This are interesting time,especially as the political atmosphere is getting charged in preparation for the 2023 general election.
It is predicted that time of general election in Nigeria is also a time of slow motion of government activities. But all that cannot be accepted now going by the poor record of the nations economic performance’s and hardship Nigerians had to bear in 2021.
As a commitment in suggesting what need to be done to get the economy working for the totality of Nigerian’s.
This agenda is to guide the Nigerian state to secure the economy through practical implementable policies. And on the long run stabilise citizens livelihood’s and improved Welfare’s.
Although, several projections had been made on how the economy would fare in 2022.
The concern here is to set the pace for actionable ways to the effect’s.
First,is that the Buhari’s Administration with less than seventy months to handover must sustained the linkage between fiscal and monetary policies.
In our view this is one of the tangible policy focal point that the government deployed.
This fusion of fiscal and monetary policies comes with the various interventions that was given to various sectors in the economy.
Although, the challenge of doublet digit inflation that erode the power of the naira almost reversed the gains.
Interestingly if the linkages of fiscal and monetary discipline of the Nigerian authorities can be sustained and further applied in 2022 going forward.
This will give a boost to the economy, but with a patriotic characteristics that is urgently needed because there has to be a mindset change apart from a structural change in the way the country works.
Secondly, we acknowledged the current porous security situation of the nation like many others in the sub Sahara and West African region, Nigeria is struggling with terrorism, Banditry, Kidnapping ,armed robbery and ritual killings.
And the foundation of all this deep crisis that has turned the country into a killing field and uncertainty economic environment in the last ten years old. This is hinge on Economics dislocation of citizens and viable business entities. And this has come to have one of the deplorable impact on the health of the nation economic wellbeing.
Regrettably,the devastating effect and impacts need to be addressed urgently as 2022 gradually unfold, for Nigerians to avoid another difficulty.
Critically, a process of getting things done with the aim of recovery process through economic redistribution of resources in the medium’s and long term would go a long way.
Conversely, we did not also rule out the pandemic years that greatly affected the whole world economy system but since the Nigerian economy was already in such a delicate and complex situation that its impact has been even greater.
What to be done is to stressed, the economic prospects of the nation through adequate infrastructure and incentives that is properly applied across boards from the local government, states and nationally.
In a situation like critical crisis of economic dislocation’s that has affected the poor and down trodden. We expect such economic redistribution policy at this time.
Thirdly, without over exaggeration of the Nigerian economy.It remains African largest markets. But this is paper market without adequately harnessing it local indigenous science and technology to her economy.
A look at developed nation’s,from America,Europe and China. What’ is sustaining there economy’s is the technology that power and propelled there it.
if the Nigeria economy is to get better this year 2022 and in the futures.
It time for ‘Technology ‘ and that technology most be home grown.
It doest not matter if it is copied. Significantly, so far it can be modernised,remodelled and re-engineered with local content features. After all the world we live today is witnessing diffusions and fast spread of knowledge upgrading from all corners.
Although, we are not asking for illegality in acquisition’s of technology fits.
Nevertheless, our nations is ripe for it,with numerous research institutes and technological agencies. For this sake,the National Development Plan 2021-2025 document should kick start this processes, especially with it provisions incorporating local science and technology contents in addressing crude and gas exploration in the country. Another is the Finance Bill 2021 that in it amendment would empower the National Agency for Science and Technology Infrastructure (NASENI) with 1% funding to boost technology fits in the country.
For our quest to make Nigeria
reaches some kind of economic rebound, of economic development after so many years of decline, required critical infusion of indigenous technology backing of significant levels.
Fourthly,the foregoing is tied to unbundling us from economic dependencies that has drastically sustain the high inflation levels and the loss of the value of the national currency. In this case the naira note remains practically worthless against the dollar and others.
The only saving grace for the naira is accelerating our productions sectors,from innovative engineering that science and technology can only provides. In short the crisis with the naira all through previous years is result of import driven economy and poor export strategy.
Unless we balance it by deployment of technology and innovations in our manufacturing sectors.
Fifthly,linking to the above is the crisis in the power sector,a great suggestions to this is to be found also in the 2021-2025 National Development Plan. Projecting an upgrade from the struggling 7500mgwt to 10000wgwt this year 2022.
This demands work and more work.
