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Nigerian States Are undiscovered Jewels With Huge Economic Potentials –Osinbajo
In a speech that highlighted the tremendous local and international economic potentials of States of the Nigerian Federation.
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, has described states in Nigeria as undiscovered jewels, opining that Niger state alone with its rich agricultural potentials and resources has the capacity to feed both the country and about half of the African continent.
The Acting President said this Minna, at the Investment Summit organised by Niger State tagged “Truly Niger” to showcase the rich potentials of the State to investors.
He said, “Indeed, this State like most of Nigeria is largely an undiscovered jewel; a real treasure hiding in plain sight. The vision is to position Niger State to feed at least 50% of Africa. This may sound like a tall order given today’s level of production. But we should always set our sights high.”
Delivering the keynote address as Special Guest of Honour at the ceremony chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Acting President spoke on the theme; Impacting Investment For Advancing Agricultural Economy and Innovationstating, stating, “even in the best days of oil dominance in Nigeria, agriculture provided jobs for 30 percent of our population, and about the same percentage in contribution to GDP.”
Continuing, he noted that Agriculture is clearly the surest pathway to diversifying the economy, ensuring food security and improving foreign exchange earnings.
Speaking to industry chieftains, bankers, financial experts and senior government officials at the Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, in Minna, Osinbajo noted that Niger State “boasts of size, occupying 10% of Nigeria’s land area and hence has the potential to be serve as an agricultural hub.
He described Niger State as having the largest tracts of arable land in the sub-region, the largest number of hydro-power assets, a hardworking, resourceful, youthful population and an experienced and purposeful leadership.”
He noted that the State “is rightly proactively seeking sustainable, long-term investments that will support the inclusive, sustainable and resilient growth and development that the State needs. I expect that the summit will deliver the connections, the networks and investment collaboration that it was designed for.”
Before declaring the investment summit open, Prof. Osinbajo recalled the efforts of the Niger State government to make the State more business-friendly, and implored the State government to leverage on existing measures such as the creation of the Niger State Geographic Information System (NIGIS); the streamlined issuance of certificates of occupancy within 72 hours; and the reduction in the cost of getting a Certificate of Occupancy by 90% (from between N150,000 – N180,000) to only N15,000 to achieve its investment objectives.
Osinbajo noted that the State must utilize “its advantage of being close to New York, a model which Ogun State is also successfully implementing in relation to Lagos State, ” adding that the State must take advantage of its location close to the Federal Capital Territory to become a manufacturing hub.
“This is especially the case for Small and Medium enterprises that can produce light manufacturers to serve the rapidly growing population of Abuja,” the Acting President stated.
“During his remarks at the occasion, the Governor of the State, Alhaji Sani Bello said the summit was conceived to showcase the rich agricultural potentials of the State to investors, promising that the outcome of the summit would be implemented by his government”
Dignitaries at the event include besides, former President Obasanjo included the former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar; Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; Deputy Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Ahmed Kesto; Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audi Ogbeh; Minister of Women Affairs and Hajia Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan; Minister of State for Aviation
Also present include, Senator Hadi Sirika; Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Alh Bawa Bwari; Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubabkar and several other top government officials.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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