Category: News

In a breaking development, the Supreme Court has rejected an application by Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aimed at unseating Hope Uzodinma from his position as the governor of Imo State.

Ihedioha sought the court’s intervention to issue a consequential order to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the issuance of a certificate of return, declaring him the duly elected governor of Imo State in the 2019 election.

Justice Tijjani Abubakar, delivering the lead judgment on Tuesday, declared the application lacked merit, deeming it frivolous and vexatious. He asserted that the court lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter, highlighting that the stipulated 60-day period for addressing the election matter had expired.

Furthermore, Justice Abubakar imposed a fine of N40 million on Mike Ozekhome, SAN, the Counsel for the PDP, for bringing forth the matter before the court.

Additional details will follow as the story develops.

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Christian women nationwide and northern Nigeria in particular are poised for showdown over the continued incarceration of their member, Mrs. Rhoda Ya’u Jatau for alleged blasphemy.

Mrs. Jatau, a mother of five, was sent to jail for reportedly sharing a message among her Co-workers criticising a mob attacked and killing of a University girl, Deborah Yakubu, who was accused of alleged blasphemy.

Mrs. Jatau has been in detention since May 2022 when she shared a WhatsApp video condemning mob action against another woman, Deborah Yakubu, who was killed after been framed of alleged blasphemy.

Christian women, in a widely circulated mobilization statement on social media, expressed serious fear over the fate of Mrs. Jatau, saying history may repeat it self if nothing is done to released her from been tried in a Sharia Court.

“Dear Women of ICCGIN! We were pained at Deborah’s killing. It is about to happen again. Are we going to just lament and do nothing?

“What is Rhoda’s crime? She spoke up against Deborah’s killing. They held her in custody since last year May and now she is to be tried in a sharia court.

“Why? Why should a Christian be tried in the sharia court? And none of our leaders are saying anything. Does it mean that any Christian can be lynched at any time for no just cause? This is unacceptable. We have to do something about it.

“We should stand up for our sister in faith. We can do the following:
*Share the above in all Christian and civil society groups you belong to.
*Trend on all your social media platforms: #FreeRhodaJatauNOW

*Protest at Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) & PFN Offices so that they stand up to their responsibilities’, the ICCGIN women stated.

Contacted, a highly placed Christian leader in Northern Nigeria who’s permission to identify him was not sought, however stated that “Northern CAN officers are afraid to speak to the Government that is why I only speak”, he Stated.

The Christian leader was responding to question, on whether he “Would you like to say a word or two on the continues incarceration and trial of Mrs. Rhoda Jatau in Sharia court, for criticizing mob attack and killing of Deborah on alleged blasphemy, on behalf of northern CAN.

However, speaking to our correspondent, CAN Chairman Kaduna State Rev. Joseph John Hayab stated that “Mrs. Rhoda Jatau’s continual incarceration has further confirmed that persecution of Christians in some states of northern Nigeria is real and not propaganda.

“The pattern of Mrs. Rhoda trial and constant adjournment to keep her long in prison has also exposed how Nigeria courts are used by those who flaunt their connection with the powers that be to victimize fellow citizens whose rights are being abused by others instead of protecting them with dignity.

“Mrs Rhoda is just one out of many who are suffering this neglect and the country is silence about them.

“Nigeria Christians and every citizens must be protected by the law and should not be treated this way.
“The inhuman treatment many Nigerians are getting from institutions of Government that should be seen, protecting them is the reasons why many are not patriotic.

“CAN Kaduna State wishes to appeal to the Governor of Bauchi State and the President of the federal Republic of Nigeria through the office of the Attorney General to correct this wrong to give country hope for a united Nigeria”, he stated.

Al Jazeera news report, published on 30th November 2023, had reported extensively that Mrs. Jatau was arrested few after forwarding a video condemning the burning to death of Deborah Yakubu, a university student in Sokoto, northwest Nigeria.

Titled “Nigerian woman jailed for ‘blasphemy’ for 18 months over WhatsApp message”, the report stated that Mrs. Jatau has been in detention since May 2022 when she shared a WhatsApp video condemning mob action on another woman.

“For sharing a message among her co-workers that criticised a mob action last May, Rhoda Ya’u Jatau has spent the last year in police detention on charges of blasphemy towards Islam.

