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Why President Buhari declined to make his WASC result public —Adesina

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The former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, unveils the reasons behind the ex-president’s decision not to disclose his WAEC result during the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections in his book, ‘Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015 – 2023).’ Buhari expressed deliberate resistance to releasing his West African School Certificate, stating that he allowed critics to “please themselves.”

Despite public outcry in the lead-up to the 2019 elections, Buhari maintained that his credentials were with the Secretary to the Military Board.

However, in November 2018, he was presented with a Letter of Attestation by officials of the West African Examination Council.

Buhari explained that he had always possessed the certificate but refrained from releasing it to let critics have their way.

In the book’s fifth chapter, Buhari emphasized the importance of his WASC examinations for attending the Defence Services Staff College, India (1973), and the United States Army War College.

He recounted his educational journey alongside Gen. Musa Yar’adua, highlighting the rigorous military examination in English, Mathematics, and General Knowledge.

Adesina’s book also delves into Buhari’s decision not to dismiss the embattled Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele, amidst speculations about his 2023 presidential ambitions.

Additionally, Buhari expressed a preference for extraditing Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, to face trial in Nigeria rather than resorting to elimination.

 

Aiyedatiwa designates former NASS clerk as deputy governor, elevating the appointment

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Ondo State Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has appointed Mr. Olaide Adelami, a former Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, as the state’s deputy governor.

This decision followed the governor’s dismissal of all commissioners and special advisers earlier on Wednesday.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Ebenezer Adeniyan, stated that Adelami’s nomination has been sent to the state House of Assembly for approval, with an official announcement expected later in the day.

Adelami, a retired Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly since April 2018, is from Owo Local Government Area, the same as late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

Furthermore, Aiyedatiwa dissolved the State Executive Council, relieving Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants of their duties. All affected officials are instructed to hand over government properties in their possession.

The governor expressed gratitude for their contributions and services to the state.

Aiyedatiwa assumed office as the substantive governor on December 27, 2023, succeeding the late Governor Akeredolu, who passed away at the age of 67 while receiving treatment for prostate cancer in a German hospital.

Additional details are expected to follow.

 

Getting to Know Kunle Remi: From GUS Winner to Leading Man

Oyekunle Opeyemi Oluwaremi, popularly known as Kunle Remi, is a multi-talented Nigerian personality making waves in the world of entertainment. Born on October 18, 1988, in Gboko, Benue State, Nigeria, he is currently 35 years old and originally hails from Ekiti State, though he spent his formative years in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Kunle Remi pursued an academic journey that led him from studying Fisheries and Wildlife Management at the University of Ibadan to further studies in Tourism and Hospitality Management at The University of Sheffield, England. He later honed his skills in Acting, Filmmaking, and Directing at the New York Film Academy, graduating in 2014. Notably, he achieved recognition by winning the 7th edition of Gulder Ultimate Search in 2010, themed “The Ultimate Hero,” held in Omo Forest, Ogun State.

In 2013, Kunle Remi made his debut at the Academy Awards (Oscar) nomination event in Beverly Hills, California, showcasing his burgeoning career. His foray into modeling began with ISIS models, featuring in ad campaigns for renowned brands like Airtel, DStv, MTN, and Access Bank.

Returning to his roots, Kunle Remi co-hosted the 12th season of Gulder Ultimate Search in 2021 alongside Toke Makinwa, bringing his wealth of experience to the iconic Nigerian reality TV show.

Transitioning to the big screen, Kunle Remi has left an indelible mark on Nollywood. His breakout moment came in 2015 when he played Imoh in the romantic drama film “Falling.” Subsequently, he showcased his versatility in roles, portraying Mauyan in the 2020 comedy-drama “Introducing the Kujus,” Dipo in the 2021 hit movie “The Prophetess,” and Saro in the 2022 epic fantasy film “Aníkúlápó,” directed by Kunle Afolayan.

In 2023, he took on the character Sevi Brown in the movie “Flaws,” adding another layer to his impressive filmography.

Beyond the spotlight, Kunle Remi embarked on a significant personal journey. On Friday, January 19, 2024, he celebrated his traditional wedding with Boluwatiwi Oye, culminating in a grand ceremony at the altar on Saturday, January 20, 2024.

 

Credit Adesina Kasali (medullar concept)

AfDB introduces its inaugural sustainable bond

The African Development Bank has unveiled a $2 billion global social bond set to mature on February 25, 2027.

