Latest News Archives - Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation https://fmino.gov.ng/contents/latest-news/ Wed, 27 Mar 2024 03:05:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 OPENING ADDRESS BY THE HON. MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND NATIONAL ORIENTATION, MOHAMMED IDRIS, FNIPR AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON’S SUMMIT, TUESDAY, 26TH MARCH, 2024, AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, GARKI, ABUJA. https://fmino.gov.ng/opening-address-by-the-hon-minister-of-information-and-national-orientation-mohammed-idris-fnipr-at-the-opening-ceremony-of-national-spokespersons-summit-tuesday-26th-march-2024-at-the/ Tue, 26 Mar 2024 03:03:40 +0000 https://fmino.gov.ng/?p=25924 Protocols.Esteemed guests, communication experts, scholars, enthusiasts, distinguished participants, ladies and gentlemen. It is my pleasure to join the President of NIPR to welcome you all to this maiden National Spokespersons Summit and Awards, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in collaboration with my Ministry. This summit is a pivotal event aimed at […]

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Protocols.
Esteemed guests, communication experts, scholars, enthusiasts, distinguished participants, ladies and gentlemen. It is my pleasure to join the President of NIPR to welcome you all to this maiden National Spokespersons Summit and Awards, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in collaboration with my Ministry.

This summit is a pivotal event aimed at transforming the landscape of communication in Nigeria. The theme of the summit, “Change Narrative, Change Society,” resonates deeply with the challenges facing us as a people. Nigeria, a diversely blessed and vibrant country, grapples with the need to create a cohesive national identity; one that transcends ethnicity, religion, and political affiliations. Crafting a compelling national narrative becomes paramount as we strive to live up to our vast potential.

I am glad to note that this summit brings together spokespersons from both the public and private sectors, spanning national and sub-national levels. As communication professionals, you must be aware that you play a crucial role in shaping perceptions, disseminating accurate information, and fostering trust. Indeed, the nation’s peace, stability, growth, and development can only be attained by how we communicate.

As we gather here, we must recognize the critical role that effective communication plays in shaping narratives, building trust, and fostering understanding. Whether we are seasoned PR professionals, budding communicators, or someone curious about the power of words, this Summit provides a platform for growth, learning, networking, and collaboration.

As we embark on this workshop journey, let us remember that communication is not just about words. It’s about impact. Our world is in a constant state of flux. Technology, globalization, and evolving societal norms have transformed the way we communicate.

Just two decades ago, social media was nonexistent, and reaching our audience required a well-connected contacts book. Today, we grapple with information overload, striving to tailor messages to the right people at the right time.

Let us delve into the essence of this summit and its significance. As communicators, we face both challenges and opportunities. With information overload, our audiences are bombarded with content. Cutting through the noise requires creativity, precision, and relevance.

The future of communication points towards technology, but for technology to make a meaningful impact, it must be anchored on trust. Trust remains a critical element in building relationships; be it at personal, group, and even community levels. As spokespersons, we need to make conscious efforts to build trust and restore hope wherever we are. Building and maintaining trust must be a collective responsibility. For trust to have value, it must be anchored on authenticity, transparency, and consistency.

The current trend of communication is driven by technology. While technology allows us to personalize messages like never before, collaboration enables us to build consensus among colleagues, stakeholders, and experts.

I expect that at the end of this Summit, the capacities of spokespersons will be strengthened. It will also equip the participants with the skills needed to craft compelling narratives for national development. To meet this expectation, I am happy to let you know that, experienced and successful resource persons, have been invited from within and outside Nigeria to facilitate different sessions at the summit.

I do believe that the summit would facilitate the emergence of a national consensus for effective communication, based on a collective narrative of our shared values, regardless of our backgrounds.

In the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, we are on the verge of unveiling the Nigeria Values Charter, which embodies a social contract between the country and its citizens and will serve as a blueprint and policy for a national value system, defining us as Nigerians and reinforcing our personality as citizens.

The new policy, which will be launched this year by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, consists of the Nigerian Promise and the Citizen Codes, which have seven pillars each. The government intends to incorporate these values into formal, informal, and vocational educational policies to ensure that they are not only imbibed but engrained in the minds of our citizens.

The unique thing about this Values Charter is that it is a Social Contract between the government and the citizens and it contains Seven Core Obligations of the Nigerian state to its citizens as well as Seven Commitments of the citizens towards their country. The premise of the Values Charter is that the government as represented by elected and appointed representatives must fulfill some basic non-negotiable promises, in return for fundamental commitments from the citizens. This will ensure the fulfillment of the Social contract between the government and the citizens.

It is equally heartwarming to note that the bold economic reforms being implemented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is recording incremental successes across various facets of our economy, reflecting our commitment to addressing critical issues such as inflation, foreign exchange stability, attracting Foreign Direct Investment, growth in our foreign reserves, post fuel subsidy interventions among other indices of economic development.

I am delighted that the summit will culminate in awards later tomorrow, to recognise and celebrate outstanding spokespersons for their dedication, resilience, and commitment to standards and virtues that have contributed significantly to the nation’s development and progress.

I would like to thank the Vice President for finding the time to be with us and accepting to open the Summit. I also immensely thank the Chairman of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum and the Governor of Kwara State, for accepting to chair the maiden edition of the Spokespersons Summit.

As we settle down to the business of this Summit, let us continue to be givers of hope to our respective communities. Our narratives should reflect hope, unity, and progress.

May our voices resonate, our stories inspire, and our commitment to excellence endure.

