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FG’s policies averted economic collapse – Shettima

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FG’s policies averted economic collapse – Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday said President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms of the past one year “saved the life of the nation”.

He described them as necessary given the poor state of Nigeria when he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

“His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, chose the option that will save the life of the nation instead of one that will merely prolong its imminent and predicted economic death,” said Shettima when he appeared as the guest speaker at the Second Chronicle Roundtable in Abuja.

He explained why the administration acted on the petrol subsidy regime and the foreign exchange market intervention, saying the President chose the harshest but most certain path to recovery.

The VP affirmed that the Tinubu administration does not blame the previous regime for its decisions

Shettimma implored Nigerians to be patient with the administration assuring them that Tinubu is steering the ship of state through economic turbulence and storms he encountered on taking office.

He expressed confidence that the measures taken so far would soon yield the desired results for the nation.

“Soon, Nigeria’s economy will experience significant growth once we’ve overcome these sacrifices. Positive changes will soon be evident across all economic indicators – inflation, per capita income, GDP numbers, poverty reduction, food security, and all aspects close to the hearts of our people,” the VP predicted.

Shettima emphasised that the Tinubu-led government understands the reasons for the steps taken by the immediate past Buhari administration.

Therefore, it does not blame it for the current economic hardship.

“We understood why our predecessor made the decision to remove the subsidy. We do not resort to putting the blame on the previous administration.

“Leadership is about courage, leadership is about continuity, leadership is about taking far-reaching decisions.  Before we took charge, the biggest issue was the fuel subsidy removal. We had to get rid of the subsidy or the subsidy would have destroyed the Nigerian nation, it was a bitter pill to swallow, but necessary.

“The government is a continuum. Whoever succeeded the previous government could either steer the ship through the storm as President Tinubu is doing or let the country implode,” he stated firmly.

Shettima cited Nigeria’s debt-service-to-revenue ratio which rose to 111.18 per cent before Tinubu assumed office describing it as a “an economic death sentence.”

He highlighted the nation’s budget deficits, diversions of resources from critical sectors of the economy, and corruption masterminded by the subsidy regime saying, since President Tinubu’s opponents in the 2023 elections all promised to tackle these head-on, they cannot blame government for taking the obvious steps.

“Fortunately, this is why some of our brothers and sisters who ran for this office could not question our methods.  Whether in handling the subsidy matter or the FOREX crisis, we had also promised the solutions we adopted.  Those who tried to backtrack were instantly proven wrong by data, history, and the facts,” he added.

However, the Vice President lamented the level of sabotage Nigeria’s economy had suffered at the hands of those he said are only concerned with personal gains over national interest.

He pointed at fuel subsidy beneficiaries and foreign currency speculators saying “Our colleagues in charge of the CBN, Mr. Yemi Cardoso, and the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, had to take matters into their own hands.”

Shettima expressed confidence that some of the measures being administered would soon bring desired results for the nation.

Therefore, he implored Nigerians to be patient with the administration as the President steers the ship of state through the economic turbulence and storm he met on ground.

The VP told critics of Tinubu’s economic policies that Nigeria’s recovery would not be achieved through a one-size-fits-all solution to the complexities facing individual nations.

He argued that every nation is forged out of its peculiar economic histories and contexts.

He cited the Argentine Solution suggested by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last election, Atiku Abubakar, noting that governance is not a photocopying machine.

“Sometime in February this year, a presidential candidate in the last election…rushed to point Argentina as a model for Nigeria.

“In barely two weeks, he watched as Argentina’s inflation rates soared, yet refused to acknowledge that every country’s journey is different.

“Every country is a product of its economic history and context. We respect what President Javier Milei does there and we wish him well, but governance is not the photocopying machine some of us believe it is”, he said.

Regionally, Shettima opined that Nigeria must to get its acts together first before it can lead Africa into its projected growth revolution.

“The trajectory of global growth is facing Africa and Nigeria will make or mar that transition. It’s in our interest, it’s in the interest of the black man, for Nigeria to succeed.

“Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, though humbly it might be, there’s no place like home. We have to unite, we have to fuse into one. Politics is over, we are now in the phase of governance.

“We need to move this nation forward, not for my own sake, not for the sake of the people on the high table, but for the sake of the black man. “

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated and former Finance Minister, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, said the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration is a detailed and carefully crafted policy document.

However, he called for periodic review and integration into the medium and long-term development framework of the country.

