Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Government on Monday, said no world leader had been invited for the 63rd independence anniversary scheduled for October 1.

The government said the decision was taken in line with its option for a low-key celebration.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, stated this during a press conference in Abuja.

He said, “Low keyed celebration has nothing to do with whether we’re not doing well. Economic times are hard, we are looking at it not just at the national level but also as a family. We have not invited world leaders. During the inauguration of the President 53 world leaders were invited, so we have not invited any world leader. The report of the investigator for CBN will soon be ready for the public.

“As you are aware, the President has given his approval for this 63rd anniversary to be low-key in line with the present economic realities. The theme of the anniversary is “Nigeria @ 63, Renewed Hope for Unity & Prosperity.”

Speaking on national interest, he said, “We have all agreed to live a united peaceful, united, prosperous country, despite our diversity. Without these, no nation can move forward. Government is making sure our national interest is not undermined.”

According to him, the celebration is particularly important at this time having witnessed an unbroken democratic record since 1999 as well as the seamless, successful and peaceful presidential transition programme from one government to another.

“Despite political tremors and a wave of coups in some parts of the ECOWAS sub-region, Nigerians have fully embraced democracy with its core values and practices as the best form of governance. Democracy affords the citizens the opportunity through elective structures and processes to effectively participate in the affairs of their country.

“The relationship between the people and government in representative democracy is symbiotic: while the citizens support the government, the government provides security, protects, and enhances their interests.

“The government is fully aware of the economic challenges that Nigerians are confronted with since the removal of the fuel subsidy as well as the impact of the global economic downturn. The government is working assiduously to provide the necessary palliatives so as to mitigate such challenges and also the provision of buses to ease hardship on transportation among others. At the same time, the government is engaging with labour in order to address areas of concern for the well-being of all Nigerian workers and Nigerians generally.

“It is for this reason that this government led by His Excellency, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is anchoring on the Renewed Hope Agenda which will improve food security; guarantee end to poverty; improve security; economic growth and job creation; access to capital; improve the playing field on which people and particularly companies operate; respect for the rule of law; and fight against corruption.

The Cement Producers Association of Nigeria has cautioned that the ongoing plan of the federal government to introduce concrete roads will raise the price of cement to N9,000 per bag from the current price of N5,000.

The association also urged the Tinubu administration to permanently address the perennial cement price hike problem by facilitating larger participation in the cement industry, noting that Nigerians have no business buying cement for more than N5, 600 per bag.

In a statement jointly signed by the national chairman, Prince David Iweta and secretary Chief Reagan Ufomba, on Sunday, the association commended the works minister’s position on cement-made roads but warned of dire consequences, if the supply end is not addressed properly.

The cement producers urged the government to lay more emphasis on road design that allows both cement technology and asphalt pavement to run concurrently and provide ample time for a smooth transition that allows contractors to invest in commensurate and requisite equipment and retooling.

“Our findings from various parts of the country show that cement sells for as high as N6000 per bag in the rainy season. Our prediction is that it will sell for over N9,000 per bag in the dry season, especially with the pronouncement of the Honourable Minister of Works on cement technology and the marching order on housing by Mr President if the government does not take proactive steps,” the statement said.

“While we commend the Honourable Minister’s position on cement-made roads, we warn of the dire consequences if the supply end is not properly addressed. In fact, it would amount to dereliction of duty not to intervene. And the time is now.

“To do otherwise is to continue in a worsening pipe dream that prices would suddenly drop on this essential input that will continue to drain the purse of Nigerians, render them homeless, encourage chaos between demand and supply, and worsen the infrastructure deficit it sets out to cure, and lead to an unprecedented price hike.

“We also call on the Honourable Minister of Works to lay more emphasis on the design criteria of roads that allow both cement technology and Asphalt pavement to run concurrently, in turn, will provide ample time for a smooth transition that allows contractors to invest in commensurate and requisite equipment and retooling.

