Agency Reports

By Sani Idris

Students' body representing over 40.1 million students under the umbrella of National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS) has called on both the National Assembly and the House of Representatives, to as matter of urgency pass the bill seeking for the establishment of National Research Institute of Chemical Technology (NARICT) Zaria.

NANS made the call during a courtesy visit to the Research Institute on Thursday, in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Speaking for the delegation, the first Pioneer Secretary of NANS Cmrd. Usman Baba Kankia, noted that alot of opportunities were available to place Nigeria amongst advanced countries of the world and as such, the bill should not be delayed by both chambers led by the Senate president, Sen. Ahmed Lawan and Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajamiabila.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalled that democracy advocacy group under the umbrella of Partnership for Legislative Agenda, (PLAN) had made similar call in Abujma, citing opportunities available in the chemical industry.

The bill was initiated by the House of Representatives Member, Jos East/South constituency, Hon. Musa Dacchung Bagos, and Sen. Umar Sadiq, at the National Assembly.

According to Kankia, the bill if passed into law, would enhance productivity and give Nigeria an edge to compete with other advanced countries like Singapore in the production of chemicals and petrochemical products.

He said, “the effort of the Jos south/Jos East Federal House of Representatives member, Hon. Musa Dacchung Bagos and Sen. representing kwara North Zone, Senator Umar Sadiq towards sponsoring this bill is commendable and should be applauded.

“This bill intends to develop the nation and place Nigeria amongst the top advanced countries in chemical research.

"The Institute which this bill seeks to establish, will provide a globally competitive and environmentally friendly research and innovation in the processing and conversion of indigenous raw materials into valuable chemicals and petrochemical products for the development of chemical, biochemical and man-made fibre technologies for industrial applications in Nigeria,"he said

Enumerating the benefits of conducting chemical research in Nigeria on the economy, the students' body maintained that Nigeria would in the nearest future no longer be importing certain basic chemicals which the country has comparative advantage in producing, but be exporting like advanced economies of the world.

"Very soon, Nigeria will be at par with countries like Singapore and others in the production of chemicals and petrochemical products which are essential to our lives and living such as ethylene, benzene, medical resins popularly used in medical and pharmaceutical companies, medical plastics, preservatives for our vast agricultural produce and a host of others" Kankia added.

Commending NASS for their efforts during the first reading of the bill, NANS called for more funding to NARICT to enable it deliver in its mandate as the world leading Institute for chemical research.

"While we commend the first reading of the bill on the floor of the House of Representatives, we call on other senators to emulate Sen. Umar and Hon. Bagos to ensure this bill is passed successfully without further delay as it will help us as nation for global competition in research and development."

Kankia, equally called on the office of the Head of Service to grant approval to the Institute to recruit more specialised staff in readiness for the task ahead as soon as the bill establishing it is passed into law and more funding made available.

"A world class Institute like NARICT requires world class scholars and researchers,"Kankia said.(NAN)

News Politics

2023: Tinubu pledges to reposition Nigeria’s economy

NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

December 23, 2022 9:39 AM

Sen. Bola Tinubu, the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Thursday promised entrepreneurs that if elected he would reposition Nigeria for greater opportunities and development of its citizens.

Tinubu

He also promised to work towards creating enhancing the security situation in the country to allow entrepreneurs have an enabling environment to do their businesses.

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Tinubu made the pledge at a business luncheon with business owners in Lagos.

The luncheon, entitled “Business Forward”, held at the “Wings“ located on Victoria Island.

On the issue of fuel subsidy, he said if elected he would take bold decisions that would turn the nation’s economy around.

He said: ‘Nigeria will not continue to subsidise fuel consumption in neighbouring countries.

“How can we be subsidising fuel consumption of Cameroon, Niger, Benin Republic? No matter how long you protest, we are going to remove the fuel subsidy.

“First, the primary responsibility of government is to protect the lives, property and prosperity of its citizens.

He said as governor of Lagos State, fixing the difficult security situation at that time was his first priority.

“Only after we secured the state and changed its reputation for the better, could we embark on the economic reforms that have ultimately produced the vibrant and active megacity of today.

“I am committed to securing Nigerians from violence and the fear of such violence, terror, kidnapping and banditry have no place in the society I envision,“ he said.

Tinubu told his audience that upon assuming office as president, he would move to implement several measures.

“We will increase the numbers of our military and non-military security forces and specialist anti-terrorist battalions would be established.

“Our Critical National Infrastructure Protection Plan will deploy aerial and ground surveillance technology to survey the most dangerous areas and secure our country’s vital national infrastructure and installations.

“We shall acquire and upgrade the tactical communications and mobility of our troops and security personnel.

“We must also devote greater attention to the care and welfare of our military and security forces who put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe.

“In summary, our objective is to be able to out-manouvre outwit and outflank the terrorists and criminal groups. They want to defeat our democratic and good society. We shall defeat their evil one.

“As we fight insecurity, we must deal with our economy at the same time. We know that business and insecurity cannot thrive side-by-side,” Tinubu said.

He said his government would give room to allow the private sector to thrive by not interfering in their various businesses but be open for collaboration.

According to him, where the private sector is doing well, his government will not interfere.

“Our guiding principle regarding economic policy shall be to provide the right policy framework so that business can flourish.

“I want to do more than help existing businesses to exist. We must create the space where new sectors and lines of business can open.

“We must grow this economy so that it can accommodate over 200 million people with a decent standard of living.

“Part of the virtuous economic cycle we seek to create is to collaborate with the private sector to bring about massive infrastructural renewal.

“This will enhance economic opportunities, lower business cost and overheads while producing jobs that spur further growth and development through increased consumer demand,” Tinubu said.

On their part, the business entrepreneurs at the luncheon raised issues around education, healthcare development, electricity, investment climate, multiple exchange rates and prevailing oil subsidy, asking how Tinubu would deal with the challenges.

Responding, Tinubu said his aim was to develop local manufacturing and value-added businesses, deepen consumer lending, increase affordable housing and provide business owners with low-cost loans to modernise operations and improve productivity.

“We shall not be afraid to regulate wisely. We cannot allow instances like the collapse of FTX to happen here.

“We must protect businesses, consumer and investor confidence in equal proportion and improve the nation’s power sector which is critical to any economic development and strengthen the health sector,” Tinubu said

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APC presidential candidate was joined by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Group Chief Executive Officer of Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu and a former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole.

Others were former commissioners in Lagos State, Yemi Cardozo, Dele Alake and former EFCC Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, among others.

NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA