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Federal Government

Survival Fund: 238,868 Beneficiaries Get Support As FG Ramps Up Payment

by Bioreports December 11, 2020

written by Bioreports

As the Buhari administration ramps up COVID-19 interventions in the MSMEs sector under the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), a total of 238, 868 individuals from 41,726 businesses have so far been paid various sums under the Payroll Support component of the ESP, as at December 8, 2020.

The update compiled by the Project Delivery Office (PDO) indicates that disbursements to approved Payroll Support beneficiaries which commenced on 17th November 2020 is progressing well with 2.6% of the beneficiaries representing persons with special needs while a 43% coverage of female employees/beneficiaries has also been achieved in line with the project objective.

Tola Johnson, Special Assistant to the President on MSMEs, Office of the Vice President

& Coordinator, Project Delivery Office (PDO) in a further breakdown of the beneficiaries indicate that 211, 347 persons have received N30, 000 under the scheme while 53, 347 others were paid N50, 000.

He added that more beneficiaries will be added to the payroll as soon as enumerators complete the verification of data submitted by the MSMEs.

Johnson explained that for the Transport track launched across states in the country on 30th November 2020, the PDO is currently receiving lists of prospective beneficiaries from identified associations and State focal persons as enumeration will commence as soon as synchronization is achieved between the PDO and stakeholders.

The lead identified associations under this track include, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW); Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN); Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), and National Commercial Tricycle/ Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NACTOMORAS).

The Artisan track being implemented in streams, is also progressing satisfactorily with the commencement of enumeration of prospective beneficiaries in States that fall under the third stream. The enumeration for stream 3 started on November 30th, 2020 in Akwa-Ibom, Cross-River, Zamfara, Yobe, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Niger, Imo, Oyo, Osun, Jigawa, Gombe and Benue States.

The statement said “The Formalization Support Track for 250, 000 new businesses which commenced on 26th October 2020 is also ongoing with aggregators (CAC registration agents) registering prospective beneficiaries across the 36 states and the FCT at the same time.

“This scheme is ongoing and will run for a period of 3 months effective from the date of commencement. Any state whose quota is met before the expiration of the three-month time will be automatically closed.

“Applicants are once again advised not to patronize middlemen or pay any sum to be enlisted on any of the schemes as selection of beneficiaries will continue to be on a first come first serve basis.”

December 11, 2020 0 comment

Featured Federal Government NEWS Nigerian Traders In Ghana Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola POLITICS Uncategorized

Aregbesola Assures Nigerian Traders In Ghana Of FG’s Support

by Bioreports November 11, 2020

written by Bioreports

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has called on Nigerian Traders who are facing tough times in Ghana not to leave the country, but rather to be patient with the Government of Nigeria as it continues to engage the Ghanaian Authorities and other relevant stakeholders with a view to addressing their challenges.

The Minister gave the advice in his office in Abuja when he received a delegation of the Nigerian Traders Association in Ghana, an Affiliate of the Nigerian Traders Association, led by its National President, Dr (Barr) Ken Ukaoha.

Aregbesola assured that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration will continue to engage Ghanaian Authorities to ensure that the challenges faced by Nigerians are amicably resolved.

He said that the Nigerian Government is pained by the condition under which Nigerian Traders in Ghana have been made to operate in recent times and thus, assured that government will not abandon them.

“Your pains cannot endure, we will not abandon you, no stone is being left unturned to remove the pains you are passing through in Ghana,” Aregbesola assured.

The Minister stressed that the Nigerian Government is not resting on the matter but that it is doing everything possible to make life better for its citizens in Ghana and other countries of the world.

He urged the traders not to leave Ghana but rather contribute their own quota to the political development of that country, as the Nigerian Government will continue to engage relevant authorities to arrest the situation.

Earlier, the National President, Association of Nigerian Traders, Dr (Barr) Ken Ukaoha expressed what he referred to as the agony, humiliation and torture of Nigerian Traders in Ghana, emanating from the Ghanaian Government’s decision to raise the capital base of any foreign trader doing business in the country to $1million, and the subsequent locking up of many Nigerian traders’ shops since 2019.

He added that in spite of various interventions by representatives of the Nigerian Government, nothing significant had been done by the Ghanaian Government to reverse the trend.

Ukaoha who further expressed the frustrations of many Nigerians, who are doing business in Ghana, noted that about 753 citizens of Nigeria are ready to leave the country.