“The healthcare administrator with the Warji local government in Bauchi, northeastern Nigeria was arrested a few days after forwarding the video condemning the burning to death of Deborah Yakubu, a university student in Sokoto, another state, over alleged blasphemy.

“Prosecutors allege that by sharing the video, Jatau, then 45, committed multiple offences of inciting disturbance, contempt” for religious creed, and cyberstalking.

“Last Monday, a Bauchi state high court rejected her “no-case submission”. Kola Alapinni, lead counsel at Abuja-based nonprofit Foundation for Religious Freedom who is familiar with the case, told Al Jazeera that the defence team is expected to make a case when the court sits again in December.

“If found guilty, Jatau, a mother of five and Christian, could be sentenced to a few years in prison, he said.

“The court’s decision has sparked public outrage in parts of Nigeria, a country with a history of religious extremism.

“This really shows how far extremism has permeated deeply into our institutions,” said Ndi Kato, politician and executive director of Dinidari, an advocacy group for women’s rights in the Middle Belt region, as central Nigeria is often referred to.

“You will lock a person for just forwarding a message because you don’t think that it favours what you believe in? I don’t think that has any place in our society today.”

“Half of Nigerians are Muslims and a slightly smaller proportion – 45 percent – of their compatriots are Christians but Nigeria is officially a secular country whose constitution allows for freedom of speech and religious association.

“For decades, religious tensions have found their way into many facets of life in what is also an ethnically diverse country. This is most pronounced in northern Nigeria where many states have adopted variations of the conservative Islamic law since the country’s return to democracy in 1999.
“Before and after the law, dissenting beliefs and opinions or actions deemed to be blasphemy have routinely sparked riots, mob action, or jail sentences in the region. Across the north, judgements critics of Islamic law consider harsh, including death by stoning, have been handed out repeatedly.

“This has also been the case in Bauchi, one of Nigeria’s 36 states, which is wedged between the predominantly Christian Middle Belt and the mostly Muslim northeast. The state adopted Islamic law in 2001.

“Nigeria is one of the 12 countries in the world that still criminalises blasphemy and one of the seven where it is punishable by death, according to Alapinni.

“Isa Sanusi, country director for Amnesty International in Nigeria, said blasphemy or accusations of blasphemy are now a tool for gross human rights violations or even for “settling personal scores”.

“Repeatedly, Nigerian authorities failed to uphold and protect human rights by making sure that people are not either killed or attacked for expressing their opinions,” he told Al Jazeera.

“Wakili Mathew Laslimbo, the General secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Bauchi, said the minority Christian community in the state is unhappy about Jatau’s arrest.

He told Al Jazeera that the association had tried everything possible to help, including trying to meet the state Governor, to no avail.

“The arrest proves to us that the freedom of speech and religion is highly restricted, the church continues to pray for her during gatherings,” her pastor Rev Ishaku Dano Ayuba told Al Jazeera.

“The Bauchi state government did not respond to a request for comments. Temitope Ajayi, a presidential spokesperson, told Al Jazeera that the federal government had no knowledge of the case”, it stated.

Rhoda Jatau had reportedly appeared in court in Bauchi alongside prison officials previously.

Similarly, “Mubarak Bala, an atheist and president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria who was arrested on the allegation of a blasphemous post on his Facebook account, has been in detention since 2020.
Similarly, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Sufi (Islamic) gospel artist, was sentenced to death on the charge of sharing blasphemous song lyrics on WhatsApp. The case is still in court.

Amnesty International has called for their immediate and unconditional release, as well as protection of their rights afterwards.

“Nigerian authorities must wake up to their national and international legal obligations to protect and promote human rights, including the right to freedom of religion,” Amnesty director Sanusi said.

In August, the United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief released a statement on the issue.

“We express concern over the criminalisation of blasphemy in Nigeria contrary to international human rights law and standards and the rising episodes of violence relating to accusations of blasphemy targeting religious minorities in Nigeria,” it said.

According to Sanusi, the latest case underscores the need for justice through a fair trial of all people suspected of responsibility for mob violence to deter would-be perpetrators.

After Yakubu’s lynching in Sokoto, the arrested perpetrators were let off the hook due to the negligence of the prosecution who refused to show up at the court hearing. In contrast, since Jatau was arrested by the police, she has been denied bail and her family has been in hiding for fear of violence against them.

Jatau’s ongoing ordeal, Dindari’s Kato said, is part of a pattern that signals that women in the north and Nigeria as a country are not safe.

“A person who was complaining about this injustice is the person that is going to jail,” she said. “Extremism takes out women and it is just disheartening. This means that women are not safe and we need to speak.”

Last August, the sultan of Sokoto, considered the leader of all Muslims in Nigeria, told new recruits in the one-year mandatory national youth service programme that Islamic law would not apply to non-Muslims among them.

Alapinni agrees, pointing out that Nigeria’s Court of Appeal had indeed ruled in two earlier cases that Islamic law is limited to Islamic personal law which includes succession, inheritance, and marriage.

“There is no room under the constitution for Sharia criminal law,” he said. “The sultan [of Sokoto] is right when he says the Sharia law is not supposed to affect non-Muslims. In fact, the Sharia criminal law should not have been promulgated in the first place [it] has no place in a country multicultural, diverse and multireligious like Nigeria,” he said.

Banking halls witnessed massive crowds on Monday as customers hurried to link their Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and National Identity Numbers (NIN) to their bank accounts. The surge followed a recent directive from the banking regulator instructing banks to restrict access to accounts for customers who had not linked their BVN and NIN. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) emphasized the need for proper profiling of existing customers and the tagging of valid BVN and/or NIN.

The directive stated that unfunded accounts or wallets would be placed on ‘Post no debit or credit’ until the new process was satisfied, effective immediately. Furthermore, from March 1, 2024, funded accounts or wallets would also face the same restriction. “Post no debit” indicates a limitation imposed by banks, preventing customers from making withdrawals, transfers, or debits from their accounts.

Large queues were observed at various banks, including Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, and First Bank. The rush was particularly noticeable at the Ojodu/Berger branches. Some bank officials reported an increase in the number of customers attending to BVN-related matters. The scarcity of cash in banks has persisted despite the CBN’s directive to continue accepting old and redesigned naira banknotes. The shortage has led to rationing of naira notes and limited cash dispensation at ATMs.

Data from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System revealed that over 75 million bank accounts could be affected by the directive, as only 59 million BVN registrations were recorded as of October 9, 2023. The cash shortage is attributed to concerns that the CBN may ban some old denominations by the year-end. However, the CBN has assured that all versions of N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes, both old and redesigned, will continue to be legal tender.

Despite ongoing cash scarcity, there has been no new directive limiting cash transactions, according to some bank spokespersons. The situation is being attributed to possible hoarding of cash that has not been reintroduced into the economy.

Concerned All Progressives Congress, APC, Stakeholders in Benue State have condemned the recent attacks on the Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, by the Party’s Local Government Chairmen and the State Working Committee, SWC.

The APC allegedly accused the Governor for abandoning the party in the state among several other accusations against Governor Alia.

Reading the communique issued after their meeting held in Makurdi, the Benue State capital before Journalists, leader of the forum and former President of the Senate, Chief Ameh Ebute, described the attacks as a ploy to distract the Governor from fulfilling his campaign promises to people of the state.

“This unfortunate incident by the APC Local Government Chairmen, has opened a vista for the opposition to take full advantage, culminating in a recent motion sponsored by an opposition (PDP) Senator from Benue against the Government of Benue State.

We are clearly not in support of the actions of the Local Government party Chairmen, and the party state execution committee, particularly for their inability to explore all necessary avenues for proper engagements before resorting to unnecessary media outings that have further escalated what would have easily been managed internally by the party.”

The group admonished all concerned party members to desist from further public outings and stop any impending action that will further cause disunity in the party, even as they counseled the Governor to discountenance all distractions and continue his focus on developing the state with the dialogue so far employed.

He continued: “The party Local Government Chairmen and State Working Committee, are by this communique requested to desist from further actions and retreat to allow elders and stakeholders to wade into the matter and seek appropriate answers to all issues.”

The forum expressed their total vote of confidence on Governor Hyacinth Alia, and his team, and assured the Governor of their continued support.

“To be continues for vulnerable

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

A total of 1000 persons have so far benefitted from the five-day free medical outreach sponsored by a Member of the House of Representatives (HOR), Mr. Daniel Amos.

Mr. Amos who’s representing Jama’a/Sanga Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, pledged to continue with the free medical outreach for the vulnerable members of the society till eternity.

While flagging off the outreach at the Sir Patrick Yakowa General Hospital, Kafanchan, Jama’a Local Government Area, the Lawmaker who’s also the Chairman of the House of Representatives committee on House Services, said the free medical outreach was aimed at improving the well-being of people, especially the vulnerable members of the society.

