Monthly Archives: November 2023

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Powering Prosperity: Unlocking Nigeria’s Potential Through U.S. Partnership

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By David Greene, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i.
United States Embassy Abuja

OP-ED

Nigeria is on track to be the world’s fourth-most populous country by 2050. It already has the largest economy in Africa and, with 60 percent of its population under the age of 25, it stands on the threshold of a demographic dividend that can dramatically transform its economy for the better. Nigeria’s strategic partnerships are essential in harnessing this potential, and the United States is playing a leading role. As we near the six-month mark of President Tinubu’s administration, our relationship has emerged as a key for success. One year ago, at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, DC, President Biden renewed our commitment to deepening engagement across the continent. Here is how we are doing that in Nigeria – working in areas that matter most to everyday citizens, such as growing the economy, strengthening democracy, improving health outcomes, ensuring security, and addressing the climate crisis.

Nigeria’s economic potential is vast, and with the right macroeconomic framework, a sound fiscal strategy, and a strong commitment to rooting out corruption, it can become a preferred destination for foreign direct investment. American investors and companies are eager to engage with Nigeria, and the United States government is doing its utmost to build our bilateral trade and investment ties.

Consider these examples: We have joined forces to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation, with investments from U.S. tech giants such as Microsoft, Cisco, Meta, Google, and Starlink. This partnership has built a platform to train unemployed and underemployed women and youth. Moreover, it has been a catalyst for quality investment, accounting for more than a quarter of all venture capital flowing into Africa.

Collaborative efforts in agriculture further underscore our commitment. For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently dedicated $22 million to strengthen Nigeria’s cocoa value chain, supporting more than 60,000 cocoa farmers, processors, marketers, and other agribusiness service providers in what is Nigeria’s #2 foreign exchange-earning export. From tech to agriculture, these steps go beyond statistics. They translate into tangible outcomes: good jobs, seed money for new ventures, and higher-value agricultural exports.

The United States is also a steadfast partner in strengthening Nigeria’s health sector. With World AIDS Day – December 1 – approaching, it is worth recalling that over the past two decades, PEPFAR, the leading U.S. initiative to address HIV/AIDS, has invested nearly $8 billion in Nigeria, providing more than 1.6 million individuals with life-saving HIV treatment. In response to COVID-19, the United States donated more than 44 million vaccine doses, helping the Nigerian government approach its target vaccination rate of 70 percent of the eligible population. Partnerships like the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative, with an annual budget of more than $71 million, have reduced child death rates and strengthened health systems.

Those investments are just part of our overall development assistance to Nigeria. In fiscal year 2022 alone, the U.S. government allocated over $1.2 billion dollars in such support. These funds provide humanitarian assistance, and improve health, economic development, education, social services, democracy, human rights and governance, and peace and security.

In the latter two areas – democracy and security – we aim to support an inclusive future where Nigerian citizens’ votes count and translate into responsive governance, and where they can live in peace. We are a steadfast partner in seeking to strengthen election processes that will enhance accountability to meet citizens’ expectations, and pursuing innovative projects to help communities resolve differences without violence. Through cooperation with and training of Nigeria’s military and police, we are building more capable forces. Collaborating with civil society, law enforcement, and the judiciary, we are confronting the security challenges that stand in the way of economic growth while upholding a shared commitment to human rights. Initiatives include building Nigeria’s counter-terrorism capacity, bringing technology to courtrooms and case-management systems to help in the administration of justice and reduce pre-trial detention, and supporting efforts to enhance accountability and transparency in police forces.

Our partnership to address the climate crisis reflects our mutual recognition of this challenge, and our respect for Nigeria’s role as both an energy producer and a country profoundly impacted by the effects of climate change. In the leadup to COP28 – the 28th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention for Climate Change, which begins this week – the United States and Nigeria are aggressively seeking solutions. For example, U.S. support for Nigeria’s leadership as a Global Methane Pledge champion has led to action that is reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the benefit of all.

These programs and cooperative efforts advance a joint agenda that is built and driven by the highest levels of our leadership. President Biden met with President Tinubu in September, and numerous senior U.S. officials have come to Nigeria in recent months to confer on meeting Nigeria’s energy needs, driving U.S. trade and investment in Nigeria, and strengthening our law enforcement cooperation. These engagements strengthen our ties, address Nigeria’s pressing needs, and tackle shared challenges.

Ultimately, realizing Nigeria’s potential hinges upon enhancing its fiscal and economic health – and capitalizing on its strategic partnerships to build on that foundation. The opportunity has never been greater. Nigeria, with its youth, energy, and entrepreneurial spirit, is poised to seize this moment. We commend the government for its bold actions thus far to try to move the economy to a more solid footing. The United States is your partner in that effort – through investment, better security, a stronger workforce, and resilient institutions – that benefits all Nigerians and expands prosperity for both our peoples. Our journey ahead has its obstacles, of course. But together we will find a path toward a shared prosperity.