“If we react proportionately to the way we have been treated in Ghana, it might lead to a serious crisis,” he stressed.

Dr. Ukaoha, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government and ECOWAS to take urgent steps against the Ghanaian Government to assuage the sufferings of the Nigerian Traders in that country.

November 11, 2020 0 comment

Featured Federal Government hero Internal Security NEWS Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola POLITICS Uncategorized

FG Holds Stakeholders Engagement On Internal Security

by Bioreports October 16, 2020

written by Bioreports

In its determination to bring an end to security challenges across the country, the Federal Government has flagged-off a stakeholders’ engagement on internal security and conflict resolution.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola who disclosed this in Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital called on Nigerians and the good people of Borno State in particular, to support the President Muhammadu Buhari led-Administration in its efforts at exterminating a cancer in the body and vanquish a deadly and cruel insurgency that is making living of an ordinary Nigerian very dangerous, difficult and miserable.

In his speech titled “The People as the Cornerstone of Security”, Aregbesola said that the summit was called to tap from the wealth of experience of the Kanem Borno Empire that made it to stand secured for 1,200 years, more than the Byzantine Empire or the Holy Roman Empire.

According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the Cabinet are greatly pained over the hardships Nigerians are going through on account of the security challenges in some parts of the country and are determined to do whatever is necessary to bring an end to the activities of these marauders saying “Enough is enough”.

The Minister who said that Government has renewed its stand to do whatever is necessary to stamp out insecurity from any part of the country, where it exists; assured that the challenges we face are surmountable.

“Some nations have faced them before and have come out victorious. We are going to do the same and nothing is going to stop us. But to be able to win, we need the support of the people. We must understand that the defence and security architectural complex is a pyramid. Sitting on the top is the military, followed by the police, next are the other security agencies and at the base, carrying and supporting the complex, are the people who are the security-agency-at-large.” He said.

Aregbesola said further that in every secure nation, especially the developed ones, security is contingent on the information supplied by the citizens, their cooperation with the security agencies and acting in the best interest of their community, society and the nation.

The Minister who commended the security agencies for their doggedness in the fight against crime and criminality in the country called on them to see the people as important to achieving successes. He said that people are the essence of a nation and not just a territorial space, and thus, constitutes the singular most important basis of all the institutions of state.

“Any security agency operating within a national space that disregards the support of the people is simply doomed in its mission of defence and security. I am of the firm opinion that if the security agencies have the trust and support of these people, the terrorists and those constituting threat to life and property in any part of the country, would not be anonymous.

“They would have been handed over by now. The insurgents and other criminals who are disturbing us, are not ghosts but humans, nevertheless they are a tiny minority. They can never withstand a united and determined people who take their security seriously.” He reiterated.

Aregbesola who acknowledged that formidable military might and cutting-edge technology are necessary in the fight against crime and criminality observed that without the support of the people, they may be ineffective.

“The government needs the support of the people in confronting a mobile, flexible and fluid insurgents that hide among the people”, he emphasised.

Also speaking, the Governor of Borno State Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, assured that the Government and people of Borno State would continue to support the efforts of the Federal Government in its determination to ensuring the restoration of peace and security in the state.

He thanked the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration for liberating a substantial part of the State and the Northeast from the grip of the insurgents, adding that some time ago, 23 of the 27 local government areas of the State were under the firm control of the insurgents but for the concerted efforts of the Federal Government in calling for the military’s intervention, the situation had been reversed.

In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno, Alh. Abubakar Ibin Umar Garba pledged the support of the traditional rulers to the Federal Government in its efforts towards finding lasting peace and security in all parts of the country.

The stakeholders’ engagement was also attended by the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Ministers of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi, Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi, Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed, Chairman Senate Committee on Interior and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, IGP, Mohammed Adamu, Controller-General, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Ahmed Ja’faru, Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mohammad Babandede, Controller-General, Federal Fire Service (FFS) Dr. Liman Ibrahim, Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), Muhammadu Gana Abdullahi, traditional rulers as well as other relevant stakeholders on matters of internal security.

October 16, 2020 0 comment

Featured Federal Government House of Reps Osun Oyetola POLITICS Public Accounts Uncategorized

Reps Committee On Public Account Visits Osun, As Govt Reiterates Commitment

by Bioreports August 15, 2020

written by Bioreports

Members of House of Representatives’ committee on Public Accounts, on Friday visited Osun, as part of it’s oversight functions to assess Federal Government’s projects and interventions.

The delegation, which was led by member representing Ife Federal Constituency, Taofeek Ajilesoro, who is also the Chairman of the committee for the South West caucus, was received by the Deputy Governor, Mr Benedict Alabi, on behalf of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

Alabi, while welcoming members of the committee to the state reiterated the unflinching stance of the government in the state to jealously protect every Federal Government’s facility and adequately maintain it for the good of all.

He, however, appealed to the Federal Government, through the committee, for prompt response to some critical areas of interventions that need urgent attention, especially the school feeding programme.

The Deputy Governor explained that in line with the entrenched principle of social security, the government in the state prioritises education as determinant of sustainable development, the school feeding system is being considered as a catalyst for literacy .

“Osun is the pioneer of the school feeding system, it was a product of APC’s government conviction on the need for social security through functional educational system.

“We have seen how feeding of our pupils had immensely improved attendance in our various elementary schools, with attendant increase in school enrollment and literacy level .

“It is indeed our hope, that the Federal Government will come to our rescue on the programme, for prompt interventions for it’s sustainability, as we continue to sustain the policy with billions of naira despite limited available resources”, Alabi added.

Reacting to earlier remarks made by a member of the committee, Hon. Bamidele Salam, representing Ede/Ejigbo Federal Constituency, who lauded the smooth relationship between the executive and legislative arms of the government in the state, Alabi said, there was a consensus between the two organs of government on service to humanity, as the cardinal purpose of governance.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Salam said the purpose of the visit was to assess various interventions of the Federal Government on array of sectors and ensure judicious spending of funds for appropriate projects .

“The committee is saddled with the responsibility of looking at how funds to various projects have been utilised, especially the one being funded by TETFUND.

” We also recognise and appreciate the relationship between the executive and legislature in Osun, and the harmonious working relationship between the deputy governor and the governor, obviously, this is inspiring and commendable”, Salam asserted .

Other members of the delegation include , Hon. Taiwo Oluga, Hon. Lawrence Ayeni, Hon. Yinusa Amobi, and Hon. Bukola Oyewo.

August 15, 2020 0 comment

Featured Federal Government Inwalomhe Donald Op-Ed POLITICS Sukuk Bond Uncategorized

Issues/Policies: The Sukuk Funds, Projects And Critics

by Bioreports July 27, 2020

written by Bioreports

By Inwalomhe Donald

One of the landmark initiatives of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as (former) governor of the State of Osun and President Muhammadu Buhari is the introduction of Osun Sukuk fund and Sovereign Sukuk in the domestic financial markets in 2013 and 2017 to raise N11 billion and N100 billion to finance 11 Model Schools and 25 road projects across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria respectively. Based on the success of the debut of Osun Sukuk in 2013, Sovereign Sukuk in 2017, another Sukuk of N100 billion was issued in December 2018 for the same purpose; but this time for twenty-eight road projects also across the six geo-political zones in June 2020. The deployment of the proceeds of Osun Sukuk fund, the first and second sovereign Sukuk in the sum of N200 billion to visible and verifiable road projects across the six geo-political zones of the country is symbolic and remarkable.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a seven-year N100 billion ijara (lease) Sukuk due 2025 at an annual rental rate of 15.743%. The proceeds of the Sukuk will be used for the construction and rehabilitation of key economic roads across the 6 geo-political zones of the country. Since the fall in price of crude oil, the revenue of the Federal Government has been affected significantly, given that oil was a major source of government funds. As a result of the decline in revenue, the government has been contending with the challenge of financing its budget deficit. And the onus for the efficient management of government’s debt and sourcing for funds to finance budget deficits rests on the Debt Management Office (DMO).

Recently, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Works and Housing, received a sovereign Sukuk Symbolic Cheque of N162.557bn for the construction of roads across the country. Mr. Fashola was presented the cheque on Monday in Abuja by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed. She said one of the key pillars of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan was the development of critical infrastructure projects with a view to removing the impediments to growth and development in the economy. As a result, Mr. President has prioritised capital expenditure on the development of roads, rails, power and agriculture projects.

The Debt Management Office (DMO) has raised the sum of N162.557 billion from investors in June 2020. This is strictly dedicated to the financing of road projects in the Revised 2020 Appropriation Act. It also means that with the release of N162.557 billion to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, the amount appropriated for Road Projects in 2020 Budget has been fully released. She said with the deployment of Sukuk funds coupled with other capital releases and various interventions by government, the economy would soon be on the path to economic development.

Mr. Fashola, in his presentation, said the people who put money in the Sukuk were fund managers and the owners of the funds, adding that it was a matter of trust which they had for the administration that made them release their hard-earned money. He said: “I assure you that we value that trust from the evidence of what has happened in Sukuk One, and Sukuk Two, your trust is not misplaced and it will not be misplaced in the 44 road projects that will benefit from this Sukuk. For the benefit of the members of the public, the 44 roads that will benefit from this Sukuk has every geo-political zone taken care of. For the North-Central eight roads, North-East eight roads, North-West seven roads, South-East five roads, South-South 10 roads, and South-West six roads.”

According to Patience Oniha, Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO), this is the third Sukuk issued by the office on behalf of the Federal Government in June 2020.

“The first sovereign Sukuk for N100 bn was issued in September 2017 and was followed by another in December 2018, also for N100 bn. With the issuance of the third Sukuk, the federal government has raised a total of N362, 577,000,000 bn, all of which are for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of road projects across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. Therefore, the DMO plans to continue to use Sukuk and Green Bonds to support the development of infrastructure and other capital products; depending on how much is allocated to projects in the annual budgets”, Oniha stated.

It is on record that the first set of Sukuk projects emerged from the State of Osun, hence, the Sukuk projects in Nigeria will ever remain the bequeathed legacy of former governor, Rauf Aregbesola, who was the first Nigerian to introduce it. In Osun Sukuk funds were used to finance construction of education projects, among other development initiatives with which Aregbesola laid a solid foundation for the future of the state which helped to convince the President. President Buhari described the newly completed Sukuk steel structure of Osogbo Government High School as an educational legacy that should be emulated by other states of the federation, thanking Aregbesola for exposing Nigeria to the Sukuk market which has drawn increasing interest from sovereigns, multilateral institutions, multinational and national corporations both from developed and emerging economies to finance investments in a wide range of economic activities and development projects.

When former Governor Aregbesola took Sukuk bond, a section of the media said that Aregbesola wanted to Islamize the State of Osun. Now that Sukuk projects are being commissioned all over Nigeria the media is silent. The overall direction and potential of the market are certainly well recognized, particularly in its role in contributing towards greater economic development of Osun. There is significant potential for the Sukuk, with this calibre of governments following suit to obtain Sukuk, it is now crystal clear that Aregbesola is not just a leader, but a leader that sets positive pace globally.

History will remember Aregbesola for four major developments in Nigeria, school feeding programme, Sukuk bond for national development, first governor to embrace 4th industrial revolution and Nigerian chocolate. Aregbesola has encouraged the issuance of Sukuk in Nigeria because we needed to diversify the instrument in the bond market. Aregbesola worked hard to introduce Sukuk fund for education in Nigeria. Osun took the initiative and helped in introducing it to Nigeria. The greatest lesson is that when Aregbesola adopted Sukuk, an Islamic bond to help the state execute educational projects, his critics were calling for his head. Many said it was part of his ploy to islamize Osun.

July 27, 2020 0 comment

Featured Federal Government hero NEWS POLITICS School Resumption Uncategorized

School Resumption: FG Presents Comprehensive Proposal To NASS

by Bioreports June 24, 2020

written by Bioreports

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Education has presented to the National Assembly a detailed proposal on its plan to reopen schools across the country.

The Minister of State for Education, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, stated this on Tuesday when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education.

He was in the upper chamber to brief the federal lawmakers about his ministry’s plans for pupils who had been forced to stay at home following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nwajiuba refused to give details of the proposal, saying some people would misconstrue it as the ministry’s guidelines for schools reopening.

He said, “Children are asymptomatic carriers. Nobody can prove whether they can infect each others. Not even the health experts. Everything we know about it is what we read. There is nothing we discovered on our own.

“In the document we have provided, we have suggested how we can move our education sector forward in this pandemic period.

“We don’t want to make it (proposal) known at this period so that some people will not take our proposal for the guidelines for schools reopening.