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Insecurity: Kano Govt. Pledges Support to FG Initiatives in Fight Against Banditry, Kidnapping https://fmino.gov.ng/insecurity-kano-govt-pledges-support-to-fg-initiatives-in-fight-against-banditry-kidnapping/ Sun, 24 Mar 2024 01:37:53 +0000 https://fmino.gov.ng/?p=25850 FIC Report (Kano State) – The Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi said he led the Presidential media team to Kano and met with Nigerians from various walks of life to explain what President Tinubu’s government has been doing to make life better for Nigerians. According to the minister, “we came to ask for patience and […]

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FIC Report (Kano State) – The Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi said he led the Presidential media team to Kano and met with Nigerians from various walks of life to explain what President Tinubu’s government has been doing to make life better for Nigerians.

According to the minister, “we came to ask for patience and understanding in the period of some economic challenges we are experiencing. Indeed some of the challenges need to be endured by all Nigerians so that we can have the prosperity by all of us,” said the minister.

He expressed optimism that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s affirmation by the Supreme Court would inspire the governor to re-double more efforts to deliver more dividends of democracy to the teaming people of Kano.

The minister maintained that his robust engagement with the business Community would yield a positive results in view of Kano’s strategic location as a commercial hub not only in the northern part but the entire country.

He later submitted the certified national flag to the governor and recommended procurement of the flags in large quantity for use in public buildings and other official engagements in the state.

Kano State Government has vowed to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s initiative to decimate the menace of insecurity distabilizing the peace of the country.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf gave his commitment on Friday when he received the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Muhammad Idris on a courtesy visit at the government house.

The governor said it is pertinent to join heads with the central government to curtail the excesses of criminalities to restore nation development.

Alhaji Yusuf appreciated President Tinubu for heeding to his appeal to reopen the Nigeria’s borders with other countries, an action that will assist in alleviating the economic hardship in the country.

He described the visit as timely in view of its engagements with critical stakeholders including the business community pledging to do what it takes to support the federal government in an effort to better the country.

By KABIRU HARUNA
Asst Director (Information and Public Relations)

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REMARKS BY THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND NATIONAL ORIENTATION, MOHAMMED IDRIS, DURING A COURTESY VISIT TO THE GOVERNOR OF KANO STATE, H.E. ABBA KABIR YUSUF, IN KANO, ON FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2024 https://fmino.gov.ng/remarks-by-the-minister-of-information-and-national-orientation-mohammed-idris-during-a-courtesy-visit-to-the-governor-of-kano-state-h-e-abba-kabir-yusuf-in-kano-on-friday-march-22-2024/ Fri, 22 Mar 2024 02:16:42 +0000 https://fmino.gov.ng/?p=25873 Protocol. Your Excellency, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, a. To RESTORE public trust in public communications. b. To AMPLIFY policies and programs of the Federal Government, as well as inspiring Nigerian narratives. c. To REORIENT national values and deepen the social contract between government and citizens. d. To MODERNIZE technology and talent in the Federal […]

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Protocol.

  1. It is my pleasure to be here in this ancient and great city of Kano. I bring you greetings from His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the entire Federal Government of Nigeria.
  2. For me, personally, coming to Kano is always a return home, having spent time here studying for Master’s degree, thirty years ago. So, this is a city that means a lot to me.
  3. For the Ministry, this is also home, given that a good number of our agencies, like the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Voice of Nigeria (VON) and others are very well represented in Kano.
  4. I have not come here alone, I am here with a delegation of senior government officials, from the Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, including chief executives of our agencies. It is only appropriate that we start by paying a courtesy visit to the Governor of Kano State, His Excellency Abba Kabir Yusuf.
  5. I thank you, your Excellency, for hosting us, and for your leadership in Kano State. The recent affirmation of your electoral win by the Supreme Court has no doubt inspired you to redouble your efforts to deliver the dividends of democracy to the teeming people of Kano State.
  6. Let me say that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very committed to supporting all subnational governments in Nigeria, regardless of party affiliation. All Nigerians equally deserve peace, security, prosperity, progress and all the other benefits of good governance, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender, geography or political ideology.
  7. The President has regularly been engaging with the Governors, to understand their issues, and to offer support. In addition, ongoing economic reforms have significantly increased the revenues available to all the three tiers of Government. And more will be done to ensure that States enjoy the support and collaboration of the Federal Government, to accomplish the promises and pledges that you have made to the people.

Your Excellency, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

  1. We are here in Kano as representatives of His Excellency, Mr. President, to meet with Nigerians, from various walks of life. The President has tasked us with engaging with various groups of stakeholders, to share and explain what his administration has been doing to make life better for all Nigerians, and to ask for patience and understanding in the face of the economic challenges we are experiencing.
  2. No doubt, these are difficult times, but they are a necessary prelude to better times for all. Things will certainly get better. Some difficult economic decisions have had to be made, for the ultimate benefit of the country. The pains are temporary, but the benefits will last, and will be enjoyed by all.
  3. Your Excellency, let me use this opportunity to briefly highlight the vision and mandate of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, under my leadership. That vision is captured by a 5-point agenda, as follows:

a. To RESTORE public trust in public communications.

b. To AMPLIFY policies and programs of the Federal Government, as well as inspiring Nigerian narratives.

c. To REORIENT national values and deepen the social contract between government and citizens.

d. To MODERNIZE technology and talent in the Federal Government’s Information and Communications systems.

e. To CREATE an enabling operating environment for the media in Nigeria, through favorable policies and incentives.

  1. Everything we do is built around these pillars, and in the course of our time in Kano, we will be engaging in activities that, in one way or another, advance all five priorities.
  2. I solicit your cooperation and support, going forward, because I believe that this is a shared vision for all of us. As governments, we all seek to ensure that the people are aware of what we are doing on their behalf and for their benefit. And we are all very much invested in this issue of national reorientation – building a nation where people are aware of their rights and responsibilities.
  3. On this note, let me again thank His Excellency Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the hospitality. I look forward to our time in Kano State.
  4. Thank you for listening.

Mohammed Idris
Minister of Information and National Orientation
Kano, Kano State

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Mohammed Idris to Nigerians: Have Faith in Tinubu, Challenges will be over https://fmino.gov.ng/mohammed-idris-to-nigerians-have-faith-in-tinubu-challenges-will-be-over/ Thu, 21 Mar 2024 05:17:56 +0000 https://fmino.gov.ng/?p=25797 The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, has implored Nigerians to be patient and have faith in the President Bola Tinubu administration. Idris made the call on Wednesday, during the breaking of fast (Iftar) with media executives and practitioners. The event, which was organised by the ministry of information and national orientation, […]

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The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, has implored Nigerians to be patient and have faith in the President Bola Tinubu administration.

Idris made the call on Wednesday, during the breaking of fast (Iftar) with media executives and practitioners.

The event, which was organised by the ministry of information and national orientation, held at the Armani Event Centre, Kano.

Idris said the Tinubu administration is working tirelessly to reverse the pervasive economic hardship.

“The Ministry of Information and National Orientation is committed towards ensuring a total overhaul of the agencies under the ministry with the aim of enhancing the sector,” he said.

The Minister added that the administration is working to revive the nation’s refineries, stating that the Port Harcourt refinery would soon commence production.

He also said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was mismanaged by the previous leadership of the bank, and that Tinubu has brought back the lost glory of the apex bank.

“The renewed hope agenda of Mr. President has started yielding positive results, because the economy of the nation is gradually reviving, and the challenges will soon be over,” he said.

By
KABIRU HARUNA
Asst Director
FIC KANO

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Summary of Plenary proceedings of the House of Representatives for Thursday, March 14th, 2024 https://fmino.gov.ng/summary-of-plenary-proceedings-of-the-house-of-representatives-for-thursday-march-14th-2024/ Thu, 14 Mar 2024 10:50:06 +0000 https://fmino.gov.ng/?p=25699 The Speaker of the House Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen presided. COMMUNICATION FROM THE PRESIDENT:  Transmission of the Student Loan Access to Higher Education Repeal and Re-enactment Bill 2024 for the consideration of the House of Representatives. It seeks to enhance the implementation of the Student Higher Education Loan Scheme. The President expressed optimism in the […]

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The Speaker of the House Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen presided.

COMMUNICATION FROM THE PRESIDENT: 

Transmission of the Student Loan Access to Higher Education Repeal and Re-enactment Bill 2024 for the consideration of the House of Representatives. It seeks to enhance the implementation of the Student Higher Education Loan Scheme. The President expressed optimism in the usual cooperation of the House of Representatives towards the consideration and approval of the request.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS

  1. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB.1154) (Hon. Mansur Manu Soro and five Others) – First Reading.
  2. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB.1155) (Hon. Mansur Manu Soro, Hon. Benjamin Okeze Kalu and One Other) – First Reading.
  3. Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1156) (Hon. Mansur Manu Soro) – First Reading.
  4. Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, (HB.1266) 2024 (Executive) – First Reading.

PRESENTATION OF REPORT

Committee on Finance: Hon. James  Abiodun Faleke: The House do receive the Report of the Committee on Finance on the issue from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Statutory Revenue Fund of the Federal Inland Revenue Account, the total sum of (N446,342,696,992) four hundred and forty-six billion, three hundred and forty–two million, six hundred and ninety–six thousand, nine hundred and nine–two, Naira only.  The report was laid.

ORDERS OF THE DAY: BILLS:

  1. A Bill for an Act to Authorise the issue from the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s Statutory Revenue Fund of the Federal Capital Territory Administration Account, the total sum of N1,147,780,61 0,283.00 (one trillion, one hundred and forty- seven billion, seven hundred and eighty million, six hundred and ten thousand, two hundred and eighty- three) Naira only. The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Federal Capital Territory, Federal Capital Area Councils as well as that on Auxiliary Matters.
  2. A Bill for an Act to Amend Section 13 of the Electoral Act, 2022 to introduce new Provisions to ensure that a person seeking Transfer of His or Her Voters’ Registration Data resides in the Constituency to which He or She applied and for Related Matters (HB.1133) (Hon. James Abiodun Faleke) – Second Reading. Bill stepped down the Bill for further legislative inputs.
  3. A Bill for an Act to make Provision for Restitution of Damaged Public Property and for Related Matters (HB. 913) (Hon. Felix Uche Nwaeke) – Second Reading The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Justice.
  4. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Colleges of Education Act, Cap. F8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Provide for Establishment of Federal College of Education (Technical) Otan – Ayebaju, Osun State and for Related Matters (HB.1072) (Hon. Akanni Clement Ademola) – Second Reading.. The Bill was approved and referred to the House Committee on Federal Colleges of Education.
  5. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2023 and Enact the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Bill, 2004 to Establish the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as a Body Corporate to Receive, Manage and Invest Funds to Provide Loans to Nigerians for Higher Education, Vocational Training and Skills Acquisition and for Related Matters (HB.1266) (Leader) – Second Reading.. The Bill was voted and referred to the House Committee on Student Loans for Higher Education and Colleges.

