By Esther Agbo

In a stern address at the National Press Centre today Saturday, July 6, 2024, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris criticized the Daily Trust over what he described as “reckless reporting” on Samoa Agreement report that threatens national security and stability.

The Minister, speaking on behalf of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasized the administration’s commitment to press freedom while condemning what he termed as abuses of such freedoms.

Idris highlighted the President’s longstanding advocacy for democracy and human rights, emphasizing on the government’s tolerance of media criticism and protection of citizens’ rights to freedom of expression. However, he expressed concern over what he termed a “pattern” of irresponsible journalism, particularly by the Daily Trust.

He said, “This administration has remained very tolerant of media criticism and guaranteed citizens’ rights to freedom of expression. It is however disheartening that some elements are abusing this free environment guaranteed by the Government. We are alarmed by the level of reckless reporting and statements by some media organisations and individuals that border on national security and stability.

“While we sometimes view and treat those occasional reporting as part of media’s normal work, we have now seen a pattern that is difficult to be wished away as normal journalism.

“The insidious and inciting publications by the Daily Trust these past months have come across as nothing but a deliberate effort to brush the government with a tar. On many occasions we have restrained ourselves from believing that this was the case but the consistency of the jejune and mischievous publications leaves us with no option.”

Idris pointed to episodes where the Daily Trust allegedly spread false claims about government actions, including the renaming of a major expressway and involvement in international military agreements, without providing credible evidence. He accused the newspaper of causing disaffection and raising tensions, notably with recent unfounded allegations regarding LGBTQ rights.

“Then just two weeks ago, Daily Trust concocted and popularised a lie that the Federal Government had renamed the Murtala Mohammed Expressway in Abuja to Wole Soyinka Way. In all those instances all that the paper depended on were falsehood and hearsays. They also showed no remorse or the humility to recant.

“We however did not envisage that Daily Trust and people behind it could decend to the reckless level of attempting to set the country on fire by falsely accusing the government of signing a deal to promote LGBTQ. We found that despicable and wicked because the allegation is nowhere in the document signed. Surprisingly, the paper put forward no evidence nor provided the agreement allegedly signed to prove their point.

“The baseless and sensational story unfortunately formed a basis for khutba (sermons) by some of our respected imams who were misled by the story thereby raising tempers,” Idris asserted, noting the ensuing public uproar fueled by the report.

Despite these grievances, Idris reiterated the government’s commitment to handling the situation with civility and adherence to the rule of law, refraining from punitive measures against the press. He announced the government’s intent to formally lodge complaints with the Nigerian Press Association Ombudsman and pursue legal action against the Daily Trust.

“This afternoon, I have the Honourable Minister of Budget and National Planning to provide more clarity on this issue.

“But beyond this, the Federal Government is lodging a formal complaint to the NPAN Ombudsman on this irresponsible reporting.

“In addition, the Federal Government will use every lawful means to seek redress in the court of law,” Idris added.

Meanwhile, Idris reaffirmed the Federal Government’s support for ethical journalism and free speech, cautioning against the dissemination of fake news and misinformation that could jeopardize national peace and security.

“The Federal Government once again restates its friendly policy towards ethical media and free speech. We would however not take fake news and disinformation that would injure the peace of our country and it’s national security lightly.”

By Titus Atondu, Makurdi

The Tor Tiv, Orcivirigh Prof James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse CFR, has condemned the recent violence in Zaki Biam, Ukum, which resulted in the destruction of lives and property.

In a press statement signed by Freddie Adamgbe, Special Assistant to Tor Tiv on Media and ICT, the Tor Tiv expressed his pain and disappointment over the incident, stating, “As the father of Tiv Kingdom, I am pained that the lives and property of my subjects in Sankera are destroyed. I spend sleepless nights deliberating on possible means to end the crisis in Ukum and Katsina Ala.”

The Tor Tiv lamented that despite efforts to restore peace in Sankera, criminality persisted, and assured the people that the Tiv Area Traditional Council, in partnership with the Benue State Government, would employ all possible means to stop further occurrences of mayhem in the area.

