Oyebanji Lauds Tinubu’s Support For MSMEs

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May 31, 2024

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has commended the President Tinubu- led Federal Government for his unwavering commitment and support for the development and empowerment of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises ,MSMEs, across the country targeted at boosting job creation and youth empowerment.

Governor Oyebanji gave the commendation in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday while inspecting Ekiti MSME clinic housing the Ekiti Garment Hub, due for Inauguration next week by the Vice- President, Senator Kashim Shettima, describing youth development and job creation as key pillars of his administration’s development agenda.

Speaking with Journalists shortly after inspecting the project, the Governor expressed his gratitude to the President for selecting Ekiti State as one of the few states to benefit from this phase of the Federal Government MSMEs support programme.

Highlighting the economic impact of the growth of MSMEs on the development of the state and the nation’s economy, the Governor said the MSME clinic, which is a fashion and garment hub, would train Ekiti indigene in fashion designing, create more jobs and also improve the living condition of the residents.

He said the hub would also serve as a catalyst for entrepreneur, providing necessary training and resources for individuals to start their businesses, achieve financial independence, and stimulate the economic growth of the state.

Expressing optimism about the future of Nigeria given the current administration’s proactive stance on economic and citizen welfare, the Governor said the President’s continue emphasis on MSMEs and other citizen-focused policies will not only enhance economic resilient but also ensure a better and quality life for all Nigerians.

“This is a project that the Federal Government is undertaking in Ekiti State in collaboration with the State government and we are grateful to the President for choosing Ekiti State as one of the few states that will benefit from this phase of the program and it is consonance with our promise to our people. You understand that job creation and youth development is one of the pillars of which we campaigned, so this hub will train Ekiti indigenes in fashion design, it will create job for them, it will also lead to the improvement in their living condition.

“From this place, life will be changed, and people will come in and learn skills that they can use to develop themselves going forward.

“I just came on inspection of the project as a forerunner to the visit of the Vice- President who will be coming next week Saturday to Inaugurate this project and many more programmes like this will come to Ekiti and we can only be grateful to the president and we don’t have a choice than to continue to support and pray for him”, the Governor said.

The Governor restated the commitment of his administration to creating opportunities for the citizens to utilize their education and God – given talents to enhance their economic growth and development.

On the entourage of the Governor during the inspection were the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adeoye Aribasoye; Commissioner for Investment, Trade and Industry, Mrs Tayo Adeola and other officials.

Reverting To Old National Anthem Not Priority

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ALJAZIRAH

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May 31, 2024

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The decision by the government to revert to the old National Anthem in Nigeria has sparked a range of reactions among within the country.

President Bola Tinubu, just signed the National Anthem Bill 2024, which formally reinstates the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”, into law, shifting from the “Arise, O Compatriots”.

The “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” anthem was used from 1960, when Nigeria gained independence, until it was replaced by “Arise, O Compatriots” in 1978.

There has been a flurry of reactions to the news of the reinstatement of the old national anthem.

On X.com, a former Minister of Education, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili said she would not revert to the old national anthem.

According to her, no one can suppress her right to dissent from what she described as an “obnoxious law” repugnant to all who are of good conscience in Nigeria.

Several Nigerians have also taken to social media to express their displeasure with the new law.

Some Nigerians have expressed disapproval for the change which they said came with little consultation.

The newly re-adopted anthem, which begins “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”, was written by Lillian Jean Williams in 1959 and composed by Frances Berda.

Speaking on his first anniversary in office, President Tinubu said the anthem symbolised Nigeria’s diversity.

But many have questioned his priorities amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Reacting online, some Nigerians said the country had more pressing problems such as insecurity, rising inflation and a foreign exchange crisis.

X user @Gospel_rxx posted: “A new national anthem is the priority for Tinubu & Co at a time like this, When our people can’t eat, insecurity is rife & life is hell? What a sordid joke!!. Lets see how they implement it..”.

Another X user Fola Folayan said it was shameful that parliament had rushed through the bill.

“Changing the Nigerian national anthem written by a Nigerian, to the song written by colonizers is a wrong decision and it’s shameful that nobody in the National Assembly thought to stand against it”.

She then posted the words of “Arise O Compatriots” – the anthem which has been used for the past 46 years.

However, some including former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad had an interesting view as Nigerians continue to debate the issue on social media.

“After the change of our national anthem, some people are now calling for the name Nigeria and the national flag to be changed as well. What do you think? Should we keep the name Nigeria?”

