Economy

COVID-19 outbreak, a challenge to SDGs target — Presidency

Published

5 years ago

August 20, 2020

The Federal Government said on Wednesday that the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic across the world had challenged the prospects of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, stated this at Lafarge Africa Sustainability Webinar series.
The webinar was themed: “The Decade of Action: Advancing the SDGs in a Post Pandemic Era”.
Orelope-Adefulire, in a keynote address, said the socio-economic uncertainties and disruptions of the pandemic came at a substantial cost to the Nigerian economy – which was largely dependent on oil and gas revenues.
Orelope-Adefulire, who was represented by Dr Bala Yusuf, Senior Technical Advisor, said COVID-19 had revealed the vulnerability of healthcare systems in developing countries.
She noted that ‘Decade of Action’ means 10 more years of active implementation of the global goals by all the stakeholders.
According to her, 10 more years to cover grounds and achieve the transformative promise to ‘leave-no-one-behind’ by the year 2030.
“Unfortunately, just as we commenced the ‘Decade of Action’ for the SDGs in January 2020, the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic across the world has now challenged the prospects of achieving the SDGs.
“Indeed, beyond the health hazards and human consequences of the pandemic, the socio-economic uncertainties and disruptions come at a substantial cost to the Nigerian economy – which is largely dependent on oil and gas revenues.
“Evidently, COVID-19 has revealed the vulnerability of healthcare systems in developing countries.
“Unfortunately, those who suffered the most are the poor and most vulnerable – women, children, people with disabilities, and older persons.
“Regrettably, it had to take COVID-19 outbreak to appreciate these and we now have the responsibility to act quick, act strong and act precise to attain the transformational change we all desire.
“It is said that ‘critical times call for critical measures.
“This extraordinary moment requires that we all come together to find creative and innovative ways to build more equal, inclusive and resilient societies.
“We must urgently build-back, if we are to be on track to achieve the SDGs by 2030.
“Evidently, one of the most effective ways to do this is by strengthening existing partnerships between the public and private sectors and other critical stakeholders.
“We have seen classical demonstrations of these partnerships in the fight against COVID-19,” she stated.
She said the Lafarge Africa webinar “is in line with our idea of the Private Sector Advisory Group on SDGs, which is to create a strategic platform for galvanising ideas, mobilising expertise and financial resources in support of the achievement of the SDGs in Nigeria.”
Orelope-Adefulire noted that financing sustainable development was not just about mobilising capital for specific projects and programmes.
“It is equally about ensuring the organised private sector becomes adapted to financing for sustainable development, by altering the way in which private finance operates so that its own processes are both sustainable and support sustainability,” she added.

She called for enhanced public-private partnership as seen in the fight against COVID-19 to overcome the challenges ahead.

Mr Ade Adefioye, Lafarge Africa Chairman, said its sustainability strategy was focused on four pillars: Climate and Energy, Circular Economy, Environment and Community.
“With the impact of COVID-19 and more than before, our commitment to sustainability is absolute. Joining this conversation today is one of the ways we want to further entrench economic and social governance,” Adefioye said.

Country Chief Executive, Lafarge Africa Plc, Khaled El-Dokani, explained that the Sustainability Series was a four week long engagement which would focus on what was needed collectively to achieve more measurable impact and accelerate the SDGs.

He added that “it affords an opportunity to share best practices for adoption in Nigeria and agree collectively how we can jointly progress the SDGs from the decade of action.” (NAN)

Economy

Nigerians to Pay More for Petrol as Fuel Prices Rise Nationwide

Published

19 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

Nigerians are facing yet another spike in fuel prices as premium motor spirit (petrol) now sells for between ₦905 and ₦945 per litre across several filling stations in Abuja.

Checks on Monday, October 6, 2025, revealed that Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail outlets, along with Empire, AA Rano, and Shema filling stations, adjusted their pump prices upwards. Empire Filling Station in Gwarimpa reportedly sold petrol at the highest rate of ₦945 per litre.

Other stations, including MRS, Emedeb, Ranoil, and Eterna, dispensed petrol between ₦885 and ₦910 per litre.

Marketers Blame PENGASSAN Strike for Price Surge
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) attributed the sudden hike to disruptions caused by last week’s strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

IPMAN President, Abubakar Maigandi, explained that the price increase was largely due to supply interruptions. He noted that stations receiving supplies from Dangote Refinery were still selling between ₦885 and ₦895 per litre, adding that prices were expected to stabilize soon.

“The feud between Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN may have triggered panic buying and artificial scarcity. I can assure you that prices will drop and return to normal in the coming days,” Maigandi said.

