Headline

We’ll Do Our Best To Support Nigeria — DG WTO, Okonjo-Iweala

Published

11 months ago

August 8, 2023

Editor

The Director-General of World Trade Organisation, WTO, Professor Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Tuesday said as the person at the helm of the world body, she alongside her team will do their best to support Nigeria at this difficult time.

Prof. Okonjo-Iweala stated this while speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The WTO DG flanked by the former Minister of State for Health during the Goodluck Jonathan, Mohammed Ali Pate, said they saw the President and that the focus of their discussion was on what they would do to support Nigeria.

She said they are contemplating a grassroot programme that they could put in place to help the young people as well as women.

She said the WTO would look at the kind of trade can do for the people on agriculture, textile and even in establishing pharmaceutical industry.

According to her, “We want to help them in digital trade so that they can create more jobs.”

She said, “We saw the President and the focus was on how do we support Nigerians at this time of need.

“We all know that things are very difficult for Nigerians outside, everyone is struggling. I’m here myself on a quiet visit. So this was not really an official WTO mission but we’re able to engage with Mr. President, talk about what are the kinds of programmes that could be put in place to make sure that the suffering of Nigerians are being alleviated.

“And we had a really good conversation on trying to look at the community and grassroots programmes that can be put in place to create jobs for young people, trying to support women and children, who are bearing the brunt of some of the suffering in the country.

“We talked about how for the longer term, we need to do that investment opportunities that Nigeria can cease including in the pharmaceutical industry.

“We also talked about what type of support the World Trade Organization can bring. We’re already working in Nigeria with women in particular, who own small and medium enterprises to try to help them upgrade the quality of their products. Whether it’s in the agricultural area, in textiles and in other areas so that they can sell more internationally.

“We’re trying to help them with digital trade. So how do we train and empower Nigerian women and owners of small and medium enterprises so that they can trade more and create more jobs?

“So that is what’s needed now, helping Nigerians to alleviate the difficult conditions that they are in.

“So that is what we discussed with Mr. President and as the Director General of the World Trade Organization, we are going to try to do the most we can to support Nigerians at this particular time.

Also speaking, Dr. Pate said that President Tinubu was fully aware of the difficulties people are facing and that efforts being made to alleviate it.

He said, “I think the DG has mentioned the purpose of this visit. I think I’ll just reaffirm, that Mr. President is fully aware of the difficulties that people are facing, and committed and I think he is doing all that he can and with his team to ensure that those sufferings are alleviated.

“That was the main thrust of the conversation that we had in terms of targeting those who are most vulnerable, women, children, youth, attracting investment opportunities, that can grow the economy so that people will get some succour because the difficulties that we’re facing is transitory.

“I think with the vision of the President there’s reason to be very hopeful that we’ll navigate through this difficult time and have a Nigeria that sees us stronger, united and conspired to the greatness that is in our future.

“So Mr. President also discussed with us some of the vision on health that he has and I think is great to see that health is one area where it connects everyone.

“Health affects everyone from the policy side, regulatory side, pharmaceuticals and quality of pharmaceuticals, the financing side, in terms of financial protection, health insurance, and all those elements, primary health care in every nook and cranny of this country, folks have ailments like malaria, vaccinations, treatment of basic diseases with primary healthcare system, as well as hospital care, which is very important.

“Because sometimes you have primary healthcare. And Mr President is very committed to all those policy interventions, not only on health, but in all other arenas that will bring succour to this country and to move our economy for the greatness that is in our future.

“So that was really the purpose of this very fruitful discussion with Mr. President.”

Headline

FULL LIST: Lagos Gets 13 New Band A Feeders

Published

3 hours ago

July 4, 2024

Editor

Lagos State has been bolstered with 13 additional Band A feeders, following approval from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company announced that the upgrade was granted due to their consistent provision of at least 20 hours of daily electricity.

“Premised on our demonstrated ability to consistently provide for a minimum of 20 hours of daily during a performance evaluation period monitored by the regulator, we are pleased to announce that we have obtained approval to add 13 Band Feeders to our network,” a statement on IKEDC’s Twitter handle read on Wednesday.