But Tahir Mongunu, chairman of the parliamentary committee which pushed the bill through, dismissed the widespread criticism, saying it was “apt, timely and important”.

“It will undoubtedly inspire a zeal for patriotism and cooperation. It will promote cultural heritage. Changing the national anthem will chart a path to greater unity”, Tahir said.

And Kano resident Habu Shamsu agrees, telling the BBC: “I think it more encompassing and I like the way it flows”.

AljazirahNIGERIA aligns our thoughts with the those Nigerians opposed to the change as we see it as needless and coming at time we are confronted with myriad of national challenges.

These challenges are not daunting but what is required is the will and zeal to confront them frontally from all tiers of government.

Indeed, we require a push in our national value re-orientation where citizens can be more responsive to national goals and aspirations. We do not see reverting to the old National Anthem as capable to engender any formidable national rebirth.

This cannot be said to be an achievement in a strict sense for which the National Assembly and government are taking credit.

As it is not a few Nigerians are still battling with unprecedented high cost of living.

ONE YEAR IN OFFICE: Mixed Grill As Joy, Regret, Anxiety Abound

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ALJAZIRAH

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May 31, 2024

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* Insecurity, poor economy cause fear

*Masses waiting to see campaign promises *President working to better things – Information minister

By Dauda Ismail and David Maxwell

As has become the tradition in Nigeria’s democracy, it is now one year when President Bola Tinubu and about 28 governors took over the mantle of leadership on May 29 last year. For many, the current administration at the federal level has not lived up to expectation, while expectedly others believe that the president only needs more time for the gains of his policies to be felt by the Nigerian masses.

Many Nigerians who have openly accessed Tinubus administration believe the economic woes felt by Nigerians began when he, during his inaugural address announced the removal of subsidy on petrol, which immediately prompted many petrol marketers shut their stations, and queues began growing at filling stations. By the following day, Nigerians awoke to a rise in prices of petrol which began to sell for N568 at NNPC retail stations, while other marketers began selling between N700 and N650 in the Lagos and Abuja areas. This directly had a domino effect on prices of goods and services which reacted with an upward flight.

Insecurity from terrorism to banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and the return of highway robbery has left many Nigerians in fear an apprehension.

Speaking to AljazirahNigeria, Ismail Bologi said: “while there is nothing wrong with the removal of subsidy, and I commend President Tinubu for his rather bold step in wasting no time in doing so, I think where the president got it all wrong and which has plunged the country into the current economic woes was the delay in Nigerians seeing the palliatives either monetary or material even till today.

“How could you easily and boldly remove subsidy and it took you months to announce a palliative that the vast majority of suffering Nigerians are yet to see one year after? I think that in his rush to do what is needed for economic growth, Tinubu ‘put the cart before the horse’ and this has been the bane of his administration as the shylocks at all levels have capitalised on the subsidy removal to further impoverish an already poor Nigerian masses who are earnestly waiting to see his campaign promises.”

But like in every human situation, it has been a mixed grill as some are satisfied with this administration despite the disappointment of others. And yet there are some others who have remained indifferent as they have lost hope in the political leadership of the country. One of such is Madam Bolanle, a roadside food seller popularly known as “Mama Put’ who said: “Whether Buhari, Tinubu, Atiku, Obi or any other person who comes to rule Nigeria, what is my business with them? Will any one of them assist me in feeding and training my children? Please, I no longer care whoever rules Nigeria; all I care about is for God to bless my hustle and help me train my children. Who Nigeria help sef?”

On his part, former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Bode George, while putting the reason behind the economic woes of the current administration on the ineptitude of the previous government, charged President Bola Tinubu to rejig his economic team saying Nigerians have suffered enough.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos on the state of the nation, the PDP leader said due to the failure of successive leaders to grapple with the problems of nation building, Nigeria is currently facing an existential crisis. “Because successive leaders have failed to successfully grapple with the problems of nation building, Nigeria is currently facing an existential crisis. This crisis became complicated between 2015 and 2023 during the administration of my oga President Muhammadu Buhari. The Nigerian state almost collapsed because many Nigerians will agree that, that eight-year era was probably the worst in Nigerian history since 1960 when we got our independence. It was as if nobody was in charge of the country.”

For the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris he has expressed optimism that things will get better in Nigeria as some of the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration will begin to crystallize into reality.

