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FG to implement national strategy for raw materials devt – MInister
The Federal Government has restated its commitment to implement the national strategy for competitiveness in raw materials and products development to boost the competitiveness in raw materials and products development in Nigeria.
Chief Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the Technical Conference for the Implementation of the National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development in Nigeria was developed by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the National Strategy for implementation on May 17, 2017.
It is a strategy document to boost the competitiveness in raw materials and products development in Nigeria and address over dependence on imported innovations, technologies, products and services.
The minister said the strategy was to facilitate significant reductions in the importation of raw materials and products that are readily available in Nigeria but massively still imported.
He said when implemented, the strategy would create 4.4 million jobs which would also boost local content in manufacturing to 50 per cent and 80 per cent in the short and long terms respectively.
According to him, this will lead to increased global acceptance of made-in-Nigeria raw materials, products, and services, thereby boosting foreign exchange earnings and reserve.
“ The target of the strategy is to facilitate significant reductions in the imports of raw materials and products short, medium and long terms respectively.
“ Reductions by at least 11per cent in the (0 to five years), 31per cent in the (five to 10 years) and 49 per cent in the (10 years & above), respectively.
“ In addition to steady development of demand-driven scientific industrial culture, increased industry-research strategic alliances with the resultant production of high-quality and competitive raw materials and products.’’
Nnaji noted that in an increasingly interconnected human society, competitiveness on the global stage was no longer optional but indeed imperative.
“Global competitiveness is the lifeblood of any thriving economy as it underscores the ability to produce goods and services that meet the standards of the international markets while simultaneously strengthening the citizen’s long-term real income.”
In his remarks, the Director-General, RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, said the workshop was necessary to ensure deliberations on critical issues ranging from competitiveness, advocacy and commercialization of Research and Development (R&D) breakthroughs.
He noted that the strategy was a unique change agent towards national development initiatives, adding that its successful implementation would reduce the level of raw materials and products importation.
“Other benefits of implementing the strategy include facilitating strategic alliances between research-focused organisations and industry, enhancing the intensity of industry-demand-driven research and development activities.
“ This conference responds to the patriotic zeal from His Excellency Chief Uche Geofrey Nnaji, charging us to immediately initiate and commence the implementation of the National Strategy following its inauguration in 2017.
“The post-approval step by the government was also the constitution of the National Consultative Committee on Competitiveness (NCCC) by the then Hon. Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation to ensure the successful implementation of the strategy.
“ This home-grown strategy anchored on applying innovation, science, and technology to raw materials and product development is its imports into the country.’’
Mrs Esuabana Asanye, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, said the technical workshop would create platforms for stakeholders to deliberate on the 11 thematic areas of interest.
“These areas include competitiveness advocacy, institutional and organisational arrangements, policy and legal framework, human resource development and infrastructure development.
“Others are research and development, industry and business development, monitoring and evaluation, data development, she said.
According to her, Nigeria has abundant raw materials, from solids, metals and energy minerals to agro-raw materials and developing them into high-quality products is imperative for national growth and global competitiveness.
“This conference is timely and critical as it creates a platform for continuously deliberating and recommending feasible initiatives for strengthening Nigeria’s economic growth prospects and global competitiveness in raw materials and product development,’’ he said.
NAN reports that participants comprised of representatives from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the Organised Private Sector, academia, development partners, civil society organisations, and the media. (NAN)
Gvernor Chukwuma Soludo threw a challenge to opposition parties in Anambra State on Monday, saying he sees no competent challenger as he seeks re-election in the November 8, 2025 governorship poll.
The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said there is a consensus among Ndi Anambra (the people of the state) that his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has delivered dividends of democracy and should be given another chance in the next election.
Soludo, during a media chat to celebrate his third anniversary, said the people of the South-East state can vote for any party during national elections but are loyal to APGA when it comes to governorship and local government chairmen seats.
He said, “If there is an election, I mean there will be an election, and if I am candidate, I will be on the ballot, and then I ask: who else is running? Which party is fielding a candidate?
