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Trade Modernisation Project as tool to combat trade-related corruption
Trade Modernisation Project as tool to combat trade-related corruption
By Martha Agas
Generally, one menace countries seeking to facilitate ease of doing business to generate revenue, especially through direct foreign investment, face, is corruption along the chain of service delivery.
Analysts have, thus, argue that the first step to boost international trade is to deal with corruption and other sharp practices that could hurt investors’ confidence.
They have always emphasised the need for transparency, accountability and the need to establish deep trust, particularly in global trade.
Analysts believe that a deep trust in the trade operations processes will encourage and attract investors to the country, with their activities boosting the country’s economic profile and facilitating implementation of more developmental projects.
Even though the World Bank’s Annual Ease of Doing Business Report states that Nigeria has greatly improved in the ease of doing business, ranking 131 out of 190 countries in 2020, stakeholders still observe that there are many factors impeding business operations in the country.
They say top on the list is corruption, with public officials often accused of often taking advantage of administrative bureaucracies to force trade operators to give bribes to expedite the lengthy chain of procedures.
The say that the labyrinthine bureaucracy, lack of transparency and inefficiency have continuously created fertile ground for corrupt practices.
Similarly, reports by LEAP and NOI polls indicate that 85 per cent of Nigerians believe that the prevalence of corruption in the country is responsible for the difficulty in the ease of doing business.
Stakeholders have noted that corruption is impeding trade operations at land borders and sea ports accross the country, while business operators are reported to constantly complain on dealing with too many government agencies and illegal clearing agents, who make corrupt demands or arbitrary fees during port calls.
Even though the Trade Policy of Nigeria(TPN) 2023 to 2027, hinges on government’s commitment to an open and transparent trade policy, and is described as a significant effort to promote trade as a tool for economic growth and development, achieving this goal requires deliberate efforts to address constraints such as corruption.
To salvage the situation, trade modernisation offers a beacon of hope in the fight to address the menace.
By leveraging technology, streamlining processes, and enhancing transparency, Nigeria can significantly reduce the opportunities for corruption and create a more efficient and fair trade environment.
It is in line with this that the Public Private Patnership (PPP) of Trade Modernisation Project, which has three phases, was embarked upon in 2022.
The project is a 20-year concesssion, with the execution agreement signed on May 30, 2022, between the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) Board, and the Trade Modernisation Project(TMP) Ltd.
The TMP is the automation of the business processes of the NCS. It seeks to simplify and enhance the experience of stakeholders in the trade value chain.
It is aimed at making it easy to obtain export and import clearances. It will also ease the payment of duties and the release of goods.
In summary, it is a long-term rescue plan aimed at ensuring predictable and transparent processes and procedures for imports, exports and transit trade.
The project will deploy a software described as the Unified Customs Management system(UCMS), allowing trade operators the advantage of monitoring all stages of their transactions.
According to the Head of Business Processes for the project, Mr Usman Abba, the system is an improvement over the current system, with enhanced features that use Artificial Intelligence(AI) to assist in the classification and validation of documents or data that is being uploaded.
He also mentioned that it includes third-party sources for verifying documents, which simplifies the work of customs officers in terms of registration and document processing.
In time past, stakeholders had sought such a rescue plan.
In 2020, for instance, Dr Muda Yusuf, the former Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted the need for Nigeria to transit to automated processes.
At a webinar on corruption in the cargo clearance at the Nigeria port, he said that delays and the cost of border trade operations could be reduced if manual processes were automated.
The General Manager of TMP Ltd, Ahmed Ogunshola, while throwing more light on the project, said recently that it creates a foundation for improving NCS’ services, which include improving revenue generation, facilitating trade development and minimising corruption in trade facilitation.
Experts have noted that such digital systems help to reduce human interaction, thereby by minimising opportunities for corrupt practices, and increasing transparency in customs operations.
A tech expert, Ibrahim Yahaya, has said that if properly implemented, TMP would unify custom activities and management, and effectively combat corrupt practices within the system.
He added that it would also help ensure transparency and efficiency in the discharge of NCS’ activities, especially in verifying the issuance of fake customs duties documents.
“Mostly, we see a lot of fake customs duties documents, while the mode of production and issuance is obsolete.
“ Traditionally, it makes it easy for people to manipulate, but automation will help in addressing that; it will improve efficiency.
“I belive that there is AI in the system. It will help to predict an estimated target for government revenue, and if there is any deficiency. it would address it,” he said.
Stakeholders say that the TMP is a beacon to combat corruption in trade operations, and they are excited that the UCMS is to be inaugurated so that they start reaping the benefits.
The President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners, Capt.Tajudeen Alao, believes that TMP will facilitate quicker cargo clearance at the nation’s ports, boost Internally Generated Revenue and enhance the country’s global visibility.
With the backlog of clearances being a concern for operators due to extended clearing times, resulting in increased cost, TMP managers say that 200 containers can be scanned within an hour using the gantry scanner, which the project will deploy.
This is in addition to helping traders comprehensively monitor all processes and avoid falling prey to agents extorting them even after customs clearance.
An ex-ray of the process indicates that it is transparent as it gives traders full visibility in the system to know the specific documents being worked upon, who is handling them, the amount required for customs charges, the causes of any other delays in the transaction, and how to follow up to address them.
With its clear features, analysts believe that TMP will address the agitation by stakeholders for the reduction of desks that importers pass through – for several weeks – to clear their goods, which has become a window to indulge in corrupt practices.
Simply put, the time allotted to assess documents uploaded to the system could be shortened by half with the deployment of the new system.
“It is a complex coming together of different aspects in terms of being efficient, which includes human efficiency, system efficiency in terms of hardware and software,” a key player at the Lagos port recently observed, while craving anonymity.
“We have made significant progress with respect to the deliverables of the project,” he added.
To curb leakages in revenue collection and drive trade reforms, transparency in creating a trustworthy trade environment is crucial, analysts say.
They also point out that corruption at various stages of the trade process can significantly increase costs and deter both domestic and foreign businesses from engaging in trade activities.
While stakeholders are receptive to the gains of the TMP, even though it is still at its first phase, observers hope that the implementation will be smooth and not follow the typical scenario of many initiatives that were full of errors, hitches, and not sustained.
It is hoped that the PPP would increase revenue accruals as the project is expected to generate in excess of 250 billion dollars for Nigeria with the concessionaire investing 3.2 billion dollars to deliver the project over the 20-year period.(NANFeatures)
*** If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.
June 30, 2024
Borno bomb attacks: Tinubu says purveyors will pay heavy price
Borno bomb attacks: Tinubu says purveyors will pay heavy price
Bomb
By Salif Atojoko
Abuja, June 30, 2024 (NAN) President Bola Tinubu has condemned the bomb attacks which resulted in loss of lives and maiming of citizens in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno.
Tinubu, in a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, on Sunday, declared that the purveyors of wanton violence would have a certain encounter with justice.
He said the cowardly attacks were only but an isolated episode, as his government would not allow the nation to slither into an era of fear, tears, sorrow, and blood.
The President described the attacks as desperate acts of terror and a clear manifestation of the pressure mounted against terrorists, and the success achieved in degrading their capacity to launch offensives.
He stated that his administration was taking necessary measures to secure citizens.
Tinubu emphasised that efforts would be redoubled to ensure that those who troubled the nation, dispatching precious lives and disrupting law and order, were completely removed.
He condoles with the victims of the attacks, the families of the deceased, as well as the government and people of Borno State.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
SA/SOA
Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

June 30, 2024
MSMEs key to Nigeria’s economy recovery , says Industrialist
MSMEs key to Nigeria’s economic recovery, says Industrialist
Business
By Joy Odigie
Benin, June 30, 2024 (NAN) Mr Noma Iguisi, Edo Chairman, Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) has said that Micro Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) were pivotal to Nigeria’s economy recovery.
Iguisi stated this during an interview on the 2024 MSMEs Day with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Sunday.
The theme for this year’s is: “Leveraging Power and Resilience of MSMEs to Accelerated Sustainable Development and Eradicate Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises.”
He said that MSMEs boasted over 17 million enterprises and accounted for more than 90 per cent of businesses as well as employing over 80 per cent of the workforce in the country.
He said that leveraging the strength of MSMEs could drive economic stability and improve the overall quality of life of the populace.
“As Nigeria grapples with a multitude of crises, including insecurity, food shortages, inflation, and rising unemployment, the resilience and power of MSMEs are crucial for driving sustainable development and eradicating poverty.
“For this to happen, the Nigerian government must implement policies and intervention programmes that bolster the growth of this vital sector.
“Easy access to finance, improved electricity supply, market access, and an enhanced ease of doing business environment are essential,” he said.
He said that such measures would empower MSMEs to employ more people and substantially contribute to the nation’s economy.
“If every enterprise in Nigeria were to employ just one additional person, it could potentially create over 17 million new employment opportunities.
“This would lead to a considerable reduction in the unemployment rate, addressing one of the primary causes of insecurity and poverty,” Iguisi said.
MSMEs Day is celebrated on June 27, every year to raise awareness of the contributions of enterprises to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
OOJ/JI
Edited by Joe Idika

June 30, 2024
Food security and government’s real sector initiatives
A News Analysis by Doris Esa, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
By most accounts and evidently, headline inflation is pushing food prices almost beyond the reach of average Nigerians.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicates that food inflation rate in May 2024 increased to 40.66 per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 15.84 per cent higher compared to the rate recorded in May 2023 at 24.82 per cent.
Experts attribute the soaring food inflation to weakening of the naira, depletion of food reserves, insecurity, supply chain disruption, rising cost of transportation, cost of farm inputs, climate change, among others.
Nonetheless, the Federal Government is making conscious and exigent efforts to address the trend.
Just recently, the Federal Government rolled out new initiatives to ensure food and nutrition security in the country.
The new plans aim to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen the economy by creating opportunities in the real sectors of agriculture, manufacturing, construction and to provide urgent economic relief for Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu, at the 142nd National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, approved the immediate rollout of the National Construction and Household Support Programme to cover all geo-political zones in the country.
He said under the programme, the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, which would traverse Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos, was prioritised.
Tinubu said other road infrastructure projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which was underway, and the Trans-Saharan Highway, which linked Enugu, Abakaliki, Ogoja, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Abuja, would also be prioritised.
“The Sokoto-Badagry road project is specially prioritised for its importance as some of the states it will traverse are strategic to the agricultural sustainability of the nation.
“Within the Sokoto-Badagry Highway corridor, there are 216 agricultural communities, 58 large and medium dams spread across six states, seven Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs), 156 local government areas, 39 commercial cities and towns, and over 1 million hectares of arable land.
“In addition, other items under the National Construction and Household Support Programme include one-off allocation to states and the Federal Capital Territory of N10 billion for the procurement of buses and CNG uplift programme.
“Others are delivery of N50,000 uplift grant each to 100,000 families per state for three months, provision for labour unions and civil society organisations and deployment of N155 billion for the purchase and sale of assorted foodstuffs to be distributed across the nation.”
Tinubu also tasked state governors to provide feedback on their plans to rev up food production in their states.
He said that the Sokoto-Badagry Highway was a pivotal project as the states within the axis formed the food belt of the nation with Badagry being an important artery for food export.
“Our states must work together to deliver on the critical reforms required of us to meet the needs of our people; time is humanity’s most precious asset; you can never have enough of it; it is getting late.
“We are ready and able to support you in the form of the mechanisation of your agricultural processes and the provision of high-quality seedlings.
“We are prepared to provide solar powered irrigation facilities to support our farmers across seasons but we must now produce.’’
The president added that states must produce enough food for people to eat and that it would require coordination and intentionality between members of the NEC.
“There is nothing we are doing that is more important than producing high-quality food for our people to consume, buy and sell.
“How much support do you need from me and in what form? I am prepared to provide it but we must achieve the result; we must deliver on our targets at all levels.
“Please report back following your consultations and submit to my office within seven days,” Tinubu said.
More so, the meeting deliberated extensively on the need to distribute fertilisers to the farming community in the country free of charge as a way of encouraging them to produce food massively.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, said he briefed the council on the national food security policies.
Kyari said he also briefed council on the interventions on the 42,000 metric tonnes of grains of which all had been delivered to all the states as well as 20 trailers of rice per state.
The minister disclosed that the Federal Government had distributed 42,000 metric tonnes of grains, 20 trailers of rice, as well as released 1.5 million bags of fertiliser to states, which he said were awaiting evacuation by the state governments.
“We have also released over 1.5 million bags of fertiliser, which is under evacuation by the state governments.”
On the agriculture mechanisation programme, the minister said that the council received briefing and approved the Greener Hope Agric mechanisation consortium, a ten year programme totaling 1 billion dollars in investments.
