NYCN thanks Buhari, Hails Youth and Sports Minister’s Initiative on the Establishment of the National Youth Investment Funds – Challenge Youth to come up with innovative ideas

NYCN thanks Buhari, Hails Youth and Sports Minister’s Initiative on the Establishment of the National Youth Investment Funds – Challenge Youth to come up with innovative ideas

The National Youth Council of Nigeria, led by its President, Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, has commended the Honourable Minister Sunday Dare, for his innovative resourcefulness that has resulted in the  establishment and approval of the N75 Billion naira National Youth Investment Found (NYIF) by President Muhammadu Buhari.   

The Minister, ably represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Gabriel Aduda, while receiving the National Youth Executives at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, noted that the NYCN has taken a bold and commendable step to thank Mr President on the establishment of the NYIF. He stated that the Memo on the establishment of the fund was thoroughly debated and it enjoyed an overwhelming support by members of the Federal Executive Council.

This gesture is to enable the teeming population of the Nigerian youth to be economically motivated for sustainability.   Mr Dare added that it is important to go beyond empowering the youth into investing in the youth of Nigeria with a common pulse that supports entrepreneurship and small businesses as well as provide the environment for youth to fly with their ideas.

He stated that the 75Billion naira  will come in three trenches between now and 2023 nothing that Mr President has given directives to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning alongside the Central Bank Governor to source for the money. 

According to the Minister, the Ministry through the Technical/Steering Committees that shall be put in place,which will include the youths, shall be  working on modalities to enable Nigerian youth have access to the fund and pay back within a short period with not more than 1 digit interest rate. He implored the youth to come up with innovative ideas that could lead to wealth/job creation and which can as well achieve any of the 9 cardinal goal of the present administration. 

The President, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, in his response, expressed gratitude to the Honourable Minster whose supervision in the youth constituency has recorded massive positive developments including the National Youth Investment Fund recently approved by Mr President. Sukubo noted that Nigerian youth have experienced a breath of fresh air and hope is kept alive owing to the visionary foresight of the Minister for the  growth of the youth of this country. 

‘To all my fellow Nigerian youths, it is a new dawn for us, the sound of hope echoes in the air. The long awaited dream has become a reality and I can testify that there is a song of joy in our lips, he said.  In his vote of thanks, the Hon. Commissioner for Pan Africa Union in Nigeria, Mr. Niyi Oladele, thanked President Buhari for the economic empowerment by creating this National Youth Investment Fund for the Nigerian youth and other programmes of the ministry on social media to keep the youths off the streets. 

He however made a call to the President to kindly direct all youths related activities and programmes scattered in other Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to be redeployed and warehoused in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for proper coordination.    

Olatunji JohnACIO

For: Director (Press)

AISHA BUHARI PRAYS THAT WE OVERCOME THE PANDEMIC

AISHA BUHARI PRAYS THAT WE OVERCOME THE PANDEMIC

The amiable and vocal wife of the President Buhari and the First Lady, Aisha Buhari observes the Eid as it is required by the Muslims. As a woman, she thanked the Muslim community for their compliance with the social distancing and used the opportunity to congratulating them.

The First Lady called in Nigeria to access the apex bank ,Central Bank of Nigeria credit tools to boost their business especially those who have been affected adversely by this Covid 19 pandemic.

Aisha Buhari and family members observing the Eid by praying to Allah

She took to her social media and prayed that we get over this pandemic soon and get back to our normal lives.

In her words,Aisha said “On this occasion of Eid el Adha, which signifies the spirit of sacrifice, I wish to congratulate Nigerian muslims and charge them to imbibe the lessons of the period. “

“I wish to use this opportunity to thank Nigerians for respecting the protocols designed for COVID19, and to call on them to remain resolute in ensuring that the pandemic is controlled. I also call on Nigerians to make best use of the financial support being provided through CBN to boost their businesses in order to cushion the effects of COVID”,She added.

“It is my ardent prayer that we overcome the pandemic as soon as possible so that we return to our normal lives in earnest”she prayed.

Anthony Emeka Nwosu

Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) approved the appointment of Five (5) Assistant Comptrollers General

Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) approved the appointment of Five (5) Assistant Comptrollers General

Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) at its 52nd Regular meeting approved the appointment of Five (5) Assistant Comptrollers General of Customs, promotion of 2,634 Officers, dismissal of One (1) ACG and compulsory retirement of another ACG.Hon.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning and Chairman, NCS Board, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed who presided over the meeting said decisions taken during the meeting were meant to ginger and move the Service forward in-terms of manpower and operations.

