Folarin Kehinde

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has stressed on the efficiency and the need for deepening the local content value chain as a critical driver for economic sustainability and growth in Nigeria.

Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida while speaking on Tuesday at the NCC Special Day during the 45th Kaduna International Trade Fair stated that the commission cannot overemphasize the fact that robust local content value chain will not only create economic opportunities but also contribute to technological advancement, job creation, and skills development within the country.

Maida noted that the commission remains dedicated to fostering an enabling environment for telecommunications industry where local content and innovation can thrive being one of the most critical thrust of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

“The Commission is fully committed to the advancement of local content and the overall development of the Nigerian economy. We recognize the importance of deepening the local content value chain as a critical driver for economic sustainability and growth.”

He explained that in a bid to support local content development, the commission has implemented various initiatives to promote indigenous participation in the telecommunications sector by creating the Nigerian Office for Development of Indigenous Telecommunications Sector (NODITS), and sponsored a number of Hackathons to encourage and promote Nigerian innovator expanding the frontiers of the Digital Economy.

Maida further charged stakeholders
at the trade fair to embrace the ethos of promoting local content by working together while creating a more vibrant and inclusive telecommunications industry that contributes significantly to the Nigeria’s economic recovery and growth.

The Honourable Minister of Power Commissions Five State Projects Under the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI). These states, includes Okene in Kogi State, Amukpe in Delta State, Potiskum in Yobe State, Apo in Abuja, and Ihovbor in Edo State, collectively mark a leap forward in the nation’s quest for energy sufficiency.

Under the phase 1 of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), these commissioned projects are set to amplify the transmission wheeling capacity by 272 megawatts, aimed at ensuring a more robust delivery of electricity to consumers across the nation. The commissioning ceremony, graced by government officials, industry stakeholders, and local community leaders, underscored the significance of these developments in reshaping Nigeria’s energy landscape.

Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister highlighted the pivotal role these projects play in the revitalization of the power sector. He emphasized that these initiatives represent a masterstroke that will reverberate across industrial, social, and commercial domains, offering tangible benefits to citizens and businesses alike.

The commissioning of these projects not only signifies progress in infrastructure development but also heralds a new era of opportunity for Nigeria, positioning the nation on a trajectory towards sustainable energy growth. With a renewed focus on addressing the challenges within the power sector, stakeholders remain optimistic about the transformative impact these initiatives will have on Nigeria’s socio-economic fabric.

As the nation continues to prioritize energy accessibility and reliability, the commissioning of these projects serves as a testament to the government’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its citizens. With the inauguration of these state-of-the-art facilities, Nigeria takes a decisive step forward in its journey towards energy self-sufficiency and prosperity for all.

We are very thrilled to share that the African School of Economics (ASE) has just received its license from the National Universities Commission (NUC) of Nigeria to operate as a private university in the country.

The ceremony for issuing the license held today, the 22nd of February 2024, at the premises of the NUC, with the Minister for Education in Nigeria, Professor Tahir Mamman, the Acting Executive Secretary of the NUC, Mr. Chris Maiyaki, stakeholders from the Nigerian education sector, and representatives of the recipient universities attending.

Professor Mamman, at the end of his speech to the gathering, awarded the license to the representatives of ASE, with which certification ASE may now officially commence academic operations in the country.

We would like to sincerely thank everyone who has contributed towards this outcome, a few of whom we will take the liberty of mentioning.

We want to specially thank the CEO and Country Coordinator of ASE’s strategic partner AUDA NEPAD Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akobundu (FSI), for her unwavering commitment to and support for us from the onset.

We would like to thank the Research Lead of ASE’s strategic partner Kwakol Markets, Mr. Joseph Ishaku, for his immeasurable and altruistic support for ASE.

We would like to acknowledge and thank ASE’s Director of Communications Obinna Obiwulu, who has led the efforts for ASE’s establishment in Nigeria, and the efforts for ASE’s licensing, for his devotion and tireless work towards this outcome.

We would also like to acknowledge ourselves, the personnel of ASE Nigeria, for our conscientiousness and dedication to our work, which has in no small measure contributed to today’s award.