Usman said policy consistency with a long-term vision to transform critical sectors of the economy, is the way to go.

Meanwhile, the CEO of 2nd Chronicle Newspaper, Mahmud Jega implored guests to critically analyse government policies and programmes.

Jega said critical analysis by the media but is  necessary to collectively contribute to the nation’s development.

Also present at the event were the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris; Special Adviser to the Vice President on Political Matters, Dr. Hakeem Ahmed; Chairman of 21st Century Chronicle, Gbara Awanen, Senior Special Assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu and notable leaders in the media industry such as Dr. Ishaq Kawu; Mr. Segun Adeniyi, among others.

 

Court hears villagers’ N100bn suit against Army

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Court hears villagers’ N100bn suit against Army

The Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, on Thursday, commenced sitting on a N100bn lawsuit filed by indigenes of Okuama community in Ughelli North Local Government Area against the Nigeria Army, challenging the military invasion and destruction of the community.

The military invasion and vandalism of the Okuama community came on the heels of the March 14, 2024 killing of 17 military officers and soldiers said to be on a peace mission following a communal clash between Okuama and neighbouring Okoloba community in the Bomadi LGA.

The suit, marked FHC/WR/CS/41/2024, has as plaintiffs 17 members of the Okuama community suing for themselves and on behalf of the entire community.

The plaintiffs are Victor Akemor, Madam Omotiwori Olarehor, Victor Odi, Okrika Emmanuel, Austin Eferemua, Evelyn Edjekola, Pa James Ubredu, David Oghenewede, Lucky Orode, Iwriogbo Best, Felix Orhiunu, Bernard Michael, Oghene Kobiruo, Vero joseph, Ebikawe Emmanuel, Francis Uphurie and Hon. Belvis Adogbo.

The Nigerian Army is the main respondent in the case.

At the Thursday proceedings, the plaintiffs were represented by their lawyer, Akροkονα Omafuaire, but there was no legal representation for the Army.

Omafuaire told Justice I. M. Sani that the court had jurisdiction to hear the fundamental rights suit, citing sections 36, 37, 41, 44(1), 45 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution.

The judge adjourned till June 4 for hearing.

The plaintiffs, in their 15-point prayer, want the court to award in their favour against the Nigerian Army N100bn as general damages for allegedly violating their “fundamental right to the dignity of the  human person, right to a fair hearing, right to private and family life, freedom of movement, right of choice of place of residency and right to own property.”

They alleged that the military violated their rights through the “destruction and razing down of the whole buildings in the Okuama community, leaving only the Anglian Church the Okuama Secondary School and the Aderha Primary School buildings standing.”

They also accused the military of “looting  our moveable properties.”

They said the action of the military, burning Okuama community amounted to “abuse of power to oppress, repress and subjugate the applicants and residents of the Okuama community.”

They want a court declaration that “the respondent’s deployment of troops for the invasion and brutal reprisal on the applicants and residents of Okuama community over the death of 17 soldiers, which they have no hands in, without any police investigation or any public inquiry indicting them for the crime” was unlawful.

The plaintiffs accused the military of “dishing out collective punishment to the community, killing, maiming, brutalising. harassing, intimidating, coercing, demolishing, destroying and razing our  properties, leaving only the Anglian Church, the Okuama Secondary School and the Aderha Primary School buildings standing.”

They said the military invasion made them

flee “to various towns, villages, forest, bushes and creeks for safety living the life of destitute under torturous, inhuman, degrading and excruciating conditions without shelter, food, drinking water, medication, money or means of income, and clothes.”

They said they were exposed to the “weather, snakes and mosquitos.”

They an order of the court “compelling the respondent to stop her troops continued invasion and occupation of the Okuama community to enable the applicants and residents of the Okuama community to take back possession of their land that has been illegally and unlawfully seized and occupied by the respondent to rebuild their community.”

Panel uncovers N3.5bn irregularities in Taraba varsity account

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Panel uncovers N3.5bn irregularities in Taraba varsity account

The visitation panel to the Taraba State University, on Thursday, said it uncovered financial infractions to the tune of N3.5bn in the university.

The chairman of the panel, Prof. Josiah Sabo-Kente, who addressed journalists in Jalingo on Thursday, the university operated a poor accounting system since its inception in 2008.

He added that the university was being operated below the minimum standards of the National Universities Commission.

The panel, therefore, recommended a total overhaul of the university system.

Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, had, on December 24, 2023, constituted the visitation panel with a 12-point term of reference to identify the challenges confronting the institution.