MOTIONS:

  1. Deplorable State of Calabar–Itu–Ikot Ekpene Road: Hon. Ime B. Okon and others,

The motion was  adopted and referred to the House Committees on Works as well as that on Legislative Compliance.

  1. Need to Utilize Public Private Partnership (PPP) to Bridge the Gap in Healthcare System in Nigeria: Hon. Chidi Mark Obetta: . The motion was adopted as amended and referred to the House Committees on Healthcare Services as well as that on Special Duties.

8.Need to Investigate the Nigerian Military Satellite, Delsat -1 and its Contribution to Nigeria Security System: Hon. Abdullmalik Zubairu: Motion stepped down by the leave of the House.

9.Construction of Bukuru–Maijuju–Zandi–Dass Road in Plateau and Bauchi States:

Hon. Ajang Alfred Iliya:. The motion was adopted and referred to the House Committee on Works.

  1. Racketeering in the Federal Capital Territory: Hon. Obiageli Lillian Orogbu:  Motion stepped down by leave of the House.

CONSIDERATION OF REPORT

Committee on National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC):

Hon. Regina Akume:  that the House do consider the Report of the Committee on National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control on the Need to Suspend the Ban Imposed by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control on the Sachet Alcoholic and 200ML Pet Bottles and approve the recommendations therein” (HR. 16/02/2024) (Laid: 12/3/2024

Adjournment:

The House at 13:25 PM adjourned plenary to Tuesday, March 19th, 2024

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WTO DG Remarks at the Launch of the WTO – ITC STDF Project in Nigeria Abuja, 12 March https://fmino.gov.ng/wto-dg-remarks-at-the-launch-of-the-wto-itc-stdf-project-in-nigeria-abuja-12-march/ Tue, 12 Mar 2024 04:52:33 +0000 https://fmino.gov.ng/?p=25518 Excellency Mr Vice President Kashim Shettima ably represented by Deputy Chief of Staff to Mr President,Excellency Mr SGF Senator George Akume, Excellency Governor of Imo State – I miss my own Governors of Abia State and Delta State, Hon Members, H.E Minister of Trade and Industry – Dr Doris Uzoka-Anita and Ministers of Finance, Budget […]

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Excellency Mr Vice President Kashim Shettima ably represented by Deputy Chief of Staff to Mr President,Excellency Mr SGF Senator George Akume, Excellency Governor of Imo State – I miss my own Governors of Abia State and Delta State, Hon Members, H.E Minister of Trade and Industry – Dr Doris Uzoka-Anita and Ministers of Finance, Budget and other Ministers here present, Former Minister of Trade and Industry Otunba Adebayo, members of the diplomatic corps especially our very own Ambassador to the WTO. H.E Dr Adamu Abdulhamid, Ladies and Gentlemen, all protocols observed.