Finally, and most importantly, we would like to recognize and thank our President and Founder, leonard wantchekon, for his visionary leadership, for his relentless and unmatched drive for excellence, and for seeing opportunity where others see disadvantage.

We at ASE represent a transformative vision for Africa’s development through education and research and we look to our future work in Nigeria with the utmost optimism.

Some members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have arrived the National Assembly to express their displeasure over the economic hardship in the country.

Leading reporters reports that the NLC had announced its intention to embark on a two-day nationwide protests in the country between February 27 and 28.

The protests which commenced across the country early Tuesday morning saw workers march across major streets bearing placards with various inscriptions.

According to video seen on X by Leading reporters, the protesters arrived the National Assembly in the numbers chanting solidarity songs.

As at the time of writing this report, the protesters were headed to the main complex where they will be addressed by a ranking lawmaker.

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has commenced its nationwide protest against the current living conditions in the country;

President of the Congress, Mr. Joe Ajaero, on Monday, said the union would embark on a peaceful rally to express their grievances over the deteriorating economic crisis and high cost of living in the country.

Speaking with journalists, Ajaero said it is the responsibility of both parties to ensure the protest is peaceful.

He asked the federal government to provide security to members of the union as part of the fundamental rights of citizens as enshrined in the constitution.

He said members of the union will march to the national and state assemblies across the country to submit the demands to the lawmakers and government officials.

“The rally goes on but it’s part of their (government) constitutional responsibility to make sure that the rally is peaceful while we are going to try on our own side to make sure it is peaceful. That’s all,” Ajaero said.

The Nigeria Customs Service has suspended the sale of seized food items to Nigerians.

The development comes after a stampede that claimed lives at Nigeria Customs Service Old Zonal Headquarters in Yaba, Lagos State, on Friday.

This was made known in a statement on Monday by Abdullahi Maiwada, a spokesperson for Customs.

LEADING REPORTERS recalls that Customs had on February 20, 2024 said it would disposed seized food items to cushion the hardship in the country.

“Considering the recent unfortunate event, we regrettably announce the suspension of this exercise until we establish what transpired on Friday, 23 February 2024,” Nigeria Customs, however, announced on Monday.

“This should help us to properly articulate more robust and comprehensive action that will not defeat the noble intention,” the statement partly reads.

Ahead of the planned nationwide strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress, scheduled for February 27 and 28 February, 2024, the Nigerian Police Force says it has placed officers on red alert.

The Force also stated its commitment to ensuring the protection of citizens’ rights and freedom to engage in the protests.

This was contained in a statement on Monday, signed by the Force Public Relations Officer of the NPF, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

“The Nigeria Police Force, on the heels of the proposed nationwide protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress, hereby affirms the fundamental right of all citizens of the country to engage in peaceful protest in line with extant laws. As such, the NPF reiterates its commitment to ensuring the rights and freedom of protesters are protected.

“In line with its lawful duty to maintain law and order, the Nigeria Police Force has deployed personnel nationwide and placed them on red alert to monitor the planned protest.

All Commissioners of Police and their respective supervising officers have been briefed and instructed to coordinate the officers on the ground in ensuring the safety and security of all participants if the protests are held as planned,” the statement partly read.

The NLC is protesting the government’s failure to implement agreements reached between both parties on the 2nd of October 2023, following the removal of the fuel subsidy.

The decision followed the conclusion of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the federal government to implement measures against the widespread hardship in the country.

Adejobi, in the statement, said while the police recognised the importance of the protests, it remained vigilant to prevent any attempts to hijack the protests, and that officers would also curb any attempts to create unrest, as the police will not tolerate breakdown of law and order.

According to the statement, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, also appealed to protesters to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly and to adhere to the principles of non-violence and respect for the rights of others, during the protests.

“While recognising the importance of peaceful protest, the Nigeria Police Force remains vigilant against any attempts to hijack such protests by individuals or groups of persons with sinister intents. Emphatically, the force, therefore, is fully prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to any unlawful activities or acts of violence that may threaten peace, public safety, and security in the event of such,” the statement added.