News brief, Special report

BigSwiss harps on Customers’ satisfaction, reiterates commitment to seamless VTU services

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In an era where Virtual Top-Up (VTU) services is emerging as preferred options for payments for bills, BigSwiss Group, one of Nigeria’s leading fintech companies offering VTU services, has reiterated its commitment to making bills payment seamless and readily convenient to Nigerians and other customers within the African continent.

According to Mr Basil Okongwu, CEO of BigSwiss, the advent of technology has made it rare for people to go out to purchase either airtime from local vendors or walking to electricity distribution companies to pay for their electricity bills and other bills payment, hence the need for BigSwiss app, which is backed by the firm’s commitment to ensure seamless VTU transactions.

Giving insight into the firm’s commitment to customers satisfaction in a brief to journalists, Okongwu noted that the entry of BigSwiss as a VTU service provided is to bridge the widening gap in bills payment and help people get easy access to these services at their fingertips with less stress.

Mr Basil Okongwu, CEO, BigSwiss

A commitment to customer satisfaction

“BigSwiss and group brings to the market value self-service access. We made our app to be less cumbersome and straight to business. And we also made it in such a way that those in the rural areas can easily use these services without asking people for help. Our services are specifically tailored towards the needs of our customers irrespective of the region or location.”

Providing further insights, Okogwu explained that BigSwiss has plans targeted at various strata of people in the society, regardless of the region they are residing, customers are able to access its services and pay their bills effortlessly.

Accessibility and Reliability guaranteed

“We have been able to create a very strong presence. And for customers in this virtual top of the competitive era, our service, accessibility, flexibility and percentage setup is one of the things that we can actually use to help customers choose.

“Reliability is one of the things that we hope to use to get our edge in the market. We’re definitely not ignorant of the challenges that would come through but we are sure going to conquer them with our unique services.

“We see our brand becoming the most reliable virtual App. This is one of our visions and missions. And also taking over as one of the reliable brands in this sector not just in Nigeria, but also in Africa and beyond. Also to provide massive employment for youths across Africa.

It’s all about seamless services

“Customer service is very crucial to us, in fact it is the bedrock of our services. We have a different life channel of chain customer service agents who are not only friendly but available 24/7 to promptly attend to customers without delay. Our priority is the satisfaction of our customers. And that is why we have created different lines of channels for customer’s assistance and satisfaction,” Okongwu stated.

Media event, Special report

HOPE RENEWED AS FORUM BOUYS CHRISTIAN MEDIA ENTREPRENEURS TO KEEP THE FAITH, AIM FOR EXCELLENCE

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By Tobi Oyetunde

In order to remain relevant and to fulfil the mandate and purpose of impactful reporting, Christian media entrepreneurs, publishers, writers and journalists have been enjoined to prioritize their faith in God and strive for excellence in the media industry.

The call came from Olawale Perfect, Chief Executive Officer of WiGRadio; Gbenga Osinaike, Publisher of Church Times; and Blessing Oladunjoye, Publisher of BONEWS, among others at a virtual forum organised by the Christian Press Association of Nigeria (CPAN).

The discussants, who provided diverse perspectives of their work as Christian media entrepreneurs noted that coverage of Christian news should not be limited to reporting on pastors and church events, but should also report on other issues that are important to the Christian Faith

The session, which focused on insight, lessons and testimonies in pursuing the vision and passion for media ministry, was moderated by Sanmi Falobi, Chair of CPAN interim Management committee and Managing Editor at SUCCESSTACT.

In a compelling testimony, Mr Olawale Perfect, who pioneered WiGradio, one of Nigeria’s foremost online/internet radio stations, shared his journey into the media landscape.

According to him, his journey into media was a divine calling received during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year. He said that he initially wanted to be a lecturer, but God led him into the media.

“When we started, the journey of internet radio was actually something new and I realised that there were very few people in the field of online radio and so there was a need for me to do a lot of research.

“I graduated with a first class in biochemistry, and the thought on my mind was that I wanted to be a lecturer and my lecturers really wanted me to come back to the school. So, when I went for my NYSC, I began to pray and to ask God what I was to do and God began to lay it on my heart that he had an assignment for me in the media, even though I did not have my origin in the media initially. So I then went to the University of Lagos, and I did a post-graduate diploma in mass communication and from there I began to see one or two opportunities to do one or two things in radio.