  1. It’s always wonderful to be back home in Nigeria. But I must confess that whilst I am happy, I am also sad. I am sad because I am here at a time when once more hundreds of our school children and teachers have been abducted, as a mother, grandmother, educator and someone for whom education is paramount for creating opportunity, I am very sad and I do hope we can recover those missing very soon. The occasion that brings us here today I hope will be one that helps our quest to bring benefits directly to people by supporting the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment, the Federal Government and the States to pursue Nigeria’s objectives of diversifying the economy.Today I shall talk about the ways the WTO and our affiliated agencies like the International Trade Centre and the Standards and Trade Development Facility aim to support the diversification objectives here in Nigeria.
  2. For organising this today, I want to thank H.E. Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment (MITI), NEPC Executive Director Nonye Ayeni, Permanent Secretary MITI – Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, ITC Deputy Executive Director Dorothy Tembo and her team, the STDF team behind the sesame and cowpeas value chain project being launched this week, and Nigeria’s very persuasive and hardworking Ambassador to the WTO, H.E. Dr. Adamu Mohammed Abdulhamid. And I want to thank all of you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be here.
  3. I always say that an underappreciated fact about the WTO is that it is about people. It’s set out in the preamble to our founding Marrakesh Agreements, which states that the purpose of the WTO is to use trade to raise living standards, create jobs, and promote sustainable development. These goals are fundamentally about people’s lives and living standards.
  4. That said, the rules governing global trade negotiated among our now 166 – members can sometimes seem distant from day-to-day life and business operations.
  5. But in reality, they are not. They actually underpin daily lives. The goods people consume and those they export are being traded on the basis of WTO rules that keep international trade open, predictable, stable and fair. Our trade facilitation agreement, where implemented, helps customs cut costs of goods coming in and out of countries making things easier for importers and exporters. Our Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreements ensure traded goods meet certain quality standards globally and our recent Fisheries Subsidies Agreement once it comes into force will help prevent illegal fishing of our waters. I want to congratulate Nigeria for being one of the first countries to ratify the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement.
  6. But one stream of the WTO’s activities is easier to relate to because it is about working directly on the ground in developing countries to equip and empower businesses – typically micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, often run by women or young people – to seize international market opportunities.
  7. Probably my favourite example of this work comes from here in Nigeria. Soon after taking office at the WTO three years ago, I had an opportunity to meet a group of women from a Shea butter cooperative in Oyo state. They had worked with the NEPC, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the International Trade Centre, and the STDF to meet international safety and quality standards. Obtaining international safety certification opened the door to exports to the US, the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and South Africa, as well as sales to more lucrative market niches within Nigeria. But the best part of the story was what the women told me about their own lives. Their incomes had risen sharply actually tripled – and had stayed higher, well after the end of the project.They had been able to pay for higher education for their children, and to invest in side businesses. In short, they were thriving. This was trade working for people – and working for a more inclusive, more diversified Nigerian economy.
  8. That experience is why I am so excited about one of the key projects we are launching today with STDF, ITC, and the NEPC, a project to help with international safety and quality certification for sesame and cowpeas or black-eyed peas.
  9. The agriculture sector in Nigeria has the potential to be a major driver of export diversification and job creation – but too much of this potential remains unrealized, due to a variety of barriers. We all know the story about Nigeria being a significant exporter of palm kernel, groundnuts, palm oil, cotton and cocoain the past– but again we all know, the country has since become a net importer of many of those goods. In fact, Nigeria has not only lost out in agricultural export markets, it is a net food importer spending about billions a year for goods, many of which we can also produce here.
  10. A World Bank paper put it, and I quote “Nigeria… used to be a formidable agricultural exporter. Up to the mid-1960s, the country’s share of world agricultural exports was more than 1 percent… However, agricultural exports collapsed as the economy shifted towards petroleum exploitation, and by the mid-1980s Nigeria’s world market share for agricultural products had dwindled to less than 0.1 percent.”
  11. Some of Nigeria’s unrealized potential has to do with trade-related problems on the supply side – and that is what this project is seeking to rectify.
  12. Nigeria is the world’s largest producer and consumer of cowpeas. Sesame is primarily an export crop, and Nigeria is the world’s fourth leading producer, exporting to the EU, Türkiye, Japan, South Korea and other Asian markets. However, Nigerian cowpea and sesame exports have increasingly faced rejections in several destination markets due to non-compliance with international SPS requirements.
  13. For example, Nigeria accounts for over a third of Japan’s sesame imports –but health and safety inspections during the past few years have found instances where pesticide residue levels were nearly double the maximum residue limits permissible from 2019 to 2021.
  14. To tackle these problems this new project aims to build the capacities of stakeholders across the sesame and cowpeas value chains to better understand market access requirements, to improve agricultural practices such as pesticide application, hygiene techniques, harvest and post-harvest methods, and food safety. The project – which will kick off with an initial amount of $1.2 million – of which nearly a million comes from STDF – will also be used to train local food safety advisers. This type of project is one I term a low expenditure, high impact project. The WTO is not a financing agency like the World Bank or IMF but it has a wonderful secret that I find very attractive. It spends small sums of money to make big impact. You cannot imagine how a million-dollar intervention can earn Nigeria hundreds of millions of dollars if not billions (you heard ED NEPC talk of several billions) in increased agricultural exports, supporting improved incomes for farmers, exporters, businesses and others once agriculture producers and exporters follow the correct sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
  15. However, to succeed fully, we also need partnership. One of the big gaps in the sesame and cowpeas value chains is the lack of quality post-harvest storage and transport infrastructure – that is, things like modified atmosphere and airtight storage, or the use of triple-layered bags). Some producers may be applying pesticides during storage and transport to compensate for storage and transport conditions that are conducive to pests. The STDF project on its own cannot solve all these issues – we would like to partner with other organizations or with states, to improve the storage and transport infrastructure. If we can make this sesame and cow peas standards upgrade a success story like we did with the Oyo Shea Butter then we shall be able to look at other export crops and scale up. The goal is to get Nigeria back as an important quality agriculture exporter.
  16. But this agriculture quality upgrade project is not all we have for you today. There are other interventions we hope to make happen soon.
  17. Nigeria is one of the pilot countries for the WTO-World Bank Digital Trade Initiative for Africa, which seeks to improve digital connectivity of the Nigerian economy and regulatory capacity.
  18. Based on an assessment of where Nigeria stands with its digital hardware and software infrastructure, the World Bank in partnership with the WTO is prepared to assist to develop or upgrade digital (soft and hardware) infrastructure. The WTO will help build the necessary regulatory framework and capacity. Nigeria is one of nine pilot African countries to which the World Bank has allocated about $1 billion for the pilot project. I know the World Bank is already doing some work in this area, including trying to crowd in private investments and where possible working with the Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy. We hope this pilot Africa Project can help enhance this effort in Nigeria to support digital trade.The future of trade is digital and digital trade is the fastest growing segment of trade at this time, especially digitally delivered services trade. The future of technology is Artificial intelligence and Nigeria, and indeed Africa must be equipped to benefit from digital tech and AI.
  19. Now just two weeks ago at the WTOs Ministerial Conference, the WTO and ITC launched The Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund. This $50 million fund is meant to support women entrepreneurs who are trading digitally to scale up their businesses and access global value chains. The fund will open for applications soon and working with Honorable Minister Dr Uzoka Anite and Ambassador Adamu we hope a proposal can be put up so that Nigerian women can benefit from this.
  20. Finally, at a more technical level, in the next few months alone, Abuja will host one WTO workshop for stakeholders on intellectual property and international best practices, and another to train customs and border security agencies on clearing goods promptly in line with the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.
  21. Down the line, I am hoping that Nigeria can also benefit from another program we are doing with the Cotton 4 countries – Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Cote D’Ivoire. This is a partnership with FIFA, UNIDO, ITC, AFREXIMBANK, ICAC and Better Cotton, which aims to help the C4 add value to their cotton production and take advantage of the $270 billion global sports apparel market. We anticipate benefits for Nigeria as increased production will require deeper regional supply chains and the diversification of production nodes.
  22. Finally, let me also mention and commend both the ITC and the Ministry for the new trade intelligence service that is being developed. This will include both a Trade Intelligence Unit – that will provide information services to the business community and the government, as well as a Trade Intelligence Portal that will provide information on trade statistics, tariffs, business regulations, market prices and importers, and the evolving trends for specific products in the international market. As we move towards a more digital world, this platform is essential and will make doing business in Nigeria much easier.
  23. So, Nigeria is on the move with WTO, we should work hard to ensure that these projects empower ordinary people and make a difference in their lives.
  24. Excellencies, let me conclude here by asking once again for your support to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment to execute these very important projects. As we have seen, the WTO is doing its part to promote trade-led growth and diversification in Nigeria. Let’s work together to increase the developmental returns on our investments.
  25. Thank you.