He assured that the economic situation in the county will soon improve and impact positively on the lives of Nigerians at the event organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on International Cooperation and Bank of Industry.

“Tinubu’s determination to engage on the global stage to position and sell Nigeria as an investment destination is something he takes seriously, both at home and abroad. He is the Chief Marketing Officer of the country and always goes the extra mile to fulfill this role with boldness and determination.

“He gave the approval to constitute a National Communications Team, to harmoniously engage with Nigerians, and showcase our journey as a government determined to leave a lasting legacy of reset and reform in every facet of national life. I want to assure you that you will see a lot more of our work as a Team as we enter this second year of the administration.

“We will continue to engage with Nigerians, home and abroad regarding our work, prioritising truth, credibility and impact. I want to express my clear and unshakable belief that things will get better in Nigeria. A lot of the work that was put in during the last 12 months is just now crystallising into reality.

“I am indeed very optimistic about what this second year that we are going into will bring, and I invite you all to share in this enthusiasm,” Idris said.

Nigerians Dying In Numbers Daily

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ALJAZIRAH

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May 31, 2024

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* Insecurity, deadly diseases, harsh economy at the core

* 857 classes, 156 deaths from Lassa Fever in 6 months

* HIV prevention hampered by failure of gov’t, health workers – UNAIDS

* As bandits, armed robbers, cultists, others exhibit impunity

While insecurity, inflation and economic woes seem to have occupied the top burner of national discourse, a silent war fought with syringes, medicines, and public health initiatives rages on, DAUDA ISMAIL writes.

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Away from the raging cases of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, farmers/headers clashes, cultism and the resurfacing cases of highway robbery, Nigerians are equally faced with the life threatening battle against deadly diseases like Lassa Fever, HIV/AIDS, and a myriad of other silent killers that threaten the fabric of the Nigerian society.

Lassa Fever, one of the most insidious foes Nigeria faces, originates from rodents. The virus can be transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or feces. While the disease is endemic to West Africa, Nigeria bears the brunt of its impact.

Every year, during the dry season, cases of Lassa Fever surge, creating panic among citizens and putting immense strain on the country’s already fragile healthcare system. The symptoms can mimic those of malaria or typhoid fever, making early diagnosis challenging. By the time patients present with severe symptoms such as bleeding, organ failure, and shock, the disease has often progressed too far for effective treatment.

According to a report released by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, on May 8, the country has recorded 857 confirmed cases and 156 deaths of Lassa fever across 28 states of the federation from January to April 28 this year.

NCDC, in its latest Lassa fever situation report, noted that cumulatively from week 1 to 17, the fatalities were recorded with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.2 per cent which is higher than 17.0 per cent recorded in the same period in 2023.

The NCDC report for week 17 spanning from April 22 – 28, also noted an increase in the number of confirmed cases from 11 in week 16 to 14 in the reporting week.

According to the reports, 63 per cent of all the confirmed cases in 2024 were from Ondo, Edo and Bauchi while 37 per cent were reported from 25 states.

It further stated that the number of suspected cases in 2024 (5963) increased when compared to that which was reported in the same period in 2023 (5084).

Interestingly, the report noted that no health worker was affected in the reporting week, adding that the predominant age group affected by Lassa fever is 21-30 years.

The centre added that the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate response at all levels at the Emergency Operations Centre, EOC.

The Nigerian government, in collaboration with international organisations like the World Health Organisation, WHO, and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, has implemented various strategies to combat Lassa Fever. These include community sensitisation programmes, strengthening diagnostic capabilities in healthcare facilities, and providing healthcare workers with personal protective equipment to reduce the risk of transmission. Despite these efforts, controlling the spread of the virus remains an uphill battle.

While Lassa Fever dominates headlines during its seasonal outbreaks, HIV/AIDS remains a persistent epidemic silently ravaging communities across Nigeria. With an estimated 1.9 million people living with HIV in the country, Nigeria has the second-largest HIV epidemic globally.

Stigma, discrimination, and misinformation continue to fuel the spread of HIV, particularly among vulnerable populations such as sex workers, men who have sex with men, and injecting drug users. Although access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved in recent years due to government initiatives and support from international donors, however, gaps in HIV testing and treatment persist, hindering efforts to achieve epidemic control.

While Lassa Fever and HIV/AIDS garner much of the attention, Nigeria grapples with a host of other health challenges. Malaria, tuberculosis, cholera, and vaccine-preventable diseases like measles pose significant threats to public health.

