The NAFDAC Head of Investigation and Enforcement, Federal Taskforce, Embugushiki-Musa Godiya, also said the agency would work to ensure that fake cosmetics and other counterfeit products were completely wiped out of the country.
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Tinubu’s List: Experts to Help Nigeria Recover Stolen Assets
In a bid to revamp the economy and bring cash on board, the President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly penciled down some notable Nigerians to serve in different capacities after his inauguration on May 29, 2023. These experts were chosen based on their pedigree and qualifications, not political affiliations. While some of them were tested before in revamping the economy, others are equally new to most Nigerians but are think tanks.
It is expected that these professionals will assist the new President and his team in driving an economically robust administration that will meet the yearnings and expectations of Nigerians within the first year in office. Tinubu’s list includes Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Abayomi A. Adebayo, Nuhu Ribadu, Bismarck Rewane, Kingsley Moghalu, Ali Pate, Nasiru El Rufai, Stephen Oronsaye, Obi Ezekwesili, Abdulrasheed Maina, Abike Dabiri Erewa, Shamsudeen Usman, Tony Elumelu, Rtd Major Hamza Almustapha, Pat Utomi, Ikechukwu Dozie, Natasha Akopti, Ummu Ahmed Jalingo, Rislanudeen Mohammed, Mohammed Kyari Dikwa, Wale Edun, and Dele Alake.
As a hands-on member of Tinubu’s team, Dr. Usman is expected to bring his wealth of experience in economic policy formulation, implementation, and monitoring to bear in driving economic growth and development in Nigeria. He will work with other members of the team, especially those with expertise in finance, investment, and economic development, to develop and implement policies and programs aimed at creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, attracting foreign investment, and creating jobs for Nigerians.
Furthermore, Tinubu’s list comprises several other experts in various fields who can help Nigeria grow its economy and critical infrastructure. For instance, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, is expected to serve as a Strategist even while retaining his Traditional duties. Sanusi is renowned for his expertise in financial management and is expected to help the new administration manage the country’s finances better. Abayomi A. Adebayo, a professor of Economics, is expected to work hands-on to drive the new administration’s economic policies.
One of the notable personalities on Tinubu’s list is Dr. Abdulrasheed Maina, who is said to be Tinubu’s boy, is expected to help Nigeria recover trillions of Naira and Huge Dollars, either moved and hidden in vaults across the globe or in international Banks and other financial institutions. He is said to have the have the technical expertise to find stolen assets from home and abroad. Dr. Maina is an expert in that field, having served as the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reform from 2010 to 2013. During his tenure, he recovered over N1.6tr naira from looters, pension and employee payroll fraudsters. In 2017, He worked tirelessly, and in three months, recovered over N1.3Tr and was promised 5% but that money was never paid to him, an issue that made those in the power block slam him with cooked up accusations and put him in jail to avoid being exposed. one of such accusations was the N2bn allocated to the Office Of the Head of Service of the Federation to conduct the worldwide biometric enrollment of Pensioners. Regarded as one of the most successful and yet budget trimmed exercise. The then Head of Service (Stephen Oronsaye) exonerated Maina and claimed that the Funds were released to his office and not the pension reform task team. Maina escaped five different assassination attempts on his life and that of his family. The last of which was when his vehicle was sprayed with 57 bullets from persons in military and DSS uniforms.
Dr. Maina’s expertise in asset recovery and his proven track record of recovering stolen funds makes him an important and valuable addition to Tinubu’s team. The fact is that Nigeria faces significant economic challenges, so, it is essential to have someone to be given the free hand devoid of sentiment and the usual media trial, or persecution as is the case with Maina now, to produce results. We are sure the new president will provide the essential state backing to get results and stop the retinue if borrowing from china etc.
The recovery of stolen assets can significantly boost the country’s economy, and Dr. Maina’s appointment can help achieve this goal. Bismarck Rewane, a renowned economist and financial analyst, is expected to provide insights into the country’s economic policies. Kingsley Moghalu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, is also expected to provide valuable insights into the country’s economic and infrastructural policies.
Nuhu Ribadu (DIG RTD) a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is another notable personality on Tinubu’s list. Ribadu’s expertise in fighting corruption head on, is expected to be of immense value to the new administration.
Other notable personalities on Tinubu’s list include Dr. Shamsudeen Usman is a seasoned economist who has served in several high-profile positions in the Nigerian public sector, including Minister of National Planning, Minister of Finance, and Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from McGill University in Canada and has taught at several universities in Nigeria and Canada.
The appointment of Dr. Abdulrasheed Maina, along with other distinguished Nigerians, is an indication that the incoming administration is poised to tackle the critical challenges facing the country, especially in the areas of security, economy, and critical infrastructure. The team is expected to hit the ground running immediately after the inauguration and work tirelessly to ensure that the government delivers on its promises to Nigerians.
In conclusion, the selection of these notable Nigerians by Bola Ahmed Tinubu to serve in different capacities after his inauguration on May 29th, 2023, shows a commitment to building a strong and prosperous Nigeria. Each of them brings their expertise and experience to the table, and together, they can work towards revamping the economy and critical infrastructure of the country. While there may be concerns about some of the appointees, the hope is that they all have shown capacity in their various areas of specialisation, and will live up to the expectations placed on them and work towards making a positive impact in their respective roles. Only time will tell if this new administration will succeed in bringing about the change that Nigerians so desperately need.