Sixthly, the challenge in fuel subsidy payment is still with us. And this arises due to shock in oil price at the international market. One solution to importations of Petrol Motor Spirit (PMS) is the ongoing modular refineries built in the Niger delta areas. It is our strong conviction that such investment should be replicated across the six geopolitical zones Even though much hope has been place on the Dangote refinery in Lagos.
Seventh,on the prediction on how the economy wouldn’t perform in 2022 is tied to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Expressly,
patronising locally made good’s and services are still precarious.
Both citizens and peoples in authority are guilty of this. But we commends the initiatives in the purchased of Innosson motor products off which we expect more patronages of other local products in 2022 by government agencies and institutions.
For us the initiative to focus on none oil sector to improve government revenue is practicably to engage with Nigerian innovation and creativity sector’s.
An economy that want to see lower inflation rate must certainly most take advantages of indigenous products and services to to do away with doubled digit year-on-year inflation. And for an economy like ours with many flaws, with growth that, although it is there but lack tangible development’s, insufficient and uneven. Sadly,this is what has characterized the economy in general terms over the years
What we are saying in essence is that for the Gross Domestic Product to have tangibles development indices the patronization of local products and services must be the core driver of the economy in 2022.
Eighth, again,to over come the economic crisis of preceding years will demands strong political decision though not adequate to improve the economy like that of Nigeria’s must go with trust from the citizens.
Citizen’s trusting there governments has a major impact on any political action taken. That is why in Nigeria the mistrust between citizens and people in authority reverse whatever goodwill a policy may have.
In fact as long as there is no sincerity from the political actor’s, who are the ones who take the measure’s, it will be difficult to think that those policies will have the positive impact that Nigerian’s needed.
However, citizens at all levels must see reasons to trust the Nigerian state so as to give there unwavering support to policy geared to stimulate the economy. In this wise people in authority must reciprocates that trust with total commitment that is devoured of corruption.
Importantly, this will drive citizen’s to support local creativities and innovations.
The Nigerian populations has enough role to play in reversing the import dependent of our economy’s significantly.
We must seizes the opportune to better the economy conditions —because if there is mutual trust and less hostility from the government towards the business community. That’s can generate opportunities that should be exploited, as much as possibly in 2022.
Meanwhile,an economic environments where those opportunities will be better for everyone not just some groups over the others
In conclusions, year 2022 provide the Nigerian state the opportunity to safeguards the Welfare’s of the people considers most economically important.
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Economic Agenda and Recommendations for Nigeria in 2022
ASUU dismisses FG’s N52.5bn, says Strike likely soon
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has said the N30bn Revitalisation Fund and N22.5bn Earned Academic Allowance totalling N52.5bn released by the Federal Government is not enough to deal with the challenges facing the university system.
The ASUU President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, noted in an interview with Sunday PUNCH that there was a possibility that the union would still go on strike, unless the government addressed its demands, including the 2009 agreement.
The Federal Government had said it paid lecturers N30bn Revitalisation Fund and N22.5bn Earned Academic Allowance. It noted that it had made some progress in implementing the Memorandum of Understanding the government reached with the union.
Osodeke described the fund released by the government as a token payment, adding that it was not enough for lecturers to change their minds on the suspended strike.
He, therefore, asked the Federal Government to address the issues concerning the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, which the union rejected and asked to be replaced with the University Transparency, Accountability Solution. He also said renegotiation and resuscitation of universities had not been addressed.
The union suspended its nine months strike on December 24, 2020 after its National Executive Council met over the understanding the union had with the Federal Government. The union commenced the strike over the non-payment of salaries of its members who failed to enroll into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel information system and some other agreements the union had with the government.
The union gave deadlines and threatened that it would not hesitate to withdraw its services if the government reneged on its promises. The then President of ASUU, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, said, “What we have done is to give the government the benefit of doubt and that is why we have added the caveat. Should the government renege, our members are not tired of withdrawing their services.”
The suspended strike began in March over the non-payment of salaries of ASUU members who failed to enrol into the Federal Government’s IPPIS, a payroll software mandated for all public officials and some unmet agreements between ASUU and successive administrations. The union embarked on different strike actions since the agreement was signed in 2009.