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Executive Order: Tinubu Positions Nigeria as Prime Destination For Investment in Africa’s Energy Sector https://fmino.gov.ng/executive-order-tinubu-positions-nigeria-as-prime-destination-for-investment-in-africas-energy-sector/ Wed, 06 Mar 2024 22:14:00 +0000 https://fmino.gov.ng/?p=25382 In keeping with his dedicated efforts to remove obstacles to investments in Nigeria, harness the nation’s resources and diversify the economy for the benefit of all Nigerians, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has executed Policy Directives to improve the investment climate and position Nigeria as the preferred investment destination for the Oil & Gas […]

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In keeping with his dedicated efforts to remove obstacles to investments in Nigeria, harness the nation’s resources and diversify the economy for the benefit of all Nigerians, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has executed Policy Directives to improve the investment climate and position Nigeria as the preferred investment destination for the Oil & Gas sector in Africa.

Following extensive engagements, analyses, and benchmarking with other jurisdictions, the President has initiated the amendment of primary legislation to introduce fiscal incentives for Oil & Gas projects, reduce contracting costs and timelines, and promote cost efficiency in local content requirements. Recognizing the urgency to accelerate investments, the President has directed as follows:

(1) Fiscal Incentives for Non-Associated Gas (NAG), Midstream and Deepwater Developments:

  • Gas tax credits shall apply to non-associated gas (NAG) greenfield developments in onshore and shallow water locations, where the hydrocarbon liquids fall between 0-100 barrels per million standard cubic feet of gas.
  • A 25 percent gas utilization investment allowance shall apply on qualifying expenditure on plant and equipment incurred by a gas utilization company in respect of any new and ongoing project in the midstream oil and gas industry.
  • Implementation of commercial enablers for new brownfield and greenfield to incentivize investments for oil and gas projects in the deep water.

These incentives address the lack of differentiation between NAG fields in PIA, yield competitive returns and prevent value erosion for ongoing gas utilization projects, including NLNG Train 7 due to changes introduced by sections 6 and 9 of the 2023 Finance Act. It is anticipated that these investments will have a multiplier effect by catalyzingeconomic activity around these projects. The anticipated impact of these investments extends beyond energy security. The projects are expected to relaunch economic activity and job creation in the sector, as well as stimulate activity in ancillary SMEs within local communities.

(2) Streamlining of Contracting Processes, Procedures, and Timelines:

  • The President has directed the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) and the Ministry of Petroleum Incorporated (MOPI) to take steps to procure the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to raise the contract approval thresholds for Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and Joint Operating Agreements to not less than $10 million or the Naira equivalent.
  • The President has directed that NNPC Limited and the Nigerian Upstream Investment Management Services Limited (NUIMS), in collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and industry stakeholders, simplify the contract approval process.
  • The duration period for third-party contracts awarded pursuant to a PSC or JOA is increased from three to five years with the option of renewal for an additional two years after the expiration of the initial three years.
  • These directives are aimed at compressing the contracting cycle to 4-6 months, ultimately reducing project schedules, expediting the delivery of oil and gas products to the market, and increasing value to the country.

(3) Local Content Practice Reform:

Pending legislative review of certain reform propositions, the President has directed that the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board in its implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010 (“Local Content Act”) shall consider the practical challenges of insufficient in-country capacity for certain services, and act in a manner that does not hinder investments or the cost competitiveness of oil and gas projects. By providing flexibility with the application of the Local Content Act, local operators will be encouraged to increase their capacity, thereby creating additional business opportunities, upskilling of the workforce, and ultimately creating more jobs and boosting economic growth.

These incentives were developed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Petroleum, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

The Special Adviser to the President on Energy has been directed to continue coordinating the aforementioned stakeholders to ensure the implementation of these directives within a stipulated timeframe.

Some directives on previous structural reforms undertaken by the President to address the decline in investments include:

  • Streamlining and clarifying the scope of regulators in the petroleum sector, with a view to providing certainty and clarity to investors and facilitating a conducive operating environment.
  • Enhanced security measures across the Niger Delta that has grown production by 200kbbls per day and increased the availability of NLNG Trains 1-6 from 57% in 2023 to 70% today
  • Introduction of fiscal incentives to deepen Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) penetration.

The President strongly believes that private sector-led growth enabled by clear and inclusive government policies is the most enduring path to prosperity for all Nigerians. The President is committed to sustained engagement and collaboration with key investors to ensure we improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Mohammed Idris
Minister of Information and National Orientation
6th March, 2024

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INVITATION! INVITATION!! INVITATION!!! https://fmino.gov.ng/invitation-invitation-invitation-2/ Tue, 27 Feb 2024 11:33:39 +0000 https://fmino.gov.ng/?p=25165 The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris cordially invites you to a Ministerial Press Briefing, taking place tomorrow, Wednesday, 28 February, 2024 at the National Press Centre, Radio House, Central Business District, Abuja, by 11.00am. The Ministerial Press Briefing will feature the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Ali Pate. Thank […]

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The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris cordially invites you to a Ministerial Press Briefing, taking place tomorrow, Wednesday, 28 February, 2024 at the National Press Centre, Radio House, Central Business District, Abuja, by 11.00am.