“The documents were presented to you so that you can criticise and make inputs as major stakeholders”

The Minister, however, expressed concern over the decision of the Oyo State Government to reopen its primary and secondary schools despite the current rising cases of coronavirus infection in the state.

He said, “Why is Oyo State talking of reopening schools when it has just started recording an increase in cases of coronavirus infection?

“Just beside Oyo is Ogun State which was part of the three states under the FG’s lockdown since April and it’s not talking about schools reopening.

“As we speak, Kogi and Cross River states are not on the same page with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on the issue of testing while all their neighbouring states are conducting tests.”

The vice-chairman of the panel, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, who presided over the meeting, expressed the fears that the academic calendar could be distorted in public schools where no visible arrangement was being made to teach the children at home unlike their counterparts in private schools.

Source: Bioreports News online

June 24, 2020 0 comment

Broadcast Media Federal Government NEWS POLITICS Uncategorized

Coronavirus: Broadcast Stations Get Two Months License Waiver

by admin2 admin2 May 6, 2020

written by admin2 admin2

The Federal Government has granted a two-month licence fee waiver for terrestrial broadcast stations in the country as part of measures to cushion the effect of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the broadcast industry.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this at a meeting with the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mohammed informed the meeting that he had approved the request by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to grant the waiver.

The minister said he also approved the distribution of protective equipment to some commumity broadcast stations across the country by the NBC.

Mohammed acknowledged the fact that BON members and other sectors of the creative industry in general had been hit hard by the effects of the pandemic.

He disclosed that the government was taking a holistic approach to address the damage inflicted by COVID-19 on the creative industry.

“Let me stress here that the Creative Industry is a very critical sector of the nation’s economy and a major plank of the economic diversification policy of this administration.

“It creates the highest number of jobs after Agriculture, especially for the youth.

“Therefore, there is no doubt that we need a collective and government-supported approach in dealing with the immediate, short and long term palliatives and initiatives for the industry, in order to mitigate the effect of the pandemic on the sector,” he said.

Mohammed said that government had decided to set up a committee of industry stakeholders to look into and advise it on the best way to mitigate the effect of the pandemic on the industry.

He said the Terms of Reference of the committee included assessment of expected impact of the pandemic on the industry in general.

He said the committee is to advise the government on how to mitigate job and revenue losses in the sector as well as to create succour for the industry small businesses.

It is also to suggest the type of taxation and financing that is best for the industry to encourage growth, Mohammed said.

The committee will advise the government on any other measure or measures that can be undertaken to support the industry, the ministr added.

Mohammed said the committee is chaired by Allii Baba, a comedian, Film and TV entrepreneur, while Ms Anita Eboigbe of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) is the Secretary.

Other members included Bolanle Austen Peters of TerraKulture Performing Arts; Charles Novia television independent Producer (TeenTV); and Segun Arinze, an actor and producer.

Ali Jita, actor and musician; Baba Agba, film director; Kene Okwuosa, cinema and films distributor; and Efe Omoregbe of record label and collective rights management are also members.

Other members are Prince Daniel Aboki of Cool FM/WaZoBia, Chioma Ude, Olumade Adesemowo, Dare Art Alade and Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim from BON.

The minister said they were expecting the representatives of the Fashion, Publishing, Photography as well as Hospitality and Travel sectors to join the committee.

He said the committee has four weeks to submit its report.

Earlier, the Vice Chairman of BON, Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa, who led the delegation, appreciated efforts of the federal government so far in containing the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

Ohuabunwa said the pandemic had adversely affected the revenue generation and earnings of broadcast outlets, and if not urgently addressed would lead to collapse and shut down of many.

He noted that the survival and success of any democracy lies in the existence of a robust and well informed populace which is achievable through the existence of the broadcast outlet.

He therefore called on the federal government through the Central Bank of Nigeria to institute special broadcast sector stimulus intervention fund to enable broadcasters access long term facilities at single digits.

He also urged government to provide temporary scheme of paying compensation to independent broadcasters who are contemplating sacking workers.

The vice chairman advised government to provide adequate funding for the running of state-owned media houses, provide personal protective equipment, special duty allowances and life insurance for their reporters and cameramen.

Besides, he urged government to approve tax rebate for broadcast stations and one-year moratorium payment of their annual operating licence fee payable to NBC.

(NAN)

May 6, 2020 0 comment