Politics
SMDF Boss Refutes 2015 Election, Nations Cup Sponsorship Allegations
From Lateef Taiwo
The Executive Secretary, ES, of the Nigerian Solid Minerals Development Fund, SMDF, Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi, has stated that the reports recently carried by a section of the media that the Fund was involved in the sponsorship of the 2015 elections and the African Cup of Nations were unfounded and misleading .
The SMDF was established way back in 2002 to pursue investments that would de-risk the Nigerian mining sector to attract investors and boost the economic development and diversification of the Nigerian economy.
However reports published in some dailies ( not national trail), recently indicated that out of the resources made available to it between 2013 and 2014, N738.7 billion and $3 million respectively “had been illegally disbursed from the fund for extraneous expenses, including the 2015 elections, the African Nations Cup” as well as roads and drainage rehabilitation in some states.
But speaking to newsmen on the sideline of the Presentation and Unveiling of the 2021 Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative’s, NEITI’s, Solid Minerals Industry Report in Abuja on Monday, the SMDF boss said she herself was surprise because the report was even news to her.
Debunking the reports erroneous reportage, said the SMDF never funded the African Cup of Nation or election as claimed, and could not have done so because the agency was just capitalised barely a year ago since it was set up.
“This is news to me. I liked football. I like football. But I’ve never funded the African Cup of Nations. I’ve never funded that any of those things. I think it was a committee report they were quoting. The functions of the Solid Minerals Development Fund is totally different from that of Natural Resource Development Fund, NRDF. I can understand how the two can be mistaken for each other. But we’re not that fund and we’ve never ever funded anything like the African Cup of Nations.
“As a matter of fact, the first time ever, that the fund has been capitalised was last year around May. So we didn’t even have capital at the time, hence it wouldn’t have been us,” Shinkafi explained.
According to her, even if there were any abuse of the NRDF, they must have been before the immediate past and current administrations.
Speaking to the 7-point agenda unveiled on Sunday in Abuja with a target of 50% GDP increase by the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, the SMDF manager said it is a tall order challenging all stakeholders in the sector to put their hands on the plough and step up their game for the development of the sector towards achieving the mandate.
“And I think that when you set the bar high, you go for the highest possibility and achievement. Now, definitely, more can be done than is currently contributed to GDP from the sector. And I think with the measures that are in place now, we can make it even if it’s not 100 per cent,” she said.
On the possibility of the establishment of a state owned company as proposed by the Minister conflicting in role with the SMDF, the ES said there nothing conflicting in their roles.
“We’re actually very excited about that announcement. The equivalent of your question is: Does the PTDF conflict with NNPC? It doesn’t. We have distinct roles and mandates, and we will actually reinforce and support that cooperation,” she said.
Congratulating NEITI for the report which, according to her was timely, Shinkafi said it’s for the public and private sectors to come up with informed policies for implementation towards increased revenue for the sector and the economy in general.
Politics
Tinubu Assures Investors Nigeria Is Open for Business, Welcomes Coca-Cola’s $1bn Plan
By Francis Wilfred
President Bola Tinubu has assured local and international investors that Nigeria remains open for business, saying his administration is implementing reforms aimed at creating a more predictable, competitive and investment-friendly environment.
Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, at the 75th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) in Abuja on Monday, the President said the government is addressing key challenges facing businesses under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Our message to investors, both Nigerian and international, is clear: Nigeria is open for business,” Tinubu said,
He noted that reliable infrastructure, efficient logistics, access to foreign exchange, stable regulations and a supportive tax system are critical to attracting investment and expanding production.
According to Yomi Odunuga, the President said ongoing economic reforms are designed to build a more productive and competitive economy, reduce dependence on imports, strengthen local manufacturing and create jobs for Nigerians.
Tinubu welcomed the Coca-Cola System’s proposed $1 billion investment in Nigeria over five years, announced in 2024, describing it as a strong vote of confidence in the country’s economy.
He said the administration is focused not only on the volume of investment attracted but also on its impact on employment, skills development, technology transfer and local sourcing.
“We are interested not only in the amount of capital that comes into Nigeria, but in what that capital does here,” he said.
The President also praised NBC’s continued expansion of production capacity, including new production lines in Oyo and Kano states, describing such investments as vital to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving policies, infrastructure and regulations to support businesses, while urging the private sector to complement government efforts through investment, innovation and job creation.
Tinubu further highlighted the importance of human capital development, commending NBC’s Supply Chain Academy for training over 1,400 young Nigerians and supporting women’s empowerment and community development initiatives.
He urged investors to take advantage of opportunities across Nigeria, expressing confidence that the country can build a stronger economy driven by local production, exports and globally competitive industries.
Politics
Kano Governorship: Accord Party Governorship Candidate Gashash Getting More Endorsement From Kano Electorates.
By Jabiru Hassan.
The movement for Democratic Protection and good governance (MDSG) declared it's full support to the Accord Party Governorship Candidate Ambassador Dr. Mukhtar Gashash in the forthcoming general elections.
In a chat with our correspondent in kano, the national president of the movement, Alhaji Dauda Mohammed Ali, stated that it is time for the people of kano state to bring new steward who is seriously planning to transform the state with highest regard.
He expressed his confidence that Ambassador Dr Mukhtar Gashash will do his best to ensure that kano state becomes more examplary at both sector without bias which is the task previous administrators failed to achieve.
Alhaji Dauda Mohammed Ali reiterated that " this time around, our movement is working day and night to make sure that Kano people mostly youths remained Committed to actualize real change in the state's politics, leadership and transformation under the Accord Party government".
He called on the people of kano state especially the eligible voters to vote Ambassador Dr Mukhtar Gashash due to his Transformation plans for the progress of kano state and it's citizens at both Urban and rural settlements.
Responding to a question about Accord party's strength in kano state, Dauda Mohammed Ali disclosed that in today's democracy, competent candidates should be tipped for an elective positions not the popularity of the political parties stressing that Ambassador Dr Mukhtar Gashash has been found to be the best option for kano state due to his track record on competency, transparency as a real democrat.
Politics
Caught in the middle: Ortom’s silent dance between two camps.
There are growing questions about where Mr. Samuel Ortom, a former Governor of Benue State and a prominent figure in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), truly stands politically ahead of 2027.
Ortom was a key figure in the divisions within the PDP before the 2023 general elections and was widely associated with support for Mr. Peter Obi, who finished third in that contest. More recently, however, he has publicly expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The latest discussion began after a visit by Mr. Peter Obi to Benue State. Reports indicate that a vehicle said to belong to Ortom was used to receive Obi at the Air Force Base airport in Makurdi. It is not clear who authorized the use of the vehicle, and Ortom has not commented publicly on the matter.
During the same visit, Obi was reportedly prevented from travelling to Yelewata, where he had intended to condole with families affected by violence. Obi’s team attributed the blockage to supporters of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The Governor’s spokesman, Sir Tersoo Kula, denied any involvement by the Governor. He suggested the incident may have been staged to damage the Governor’s reputation, or that it could have resulted from disagreements within Obi’s own support base.
Ortom has not issued a statement clarifying his position on the 2027 elections or on the vehicle in question. Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
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