Aliyu Abubakar (Senior Analyst) wrote from FHA Lugbe, Abuja.
Email: [email protected], Phone: 09076778747
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Invoke executive order for state, LG police, Afenifere tells Tinubu
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, on Saturday, urged President Bola Tinubu to invoke an Executive Order for the establishment of state and local government Police.
Afenifere, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi,in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, also called for the erection of close-circuit television sets and deployment of modern technology for security purposes in strategic locations to end insecurity.
Ajayi said, “There are indications that Tinubu is desirous of putting an end to this deleterious menace. Towards the end of January this year, he approved the procurement of digital tracking tools to enhance the apprehension of bandits, terrorists and armed robbers.
“On Monday, April 22, this year, he used the occasion of addressing participants at the African Counter-Terrorism Summit which opened on that day in Abuja to assure everyone of his government’s readiness to ensure greater security. Unfortunately, recent happenings have not shown that the President’s desire in this respect is being worked upon.
“President Tinubu should get state and local government police off the ground immediately through the invocation of an Executive Order while the process of amending the Constitution continues.
“Close circuit television sets, deployment of modern technology for security purposes including drones must be effected immediately.”
He explained that the statement was motivated by the recent reports of banditry and kidnapping in Ogun, Edo, Ekiti, Oyo, Kogi, Zamfara and Niger States, respectively which made a research organization declare Nigeria as one of the top nations where kidnap ranks highest globally.
Ajayi noted that Fulani herders and farmers’ clashes kept occurring in Osun, Ondo and Oyo State; Otu, Igbeti and Alaga in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State were the latest victims.
The Afenifere spokesperson also said, “In order to end insecurity, enhance people’s welfare and ensure the sustenance of Nigeria as one of the top investment destinations in Africa as desired by the government, there is the urgent need by the Federal Government and security agencies to be more innovative and decisive.”
He lamented that banditry, including armed robbery, kidnapping was still occurring on South-West roads such as Lagos-Ibadan, Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode; Akure-Ilesa-Ibadan; Ore-Ijebu Ode-Lagos, Ikirun-Osogbo-Ilesa; Lokoja-Abuja, Owo-Benin and Ibadan-Iseyin-Saki.
“Latest reports have it that on Monday, May 13 instant, eight cocoa farmers were kidnapped at Marindoti Cocoa Farmers’ settlement in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State. Three students of Millicent Secondary School in the same area on their way to write their Senior Secondary School Examination, were also kidnapped at the same time.
“A sum of N31 million was reportedly paid to ransom three people who were kidnapped at Longe village on Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road last week Sunday. On Thursday, May 16, one Seliat Adeniji (nee Raji) was kidnapped in her Ebedi home in Iseyin, Oyo State. Her guard was killed in the process.
“Hon Bello Hassan representing Zurmi/Shinkafi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives last Tuesday claimed that terrorists have sacked about 50 communities and abducted over 500 people in his area of Zamfara State as bandits overran Zurmi, the second most populous town in the state killing palace officers as well as policemen.”
To put a serious check on all these, the Afenifere spokesman said that there was an urgent need to dig deep into the roots of the menace and to be decisive in applying the necessary measures.
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NAFDAC shuts cosmetic shops in Lagos, seizes counterfeit products
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has shut three shops and raided others during a clampdown on the sale of unregistered “Dr. Teal’s” brand of cosmetics in Lagos State.
The agency disclosed this in a post on its X handle on Saturday, stating that the action came after a complaint from the trademark holder.
The statement read, “NAFDAC has shut down three cosmetics shops and raided others, targeting the sale of unregistered ‘Dr. Teal’s’ brand cosmetics. This action follows a complaint from the trademark holder regarding potential counterfeit products.
“Two suspected shops along Excellent Line at the Trade Fair Complex were targeted, resulting in sealed shops and invitation letters issued to attendants.”
It added that another development unfolded at Okas Global Link Limited where NAFDAC confiscated over 200 cartons of various Dr. Teal’s products and other unregistered cosmetics, suspecting them to be the source of distribution.
A shop identified as Cubana Stores at Phil Hallmark Plaza was also reported to have been sealed for stocking and selling the moisturising body and bath products of the alleged unregistered Dr. Teal’s brand.
NAFDAC added that according to its regulations, shop owners found guilty of selling unregistered products face penalties of up to ₦5m fine.
It said shop owners were also being questioned as part of ongoing investigations.
In the statement, the agency emphasised the health risks associated with fake cosmetics, stating the potential dangers of using products containing harmful substances.
News
Traders, soldiers clash at Banex Plaza in Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed intelligence officers to Banex – an electronics and telecommunications gadgets market, in Abuja following a conflict that ensued between soldiers and some traders on Saturday.
A viral video seen by our correspondent on X on Saturday showed a multitude of civilians overpowering some soldiers during a free-for-all fight at Banex.
The Defence Headquarters, and the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Onyema Nwachukwu could not be reached for comments as of press time.
Meanwhile, a trader who simply identified himself as Abdul, told our correspondent on Saturday that the conflict ensued over the sale of a mobile phone.
“There’s a problem at Banex now. Some soldiers came to complain about a phone, and during an argument with the traders, a fight ensued,” Abdul simply revealed.
When contacted over the development, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh said the Commissioner of Police, Benett Igweh has deployed officers of the FCT Intelligence Response Team to the scene of the incident.
“The CP has deployed the Intelligence Response Team to the scene,” Adeh confirmed.
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