“I spend sleepless nights deliberating on possible means to end the crisis in Ukum and Katsina Ala. My prayers are that God should bring peace in the area because there cannot be any development in the area amidst killings and destruction of property,” Orcivirigh Ayatse decried.

The Tor Tiv commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his prompt response in deploying security agencies to Sankera to stop the crisis and announced plans to meet with political, community leaders, and youths in Sankera to find the root causes of the persistent unrest and restore permanent peace in the area.

The statement read, “The Tiv Area Traditional Council under my leadership has concluded plans to meet with political, community leaders, and youths in Sankera to find the root causes of the persistent unrest to restore permanent peace in the area.”

The Tor Tiv appealed to leaders in the Sankera axis to come together and amicably resolve their differences, stating, “Let us see the need to come together and amicably resolve our differences to restore peace in the area.”

The incident, which occurred on July 15, 2024, has left many dead and properties destroyed, with the Tor Tiv urging for peaceful resolution to restore peace in the area.

By Esther Agbo

Nigeria Backbone Infrastructure Limited, a multi-national company, has unveiled plans to invest $172 billion in developing the country’s infrastructure over the next 22 years.

This significant investment will target sectors such as mineral resources, energy, agriculture, housing, and transportation, leveraging alternative financing methods, according to a company statement released on Saturday.

President Bola Tinubu’s administration has emphasized its commitment to attracting foreign direct investment and promoting innovative financing solutions for crucial infrastructure projects.

Last year, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Aniete, reported that the government had secured $30 billion in commitments from foreign investors.

However, Nigeria still faces a substantial infrastructure gap, requiring $3 trillion over 30 years as outlined in the National Integrated Master Plan.

The Group Chief Executive Officer, Henry Owonka, stated that the company, in collaboration with foreign partners, is seeking approval for a joint venture model to facilitate its investment plans.

He stressed the importance of consistent investment, particularly in the mining sector, and expressed a preference for structured investment programs over isolated investments.

“What we are looking for is for us to structure our program of investment, we are not looking for a sovereign guarantee which will deplete the foreign reserves but innovative ways to collateralize those natural resources that the country has in abundance. The president has verbally approved our request.

“The company expressed its interest in investing in the range of commodities. We are seeking approval for a joint venture model because in that way we can draw more investors not only in the country but also outside the country. Because when you have a joint venture with the government, it’s better and that’s what we are seeking rather than for them to just issue land to us,” Owonka said.

According to Owonka, the company plans to invest $4 billion in the mining sector, contingent on acquiring accurate data and government cooperation. This partnership aims to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on crude oil by diversifying revenue sources.

He stated, “to explore mineral resources but we need data and that is also one of the offers we proposed so that we can bring in our expertise and help the government obtain accurate data and then we can explore those minerals.

This partnership will help the government plan to reduce dependence on crude oil. We also doing this across all the ministries because it’s a $172bn investment drive.”

Furthermore, the Chief Operations Officer, Clement Kwegyir-Afful, in his presentation highlighted the investment drive’s goal to address Nigeria’s infrastructure gap through private sector involvement.

He mentioned that one of the company’s subsidiaries focuses on renewable energy solutions, aiming to bridge the energy gap with innovative financing strategies.

He said, “The current administration is looking for several investments to come in through the private sector to reduce the infrastructure gap. The NBIL have come together as a team to support the government achieve this mandate without any sovereign guarantee.

“We want to help address the energy gap through the use of renewables, so one of our subsidiaries focuses on renewable and how we can address that. We are going to bring in innovative ways of funding through financier engineering to raise funds that would address the infrastructure gap.”

Continuing, he added that, “Minerals exploration is one area the government want to use to create another source of revenue shifting from oil and that is one strong area that we want to focus on. It will raise a different form of revenue.

“To do this will require a significant amount of money, so over the next 22 to 23 years, we are looking to invest $172bn dollars. If you break this down yearly, that works to $6bn every year in investment out of the numerous numbers the president is looking for.

“We have grouped our project into phases; the first one will be the ones that have the most impact on Nigeria’s landscape, so we are looking at hospitals, renewable energies, mineral exploration and exportation because that is where we have huge concerns and also some of the deep sea ports.”