives from arrogance; they retain soul to scale; they teach those entrusted with authority that the nation is not built by policy alone but by conscience; not by proclamation alone but by restraint; not by ambition alone but by fear of Allah.”

The VP called on the Muslim faithful to continue to live in the teachings and lessons of the month of Ramadan, as the final days of Ramadan begins to sleep through their fingers.

“The question before us is not whether Ramadan is ending. The question is whether its teachings will continue to live in us after the moon has changed.

“It is quite easy to cut the head when the atmosphere is charged with devotion. The harder task is to carry it into ordinary days, into the market, into the office, into the home, into the chamber of power, and into the private corners where only Allah sees what we are doing, ” he noted.

While drawing from the lessons of Ramadan, the Vice President said the holy month had thought the Muslim faithful that pity without mercy is noise and worship without service is incomplete.

“So, as we close this year’s Tafsir, let us not return to the habits that weaken our common lives; let us not go back to bitterness, to reckless speech, to indifference dressed as sophistication. A believer doesn’t spend the whole month learning only to become a captive again of anger, greed and division.

“Nigeria needs homes where children encounter good examples before good advice. Nigeria, indeed, needs leaders in every spare who understand that influence is a trust, not a license, ” VP Shettima said.

He paid growing tribute to the Chief Imam of the State House Mosque, Sheikh Abdulwaheed Suleiman Abubakar, and his lieutenant for conducting the Tafsir with wisdom, calm hearts.

Earlier, the Chief Imam prayed for sustainable peace and development of Nigerian and the success of the Tinubu administration’s policies and programmes.

The cleric emphasised the need for leaders at all levels to continue to discharge their responsibilities with the fear of Allah for the process and development of the country.

VP Shettima Mourns Borno Terror Attack Victims, Says No Religion Endorses Killing Of Innocent Lives

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IGP Visits Maiduguri Bombing Sites, Assesses Security Measures

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IGP Visits Maiduguri Bombing Sites, Assesses Security Measures

By: Zagazola Makama

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has visited victims of the recent IED explosions in Maiduguri and assessed the security situation at key attack sites, underscoring the force’s commitment to public safety.

The IGP visited the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), where casualties of the bomb blasts are receiving medical attention. He commiserated with victims and their families, assuring them of the Nigeria Police Force’s resolve to identify and dismantle networks responsible for the attacks.

Following the hospital visit, he proceeded to the Maiduguri Monday Market, one of the sites targeted by the terrorists, for an on-the-spot security assessment. The visit included interactions with local security personnel to review operational preparedness and strengthen coordinated response measures.

The IGP also visited the Borno State Government House and the State Police Command Headquarters as part of ongoing engagements to enhance collaboration between federal and state security agencies.

He emphasized that security has been significantly tightened across Maiduguri and its environs, with increased patrols, surveillance, and joint operational deployments aimed at preventing further incidents. Residents were reassured of the force’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the aftermath of the attacks.

IGP Visits Maiduguri Bombing Sites, Assesses Security Measures

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Save us From Heavy Trailers Killing Our People… Muna Garage Residents Cry Out to Zulum

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Save us From Heavy Trailers Killing Our People… Muna Garage Residents Cry Out to Zulum

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Residents of Muna axis after customs area in Maiduguri have called on Governor Babagana Zulum to save them from the excesses of heavy duty vehicles who deliberately clog the international highway leading to Gamboru Ngala council area on a daily basis.

Some of the residents who spoke to this reporter after a recent crash which almost killed all the occupants of a commercial “Keke” regretted that the road traffic authorities in the state have not given this international highway the priority it deserves in terms of traffic management due to it’s prominence.

A careless trailer which was parked along the road close to the Alkome police hospital had narrowed the road for another trailer and a Keke nappe which struggled for the little space remaining all driving towards the Muna Garage area when a brush occurred and a sudden bang from the back by a third trailer which almost killed all the occupants of the keke nappe.

Some of the commuters came out alive from the crushed Keke with minor wounds while a particular man had his forefoot crushed almost hanging away from the ball of one of that very foot.

It was a bloody weekend for the commuters as blood from one of them flowed freely into the Keke and on the tarred road leading to Muna while onlookers rushed to see if anyone survived the crash.

Since no security personnel showed up within the first 30 minutes of the crash, the wounded were rushed to a nearby hospital while the trailer cleared from the road to ease traffic movement.

Most of the eye witnesses were enraged by the incident with some blaming it on the Keke riders while others castigated the trailers who insist on parking on the shoulder of this international route which should be free from these kinds of challenges.

Baana, a vulcanizer who says he has spent over three decades on this axis of the town called on Governor Babagana Zulum to as a matter of urgency build a massive modern trailer park for the heavy trucks so that they will stop parking along the road while they wait for clearance in the morning to embark on their journeys to Ngala and beyond.

“Lack of a modern trailer park is the main reason why we keep recording lingering accidents on a daily basis here with countless of people being wounded and are not recorded in the government statistics.” He stressed.

For mallam Isa, a teacher inside the suburb behind Alkome police Hospital, the Governor should as a matter of urgency sign an executive fiat to stop trailers from parking on main roads like this one leading to Mafa,Dikwa and Ngala.

” We are calling on the Governor to invoke an executive order based on section 5 of the 1999 constitution by banning all trailers from parking on the trunk A roads leading to Chad, Niger and Cameroon.

” This is because, apart from endangering the lives of commuters, prolonged stay on the tarred roads cause a lot of damage to the roads which the Governor has dualized after destruction by insurgency.”

Mallam Isa also called on Federal and State Road Safety managers in the state to create a road side emergency station along this route that would be assisting them in clearing accident victims in the road throughout the week and even during the weekend.

“look at this accident that just happened, they are all guilty of one offence or the other. But I equally blame the Keke riders because if they have respect for human lives, they will not be contesting for right of way with heavy duty trailers.

” These trailers are very wicked people. They use their big structures to block and entrap people only to be begging for mercy when the damage has been done.

” Their excesses are as grave as that of the keke napep people. The Federal Road Safety and the Borno traffic management authorities should increase their fines further to serve as deterrent on the rest.

Save us From Heavy Trailers Killing Our People… Muna Garage Residents Cry Out to Zulum

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