The Ministerial Press Briefing will feature the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Ali Pate.

Thank you so much I look forward to your presence.

Mohammed Idris
Minister of Information and National Orientation.

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Highlights of Federal Executive Council decisions on Monday 26 February https://fmino.gov.ng/highlights-of-federal-executive-council-decisions-on-monday-26-february/ Mon, 26 Feb 2024 10:08:19 +0000 https://fmino.gov.ng/?p=25095 Here are some of the highlights of the far reaching decisions taken today at the Federal Executive Council meeting, chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The implementation involves merging, subsuming and scrapping agencies with similar functions. The Oronsaye report was submitted in 2012 to the Jonathan administration. In 2014, the Jonathan government released a white […]

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Here are some of the highlights of the far reaching decisions taken today at the Federal Executive Council meeting, chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

  1. FEC approved construction of Lagos-Port Harcourt-Calabar Coastal Superhighway to Messrs Hitech Construction Africa. The First phase made up of 47 kms will begin in Lagos.
  2. Social security payments to the vulnerable households to begin immediately. Recipients will be those with NIN and BVN.
  3. Social security payments to be extended to graduates from NCE and upwards.
  4. Consumer Credit to be established very urgently. Chief of Staff to lead a committee that includes Budget Minister, Attorney-General, Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance, to make the scheme a reality.
  5. The Council in order to enhance efficiency in the Federal service, and reduce the cost of governance, decided to implement the recommendations of the Steve Oronsaye panel on the restructuring and rationalisation of Federal agencies, parastatals and commissions.

The implementation involves merging, subsuming and scrapping agencies with similar functions.

The Oronsaye report was submitted in 2012 to the Jonathan administration. In 2014, the Jonathan government released a white paper on the report. The Buhari administration after re-examining the white paper also released a second white paper in August 2022, but did not implement the report.

However, the Tinubu administration has decided to confront the monster of high governance cost by implementing elements of the report.

An eight-man committee has a 12-week deadline to ensure that the necessary legislative amendments and administrative restructuring needed to implement the reforms are effected in an efficient manner.

The committee comprises Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Head of the Civil Service, Attorney General and Justice Minister, Budget and Planning Minister, DG Bureau of Public Service Reform, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Special assistant to the president on National Assembly. The Cabinet Affairs Office will serve as the secretariat.

Key recommendations for implementation:

National Salaries, Income and wages Commission to be subsumed under Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission. The National Assembly will need to amend the constitution as RMAFC was established by the constitution.

Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission to be merged with Bureau of Public Enterprise and be rechristened as `Public Enterprises and Infrastructural Concession Commission.

National Human Rights Commission to swallow Public Complaints Commission.

Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to be scrapped and functions to be taken over by Federal Ministry of Finance.

NEMA and National Commission for Refugees to be fused to become National Emergency and Refugee Management Commission.

Border Communities Development Agency to become a department under National Boundary Commission.

NACA and NCDC to be merged.

SERVICOM to become a department under the Bureau for Public Service Reform (BPSR).

NALDA to return to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

Federal Ministry of Science to supervise a new agency that combines NCAM, NASENI and PRODA.

National Commission for Museums and Monuments and National Gallery of Arts to become one entity that will be known as National Commission for Museums, Monuments and Gallery of Arts.

National Theatre to be merged with National Troupe.

  1. Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa and Directorate of Technical Aid Corp to be merged under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to become an agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Federal Radio Corporation and Voice of Nigeria to be one entity to be known as Federal Broadcasting Corporation of Nigeria.

National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) and National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology to be emerged into an agency to be known as National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA).

National Institute for Leather Science Technology and National Institute for Chemical Technology to become one agency.

Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development to become one agency.

The National Metallurgical Development Centre and National Metallurgical Training Institute will be merged.

National Institute for Trypanosomiasis to be subsumed under Institute of Veterinary Research in Vom, Jos.

The list is not exhaustive.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

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COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A 5-DAY EDITORIAL MANAGEMENT RETREAT OF THE NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA (NAN) HELD AT THE CONFERENCE CENTRE OF NATIONAL TEACHERS INSTITUTE, KADUNA. FEB.19-FEB.23, 2024. https://fmino.gov.ng/communique-issued-at-the-end-of-a-5-day-editorial-management-retreat-of-the-news-agency-of-nigeria-nan-held-at-the-conference-centre-of-national-teachers-institute-kaduna-feb-19-feb-23-2024/ Fri, 23 Feb 2024 20:45:30 +0000 https://fmino.gov.ng/?p=25262 PREAMBLEAs a follow-up to its Strategic Management Retreat held December 21-December 23, 2023, the management of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) organised a five-day retreat for its editorial management members. The retreat, which had as theme “NAN: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” held in Kaduna February 21-February 23, 2024. ATTENDANCEIn attendance were: The Managing Director, […]

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PREAMBLE
As a follow-up to its Strategic Management Retreat held December 21-December 23, 2023, the management of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) organised a five-day retreat for its editorial management members.

The retreat, which had as theme “NAN: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” held in Kaduna February 21-February 23, 2024.