The new Assistant Comptrollers General of Customs are:ACG, Mohammed Boyi – Doctrine DevelopmentACG, Adewale Adeniyi – Commandant C&SC GwagwaladaACG, Jack Ajoku – Strategic Research and PolicyACG, Olakunle Oyeleke – Training and CoordinationACG, Elton Edorhe – Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘C’Breakdown of the 2,634 Officers whose promotion have 1st January 2019 as effective date is as follows:

Deputy Comptrollers to Comptrollers of Customs = 37

Assistant Comptrollers of Customs to Deputy Comptrollers = 110

Chief Superintendent of Customs to Assistant Comptrollers = 138

Superintendent of Customs to Chief Superintendent of Customs = 93

Deputy Superintendent of Customs to Superintendent of Customs = 93

Assistant Superintendent of Customs I to Deputy Superintendent of Customs = 1224

Assistant Superintendent of Customs II to Assistant Superintendent of Customs I = 475

Inspector of Customs to Assistant Superintendent of Customs II = 464205 out of the 2,634 are Support Staff who also enjoyed promotion to various ranks.In-line with the reform agenda, the Board took some disciplinary actions against two Senior Officers.

ACG Aminu Dahiru was dismissed for act of serious misconduct while ACG Bashir Abubakar was compulsorily retired for act of negligence.The Hon. Minister described the NCS as “Making Progress” and expressed the hope that the coming of the e-Customs will help improve NCS operations.

Signed:DC, Joseph Attah

Public Relations Officer

For: Comptroller-General of Customs

Nigeria Mining Week to Proceed Digitally in October and Reconvene in 2021

Nigeria Mining Week to Proceed Digitally in October and Reconvene in 2021

The mining mood in Nigeria remains upbeat amid the announcement that the Nigeria Mining Week conference will proceed as a digital platform from 12-16 October this year while the event will reconvene as a live event in Abuja on 11-13 October 2021.

According to Nigeria’s Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite, “Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is safer to reschedule the Nigeria Mining Week proceedings for 2020, as we prioritize the safety of the participants. We look forward to engaging with the industry digitally this year and hope to be able to hold the event in 2021, in the second week of October.”

Nigeria Mining Week is organised by Miners Association of Nigeria in collaboration with PwC and Clarion Events Africa and is supported by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. This year marks the fifth edition of the event, which has garnered increasing interest over the years.

The minister recently said that, “there’s no denying the fact that the pandemic has affected the mining community adversely. The community is spending this period to re-strategize so that when the pandemic is over we can once again hit the ground running.”

The President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Kabir Mohammed Kankara, concurs and says in a statement that, “the global lockdown occasioned by COVID-19 has practically taught the world new ways of doing things and our annual Nigeria Mining Week is not exempted. Thanks to digital innovation that provides the platform for online interaction, the Miners Association of Nigeria, as the organizer of the annual event, hereby enjoins our members, donors, investors and other participants all over the world to link up to the virtual edition of Nigeria Mining Week 2020 and other digital platforms organized to whet our appetite for the main event.”

Home Page | Nigeria Mining Week

Successful transition to digital
Since the start of the pandemic and the resultant travel and movement restrictions, the event co-organisers Clarion Events Africa have made a successful and innovative transition from live events to digital and virtual conferencing and networking with several of its events across the continent proceeding to take place online.

“Virtual editions of industry and regionally leading events such as DRC Mining Week and African Utility Week have been very well received,” says David Ashdown, Managing Director of Clarion Events Africa. “It is clear that the industry is eager to engage, ask questions, find solutions and close deals. Our media division has been organising webinars for years and we have collaborated with them, and have been seamlessly running our events online, and will continue to do so as long as is necessary, while still managing to deliver a meaningful audience on a digital platform.”

He continues: “Moreover, we have an exciting list of topical webinars for those interested in investing in the Nigerian mining sector, which will take place on a regular basis in the run-up to the digital and live events this year and in 2021. So, watch this space, we are not going anywhere!”

Solid industry support
Leading mining sector players and longstanding partners of Nigeria Mining Week are supportive of the changes in the event’s format and dates, particularly as it concerns health and safety.

Mrs Emotan Josephine Aburime-Shine is the CEO of Emotan Global Ventures Limited, the returning platinum sponsors of the event: “Nigeria Mining Week is a great platform for the sector to be more visible.” She adds: “I would like the world to know that Nigerian minerals and metals wealth are 100 times greater than her oil wealth, and as we wake up and begin to realise this, this country will one day be labeled the land of milk and honey.”

“Given the unprecedented global pandemic we are currently facing,” says Segun Lawson, Chief Executive Officer, Thor Explorations, UK, “we understand the precautionary requirement to postpone Nigeria Mining Week 2020. We respect the decision to put health and safety of participants as a priority. We very much look forward to the event in 2021 where we will be a very supportive participant.”

