Metro

Tinubu’s policies in the best interest of Nigerians— VP Shettima

Published

1 month ago

May 22, 2024

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday once again justified the policies and programmes of the President Bola Tinubu administration, insisting that they were in the best interest of Nigerians.

Shettima, who was speaking during the APC Professionals Forum’s Policy Roundtable Conference on the “Asiwaju Score Card Series” at the Shehu Yar’adua Centre, Abuja, reiterated that the thrust of Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” was repositioning Nigeria, given the circumstances and peculiarities of the nation.

“Every country’s journey is distinct. Every country is shaped by its economic history and challenges. We respect the efforts of other nations, but we are focused on what works best for Nigeria,” Shettima, who was represented at the event by Special Adviser to the President on General Duties (Office of the Vice President), Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, noted.

He opined that the 8-point agenda of the Tinubu administration “provides a clear framework for its policies and programmes,” outlining areas of concentration to include “driving job creation, economic growth, food security, poverty eradication, access to capital, the rule of law, anti-corruption efforts, and inclusive development.”

“These initiatives are not just plans on paper; they are actions being implemented to create tangible improvements in the lives of everyday Nigerians,” he explained.

Shettima cited examples of the administration’s investments in agriculture and other sectors, which, according to him, are intended to reduce the nation’s reliance on imports and boost local production, adding that the ongoing Renewed Hope Housing Scheme promises to address the housing deficit and stimulate economic growth.

“Similarly, we are also focused on reducing unemployment and underemployment through various initiatives, including the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative, Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises, and the Expanded National MSME Clinics.

“These programmes are designed to create more job opportunities and foster economic inclusivity,” he emphasized.

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Metro

24 killed, thousands displaced by flooding, landslides in Ivory Coast

Published

5 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Isaac Dachen

At least 24 people have been confirmed killed while thousands of others have been displaced following devastating flooding and landslides in Ivory Coast’s largest city of Abidjan.

A statement on Tuesday by the National Office for Civil Protection (ONPC), said that the disaster came as a result of a week of heavy rains which were four times the usual volume in some cases.

The ONPC reported that the 24 deaths were as a result of “torrential rains from Thursday 13 to Saturday 22 June”, and warned of the risk of collapsed buildings.

“Two more people were missing after being swept away by the waters”, the ONPC statement added.

In a fresh update on Tuesday afternoon, the agency said the eight people had died after the exceptionally heavy downpours.

“In the commune of Yopougon, Sodexam recorded 214 millimetres (8.4 inches) of rain in a day. The normal level is 50 millimetres (two inches),” it said.

According to the Ivorian Meteorological Agency (IMA) which also gave an update, the recent rainfall was particularly violent with more than 200 millimeters (8 inches) in some districts, four times the usual amount in a day.

“Informal settlements are particularly vulnerable because of poor storm drainage among homes often built quickly without zoning regulations.

“The flooding and landslides have also caused significant damage across the city, flooding houses and roads,” the Ivory Coast National Office for Civil Protection said in a report.

“At least 271 people who were trapped after the rains have been successfully rescued,” it said.

Metro

Mininum Wage Saga: ‘Be patient with Tinubu’, Presidency begs Nigerian workers

Published

14 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian Presidency has, once again, pleaded with citizens to be patient with the President Bola Tinubu administration and avoid piling unnecessary pressure on it as it is working round the clock to transmit the proposed bill on the new minimum wage to the National Assembly once it is ready.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, who made the appeal on Monday, gave the assurance following a warning by the Organised Labour to the President not to send the minimun wage bill to the National Assembly without consulting and reaching an agreement with its leadership.

In a statement on Sunday, the labour leaders had alleged that there were plans by Tinubu to transmit the bill to the Assembly without the government and the unions reaching a compromise, and urged the President to resist the temptation of doing so without adequate consultations.

But while responding to the allegations by labour, Onanuga, in an interview with journalists on Monday, wondered what the rush for the transmission of the bill was all about.

He had earlier lampooned the labour leaders over their stance on its demand for N250,000 as minimum wage, asserting that the demanded by the workers’ union was unreasonable and unsustainable, warning that the Federal Government cannot channeled all its resources to meet such demand.

While admitting that he had no knowledge of the date for submission, he pleaded for more time.

“People should be patient,” he stated. “The President is working round the clock to ensure that the bill is ready and would be transmitted to the National Assembly in due course,” he added.