“We must also as a nation regulate static and dynamic load traffic by introducing weighbridges at access points on our highways. Working in sync with contractors, and allied Ministries of Trade and Investment, Transport, Environment and Finance on realistic policy on cement is most desirable at this critical time.”

The cement manufacturers further requested the government to conclude the backward integration policy of the late Yar’adua administration that was already bringing availability and affordability of cement in the country.

“There has been so much comment on cement and cement pricing of late. What our nation needs is cement that is available and affordable. And this cannot be achieved by mere wishes, faulty policies and programmes, without breaking the chain of monopoly and favouritisms. Nigerians are tired of waiting for a downturn in the price of cement and for decent and affordable housing.

“We call on the Tinubu government to permanently solve this perennial cement price hike problem by expanding participation in the sector with companies who have verifiable evidence of local investment, including greenfield licenses and quarrying. As a matter of fact, we call on the government to more specifically conclude the backward integration policy of the late Yar’adua administration which was already bearing availability and affordability fruits.

“As patriots, it is our view that the government reintroduces backward integration policy and the conclusion of old ones. Consequently, the government cannot be seen to approbate and reprobate by deregulating issues of petroleum products and foreign exchange on one hand and regulating on pricing of cement, essential goods and services on another. There is a need for policy harmonisation and convergence between fiscal and monetary policies.

“Finally, we call on the government to urgently intervene in the foreign exchange market, intervene in restructuring bad loans of manufacturers, and review palliative modules. The cry for elusive FDI will be drastically reduced if all manufacturing concerns are revived. The government must be decisive in the kind of economic policies it intends to foist on the people,” the statement concluded.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has confirmed that a fire that broke out on Monday morning was caused by an electrical fault in one of the chambers of the court.

LEADING REPORTERS reports that the fire was quickly extinguished by staff using fire extinguishers on hand, and there were no casualties.

Festus Akande, the Supreme Court’s spokesperson, said that the fire started around 7:30 a.m. and was brought under control within minutes. He added that only a few books and stationery were damaged and that documents pertaining to cases in the court, including the Presidential Election Petition appeal, remain intact.

“The fire will not disrupt the operations of the Apex Court,” Akande said.

The Supreme Court is the highest court in Nigeria and has the final say on all legal matters. It will give judgment on the petitions by the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) against the election of Bola Tinubu as president.

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi has announced the sacking of his special adviser on stakeholders relations, Anthony Ogah.

The sack is contained in a statement issued in Lokoja by Folashade Arike-Ayoade,
secretary to the government of Kogi.

The government said that the sack takes effect from Sunday.

”Governor Bello has issued a directive for the immediate dismissal of Ogah who served as the special adviser to the governor on stakeholders relations.

“The termination of Ogah as the special adviser to the governor is effective from Sept. 24.

*Gov Bello extends his best wishes to Ogah in his future endeavours, ” the state government said.

No reason was given for Ogah’s dismissal.

Ogah was, however, instructed to “promptly hand over his identity card and any other government property or documents in his possession to the permanent secretary, Administration, in the office of the secretary to the government of the state.”

The Benue State Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Matthew Abo, has been abducted by gunmen from his residence in Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of the state on Sunday night.

According to reports, the commissioner was sworn in as a member of the Benue State Executive Council on August 29th, 2023. He hails from Ukum local government area which has been a major flashpoint of criminal activities.

Witnesses said the commissioner was abducted by gunmen who rode on four motorcycles to his house in Zaki-Biam. The gunmen ordered everyone, including his wife and children to lie face down, after which they took him away to an unknown destination on one of the motorcycles.

The Chief Press Secretary to the state Governor, Hyacinth Alia, Kula Tersoo, confirmed the incident, saying that, “Unfortunately, he (commissioner) was kidnapped in his country home in Ukum LGA, around 8pm on, Sunday, September 24, 2023.

“He was in his home with his family, children and his people when the armed men came in. They forced him to a bike.

“We received the unfortunate development and His Excellency, Governor Hyacinth Alia has already directed and detailed the security operatives to ensure his safe release from the kidnappers den.”