President Bola Tinubu said on Friday his administration would make Nigeria a global investment destination.
The president, according to a statement on issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Ajuri Ngelale, stated this when a delegation from an international energy company, ENI, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Claudio Descalzi, visited him in Abuja.
Tinubu said his administration was determined to turn the country into a force on the global stage with strategic thinking, planning, and implementation.
He added that his administration’s reforms aim to reposition the Nigerian economy by exploring the possibilities of innovative thinking, strategic planning, new technology, and research into best practices.
The president stressed that the
the reforms would be sustained for the mutual benefit of investors and Nigerians.
He said: “I have seen the need for us to continue to be leaders in this reform and create opportunities for attracting investments because the basket is getting bigger, and the participants are getting larger and more resilient.
“The fossil fuel problem is there; science and technology is taking over.
“We will still continue to assure you that we are going to be the global investment destination and I will encourage you, as one of the progressive leaders in the industry, on what our reforms have achieved.
“Please, put a timeline on that investment strategy. It will be a stimulant for the rest of the world when you put a timeline on it.”
READ ALSO: Tinubu sets up committee to tackle food crisis
He commended ENI’s confidence in the country for many years and for diversifying into other areas like agriculture.
Tinubu added: “ENI, we welcome your team again. Claudio, it is an honour for me to welcome you back to your second home, Nigeria.
“Welcome back after many years. Nigeria has improved, and I am glad that you noted that we are making changes, not because of anything else but because of a very long-term vision on our investment strategy.
“Gone are the days when we feel like the captain in several ships. We have seen conflicting strategies around the world, and we are determined to champion these changes or take ourselves ahead of those changes and make reforms a priority.
“We cannot grow today’s seed with yesterday’s belief system. We have to continuously be intellectually inquisitive and reform ourselves and our way of doing things. We count on your efforts.
“And we see the effect of your belief in our partnership, not for exploitation, but for investable development. Africa is not in a begging mode but in an accelerated mode to compete and take its place with the rest of the world.
“We are open; we are ready. We are working hard on infrastructural development and to make arable land available for planting, and we are ready to partner you in every aspect of that and in innovative research.”
On his part, Descalzi said ENI would invest more in the country, particularly in the agricultural sector.
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Tinubu vows Nigeria will become global investment destination
Shaibu re-appoints aides in Edo
The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has reappointed Kingsley Ehigiamusoe as his Chief of Staff.
He also reappointed Musa Ebomhiana as Chief Press Secretary.
In a statement issued by the CPS, the deputy governor also returned seven other persons to their positions.
He said the reappointments took immediate effect.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday nullified Shaibu’s impeachment by the State House of Assembly.
He also restrained Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Assembly from preventing Shaibu from performing the functions of his office.
The judge equally directed the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to restore the deputy governor’s security details.
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BREAKING: DSS kills, arrests kidnappers who abducted mother of Hausa singer Rarara
Operatives of the Department of State Security, DSS, have killed one of the kidnappers who abducted the mother of the famous Hausa singer, Dauda Kahutu Rarara, while a second kidnapper was reportedly arrested after a gun duel.
A DSS source in Kano said the operatives stormed the den of the kidnappers deep in Makarfi Forest in Kaduna State early on Friday and took them by surprise while they were sharing the ransom they collected.
According to the source: “The operatives were able to overpower the kidnappers, killing one instantly and arresting another who is receiving treatment from gunshots he received, while the N26.5 million paid to them was recovered.”
He said the operation was carried out after careful intelligence traced the kidnappers to Makarfi Forest.
He said: “The operation was so successful that the other kidnapper who is receiving treatment is helping the operatives with some credible information on how they kidnapped innocent Nigerians.”
He added: “I can confidently tell you that the kidnappers, Hamisu and Bature, are Fulanis. The one receiving treatment, Bature, is helping the operatives with information on their activities.”
BREAKING: DSS kills, arrests kidnappers who abducted mother of Hausa singer Rarara
Hilda Dokubo remains our chairman – Rivers LP debunks purported suspension
The Asari-Toru Local Government chapter of the Labour Party in Rivers State has debunked the purported suspension of the state’s caretaker chairman of the party, Hilda Dokubo.
