Excerpts of a speech by the Minister of Info and Nationwide Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on the 2023 finish of 12 months World Press Convention in Abuja on Thursday.
He highlighted the achievements of the Tinubu Administration throughout key sectors, since assumption of workplace on Might 29, 2023.
Right here is the minister’s full speech:
Economic system:
Recall that the President made a daring and strategic transfer instantly after his swearing in with the removing of gasoline subsidy. This determination, born out of a dedication to fiscal duty and a eager eye on nationwide progress, is a testomony to our administration’s dedication to efficient useful resource allocation and blocking avenues of wastage.
The removing of the gasoline subsidy is a decisive step in the direction of channeling sources the place they matter most – impacting sectors crucial to our nationwide improvement.
By redirecting these funds, Nigeria President goals to bolster key areas corresponding to healthcare, training, infrastructure, humanitarian, safety and different sectors that instantly affect the well-being and prosperity of our residents.
This transfer shouldn’t be with out its challenges, however it signifies our unwavering dedication to creating tough selections within the curiosity of the larger good. It aligns with our imaginative and prescient for a Nigeria that thrives on effectivity, transparency, and accountable governance.
Gasoline subsidy removing is an important step in the direction of a extra sustainable financial future, and we’re working tirelessly to make sure that the advantages of this determination are felt by all residents.
Like I mentioned, the removing of gasoline subsidy can also be accompanied with some preliminary challenges however Nigeria President and the Administration have been taking all mandatory measures to alleviate the pains being felt, and to cushion the affect of those reforms.
These interventions are designed to function palliatives within the brief and medium-term, whereas we wait to reap the long-term advantages of the reforms, as follows: A provisional wage increment of N35,000 month-to-month for six months, to boost federal minimal wage, with out inflicting undue inflation.
Institution of an Infrastructure Help Fund for States to spend money on crucial areas that may create an enabling atmosphere for companies
Launch of a 100 Billion Naira CNG bus rollout programme, to ship CNG-powered buses, and institution of a Presidential Committee to drive implementation.
We’re finalizing the method for cost of a Money Switch of N25,000 month-to-month to fifteen million of the poorest and most weak households in Nigeria, for 3 months.
A presidential directive for the discharge of 200,000 Metric Tonnes of grains from strategic reserves to households throughout the 36 states and FCT to reasonable costs, and 225,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer, seedlings and different inputs to farmers.
An access-to-credit programme for startups and MSMEs: offering N50 billion in Conditional Grants to 1 million nano-businesses throughout Nigeria between now and March 2024; and a brand new single-digit interest-rate Fund to offer N75 billion to help manufacturing enterprises; amongst others.
We have now launched the 3MTT programme that goals to develop 3 million technical skills by 2025, in step with the President’s imaginative and prescient for making Nigeria a world hub for digital jobs.
Nonetheless in step with the roles agenda, we launched the Nationwide Expertise Export Programme (NATEP), to create a million service-export jobs over the following 5 years, and make Nigeria a world enterprise outsourcing hub.
Launch of the Nationwide Philanthropy Workplace (NPO): This workplace is established to mobilize $200 million in personal investments on behalf of the Federal Authorities, to help MSMEs in Nigeria.
Launch of the Small and Medium Enterprises Improvement Company of Nigeria (SMEDAN) partnership with Sterling Financial institution establishing a 5 Billion Naira single-digit-interest Fund.
By January 2024, we will probably be rolling out the brand new Federal pupil mortgage program that was introduced a couple of months in the past.
Presidential Approval for ASUU to exit IPPIS, which can advance College autonomy and likewise deliver larger operational stability to the Federal College system.
The Federal Authorities can also be engaged on a brand new minimal wage for employees, which can come into impact subsequent 12 months.
Agriculture and Meals Safety:
In a bid to make sure meals sufficiency and sort out the rise in meals costs within the nation, Nigeria President declared a state of emergency on meals safety.
That call was in sync with the rechristening of the title of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Improvement to the Ministry of Agriculture and Meals Safety.
The declaration of emergency on meals safety was a decisive transfer that displays the administration’s dedication to deal with a urgent situation that instantly impacts the well-being of our residents.
It’s additionally a strategic response to the challenges which have hindered the expansion of our agricultural sector and, consequently, threatened our nation’s meals provide.
Nigeria President, with foresight and dedication, goals to fortify our meals manufacturing techniques, making certain that no citizen goes with out this fundamental necessity.
This measure signifies a name to motion for complete reforms, modern methods, and collaborative efforts amongst varied stakeholders. Nigeria President is mobilizing sources and implementing insurance policies that won’t solely handle fast considerations but in addition set up a resilient and sustainable meals ecosystem for the longer term.
As a part of the plans to spice up meals manufacturing within the nation, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Meals Safety flagged off the cultivation of dry-season staple crops in Hadejia, Jigawa State. This challenge falls underneath the Nationwide Agricultural Progress Scheme and Agropocket (NAGS-AP) by way of the help of $134m mortgage facility from the African Improvement Financial institution (AfDB) to develop the capability of our farmers to have interaction within the cultivation of key staples like rice, maize, cassava and wheat, throughout the nation.
These excessive worth staples will probably be joined by others like soybeans and sorghum within the moist season.
The challenge unveiled in Jigawa plans to help between 150,000 to 250,000 wheat farmers with 50% enter subsidy to domesticate between 200,000 and 250,000 hectares and an anticipated yield of 1,250,000 tonnes of wheat. This challenge goals to extend crop yield by a minimum of 20% in comparison with final 12 months.
Equally, the federal government launched the Nationwide Potato Technique 2023-2028 to usher in a brand new period of productive competitiveness in Potato farming.
There may be at the moment a collaboration between the Ministries of Agriculture and Meals Safety and Water Assets to advertise year-round farming practices, fostering sustainable agricultural improvement.
The Ministry additionally negotiated and signed Memoranda of Understanding with John Deere and Tata for the manufacturing of 5,000 tractors yearly for the following 5 years.
Ease of Doing Enterprise:
The Presidential Enabling Enterprise Atmosphere Council (PEBEC) has been reconstituted, whereas the President has signed Govt Orders aimed toward decreasing the tax burden on quite a few key financial sectors.
We’re very clear about our dedication to making sure that companies throughout Nigeria are in a position to play on a subject that’s devoid of purple tape and burdensome taxes.
It’s to this finish that one of many first issues that Nigeria President did was to ascertain a Presidential Fiscal Coverage and Tax Reform Committee, to reform the tax system whereas additionally decreasing tax burden on Nigerians.
That Committee has since began work, and even introduced an interim report back to the President, whereas in depth consultations proceed with stakeholders.
Social Funding and Different Humanitarian Interventions:
Launch of Federal Authorities microcredit scheme concentrating on 1.5 million Merchants, Farmers, and so on., within the first section. Loans are recognized within the three main languages as:
—Owo Oja / Olilanya Ndi Nagbambo / Tallafin Sana’a
—Owoagbe / Olilanya Ndi Oru Ugbo / Tallafin Manoma
—Iyaloja / Nne Ahia / Agajin Yan Kasuwa
Presidential Approval for cost of a Money Switch of N25,000 month-to-month to fifteen million of the poorest and most weak households in Nigeria, for 3 months.
The Fulako Initiative, by way of which the Federal Authorities of Nigeria will construct homes, clinics, colleges, veterinary hospitals, empowerment initiatives, photo voltaic power, and different infrastructure wants, first within the Tudun Biri neighborhood of Kaduna State, after which expanded to communities throughout the States which are worst-affected by banditry, i.e., Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger and Benue States.
Reforms in International Trade:
Nigeria President took a brave step in the direction of unifying the official and parallel markets’ trade charges with the Central Financial institution collapsing the a number of official international trade charges, a transfer designed to streamline our monetary techniques and promote a extra resilient and investor-friendly atmosphere.
The President acknowledged the significance of this transfer in fostering transparency, attracting international investments, and finally contributing to the general financial improvement of our nation.
It equally goals to create a extra predictable and conducive atmosphere for companies and improve the general competitiveness of our financial system on the worldwide stage.
We perceive that such financial transitions might include challenges, however relaxation assured that the Tinubu Administration is taking proactive measures to make sure a clean and inclusive course of.
Our purpose is to construct an financial system that’s sturdy, resilient, and able to offering alternatives for all. The Central Financial institution of Nigeria additionally commenced efforts to clear the billions of {dollars} in inherited international trade backlog in an effort to additional enhance investor confidence in our financial system.
Beneath the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Central Financial institution is set to give attention to its core mandates of worth stability and monetary system stability, for the good thing about all Nigerians.
Attraction of International Direct Funding:
During the last couple of months, Nigeria President proved himself because the Chief Salesman for Nigeria, crisscrossing the globe to spice up Nigeria’s picture, foster worldwide partnership and entice the wanted international direct funding to our nation.
The President carried out a sequence of worldwide shuttles, partaking with leaders and enterprise communities throughout the globe. These diplomatic missions display his dedication to place Nigeria as a primary vacation spot for international investments.
The President was in Paris, for the Summit on New World Financing, adopted by the G20 Summit in India, the United Nations Normal Meeting in New York, the Saudi-Africa Summit in Riyadh, the G20 Compact with Africa Convention in Berlin, Germany and the Local weather Change Summit within the UAE.
The President’s worldwide engagement shouldn’t be merely a diplomatic formality however a deliberate pursuit to showcase the immense potential and alternatives that Nigeria holds. By establishing these connections, we purpose to stimulate financial progress, create job alternatives, and improve the general prosperity of our residents.
The President seizes each alternative to affirm his standing because the Chief Advertising and marketing Officer of Nigeria, constantly reiterating the message that Nigeria is open for enterprise and funding, and that the Federal Authorities will do all the things to ensure the sanctity of all home and international funding.
The worldwide shuttles are yielding optimistic outcomes, with expressions of curiosity from varied quarters to spend money on key sectors of our financial system. Nigeria President’s engagements haven’t solely highlighted our nation’s potential however have additionally demonstrated our dedication to being a accountable and collaborative participant within the international neighborhood. Certainly, we’ve got begun to see the tangible affect of those efforts with nicely over $15 Billion in pledges of International Direct Funding (FDI), in power, metal, defence, automotive, and different sectors.
The influx of international investments is poised to contribute to infrastructure improvement, enhancing our petroleum refining capability, expertise switch, and the general development of key sectors, additional solidifying Nigeria’s place on the worldwide financial stage.
Along with the pledges, buyers are already taking motion. For instance, a month in the past, one of many largest pharmaceutical corporations in Japan broke floor on a brand new multi-million-dollar manufacturing plant in Ogun State, the primary such funding by the corporate in Africa.
Regional Management:
Nigeria at the moment stands as a beacon of stability and management throughout the Financial Group of West African States (ECOWAS), enjoying a pivotal function in regional affairs.
Beneath the management of Nigeria President, who can also be the chairman of ECOWAS, Nigeria has constantly demonstrated its dedication to fostering regional cooperation, stability, financial improvement and democracy inside ECOWAS. Our nation has been on the forefront of initiatives aimed toward addressing shared challenges and selling a collective imaginative and prescient for the West African sub-region.
Nigeria is enjoying an important function in mediating and resolving conflicts within the area, exemplified by our involvement in initiatives to deal with political crises and promote peace in nations corresponding to Niger, Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso.
Nigeria stays actively engaged in collaborative efforts to fight transnational threats corresponding to terrorism, organized crime, and the trafficking of small arms and light-weight weapons. Our dedication to regional safety has been evident by way of contributions to ECOWAS and the Multinational Joint Job Power (MNJTF) to safe the nation and our neighbours.
Securing Nigeria:
Earlier than I delve into safety, let me as soon as once more categorical our honest condolence to households of the victims of the mistaken drone assault in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State. As you might be conscious, the President despatched a high-powered delegation underneath the Chairmanship of the Vice President, Kashim Shettima to commiserate with the households of the victims in Kaduna.
Investigations have been launched into the unlucky incident and the President assured that these concerned wouldn’t go unpunished. You might be conscious that our nation faces challenges of insecurity significantly the menace of banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency. Within the face of those threats, Nigeria President has demonstrated the dedication to securing the life and property of each Nigerian.
Recognizing the urgency of the scenario, Nigeria President has made the battle in opposition to insecurity a high precedence of his administration as contained within the Renewed Hope Agenda. Complete methods are being applied to deal with the foundation causes of those points and guarantee a safer, safer Nigeria.
The President understands the multifaceted nature of the challenges, and his dedication extends past army interventions.
It encompasses even non-kinetic method. The purpose shouldn’t be solely to quell fast threats but in addition to create an atmosphere the place residents can stay with out worry and insecurity.
Investments within the modernization and equipping of our safety forces, intelligence companies, and regulation enforcement are key elements of this dedication. The Nigerian Air Power a couple of months in the past took supply of 4 new plane, to strengthen the battle in opposition to banditry and terrorism.
Nigeria President is working tirelessly to make sure that our safety equipment is well-equipped, motivated, and strategically positioned to guard our nation from exterior and inside threats.
