Tag: President Tinubu

  • President Tinubu greets Aliko Dangote on his birthday

    President Tinubu greets Aliko Dangote on his birthday

    President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Africa’s foremost industrialist and philanthropist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, founder and President of the Dangote Group, on his birthday.

    The President celebrated the life of a visionary whose resilience and unwavering commitment to Africa’s economic transformation have redefined entrepreneurship on the continent.

    President Tinubu in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, commended Alhaji Dangote for his contributions to Nigeria’s industrialisation effort, noting how his ventures from cement manufacturing to agriculture and the groundbreaking Dangote Refinery have bolstered the national ambition for self-sufficiency and created thousands of jobs.

    Beyond commerce, the President extolled Dangote’s philanthropy, mainly through the Dangote Foundation, which has uplifted millions of underprivileged Africans.

    He said: “Aliko Dangote’s life embodies hard work, generosity, and faith in Nigeria’s potential. His willingness to invest in people and nation-building reflects profound business ingenuity and love for humanity.”

    President Tinubu prayed that God Almighty will continue to bless Africa’s richest man with vitality, wisdom, and many more years of impact.

    He encouraged younger Nigerians to draw inspiration from Dangote’s enterprise, resilience, and service.

  • President Tinubu donates palliatives to Christian, Muslim faithful in South-East, South-South

    President Tinubu donates palliatives to Christian, Muslim faithful in South-East, South-South

    President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, donated palliative items to Christian and Muslim faithful in the South-East and South-South zones of the country to cushion the effect of the economic hardship in the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the donation was unveiled in Owerri on behalf of the president by Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo.

    In a speech, the president said that the donation aimed to support the Christian and Muslim faithful to break their fast.

    He said the fasting and prayer period called for charity and that the gesture had more spiritual importance than physical.

    “As we work hard to bring permanent solution to the hunger in the land and high cost of living which is a global thing, the president has decided to intervene from time to time with palliative measures to cushion the effect of hardship occasioned by global economy recession.

    “The government is investing a lot of money in agriculture and livestock development to ensure food security and sufficiency.

    “This interim intervention is to cushion the effect of the gap that is created between the period of planting and harvesting,” the president said.

    The governor urged the faithful of the two religions to commit the country to “serious prayers”, saying: “As you pray, pray for God not to allow the president to be distracted.

    “As long as he is implementing his line of programmes, Nigeria will be a land of prosperity.”

    He further said that each state would get two trailer loads of rice, amounting to 1,200 bags as well as cartons of noodles to break their fast.

    He announced a donation of N5 million support by the president to each state for fueling and transportation of the items.

    He further urged the governors to be transparent in the distribution of the items and ensure that they are distributed mostly to the poor and down trodden.

    In separate remarks, the chairmen of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and leaders of the Muslim communities in the 11 states of the two zones commended the president “for being magnanimous” to them during the fasting season.

    They urged the government to double efforts and provide enabling environment that would promote economic development and self-sufficiency for the nation.

    The chairman of CAN in Imo, Rev. Divine Eches, prayed to God to sustain, protect and grant the president the wisdom to continue to provide quality leadership for the country.

    He commended Uzodimma for the developmental strides in Imo and prayed God to continue to strengthen him in his effort to develop the state.

  • Niger Delta leaders meet Tinubu today

    Niger Delta leaders meet Tinubu today

    Niger Delta Leaders under the auspices of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, are expected to have an interactive session with President Bola Tinubu this morning at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    PANDEF, convened by the elder statesman, Senator Edwin Clark, who died last month is the mouthpiece of the traditional rulers, leaders, and stakeholders of the coastal states of the Niger Delta.

    After meeting with President Tinubu, the leaders will meet later in the afternoon with the Senate President, Senator Goodwill Akpabio, and National Assembly members from the South-South.

    Former Governors of old Rivers State, and Akwa-Ibom State, HRM Alfred Diete-Spiff and Obong Victor Attach are co-Chairmen of Board of Trustees, BoT, of the regional body.

    A former federal permanent secretary and erudite diplomat, Ambassador Godknows Igali is the National Chairman of PANDEF.

    A top member of the group confided in Vanguard: “We (leaders of PANDEF) had an expanded NEC meeting at the Transcorp Abuja yesterday (Monday).

    “We shall have an interactive session with Mr President at the Villa this morning. Later in the afternoon we shall meet with the Senate President and all National Assembly members from the South South.”

  • President Tinubu Approves Subsidy on Kidney Dialysis, Cuts Cost from N50,000 to N12,000

    President Tinubu Approves Subsidy on Kidney Dialysis, Cuts Cost from N50,000 to N12,000

    President Bola Tinubu has approved a subsidy on kidney dialysis services for Nigerians, significantly reducing the cost from N50,000 to N12,000 per session. This initiative is being implemented across 11 federal medical institutions located in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

    The participating hospitals include the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Ebute-Metta in Lagos, the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jabi in Abuja, the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Owerri, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) in Maiduguri. Other institutions benefiting from the subsidy are the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abeokuta, the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Lagos, the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Azare, the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) in Benin, and the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) in Calabar.

    The subsidy program was initially launched in January at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi.

    Hammatu Haruna, the manager-in-charge of the renal center at the teaching hospital, highlighted the significant relief the subsidy has brought to patients. “They are now paying only N12,000, and our patients are very happy with this initiative. We have seen remarkable improvement in their condition,” she said.

    Haruna noted that before the subsidy, many patients struggled to afford the high cost of dialysis, which often led to delayed or inadequate treatment. The reduced cost has made the life-saving procedure more accessible to a larger number of Nigerians, improving their quality of life and health outcomes.

    This initiative is part of the federal government’s broader efforts to strengthen the healthcare system and make essential medical services more affordable for citizens. It follows other recent healthcare interventions by the Tinubu administration, including the employment of 774 National Health fellows to bolster the healthcare workforce.

    The subsidy on kidney dialysis is expected to alleviate the financial burden on patients and their families, ensuring that more Nigerians can access the critical care they need without facing economic hardship.

  • We’ll not compromise your welfare, Tinubu assures soldiers

    We’ll not compromise your welfare, Tinubu assures soldiers

    President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, assured officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army that their welfare would not be compromised.

    The President gave the assurance at the inauguration of the newly constructed “Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks,” named after him, in Abuja.

    He said the barracks project aligned with the federal government’s commitment to enhancing troops’ welfare, including providing adequate office and residential accommodation.

    According to him, knowing that the federal government is always ready to meet the needs of troops to fulfill their mandates is essential for winning battles.

    “You are our heroes and I thank you for what you have been doing for this country.

    “I commend the Chief of Army Staff for his foresight in developing the remarkable barracks for our courageous men and women.

    “We appreciate the officers and personnel who contributed in various ways to the timely completion of this project,” said the President.

    He said the government would continue to commit resources to improve the welfare of soldiers.

    “What you all are doing for us is extremely remarkable, is appreciated and the only way we can show this is a continued support for men and women in our uniform,” he said.

    The president commended the leadership of the Nigerian Army for its foresight in initiating and completing the project in record time.

    He also commended the late army chief, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, for his impactful contribution to the development of the Nigerian Army.

    In his remarks, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), reiterated the army’s commitment to upholding the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and supporting its flourishing democracy.

    Oluyede pledged the army’s unflinching support to the Tinubu administration in its effort to improve the country’s socio-economic and security fortune.

  • Major economic agreements signed in Tinubu’s state visit to France

    Major economic agreements signed in Tinubu’s state visit to France

    President Bola Tinubu’s recent three-day state visit to France marked a significant achievement in strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and France.

    The visit saw the formal inauguration of Zenith Bank’s operations in France and the signing of key agreements aimed at fostering long-term collaboration in critical sectors, including infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and solid minerals.

    France is one of Nigeria’s key European trading partners, with French companies investing in sectors such as oil, infrastructure, and telecommunications.

    The cultural exchange between the two countries is also notable, with many Nigerians studying in France and both nations actively promoting arts and education.

    Key highlights from the visit

    1) Zenith Bank formally inaugurated its operations in France.

    2) UBA Group signed an agreement to commence operations in Paris.

    3) Letter of Intent signed between the Nigerian government and the French Development Agency (AFD) on long-term support for Nigeria’s energy access and transition, sustainable agriculture, and food security.

    4) MoU signed between the Nigerian government, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, and the French government to develop joint projects focused on diversifying and promoting the critical minerals value chain in both countries

    5) Nigeria and France committed to enhancing collaboration in infrastructure, healthcare, transportation, the agricultural value chain, renewable energy, and human capital development

    UBA Group signed an agreement to commence operations in Paris

    • United Bank for Africa (UBA) signed a key agreement during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to France, marking a major step in its global expansion.
    • The agreement, signed by UBA Group Chairman Tony Elumelu and French Finance Minister Antoine Armand, ensures UBA’s full banking operations in France.
    • Elumelu highlighted that this move strengthens UBA’s commitment to offering seamless banking services not only in Africa but also to French and European customers engaging with Africa.

    “Expanding into France is a natural progression, with Paris serving as our European Union hub, as we continue to bring Africa and the world together, through innovative financial solutions. Paris will join London, New York, and Dubai, as a critical component of our unique global network,” Elumelu said

    Zenith Bank formally inaugurated its operations in France

    Zenith Bank made significant strides in expanding its operations in Europe during President Tinubu’s state visit to France.

    The French market offers Zenith Bank the opportunity to deepen its international expansion, particularly in serving the growing needs of African businesses and investors in Europe.

    The bank’s inauguration of its services in France marks a notable step for the Nigerian banking giant, solidifying its footprint in one of the world’s leading financial hubs.

    Letter of Intent signed between the Nigerian and French Development Agency (AFD)

    Also on President Tinubu’s state visit to France, a Letter of Intent was signed between Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the French Development Agency (AFD) CEO, Remi Rioux.

    • The agreement focuses on long-term collaboration to support Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The partnership will facilitate funding for key areas such as infrastructure development, agriculture, food security, healthcare, and human capital development, including education in STEM fields.
    • The AFD has committed to providing over €300 million in financial and technical assistance across all Nigerian regions, focusing on energy transition, sustainable agriculture, and the improvement of agro-logistic hubs.

    The agreement further emphasizes the importance of removing fiscal barriers and ensuring efficient project implementation to enhance mutual trade between the two nations.

    Nigeria and France to foster collaboration in the solid minerals sector

    The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Nigeria and France to foster collaboration in the solid minerals sector.

    • Dr Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals signed for Nigeria while the Inter-Ministerial delegate for Critical Ores and Metals of the Republic of France, Mr Benjamin Gallezot, signed on behalf of France.
    • This partnership will focus on the development of critical minerals, such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which are key to advancing clean energy technologies. The two countries will also collaborate on research, training, and student exchanges to promote knowledge transfer.
    • A critical component of the agreement is the commitment to sustainable mining activities, aimed at reducing the environmental impact of mining. The MoU includes co-financed joint extractive projects, ensuring diversification and security of critical minerals while supporting energy transition projects.

    Additionally, the partnership aims to remediate over 2,000 abandoned mining pits across Nigeria, leveraging France’s expertise in sustainable mining.

    Development of critical infrastructure and long-term support for agriculture and food security

    President Bola Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron also signed two agreements in Paris focused on critical infrastructure development, including healthcare, transportation, and agricultural value chains, as well as renewable energy and human capital development.

    • The partnership, backed by over 300 million Euros in diverse financial and technical assistance programs, will span all geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
    • Both nations have committed to enhancing mutual trade, improving cross-border services, and eliminating fiscal barriers while protecting labor rights.
    • The agreements reached during President Tinubu’s visit laid the foundation for a strong and lasting Nigeria-France collaboration, with far-reaching implications for both nations’ economic growth and development.