Business
FG begins sale of 50kg rice for N40k to address rising cost of food
The federal government has announced the sale of a 50kg bag of rice for N40,000.
Speaking with journalists at the presidential villa on Monday, Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said 20 trucks of rice have been distributed to each state of the federation.
The minister said the bags of rice are being sold at designated centres for N40,000 each, a 50 percent slash of the market price.
However, the minister did not state the locations where the rice is being sold.
“The president has listened to the voices of all those who are planning this protest. And the message is that there is no need for it,” he said.
“Indeed, the president is already protesting on their behalf by doing those things that they want a government to do. For example, the effort that the government is making in ensuring that food is being made available.
“The last council meeting here at the briefing, we announced that a number of trucks, 20 precisely, had been given to the state governors for onward distribution to those who actually are in need of them to the poorest of the poor in society and those who are actually in need. Food being made available.
“But the government did not stop there, there is also rice that is being sold at about 50 percent of its cost — a bag of rice is being sold as we speak now.
“This rice has been taken to various centres across all the states of the federation and is being sold at N40,000. Centres have been created so that those who need this rice can go there and buy this rice at N40,000.
“In the first instance, about 10 trucks have been made available to each of these states and indeed this is just the beginning. I know that some of the comments you hear are that it is never enough.
“The government has not pretended that these supplies are indeed enough. But these are necessary first steps that are being made, and more of such interventions are being made in the interim.”
Idris appealed to youths to shelve the planned nationwide protest, saying the federal government is working to address the challenges in the nation.
“There is also the provision that is being made for these young people. We are aware of the effort that is being made to ensure that about 3 million of them are being put into employment through the MTT programme,” he said.
“Of course, it is the democratic right of every Nigerian to engage in peaceful protests, and the government is not an opponent to that.
“But what the government is doing is to ensure that while there is this right for you to protest, your right will also end where someone else’s begins.
“Therefore, while you are thinking of protesting, the government is appealing to you to first shelve it because it has a great likelihood that this protest may be hijacked and may turn violent by unscrupulous elements, and Nigeria will not be good for it.
“Of course, we know that people are saying that there is no intention for violence in this, but our history has shown that there’s the possibility that this protest can be hijacked and could turn violent.
“It is an appeal again that the federal government is making to ensure that as the government is making an effort to satisfy the demands of Nigerians in several respects in health care, in agriculture, in the provision of infrastructure in ensuring that our youth, the young population, go to school and that they can also get employed when they finish and even before they do that.
“The social security system is being put out there so that no one is left behind.
“So, all this coming together, of course, it takes time for it to come full circle, but there is this, please; there is no need for this protest.”
Business
Student loan scheme is part of anti-corruption efforts, says Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria’s new student loan regime could be considered an anti-corruption mechanism.
Tinubu was speaking about his government’s anti-corruption efforts during a presidential media chat that aired on Monday night.
He was asked if he considers anti-corruption an integral element among his governance priorities.
Tinubu said any policy intervention that aims to address the driver of corrupt practices could be considered anti-corruption.
“Corruption, in all its ramifications, is bad. But first, you must pay enough attention to its causes,” the president said.
“Why are the people corrupt? Lack of social amenities, lack of funding for their children’s education. There are so many anti-corruption mechanisms that you can put in place to help the people not be corrupt. Pay them good living wages.
“I have moved from 35,000 to 70,000. To me, that’s anti-corruption. I have given more money to the state and local government levels. I have been transparent with my earnings. Every month, there is a publication on how much this country is making.
“The ability to stem corruption is part of the instrument of the EFCC. That is why they are discovering all sorts of inefficiencies in the system, blocking all the loopholes where anybody can just game the system. That is part of anti-corruption.”
Tinubu said enabling equitable access to tertiary education through a loan scheme is just as important in the anti-corruption struggle.
“The removal of subsidies is also anti-corruption. It is very difficult to say you would eliminate it. You can only reduce it to the barest minimum. Help the people grow. Help them with the education of their children. Our student loan is part of anti-corruption,” he said.
“No parent should lament how to encourage their children in university education. Today, it’s working for a larger part of the population. The society is moving from illiteracy to literacy.
“I enjoy debate on what type of courses are being offered in the university these days to improve science, knowledge, and technology. We continue to work on it. We’re not taking our eyes off these serious matters.”
Business
APPLY: FIRS begins recruitment of senior managers, directors
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has begun its recruitment exercise for experienced professionals to fill specialised positions in the organisation.
Announcing various vacant roles on Monday, the FIRS said the recruitment exercise is part of its consolidation strategies.
The advertised positions include assistant manager and deputy manager roles in tax (investigation), PRS (research), public relations, and ICT (cybersecurity and AI management).
Other available roles are assistant manager and deputy manager in PRS (risk management), assistant manager and deputy manager in legal, and senior manager and assistant director roles in tax (audit).
“Applicants must have qualifications and relevant professional certificates as specified in the positions they are applying for and must also fulfill the following requirements,” the agency said.
“Applicant must possess Bachelor’s degree/HND with at least second class lower/lower credit.
“Applicant must have completed NYSC not later than 31st December 2017.
“Applicant for the position of assistant manager and deputy manager must not be more than 40 years of age while senior manager and assistant director must not be more than 45 as at 31st December 2024.”
The revenue agency said candidates must possess strong leadership and management skills, team spirit and ability to effectively delegate, interpersonal and communication skills, and strong Analytical skills.
“Knowledge of the Nigerian tax laws and appreciation of their application and understanding of the regulatory framework within which the FIRS operates,” the FIRS said.
“Knowledge of business/industry environment within which taxpayers operate.
“Ability to work as a regulator with the courage to ensure full compliance with laws.
“Interested candidates should apply via official FIRS career portal: careers.firs.gov.ng and or FIRS verified social media handles.”
The FIRS said the application portal will open on December 23, 2024, noting that the deadline for submissions is January 11, 2025.
The service advised applicants to carefully review the eligibility criteria before applying to ensure they meet all requirements and understand the qualifications needed for successful selection.
Business
UBA GMD calls for public-private partnership to accelerate economic growth
Oliver Alawuba, group managing director (GMD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of United Bank for Africa (UBA), has called for public-private partnership (PPP) to accelerate economic growth.
Alawuba spoke on December 20 during the launch of the newly renovated departure section of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, refurbished by UBA.
According to a statement on Sunday by the bank, the project, which signifies a transformative moment in Nigeria’s aviation sector, shows UBA’s commitment to national development, highlighting the immense value of strategic PPPs.
The ceremony was attended by stakeholders, including Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, and Olubunmi Kuku, managing director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Alawuba commended the collaboration that led to the execution of the project, emphasising the need for public and private institutions to come together to build and revamp the nation’s assets.
“This renovation is a testament of UBA’s belief in the transformative power of investing in national assets. By modernising our airports, we not only enhance infrastructure but also position Nigeria as a global hub for tourism, trade, and investment,” he said.
“Public-private partnerships like this demonstrate what can be achieved when we unite for a shared vision of progress and investing in infrastructure catalyses economic growth, improves travel experiences, and creates opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
“The commissioning of the renovated departure section serves as a reminder of what strategic partnerships can achieve in driving national development and elevating Nigeria’s global standing.”
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