Malaria, transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes, remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, particularly among children under five and pregnant women. Despite the availability of effective interventions such as insecticide-treated bed nets and artemisinin-based combination therapies, access to these tools remains uneven, with rural and underserved communities bearing the brunt of the burden.

Tuberculosis (TB), another airborne infectious disease, is a major cause of death among people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. The emergence of drug-resistant strains further complicates efforts to control the TB epidemic, highlighting the need for robust surveillance, diagnostic, and treatment services.

Cholera outbreaks, often linked to poor sanitation and contaminated water sources, are a recurrent problem, especially during the rainy season. Rapid response teams deploy to affected areas to provide medical care, clean water, and hygiene promotion to curb the spread of the disease. However, addressing the underlying determinants of cholera, such as inadequate access to safe water and sanitation, requires sustained investment in infrastructure and public health systems.

According to a Abraham Jatau, a Community Health Worker based in Kaduna State, “when these various diseases combine with the poor economy, inflation and insecurity, nigerians are dying in their numbers every day. Unfortunately most of these deaths are underreported especially with the hue and cry that insecurity gets. But when you combine the figures of death from terrorist and bandits attacks, armed robbery, farmer/hearder clashes, cultists, poverty and disease you will find out that Nigeria is truly in a quagmire.

‘Thus is especially when health workers as well as hospitals and other health facilities have constantly come under attack so that while the health workers are battling protect themselves while working to save lives, they are at the same time burdened by fear of attacks.”

Power Distribution: Incessant Power Outages Destructive, Nigerians Lament

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ALJAZIRAH

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May 31, 2024

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*Say repeated grid collapses counter productive

* Businesses folding

* Call on Gov’t to review privatisation

* As no hope in sight

With the constant power outages caused by frequent grid collapses as well as an array of other issues, Nigerians are calling on the government to review the privatisation contracts, DAUDA ISAMAIL writes.

On Wednesday while Nigerians were marking the annual Workers’ Day, the Transmission Company of Nigeria,.TCN, disclosed that Nigeria recorded 105 cases of grid collapse from 2015 untill date.

The TCN General Manager Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, disclosed this in a statement posted on the company’s X handle. This immediately triggered responses from Nigerians who expressed utter displeasure over the ever worsening power situation in the country.

Recall that in recent times, the TCN has reported cases of national grid system collapses, resulting in reduced electricity allocation to electricity distribution companies in the country.

On April 15, Nigeria’s electricity grid collapsed, throwing several cities into darkness, as generation dropped to 64.70 megawatts, officials said.

Yet the TCN albeit boasted that the number of grid disturbances/system collapses has gradually reduced, contrary to popular opinion.

“In recent years, the number of grid disturbances/system collapses has gradually reduced, contrary to popular opinion.

“Clearly, between 2020 to date (five years), we recorded fourteen total and six partial grid disturbances totalling twenty (20), which represents a 76.47 per cent reduction in grid disturbance, when compared to the previous five years, (2015 to 2019) where we had sixty-four total and twenty-one partial grid disturbances, totalling eighty-five (85) times,” Ms Mbah said.

Though she attributed the ‘improvement’ to the continuous effort by the management to strategically expand the grid while harnessing in-house capacities to find solutions to grid stability, pending the deployment of SCADA/EMS, a cross section of respondents who spoke to AljazirahNigeria say contrary to an improvement, they see a worsening situation.

“How on earth can the TCN claim their efforts are yielding positive results? Rather what we see is a worsening unavailability of power. When even big businesses are feeling the pain, what about the many budding businesses started by jobless graduates that have either folded or are at the verge of closing shop?

“The situation is clearly getting out of hand and is negatively affecting businesses across the length and breath of Nigeria,” Adanne Imeh, a 2012 graduate of microbiology from the Kogi State University, and who is operating a hairdressing saloon lamented.

For Alhaji Abdulazeez Garba, a dealer in grains such as guinea corn, maize, millet and rice at the popular Paiko market in Minna, Niger State, “the power situation in Nigeria is nothing to write home about. For us in Niger State, it wasn’t anything close to this in the 70s, 80s and even in the 90s. You know with the Kainji, Shiroro and Jeba hydroelectric power dams, people here enjoyed powe so much that generators were almost non existent.

“But the reverse is now the case. Yu see small medium and micro business shutting down on a daily basis, yet these are supposed to be the drivers of every successful economy. So how on earth can Nigeria have a stable economy with this disgraceful power situation?”

Meanwhile, earlier on Monday the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, attributed the power outage currently being experienced in parts of Abuja to technical faults on some of its feeders

The company’s management, in a statement listed the feeders affected as L36, H23, H33 and 8.

“This is to inform residents in parts of Abuja that the power outage currently being experienced is due to technical fault on feeders L36, H23, H33 and 8, respectively.

“Locations affected: are feeder L36-Entire Idu industrial, CITEC Estate, Efab Global, Babaginda Estate, Nizamaye Hospital and its environs.

“FH 23-Airport, River Park, Shoprite, NIPCO, Dunamis Church, NIGCOMSAT and its environs,’’ it said.

The company said that Feeder FH33 was also affected, and this comprises Apo Mechanic Village, Waru Village and its environs.

The company also said that Feeder 8, which has Jabi, Parts of Utako, Life Camp, Kado, Efab, Zango Daura, and Mbora Estates and its environs, was also affected.

According to AEDC, its technical team is working tirelessly to rectify the fault and restore the power supply quickly and regrets any inconvenience caused.

But reacting a businessman who gave his name as Chinedu Mosco said all that AEDC and other distribution companies as well as the TCN has been known for is just talk without any corresponding action to ensure the availability of power supply.

“We are just tired of this all talk and no corresponding action. Is it the TCN that can’t transmit all that is generated by the Generation Companies, GenCos, or is it the DISCOs that have no capacity to store excess power they get from the whittled down power they get from TCN which cannot even transmit every generated power that we should listen to?

“Speaking the mind of every Nigerian from the everyday Lamentations, we are tired have lost hope completely so we call on the federal government to review these contracts as the only way to solve this nonavailability of electric power.

But for Ndidi Mbah of the TCN, “No doubt there is room for improvement, and TCN will continue to work hard to further reduce the number of grid disturbances to the barest minimum,” she said.

Emefielegate: Emefiele’s loyalists Lobby Tinubu For Pardon

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ALJAZIRAH

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May 31, 2024

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*Meet brick wall

*Former CBN governor’s sin beyond forgiveness – Presidency source

By Dauda Ismail

As the corruption case against the embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria’, CBN, Godwin Emiefele continues at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court, and haven seen that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, appears to have an airtight case against him, his loyalists have begun to lobby President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant him pardon.

It would be recalled that at the last adjourned date of the trial on May 9, witnesses tendered.more documents, revealing more alleged secret dealings against Emefiele.

The bundles of documents were tendered against Mr Emefiele through the third prosecution witness, a Compliance Officer with Zenith Bank, Mr Clement Ngolu, by the EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The documents were admitted in evidence following no objections from the first defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), and the second defence counsel, Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN).

The trial judge, Rahman Oshodi, admitted the original copies of Zenith Bank account opening package, statement of account of Limelight Multidimensional Services Ltd., sent to the EFCC in evidence.

“I have read the documents dated March 2024, and I admit the original certified copy of the bundles of documents which include account opening package, statement of accounts into evidence and are marked as Exhibit A,” Justice Oshodi said.

Mr Ngolu, in his evidence, said his department responds to regulators and law enforcement agencies in order to ensure that the bank’s activities were in line with banking policies and regulations, adding that his department worked with agencies such as the EFCC, the Nigeria Police, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The witness said that his department in 2024 got a request from the EFCC to furnish them with statements of accounts of Limelight and two other accounts.

“The documents we sent to the EFCC was duly signed by the staff of the bank.

“The process of generating the statement was through our computer system which was in good condition.

“The documents were printed out from the company’s computer which was working well and the documents were in the bank’s custody,” the witness said.

The defence, however, said they had no question for the witness.

Also, a former Director of Information Technology of CBN, John Ayoh, under further cross-examination, said he had a confrontation with Mr Emefiele because he asked him to do something wrong.

The witness who further confirmed that he was sidelined by the embattled governor added that his being sidelined made him not to have any relationship with him.

“I was not happy being unpopular with the former CBN governor but on a number of occasions, I signed contract letters to vendors.

“While I was a director with the CBN, my loyalty was to the bank and the Nigerian nation and my relationship with Emefiele was only formal and based on instructions,,” he said.

The fourth witness, a contractor, in his evidence, testified about how he was allegedly pressurised by the central bank management to pay $600,000 for the contract which he had executed.

Mr Ayoh, the former CBN director of information technology, had on April 29, narrated before the court how he allegedly collected $600,000 for contract gratification for Mr Emefiele.

Owing to these developments in the case before the court, Loyalists of Emiefele who impeccable sources in the know of events disclosed as some top Chief Executive Officers, CEOs from.the private sector, top clergymen, and the traditional ruler of Emefiele’s village are lobbying seriously both directly and by proxy, for a soft landing for the embattled former governor.

According to a top Presidency source who spoke with this medium preferring to be anonymous since he is not authourised to speak on the matter said: “I can categorically tell you that top clergymen, very notable CEOs from the private sector and even the king of Emiefele s village have been lobbying for pardon or a soft landing for him.

“But all their pleas and entities have all met a brick wall as Emiefele s sins are beyond pardon and Mr President is of the opinion that the matter should take it’s course in the court of law. So whatever decision or judgement delivered by the court should hold sway.

“Mr President is also of the opinion that since Emiefele is being defended by competent lawyers, the matter should be left for the courts and he will not interfere with the decisions of the judiciary.

“So I suppose even them know that it is the judiciary before which the matter is that would decide his fate based on the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The EFCC had on April 8, arraigned Mr Mr Emefiele on 23 counts charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, procurement fraud and conspiracy to commit a felony.

The charge was formerly six counts.

NCC: A Digital Enabler Of The Renewed Hope Agenda

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ALJAZIRAH

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May 31, 2024

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In Nigeria, a young tech-savvy and upwardly mobile population is teeming, and exploring derivable benefits of digital technologies. They are propelled by rapidly expanding internet access and steady broadband penetration, currently about 43 per cent. Our digital economy is poised for significant growth, positively impacting various sectors and benefiting the nation through enhanced connectivity and digital skills.

Digital transformation is happening globally at a record pace. During the Covid-19 pandemic, for example, remote work and virtual collaboration tools took centre stage; platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet became—and still are—essential for meetings, conferences and team collaboration. E-commerce and online retail have transformed how consumers seamlessly order and receive goods and services. Even traditionally brick-and-mortar businesses are changing the ways they engage with their customers through introduction of digital solutions to improve the customer experience. It is a no-brainer that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are revolutionising our lives for the better, whether in education, healthcare delivery, living, public services, energy management, and much more.

Suffice to say, that underpinning this global digital transformation is the indispensable role of telecommunications infrastructure. Universal, affordable, reliable and fast telecom services are becoming social rights, as mobile networks and data-centres form the backbone for digital transformation by enabling the storage and processing of large amounts of data as well as the integration of digital technologies into numerous use cases.

For President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Renewed Hope Agenda draws us all to a more promising outlook. Inherent in his agenda is the pledge to embolden and support the youth and women by harnessing emerging sectors such as the digital economy. In delivering this vision, the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani unveiled a blueprint appropriately titled – “Accelerating our Collective Prosperity through Technical Efficiency” with the goal of supporting Nigeria’s economic growth by enhancing productivity, facilitated by digital innovation.

Acknowledging the criticality of resilient telecommunications infrastructure to a robust digital economy, Dr. Tijani’s Strategic Agenda 2023 — 2027 sets targets to achieve a 50 per cent improvement in Quality of Service (QoS) by the end of 2024; to boost Nigeria’s broadband penetration rate to 70 per cent by the end of 2025; to deliver data download speed of 25Mbps in urban areas and 10Mbps in rural areas by the end of 2025; to provide coverage for, at least, 80 per cent of the country’s population, especially the underserved and unserved populations by the end of 2026; to reduce the gap of unconnected Nigerians in rural areas from 61 per cent to less than 20 per cent by 2027; and to secure between 300 per cent to 500 per cent increase in broadband investment by the end of 2027.

Drawing from the Strategic Agenda of the Ministry, Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC) has emplaced three Strategic Focus Areas for the Commission: The Consumers, the Industry and Licensees; and the Government.

Dr. Maida’s approach to delivering on President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda comes from the recognition that each of these stakeholders has a unique perspective and different, occasionally-paradoxical expectations of the Commission. His goal is to forge a path that carefully balances each stakeholder’s needs while meeting their expectations.