Wale Perfect

“God began to lay to my heart that the next phase is, you need to start your own radio station. And I was like, it is either God does not know what it takes to start a radio station in Nigeria, or maybe someone is trying to deceive me, most likely I’m trying to deceive myself because by my estimate, to start a radio station in Nigeria, you need not less than 40 million. So I was praying and fasting and one of those days while I was fasting, it just came to my heart, I can’t really explain it, but there should be a way that radio can operate over the Internet.

“We started one of the first online radio in Nigeria then, and gradually, we began to move it step by step and we began to see results with time such that within a short period of time, we were able to reach about 126 countries,” Perfect narrated.

Reflecting on the challenges faced, Perfect emphasized the importance of faith, prayer, and innovative thinking in overcoming obstacles not only in the media but in life generally.

Mr Gbenga Osinaike, who also shared his experience as a publisher, said he was motivated to start a church newspaper because he noticed that newspapers hardly reported church events and Christian news except it is scandalous events that involved churches and pastors.

Osinaike, who was an Assistant Editor in Punch newspaper from where he resigned to start Church Times, highlighted the lack of coverage for church events and positive Christian news in mainstream media.

Gbenga Osinaike

Speaking on how he started Church Times, he said, “the idea of Church Times came to me around 2005 when I attended a retreat program and I was wondering, who is documenting this event.

“There was no space, as it were, for Christian news in the mainstream media, it is only when it is negative or scandal that you get pastors mentioned. They were not allowing stories that can edify lives and there are a lot of things happening in the church that were not reported. So the idea came to me that it would be a good idea to start a church newspaper.

“By 2006, the Lord said to me it was time for me to leave and start this thing, but I was really afraid because how do I start a paper when I know that the mortality rate of papers in Nigeria is so high? Those who had money, who had millions were finding it hard and were dying.

“We actually printed the first edition in April 2007.”

Recalling how the journey has been over the years in publishing Church Times, he urged that those pursuing Christian media ventures to spend more time with God rather than look up to people for support.  He also urged Christian journalists to be ethical and professional in their work. Citing testimonies of God’s providence and favours with which the newspaper have thrived over the years, he warned on the need to put focus and trust in God, rather than some persons because man, as it were would disappoint.

“Don’t depend on yourself and put your faith in people because they will fail. The lesson is to stay with God and depend on him for supply.

“Don’t be under pressure, nobody should define success for you. Let your success be based on what God wants you to do, and remain there.

“Christian publishers can report beats from a Christian point of view. The church papers should not be limited to reporting pastors and church events, it is a wide field,” the Church Times Publisher added.

Ms Blessing Oladunjoye, who shared her experience of starting a news platform that focuses on women, children and persons with disabilities, said her platform started from a blog during her days in the tertiary institution and evolved into a news platform in 2018.

Oladunjoye highlighted the importance of professional experiences, especially in reporting on women and persons with disabilities, in shaping the platform’s niche.

She said, “I created it on blogspot.com and it was called Blessing Oladunjoye Community News as of the time. Sometimes, in 2018, I had an encounter with someone, a senior colleague within this space, who just said, ‘you are doing well with what you’re writing. We checked the rating on alexa.com and it was ranked. So, he felt and said that if the website could be ranked because of the content you put in, and just you as of the time, I think you should register it.”

Blessing Oladunjoye

She noted that in determining the focus of what niche to pursue, she had to do a scan of the available potentials and opportunities.

“To determine what BONews will be doing, as of that time, I had worked with Women Radio, which is a women’s radio station which focuses specifically on women’s issues, I had worked with an NGO called CEE Hope Nigeria with focus on child rights issues in informal communities and at that time also, I was interacting with members of the disability community. And so due to my experience back then in school with the challenges and experiences that persons with disabilities encounter, I feel like why not just create a niche within this space because I’ve gathered some form of experience reporting these issues. So I then decided to officially register BONews Service in 2018 and started publishing content on children, women and persons with disabilities.”

Noting that running BOnews as an independent outfit was challenging, she said that she had to find sources of sustenance from other media and journalism-related tasks on a personal level, in order to fund the operations of BOnews.

“Of course, there are numerous challenges and there are issues. I had asked myself, am I sure I should be doing this, am I sure I should do that, but then, the tenacity, being focused over the years really made me realise that it pays a lot, it pays to do this.”

The award-winning and journalism Fellow noted that though there were challenges faced, she encouraged aspiring journalists to persevere, stay focused, and find fulfilment in reporting on critical issues. She also spoke of the need for journalists to be creative and innovative in their work.

In adding to the discourse, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin, Executive Director of Media Career Development Network, emphasised the importance of fostering international connections and collaborating with both local and global colleagues.

Otufodunrin encouraged Christian journalists to actively engage in events and participate to unlock new opportunities.

