Aso Villa Reads for Thursday, Apr. 29th, 2021
Every day, we bring you the best stories that the Media is reporting about the Government of Nigeria
The federal government has reiterated its commitment to national development through the use Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim, Pantami, said this while unveiling digital economy projects across the country, during a virtual conference, which held recently. Pantami while unveiling the projects in Abuja on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, said the projects, which cut across several geo-political zones of the country, were executed by the government parastatals as part of the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a digital Nigeria.[This Day]
The Federal Government may have begun reaping the fruits of the restructured Presidential Fertiliser Initiative being handled by The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). In four years of its operations, NSIA has transformed much of the operations to fertiliser blenders, just as it has saved the country over $350 million in foreign exchange payout. NSIA in a statement said the programme delivered over 30 million bags of NPK 20:10:10 equivalent spanning project period, engendered a price reduction on fertiliser from over N10,000 to under N5,500, resuscitated 41 blending plants from an initial number of four plants at project inception and created an estimated 250,000 direct and indirect jobs across the agriculture value chain including in logistics, ports, bagging, rail, industrial warehousing, and haulage touchpoints amongst others.[Sun News]
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS) as part of deliberate measures to address worsening poverty in the country. Yemi Osinbajo, who headed PEAC, is to chair Steering Committee to provide overall guidance for implementation. [Sun News]
The National Directorate of Employment, NDE, has recruited 176 youths for skills acquisition training in Bayelsa State as part of its core mandate in vocational training and employment generation. Director-General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Fikpo, who stated this during the orientation ceremony for the new recruits in Yenagoa, said youths were selected across the eight local government areas of the state. The NDE DG who was represented by the Bayelsa State Coordinator of NDE, Mr. Ahamefule Osuchukwu, urged them to make good use of the opportunity. [Vanguard]
As Nigeria and the World at large continue to find lasting solutions in declining the adverse effects of global warming and climate change, the federal government has reiterated support in combatting climate change in the country. The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen made the declaration during the ‘High-Level Presentation Ceremony of the Climate Clock to Nigeria’, in Abuja. According to her, Nigeria became the first African country to receive the climate clock, adding that it serves as a reminder to Nigerians and world leaders to act quickly towards resolving issues concerning climate change. [Vanguard]
The minister of police affairs, Mohammad Maigari Dingyadi said Nigeria and China are set to partner to tackle insecurity in the country. While speaking during a courtesy visit by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Cui Jianchun to the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, the minister assured him of the federal government’s readiness to partner with China to enhance the security of the country. The minister said the entire world is much aware that Nigeria is facing serious security problems and there is the need to work together to improve the security situation in the country. [Leadership]
Federal government has released guidelines for the legal framework for states’ debt management operations for the achievement of the disbursement-linked indicator (DLI) under the States’ Fiscal Transparency Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme of the central government. This DLI requires that states to have robust state-level legislations which incorporates amongst others; responsibilities for contracting State debt, for recording and reporting State debt, as well as, fiscal and debt rules and/or limits for States. [Leadership]
In line with its mandate of developing capacity for the Nigerian maritime industry, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has concluded plans for the commencement of the training of 250 Nigerian cadets. This is also in keeping with one of the three performance pillars of the director-general, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, known as Shipping Development. Representing the DG of NIMASA , the special assistant on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Ubong Essien, noted that Dr. Jamoh had at the inception of his administration in March 2020 outline a Triple ‘S’ agenda of Maritime Security, Maritime Safety and Shipping Development. [Leadership]
The Federal Government of Nigeria has switched on the much talked about digital switch-over in Lagos with free-to-air 30 stations. Speaking at the launching in Lagos, The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said that Lagosians will pay N1,500 annually after purchasing the Setup box at an affordable amount. Lai, who has been on the Digital Switchover since 2016, said that 1 million setup boxes have been manufactured and many more set to be released. He explained that the Digital Switchover is for the common Nigerians who cannot afford to pay for the rising subscriptions of the pay-TV companies. [Tribune]
The Federal Government has declared Monday, May 3, 2021, public holiday to mark this year’s International Workers’ Day celebration. Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration in a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore. [The Nation]
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