According to him, “Investments in health care, education and social protection are not just good for the individuals who directly benefit from it, but also good for the society’s growth and political stability.”

He said the exercise is part of the burning desire to put smiles on the faces of his people especially the less privileged who find it difficult to meet the daily demands of life.

“The free medical health care being offered today was born out of my passion and commitment to put smiles on the faces of many people who are daily suffering in silence with their health condition.

“The major objective for the outreach is to bring healthcare services closer to the people at the community level at no cost. A lot of people with one underlying ailment or the other are dying in silence because they can’t afford the exorbitant hospital bill,” he added.

The Lawmaker assured of his commitment to continue with the free medical outreach “as long as I am alive”.

“This free medical outreach which is its second edition in less than one year, is going to continue as long as I am alive. It would even continue even after I am gone. It will be transformed into a foundation. It means that this free medical outreach will continue until we cannot find someone to reach out to.”

According to the lawmaker, the gesture was the beginning of the fulfillment of his campaign promises.

“During the campaigns, I pledge to provide free medical health care service every year to vulnerable members of our constituency and beyond”, he stated.

Our correspondent gathered that the five-day free medical program, which was organized in collaboration with Graceland Health Care Development Foundation, paid particular attention to free medical surgeries, issuance of eyeglasses, and eye surgeries, aside from general medical services.

The lawmaker, who thanked Graceland Health Care Foundation for the collaboration, appealed to the people to continue to keep the peace to pave the way for meaningful development.

In his remark, the Senator representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, Sunday Marshall Katung, who was represented by Mr. Yohanna Allahmagani congratulated Mr. Amos for achieving the feat and urged all to maximally support him to attend more.

Earlier, the People’s Democratic Party Chairman, of Jemaa Local Government area, Mr. Nathaniel Bawa, hailed Mr. Amos for investing in the health of the people and described it as heartwarming.

Giving royal blessings to the exercise on behalf of other traditional rulers, the Chief of Godogodo, Reverend Habila Sa’idu, described the gesture as “uncommon”.

The Medical exercise has 5 centers, comprising Kagoma, Kafanchan, Gidan Waya, Fadan Karshi, and Gwantu. END

The November salaries of more than 2,000 civil servants in Federal Government ministries, departments, and agencies have been withheld, according to confidential sources. A senior civil servant from the Federal Ministry of Defence revealed that a significant number of employees had not received their salaries, possibly due to the recent verification conducted by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

Another senior civil servant from a top federal government agency explained that a percentage of civil servants had their salaries withheld due to discrepancies in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). “About 2,000 civil servants are actually involved, and it’s due to failed verification on the IPPIS,” he stated.

The delay is linked to the recent verification process, and it affects various civil servants who are undergoing scrutiny for discrepancies on the IPPIS platform. When contacted, the spokesperson for the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, mentioned that salaries had started dropping but not for all civil servants. The National President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants, Tommy Etim, confirmed ongoing efforts by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to address the issues, emphasizing the need for affected workers to check for updates on the HOS website. Etim warned that approximately 5,000 civil servants risked forfeiting their November and December salaries due to IPPIS verification and other discrepancies. He urged the government to expedite action to prevent a delay in December salaries.

President Bola Tinubu conveyed deep sorrow over the accidental bombing of Tudun Biri community in Kaduna State by the Nigerian Army, labeling the incident as “very unfortunate, disturbing, and painful.” In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu extended condolences to the families of the victims, the people, and the government of Kaduna State.

The incident, which occurred during the celebration of Maulud, an Islamic event, resulted in widespread outrage and condemnation. Survivors reported about 93 bodies buried by Monday evening, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation. Tinubu called for calm and directed a comprehensive medical response for surviving victims while expressing prayers for the repose of the souls of the deceased.

The Nigerian Army’s mistargeted bombing in Tudun Biri has sparked concerns and demands for accountability, prompting Governor Uba Sani to order a thorough investigation to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Tinubu echoed the call for a full-fledged investigation into the incident and other mishaps, emphasizing the importance of diligence in addressing the loss of lives.

The President directed authorities to provide swift and comprehensive medical attention to surviving victims, highlighting the necessity of understanding and preventing such tragic incidents.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is set to convene a meeting ahead of renewed negotiations between the Federal Government and organized labor concerning the new minimum wage. The objective is to establish a living wage in line with the current cost of living.