Moreover, efforts are underway to deal with the foundation causes of insecurity, together with youth unemployment, poverty, and social inequality. The administration is devoted to creating sustainable options that won’t solely sort out the signs but in addition handle the underlying components contributing to insecurity.
Having mentioned that, let me stress that our safety companies have been very busy to make sure the safety and security of all Nigerians and guests.
The lion’s share of this 12 months’s supplementary funds of N2.17 trillion went to safety and a sizeable portion of the 2024 funds may also go to safety. This turns into mandatory in an effort to purchase and deploy further platforms, recruit extra safety personnel, conduct coaching amongst others.
From the assorted studies we’re getting from our safety companies, it’s evident that Nigeria is successful the struggle in opposition to terrorism, banditry, insurgency and different types of criminality.
As an example, the South-East Area has been stabilized with the degrading of the operational capability of IPOB and the Japanese Safety Community. You’d recall that the Military just lately launched an Train Code title “Train GOLDEN DAWN III” within the South East to help different safety companies within the area throughout and after the yuletide interval.
The federal government will intensify safety operations to make sure that the complete area is peaceable and safe.
Within the North-East and North-West of the nation, the Nigerian Air Power has been very busy, with a number of profitable airstrikes on bandits’ and terrorists’ camps and hideouts in Katsina, Zamfara and Borno States.
In our maritime atmosphere, on October 25, the Japanese and Central Naval Instructions flagged off a Joint Sea Train, Train SEA GUARDIAN 2023.
Let me use this chance to name for help to our Armed Forces, who’re working day and evening to maintain the nation protected. The media in significantly ought to dedicate airtime and house and provides amplified protection to their successes and features.
Similar to I discussed at my maiden assembly with the Editors, the bandits, terrorists, kidnappers, pirates and so on are waging not solely a bodily battle but in addition a psychological one, making an attempt to undermine our religion and confidence in our safety companies. As media leaders, we should be very cautious to not play into their arms, by way of reporting that is likely to be deceptive or sensational or that undermines the morale of our safety personnel.
Nationwide Reorientation:
As we glance in the direction of 2024, let me use this platform to announce that the Federal Ministry of Info and Nationwide Orientation will unveil a groundbreaking Constitution on Citizen Code, designed to outline and uphold the core values that unite Nigerians whereas taking into consideration the nation’s socio-cultural diversities.
The Constitution will search to entrench in all Nigerians, a balanced understanding of their rights and tasks as residents of this nice nation.
I’ve already assembled a Committee of famend consultants to work on and finalize a Values Constitution for Nigeria, in step with Nigeria President’s want for true and sustained reorientation of nationwide values and attitudes. The brand new Constitution will probably be unveiled by the President early subsequent 12 months.
Message of Hope:
As we stand on the threshold of a brand new 12 months, I want to lengthen a message of hope and optimism. The reforms initiated by Nigeria President throughout the assorted sectors of our financial system are sowing the seeds of transformative change, and as we enter 2024, we are able to anticipate the fruits of those efforts starting to blossom. These reforms aren’t instantaneous miracles however deliberate steps in the direction of constructing a stronger and extra affluent Nigeria.
Within the financial realm, initiatives aimed toward creating jobs, attracting investments, and fostering sustainable progress are taking root. As we transfer ahead, we are able to anticipate to witness the tangible outcomes of those efforts, with elevated financial alternatives, improved infrastructure, and a enterprise atmosphere conducive to innovation and prosperity.
Nigeria President’s dedication to addressing insecurity and making a safer nation is steadfast. The reforms applied on this regard will contribute to restoring peace and safety, fostering an atmosphere the place residents can pursue their aspirations with out worry.
As we glance forward, allow us to embrace the spirit of hope and resilience. Change takes time, however each step ahead is a testomony to the progress we’re making as a nation.
The journey in the direction of a greater Nigeria is a collective endeavor, and your help and optimism are invaluable on this transformative course of.
Allow us to transfer into 2024 with hope in our hearts, understanding that the reforms of Nigeria President are laying the inspiration for a brighter and extra affluent future for all Nigerians.
In different to cushion the impact of excessive value of transportation fares, the Federal Authorities targets to carry 5 Million (5,000,000) commuters throughout this yuletide season with 50% transportation rebate. As well as, all practice companies are free for all Nigerians touring from at present, Thursday, December 21, 2023 to Thursday, January 4, 2024.
The collaborating highway transport corporations for the 50% rebate, are:
GIG (God is Good)
Chisco Transport
Younger Shall Develop
God Bless Ezenwa
Space Motor