Speaking on the N52.5bn fund, Osodeke stated, “There is an agreement and we want them to implement the agreement. The issue is not about money. There is the issue of renegotiation, there is the issue of resuscitation of the universities, and there is the issue of UTAS. So, you don’t just come and throw a little money and think the challenge has been resolved.
“This is what our political class is doing. They believe that once they throw a little money, everybody will run back. That is the problem. So, it is not about the token they have given. There are more fundamental issues.”
Osodeke stated that the planned strike in the new year was a possibility, adding that the union decided to shelve the strike earlier because the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council intervened and promised to prevail on the Federal Government to implement the agreement.
He added, “Our going on strike is a possibility. The only reason we relaxed is because a group, Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, intervened. We respect the group so much. The group told us they would intervene and they would ensure that the government implements our agreement. That is why we agreed to the benefit of the Federal Government.
“So, we decided we will give the Federal Government till the end of this year (2021) and see what it will do. Other groups also intervened. That explained why we relaxed going on strike, so that they will not say ASUU likes going on strike.
“The Federal Government should do the needful by embracing the agreement to prevent ASUU from going on strike. Nigeria as a whole will suffer the brunt of ASUU going on strike.”
But the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, said there was no justification for another strike by ASUU, adding that the Federal Government had addressed the issues raised by the union.
He, however, explained that it might not be possible to stop any group that had made up its mind to embark on strike.
In an interview with one of our correspondents, he said, “I have always said my position is that even if you slap me, I will tell you that there is no justification for a strike. It doesn’t matter; if you like, you can kill a goat for the person, if he wants to go on strike, he would go. If you don’t kill a goat for him, and he doesn’t want to go on strike, he will not go on strike.
“Our objective is to train Nigerian children. That is the whole essence of the entire education spending. So, anything that you are in that is not in pursuant of that goal, you are losing means. The fact that you want to go on strike because there is a form of payment which is not accepted, you can decide you want to do that, nobody can beat you for doing that.
“There is no issue they (ASUU) have raised that we have not tackled. I don’t have any disagreement whatsoever with ASUU, none at all. That has always been my position. My attitude is if you want to work, you will; if you don’t want to work, you will not.”
The minister said ASUU understood the implication of its actions and the impact on the education system. He added, “The only reason we asked them to come and lecture is to deliver content for the children.
“They said you didn’t pay them; you paid them, they say it is not enough. You pay them the one they say is NEEDS assessment, they have not even finished utilising the last one, they said you must bring another one. We said okay, we agreed. They said send money for earned allowance, we sent it.
“Anything they say, we have done. But they say they don’t like the way we are doing it. So, are you going to beat somebody who does that.”
On what the Federal Government planned to do if the union goes on strike, the minister said there was no Plan B since there was no possibility of hiring lecturers from the moon.
He said, “If they go on strike, there is no Plan B. We are not going to recruit lecturers from the moon. There is no need for a strike. Nobody can tell me that a strike is needed for anything. If you don’t want to teach, say so, and not that you want to go on strike. For what? There is no basis for any strike in Nigeria.”
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An educationist, Mercy Chepaka, appealed to both the government and ASUU to let the fate of the students and their parents guide them in taking any decision on the lingering issues between them.He added, “When two elephants fight it’s the grass that suffers. Our children bear the brunt of any strike action by the union. These students need to be in school. Education is key and there is no need for them spending more years or even months than they should over issues that can be resolved.”
An educationist at a faith-based College of Education in Enugu State, Peter Onuigbo, also urged the Federal Government to attend to the needs of the union as ‘they are the needs of the people’.
“The government needs to listen to ASUU. The money they are talking about is not for funfair; it is for education. It is for our children. The matter has lingered for so much. How can one issue be on the front burner of national discourse for over 12 years? Education is a priority and it is the only way Nigeria can overcome poverty and a dwindling economy.
“ASUU has been patient enough, but we plead with them to meet with the government again. Let them speak to themselves, come to a conclusion and let this matter end so our children can enter for a programme and be sure of when they are graduating. I know some students who have been in school since 2015 for a four-year course because of these incessant industrial actions by the union.”
Similarly, an educational administrator, Ikechukwu Onuoha, urged the Federal Government to ‘do the needful on the matter. He added, “I don’t want to begin to trade blames. Let the government do what is right. Any country that wants to grow must prioritise education. I also beg the union (ASUU) to sheath their swords and give the government some time to attend to their demands.”
Meanwhile, a professor of English and Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said he had no special appeal for the government on the matter as it seemed to him the Federal Government did not value public universities.
Decrying the level of decay in the system, he said, “Is it not ridiculous that when I became a professor, my salary was N467,000; now it has been reduced to about N416,000. The minimum wage which is supposed to bring an additional N50, 000 is even what made it N416,000.
“Why is it so if not because of the obnoxious thing called IPPIS which has reduced everybody’s salary? It is surprising that what we are earning as lecturers today is what was agreed upon in 2009. Since then, the lecturers in federal universities earn a continually-decreasing salary. After the renegotiation, for which the government set up the committee, would anyone tell me that such a government does not know what it would do?”
He also knocked the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, saying he had not acted as someone who has the interest of the sector at heart.
He added, “Look at a country like Finland which has one of the best educational systems in the world; it does not have any private school. The reason is simple – the government funds all the schools and there is no payment of fees. So, the private institutions would be useless. That is a country. Take a look at Nigeria; we are headed towards the cave if this back and forth continues.
“My concern is no longer with the government but with Nigerians. Let them decide. Do they need public education? If they do, let them tell the government what to do. If not, let them stay and allow ASUU to fight alone. When ASUU stops fighting, the system will collapse and we will then realise.”
He said if the educational system collapses, it would fuel insecurity, as he appealed to Nigerians to fight for their rights to good education.
“How can the government wait till there is a strike before they can fund education? This is how you know they don’t care about the system,” he noted.
Governor Lalong Advocates Cultural Revival In Addressing Social Vices At BIT POL 2021
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has advocated the revival of cultural values as a way of addressing the social malaise that is fuelling insecurity in Nigeria.
The Governor was speaking at his hometown of Ajikamai, Shendam LGA during the 2022 Bit Pol Cultural Festival.
Lalong said the level of moral decay is largely responsible for the breakdown of social order that is increasing violent crimes and criminality which is threatening national peace.
He said the celebration of cultural festivals such as the Bit Pol should provide an opportunity not only to reunite people, but also lead them to conduct soul-searching that will interogate things that have led to the level of instability and violence in the country.
He urged Nigerians to strengthen their resolve to play a part in supporting the Government to provide the needed leadership that will address the current insecurity in the country in 2022.
He said ” No meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of insecurity and chaos. That is why we continue to emphasise as a Government that our people must not only live in peace with one another, but also be at alert to fish out criminal elements among them who constitute a threat. I have continuously admonished the traditional institution particularly at the grassroots level to be very proactive about security because they are the closest to the people. The challenges we face today by the activities of kidnappers, terrorists and other violent criminals means that we should be on our toes and stay ahead of them”.
Lalong reminded the Ajikamai Community Development Association of the urgent need to mobilise all resources towards ensuring that they create job opportunities for youths so as to prevent them from getting into crimes. He said apart from opportunities in the cities, there is a lot that can be done in the rural area because of our agricultural potentials.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Idris Wase, praised Governor Lalong for giving the necessary leadership to the State under the ruling APC which has attracted many Federal Projects to Plateau State including the Federal Polytechnic Ny’ak, cited in Ajikamai. He said the achievements of the APC in the State has further deepened the acceptability of the party among the citizens.
Chairman of the occassion Rt. Hon. Yusuf Gagdi said Governor Lalong has shown that he is a true son of Ajikamai that is well groomed in the culture and tradition of the Gamai people by being honest, humble, hardworking and tolerant. According to him, the Governor has demonstrated the culture of hospitality and love to people of Plateau State and Nigeria at large by being fair and compassionate.
Senators Nora Dadu’ut and Hezekiah Dimka also commended the people of Ajikamai for raising a worthy son in Governor Lalong who has carried the State along and made giant strides in addressing major developmental projects across the entire State.
The Long Gamai Miskoom Martin Shandas III commended the organisers of Bit Pol for sustaining the festival and added that he was very happy by the level of cultural awakening in Gamailand which instills hope and prospect for a better future.
Philanthropist donates wrappers to 100 widows in Nasarawa State
rom Leo Nzwanke, Lafia
Mr Peter Enna, a philanthropist has donated assorted wrappers to 100 widows in Nassarawa-Eggon and Lafia Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Nasarawa State.