This marks the institution’s inaugural social bond issuance under the newly established Sustainable Bond Framework introduced in September 2023. The three-year tenor bond carries a 4.125% interest rate.

The AfDB, maintaining a stable Aaa/AAA/AAA/AAA rating from Moody’s, S&P, Fitch, and Japan Credit Rating, positioned the sustainable bond program to consolidate and strengthen its existing Green and Social Bond initiatives.

Notably, this 3-year Social Benchmark stands as the bank’s first global benchmark for the year, strategically aligning with the robust reopening of primary markets in January 2024.

The issuance, amidst a dynamic week in the USD SSA markets, saw the launch of 8 benchmarks totaling $17.25 billion within two days.

With a compelling order book exceeding $3.5 billion, the bond garnered significant support from diverse global investors, including central banks, official institutions, and bank treasuries, constituting 78% of the book.

Geographically and in terms of investor profiles, the distribution was well diversified, with 76 orders in the book.

Notably, the social label attracted considerable interest from ESG investors, comprising 38% of participants in the book.

The mandate for the bond was disclosed on January 17 at 15:00 GMT, and the initial pricing thoughts indicated strong investor demand, reaching $2.1 billion by the time the books officially opened on Thursday, supported by Indications of Interest during the overnight session.

 

CITN provides training for staff at the Gambia Revenue Agency

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria recently conducted a comprehensive five-day training in Lagos for six senior personnel from the Gambia Revenue Authority.

This initiative aims to equip participants with advanced skills in tax management, addressing the current manual operation of the Gambia’s tax system.

Notably, the Tax Manager from the Gambia Revenue Authority acknowledged Nigeria’s advanced and fully automated tax administration.

Describing it as a ‘train the trainer’ program, he emphasized the importance of this training in implementing full automation for efficient utilization of taxes in The Gambia.

 

EKEDC reaffirms its dedication to delivering high-quality services

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Eko Electricity Distribution Company has reiterated its dedication to significant investments in infrastructure development and corporate social responsibility.

The company’s General Manager of Corporate Communications, Babatunde Lasaki, emphasized that substantial infrastructure upgrades were pivotal for the outstanding performance achieved in 2023.

Lasaki expressed the company’s commitment to elevating customer satisfaction by year-end, highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance supply quality.

He disclosed plans to finalize new injection substations in key locations, addressing the growing demand for power due to expansion and population increase.

Additionally, Lasaki outlined initiatives undertaken in 2023, including the procurement of over 150 transformers and the addition of 100 operational vehicles to the fleet, aiming to improve response capabilities.

Furthermore, he affirmed the company’s dedication to social philanthropy, focusing on education, health, environment, safety, sports, and entrepreneurship to make meaningful impacts across various societal strata.

EKEDC serves parts of Lagos and Ogun States.

Chery Automobile experiences a robust sales surge, soaring by 52.6%

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Chery Automobile reported a robust performance in 2023, with the sale of 1,881,316 vehicles, reflecting an impressive 52.6% growth from the previous year.

The disclosure, made by Carloha, Chery’s exclusive national partner in Nigeria, highlighted the export of 937,148 vehicles, showcasing a remarkable 101.1% increase.

The Chinese automaker’s achievements surpassed industry growth rates, solidifying its pivotal role in the global automotive market.

Chery, recognized for innovation and quality, not only maintained its status as China’s top passenger car exporter for 21 consecutive years but also set new benchmarks globally.

The company excelled in various areas, securing top positions in the “Top 50 Chinese Global Brand Builders’ Report” and J.D. Power’s IQS.

Additionally, Chery achieved a five-star rating in Australian A-NCAP collision testing, emphasizing its commitment to safety and exceeding expectations across vehicle series like Tiggo 8, Tiggo 7, and Tiggo 4.

The automaker reiterated its dedication to environmentally friendly solutions through the production of eco-friendly vehicles and sustainable manufacturing practices.

This success story serves as both a celebration of Chery’s accomplishments and an inspirational call to greatness, resonating through the continued growth of the Chery brand in the Nigerian automotive market.

 

The CBN highlights the government’s dedication to fostering business growth through SMEDAN’s N19 billion allocation

The Central Bank of Nigeria has highlighted the 238.87% increase in the 2024 budget allocation for the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to N19.79bn, signaling the government’s strong commitment to stimulate the business environment.

CBN’s Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Muhammad Abdullahi-Dattijo, emphasized this during a keynote address, pointing out that the allocation to SMEDAN has risen significantly from N5.84bn in the previous budget.

