Former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, and ex-Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, have given a big thumbs up to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, for sparking renewed interest in the solid minerals sector. During a recent visit to the Minister, Shittu said the sector is the key to making our economy more diverse and sustainable. He pointed out that Nigeria has loads of mineral resources and shouldn’t rely solely on oil money. Alake has been making moves to reform the mining sector, and Shittu is totally on board with it.
Shittu said, “Nigeria has so many minerals, we don’t need to be all about oil. Alake is taking charge and making changes to the mining sector, and I’m all for it.” Alake is working on a seven-point plan to revamp the mining sector and make it a major player in the economy.
Alake, in response, assured everyone that the government is committed to making solid minerals the top money-maker for the country. He’s tackling all the issues that are holding back mining operations, from security problems to unlicensed miners. He also wants to make sure that the communities where mining takes place are on board and getting their fair share. Alake said, “We’re focusing on eight minerals that we have a real advantage in, and we’ve got plenty of them. We’re dealing with all the problems, from insecurity to unlicensed miners, and we’re making sure the communities are involved and getting what they deserve. President Bola Tinubu is fully behind us, and we’re reviewing policies to put them into action soon.”
Alake also echoed the President’s statement that “Nigeria is open for business,” and he’s confident that the mining sector will be a hot spot for both local and foreign investments.
In other news, Co-founder of Eazipay and Gidijobs, Asher Adeniyi, who is also a Washington Fellow, has highlighted the importance of accountability and resilience in building successful businesses in Africa. According to Asher, managing resources effectively and having a strong vision can boost confidence in investors and stakeholders. He also stressed the importance of integrity in leadership.
A new wave of innovation is expected to emerge from a two-day event featuring the Naija SDGs Fintech-AI Hackathon Finals and conference. The hackathon, themed “From Promise to Cash,” will culminate on December 5, followed by a Conference on December 6, both to be held at Microsoft Office.
President Bola Tinubu has given the green light for the appointment of 20 new federal commissioners to the National Population Commission (NPC). Additionally, nine current Federal Commissioners have been reappointed for a second term in office.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 22,600 personnel to ensure fair elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states, as well as to secure critical national assets and infrastructure. The Commandant General of the Corps, Dr. Ahmed Audi, is determined to ensure that the elections are free, fair, and credible.
The Novelty Polytechnic in Oyo State has raised concerns about the proliferation of satellite campuses by higher institutions, which they believe is threatening the quality of education in Nigeria. They called on the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to take action against all illegal outreaches scattered across the country.
A Federal Capital Territory High Court has issued an order preventing the owners of Shoprite malls from selling off their assets in Nigeria.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reiterated that all banknotes issued by the Apex Bank remain legal tender across the country, and no one should refuse them as a form of payment.
The Imo Patriots’ League has criticised the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Imo State, calling it a ploy to disrupt the governorship election in the state. The group also accused NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, of orchestrating the strike for personal gain.
Dr. Salihu Lukman, former director general of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), revealed that Governor Hope Uzodinma played a significant role in the emergence of former Senate President Ahmed Lawan as the consensus presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the lead-up to the 2023 poll.