Consider the Consumers—who are central to Dr. Maida’s focus—for example. His approach focuses on ensuring that they receive an enhanced Quality of Experience, beyond the narrow and very technically-evaluated Quality of Service. Quality of experience takes into account all touch points along the consumers journey in using telecom services from selection, through on boarding, usage, support and even off-boarding. This means that, consumers are empowered to make the right network selection, enjoy a seamless onboarding into the network of their choice, enjoy quality service at fair costs, receive responsive customer service and enjoy protected off-boarding where they chose to leave the network. To address consumer complaints on data depletion, the Commission has directed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to conduct an independent audit of their billing systems and is concluding a consultation process to simplify tariff plans. These initiatives would provide enhanced transparency to the consumer.

The Commission, under Dr. Maida, rather than taking a national outlook on data collection for Quality-of-Service delivery, has adopted an approach where more granular data is collected from operators and analysed to determine quality of service at very small, local levels, to allow the deployment of optimised solutions or regulatory actions where needed.

On the side of the Industry and Licensees of the Commission, Dr. Maida’s focus is aimed at forging a resilient industry and enhancing the delivery of regulatory services. Since he came on board, the Commission has shown commitment to tackling industry debt issues more seriously. It has also embarked on critical advocacy initiatives to address long-term challenges in the sector, including advocacy for designating telecom infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure, as well as successfully persuading over six states to waive Right of Way (RoW) fees, even as he initiates discussions with more states. The Commission, under Dr. Maida’s leadership, is equally engaging with the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms towards addressing multiple taxation issues in the telecoms sector.

In order to ensure that the industry is in line with current realities, the Commission is also undertaking a review of its extant Regulatory Instruments and Licensing Frameworks. For instance, Quality of Service Regulations have been reviewed to incorporate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for 5G and other participants that are critical to the Quality of Service.

By achieving expected QoS KPIs, high-speed internet connectivity, and forging a resilient and innovative telecommunications industry, the Commission is actively supporting the Ministry’s vision of boosting economic growth and productivity through technological innovation, delivering on the promise of Renewed Hope for all Nigerians.

Signed:

Reuben Muoka

Director, Public Affairs

UK Govt Calls For Release Of Hong Kong Democracy Campaigners

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aljazirah

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May 30, 2024

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British government yesterday urged Hong Kong to halt prosecutions under its National Security Law and release 14 pro-democracy campaigners found guilty of subversion.

“We call on the Hong Kong authorities to end NSL prosecutions and release all individuals charged under it,” junior foreign minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said in a statement.

Britain handed back Hong Kong to China in 1997 but has become increasingly critical of Beijing’s influence on its former colony, accusing it of breaking its promise to protect democratic freedoms.

Relations have soured between the two capitals, including after Hong Kongers were given residency and a route to citizenship in the UK due to the crackdown on pro-democracy campaigners.

Trevelyan said yesterday’s verdict was “a clear demonstration of the way that the Hong Kong authorities have used the Beijing-imposed National Security Law to stifle opposition and criminalize political dissent.”

The 14 people found guilty, who were among 47 charged, were “guilty of nothing more than seeking to exercise their right to freedom of speech, of assembly and of political participation,” she said.

“Today’s verdict will only further tarnish Hong Kong’s international reputation. It sends a message that Hong Kongers can no longer safely and meaningfully participate in peaceful political debate.”

Israeli Airstrike On Rafah Kills 12 Palestinians, Gaza Medics Say

By

aljazirah

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May 30, 2024

0

Israeli forces killed at least 12 Palestinians in a dawn airstrike on Rafah in southern Gaza yesterday and fighting raged in several other areas of the coastal enclave, Gaza medics said.

Israel pressed on with its offensive on Rafah a day after saying its forces had taken control of a buffer zone along the nearby border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, giving it effective authority over Gaza’s entire land frontier.

It said the buffer zone’s capture had cut off a route used by the Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas to smuggle arms into Gaza during more than seven months of war, which has laid waste to much of the territory and raised fears of famine.

Gaza medical sources said the 12 Palestinians, whom it said were civilians, had been killed and an unspecified number of others wounded in an Israeli airstrike as they tried to recover the body of a civilian in the center of Rafah.

Another Palestinian civilian was killed in an airstrike on Al-Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City in the north of the densely populated enclave, the medics said.

Israel reported clashes in southern, central and northern Gaza but did not immediately comment on the reported deaths in Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians took refuge earlier in the war.

Israel has kept up raids on Rafah despite an order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the top UN court, to halt its attacks. Israeli forces say they are trying to root out Hamas fighters and rescue hostages being held there, and the ICJ also called for the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas.

More than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s air and land war in Gaza, with 53 of those killed in the past 24 hours, the Hamas-run enclave’s health ministry said.

Israel launched its offensive after Hamas fighters crossed from Gaza into southern Israel on October 7 last year, killed 1,200 people and abducted more than 250, according to Israeli tallies.

The Israeli military said a soldier had been killed in fighting in northern Gaza, bringing to 292 Israel’s combat losses since its first Gaza ground incursion on October 20.

In an overnight call with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant underlined the continuing importance of Israeli operations in the Rafah area “due to concrete information regarding hostages held there.”

“Minister Gallant detailed IDF activities in the Rafah area where 20 terror tunnels have been identified,” the Israeli Defense Ministry said in a statement on the overnight call.

The Israeli military also said in a statement that tunnels used by Hamas for smuggling and moving fighters underground had been discovered during the latest raids, as well as large amounts of arms and explosives.

The Israeli statements did not say where the smuggling tunnels ran from. An Israeli official said on May 15 there were 50 tunnels connecting Rafah to the Sinai in Egypt, and voiced concern that Hamas could use them to smuggle senior operatives or hostages into Egyptian territory. Egypt on Wednesday denied the existence of any such tunnels.

The United States, Israel’s closest ally, reiterated its opposition to a major ground offensive in Rafah on Tuesday but said it did not believe such an operation was under way.

The US has, with Egypt and Qatar, been involved in efforts to mediate indirect talks between Israel and Hamas on arranging a ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages. Those talks have stalled, with both sides blaming the other for the lack of progress.

As the war drags on, malnutrition has become widespread in Gaza as aid deliveries have slowed to a trickle, and the United Nations has warned of incipient famine.

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, also called for an end to what he said were Israeli attacks on UNRWA staff and buildings in Gaza.

In article for the New York Times, he said Israeli officials were “delegitimising UNRWA by effectively characterising it as a terrorist organisation,” and he described a “dangerous precedent of routine targeting of UN staff and premises.”

His comments followed allegations by Israel in January that 12 of UNRWA’s 13,000 staff in Gaza took part in the October 7 attack on Israel. Israel did not immediately respond to his remarks.

The Gaza war has also stoked violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, another territory where Palestinians seek statehood.

Israel said two soldiers were killed in an overnight hit-and-run by a Palestinian motorist in the West Bank city of Nablus. There was no immediate claim of responsibility from Palestinian factions.

Shun Irregular Migration To Foreign Lands, Envoy Warns Nigerians

By

ALJAZIRAH

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May 30, 2024

0

Nigeria’s newly-posted Charge’ d’Affaires en-titre to Libya, Amb. Mohammed Mohammed has called on Nigerians to shun irregular migrations to foreign lands without documents. He said most of such irregular migrations usually end up in slavery and sexual exploitations in Europe.

Amb. Mohammed, who stated the above in Tripoli, Libya, Tuesday, during the repatriation of 122 stranded Nigerians in that country,also noted that migrations that follow due process are allowed,but advised Nigerians to always ponder well before embarking on the risk of the ill-advised journey across the desert.

The Head of the Nigerian Mission in that country,who recently assumed duty after receiving his Letter of Commission following his appointment by Mr President,thanked the Libyan authorities and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for the various roles they played in facilitating the release of some of the Nigerian migrants in detention facilities in the country and aiding the day’s repatriation to Nigeria.

The 122 evacuees, comprising 52 males,39 females(7 of whom were rescued victims of human trafficking),21 children as well as 10 infants,were at about 1.30pm, Libyan local time, airlifted from Mitiga International Airport aboard chartered flight No.uz 189. They were expected at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport,Lagos,at 5 pm, Nigerian Time,from where they would be handed over to the appropriate government agencies that will re-unite them with their families.

According to official sources, Tuesday’s evacuation,conducted in collaboration with the IOM in Libya as part of its Voluntary Humanitarian Repatriation (VHR) programme,was the ninth carried out by the Nigerian Mission in the country this year.The foregoing remains part of the 4-D foreign policy thrust of the Tinubu Administration,which came from the directives of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs,Amb.Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.

It will be recalled that, in 2023, a total of 2,041 stranded Nigerian migrants were assisted to return home by the IOM.Within this year alone,about 1,350 stranded Nigerian nationals have also safely been assisted to return home.

Musa Abubakar
Tripoli, Libya

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