Highlighting the ever-evolving landscape of technology, Otufodunrin stressed the necessity of embracing change and exploring innovative approaches in reporting.

Lekan Otufodunrin

“Every day, technology changes, and it is important to see how we can do things differently. As much as possible, let us improve on what we are doing.

“Technology is changing everything and we should see what can be adopted locally and how we can benefit from it. We should always seek to expand and not stick to narrow ways of focus,” Otufodunrin said.

The forum, also received robust engagement during the questions, answers and comments sessions. According to the organisers, the forum is part of the series of capacity development initiatives of CPAN, and to reposition the Association for greater relevance. The Association, which has been in existence for some years is made up of Christian news outlets, publishers, editors, writers and related independent media professionals.  

The audio recording of CPAN forum#2 is accessible @ https://bit.ly/CPANFORUM2 while update about subsequent editions of CPAN forum can be accessed @ bit.ly/CPAN_FORUM

Media event, News brief

Bridging leadership and digital literacy gaps: Ensuring girls are not left behind

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By Tobi Oyetunde

With the advent of ICTs and Artificial intelligence, it is no longer news that technological innovations now drive things. However, the gender inequality parity within the socio-economic domain is also found to exist within the scope and the dynamism of innovative use of information technology.

Thus, it was apt, that as part of efforts to commemorate the 2023 International Girls Day (IGD), that young girls in secondary schools were sensitised and made aware of the need to develop appropriate leadership and digital literacy skills so that they are relevant in the scheme of affairs. This was the underpinning objective of the Initiative for Social Impact and Sustainable Development (ISISD) at an interactive programme held for secondary school girls in Abeokuta, Ogun State, recently.

The interactive session, organised by ISISD with support from Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE) and Innate Communications was centred around the IGD 2023 theme: “Invest in Girls Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being.”

ISISD Coordinator, Funmi Falobi, who was lead facilitator at the event noted that it was imperative to keep encouraging girls so that they are not left behind but motivated and mentored to exhibit potentials that would take them to the top.
“As girls and emerging women, you cannot afford to be pushed aside in the affairs of life, but you must strive to do your best to excel and showcase your potential for a better society”, she said, noting that the theme of the 2023 IGD served as a call for young girls to believe in themselves and brace up for leadership opportunities that would launch them to the global stage. She also challenged them to be digitally savvy in the world of technology that is changing the narratives around the world.

While looking at women who had proved their worth in business, governance, industries and career, Falobi enjoined the girls not to settle for less in life.
“For the fact that you are girls you are at a disadvantage, but despite the challenges facing girls, you must be motivated to be great in life. Women are doing great in various fields of endeavour including politics, so don’t let anything limit you. Don’t let anyone shut you down in achieving your goals,” she charged

Looking at the ancient city of Abeokuta and the impact of great women from the historic town in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general, the girls were enjoined not to be discouraged but weather the storm to be great.

“Ogun State has produced great women with great impact in Nigeria and Africa. It is important to learn from this. Face your studies, have role models and mentors and this will help you greatly in attaining your full potential in life. You are a leader, don’t let anyone look down on you or limit your vision,” Falobi said.

She also encouraged the girls to look into taking up career in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) saying, “this are areas girls don’t delve into. As the world is now a global village as a result of technology, it is important girls are not left behind but encouraged to take interest in digital literacy to bridge the gap.”

At the interactive programme, the girls explained that some of the challenges they face include inadequate parental attention, bullying, low self-esteem, lack of encouragement to pursue their goals among others. They however showed the interest to be great leaders to contribute their quotas in the society.

While commending the organisers for the programme, Mrs. Hannah Adeneye, Head, Vocational Department, Muslim High School, Abeokuta, said girls must not limit themselves but know that the world is waiting for their manifestation.

“There’s nothing boys are doing that you cannot do. They have enlightened us today and I want you to venture into the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics courses. Don’t limit yourself to feminine courses alone. We have women doing great in technology and we want to have more. And I’m sure you have made up your mind to be one of the greatest females in science oriented courses and be great leaders in life,” she advised.

Apart from the interactive session, sanitary pads and educational materials were distributed among the girls.

Special report

Ekiti: Where govt officials renege on following budgetary allocation

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By Emmanuel Ukudolo, Ishaya Ibrahim, Funmi Falobi and Seyi Babalola

There is widespread impunity in Ekiti State with misappropriation of public funds. Government officials seem to have made it a habit of dipping their hands into the public purse and spending at will without recourse to the budget in five Local Government Areas.

Auditor General of Local Governments in Ekiti State, Dr. Iyadunni Victoria Oke made allusion to  these breaches in the audit certificate she presented on Ekiti West Local Government Area, