News

Tinubu Working To Move Nigerians Out Of Poverty – Finance Minister

Published

1 year ago

November 19, 2024

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun has said that President Bola Tinubu is charting a way to move a lot of Nigerians out of poverty.

He stated this in Bauchi on Monday, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 National Council on Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED)’s conference.

According to him, the president is leaving no stone unturned in order to ensure that life is made easy for Nigerians by coming up with policies and programmes that would be beneficial to all.

“President Tinubu’s administration inherited assets and liabilities and there was no looking back but it’s a question of charting a way of looking forward and making plans in order to first of all stabilise the economy.

“He is working hard to get investments through private sector investors both domestically and foreign direct investors to increase the productivity of Nigeria, grow the economy, create jobs and of course move a large number of people out of poverty.

“When you try to look at where we are now, essentially, the major macro economic reforms are in place.

“He has stopped the bleeding that was costing five per cent of the GDP of the country every year that was adding no value except to a few people and neighbouring countries that were benefiting from what was happening with the fuel subsidy and as well, a related foreign exchange subsidy.

“The benefits were saved for just a few and a mass of Nigerians were not getting any benefits from those structures.

“They have been removed and the federation account will benefit from increased flow of resources to the federal, states and local governments and so much more can be done in terms of investing not just in infrastructure but in social services like education and health,” he said.

The Minister assured that the road is clear for private sector investors and that the country is back in the business on the road to industrialisation based on what is happening in the petroleum refining sector.

He said that crude oil is not just being shipped abroad but it’s being refined locally to give petroleum products and raw materials for industry.

He called on all Nigerians to be encouraged that the country now has a more stable, sustainable macro economic environment that is friendly to investors.

This, he said, would make it possible not only for them to produce competitively for the domestic market but also to export.

He appreciated all the organisers of the conference for all the efforts put in place to make the consequence a reality and also thanked Gov. Bala Mohammed for his hospitality and warm welcome to all the delegates that turned up the conference.

Also, the Bauchi state governor said that hosting the event is a privilege and has proven the importance of collaboration in addressing the economic challenges and opportunities before the country.

He assured that the government spared no efforts to ensure that the event surpasses expectations.

“Your presence is a testament to your commitment to advancing Nigeria’s financial and economic landscape.

“I urge all the participants to contribute constructively to the benefit of all Nigerians,” he advised.

The theme of the conference is: Fostering Economic Growth in Challenging Times: Strategies for Policies and Partnership for Fiscal Sustainability & National Development.

News

MOWAA: Okpehbolo Receives Edo Assembly Resolution Indicting Obaseki

Published

1 hour ago

December 24, 2025

Editor

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, received report and resolutions of the Edo State House of Assembly which indicted former Governor Godwin Obaseki on the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and the Radisson Hotel projects.

Recall that the Edo Assembly raised a five-man committee to investigate funding and ownership of both projects following a request by Governor Okpebholo.

Okpebholo, who spoke after receiving the report said its findings and recommendations would be fully implemented.

Okpebholo said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would be invited to further examine issues raised in the recommendations.

According to him, the Edo State Government has significant stakes in the MOWAA and Radisson Blu hotel having invested ₦3.8bn respectively in both projects.

He said changes in the structure and nomenclature of the MOWAA project made the investigation unavoidable.

Okpebholo said it was unacceptable to suggest Edo State has only 10 per cent stake in the Radisson Blu hotem despite investing over ₦28bn.

“Edo State has spent over ₦3.8 billion on this project, yet some people are saying the state has no stake in it. That is totally unacceptable. I will work with your recommendations and forward them to the relevant authorities to investigate what truly happened. We will also involve the EFCC.

“Our investment in this project is over ₦28 billion. We must invite the EFCC to step in and determine if this is how businesses are conducted in Nigeria,” he said.

In its recommendations passed by the Assembly, the five-man committee headed by Hon Addeh Isibor, urged the Edo State Government to take possession of both projects.

It asked Governor Okpebholo to contract competent hands to complete renovation of the Hotel and take all steps to put the Hotel to use.

The recommendations urged the Edo State Government to revoke “the fraudulent Certificate of Occupancy to the property issued in the name of Hospitality Investment and Management Company Limited and revert same to the Edo State Government that purchased the property.

“That the Edo State Government initiate legal action and work with relevant Anti-graft Agencies to retrieve both the complete statement of account and the balance of the Seventeen Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira (N17,500,000,000.00) Bond proceeds still in the possession of the Escrow Agents. Meristen Trustees Limited and Emerging Africa Trustees Limited.

“The title to the MOWAA Property having never been revoked, same remains the property of the Central Hospital, Benin City

“That the Edo State Government immediately takes all necessary step to put the property to good use in the best and overriding public interest of the people of Edo State.”

Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, said the facts about MOWAA and Radisson Blu Hotel were now clearly documented in resolutions and outcomes.

News

Sheikh Gummi Sues Two Over Alleged False Facebook Publication

Published

4 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Editor

Prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gummi, has approached the Chief Magistrate Court in Kaduna, seeking the issuance of a criminal direct complainant summons against two Facebook users over alleged criminal conspiracy, attempt to cause public disturbance and criminal defamation.

The application, filed at the Chief Magistrate Court sitting on Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna, listed the defendants as George Udom and Bello Isiaka.

According to him, the defendants allegedly published a “Breaking News” statement on their respective Facebook pages on December 23, 2025, between 7:00 am and 10:00 am, attributed to him, threatening that the family of the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, would be eliminated if military operations against bandits were not stopped.

Gummi alleged that the publication was falsely attributed to him, as his photograph was allegedly used alongside the statement, giving the impression that he issued the threat against the Defence Minister.

The Islamic scholar stated that following the publication, he received numerous phone calls from concerned members of the public who believed he authored the statement and was attempting to intimidate the Minister of Defence in the discharge of his official duties.

He further maintained that the publication portrayed him as a troublemaker and a threat to public peace, despite his long-standing reputation as a cleric known for preaching peace and harmony within and outside Nigeria.

The complainant argued that the alleged publication was capable of inciting public disorder in Kaduna State, particularly Southern Kaduna, and could expose him to danger by presenting him as a prime suspect in the event of any attack on the Defence Minister’s family.

He also contended that the actions of the defendants amounted to an attempt to cause public disturbance and criminal defamation of his character.

Dr Gummi told the court that the alleged acts contravened Sections 59, 57, 372, 116 and 117 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.

The application, dated December 24, 2025, was filed by a team of lawyers led by Suleiman Danlami Lere, with the complainant urging the court to summon the defendants to answer to the allegations.

News

JUST IN: Kano Lawmaker, Sarki Aliyu Daneji, Dies Hours After Colleague’s Passing

Published

4 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Editor

Hon. Sarki Aliyu Daneji, the lawmaker representing Kano Municipal in the Kano State House of Assembly, died on Wednesday, barely hours after the death of his colleague, Hon. Aminu Sa’adu Ungogo.

The Director-General, Media and Public Relations, Government House, Kano, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, confirmed Daneji’s death to journalists in Kano.

Daneji’s demise came shortly after the passing of Hon. Ungogo, who was the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations and represented Ungogo Local Government in the Assembly. Ungogo, a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), reportedly died after a brief illness.

He was said to have been at the Kano State House of Assembly earlier in the day, attending a committee meeting before his death.

The sudden loss of the two lawmakers within a short interval has thrown the Kano State House of Assembly into mourning, with colleagues, party members and constituents expressing shock and grief over the tragic development.