The upgraded feeders include – OgbaINJ-T3-Agege, AlimoshoINJ-T8-Okunola, OworoINJ-T3-Anthony, AdeniyiJonesINJ-T1-Anifowoshe, and IsheriINJ-T1-Bankole.

IBEDC disconnects Ogun industrial estate, others over debts
Others are, EjigboTCN-Igando, EjigboTCN-Ijegun, IkoroduTCN-Fakale, Maryland INJ-T1-Ketu, OjoduINJ- T1-King Avenue, OdungunyanINJ-T1-Agodo and T1-IjuINJ-T1- Ajuwon..

This upgrade increases IKEDC’s total feeders to 141 from 128.

Meanwhile, NERC has warned DisCos of sanctions if they fail to complete the STS meter migration by July 31, 2024.

Headline

JUST IN: FG Raises Mining Rates by 50 Per Cent

Published

3 hours ago

July 4, 2024

Editor

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has raised the dues and rates paid by operators in the mining sector.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, announced the price increase at an ongoing press conference at the ministry headquarters on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the government increased a total of 286 rate regimes ranging from 50 per cent to 100 per cent adding that compliance begins immediately.

He also warned that defaulters will have their licenses revoked.

The minister said the review was necessary due to the paucity of funds repatriated to the coffers of the government by operators.

He said the new increase will also assist the ministry enhance the ease of doing business in the sector.

FG to revoke land titles of owners with illegal miners
Alake added that relevant stakeholders were involved in deciding the new rates adding that all parties unanimously accepted the increase.

He said, “It is therefore equitable that those who use these services to invest in the mining sector and make profits from it should be on the frontlines of the government’s efforts to recoup rather than pass it to poor Nigerians.

“Thus, in line with the powers conferred on me by the Mining and Minerals Act 2007, I set up a committee of the directors of departments and directors-general of agencies under the ministry and charged them with the mandate to work out new rates to justify governments’ investment in the service infrastructures and to cope with the expected meteoric spike in the traffic of applicants besieging the regulatory machinery.

“Today we are taking a significant step in efforts to implement the seven-point agenda to reposition the sector and international competitiveness by announcing a new regime of rates and charges for various services, departments and agencies.

“This is given qualitative measures and technological capacity upgrades implemented in recent times to raise the level of technical efficiency and improve the traffic of transactions and cope with business interest.”

Headline

Over 100 Edo Community Residents Benefit From Late Cecilia Asoro’s Free Medical Care

Published

12 hours ago

July 4, 2024

Editor

Over 100 residents of Evbareke community, a neighbourhood around Textile-Mill Road in Egor Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State were given a free medical checkup in memory of Cecilia Ewemade Asoro, who passed away 28 years ago.

The programme included blood pressure test,sugar level tests in addition to free drugs that were provided to treat various ailments and complaints.

Speaking, initiator of the programme, Dr. Ann Osamudiamen Asoro, daughter of the late nurse, said the aim was to continue her mother’s legacy of providing free medical services and other essential services like midwifery to the underprivileged.

Late Cecilia, a trained nurse and midwife, was said to have dedicated her life to serving humanity through her work.

Consequently the late nurse’s daughter decided to keep her mum’s memory alive by continuing her philanthropic work through a larger outreach.

Speaking further, Dr. Asoro described her “mother as a cheerful and kind-hearted woman who would have wanted her legacy to continue. “

“She was a disciplinarian and a very good educationist; and a humanitarian too. Dr. Asoro recalls.

“My mum used to have a black handbag that was literally a mobile clinic. Anywhere she goes and finds out someone has a medical need, she offers assistance immediately free of charge,” Dr. Asoro added.

The late nurse’s daughter, while encouraging residents to take advantage of the free medical services, urged Edo indigenes to give back to the community.

She added: “Beyond celebrating the memory of my late mum, I see this as an opportunity too to give back to my community by encouraging healthy living through this check ups”.

One of the beneficiaries, Joy James, expressed gratitude for the initiative, noting that “Grace of God will continue to be with her so that next year, she can still remember us with these free medical care.”

The programme climaxed with a grand reception at Dr. Asoro’s compound to celebrate with guests, friends, well-wishe was and family members.

Some family members also took the opportunity to share fond memories of their time with late Cecilia when she was alive.