According to the governor, the report of the panel would enable the government to intervene and reposition the institution in line with the administration’s free education policy.

Passing down the verdict of the panel on Thursday, the panel chairman said,  “The university has since inception in 2008 operated a poor accounting system. At a point from 2012 to 2016, the university operated without a cash book, making it difficult to reconcile the financial records of the university, but we used financial experts on the panel to make sense of the financial spending within the period.

“Financial infractions from 2010 to 2023 in the institution reveal significant discrepancies and irregularities, with the total of these amounting to over N3.5bn.

“This underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive investigation of the university’s financial management practices, including handling of statutory allocations and internally generated revenue.”

Sabo-Kente said the pattern and frequent turnover in the appointment of the chairman of the governing council without a university administration had adversely affected the institution.

According to him, the university was running 53 programmes with only 36 professors, 45 readers and 59 senior lecturers.

He decried the development whereby some departments had only one professor and 18 non-academic staff, saying such was unacceptable.

Kente further explained that the university faced a notable deficit in academic staff across its faculties and departments, with only 609 tenured academic staff members compared to the 1,819 non-academic staff.

He said, “Out of the number of academic staff, 218 are graduate assistants-in-training and 140 visiting, adjunct or sabbatical staff. This is against the NUC benchmark of 70 per cent academic staff and 30 per cent non-academic staff.”

The panel report also highlighted infrastructural challenges, such as lighting, water shortage, and insufficient medical facilities, among others and called for immediate action to address the challenges. a

Police stumble on drug den after Lagos market fracas

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Police stumble on drug den after Lagos market fracas

The Lagos State Police Command on Thursday said it stumbled on a drug den during its operation in the Ile-Epo market in the Oke-Odo area of Lagos State following clashes between youths and hoodlums.

Our correspondent who was at the market on Thursday learnt that many people were injured after hoodlums and some traders clashed in the market over bet money. Over 50 suspects linked to the clashes were apprehended, and the shanties they occupied were demolished, effectively dislodging them from their illicit activities.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said that in an attempt to dislodge the hoodlums, the law enforcement officers stumbled upon a hidden drug den that had been operating in plain sight.

According Metro gathered that a fight started in the market situated in the area on Wednesday night and continued till Thursday morning.

The hoodlums residing in the shanties beside the market were said to have wielded a series of dangerous weapons during the clash, inflicting injuries on each other.

Some shops were also set on fire while goods belonging to traders were destroyed in the process.

Our correspondent who visited the scene of the incident gathered that an early intervention by the police was restricted by the hoodlums.

A fire service truck that also drove into the market was also forced to reverse after being pelted with stones.

An eyewitness, Kudirat Balogun, said the hoodlums and some boys were engaged in betting activities when an argument broke out among them over the bet money.

Balogun said, “They are used to betting and the one they played yesterday caused an argument.  One of them said he was not paid the full amount of the game he won. So, he went ahead to mobilise his colleagues and that was how the fight broke out. They also started to destroy the people’s shops in the process.”

Another trader who gave his name as Taofiq said the fight lasted through the night.

He said, “The hoodlums, in retaliation, waited till evening and started to set some parts of the fire on the market. That was how the two factions started to destroy each other’s goods.”

It was gathered that the goods destroyed ran into millions of naira.

Some of the hoodlums were also said to have looted shops belonging to some traders during the crisis.

The traders whose shops were affected were seen counting their losses.

One of the affected traders said her goods were not spared in the clash, “I sell tomatoes and onions and other condiments. When I heard what happened this morning, I quickly rushed down only to discover that my goods had been affected.”

Another trader was also seen lamenting over the newly bought bags of corn destroyed during the clash.

Another eyewitness who preferred anonymity for personal reasons said the traders called the attention of the authorities to the activities of the hoodlums but nothing was done on time.

“We saw this coming and we called the attention of the authorities to it but nothing was done. The hoodlums especially the ones occupying the shanties have always been causing trouble and have also been a threat to the traders. I think the police will do the needful now that this has happened.”

The state police command headquarters however assured that normalcy had been restored in the area.

The PPRO in a statement obtained by our correspondent said over 50 suspects had so far been arrested while the shanties they occupied had been destroyed, effectively dislodging them.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has directed the prompt prosecution of the arrested hoodlums and has equally warned that the command would decisively deal with anyone found breaching the peace, in accordance with the law.