ATTENDANCE
In attendance were: The Managing Director, Ali Muhammad Ali; the Editor-in-Chief, Mr Ephraims Sheyin; the Director, Special Duties, Mr Mufutau Ojo; the Head of Lagos Operations, Mr Kayode Olaitan; Head, Editorial Operations (Lagos), Mr Joe Idika, as well as Zonal Managers, Heads of Desk and Units and some State Correspondents.

To ensure inclusivity, all other members of the management team were also participants at the retreat.

They included the Director, Administration and Human Resources Management, Malam Abdulhadi Khaliel, Deputy Director, Technical/ICT, Head of Planning, Research and Statistics Department, Dr Rasaq Owolabi, Deputy Director, Technical/ICT, Mr Aaron Miller, Head of Marketing Department, Mr Martins Asuquo, Deputy Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr Sola Kehinde and Board Secretary, Mrs Ngozi Anufoche

Others were the Head of Audit Unit, Mr Amusa Manga, Head of Procurement, Mr Ugochukwu Nwogute and the General Manager of NAN BizCom, Ms Juliet Ogunyemi.

In his address of welcome, the Managing Director said the retreat was in line with management’s strategic plan to update the knowledge base of the workforce, particularly the editorial management staff, in a constantly changing media space.

The Managing Director recalled that at the first inaugural management meeting of 23rd October, 2023, he had told management members that NAN was sitting on a gold mine and all that was needed was the willpower, creativity and ingenuity to harness the agency’s human capital and material resources to reach full bloom

He concluded that for NAN to tread the path to a prosperous future, management must first embark on deep introspection on the agency’s past, reflect on its current realities and set the template to harness the immense opportunities available in the media space.

Citing the example of Kodak which has gone into extinction, the Managing Director insisted that NAN must innovate or perish.

He enjoined participants to either shape up or ship out!

PAPERS

Eminent media scholar, and Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Kashere, Prof. Umaru Pate spoke on Traditional Media and the Onslaught of a New World Order while presidential aide and former Managing Director of NAN, Mr Bayo Onanuga gave his insights on a “A subscriber’s Expectation of the NAN Copy.’’

The paper on “The Future of News Agencies in the Era of Digital Journalism,” was presented by Dr Emman Shehu, a veteran journalist and Provost of the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja, while a management consultant, Alhaji Musa Saleh, offered profound perspectives on new bureaucratic rules in his paper entitled ” New Public Service Rule and Emerging Trends in the Public Service.”

While a former Editor-in-Chief of NAN, Alhaji Alli Hakeem, spoke on “Gaps in NAN contents: An Insider’s Perspective,” the current Editor-in-Chief, Mr Ephraims Sheyin delivered a paper on “Promoting Service Delivery Through Effective Supervision and Mentoring.”

To obtain and distill information from across the country, the Zonal Managers also made presentations on their operations, successes, challenges and recommendations going forward.

Similarly, Heads of Desk made submissions on their expectations from Zonal Managers.

OBSERVATIONS

The participants observed as follows:

  1. The media landscape is rapidly changing and it is imperative for wire agencies like NAN to either innovate or perish.
  2. Technology is redefining media practice, content and consumption pattern and there is urgent need for innovation in order to meet the content needs of NAN subscribers.
  3. Digital media has come to stay but will not kill conventional media.
  4. As the largest news agency in Africa, NAN has a major role to play in agenda setting on the continent as well as leading the charge in changing Western media stereotypes.
  5. NAN still faces challenges posed by the advent of New Media.
  6. Some reporters, editors and controllers have become lackadaisical in their approach to their duties and this has affected the quality of contents delivered to NAN subscribers.
  7. There is infrastructure decay in some zonal and state offices in the face of severe paucity of funds.
  8. Participants appreciate the management for organising the retreat and urged it to continue with such initiatives aimed at boosting officers’ performance through training and interactive sessions such as the retreat.
  9. Participants also commend partner organisations which supported NAN in actualising the retreat.

RECOMMENDATIONS

A. Innovation is imperative and it is incumbent for NAN to leverage emerging media technologies including, Artificial Intelligence.

B. NAN offices in states should be given a facelift in order to provide a conducive atmosphere for officers to excel in their duties.

C. The prevailing communication gap between zonal managers and marketing department should be bridged to enhance Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the agency.
Zonal mangers and marketers should see themselves as collaborators not competitors working toward boosting the agency’s IGR drive.

D. Management should create the enabling environment necessary for officers to meet the demands of an evolving media landscape and opportunities therein.

E. In view of its strategic importance in shaping narratives of the country and Africa to the rest of the world, greater funding of NAN by the Federal Government is imperative.

F. Zonal Managers and state correspondents should take advantage of their relationship with local, business and political actors to boost the fortunes of the agency.

G. The agency should look beyond conventional sources of income such as radio and newspaper subscription while exploring such sources of income as data journalism and partnerships with state governments as well as multinational companies in the areas of special reports and documentaries.

H. The management of NAN should provide the enabling environment to ensure that the agency leverages on its global reach, reputation, relevance and resilience.

I. The management should adopt the carrot and stick approach for reward and punishment.

PARTNERSHIPS

The retreat was organised in partnership with Seplat Energy, Nigeria National Petroleum Ltd, Katsina State Government, Kaduna State Government, Benue State Government, Bauchi State Government, Kano State Government and Nigerian Railways Corporation.

Signed:
Communiqué Drafting Committee

Dr Uche Anunne
Chairman

Alhaji Mahrazu Ahmed
Secretary

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