According to him, the consortium is expected to set up 1000 agro centres with service providers across the country.
He said the centres were also expected to engage about 600,000 youths, providing 2000 tractors yearly, for the next five years.
“Others include the John Deere/ Tata tractors arrangements and the 2000 tractors to be supplied per year, with the establishment of 52 service and maintenance centres.
“The tractors will be delivered in the next 60 days.”
He also disclosed that the Saudi Arabia government had requested for 200,000 metric tonnes of red meat yearly and 1m metric tonnes of soya beans.
“The request is part of the fall out of the President’s visit to Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Deserving no less attention, Mr Akinyinka Akintunde, Chief Executive Officer of AFEX , a leading commodities exchange firm in Nigeria, recently pledged the group’s support to government’s programmes and policies in the agricultural sector.
He said the group was proposing an initiative that would support two million farmers across four value chains (Rice, Maize, Sorghum and Soyabeans) to enhance sustainable agriculture and ensure the success of the food security drive of the Federal Government.
Akintunde said the consortium which comprised of mid-sized agricultural companies in Nigeria would achieve the set objectives by engaging and collaborating with key stakeholders, including Private Finance Initiative (PFI), Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) and farmer aggregation companies.
On its part, the Nigerian Youth for Agricultural Revolution Initiative (YOFAGRI), an NGO, said that agriculture had the potential to solve the youth unemployment crisis as well as to be transformed.
The National Chairman, YOFAGRI, Mr Jerry Ngene, said that the agriculture sector contributed about 21 per cent to the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Ngene said that with 70 per cent of the population engaged in the agricultural sector, agriculture had the potential to solve the youth unemployment crisis as well as to be transformed.
“It is in view of this that YOFAGRI has the vision of empowering 1,000,000 Youths annually with quality seeds of crops that have comparative cultivation advantage in their domain,” he said.
Dr Deola Lordbanjour, Director, Extension Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said that the growing demand for food meant that there was scope for the forces of supply, to take advantage of a growing market.
“Global food prices are at their highest point in several decades and are expected to remain high for the foreseeable future and Nigeria is not exempted.
“Youths as the life wire of any nation when empowered, can take advantage of the food crises for national food security and sustainability,” he said.
Stakeholders are optimistic that the new measures by the Federal Government to boost agricultural productivity, enhance food and nutrition security are capable of salvaging the nation from the prevailing food crisis. (NANFeatures)(www.nannews.ng)
**If used, please, credit the writer as well as News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

June 30, 2024
Customs CTMP will make Nigeria shipping hub for West/Central Africa

Customs
By Aisha Cole
Lagos, June 30, 2024 (NAN) Some maritime experts have said that the establishment of Customs Trade Modernisation Project (CTMP) would enable Nigeria to become a shipping hub for west and central Africa.
The experts made the assertion in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday.
The President, Women in Maritime Africa (WIMArrica), Mrs Rollens Macfoy, said that the establishment of the CTMP would make Nigeria a port of origin and destination.
She said that the trade volume of cargo would increase and the CTMP operation would also reduce the time of doing business at Nigerian ports.
Also, the President of Women in Shipping Africa, Dr Odunayo Ani, said that the establishment of CTMP would allow customs to clear cargo in less than an hour due to the facilities that would be installed on the project.
According to her, if the time of doing business is reduced, Nigeria will be a preferred cargo destination to other African countries and there will be more job for the youth.
Tajudeen Alao, President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners, said that the federal government’s Customs Trade Modernisation Project (CTMP) will stimulate quicker cargo clearance at the nation’s ports.
Alao noted that the establishment of the project will also boost Internally Generated Revenue and enhance the country’s global visibility.
He said that the world had moved beyond conventional methods of doing business, with the advancement of technology.
He said: “More than 30 years ago, when Singapore grew from a third-world country to a first-world country, the President, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, led the drive for technology awareness, and now look at where Singapore is today in terms of technology.
“So, Nigeria must make more efforts to keep abreast with technological advancements worldwide.
“The establishment of the Trade Modernisation Project would add value in terms of Internally Generated Revenue through improved customs clearance procedures.
“Consider the time when we had to carry files around; now everything is done through ICT. Nigeria must modernise, and I am glad this initiative is underway,” Alao said.
The master mariner emphasised that without trade, growth is impossible and that creating an atmosphere conducive for trade “is essential to reap its benefits”.
Alao assured Nigerians of the tremendous benefits that would follow the establishment of the Trade Modernisation Project, adding that master mariners were upgrading themselves globally to remain relevant in the maritime industry.
NAN reports that the federal government and Trade Modernisation Project Ltd. signed a 20-year Concession Agreement on May 30, 2022, to provide best-in-class technology for the implementation of paperless customs at the Nigeria Customs operations.
The General Manager of the Trade Facilitation Project, Mr Ahmed Ogunshola, explained the numerous benefits accrued to a nation when the Customs Modernisation Project (CMP) is fully automated.
Ogunshola explained that TMP was the automation of the business processes of the Nigeria Customs Service.
He said that the project would simplify and enhance the experience of stakeholders in the trade value chain, making it easy to obtain import and export clearances, pay duties, and obtain the release of goods.
Ogunshola said that the major advantage of the project was the significant growth in the revenue profile of the federal government.
“The project will generate more than 250 billion dollars for the federal government over the life of the concession.
“The project will bring Nigeria to par with the rest of the world, in terms of deploying technology to facilitate international trade.
“The TMP project will give the economic diversification agenda of the federal government a huge boost by providing further ease of cross-border trading.
“By the time the project is fully implemented, it will cover all areas of customs activities, including duties collection, clearance operations and suppression of smuggling,” Ogunshola said.
On his part, the National Public Relations Officer of NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, assured stakeholders of quicker clearance of cargo with the establishment of Customs Trade Modernisation Project.
Maiwada said that the concessionaire had said that the facilities would be built foolproof against cyber-attacks with the latest security network gadgets used.
He said that the customs modernisation project, which had three phases, was a 20-year concession agreement.
The customs spokesman said the Trade Modernisation Project is was the automation of the business processes of the NCS to simplify and enhance the experience of stakeholders in the trade value chain.
Maiwada said it was expected to ease export and import clearances in paying duties and obtaining releases of good. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
AIC/AWA
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Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa
June 30, 2024
2024 Davis Cup: Nigeria Tennis Team camp opens July 1-Secretary General
2024 Davis Cup: Nigeria tennis team camp opens July 1-Secretary-General
Tennis
By Aderonke Ojo
Abuja, June 30, 2024 (NAN) Shammah Makpa, Secretary-General of Nigeria Tennis Federation ( NTF), says the federation’s camp will formally open on July 1, for Nigerian players participating in the 2024 Davis Cup.
The event is an Africa Group three qualifying rounds in Abuja.
Makpa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Sunday in Abuja.
He said that the competition will commence from July 15 to 20 at the Moshood Abiola National stadium in Abuja.
Makpa said that the federation angels would continue to raise the bar on their preparedness.
“This is our first time hosting the event in Abuja and the NTF have been preparing for this assignment from the very beginning up to this moment.
“We will make sure that everything go according to plan for a successful hosting experience of the competition,” he said.
Makpa said that two components are involved in the arrangements for the event, first of all as the host and secondly, Nigerian players are participating.
“As the host, we will make sure that the facilities are in good condition as well as the equipment needed for the event.
“We have been preparing for this event and as you can see, we are visiting the areas to make sure that we put final touches,” he said.
He said that the Nigeria team have started arriving in camp ahead July1, when it will formally open.
“We have between six and eight players in the camp, of whom only five will actually represent Nigeria.
“Nevertheless, we are doing well and we are confident that with God everything will go according to plan for a hitch-free qualification.
“We have the likes of David Ekpenyong, Daniel Adeleye, Uche Oparaojie ,Michael Emmmanuel, Christopher Bulus, among others, who will be in camp participating in the competition.
“They are experienced players, in fact three of them had competed in the 2023 Davis Cup Africa Group IV qualifying rounds match in Kigali, Rwanda,”he said.
The secretary said that based on their experiences, they performed very well in 2023 and won the majority of their games that led to the country’s qualification and promotion for Group three alongside Ghana.
“The players will be able to represent Nigeria with pride because they are already in good shape and are fully prepared,” he said..
Makpa expressed confidence that with the backing of the NTF board, the country will host a good tournament that would be adjudged as one of the most successful Davies Cup ever.
NAN reports that a total of six countries are expected to participate in the event, which include host Nigeria, Zimbawe, Namibia, Ivory Coast, Benin Republic and Ghana.