“Meanwhile, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations), Area Commander Alagbado and other Divisional Police Officers under the Area Command are currently on the ground to forestall further breakdown of law and order,” the statement added.

Two Beninese stuck inside Ogun well recovered dead

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Two Beninese stuck inside Ogun well recovered dead

Two well diggers, who were nationals of the Republic of Benin, Avade Clement and Achefon Edua, have reportedly died while working in a well in the Laderin area of Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, in an interview with our correspondent, on Thursday, said the incident happened on Monday.

The victims were said to have been hired by one Akinsaya Ganiyu to work on his well located on his site in the Laderin area before the victims allegedly got stuck.

Odutola added that Ganiyu, realising that those he hired were stuck in the well, went to the Divisional Police Officer in the area to report the incident.

Following the report, the DPO was said to have mobilised his men to the scene of the incident, rescued the victims and taken them to the state hospital in Ijaiye where they were confirmed dead by the doctors on duty.

Odutola said, “On 28/04/24 at about 2230hrs, one Ganiyu Akinsanya reported to the Divisional Police Officer that two labourers hired to work on his site were stuck in a well. Upon receiving the information, the DPO mobilised his men for a rescue mission and they were able to rescue the victims and rushed them to the State Hospital, Ijaiye.

“However, the doctor on duty confirmed them dead at the hospital. Due to the shortage of space at the State Hospital’s morgue, the bodies were taken to a private hospital’s morgue.”

She added that further investigation revealed that the incident was a workplace accident.

The corpses were also said to have been taken to the deceased’s hometown under strict monitoring by the police.

“After careful investigation, it was gathered that it was a workplace hazard. The families of the deceased were contacted and the body was taken to their hometown.

“Ganiyu cooperated with the police during the investigation and showed a high level of responsibility during the investigation,” she concluded.

According Metro reported in 2023 that a 47-year-old panel beater, Segun Adegboyega, drowned in a well at his residence on Elegbede Street, in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

It was gathered that Adegboyega woke up that morning, left his flat, walked towards the well situated at the back of his residence and jumped into it.

During a visit to the scene, Adegboyega’s neighbour, who identified himself simply as Korede, expressed shock over the circumstances surrounding the victim’s death.

He said as of the time the father of two jumped into the well, some residents would either be washing or cooking close to the well, adding that on the day he jumped into the well, it took a while before people noticed he had drowned.

Anambra man nabbed for giving underage daughter’s hand in marriage

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Anambra man nabbed for giving underage daughter’s hand in marriage

The Anambra State Government has arrested one Uzochukwu Okoli for giving out his underage daughter’s hand in marriage.

Okoli was apprehended after his daughter reported to the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare about the ill-treatment being meted out to her by her father and the man he forced her to marry.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by Chidimma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide to the state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, on Thursday.

Ikeanyionwu said the girl, who is currently 16 years old, told the ministry that after the death of their mother, her father brought her back from Edo State, where they were going to school to take a husband.

The statement read, “She alleged that she was first forced to live with a 70-year-old man at the age of 14, but after some time, she ran back to her father’s house before he finally gave her out to a 34-year-old Chinedu N. as husband.

“The girl, who also came with her elder sister, explained that life with the said husband had been a ‘living hell’ because he beat her and sometimes after beating her, peed in her mouth and that made her run away with her nine-month-old baby.

“Her father, Uzochukwu Okoli, on the other hand, claimed her daughter is 18 years old and, at some point, said 20 years.

“Okoli, when he was handcuffed, threatened to deal with the daughters if he made it out of prison. He also urged them to pray he dies in prison because he will make life more miserable for them.”

Reacting to the development, Obinabo instructed that the case be charged to court so that the children could get justice.

She used the medium to urge parents to be mindful of their children and direct them properly instead of pushing them to early marriage, which will destroy their lives.

According Metro learnt that both Okoli and Chinedu were arrested and will be arraigned in court.

Six suspected motorbike snatchers, allies arrested in Ekiti

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Six suspected motorbike snatchers, allies arrested in Ekiti

The police in Ekiti State have arrested eight men suspected to be involved in the snatching of motorbikes from riders and the sale of the stolen properties.

The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Mr Adeniran Akinwale, said that “the suspects included one Adebayo Bashiru, Oluyemi Kunle, Gabriel Isaac, Abubakar Abdullahi, Macon Andrew and Peter Ninfa who are suspected vehicles and motorcycles snatchers within Ikere/Ado-Ekiti and Igede-Ekiti axis.”

