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PRESIDENT TINUBU TO BILL GATES: TECHNOLOGY IS THE ENEMY OF CORRUPTION; WE ARE INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCELERATE PERFORMANCE

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President Bola Tinubu says his administration is investing in technology that is tailored towards ensuring transparency and accountability in government and accelerating public-sector performance and service delivery to the Nigerian people.

Speaking during a meeting with Microsoft Founder and Philanthropist, Mr. Bill Gates, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, President Tinubu said technology is a potent weapon against corruption and financial impropriety in public service.

Emphasizing his unwavering commitment to deliver reliable technology that will support a national consumer credit system and many other critical new government interventions for all Nigerians, the President said resistance is often expected when efforts are made to strengthen systems and forestall malfeasance.

“Technology is the enemy of fraud, corruption, and irregularity. We have been working hard on improving technology.

“There is always the initial resistance. Corruption, self-interest, and fraudulent activity will always be an enemy, but when you bend that curve, you will receive the benefit. The nation will receive the benefit,” the President said.

Recounting how he deployed technology to enhance the revenue base of Lagos State as governor, President Tinubu said he ensured the collection and utilization of essential data, creating an efficient tax system for the state.

“When I was governor of Lagos State, I faced challenges. I started with N600 million and ended up with over N8 billion. And right now, they are targeting a trillion naira with the use of technology in the state. There is no other shortcut. We must invest in technology. We must focus, be diligent, and work hard,” the President said.

In his remarks, Mr. Gates informed the President of a one-identity technological platform that can integrate variegated data, while explaining the centrality of data harmonization to planning, security, and tax efficiency.

“We are working with Mr. Wale Edun, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, on digitization. Before you came into office, there were a few things attempted in identity management. But they have been very scattered. There have been multiple identification systems.

“Now, there is a plan to take that technology called MOSIP and use it for this identification platform so that people can get digital benefits. We are providing support for that, and we can provide more support.

“With MOSIP ID, there is potential application in all government payment programmes. It helps with payment efficiency and bank accounts, and eventually, when everyone is using that, it makes tax collection easier. That benefit will take a few years. However, there will be more bank accounts, more financial inclusion, and effective government payment programmes,” the former Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft said.

Mr. Gates said Nigeria has the capacity to manage this system and related-technological systems as the nation brims with talented youths.

“The last time I went to the Microsoft office in Lagos, I saw the amazing work that they were doing and how they were growing their operations. So, you have a lot of Nigerian talents to manage these systems,” he said.

The businessman also spoke about some high-yield seeds and a variety of crops with the potential for improved productivity and nutrition in all regions of the country.

He said countries like the United States and Brazil have been using these seeds and that they have been tested and certified as safe.

“There is no safety issue with these seeds. Supporting the Minister of Agriculture’s effort in this regard is something that we feel is important and worth supporting,” Mr. Gates added.

Responding to Mr. Gates’ submission, President Tinubu said: “We will look at this and work on it further. I am proud of Nigeria’s youths. They are very excited and creative with technology. They encourage us as we continue to press our reform efforts forward for their future prosperity. This is Nigeria’s time to become what it ought to be.”

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Abia: Otti launches security fund, vows more fight against criminals

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Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has charged Abian citizens and other residents to take more than a passing interest in issues of security around their vicinity in order to counter the enormous cost of security crises.

He gave the charge on Thursday during the launch of the Abia State Security Trust Fund in Umuahia and paid tribute to the dedication of security agencies in preventing and dislodging criminal elements from the state.

The Governor described the launching of the Trust Fund as another layout programme in his holistic security outlook, focused on the prevention of criminal activities.

“This launch is in line with the provisions of the Abia State Security Trust Fund Law 2024, which empowers the state to set up a specialised framework for mobilising, managing, and deploying resources in support of our security infrastructure across the state.”

He lamented that insecurity creates economic and social crises, impoverishes the population, and makes refugees of individuals and families in their homeland.

Governor Otti, who said he has been prudent in the management of resources, assured members of the public that every money raised from the project would be judiciously applied in funding and buying security equipment. He said that Abia is one of the safest states in the country, courtesy of his security interventions.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, said that President Bola Tinubu is in support of the security initiative of Governor Otti in Abia.

She urged Abia residents to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to secure Abian people better.

In his speech, the former Minister of Mines and Steel, Uchechukwu Ogah, said that the security of lives and property is everyone’s business.

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Abiodun seeks Brazilian investors for Olokola LNG, livestock, mining, tourism, power plant, others

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Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has urged investors from Brazil to partner with the state to set up a fertilizer plant at the Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas Project.

The governor also stated that Ogun State is ready for investment opportunities in oil and gas, livestock, mining, agriculture, power plant development, renewable energy, tourism, technical and vocational training for youths, among others.

Prince Abiodun spoke at the Ogun State Investment Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the sidelines of the BRIC Summit attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, five governors, ministers, and other government officials.

The summit is in furtherance of the investment drive of the Dapo Abiodun-led administration for the rapid development of the Gateway State.

Abiodun described Ogun State as investor-friendly and one of the most developed states in Nigeria, even as he noted that Olokola has the deepest sea point in the country.

He said: “We have a region in our state that is the deepest sea point in Nigeria, called the Olokola region, where there is an Olokola gas project in the offing. This place has been identified as the right location to have a fertilizer plant. So, we welcome partners from Brazil to set up a fertilizer plant with us in Ogun State.”

Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, who also spoke at the event, described Ogun as one of the most industrialized states in Nigeria.

“There’s a lot that already exists in terms of the backbone for industries, which is why Ogun is very industrialized. It is one of the most industrialized states in Nigeria,” Tuggar said.

Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, noted that Nigeria is on the right track in terms of growth, inflation, and external positioning.

Central Bank Governor, Yemi Cardoso, said that Nigeria’s financial system has been stabilized since the present administration came on board.

He stated: “In Nigeria today, we have stability in our financial system. We have a very tight monitoring system that ensures that inflation is gradually beginning to trend downward. The significance is that the foundation for growth is being established.”

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Northerners want Nnamdi Kanu freed – Abia Rep, Ikwechegh

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The member representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to release the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The lawmaker who made the call in Umuahia on Thursday during the launch of the Abia State Security Trust Fund, said that northerns have also joined the call for Kanu’s release.

He said that the release of Kanu from detention would result to the diminishing of insecurity in parts of the South-East.

Ikwechegh who recalled the various efforts by members of the South-East Caucus in the National Assembly to secure Kanu’s freedom, noted that many southeasterners may not be aware of the extent the Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe-led Caucus has gone in seeking Kanu’s release.

“The people of the South-East will always tell you that we feel marginalized and Nnamdi Kanu happens to be a voice.

“We have met with the NSA, Mallam Ribadu, we have met with Security and Intelligence Committee headed by my colleague from Borno.

“Even our northern brothers are agitating that Nnamdi Kanu should be released,” Ikwechegh said.

He commended the governor’s efforts in enhancing security in Abia State with the launch of the Security Trust Fund.

The Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency representative also said he has been complementing the efforts of Governor Alex Otti in making Aba crime -free through his youth empowerment programs.

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