Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has said that President Bola Tinubu is behind every development he is bringing to the nation’s capital

Wike said this during the flag-off of the construction of a 5km dual carriageway in Kuje Area Council of the FCT.

The former Rivers helmsman said the road project was part of efforts to rekindle the hope of the people and reassure them that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for the FCT.

He said the FCT Administration has been lucky to have the support of the President, who is sparing nothing to ensure that all residents reaped the dividends of democracy, adding that the FCTA has no excuse not to perform.

According to the Minister, “I want to say that Mr. President is fully in support of us and his mandate is very clear to the Hon. Minister of State and my humble self.

“When you people are saying that the Minister of State and my humble self are working, it’s because we have a President who gives us anything we want.

“He has given us the support and so we have no excuses to give but to let the people know that Mr. President is behind everything we are doing.

“Every request we have made, Mr. President has always given to us. So, for us, we don’t have any excuse not to do what we are supposed to do.”

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has identified poverty and unemployment as responsible for the security challenges bedeviling the North-West region of the country.

He said that the best way to tackle the challenges was through good governance.

The governor made the observation in Kaduna on Monday while receiving members of the Kaduna State Elders Forum who paid him a congratulatory visit over his victory at the Supreme Court.

He stated that as the Kaduna State government intensified military actions against banditry and kidnapping with the support of the Defence Headquarters, his government was also adopting good governance as the best non-kinetic solution to the security challenges.

Sani lamented the alarming rate of out of school children, stressing that it must be addressed to ensure a secured state and region.

According to the Governor, “the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army and the Chief of Air Staff have assured us of their support to our security efforts.

“They have decided to set up two Forward Operation Bases (FOB) in Kaduna, one in Southern Kaduna, Zangon Kataf to be precise and the other one in Birnin Gwari to serve Birnin Gwari down to Giwa. The FOBs will be set up in the next three weeks.”

He explained that it was one of the most important interventions by the Defence Headquarters.

He said he would be signing the bill for the establishment of the Security Trust Fund, 2024.

The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, in Jigawa State have collectively rejected the N10,000 wage award proposed by the state government as a palliative in response to the removal of fuel subsidy.

The rejection was communicated in a press statement issued after a meeting of the Organized Labour in the state held in Dutse, the state capital.

The joint statement, signed by the state chairmen and secretaries of NLC and TUC, described the state government’s announcement of the wage award as premature, asserting that no agreement had been reached on the matter.

The statement mentioned that the NLC Salary Negotiation Committee had engaged in prolonged negotiations with the state government committee, presenting various submissions without receiving any response.

The Organized Labour expressed surprise at the state Commissioner for Information, Youth, and Culture, Hon Sagiru Musa’s announcement of the N10,000 wage award for three months.

“It is important for the general public to note that the Organized Labour has not signed any Memorandum of Understanding with the Jigawa State Government on the N10,000 wage award; the Negotiation Committee is yet to conclude its assignment,” the statement clarified.

However, when contacted for comments, the state’s Head of Service, Muhammad K. Dagacire, stated that the NLC Negotiation Committee was fully aware of the decision taken by the state government regarding the palliative measures for the workers.

Dagacire explained that the agreement included a three-month wage award, distribution of food palliatives, and provision of farm inputs, including lands, for every civil servant.

“So it is surprising to hear this story from you on the said NLC’s rejection of N10,000.

“Our interventions to workers to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal are of three stages and Governor Malam Umar Namadi is committed to fulfilling all,” he stated.

The Super Eagles have earned a prize money of $2.5m (N3bn), after qualifying for the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria defeated Angola 1-0 last Friday to reach the last four and will now play South Africa for a place in Sunday’s final.

Jose Peseiro’s men along with South Africa, DR Congo and hosts Ivory Coast, have already secured $2.5m.

Before the tournament kicked off, the Confederation of Africa Football, CAF, president, Dr Patrice Motsepe, announced a 40% increase in prize monies.

If Nigeria advanced to the final, they would have secured a minimum of $4m (N5bn) in prize money.

Also, if they win the tournament, they will receive $7m (N8.8bn).

Nigerians in South Africa have been warned against wide celebration should Super Eagles defeat Bafana Bafana.

Nigeria will on Wednesday clash with South Africa for a place in the final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) ongoing in Cote d’Ivoire.

In an advisory, the high commission said: “The attention of the Nigeria High Commission Pretoria has been drawn to potentially inflammatory online comments made by a section of South African citizens against Nigerians living in host country, largely influenced by the upcoming 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final match between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana on Wednesday 7th February 2024.