The CP, in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti State Command, Sunday Abutu, on Thursday, said, “The suspects were arrested by the command’s Rapid Response Squad following a tip-off.

“The suspects, during interrogation, confessed that they had snatched so many motorcycles from their owners within the Ikere/Ado/Igede-Ekiti area and further mentioned one Lawali Ibrahim and Kabiru Abdullahi as their accomplices who usually bought the motorcycles from them after snatching.

“Intensified efforts led to the arrest of the two buyers who further confessed that they had transported seven of the stolen motorcycles to the Northern part of Nigeria for resale.

“One unregistered yellow colour Bajaj Boxer motorcycle was recovered from them at the point of arrest. Meanwhile, some of the victims came to identify the recovered motorcycle as the one used by the robbers to accost them and escape after robbing them,” the statement added.

The police boss, who said efforts would be intensified to arrest all others connected with snatching motorbikes, said the suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

According Metro gathered that there had been incessant snatching of motorcycles in Ado Ekiti and some parts of the state recently following which the police commissioner placed the residents, motorbike owners and riders on the alert while he ordered his men to intensify efforts to ensure the arrest of the culprits.

On April 25, the Oye Divisional Police Headquarters in collaboration with some residents of Trinity Hostel Area, Oye-Ekiti, arrested a suspected motorcycle snatcher, one Bernard Shadrach, who, alongside his fleeing gang members, had snatched so many motorcycles from their owners within Oye Ekiti.

Legendary chanter, Ajobiewe settles long-standing feud between movie stars Yinka Quadri, Ogogo

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Legendary chanter, Ajobiewe settles long-standing feud between movie stars Yinka Quadri, Ogogo

The internet was stirred up when a video of two veteran Nollywood actors, Yinka Quadri and his colleague, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, surfaced on social media platforms on Wednesday evening.

Although, According Online could not confirm when or how the disagreement started between the two actors, they were seen settling their differences in a now viral video.

In the video, one of Nigeria’s legendary Esa Oriki Orile exponents, Sulaiman Ajilara, popularly called Ajobiewe, was seen begging the veteran actors to put aside their differences and sheath their swords.

Ajobiewe made the peace call on Wednesday night during the birthday of actor Yomi Fabiyi.

When Quadri approached the dance floor, Ajobiewe insisted he call on his friend, Ogogo.

Afterwards, Ogogo joined Quadri while the chanter pleaded with them to settle their misunderstandings with his lyrics.

He sang in Yoruba, “Where is your Ogogo? Why did you come here alone? Call him for me. Tell him to come to me. I beg you, it is impossible not to have misunderstandings but I am begging you in the name of God, to settle whatever it is.

“Please hug each other and let it end there. I do not want to hear anything about your misunderstandings anymore for God’s sake.”

The two then hugged and smiled at each other.

Reacting to this, some Nigerians commended Ajobiewe for reuniting the actors, noting that it was good to see them back together.

Lanre Adeola, tweeting with the handle @lanreadeola said, “That’s lovely. An elder that doesn’t allow the baby’s neck to twist in the market.”

A tweep, Olanrewaju, who identifies as @olanrewaju wrote, “Agba o ni tan lori le…May God keep Ajobiewe for us for many years in good health. This is so nice.

Others expressed shock that the two were not on good terms. Sope, who tweets as @Dcsopetie wrote, “Wow! I never knew they were not talking to each other and how they hid it from the public is beyond me.

Meanwhile, Quadri, in a video shared by a YouTuber, Kilarigbo, earlier on Wednesday, confirmed their friendship, saying they are five and six.

He said though they are not biologically related, they are more like twins, adding that they have been friends since they met in 1985.

He, however, hinted that they have their issues, noting that they settle their misunderstandings without a third party.

He also warned the public to desist from spreading rumours of their fight, noting that they can never be separated by any force whatsoever.

However, According Online observed that both friends were hardly seen together in public in recent times.

Efforts to speak to Ogogo proved abortive as he didn’t pick calls or respond to text messages sent to his phone as of the time of filing this report.

Reacting, According’s style Editor, Tofarati Ige, said though the cause of their rift was unknown to the public, but they started appearing less in public together.

He said, “Originally, Ogogo and Yinka Quadri were known to be close friends, as they often appeared at events together. In many films, they acted as friends, and their relationship continued off-screen. In some instances, they even wore outfits similar to those for public events.

“However, for some time, they started appearing less at public events together. Even when Ogogo’s daughter, Shakirat, got married, Yinka Quadri did not attend.

“Though the cause of their rift was not made known to the public, there were different rumours that they had fallen out, but neither of them acknowledged it publicly.

“However, the rift was well managed, as it was only known to insiders and privileged sources in the industry.”

Speaking further, he noted that when Quadri was approached about the issue, he declined to comment on it.

“Personally, when I heard of the rift about two years ago, I asked Yinka Quadri a question about it at an event, but he refused to comment on the issue.

“Till date, there are just speculations as to what actually caused the rift, I am not privy to what actually happened. As regards reconciliation, I am not aware of any elder that had tried to mediate between them.

“But, they are both close to elders in the industry, such as Jide Kosoko and Oga Bello, who are likely to have attempted to broker peace between them,” he added.

CBN worries over declining economic activities

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CBN worries over declining economic activities

The Central Bank of Nigeria has expressed concern over the declining economic activities in the country.

The CBN deputy governor of Corporate Services, Bala Bello, disclosed this in a statement published on the bank’s website.

He noted that the country’s Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index declined sharply to 39.2 index points in February 2024 from 48.5 index points in the previous month.

According to Bello, economic activity has contracted for eight months due to exchange rate pressures, inflation and security challenges.

“It is concerning to note that the Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index declined sharply to 39.2 index points in February 2024 from 48.5 index points in the previous month.

“Economic activity has been contracting for eight consecutive months, mainly due to exchange rate pressures, rising input prices, security challenges, and other idiosyncratic headwinds. This calls for well-nuanced policy decisions targeted at price stability to forestall stifling economic activities and derailing output performance.

“Of more concern is the rising inflationary trend despite sustained hikes in the monetary policy rate, with forecasts of further price increases in the near term.

“Both food and core inflation rose in February 2024, underpinning an acceleration in headline inflation to 31.70 per cent in February 2024 from 29.90 per cent in the previous month.

“This continued rise in inflation was mainly due to high production costs, lingering security challenges and exchange rate pressures,” he said.

He added that the country’s inflation soared to 33.22 per cent in March, which was unacceptable and required coordinated efforts to curb it.

“Inflation is currently unacceptably high and requires decisive and coordinated efforts to curb it, given its adverse impact on citizens’ purchasing power, investment decisions and broad output performance.

“The Federal Government’s initiatives addressing food insecurity, such as releasing grains from the strategic reserves, distributing seeds and fertilizers, and supporting dry season farming, are important and commendable,” he added.

Recall that the MPC raised the country’s interest rate to 24.75 per cent in March.

Firm advocates equal access to decent work

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Firm advocates equal access to decent work

Japan Tobacco International Nigeria has emphasised the need for equal opportunity for decent work.

In a statement to commemorate this year’s Worker’s Day with the theme “Social Justice and Decent Work for All”, the firm felicitated its workforce across the globe for their steadfastness, pursuit of excellence and innovation, which have engendered the company’s growth trajectory.

The company is a member of JTI Worldwide and has offices in over 130 countries.

It has been awarded the prestigious ‘Top Global Employer’ award for 10 consecutive years in addition to regional certifications in Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America, and the Middle East.

It claimed that achievement was made possible through its excellent employee experience strategies.

The statement read in part, “With this year’s International Workers’ Day theme “Social Justice and Decent Work for All”, JTI Nigeria is committed to creating a working environment that enables brilliant people to be creative and nurtures the best possible culture that embraces diversity and individual development, thereby allowing them to reach their full potential.

“The company’s sustainability target is to be a certified employer of choice every year in at least 60 locations by focusing on talent management, rewards, and empowerment. JTI Nigeria offers long-lasting careers with inspiring prospects and promotes gender equality in its operations.”

To promote a decent working environment, the firm said it set up a platform called TogetHER, an employee resource group, which helps foster women’s empowerment and equal opportunities.

“It is a safe environment to talk, challenge, and grow on our journey towards gender equality,” it added.

The General Manager of JTI Nigeria, Thomas Adams, said that as a company that operated in line with global best practices, JTI delivered on its objectives of making progress in improving employees’ well-being, supporting greater diversity and inclusion wherever it operates, and giving its personnel an equal opportunity to develop their careers.

He stated that while JTI was a relatively young company, it operated at the forefront of the tobacco industry, with its employees at the core of its mission.

“This is responsible for its certification as a ‘Great Place to Work’,” he noted.

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