IPMAN spokesperson Chinedu Ukadike also confirmed that the PENGASSAN strike caused temporary shortages in Lagos and Abuja but expressed optimism that availability would improve as supply chains normalize.

Depot Prices Edge Up
Depot prices have reportedly risen slightly, with Dangote Refinery selling petrol at ₦844 per litre, Ranoil and Aiteo at ₦845, and NIPCO at ₦850 in Lagos.

The fuel price increase comes just days after Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN resolved their dispute over the alleged mass dismissal of Nigerian workers, which led to a two-day strike. Federal Government intervention helped broker peace between both parties.

Dangote Refinery later thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other mediators for their role in ending the strike.

Shettima, PENGASSAN Trade Words
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES31) on Monday, criticized PENGASSAN, declaring that “Nigeria is bigger than the union.”

In response, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo countered, saying the country is also “bigger than Dangote Refinery and the presidency,” emphasizing the union’s commitment to protecting Nigerian workers’ rights.

Economy

Tourism wearing a new face in Kwara: Commissioner

Published

1 week ago

September 28, 2025

Our Reporter

Urges Kwarans, foreigners to embrace it Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Government has continued to showcase the beauty of culture and traditional assets and its uniqueness in the daily lives of the citizens, urging the people to embrace it for development.

The State Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju, had earlier in a broadcast, enjoined the people of the State, at home and in the diaspora, to embrace tourism as a tool for developmental progress to sustain transformational growth in line with the policy thrust of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s-led administration.

The Commissioner made the call to mark the 2025 World Tourism day with the theme, ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation’, as declared by the United Nation’s World Tourism Organization(UNWTO).

According to Olukoju, tourism is more than travel, it is actually a way of supporting people, culture, and the environment while driving economic growth, urging all and sundry to explore the various tourist sites around them.

“Tourism is not just travel, it is about building a future where every journey contributes to people, culture and planet, it is about hospitality that opens our heart and also helps to preserve our heritage and create opportunities for growth and development”, She said.

The Commissioner, who was delighted that the Ilorin Emirate Durbar was recently ranked among the top ten festivals in Nigeria, celebrated Hajia Faridah Shagaya, who was recognised among Africa’s top tourism personalities, describing the recognitions as sources of pride for the state.

She commended the administration of Governor AbdulRazaq for investing in tourism and hospitality, citing projects such as the Visual Arts Centre, Flower Garden, and Sugar Factory Film Studios, among others, as commendable efforts.

She also announced that this year’s celebration includes a roundtable with stakeholders to advance discussions on the future of tourism in Kwara State.

“Tourism is wearing a new face, from the Sugar Factory Film Studio, the Visual Arts Centre and the improved road network to Owu Waterfalls and many more which are evident of his work and is gradually opening Kwara to the World”, she added.

The Commissioner, who was represented at the event by the Director, Personnel, Finance and Supply, Hajia Salamat Yahaya, assured that tourism will continue to receive priority attention under the present administration and urged all stakeholders to support the ongoing efforts to make Kwara a leading destination for culture, heritage, and hospitality.

In her remarks, the Secretary, kwara State Hospitality and Tourism Development Board, Hajia Ramat Akanni, applauded the present administration for priority attention given to the Board.

Hajia Akanni expressed optimism towards an enviable tourism and hospitality driven state, which she assured, would attract prospective investors and enhance revenue generation for the state.

She sought support and utmost compliance from hoteliers and relevant stakeholders to achieve the desired goals, pointing out that violators will face the full wrath of the law.

Relevant stakeholders and participants at the one-day event later visited Sobi Hills and the Kwara Sugar Film Factory as part of activities marking the celebration.

End

Economy

FAAN Rolls Out Cashless Payment System at Lagos, Abuja Airports

Published

2 weeks ago

September 26, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has introduced a new contactless and cashless payment system, tagged Operation Go Cashless, in partnership with Paystack.

In a statement on Thursday, FAAN announced that the initiative will take effect from September 29, 2025, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

“Effective September 29, 2025, all payments at FAAN revenue points, including airport access gates, car parks, and FAAN VIP and protocol lounges, will go cashless. This means we will be phasing out cash collection at these points,” the statement read.

According to FAAN, the new system will provide travellers and airport users with faster, more seamless services through a secure, contactless platform. The agency explained that the shift responds to rising demand for modern, transparent payment methods and aligns Nigeria’s airports with global digital standards.

FAAN added that reducing cash handling will enhance efficiency, strengthen revenue assurance, and improve customer experience. It also noted that the cashless policy will be gradually extended to other airports nationwide.

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