Reports had earlier emerged on Friday, stating that Hilda was suspended by her Ward 3 and Asari-Toru LGA over alleged financial misconduct, and breach of party regulations, among other allegations.
However, the Asari-Toru LGA Labour Party Caretaker Committee, chaired by Horsfall Mac-Jay, said in a statement issued at its executive meeting that Hilda remains the party’s chairman in the state.
The party called on the general public to disregard the purported suspension of Hilda Dokubo, saying it was the handiwork of some phantom elements who are not known to the party.
The statement reads: “It has just been brought to our attention that some agents of acrimony came up with an unfounded claim that our state chairman has been suspended by some phantom elements who are alien to our party membership register in Asari Toru.
“We want to call on the general public to disregard this purported claim, as Madam Hilda Dokubo is a person of high reputation and strong character, a defender of the interests of Asari-Toru; hence, no true son/daughter of Asari-Toru extraction can take such a cowardly move.
“Hilda Dokubo remains our party chairman and she has our support in Ward 3 and Asari-Toru LGA in general.”
Hilda Dokubo remains our chairman – Rivers LP debunks purported suspension
Alleged fraud: Crypto billionaire Blord breaks silence after release from police custody
Popular cryptocurrency billionaire Linus Williams, better known as Blord, has finally spoken after his release from police custody.
TVN recalls that Blord was arrested on Tuesday in Abuja over alleged cryptocurrency fraud and terrorism funding against his companies.
Blord was released on Friday after three days in police custody.
Following his release, the 26-year-old fintech CEO took to his Instagram page on Friday to announce his comeback.
Sharing a picture of him with celebrity billionaire Obi Cubana in Abuja, Blord bragged about being the president of the youths.
He wrote, “Youth President For A Reason.”
Alleged fraud: Crypto billionaire Blord breaks silence after release from police custody
Dangote, Obaseki, other dignitaries attend burial for Saraki’s mum
Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of Ondo, and Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person, were present at the funeral of Florence Saraki, mother of Bukola Saraki, a former president of the Senate.
Saraki’s mother died on June 18 at age 88.
On Thursday, the likes of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, and Emmanuel Udom, a former governor of Akwa Ibom, were present at the service of songs that was held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos State.
The occasion was attended by Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun; Umo Eno, governor of Akwa Ibom; James Ibori, a former governor of Delta; and Osita Ngwu, senator representing Enugu West.
Others present were Rotimi Amaechi, a former minister of transportation; Steve Oronsaye, a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Lai Mohammed, a former minister of information and culture; and Uche Secondus, a former chair of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Dangote, Obaseki, other dignitaries attend burial for Saraki’s mum
‘I stand by my statements on Tinubu’s interview,’ Ndume reacts to removal as Senate Chief Whip
The sacked Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, has reacted to his removal from the position.
The Senate on Wednesday removed the outspoken lawmaker as Chief Whip following the recommendation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC).
He had since been replaced by the Senator representing Borno North, Mohammed Monguno, in that position.
Ndume was removed a few days after he criticised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership style.
The lawmaker, who featured in a programme on Arise TV, said the president has been caged by his aides in Aso Rock.
He added that Tinubu was not aware of the challenges faced by Nigerians because he was far removed from the current realities in the country.
He also argued that former President Muhammadu Buhari was a more accessible leader.
Ndume, who spoke with journalists in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday, said the statement that led to his removal as Chief Whip did not warrant the decision.
The lawmaker revealed that he rejected the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Tourism due to lack of experience.
He said: “I did not say anything wrong. And therefore I want to state that I stand by all my statements in the interview I granted.
“So, I know that I’m not wrong. The people are not wrong by speaking the truth and standing by the truth.
“And I pray that the president who by now, I expect the message should have gotten to him, looks at what I have said and takes appropriate measures to eliminate the suffering of the people.