Despite recent assaults on workers and leaders in Imo State, the NLC remains resolute in advocating for workers’ rights, emphasizing the importance of freedom of association and collective bargaining as outlined in the 1999 Constitution and ILO Conventions 87 and 98.

Addressing the NLC 2023 Harmattan School in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero, represented by Deputy President Benjamin Anthony, condemned the assault in Imo State and urged the government to address labor issues, pay outstanding salaries and pensions, and reinstate victimized workers.

In the context of challenging living conditions, worsened by the removal of the petroleum subsidy, Ajaero stressed the need for well-motivated and well-remunerated workers, highlighting their positive impact on productivity and national development.

Participants were encouraged to approach the training with a thirst for knowledge, asking questions, and sharing experiences. The event was attended by representatives of the Minister of Labour and Employment, the ILO, NECA, FES, and other notable figures.

The NLC remains committed to pursuing decent work and improving working conditions across various sectors of the economy.

The attention of the Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI) has been drawn to the Africa’s premier flagship news making event and formidable platform as a result of the remarkable milestones generated to the tune of 34.82 billion investment during the recently held Africa Investment Forum (AIF) market place in Marrakesh, Morocco from 8 to 10th November, 2023. The African renaissance platform of connectivity and corridors with its challenges of poverty, unemployment, insecurity, inequality and inconsistencies of government policies including intra-African trade that has remained abysmally low at about 15% must be re-engineered for growth by the continent’s leaders, so as to meet with other developing nations. Indeed, African leaders has so much on their table to be delivered which has been championed by the AIF an arm of the AfDB to continuously guide, encourage and support the economic growth and paradigm shift in the continent.

The Africa Investment Forum (AIF), which is an arm of the Africa Development Bank (AfDB), recently held an annual investment forum entitled ‘Africa’s Investment Market Place in Marrakesh, Morocco,’ with a bankable $34.82 billion investment interest.

The theme of the three-day event was, “Unlocking Africa’s Value Chains.” The event which was graced by His Majesty, Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, was a high-level, top-notch event and a very successful one. It was aimed at charting a new course for Africa’s new prosperity and connectivity.

The auspicious African flagship platform and global brand was attended by Heads of State and Governments; Ministers from Africa; Captains of Industries and Corporate Africa, prominent among whom were His Excellency, Mr. Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros, and Chairperson of the African Union; Her Excellency, Ms. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania; Her Excellency, Ms. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Republic of Barbados; His Excellency, Mr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone; His Excellency, Mr. Edouard Ngirente, Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda; Her Excellency, Ms. Nadia Fettah Alaoni, Minister of Economy and Finance of the Kingdom of Morocco, and Honourable Ministers that included Professor Benedict Oramah, President of the African Export-Import Bank; Mr. Samaila Zubairu, President of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC); Mr. Alain Ebobisse, Chief Executive Officer of the Africa 50; Ms. Boitumelo Mosako, Chief Executive Officer of the Development Bank of Southern Africa; Mr. Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank; Dr Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, President of the Islamic Development Bank; Mr. Admassu Tadesse, President Emeritus and Managing Director, Trade and Development Bank; His Excellency, Babajide Sanwolu of Lagos State of Nigeria. Others in attendance were business leaders and investors from around the globe.

Sub-themes discussed at the event included: Digital Disruptors and Transformative Technology, Renewable Energy and Natural Capital; Accelerating Green Growth, Climate-Resilient Infrastructure; Securing the Future, Capital Market; Mobilizing Investment for Transformational Growth, Africa’s Creative Industries: Strategies for Promoting Investment and Growth, and was a response to the Feed Africa Commitment of the AfDB and other Partners at Africa Investment Forum, which unveiled a platform known as the Alliance for Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones to mobilise equity funding for the continent’s agro-ecosystem.

At the event, King Mohammed VI reiterated that Africa Investment Forum was the place where bankable projects in Africa meet with investors, where investors meet with Heads of State and Governments in investment boardrooms converge and give comfort to investment as a result of which risks are managed and deals closed.

According to the Executive Secretary of Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI), Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, who was a participant, “The event has been considered by stakeholders as the most strategic and important in terms of conveying power and capacity to galvanise investment actions on the continent, and harness its resources. From what happened in Morocco, the Africa Investment Forum (AIF) is indeed, renowned to be Africa’s premier investment market place.”

At this year’s event, His Excellency, Mr. Omar Kabbaj, Advisor to the King, representing His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, stated: “The AIF is unique, it is not just any forum; it is a transactional platform, where real business is conducted; where deals are made and where actions supersede rhetoric.”

It was also revealed that since the launch of the Africa Investment Forum in 2018, AIF has drawn more than 16, 500 participants; generated investment interests of nearly $143 billion.

A retrospective analysis was made at the 2022 AIF Market Days, wherein the Abidjan – Lagos highway corridor was able to secure $15.5 billion of investment interests: What makes the AIF unique and remarkable is that it is highly innovative and 100% transactional. Investors have discovered that there is no other global investment forum like it. “They develop and curate projects; reduce transaction costs and risks and accelerate the closure of deals. They also improve the overall business environment within which projects and investments are structured, developed and delivered, making investments to land in Africa smoothly.”

Nevertheless, this corridor will transform the entire West Africa region and speed up regional integration and trade. Also, last year, other investment interests were secured for 3.6 billion dollars for the East Africa Railway corridor, linking Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi respectively. That the AIF has so far closed on deals, investment gaps with 11 billion dollars, ranging from Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) renewable energy, agribusiness, industrial manufacturing, creative industry, housing and transport.

According to global statistics, the Africa population will reach 2.5 billion by 2050; the continent will account for 25% of the global population. The New York Times recently affirmed in a headline what we know that the world is becoming more African. With a youth population of 477 million people between the ages of 15 and 25, Africa will be key for supplying the global labour force. Then, the size of the food and agriculture market in Africa will be worth one trillion dollars by 2030, in less than seven years from now.

It was revealed at the event that the future of the $7 trillion electronic vehicle market is tied to Nigeria and other African countries. Also, the size of the electric vehicles value-chain is estimated to increase from the current $7 trillion, to 157 trillion dollars by 2050.

According to the President of AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the future depends on Africa. That is because, as he asserted, Africa accounts for the largest source of the green metals for the development of electric vehicles, including platinum (70%), cobalt (52%), manganese (46%), bauxite (25%) and graphite (21%).

An assessment by Bloomberg NEF shows that the cost of manufacturing of lithium-iron precursor batteries in Africa is three times less than in the United States, China and Poland, all together. The global electric vehicle market has experienced significant growth, which is driven by increasing environmental concerns and advancement in technology. China, the United States and Europe are the three biggest electric vehicle markets globally. China has incentives such as subsidies, tax breaks and license plate restrictions which has encouraged consumers to embrace electric mobility.

President of AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, further said, “Five of the six pre-pandemic top performing African countries are projected to be back in the league of the world’s 10 fastest growing economies for 2023-2024. African economies provide some of the best investment opportunities in the world.”

The Africa Continental Free Trade Area, when fully operational, offers incredible opportunities for boosting intra-regional trade across borders and regions as well as the emergence of a more competitive national, regional and globally connected value chain as envisaged in the Special Sessions on Regional Corridors: Quest to Integrate Africa. This, it was agreed, can only be achieved through the development of infrastructure.

The AfDB and partners are implementing the 20 billion dollars Desert-to-Power Initiative to develop 10GW of solar power across 11 countries of the Sahel zone, when completed, will be the largest solar zone in the world. These countries are ; Nigeria, Burkina faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Eritrea and Senegal including the Sahel regional transmission lines to assume reliable and competitively priced electricity for development of the corridors. The AfDB also supports the development and expansion of regional power pools, in collaboration with the African Union Commission and Regional Economic Communities.

“That is the Africa we want: A Fully Interconnected Africa, using regional corridor infrastructure and innovative regional financing instruments, to unleash economic opportunities and assure competitiveness of national and regional value chains; a well-connected Africa will be a more competitive Africa,” as asserted by Dr. Adesina, the president of AfDB.

The Lagos – Abidjan highway connects Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire, secured investment interest of 15.2 billion dollars at the AIF last year, from multiple financiers and investors.

According to His Majesty, Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, his country has been championing for an Inter-African coordinated and cooperation mechanism to be enhanced in various fields of endeavours with a view to achieving regional economic integration and hub; that is why the Morocco – Nigeria Gas pipeline project is part of that endeavour closest to his heart.

He said this reflects his resolve to lay the groundwork for genuine regional cooperation. The project, he further stated, will enhance all countries along the pipeline route to have access to reliable energy supplies and to be more resilient to exogenous energy price shocks.

The African Development Bank has pledged 500 million dollars to develop the strategic Lobito corridor, connecting Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to interlink countries and boost trade. The AfDB president has highlighted five priority areas to fully optimize the benefits of the developing regional corridors across Africa. These include: dedicating pooled financing facilities to corridor projects; building special industrial zones around the corridors to optimize existing infrastructure; adopting a systematic approach; and platform to syndicate around the development of strategic regional corridors.

The Alliance for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones to mobilise equity funding for the continent’s eco-system, a new initiative by the AfDB following the success of the Feed Africa Summit (FAS), which AfDB in partnership with the Senegalese government and Africa Union, held in January in Dakar, was attended by 34 Heads of State and Governments, according to the AfDB boss. He also informed that the summit had successfully mobilised 72 billion dollars towards implementing food and agriculture delivery compacts.

The Initiative, according to Dr Adesina, is aimed at mobilizing at least 2 billion dollars in financing and investment commitments from Alliance members and partners over the next five years. However, meeting the financing goal will deliver an additional 15 to 20 Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) projects in various countries across the continent.

The AfDB President emphasized that the Alliance will also raise funds through various investment windows for project preparation, project development and construction and financing for tenant companies. By doing so, the Alliance will bridge critical financing gaps, complement existing initiatives and mobilise resources towards the common goal of enhancing agricultural value addition in Africa. The platform will also provide project preparation, finance, equity and debt investments, technical assistance, as well as project tracking and oversight. It will further help with improving administrative policy and investment incentives never envisaged previously.

The Presidential Panel was attended by five Heads of State and Governments. There was robust engagement in challenges facing the continent. President Julius Maado Bio of Sierra Leone called for aggressive diversification of economies and attributed the desperation of youths to leave the continent to the low knowledge index of the economy. 

According to him, hundreds of African youths who die in the Atlantic Ocean while crossing to Europe are searching for jobs exported by African countries, owing to failure to add value to their communities. The President of Sierra Leone said value addition is a necessary option for growing resilient national economies across Africa and noted that the continent needs to move from merely talking to action.

For the Tanzanian President, Suluhu Hassan, there are a lot of obstacles to trade and investment in the continent. He urged his colleagues to work towards removing the obstacles to make the continent a destination of global investment and pride. On his part, the Rwandan Prime Minister, Edouard Ngirente, noted that time is ticking fast and the government could not afford to continue lamenting missed opportunities and chances, but rather move quickly and build the economy that their citizens deserve.

Consequently, the King of Morocco noted, “That is why initiatives such as the African Investment Forum (AIF), which is sponsored by the AfDB, are commendable, because they help direct private investment towards the most promising economic sectors, thus reinforcing the integration of Africa’s economies into global value chains.” 

All the high network corporate Africans, Heads of Governments, Ministers from across Africa, agreed that the economic potential of Africa is growing rapidly and of immense importance and promise of opportunities with incredible richness in vast natural and human capital resources in technology, agriculture, and entrainment. Africa is home to a youthful and dynamic workforce with a demography that cut across the youth population and abundant natural resources that will change the landscape in a few years ahead and that indeed, President of the AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, is a global brand; chief optimist of Africa and a great and foremost marketing chief executive of Africa who has used the AfDB platform to change the narrative of Africa; deconstruct conversation favourable to Africa and shape opinions that, indeed, Africa is bankable and the risks are minimal, unlike what most books are saying as he re-echoed time again that “the future is indeed Africa and the time is now for investments and investors to see the continent as the new marketplace of ideas and unlocking the continent’s value chain.” He reiterated that, “Invest in Africa and reap high-risk adjusted returns!”

Senior Director of Africa Investment Forum (AIF) Chinelo Anohu also echoed that, “Africa must trust Africans with their ideas, innovations and strategy for the future.” The event was co-sponsored by the Africa Export-Import Bank, Africa Finance Corporation, Africa 50, and Development Bank of Southern Africa, European Investment Bank and the Islamic Development Bank, with an estimated $34.82 billion investment interest.

CWAI’s executive secretary emphasized that the Heads of State and Government, as well as all participants at the event, overwhelmingly agreed that, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, was “indeed spreading shared prosperity across Africa with this innovative and bankable financial platform for building infrastructure corridors.”