Abdullahi-Dattijo emphasized the 2024 budget’s role in laying the foundation for the future by prioritizing critical infrastructure and human capital development.

He noted increased government focus on fostering both foreign and domestic investment, along with the growth of small and medium enterprises.

Additionally, he highlighted the government’s aim to diversify revenue sources, reducing dependence on oil through tax reform measures.

The CBN deputy governor also addressed the need for businesses to adopt strategies to cope with current insecurity issues.

He urged businesses to mitigate risks, engage in advocacy, and adopt international best practices, especially in cybersecurity.

Abdullahi-Dattijo assured that the CBN is working towards market orderliness, transparency, and promoting investments in response to these challenges.

In discussing the evolving economic conditions globally and domestically, Abdullahi highlighted that the specific policies and priorities of the CBN may adapt.

He emphasized the pivotal role of the bank’s strategies in maintaining stability and fostering an environment conducive to business, investment, job creation, and overall economic prosperity.

Meanwhile, the President/Chairman of Council, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Ken Opara, reassured the public of the strength and resilience of the Nigerian banking and finance sector.

Despite facing challenges such as non-performing loans, inflationary pressures, foreign exchange scarcity, and cybersecurity threats, Opara expressed confidence in the sector’s ability to weather the storm and contribute to sustained growth and prosperity in the country.

Opara also urged stakeholders to refrain from speculating about the new capital base of banks, emphasizing that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is the sole authority constitutionally empowered to make such decisions.

The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, had previously announced a recapitalization exercise for banks to meet the $1tn economy projection by President Bola Tinubu.

 

FG aims to generate 100,000 employment opportunities through the development of a 50,000MT NesGas depot

On Tuesday, the Federal Government initiated the construction of a 50,000 metric tonnes Liquefied Petroleum Gas and propane depot, aiming to generate 100,000 jobs.

Developed by Nesgas, the facility at the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone in Rivers State is set to address Nigeria’s energy demand, reduce environmental impact from traditional fossil fuels, create job opportunities, and contribute to overall economic growth.

Minister Ekperikpe Ekpo, overseeing the groundbreaking, emphasized the depot’s role in unlocking Nigeria’s vast gas potential for cleaner energy and economic diversification.

He affirmed the government’s commitment to fostering an environment supportive of the gas industry’s expansion.

Nesgas’s Managing Director, Tunde Banjo, highlighted the company’s mission to combat energy poverty in Africa through strategic investments.

The groundbreaking event at the 50,000MT LPG Onne depot marks a significant step toward a brighter and more sustainable energy future for the continent.

In addition, the occasion witnessed the formalization of partnership agreements between Nesgas and Gas360, Modern West Advisory, and Hebron Gas Infrastructure Limited, as outlined in the accompanying statement.

Naira shows a recovery in the official market

Following days of market turbulence, the naira experienced a rebound at the official I&E Window on Tuesday, closing at N878.61/$1, a notable improvement from the N925.34/$1 on Monday.

This positive shift signifies a significant recovery for the local currency, which had recently surpassed the 1000/dollar mark at the official window just over a week ago.

The naira had been under strain due to ongoing foreign exchange shortages, with some analysts attributing the recent pressure to the alleged hoarding of the U.S. dollar by certain bank customers.

Meanwhile, at the parallel market on Tuesday, the naira maintained its position at 1,365/dollar, mirroring Monday’s closing level.

This development marks a slight interruption in the consistent decline of the local currency in the black market.

It had previously dropped from N1,200/dollar to over N1,300/dollar approximately a week ago.

According to a Bureau De Change operator in Zone 4, Abuja, the dollar was being traded at N1,350 to the naira in the capital city, with a selling range between N1,360 and N1,365.

Another operator, Ibrahim Yahu, stated that he could only sell the dollar at N1,360.

Despite maintaining stability for two consecutive days, as reported by Aboki FX, data from the FMDQ Securities Exchange revealed a recovery of N46.73 against the U.S. dollar, with the naira bouncing back from N925.34/$1 on Monday to N878.61/$1 on Tuesday.

It’s worth noting that this positive trend follows the naira’s stabilization after a Central Bank of Nigeria report highlighted that Nigerians spent $1.58 billion on health tourism, foreign education, and other personal matters in the first six months of 2023.

The breakdown showed expenditures of $245.68 million on overseas health-related issues, $896.09 million on foreign education, and $434.63 million on other personal foreign needs.