They will be competing for two slots in Group II in the qualifying round.(NAN )(www. nannews.ng)
STJ/YI/JPE
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Edited by Yahaya Isah/Joseph Edeh
June 30, 2024
Police nab 3 vigilantes over building materials theft in Yobe

Arrest
By Nabilu Balarabe
Damaturu, June 30, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in Yobe on Sunday said it arrested three vigilante members for allegedly stealing building materials in Damaturu.
The Command’s Spokesman, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, confirmed the arrest in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu.
He said the suspects – Ibrahim Mohammed, Hassan Umar and Ali Yakubu – were arrested on June 27, after they connived and broke into a shop in the metropolis, which the owner engaged them to guard.
The spokesman said they would be charged with criminal conspiracy, house trespass, burglary, receiving and trading in stolen property.
Abdulkarim noted that there were several complaints about untoward behaviour of vigilante members, prompting the state Commissioner of Police, Garba Ahmed, to call for a review of their registration.
“In view of their important role otcomplementing security agencies in the fight against crime and criminality, this development is sad and unfortunate.
“There have been series of complaints of untoward actions by some of those outfit members,” he said.
The spokesman announced that the command was developing a strategic plan for proper documentation and supervision of Divisional Police Offices over vigilante activities in their jurisdiction.
Abdulkarim advised the public to be vigilant while engaging personal security guards and report criminal elements within the group to the police.
He also called on the public to report erring security personnel to the state Police headquarters or write a complaint to the commissioner through the spokesman.(NAN)www.nannews.ng
NB/YGA
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Edited by Gabriel Yough

June 30, 2024
Group applauds Tinubu’s creative steps to boost digital economy
Group applauds Tinubu’s creative steps to boost digital economy
Tinubu
By Emmanuel Mogbede
Abuja, June 30,2024(NAN) The Democratic Front (TDF) has described the 3 million Technical Talent (3MTT) and Project 774 initiatives of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration as the strategic plan to achieve the two million digital jobs milestone.
The TDF said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, jointly signed by Chairman, Chief Wale Adedayo and its Secretary, Malam Danjuma Muhammad.
The group expressed optimism that the projects, which were the administration’s goal for 2025, were bound to pave the way for a new generation of skilled workforce versed in digital technology.
“The programme would make the President’s vision of creating two million digital jobs by 2015 to be easily achieved.
“Alongside the training of the three million talents is the grand initiative to connect all 774 council areas in the country with the Internet in the unfolding plans.
“The programme will help to drive the country’s digital economy agenda successfully,” the group explained.
It stated that the Tinubu-led administration had taken a creative step to achieve one of its campaign promises to create two million digital jobs by 2025.
The statement added that the training of three million technical talents for the nation’s digital economy was a clear measure that would guarantee the vision.
“It is one initiative that had never been seen in the country, in spite its immense human capital resources.
“It is bound to further position the country to challenge India as a net exporter of talents in the technological world.
“We also see the commencement of Project 774 which seeks to link all Local Government secretariats with Internet conectivityas a spirited effort by the administration.
“To galvanise the pursuit of advanced education and creativity among young Nigerians across the country for the benefit of the nation’s economy,” the group said.
It said the move was a deliberate effort to open the windows of opportunities that would enhance rural dwellers’ inclusivity in efforts to realise Nigeria’s projected one trillion dollar economy in a few years.
This, it said, was similar to the economic method and policy which currently made India an exporter of 55 per cent of the world’s ICT talents.
The statement added that in a world where global demand for ICT skills in professional causes stood at 85 per cent, it could not, but to commend the President.
This, it said, was especially for embarking on the task of building a fortress of economic future for Nigeria by harnessing the technical talents of three million youths.
The TDF said the administration was also ensuring uninterrupted internet network connectivity to all the 774 Local Government Areas in the country.
“This is in addition to revealing the extent to which President Tinubu is prepared to go in dealing headlong with our national inadequacies.
“His action on 3MTT and Project 774 underscores the depth of his acknowledgement of the potentials of Nigerian youths and the need to harness their potential for economic growth and development.
“This initiative is worthy of commendation,” the group added.
It commended the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani for driving the twin projects to a successful commencement.
The group called on the minister to remain steadfast and sustain the tempo and focus with which he had managed the project thus far.
It assured the people that the minister’s footprint would remain indelible in the history of advancement in Nigeria’s Digital Economy drive.