“Most of the comments consist of veiled threats against ‘Nigerians cooking jollof rice’ before the match, and ‘showing pepper to Nigerians if the Bafana Bafana lose to Super Eagles’, among others.

“In this regard, the High Commission hereby advises the Nigerian community to be watchful of their utterances, be mindful of where they choose to watch the match especially in public places, and refrain from engaging in loud, riotous or provocative celebrations should the Super Eagles win the match.

“Additionally, Nigerians should maintain the good conduct they are known for, and be law abiding before, during and after the match. Should any provocations arise, they should not be reciprocated but reported to the appropriate authorities.”

Amid the recent surge in security threats in the Southwest, the Oodua Youth Coalition has urged the Generalissimo of Yoruba land, Gani Adams, to fulfil the responsibilities of his office and safeguard the region.

Describing the recent attacks in the region as alarming, the coalition emphasized the urgency of addressing the killings of Yoruba monarchs and the abduction of schoolchildren by gunmen.

In an open letter addressed to Gani Adams, the President of the coalition, Tayo Oluyi, highlighted that Yorubaland has historically been defended by its people.

Consequently, the Aare Ona Kakanfo must exemplify the wisdom of their ancestors by taking a proactive stance and leading from the forefront in the face of current challenges.

The letter urged Gani to emulate the legacy of past Yoruba warriors and leaders and lead efforts to coordinate security-interest groups in safeguarding the region.

“I am writing with deep concern regarding the escalating insecurity in Yoruba land. Recent events in the Southwestern states indicate a disturbing trend of invasion by individuals whose sole purpose is to disrupt the peace of our people.

“The untimely demise of two Yoruba monarchs, Oba Olatunde Olusola of Imojo and Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin, the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, at the hands of gunmen within Ekiti borders, as well as the abduction of pupils from Apostolic Faith Nursery and Primary School in Emure-Ekiti, and the alarming explosion in Ibadan linked to foreign miners, are distressing occurrences that demand urgent attention and decisive action.

“Throughout history, the Yoruba people have upheld the tradition of securing their territory, with warriors rising to confront transgressors threatening the peace.

“Recognising that security is a collective responsibility, I implore you, as the Generalissimo of Yoruba land, to rise to the occasion and find ways to complement the government’s efforts in securing our homeland.

“Aare, the time has come to emulate the legacy of Kurumi, Ojo Iberu, Aare Latoosa, and MKO Abiola, who made significant contributions to fortifying the unity and security of our people.

“It is crucial to lead from the front, coordinating security-interest groups across the zones to quell the activities of marauders endangering our peace.

“I sincerely hope you heed this call and fulfil the responsibilities of your esteemed office as the Generalissimo of the Yoruba race,” the letter stated.

The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has assured Nigerians that the hard times being faced is temporary and will soon be over.

She gave the assurance during a meeting with wives of 36 State Governors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.

Mrs Tinubu said times like this calls for sober reflection, saying that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the country overcome its challenges.

She said: “Times like this calls for sober reflection, hence, all hands must be on deck. Moreover, the hardship situation is temporary, it will soon fade away.

“The mission of the RHI is driven by my office to complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Tinubu.”

She said Women Agricultural Support Programme (WASP), under her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) will empower 20 farmers each, from five states in the South East Zone.

“These farmers will get N500,000 each and a total draft of N10m will be given to five RHI states’ coordinators as the case may be.

“The National Agricultural Land Development Authority in partnership with the RHI will support an additional 80 female farmers from each state with the provision of training and capacity building and agricultural inputs.

“We will buy-off all produce from the farms after harvest,’’ she said.

The First Lady said she would soon launch “Young Farmers Club’’ in public schools across the nation to encourage farming among young population.

She said schools with the best farms would be identified, and prizes would be given to them, ranging from school renovations, equipping of school science laboratories, provision of ICT equipment and upgrading of school libraries.

..misses Super Eagles trip to Bouake

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen could miss the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final against South Africa after failing to travel with the rest of the squad from Abidjan to Bouake.

Nigeria face rivals South Africa in the first semi-final of the competition on Wednesday in Bouake for a place in Sunday’s final.

In a statement released by the Super Eagles media team, Osimhen will be monitored in Abijdan while the rest of the squad head to Bouake where they will take on South Africa.

“We will fly from Abidjan to Bouaké today via a 10pm Air Cote d’Ivoire flight,” an official statement from the team on Monday night says.

“Victor Osimhen will not join us on this trip as a result of an abdominal discomfort.

“Team medics confirmed that he has been placed under close watch with a member of the medical team staying behind in Abidjan with him.

“If cleared by tomorrow morning, he will join the rest of the squad before 5pm.”