“So far, unless the person will come down from somewhere but so far, I have not heard of any.”
The former bank chief said he has gotten calls to run for a second term but his party would take the decision on who becomes the flag bearer.
“The party has to agree to it and give me the platform. For me, I applied for this job intentionally because I felt that’s my way of thanking God for His bountiful blessing to spend the rest of my life to serve, and leave this place better than we met it.
“If my party nominates me and if my employers who are the Anambra people to whom I had applied for this job interview me and graciously renew the tenure, of course, it’s a great honour, and a great privilege to serve,” he said.
Anambra is one of the eight states where governorship elections are held off-season due to litigations and court judgments. Others are Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Osun and Ondo.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has announced revoking 4,794 land titles for failure to pay Ground Rent for more than four decades.
In a briefing, it was revealed that property owners in key districts, including the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape, have not settled their Ground Rent bills for an average of 43 years, with a total of 8,375 property owners in breach of their obligations.
During the media briefing, the minister’s senior special assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, and the FCTA Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, provided further details.
“The FCTA has repeatedly warned defaulters through publications in national newspapers and broadcasts since 2023, urging them to clear their outstanding Ground Rent. Unfortunately, the response has been minimal, and many property owners have failed to comply,” stated Olayinka.
He emphasised that Ground Rent payments are mandated by existing legislation and are required under the terms and conditions of the Right of Occupancy. I just wanted to let you know that payment is due on January 1 each year without needing reminders.
“A comprehensive list of land titles in arrears has been compiled for ten of the oldest districts in Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City (FCC): Central Area District (Cadastral Zone A00), Garki I (Cadastral Zone A01), Wuse I (Cadastral Zone A02), Garki II (Cadastral Zone A03), Asokoro (Cadastral Zone A04), Maitama (Cadastral Zones A05 and A06), Wuse II (Cadastral Zones A07 and A08), and Guzape (Cadastral Zone A09).
“As of the end of 2024, the total outstanding Ground Rent is N6,967,980,119 owed by 8,375 property owners. Among these, 4,794 land titles have not been paid for more than ten years, violating the stipulations of the Rights of Occupancy outlined in Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.
“As a result, the titles of properties with over ten years of unpaid Ground Rent will be revoked immediately. Additionally, a grace period of 21 days is being granted to title holders who owe Ground Rent for periods of one to ten years, after which their titles will also be revoked,” he said.
The Senator who represented Kaduna Central (2015-2019), Shehu Sani, has challenged the ex-Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, to publicly provide evidence that Governor Uba Sani misappropriated funds from Local Government Councils.
In an interview over the weekend, Shehu Sani, a civil rights activist, responded to the allegations of fund diversion made against his successor. Speaking with DAILY POST on Monday in Abuja, Sani refuted the claims, asserting that they were unfounded.
He stated that El-Rufai’s allegations were “fabricated to tarnish the reputation of the Governor, especially with the ongoing investigation involving N420 billion looming over him like the sword of Damocles.”
Sani urged the former Governor to publicly disclose proof of any property purchases in South Africa, Seychelles, and London allegedly made by Uba Sani if he wishes to be taken seriously.
He remarked that the people of Kaduna would not soon forget how Nasir El-Rufai mismanaged the State during his eight years in office, emphasising that he should cease spreading falsehoods.
“As residents of Kaduna, we have all witnessed how El-Rufai misappropriated State resources, and now that investigations have implicated him, he should confront the issue rather than disseminate misinformation,” Sani asserted.
“El-Rufai should have the courage to present evidence linking Governor Uba Sani to the purchase of properties abroad; only then will we take him seriously.
“However, he must also be prepared to account for the whereabouts of N420 billion, as that sum is significant enough to transform Kaduna State,” Sani concluded.
Sani’s comments come in response to El-Rufai’s accusations that Governor Uba Sani has redirected Local Government funds for the purpose of acquiring properties in South Africa, Seychelles, and London.