Connect with us

Interview

End Insecurity, Economic Hardship, CAN Tells Tinubu

Published

on

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on President Bola Tinubu-led federal government to prioritise the common good of Nigerians by ending insecurity, economic hardship, and social injustice.

CAN asked the president to ensure that Nigeria’s democracy serves the people, not just the interest of a few citizens.

CAN president Archbishop Daniel Okoh, who made this call yesterday in a statement, emphasised the importance of integrity, transparency, and accountability in governance, adding that political leaders must recognise that power is a sacred trust and that they will be held accountable for their actions.

Okoh also stressed the need for unity and inclusivity, recognising the value of Nigeria’s diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, urging Nigerians to work together to build a stronger, more just Nigeria where everyone has a voice and equal opportunities.

“As we celebrate 25 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria and the 31st anniversary of the widely acclaimed ‘freest and fairest’ presidential election of June 12, 1993, the national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) congratulates the government and people of our great nation.

“Our democracy has been tested by the fires of adversity, from the struggles of its early years to the present-day trials of insecurity, economic hardship, and social injustice. Nevertheless, we remain steadfast in our belief that democracy is our nation’s best form of government.

“However, we must acknowledge that our democracy still faces significant challenges. Insecurity, economic hardship, and social injustice continue to afflict our citizens. We emphasise the importance of integrity, transparency, and accountability in governance.

“Our leaders must recognise that power is a sacred trust, and they will be held accountable for their actions. We also stress the need for unity and inclusivity, recognising the value of our diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds.

“Let us work together to build a stronger, more just Nigeria, where everyone has a voice and equal opportunities. Let us work together to build a brighter future for ourselves, our children, and generations yet unborn,” he said.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Interview

We’ve Made Significant Strides in CNG Adoption in 6 Months – PCNGi Director

Published

on

In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise TV program, Engr Michael Oluwagbemi, Programme Director of the PCNGI initiative, highlighted the significant strides made in adopting Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a cleaner and more reliable energy source.

Since its inception six months ago, the initiative has achieved remarkable milestones, including:

Conversion Centers: An increase from 7 to 123 centers, significantly boosting the capacity for vehicle conversions to CNG.
Dispensing Stations: A surge in stations capable of serving multiple vehicles, rising from fewer than 12 to over 100 currently under development, with 35 launched in the last two months alone.
Mother Stations: Expansion from 23 to 30 stations, with an additional 18 under development by NNPCL and its partners.
Engr Oluwagbemi attributed the success to the inherent benefits of natural gas, which is cheaper, cleaner, safer, and more reliable than crude oil. He also acknowledged the critical support from the government, particularly the allocation of 100 billion naira from the palliative fund through the Ministry of Finance.

In terms of resources, the initiative has ordered over 5,000 vehicles and 500 tricycles and buses, with deployments starting next week. Additionally, 21,000 conversion kits are readily available. Collaborative efforts between state and federal governments are underway to launch similar programs in Abia, Enugu, Rivers, and Minna. Notably, the governor of Minna has already acquired 200 CNG buses to kickstart their program.

Engr Oluwagbemi also discussed the broader vision of the PCNGI initiative. Beyond the immediate environmental benefits, the initiative aims to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on crude oil, fostering a more sustainable and resilient energy future. By championing natural gas, Nigeria positions itself as a leader in energy innovation within West Africa.

Looking ahead, the initiative plans to expand its outreach and infrastructure further. Upcoming phases will include the development of additional conversion and dispensing centers, increasing the availability of CNG across the country. Public awareness campaigns will also be intensified to educate citizens on the benefits of transitioning to CNG.

Continue Reading

Abuja Reports

EFCC Official Found Dead in Apparent Suicide in Abuja

Published

on

An official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has tragically died in what appears to be a case of suicide at his residence in Abuja, according to reports from PRNigeria.

The deceased, a member of Course 5 at the EFCC academy, was known for his dedication and productivity within the anti-graft agency. Despite being described as hardworking and well-organized, he had reportedly been battling depression and personal challenges leading up to his untimely death.

Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the EFCC, confirmed the incident and stated that the agency would conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. Oyewale emphasized that the EFCC is committed to providing support to the deceased’s family during this difficult time.

“Various factors, including mental health issues and personal challenges, will be carefully examined as part of our investigation,” Oyewale stated. He assured that the identity of the officer would not be disclosed until the investigation concludes and proper notifications are made to the family.

The incident has sparked discussions about mental health support within law enforcement agencies and underscores the importance of addressing psychological well-being among personnel.

“Our priority now is to understand what led to this tragic event and ensure that necessary measures are taken to prevent such occurrences in the future,” Oyewale concluded.

Continue Reading

Business

Nigeria’s Economy’ll Hit $1.85tn By 2029, IMF Predicts

Published

on

The International Monetary Fund has predicted that Nigeria’s economy will reach $1.85tn by 2029, in Purchasing Power Parity terms.

This forecast suggests a significant growth trajectory for the country’s economy over the next five years.

According to the IMF data obtained by PUNCH Online, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product in PPP terms has been steadily increasing, from $1.36tn in 2023 to $1.852tn in 2029.

GDP is the most commonly used single measure of a country’s overall economic activity. PPP is a theory that relates changes in exchange rates to changes in price levels between countries, allowing for more accurate international comparisons of economic data.

The data shows a consistent growth trend, with a notable increase of 5.5 per cent expected in 2029.

The Fund also predicted Nigeria’s share of global GDP based on PPP to reach 0.78 per cent by 2029.

This represents a slight increase from 0.77 per cent in 2023, indicating a steady growth trajectory for the country’s economy.

The data suggests that Nigeria’s economy is gradually expanding, albeit slowly, and is expected to continue this trend over the next five years.

The country’s share of global GDP has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 0.775 per cent and 0.778 per cent from 2024 to 2028.

Economists believe that this positive outlook is a testament to the country’s efforts to diversify its economy, invest in infrastructure, and promote foreign investment.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, has faced significant challenges in recent years, including a recession in 2020 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and a decline in oil prices.

Economist Shadrach Israel in an interview with our correspondent stated, “The IMF reports indicated that the government’s reforms and initiatives have contributed to the country’s economic growth.”

The trend of Nigeria’s GDP in PPP terms over the past few years indicates a steady recovery and growth. In 2024, the country’s GDP in PPP terms stood at $1.44tn, increasing to $1.51tn in 2025, and $1.587tn in 2026. The growth continued in 2027, with a GDP (PPP) of $1.67tn, and $1.759tn in 2028.

“The IMF’s prediction of Nigeria’s economic growth is a positive sign for the country’s future, indicating a potential for increased economic prosperity and development,” Israel noted.

Continue Reading

Trending