“Secondly, the party that recommended to the Senate that I should be removed from being the chief whip of the Senate, I take that as an act of God because if it is God who gave me that position. It is God that took it through APC. So, I bear no grudges about that.
“After all, I did not contest to be the chief whip. I did not contest to be the vice chairman of the appropriation committee. I contested to be the se one of the Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and God granted me that victory and I’m happy with God, what God has given to me.”
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Naira sheds N30 to trade N1,596/$1 at official window
The naira shed N30 against the American dollar at the official window on Friday.
Data from the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) showed that the domestic currency traded N1,596/$1, up from N1,566/$1 recorded on Thursday.
The intra-day high and low recorded during the day were N1,619/$1 and N1,495/$1 respectively, representing a lean spread of N124$1.
The naira gained N60 against the dollar at the parallel section of the market to trade N1,580|$1, as against the N1,640/$1 posted on Thursday.
The currency gained N20 against the British Pound to trade N2,070£1 as against the previous N2,090£1.
The Canadian dollar remained flat against the naira to trade N1,200|CA$1.
The naira also gained N20 against the Euro to trade ₦1,720/€1 as against the previous ₦1,740/€1.
By: Babajide Okeowo
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16-floor tower: ‘Shameless politicians think Akwa Ibom people are stupid – lawyer reacts
A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has dismissed the clarification provided by the Akwa Ibom State government about the proposed 18-floor Ibom Towers in Lagos State.
Effiong, in a post on his X handle on Friday, described the government’s response as a ‘silly statement from a pathetic regime that has no vision’, adding that ‘shameless politicians think Akwa Ibom people are stupid.’
His statement comes after the government, in a release by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerete Udoh, justified the proposed 18-floor Ibom Towers project.
Udoh had said that the 18-floor Ibom Towers and a three-star hotel to be built in Abuja are great investments that would guarantee solid income to the state government.
The spokesman also questioned those opposing the projects, insisting ‘they will stand out as an enchanting symbol of rise and ascendancy of Akwa Ibom.
However, Effiong, who had earlier issued a stern warning to the governor as he asked people in the state to get prepared for a massive protest, said: “A silly statement from a pathetic regime that has no vision. These shameless politicians think Akwa Ibom people are stupid.”
16-floor tower: ‘Shameless politicians think Akwa Ibom people are stupid – lawyer reacts
Anti-government protest: TinubuMustGo hashtag trends on social media
Ahead of the planned nationwide protests over hardship, netizens have threatened to demand President Bola Tinubu’s resignation.
A cross-section of Nigerians on their X microblogging handles are using the hashtag #TinubuMustGo to campaign for the protest.
They are alleging that the president lacks the ability to tackle the economic crisis bedevilling the nation.
TVN reports that Nigerians, particularly youths who are frustrated by the economic reality, have vowed to stage mass protests nationwide.
According to the flyers making the rounds, the protest has been scheduled for August 1 to 10.
Some X users who were campaigning for the protest threatened that if the protest is disrupted by security operatives, they would demand Tinubu’s immediate resignation.
Below are some of the posts on X as compiled by TVN:
@j_samdavid wrote: “As we mount the barricade in August to rage, the APC urchins, the police, the army and all the trigger-happy state apparatus of the elite ruling class should know that if any one of the masses protesting should be wounded or killed, we will come for Tinubu #TinubuMustGo.”
@PhCity_Oracle wrote: “Built a N21 B mansion for Shettima but asked Nigerians to be patient. Bought a N5B presidential yacht for Tinubu – approved 70000 naira for the NLC and TUC. Bought N150 B presidential jet but shared rice with Nigerians. #RevolutionNow #TinubuMUSTGo #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.”
@Jrnaib2 wrote: “Do you know that majority of Nigerians are committed to the One Term President, OTP Project? Join the patriotic movement now! #TinubuMUSTGo.”
@Verydarkman wrote: “Dear Nigeria Youth. Make sure you come out for the protest and never give up. As you can see, they are already developing cold feet. NIGERIA BELONGS TO ALL OF US. #TinubuMUSTGo.”
Anti-government protest: TinubuMustGo hashtag trends on social media