PRESS RELEASE

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged leaders and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State to unite and work for the victory of the ruling party at the local, state and national levels, especially for the presidential aspiration of the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

He made the appeal while on a working visit to Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area and Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Wednesday, during which he commissioned the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Primary Health Center in Festac town.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also implored APC members and Lagos residents, especially the people of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government and Oriade LCDA to participate in the ongoing registration of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for them to exercise their civic responsibilities in the 2023 general elections.

He said: “We have a lot to be proud of in Lagos. We have a lot to make bragging right both at the state and also at the national level. We should see that sacrifice of our National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will certainly not go in vain and that is why I am encouraging everyone that the journey we have started at ensuring that we have Asiwaju (Tinubu) representing us at the center is on the right course.

“As individuals and community, we all have a role to play. We all have a duty to ensure that the ongoing registration in INEC and the collection of your PVC is important because it is only when you do this that you can exercise your civic responsibility. I want to assure you that once you have that, nothing will stop us from achieving this agenda.

“I think it is also important at this point to admonish some of our leaders to close ranks and work for the victory of our party, APC and presidential aspiration of our leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. All the leaders in Amuwo-Odofin and Oriade should come together. We must put our house in order and unite without allowing anything to divide us. There are enough benefits if we work together. We are not aspiring to win Lagos alone; we are also working to go to Abuja. So, I want to appeal to all leaders to do all that is required for our party to be stronger. We should not speak with two voices.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who urged all traditional leaders to work with government at local and state levels for development in their communities, commended ethnic nationals for the unity, peace and progress that are being enshrined in the community and urged them to do more.

He said: “I want to urge all traditional leaders to work with the government at local and state levels. We should work together for development in our communities. I want to encourage all other ethnic nationals – the Ndigbo Community, South-South Community and Arewa Community. I want to thank all of you for the unity, peace and progress that is enshrined in this community but I want more.

“I want us to continue to live in tolerance, peace and harmony because it is only when we do this that more community development will come to this locality and community. So, I am going to extract that from you today, that whatever misgivings that you might have among yourselves, make sure we can resolve the issues and we can enshrine a more mutually beneficial rewarding relationship among all of us.”

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

10 FEBRUARY 2022

Buhari’s Refusal To Sign Amended Electoral Act May Spark Crisis – Rt. Hon. Dum Dekor

The delay in the passage of the Electoral Act, following the refusal of President Muhammud Buhari, to assent to the amendment by the National Assembly, has been described as a recipe to crisis ahead the 2023 general elections.

Rt. Hon. Dumnamene R. Dekor, representing Khana/Gokana, Federal Constituency, Rivers State, in the House of Representatives raised the alarm in an interview with Aljazirah in his office in Abuja.

He noted that, “We have about 371 days to an election, when the election is supposed to be proclaimed, up till this moment, technically about 11 days from now and Mr. President is set to give his assent, we sincerely hope he does, because by 18th of February, it will be such a worrisome situation”

According to the lawmaker, most of the things we talked about that people are fraudulently elected, the kind of crisis seen in our electoral process, the militarization of elections, particularly in Rivers, where I come from, I believe some of those things will come to an end”, he observed.

He explained that, “With a better electoral process, it will be easy, if I am not popular and I have used whatever means to come here with the provisions of the Act, if elections result are transmitted from the polling units, it will remove a lot of fraud from the system. It will also make our elections cheaper in the long run in terms of manpower, because you have to recruit so many men, the risk corp members are going through and so many others in the process will be reduced.

“All these people running to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, where the electoral materials are kept for safety , monitoring all the process because of the issue of trust doesn’t exist within the system, will be taken away if the bill is assented to; to that extent, Mr. President can do Nigeria and Nigerians a lot of good by giving his assent”

Rt. Hon. Dekor further noted that “ The reason is simple if I think I am strong and I have my people , who are willing that I should represent them , there might be a woman who is out there selling pepper , but also has the minimum qualification to run for election into the National Assembly, she can put herself forward for election knowing that there is going to be one man, one vote, and that the vote of the people will count , so she is not going to be shortchanged. That way she will go and run election against me and because she is popular and acceptable by the people she will be elected. The issue of thuggery, too much money and all that will be reduced to a very minimal level and of course, in tune with modern trend all over the world and it will work for us”, he admonished.

He chided the lawmakers who voted against the earlier amendment sent to president Muhammad Buhari for his assent, hinging their argument on non-availability of network, insisting that “All this story of we don’t have network there and there is neither here nor there, but we can do ‘TraderMoni’ all over the place, we are still doing electronic banking, why will that of electronic transmission of results be different?”

Rt. Hon. Dekor who is the Chairman, House Committee on Host Communities, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, to do Nigerians a favour by ushering in a better Electoral Act that will define the process of electing people into various offices.