“Although we are sad,” says Kevin Joseph, Managing Director, Nivek Mining, Nigeria, “considering the circumstances of this global pandemic we are all facing, it’s the safest thing to do. And even if we are unable to hold this very worthwhile Nigeria Mining Week conference this year, all is not lost in the mining industry here in Nigeria. We can, of course, hold digital events and webinars to continue to drive the Nigerian mineral extractive industry.”

He continues: “Our companies, based locally and very well connected internationally, must and will continue to support local initiatives of the MMSD, to continue to the growth of healthy project plans for the mining industry, here in Nigeria.”

Contact Information
Nigeria Mining Week
Annemarie Roodbol
+27217003500

TEXT OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY HMIC ON CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS IN GOVT AGENCIES…IN ABUJA ON TUESDAY JULY 28TH 2020

TEXT OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY HMIC ON CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS IN GOVT AGENCIES…IN ABUJA ON TUESDAY JULY 28TH 2020

Good afternoon gentlemen, and welcome to this press conference

  1. As you are all aware, Nigerians have recently been inundated with allegations of monumental corruption in a number of government agencies, including the NDDC, NSITF and the anti-corruption agency, EFCC.
  2. Many, especially naysayers, have misinterpreted these developments as a sign that the Administration’s fight against corruption is waning. In fact, the main opposition PDP has latched on to the developments to call for the resignation of Mr. President, a call that is nothing but infantile!
  3. Let me state here and now that the fight against corruption, a cardinal programme of this Administration, is alive and well.
    President Muhammadu Buhari, the African Union’s Anti-Corruption Champion, who also has an impeccable reputation globally, remains the driver of the fight and no one, not the least the PDP under whose watch Nigeria was looted dry, can taint his image or reverse the gains of the fight. Anyone who disagrees that the anti-corruption fight is alive and well is free to dare us.
  4. What the revelations of the past few weeks, especially the investigation of the nation’s anti-corruption Czar, have shown is that this Administration is not ready to sweep any allegation of corruption under the carpet; that there is no sacred cow in this fight, and that – unlike the PDP – we will not cover up for anyone, including the members of our party and government, who faces corruption allegations.
    Our fight against corruption is blind to party affiliation, position in government and any other consideration. If the nation’s anti-corruption Czar can be investigated, then the fight against corruption cannot be deemed to be fake, neither can it be said to be waning.
  5. I am not prepared to go into the details of the various corruption allegations – whether at the NDDC, NSITF, EFCC or any other agency – because they are all still under investigation. However, I wish to state that the allegations of corruption in NDDC, for example, are not new. What is new is the speed and seriousness with which this Administration has tackled, and is still tackling, the allegations.
    Had such attention been paid to the running of the NDDC by previous Administrations, the Commission would probably have avoided its present predicament. Is it not a sad irony, then, that those under whose watch the alleged freewheeling spending by the Commission started are now the ones accusing those who are cleaning up after them of corruption?
  6. As I said earlier, this Administration’s fight against corruption is as strong as ever, and we have the records to back up this claim.
    This Administration has recorded over 1,400 convictions, including high profile ones, and recovered funds in excess of 800 billion Naira, not to talk of forfeiture of ill-gotten properties. This is no mean feat.
  7. Remember, gentlemen, that the fight against corruption is not about loot recovery or convictions alone. We are also putting in place enduring institutional reforms that will deter acts of corruption.
    Here we are talking about the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the Whistleblower Policy, the expansion of the coverage of the Integrated Payroll Personnel and Information System as well as the Government Integrated Management Information System and the Open Government Partnership and Transparency Portal on Financial Transactions, among others.
  8. Let me also mention the ICPC’s Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Group, aimed at tracking performance of publicly-funded projects, and the Commission’s escalation of the use of administrative sanctions in the public service by periodically submitting, for sanction, names of public servants who are being prosecuted. There is also the review of the personnel and capital fund expenditure of MDAs.
  9. Therefore, those who are celebrating the so-called waning of the Administration’s anti-corruption fight are engaging in wishful
    thinking, and are not looking at the full ramifications of the fight.
  10. Let me end this press conference by quoting what Mr. President said on the fight against corruption in his speech marking the 59th independence anniversary of the country: ”This Administration has fought against corruption by investigating and prosecuting those accused of embezzlement and the misuse of public resources. We have empowered teams of prosecutors, assembled detailed databases of evidence, traced the proceeds of crimes and accelerated the recovery of stolen funds….The policies that we are putting in place today are to ensure such criminal and unpatriotic acts do not go without consequences.”
  11. Gentlemen, there is no better expression of the Administration’s commitment to the anti-corruption fight than this statement, which is as true and relevant today as it was in 2019! I thank you for your kind attention.