The group urged Nigerian youths, especially the beneficiaries to see the 3MTT project as a lifetime opportunity.
It added that they should see the project as a unique gesture from the government to secure a greater future for themselves, in the ever-competitive and dynamic global tech market.
“It is our view that the youth should make a success of the 3MTT project by lending their moral and political support to Tinubu’s administration.
“This will make for a smooth funding and management of the project a guarantee,”it said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
EEM/YI/YGA
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Edited by Yahaya Isah/Gabriel Yough
June 30, 2024
NDLEA raids Abuja drug party, arrests 60
Suspected drug users arrested at a drug party in Abuja

Party
By Ibironke Ariyo
Abuja, June 30, 2024(NAN) The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Sunday said it raided a ‘drug party’ in Abuja and arrested 60 suspects.
Its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement, said that the Friday party was dubbed: “Go hard or Go Home, Pick Your Poison”.
“The suspects comprised of 25 males and 35 females; they were arrested at an apartment in Sun City estate in the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.
He said that the raid followed credible intelligence about the drug party organised by one Stanley Ikechukwu, who was arrested at the venue.
“Six of the suspects – Victoria Adoga, Hamza Yari, Joanne Essein, Socchima Valentine Jago Imole and Charles Indobuibisi – were arrested with different quantities of ecstasy and cannabis.
“The NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, has directed that 20 of the suspects, who tested negative to drugs, be released unconditionally.
“Thirty-three others, who tested positive to illicit drugs, were to be released on bail and will report at the FCT Command of the agency on Monday, to begin treatment and counselling,” he said.
In another development, four suspects – Endurance Okon, 24, Joseph Michael, 23, Ovoco Bright, 43, and Goday Abanum, 23 – have been arrested in a forest at Ugun, Igueben LocalGovernment in Edo.
“They were arrested on Saturday, June 29, when NDLEA operatives raided and destroyed 18,632.22 kilograms of cannabis on a 7.452 hectares of farmland,” he explained.
Babafemi said that no less than 40.32kg of Loud, an imported strong strain of cannabis was, on Friday, June 28, recovered in a vehicle along Lekki-Ikoyi road.
This, he said, was when the driver jumped off the vehicle after noticing that NDLEA operatives were on his trail.
He said that commands and formations of the agency across the country had continued their War Against Drug Abuse(WADA), sensitisation activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities in the past week.
Among areas visited for the WADA enlightenment are First Technical University, Ibadan, Government Day Secondary School, Yola, and Ezeike High School, Nibo, in Anambra, among others.(http://www.nannews.ng)
ICA/ETS
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June 30, 2024
Time to embrace state police is now -AIG
Time to embrace state police is now – AIG
Police
By Usman Aliyu
Benin, June 30, 2024 (NAN) A retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ambrose Aisabor says it’s time for Nigeria to embrace state police to mitigate the security situation in the country.
Aisabor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Benin that the failure of the centralised police system to nip insecurity in the last 15 years necessitated the need for a decentralised policing.
“It is time to embrace state police; the debate whether or not Nigeria should go for state police has been raging with many Nigerians urging the government to embrace it.
“The question now is why are many people clamouring for state police? It is principally due to the failure of the federal police.
“Due to the new dynamics in security, the centre can no longer hold (water). The security situation in the country is getting worse on a daily basis.
“When is Nigeria going to be ripe for state police? The main argument is that state governors will misuse the outfit; but police are susceptible to misuse at every level of government.
“So many civilised countries are practicing multilevel policing. There are always safeguards for checks and balances.
“When you look at what we are having now, most of the police requirements are already being borne by the various state governments.
“Apart from salaries and allowances which the federal government is responsible for, other logistics needs of the police are being handled by governors,” he said.
The retired police chief explained that even the community policing that was being set up could only thrive well under the states.
“You cannot decree community policing from Abuja; the states are closer to the people than Abuja,” Aisabor said.
He noted that many countries practicing multilevel policing were enjoying the system.
According to him, these countries do not have policing at the state level alone, they also have at the local, educational and big companies’ level.
He stated that the chance of any Inspector-Inspector of Police (IGP) supporting the idea was slim for the obvious reason of loss of power and control. (NAN) (www.nannews.com)
AUO/JI
Edited by Joe Idika
June 30, 2024