“President Buhari, should assent to the Bill as a legacy for Nigeria. He knows he is going to leave office; it is something that he will be remembered for”, he said

PRESS RELEASE

SANWO-OLU PAYS WORKING VISIT TO AMUWO-ODOFIN, COMMISSIONS NEW HEALTH CARE FACILITY

• Jubilant residents receive Governor, His team

• ‘Your second coming not in doubt’, Residents tell Sanwo-Olu

A working visit by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to Amuwo Odofin area of the State, on Wednesday, grew to become a political carnival, as residents trooped out in their numbers to give the Governor a rousing welcome into their community.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, during the visit, inaugurated a primary healthcare centre named after the former First Lady of Lagos and sitting lawmaker representing Lagos Central District in the Senate, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

The two-storey healthcare facility, built by Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area chairman, Hon. Valentine Buraimoh, was initiated to shore up health care delivery to the council residents and those in the neighbouring Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

The Governor, in company of his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and cabinet members, also carried out a first-hand assessment the State Government’s ongoing projects and familiarised himself with the needs of residents in the axis.

Sanwo-Olu described Amuwo-Odofin as “a strategic base” of assets critical to the actualisation of the economic potentials of the State. Apart from connecting Lagos to an international border, he said the council also showcased the success of the State Government’s inter modal transportation system.

Amuwo-Odofin is a major beneficiary of Sanwo-Olu administration’s infrastructural renewal and expansion programme, which cuts across various sectors, including transportation, road and education, among others. The State’s Blue Rail Line project, which will be completed by last quarter of this year, traverses Amuwo-Odofin.

The Governor reiterated his administration’s full commitment to delivering more dividends of democracy to Amuwo-Odofin residents, adding that the State Government was committing more investment in critical infrastructure projects that will be of benefit to the people.

He said: “It is a great delight and honour to formally commission the newly constructed Primary Health Centre named after our mother and mentor, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as part of my scheduled activities during my working visit to Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area and Oriade Local Council Development Area. The completion of this health centre is a commendable achievement that perfectly aligns with our administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda to prioritise provision of quality healthcare for our residents.

“Lagos has always been a worthy model for the rest of the country in the delivery of quality and people-oriented governance at the local level. The idea of a Local Council Development Area (LCDA) system co-existing with the Local Governments, as pioneered by our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has not only been a hugely successful political innovation in Lagos, it has also seen enthusiastic replication in other parts of the country.

“The vision is reaping the dividends as seen in the quality of people-oriented projects being delivered to the people of Amuwo-Odofin by the chairman. The modern healthcare facility is what our vision for infrastructural renewal of our State looks like. With high-impact projects that cut across many communities and improves quality of life and the ability to earn a legitimate living, Amuwo-Odofin’s landscape is changing for good.”

Speaking on the infrastructure projects initiated by his administration in Amuwo-Odofin, Sanwo-Olu said there would be a huge relief for residents along Lagos-Badagry Expressway, as the stretch from Iganmu to Okokomaiko being handled by the State Government would be delivered by the middle of the year.

The bridge components of the Expressway, Sanwo-Olu said, are scheduled for completion by the end of this year, including the Iyana-Iba Interchange Bridge initiated to resolve perennial traffic gridlock on the axis.

In line with his Government’s focus on inter-modal transportation, the Governor said the State was simultaneously constructing four jetties in Amuwo-Odofin and Oriade LCDA, which would boost waterways transport. He added that two vital roads connecting the jetties were currently being rehabilitated, including the Buba Marwa Road, which provides access to Ijegun-Egba Jetty and tank farms in the area.

He said: “With regards to road infrastructure, I am pleased to note that we have started the reconstruction and upgrade of Navy Town Road, which connects Old Ojo Road to the Central Bank Estate/Training School and the Nigerian Navy Installations in the area. I know how important that road is to the people of Amuwo, and I want you to know that by this time next year, you will be commuting on a brand-new road.

“In education, we are completing construction of new classrooms in Festac Senior Grammar School, we have added new classrooms to Festac Junior Grammar School, new blocks of classrooms to Ijegun-Egba Primary School, in Agbowo Senior Secondary School and in Agboju Primary School. These are some of our interventions in expanding access to basic education. Only yesterday (Tuesday), I received the certificates for two brand-new universities to complete the one that we have in Ojo.”

Sanwo-Olu, who also had an open interaction with the residents, took note of some of their complaints and list of expectations. The Governor promised he would “appropriately address” issues raised in the feedbacks, adding outcomes would be communicated to the community.

Buraimoh said Sanwo-Olu became the first Governor to pay a working visit to the area and commission council projects.

The council boss said the new healthcare centre was built to bolster quality care, given the inadequacy of the existing facility to cope with overwhelming demands.

Braimoh said although the project was conceived as a Primary Health Centre, the design and capacity of the facility were upgraded to provide a semi-secondary healthcare services.

He said: “The PHC is named after Senator Oluremi Tinubu in recognition of her contribution to child health development in Lagos and several health-focused initiatives she is championing. The council administration under my leadership has been purpose-driven. With committed lieutenants, we have pursued the delivery of several infrastructure projects that will serve the people.”

“This administration prioritises people’s welfare and their security. We have strengthened our local security formations and make necessary equipment. We have donated operation vehicles for the police and created monthly allowance for the police to support their duty.”

Facilities in the health centre include general patient wards, labour wards, diagnostic centre, mini operating theatre, screening rooms, consulting rooms, personnel’s quarter and dedicated transformer for constant power supply.

Former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abayomi Kiyomi, who spoke on behalf of Amuwo-Odofin residents, praised Sanwo-Olu for according priority to expansion of public infrastructure in the area, noting that the Governor’s second coming was not in doubt and would be more rewarding in service delivery.

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

09 FEBRUARY 2022

PROVIDERS OF SUBSTANDARD FUEL MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, DIRECTS PRESIDENT BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered that producers and providers of consumable products be held accountable for substandard services and or products sold by them.

The President has also given directives to the relevant government agencies to take every step in line with the laws of the country to ensure the respect and protection of consumers against market abuses and social injustices.

In a reaction to the issue of petroleum product shortages linked to the inadvertent supply of products of foreign origin into the Nigerian market, President Buhari said the protection of consumer interests is a priority of the present administration and is ready to take all necessary measures to protect consumers from hazardous products, loss or injuries from the consumption of substandard goods.

The President directed that in line with the law, service providers must make full disclosure of relevant information with respect to the consumption of their products and that dissatisfied consumers are entitled to a proper redress of their complaints.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

February 10, 2022

Niger Delta youths praise Akpabio, Ogiame Atuwatse III, others

• Hit out at Idjerhe monarch, dissident groups

Niger Delta youths on Sunday lauded the leadership qualities of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, describing him as “a man of high integrity and principles”

The stance of the youths was articulated by the President, Coalition of Progressive Niger Delta Youths (CPNDY), Mr Chukwuma Nwabueze.

The youths who met in Warri applauded Akpabio for enhancing government effectiveness and transparency in the oil rich region, securing the sum of N10.4 billion from the 2021 Sovereign SUKUK Issuance for the completion of the dualisation of the East West highway project and mobilizing the RCC for necessary repairs on the collapsed portion of the road, as a stop gap measure, for easy vehicular and human movements.

‘The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has done his work well’’

In a statement in Warri, the youths advised the Coordinator of Wailing Women of the Niger Delta (WWND), Odighonin Adienbo and the National President of Niger Delta Elders’ Forum, Chief Tonye Ogbogbuya to tame their appetite for falsehood against Akpabio.

The youths described the recent comments of Ovie of Idjerhe, Monday Arthur Whiskey, Adienbo and Ogbogbuya on Buhari and Akpabio as distasteful and provocative.

The youths said Whiskey, Adienbo and Ogbogbula were mercenaries hired by some corrupt politicians and contractors to destabilize the region.

‘’The Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, Adienbo and Ogbogbuya are officious people. They can’t be popular through baseless attacks on Buhari and Akpabio.

The statement commended Akpabio for cleaning up the mess in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and working in the best interests of the country.

The youths said even the blind can see the impressive achievements of the Federal Government in the oil rich region.

The statement underscored the worst personality traits of a king and the refusal of Whiskey, Adienbo and Ogbogbuya to observe the rules of objectivity.

Specifically, the youths praised Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse III for his patriotism, leadership style and tactful politesse.

They urged Whiskey and his sponsors to emulate the Warri monarch on strategic communication, tactful presentation and wisdom.

The Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse 111 recently drew Buhari’s attention to the under-utilisation of the four ports in Warri, Koko, Sapele, and Burutu, reconstitution of the NDDC board, immortalising the first Minister of Finance of the country, Festus Okotie-Eboh, and resuscitation of the Ogidigben EPZ project.

The youths also underscored personal integrity, sincerity of Akpabio, culture of accJountability and the massive steps that have been taken.

PRESIDENT BUHARI BIDS SENEGAL AMBASSADOR GOODBYE, CONGRATULATES COUNTRY ON AFCON VICTORY

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday received the Ambassador of Senegal in a farewell audience at State House, Abuja, asking him to convey the

congratulations

of Nigeria to President Macky Sall on victory of the Teranga Lions at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“I’m sending the

congratulations

reluctantly, because our own country got beaten in the tournament,” the President jocularly told His Excellency, Babacar Matar Ndiaye.

He lauded him for a successful tour of duty in Nigeria, which lasted almost four years, and observed that “our relationship is very strong. I congratulate your President for keeping the country together. Please extend my best wishes to him.”

President Buhari also wished the outgoing Ambassador success in his next tour of duty.

Ambassador Ndiaye said Nigeria was like a second home to him, having first served in the consular section of his Embassy, before he came back as Ambassador for almost four years.

“Thanks for the success of my term. I will always have good memories of Nigeria,” Ambassador Ndiaye said.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

February 10, 2022

OBSERVE, BUT DON’T INTERFERE IN INTERNAL POLITICS, PRESIDENT BUHARI TELLS DIPLOMATS AHEAD OF 2023 ELECTIONS

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja advised diplomats in the country to stay within the limits of their schedules, and not intrude in the internal politics of the country as countdown to 2023 elections begins.

At the presentation of Letters of Credence ceremony held at the State House, President Buhari, who welcomed the Ambassadors of Czech Republic, Zdenek Krejci; Italy, Stephano De Leo; Spain, Juan Ignacio Sell Sanz and Israel, Michael Shual Freeman, said:

“You are assuming your diplomatic responsibilities in Nigeria at very interesting political period as Nigeria’s national elections are due in early 2023.

“As you settle down in the face of these developments, it is my hope that you will also be guided by diplomatic practice, to ensure that your activities remain within the limits of your profession as you monitor the build-up to and the conduct of the general elections next year.’’

The President called for the support of the envoys in tackling rising global insecurity, and strengthening of communality.

“We are living in unprecedented times and with so many uncertainties, especially with the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, the rise in global insecurity and the devastation of our environments caused by Climate Change among other existential threats to our collective peace, progress and shared values.

“Different factors that accounted for these challenges go beyond the abilities of any single country to effectively contain alone. Matters of security have become the business of all the nations of the world to work closely together to build consensus in order to overcome these challenges,’’ he said.

“For us in Nigeria,’’ President Buhari told the diplomats, “We continue to make steady progress despite the daunting challenges, especially in the areas of insecurity, fight against corruption, diversification of the economy, and our efforts in promoting good governance, amongst other aspirations.’’

The President noted that Nigeria’s differences and divergence in culture and religion had contributed immensely in cementing unity, as a people, as well as spurring religious tolerance and respect for one another.

President Buhari urged the Ambassadors to build lasting friendships in the course of performing their duties that will go beyond assignments in Nigeria.

On the regional level, the President said Nigeria will continue to work with other member-states of ECOWAS and regional blocs to deal with the problems of terrorism, trans-border crimes, banditry, maritime issues and unconstitutional change of government.

“We are engaging in frank self-retrospection in order to identify and isolate appropriate containment strategies that can help de-escalate the drift into the unconstitutional seizure of power in the sub region,’’ he added.

President Buhari assured of partnership and mutual cooperation in canvassing more Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in healthcare system, education, infrastructure, local manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness and transportation.

“The countries which you all represent, namely, Czech Republic, Republic of Italy, Kingdom of Spain and State of Israel, enjoy very cordial bilateral relations and cooperation with Nigeria that span across our socio-economic and cultural spheres.

“Therefore, the envious task of building on the successes of your respective predecessors will further advance our relations to significant heights for the benefits of our countries and peoples.

“As you settle down to your diplomatic responsibilities, I am sure that you will appreciate the uniqueness and strength in our country’s political, socio-economic and cultural diversities, in terms of both human and natural resources,’’ the President said.

In his response, on behalf of the diplomats, the Ambassador of Czech Republic assured the President of “comprehensive cooperation’’ of the representatives.

Krejc said the envoys will work for the development of Nigeria, through strengthening of mutual and beneficial relations with their countries.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

February 10, 2022

Speech by Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina

President, African Development Bank Group

Mobilizing Financing for Africa’s Accelerated Economic Recovery, Development and Integration

at the Twenty-Fifth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Addis Ababa,

5-6 February 2022

• Your Excellency Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal and Chairperson of the African Union
• Your Excellency Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Our Gracious Host
• Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government
• Your Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the Africa Union Commission
• Your Excellency Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Representing the Secretary General of the United Nations

▪︎. Your Excellency Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission

• Honorable Ministers
• Honourable Commissioners of the African Union Commission
• The Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa
• The Secretary General, the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat
• Heads of African Union Organs and Institutions
• Chief Executives and Heads of Regional Economic Communities
• Permanent Representatives to the African Union
• Members of the Diplomatic Corps
• Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

I deeply appreciate this honour and opportunity offered me by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the Deputy Chairperson, Commissioners, and the Permanent Representatives Committee.

I wish to congratulate His Excellency, President Macky Sall upon his election as the Chairperson of the African Union. Your Excellency, President Macky Sall, you have taken on the baton from His Excellency, President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi, with whom we have had the distinguished pleasure of working closely during his tenure as Chairperson.

Thank you, President Tshisekedi, for your remarkable leadership and outstanding service at the helm of our Union.

Your Excellencies, I will be speaking to you today on “Mobilizing Financing for Africa’s Accelerated Economic Recovery, Development and Integration”.

This is a very important and timely discussion, given that the African Development Bank has been given the mandate by a decision of the African Union to lead the mobilization of resources for Africa, to achieve Agenda 2063.

As this is the first time that I have had the opportunity to address you since my re-election, Your Excellencies, I wish to express to you, individually and collectively, my deep appreciation for your strong and unanimous support, and those of your Ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs, for my re-election as President of the African Development Bank in August 2020. I thank H.E. President Muhammadu Buhari, my President, especially, for his trust, confidence, and unflinching support during this assignment which he sent me on to accomplish for Africa. I also wish to thank all our former heads of state for their steadfast support.

As always, I will continue to serve our beloved continent, and work with you to relentlessly accelerate the achievement of Agenda 2063: the Africa we want.

Your Excellencies, meeting today, physically, is itself an important milestone; a welcome relief following two years of the COVID-19 pandemic that has upended the world in an unprecedented manner.

It has been a global economic cyclone. Africa witnessed a decline in GDP growth of 2.1% in 2020, its lowest in twenty years. Africa’s GDP fell by $165 billion. Over 30 million jobs were lost and over 26 million people fell into extreme poverty.

I wish to commend the leadership efforts of the African Union, and our Heads of State and Government, for the critical roles you have played in dealing with the pandemic and the socio-economic challenges in its wake. Today, thanks to these efforts 11% of the population has been fully vaccinated, and another 16% has been partially vaccinated.

However, while developed countries have moved to booster shots, Africa is still struggling with basic shots.

Your Excellencies, we must learn from this experience. Africa can no longer outsource the security of the lives of its 1.4 billion people to the benevolence of others.

We must secure African lives!

It is time your Excellencies, to build Africa’s healthcare defense system.

This must be based on three strategic priorities.

First, building Africa’s quality healthcare infrastructure.

Second, building Africa’s pharmaceutical industry and

Third, building Africa’s vaccine manufacturing capacity.

Africa needs $600 million to $1.3 billion to meet its goal of attaining 60% vaccine production by 2040. Investing in health is investing in national security.

The African Development Bank plans to invest $3 billion to support pharmaceutical and vaccines manufacturing capacity for Africa.

To address the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic and support economic recovery, Africa will need some $484 billion over the next 3 years. To eliminate extreme poverty by 2030, the continent will need $414 – $784 billion per year. Africa will need $7-$15 billion a year to deal with climate change. The continent will also need between $68 – $108 billion per year to fix the infrastructure financing gap.

Your Excellencies, we must drastically mobilize a lot more resources!

The African Development Bank, as the premier development financing institution in Africa, has been mobilizing resources to meet this challenge. Thanks to your support, the general capital of the Bank was increased in 2019 by 125%, rising from $93 billion to $208 billion, the highest since its establishment in 1964.

These resources have allowed the African Development Bank to scale up support to African economies to tackle the pandemic. The Board of Directors of the Bank approved a Crisis Response Facility of up to $10 Billion. The Bank also launched a $3 Billion Fight COVID-19 Social Bond on the international capital markets, which was the largest ever US-dollar denominated social bond in world history. The Bank provided $ 27 million as grants to the African Centers for Disease Control.

Your Excellencies, over the past six years, the African Development Bank has provided about $39 billion in financing to the continent in support of its High5 priorities to: light up and power Africa; feed Africa; integrate Africa; industrialize Africa; and improve the quality of life of the people of Africa.

These High5s are the accelerators for achieving Agenda 2063.

An assessment of these High5s by the United Nations Development Program indicated that the High5s would lead to the achievement of 90% of the Agenda 2063 goals and 90% of the Sustainable Development Goals targets.

Your Excellencies, so much has been achieved on the High5s. In the past five years, the work of the African Development Bank Group has impacted the lives of 335 million people – fast tracking the move towards achieving the Agenda 2063 goals. Close to 21 million people have gained access to electricity. Nearly 76 million people have benefitted from agricultural technologies for food security. More than 12 million people have gained access to finance through private sector investee companies. Over 69 million people have been provided with improved transport. And 50 million people have gained access to improved water and sanitation.

Your Excellencies, Feeding Africa remains a top priority. Our Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation which we call TAAT, has provided drought tolerant technologies for 12 million farmers across Africa. The Bank is supporting the creation of special agro-industrial processing zones in 18 countries to help drive the transformation of agriculture as a major source of wealth and jobs.

Your Excellencies, the African Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the African Union Commission launched the Facility for African Food Security and Nutrition at the UN Food Systems Summit. Now dubbed Mission 1 for 200, this financing facility will help to mobilize $1 billion, provide climate resilient and nutrition-rich technologies for 40 million farmers, produce 100 million metric tons of food, and feed 200 million people. This will help to reduce food insecurity in Africa by 80%.

This is particularly crucial in 2022, the Year of Nutrition in Africa.

Your Excellencies, the Bank is investing heavily in renewable energy. This includes the world’s largest concentrated solar power system in Morocco and the Lake Turkana energy project, the largest windfarm in Africa. Together with Africa50, we have co-financed the 3,000 MW Ben Ban solar power project in Egypt. The Bank is also implementing a $20 billion Desert-to-Power initiative to develop 10,000 MW of solar power for the Sahelian zone of Africa, in order to provide electricity for 250 million people. This will become the largest solar zone in the world.

Your Excellencies, Africa faces a huge challenge with energy transition, and with climate change. The Bank is working to establish an African Just Energy Transition Facility that will support transition from coal and heavy fuel oil into clean energy. However, Africa will need an energy mix that includes natural gas, to ensure stability of its energy systems, power industries, and ensure competitiveness.

Your Excellencies, we must go beyond “a just energy transition” to “a just energy system.”

Africa cannot be poor in an environmentally sustainable manner.

To support Africa’s adaption to climate change, the African Development Bank and the Global Centre for Adaptation have launched the African Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAA-P) with the goal of mobilizing $25 billion for climate adaptation for Africa.

We must revive the Lake Chad Basin!

We must save the Sahel from desertification!

We must complete the Great Green Wall!

The African Development Bank has committed $6.5 billion towards the Great Green Wall. I would like to thank UN secretary General, Antonio Guterres, and my dear sister, Amina Mohammed, Deputy UN Secretary General, for their exceptional support for this initiative.

As we move from COP26 in Glasgow to COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, to be hosted by President El Sisi, developed countries need to meet their $100 billion commitment on climate finance to support developing countries. This will help Africa.

Promises made must be promises kept.

The issuance of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) of $650 billion by the International Monetary Fund has helped substantially, but Africa only received $33 billion worth of SDRs. African Heads of State at the Paris Summit on African Economies, with the strong support of President Emmanuel Macron, called for a re-allocation of $100 billion to Africa. You also asked that the re-allocated SDRs pass through the African Development Bank, as a prescribed holder of SDRs.

Your Excellencies, I will appreciate your continued strong support for this. Passing the re-allocated SDRs for Africa through the African Development Bank will serve Africa very well.

First, as a AAA-rated financial institution, the African Development Bank will be able to leverage the SDRs by 3-4 times. For example, a $50 billion re-allocation through the African Development Bank will be leveraged to deliver $200 billion to African economies.

Second, the African Development Bank will help to recapitalize other African financial institutions, many of which the Bank helped to establish, including the Afreximbank Bank, West Africa Development Bank, East Africa Development Bank, Central Africa Development Bank, the Africa Guarantee Fund, Africa-Reinsurance Company, Shelter Afrique, Trade and Development Bank, Africa50, as well as the Development Bank of Southern Africa.

I wish to also use this platform to advocate for additional shareholder funding for these institutions to play their mandated roles.

Your Excellencies, to protect Africa from future economic shocks, it is now critical to establish an African Financial Stability Mechanism. Africa is the only region of the world that has no liquidity buffers to protect the continent against shocks. Europe has … Asia has … Latin America has … The Middle East has. These regions had more protection from the economic effects of the pandemic.

Africa did not.

This has led to widespread regional spill-over contagion effects, and instability.

African economies must be protected. The African Financial Stability Mechanism will protect African economies.

Your Excellencies, we need more resources to finance Africa’s low-income countries, especially those facing fragility. The African Development Fund, the concessional institution of the African Development Bank Group, has helped to support these countries with $8.5 billion in the past five years.

The African Development Fund has delivered impressive results.

The Fund financed the landmark Senegambia bridge.

It financed the Rosso bridge between Mauritania and Senegal.

It financed Corridor 13 road between Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo.

It financed the road network rehabilitation project for Comoros.

It financed the Revenue Authority project for Togo.

It financed the Bas Mangoky rice irrigation project for Madagascar.

The Fund is also financing the Kandadji multipurpose dam project for Niger.

However, more resources are needed to meet the rising needs of low-income countries. I wish to request the strong support of Your Excellencies, African Heads of State and Government, and of the African Union Commission, for the 16th Replenishment of the African Development Fund later this year.

Your Excellencies, with its $25 billion in equity, the African Development Fund can leverage up to $33 billion of additional financing for low-income countries. To achieve this, we need your support to change the article in the charter of the African Development Fund that does not allow it to go to market to leverage resources. This is top priority.

We are also leveraging private investments into Africa, in innovative ways.

Your Excellencies, the Africa Investment Forum, established by the African Development Bank and its partners, has helped to secure investment interests worth more than $78 billion. This spectacular level of interest includes a $24 billion transaction for the liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique. We are proud that that this project will make Mozambique the third-largest producer of liquified natural gas in the world.

The project experienced challenges from insecurity, but thanks to your collective leadership, all is now back on track.

Your Excellencies, we must now link security, investment, growth, and development closely together. To enhance the security of Africa, the African Development Bank is currently developing Security Indexed Investment Bonds. Proceeds from these bonds, when developed, will support countries and regional economic communities to do four things. First, to upgrade security architecture. Second, to repair damaged infrastructure in conflict-affected zones. Third, to rebuild social infrastructure. And fourth, to protect zones with strategic investments.

Your Excellencies, we must build a better future for our youth. It is time to create youth-based wealth all across Africa. To boost financial support for the businesses of our youth, the African Development Bank Group is exploring with countries the establishment of Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Banks. They will be first rate financial institutions run by the youth for the youth.

Your Excellencies, to unleash the business potential of women, the Bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) is mobilizing $5 billion for women businesses.

AFAWA is now working at scale. Over $425 million was disbursed in 2021 to banks for lending to women businesses. This year, we will disburse $500 million for women businesses.

Our vision is clear: When women win, Africa wins!

Your Excellencies, the African Continental Free Trade Area offers the continent incredible opportunities to accelerate Africa’s development. To achieve this goal, the African Development Bank has invested massively in infrastructure, from roads, transport corridors, airports, seaports, railways, and digital infrastructure. Over the past 10 years, we have

invested over $40 billion in infrastructure. We are connecting nations, connecting businesses, connecting people.

Your Excellencies, with Agenda 2063, Africa’s glorious future beckons !

Politically, we are ready.

Financially, we are strong and prepared.