Osimhen has started in all of Super Eagles’ five matches in Cote d’Ivoire, scoring one goal and chalking up one assist.

Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) has attributed the increased prices of drugs in the country to the high cost of diesel and forex.

This is even as the association has voiced grave concern over the detrimental implications of the current economic climate on the country’s import and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals.

NAIP chairman, Kenneth Onuegbu, in an interview with LEADERSHIP, hinted that if the government did not move to address these two pressing problems – the high price of fuel and the lack of foreign exchange – Nigerian pharmaceutical companies may find it more difficult to supply essential drugs at affordable rates.

Outlining the key challenges faced by the pharmaceutical sector, Onuegbu said, “We have insecurity issues, and how to get the medication from the point of production to the final consumer is another challenge that we have not been able to solve. To access forex is a big challenge. The process can take a year to get the CBN-subsidised rate, hence, we resort to the black market. We buy dollars at the rate of N1,300.00 which automatically affects production.

“If we don’t do something about it, there is going to be a scarcity of essential medicines. We must call for the domestication of medications to reduce the production cost.”

He further pointed out that the environment is over-regulated.

“Our regulations ought to have a Nigeria face; we cannot be promoting local production when you are making it difficult for them to start.

“Government needs to tackle insecurity, epileptic power supply, forex and a host of others if they really want pharmaceutical companies to survive in this country,” he said.

Also, the president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Prof. Cyril Usifoh, told LEADERSHIP that it was extremely crucial that Nigeria produce its Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) used in the production of drugs, to cut down the cost of drugs.

According to him, without APIs, drugs cannot be produced.

Usifoh claimed that all pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria import APIs to produce their drugs locally.

The PSN president expressed concern over the high cost of medicines as it affects the common man, while calling on the government to provide an enabling environment for local production of drugs.

He said, “When you provide an enabling environment, assuming we get the issue of energy right, that will reduce the cost of production drastically. Also, if we have our petrochemicals such as APIs, we will even sell drugs to other West African countries, thereby increasing our internal foreign exchange earnings.

“So, I think telling us to look inward will help us. By the time there is increased local production,that will also help. I think NAFDAC is working judiciously on that, that is why they will always tell you that if you import drugs, after three or five years, you should be able to get the infrastructure to make sure that we produce in the country and when you do so, that will affect foreign exchange and employment.”

However, Usifoh hinted that the federal government was working closely with pharmaceutical companies towards increasing local production.

“They dialogue with pharmaceutical companies so that we meet some of these and bring the cost of drugs down. When there is medical security, we can guarantee what is happening, not like what happened during the COVID era; if it happens now, it’s going to be disastrous.”

Meanwhile, the federal government has disclosed that it will be partnering with the private sector to boost local production of drugs to 60 per cent.

The special adviser to the president on Health, Dr Salma Ibrahim Anas, who disclosed this at a conference, in Lagos, averred that the Tinubu-led administration is focusing on medical industrialisation.

There was heavy traffic gridlock in some parts of Lagos on Monday as motorists formed long queues outside the forecourts of filling stations on what appeared may herald a fresh scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit.

One of our correspondents observed along the Ikorodu Road axis how motorists endured an unusually heavy gridlock due to a long queue of motorists waiting to buy petrol at filling stations. Also, the Total Filling station at the Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way had queues which led to heavy tariff around the Ikeja axis.

Our correspondent also noticed that many of the filling stations along the Ikeja axis, through Obafemi Awolowo Road in Ikeja were shut.

Meanwhile, some motorists had begun to hike the prices of their fares due to the development.

A commercial transport operator plying the Unilag-Jibowu axis in Yaba one of told our correspondents that he was forced to hike his fees after waiting for hours to buy fuel.

The commercial transport operator, who refused to disclose his name said, “Do you know how long it took me to buy fuel today? Anybody who doesn’t want to enter should stay out.”

Our correspondent also observed that all the filling stations along Ogunnusi Road inbound Berger did not also sell petrol to customers.

It is not immediately clear why fuel queues have resurfaced in Lagos.

Meanwhile, our correspondents gathered that the queues were noticeable in major filling stations considered to be selling at lower rates.

It was gathered that a number of filling stations owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway did not dispense fuel too.

The National Vice Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Hammed Fashola, said he was aware of the queues in some filling stations in Lagos.

However, Fashola said the queues might be due to panic-buying on the part of customers.

“I am not in Lagos as we speak. But I heard about it too that there are queues in Lagos. It may just be panic buying. I am not sure there is fuel scarcity. People are just panicking. However, I will find out what the problem is,” Fashola said.