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President Tinubu’s Administration Set Its Sights On Leveraging Digital Technology

By Tambaya Julius
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a visionary leader, recently hosted a delegation from Google (West Africa) led by Olumide Balogun, its Director, reinforcing the significance of harnessing digital technology for Nigeria’s socio-economic progress.
Elevating Nigeria’s Socio-Economic Landscape Through Digital Innovation
President Tinubu’s administration has set its sights on leveraging digital technology to catalyze Nigeria’s long-awaited socio-economic transformation.
The strategic alignment of education and technology, he affirms, is pivotal to uplift the lives of Nigerian citizens.
Addressing the delegation, President Tinubu passionately stated, “Our youths represent over 65% of the yearning development age in Nigeria.
Education is our most potent weapon against poverty, and we’re committed to its advancement.
The future lies in the digital economy and telecommunications, realms where Nigeria is poised to excel.”
This enthusiastic drive for youth empowerment underscores the administration’s determination to forge a prosperous future.
Recognizing the transformative potential of data, President Tinubu urged Google to collaborate with the government in enhancing public service delivery through data utilization.
“The authentication of transaction integrity across the country to serve over 200 million people is no trivial task,” he emphasized, highlighting the gravity of this endeavor.
To fuel his transformative agenda, President Tinubu is committed to involving more young minds in his administration.
He extended a heartfelt invitation to Google, urging the tech giant to play a frontline role in shaping Nigeria’s developmental journey.
He also stressed the need to harness the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Quantum Computing, emphasizing that growth is an incremental process.
In a light-hearted moment, President Tinubu quipped, “Let me have breakfast before dinner,” illustrating his pragmatic approach to tackling challenges and his readiness to pace progress effectively.
Mr. Olumide Balogun, Director of Google West Africa, reiterated Google’s unwavering commitment to supporting Nigeria’s commendable efforts through modern digital technology deployment.
Mr. Balogun underscored the potential of data technology in boosting business efficiency and productivity.
Google’s commitment materializes in a N1.2 billion grant to Nigeria, along with plans to empower 20,000 women and children with essential digital skills, paving the way for new job opportunities in the digital sector.
President Tinubu’s visionary leadership, coupled with Google’s resolute partnership, is poised to usher Nigeria into a new era of socio-economic advancement.
News
NNPC Appointment: Ojulari Is A Northerner – Olayinka

Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
News
Middle Belt Forum Condemns Uromi killings, Warns Against Retaliatory Attacks

By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
News
Sokoto Lawmakers Rates Gov. Aliyu High On Project Without Loan

BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.