Last year, the African Development Bank was ranked the Best Multilateral Financial Institution in the world by Global Finance, the leading US Financial Magazine.

The sun is shining!

Now let us surge forward, overcoming challenges in our way, with our eyes firmly focused on the goal: the Africa we want.

An Africa prosperous, peaceful, and stable.

An Africa where the youth thrive and prosper.

An Africa where our women can reach their full potential.

An Africa supported by strong financial institutions.

An Africa that develops with pride, looking inwards to mobilize domestic resources, and ending illicit capital flows.

Your Excellencies, with your bold and visionary leadership, a new Africa is emerging.

Just as the eagle soars above the storms, so will Africa soar and achieve its destiny.

Africa is destined for greatness!

Thank you very much Your Excellencies.

February 10, 2022

Press Statement

PDP Slams APC For Shielding APC Leaders Involved in Importation of Toxic Fuel…Demands Independent Inquest to Expose Culprits

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alerts Nigerians of the attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to provide official cover for APC leaders reportedly involved in the criminal importation of toxic fuel into our country.

The PDP demands investigation into reports of how APC leaders allegedly connived with foreign interests to import very cheap heavily contaminated fuel laden with methanol in their desperation to defraud Nigerians and corruptly raise billions of naira to fund the APC National Convention and rigging of the 2023 general elections.

It is now clear that APC leaders are frenziedly seeking ways to steal money to fund their 2023 rigging scheme, since our Party and well-meaning Nigerians exposed and challenged their plots to siphon a staggering N2.557 trillion padded as fuel subsidy for 2022.

The PDP strongly condemns these despicable acts by APC leaders which further expose the impunity and wickedness of the APC towards Nigerians.

The inclination for official concealment ostensibly informed the refusal by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, on national television on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 to name those involved in the importation of the poisonous fuel into our country.

Against this backdrop, the PDP rejects the announced internal investigation of this terrible crime by the government as the APC administration cannot be trusted given its manifest predilection to shield the APC leaders involved. Nigerians note the various investigations instituted by the APC government in the past which ended without any meaningful outcome; notable among which was the manipulated EndSARS Report.

The PDP therefore demands for an Independent Commission of Enquiry to investigate all issues connected to the “APC Toxic Fuel ImportGate”. Those involved must be exposed and held accountable.

Where was the toxic fuel imported from? Which company is the pre-inspection agent? How much was paid for the very cheap contaminated fuel and through which banks was payment effected? All documents relating to the transaction must be made public.

Our Party insists that President Muhammadu Buhari, as the Minister of Petroleum Resources cannot acquit himself with his reported comedy of anger, buck-passing, querying of subordinates and attempt by government to use some companies as scapegoats instead of accepting responsibility by exposing and naming individuals involved in the crime.

President Buhari and the APC must explain how the reported 317 million liters of toxic fuel came into our country, got cleared and distributed across the nation to worsen the life-discounting experiences of millions of Nigerians under the APC administration.

Apart from the consequential economic hardship occasioned by the damaging of cars and equipment, crippling of means of livelihood across the country as well as increase in the cost of food items and essential services, the cascading effect of adulterated fuel on our aviation industry can only be imagined.

Sadly, the situation has the possibility to trigger loss of confidence by international airlines in our aviation fuel supply with attendant economic downturn as they would more likely prefer to fuel in neighbouring countries.

Our Party calls on all Nigerians, particularly the Organized Labour, Civil Society, Student Bodies, Professional Bodies and all persons of goodwill to insist on an independent inquiry of this crime against the Nigerian people.

In any case, the PDP strongly cautions the APC and its corrupt government to note that they are practically pushing Nigerians to the wall and there is a limit to which the people can continue to stomach the barefaced atrocities and impunities of the APC.

Signed:

Hon. Debo Ologunagba

National Publicity Secretary

February 9, 2022

Press Statement

2023: PDP Leaders Parley Former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida

…As IBB Urges Appropriate Turn to Salvage Nigeria

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has called on former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, not to relent in his efforts towards the unity, stability and development of the country.

This is just as the former military leader described the PDP as the “guardrail of democracy” adding that it is time to make the “appropriate turn to salvage our dear country at the crossroads.”

The two leaders spoke when the PDP National Chairman led members of the National Working Committee and other leaders of the Party to a crucial meeting with General Babangida at his Hilltop Residence, Minna, Niger State capital on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, in furtherance of PDP’s efforts to Rescue and Rebuild the nation from the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP leaders informed General Babangida that they were on the visit to tap from his extensive experience and wisdom, particularly at this time that the nation is confronted with worsening insecurity, divisiveness and excruciating economic hardship occasioned by the misrule of the reckless, rudderless, incompetent and corrupt APC.

“We came to tap from your extensive experience and wisdom as a leader and one of the founding fathers of the PDP, particularly at this time that our dear country is facing so much insecurity, division and economic hardship due to the misrule of the APC. We implore you not to relent in ensuring that the unity and development of the country which you and other patriotic Nigerians fought so hard to sustain” Dr. Ayu said.

The PDP National Chairman assured the former military President that the PDP is repositioned and poised to take over governance from the APC and bring the much-desired good governance, unity and development that have eluded the nation under the APC.

Speaking, General Babangida lamented the situation in the country adding that there was no choice before Nigerians but a concerted effort to salvage the nation from its present situation.

“As the guardrail of democracy, you need to be guided by the history of the country; our past, our present conditions and an appropriate vision of a future for the millions of young people on our streets and the younger generations to follow” he said.

The former military leader further noted that what the nation needs at the moment is a leadership of “genuine democrats, those who truly connect the government and the governed and banish sycophancy, handle national security with more seriousness in all its ramifications, properly earn and retain legitimacy, and above all, bring citizens back from woes and wailing and Nigeria, to the path of nationhood and development.

“For the sake of our founding fathers and unborn generations of Nigerians, we have no choice but to make the appropriate turn to salvage our dear country at the crossroads”, General Babangida stated.

PDP leaders at the meeting include, former Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, and former Deputy Governor of Niger State, Dr. Shem Zagbanyi Nuhu, former PDP National Chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, former ministers; Prof. Jerry Gana, Hon Hassan Gimba, Hon Abubakar Achituwo and Hajiya Zainab Maina.

Others are Sen. Zainab Abdulkadir Kure, Chief Tom Ikimi, Sen. Dino Melaye, Amb Ishaya Mujambo as well as Niger State PDP Chairman, Bar. Tanko Beji and Niger State Woman Leader, Haj Sa’adatu Kolo among many others.

Members of the NWC at the meeting include the Deputy National Chairman (North), Alhaji Umar Damagum; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; National Woman Leader, Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe; the National Treasurer, Ahmed Mohammed and the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba.

Signed:

Hon. Debo Ologunagba

National Publicity Secretary

MY SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF CONFERENCE AND RETREAT FOR SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS AT IBOM-ICON HOTELS AND GOLF RESORT, UYO-FEBRUARY 8TH, 2022

Let me on behalf of the Government and the good people of Akwa Ibom State; welcome our President and Commander- In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) to our dear State.

Let me also use this opportunity to thank the Inspector- General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba and the entire hierarchy of the Nigerian Police Force, for selecting our beautiful and serene Capital City of Uyo as the venue for this retreat.

You have come to us, because of who we are: hospitable, welcoming, a land of delicious and enticing cuisines, and above all peaceful and inviting, thus validating what most Nigerians and others who have visited our State, have come to identify us as ‘’Nigeria’s Best Kept Secret.’’

This retreat is timely. Timely, because we are living in an age where known approaches to fighting crimes have been tested, thus necessitating the evolution of new strategies. We are living in an age and time, where criminals have reinvented their wheels of criminal enterprise; where non-state actors with no known addresses have infiltrated our space, where a neighbour may be kidnapers, or runs a terrorist cell.

This reality calls for new strategies to take the fight to these enemies of peace and defeat them. The first step to achieving this usually starts from retreats such as the one you are having here.

Let me use this opportunity to thank the Nigerian Police and other Sister Security Agencies for the robust cooperation we have received from them, thus ensuring the relative peace we have enjoyed in this State for the past almost seven years now.

Our Nation is going though security challenges and we must join the Nigerian Police and other members of the Nigerian Security Architecture to help keep us safe.

I have always advocated for a robust redeployment of intelligence apparati, both human and electronic and I am glad that this approach appears to have taken ascendance among other items in crime fighting tools box of the Security Agencies.

We should also look at the root causes of why people embrace criminal activities especially among our youths: Issue of unemployment and hopelessness must be tackled and addressed holistically.

I am however, sure that with the array of resource persons you have selected, you will come up with solid recommendations that would in the end, help us live a more peaceful and secure lives.

Welcome again to Akwa Ibom State and I wish you a happy retreat. God bless the Akwa Ibom State, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Press Statement

Akeredolu Congratulates Fayemi @57

Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, has congratulated his Ekiti State counterpart and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi on the occasion of his 57th birthday.

Governor Akeredolu described Dr. Fayemi as a man of many parts, whose positive impact on the society is immeasurable.

The Governor said Governor Fayemi is a bridge builder and stabilizer who has also deployed his God given brilliance and experience to raise the bar of governance in Ekiti state to an enviable height.

“Kayode, you have continued to show leadership at all fronts. As our chairman at the NGF, your leadership has been fruitful, engaging and rewarding. Your exploits as the NGF Chair, have yielded fruits of national development and progress across the country. You have echoed our minds and drive our collective interests in favour of our people.

“You have served your father’s land with pride and dedication. Your role in entrenching this democracy we are nurturing can not be forgotten in a hurry. You have been Governor. You served as a minister before returning to serve your people in Ekiti State as a Governor for a second term. You have served meritoriously.

“You exude endearing qualities which define you as a true “Omoluabi”. Your contributions to national development, nation building and humanity are valuable attributes that have distinguished you as a man of the people.” The Governor said.

Governor Akeredolu wishes the Ekiti State Governor more fruitful years ahead in good health and peace.

Signed:

Richard Olatunde

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.

February 9, 2022.