Speaking at a ceremony to present the items to the beneficiaries on Saturday in Lafia, the donor said he has decided to put smiles in the faces of the vulnerable at the beginning of a brand new year.
He also donated Maggi cube and Sault to all the 100 windows.
He explained that this is the tenth times he is distributing the items to the vulnerable to give them a reason to go on with life.
He added that the support would also go a long way to enable them look after themselves and the children their deceased husbands left behind.
“This gesture is part of my contribution to give back to the society toward making it conducive for all to live irrespective of financial or social status.
“I stated this around 2011, ten years ago when I saw the need to thank God for what he has been doing for me and the entire family by sharing with the needy.
“Our parents give birth to ten of us and we are all alive and our parents are alive as well, so we needed to thank God,” Mr Enna added.
He said they entire family had also offered a Thanksgiving at the Church to appreciate God for keeping them alive throughout 2021 to see 2022.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Christina Haniba, a widow from Kagbu community of Nassarawa-Eggon LGA expressed gratitude for the gesture adding that, it would help them greatly.
Mrs Christiana Haniba added that it means a lot to them to receive such gesture at the beginning of the year that things are difficult and pray God to bless the donor.
She therefore appealed to other spirited individuals to always support the vulnerable especially widows and orphans to make there lives worthwhile.
Cell Break: A Kidnapper, Vandal Escapes From Egume Police Cell In Kogi
From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
An alleged Kidnapper who recently killed his victim and transferred from Lokoja to Egume police station and an electrical vandal were said to have escaped from the Egume Police cell on new year’s eve.
The vandal who specialises in vandalizing NEPA cabble and thunder copper protectors and a professional kidnapper conspired and beat all the security outfits of the police to escape from the cell on this fateful day.
According to our correspondent, the notorious vandal was allegedly arrested by Akogu Omaga Vigilante Guards few weeks ago and later handed them over to the Egume Police Division for further investigation and justice while the alleged Kidnapper was transferred to Egume Police custody few days ago.
It was gathered that the activities of this vandal has on several occasions thrown Egume Community into darkness due to incessant theft of Transformer components and copper wires within Egume metropolis.
While the people of the area were enthusiastically expecting thorough investigation and justice on the arrested culprits to serve as a deterrent to others in the community, people were sadly informed on 1st January 2022 that the culprit escaped from the Police custody on the eve of the new year.
When contacted, the Egume Divisional Police Officer, DSP. Sylvester .A said he was not competent to speak to the press but has done his part and has referred the matter to the state command for further investigation.
It was gathered that the Station officer, Inspector Yunusa alleged that he was deceived by the criminals that they needed water to flush the toilet adding that in an attempt, he was overpowered.
Sources closed to the Police hinted our correspondent that the two inspectors have since been arrested and detained at the Egume Divisional Police.
In his reaction, the Security Chairman of the area, Hon. Gowon Omale frowned at the suspected foul play in the entire exercise saying that the officer at the gate was not there as at the time other officers were shouting for a closure of the gate when it was noticed that criminals were on rampage.
Omale suspected a foul play among the two Police inspectors, Yunusa and Atabor who allegedly conspired with the escapees.
Hon. Gowon Omale who condemned the laxity of the police stressed that the acclaimed synergy between the Police and other security agencies in curbing criminality in the society may not be achieved under this situation.
It would be recalled that the people of the community have cried out severally over the shabby deals of some police officers that have spent between eight and nine years in Egume Community without transfer, which according to them could lead to familiarity in criminality.
When contacted, the state Command of the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Williams Ayah could not be reached for comment as his phone was highly engaged.
Senator Wamakko Connects Sanyinna Town With National Grid
By Muhammad Goronyo,Sokoto
The Former Governor of Sokoto state and serving Senator Representing Sokoto North Senatorial District Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko has promised to look into the complaints of the people of Sanyinna town of Tambuwal local government area,Sokoto state over their disconnection to national grid for about four years now.
The former Governor was speaking, Friday when he had a stopped over at Sanyinna town on his way back to Sokoto from Kebbi state.
He said very soon he would look into the possibility of making sure their tears are wiped so as to continue with their normal life for economic growth in the area.
Earlier, One of the APC leaders in the area Alhaji Bafashi Sanyinna told the Senator that for the past four years, Sanyinna town has been in blackout as all the power cables were disconnected from Marmaro Area to Yabo junction.
He said they made all effort to the authority concerned but all went without success.They appealed to Senator Wamakko to as a matter of urgency rescue them and re-connect them with the National grid as all their business activities were grounded.
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Gov Ortom Lauds Nigerians over Resilience Amidst Insecurity, Economic Meltdown
By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has lauded Benue citizens in particular and Nigerians generally over their resilience amidst insecurity and economic meltdown.
The Governor who gave this commendation in his New year message, maintained that Nigerians have demonstrated high spirit of survival against challenges of insecurity and economic down turn, the situations he said were compounded by the outbreak of the dreaded Covid-19 virus.
Ortom who noted that last year was quite challenging, nevertheless expressed optimism that the experience of 2021 would serve as vital tools that would guide people to thrive in the years to come.
He acknowledged the tremendous support he enjoyed from the people of the state since assumption of office, assuring that his administration would continue to accord the welfare, interest and well-being of the citizens top most priority.
The Governor further assured that he would continue to implement policies and programs that would impact positively the lives of the people, stressing that the new year would bring good tidings as well as restore hope and confidence among the citizens.
Governor Ortom admonished the citizens to remain vigilant against bandits, terrorists who have continued to wreck havoc in our farming communities. He called on the people to cooperate with security operatives to stamp out bandits.
The Governor through his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur wishes the citizens a prosperous New year.
Tambuwal Commends Sultan Sa’ad For Peaceful Coexistence
Muhammad Goronyo, Sokoto
Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has been applauded for working assiduously in strengthening of peace and unity in the country without being partisan.
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state gave the commendation on New Year eve while receiving the main report of a stakeholders committee on security set up by sokoto state government and led by the Sultan.
The Governor urged the Sultan not to be distracted or discouraged by detractors and encouraged him to continue with what he is doing in preaching peace and unity in the country.
Thanking the Sultan for accepting to serve as the chairman of the committee and also for his support and cooperation to his administration, Tambuwal
said his choice as the chairman was predicated on many reasons including his current role monarchical role as a spiritual and temporal leader who was also a former military officer who served in many capacities covering security matters.He appealed to citizens in the state to engage in constructive criticism especially on issues of security.
Tambuwal commended the leaders and people in the state for setting aside their political differences and converging August last year to attend the stakeholders security meeting held at Kasarawa Conference Center.
Giving kudos to the security agencies in the state for their synergy and urging them not to relent as the security improves, the governor assured that his administration will implement the Sultan Committee report fully.
In his remarks, Sultan Abubakar said after the forming of the main committee it swung into action and formed four sub committees on security, traditional affairs and religious groups as well as the three arms of government and the civil society groups.
He said all of these worked diligently and submitted their respective reports to the main committee which harmonized and compiled a final copy of the report.
The Sultan said if the report is implemented the security challenges in the state will be reduced drastically.
He appealed to people of the state to set aside negative politics when it comes to security issues and urged the leaders to be just and fair in their leadership.
He also urged imams and the Ulama to continue to pray for peace and peaceful coexistence so that the security challenges in the state and country in general will be overcomed.
SOSG Expends N1.6b On Various Projects
By Muhammad Goronyo,Sokoto
Sokoto state executive council has approved the sum of over N1.631 billion for the execution of various projects across the state this year.
This was part of the outcome of a state executive council meeting held at Government House, Sokoto on Friday, as contained in a statement by his media aide, Bello Muhammad.
A breakdown of the sum shows that the construction of a tarred road from Maruda-Tsaki- Lambo-Gantamo-Gajara will gulp over N475 millon while N221 million will be spent on the purchase of bulk of rural water scheme maintenance materials.
The state Commissioner for Information, Hon. Isah Bajini Galadanchi, who briefed newsmen after the meeting, further gave the remaining breakdown as
the approval of the sum of over N420 million for the rehabilitation of 120 number broken water scheme in the rural areas of the state.The Commissioner assisted by his Rural Development counterpart, Alhaji Usman Dan Madami Isa, added that the council has also approved the purchase of electrical materials for use in rural areas at the cost of N515 million.
CMG president extends New Year greetings to overseas audiences
Shen Haixiong, president of China Media Group in an address on January 1, 2022 sent New year’s greetings to his overseas audiences through the CGTN, China Radio International and social media.
The full address is given below:Dear friends,
The New Year’s first ray of sunshine is illuminating the world. The new year is the Year of the Tiger on the Chinese lunar calendar. I would like to extend my best wishes from Beijing, wishing you a year full of prosperity and vitality!2021 marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Grown from some 50 people a century ago into a party with more than 90 million members today, the CPC has led the Chinese people in creating a great Chinese miracle. Ushering in the new era, the country with a population of 1.4 billion has completed the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping, solving the historical problem of absolute poverty that had plagued the country for thousands of years.
To faithfully record the new era, China Media Group (CMG) produced an array of quality feature series last year, including “Making a New China,” “Up and Out of Poverty” and “People’s Xiaokang,” which recorded the course of the hard struggle of the CPC and the Chinese people, and presented the century-long “intrinsic genes” of the CPC to the international community. A month ago, on the occasion marking the 80th anniversary of the launch of the Chinese people’s overseas broadcasting services, President Xi sent a congratulatory letter to CMG, encouraging us to tell China’s story well, make China’s voice heard by the world and build a competitive and modern type of mainstream media outlet with remarkable prowess to inspire, communicate and influence. We will continue to spare no efforts towards achieving that goal!
An ancient Chinese sage once said, “Success only comes through hard work.” The world is undergoing profound changes unprecedented in a century, intertwined with the once-in-a-century COVID-19 pandemic, but we have never stopped our pursuit of peace, development and happiness. CMG’s programs, such as “China in the Stories,” “China in the Classics” and “Chinese Culture in Toponymy,” documented the country’s deep and solid history and people’s vitality in their everyday lives. Programs including “National Parks” and “The Olympism and Art” recorded the scenes of “Beautiful China” and “Healthy China” in the new era. The global live broadcast of “Tiangong Class” from China’s space station inspired youngsters to explore the mysteries of the universe. When a herd of 16 wild elephants from Yunnan Province wandered from south to north and back home, platforms including CGTN, Yangshipin and CCTV News Digital kept track of every step, delivering over 7,000 hours of livestreaming, which made the “wandering elephants” a hot topic across the world.
Sticking to the facts is the basis of journalism around the globe. In the past year, we have promoted fairness and justice through seeking truth. In the face of the false “global COVID-19 ranking,” we released three rounds of global surveys so as to clarify the truth and distinguish right from wrong. They were echoed and acknowledged by hundreds of millions of overseas online users. In reporting the situation in Afghanistan, CMG’s exclusive on-the-spot videos revealed the abuse of force by a certain country that disregarded human life, and these reports were taken as important sources of information for the global media. We will continue to work as a responsible and professional media company and strive to seek truth! I hope our Western counterparts value the reputation of the media along with us! Let the truth defeat political expediency, racial discrimination and ideological bias, and let’s work together to build an objective, fair, positive and healthy international public opinion environment.
“Nothing, not even mountains and oceans, can separate people with shared goals and vision.” CMG has made many friends in the past year. We exchanged over 600 letters with our international media colleagues and friends, and also met both online and offline over 20 times. We worked together to build a media partnership and cooperation mechanism with diversity, inclusiveness, equality and mutual trust. These candid and warm exchanges built bridges of trust, and those enthusiastic calls and letters encouraged us to do better. Thank you for your trust!
In an era where anything is possible, we are embracing the media innovation with the spirit of “elephants also learn to dance hip-hop.” During the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, CMG broadcast the world’s first live coverage of Olympic events on a 4K Ultra HD channel. The channel attracted more than 400 million viewers within three months of its launch. In just over 30 days, the Olympic flame will once again be lit in Beijing, during Chinese New Year. With the technologies of “5G+4K/8K+AI,” CMG has set up a livestreaming carriage on the high-speed train from Beijing to Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province. It’s the first tech solution in the world to record and broadcast with Ultra HD streaming on high-speed trains. We would very much like to share it with our global counterparts, and jointly present a wonderful and extraordinary Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics to the world.
“Roaring tigers in green mountains bring prosperity from afar; The breeze swaying green willows sends spring to households.” In the coming year, the CPC will hold its 20th National Congress to draw a blueprint for China’s future. With the spirit of pursuing excellence, precision and perfection, we will strive to produce more quality programs to present the vitality of China from multiple perspectives in the new era to the international community, and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
I give my best wishes to you and the world!
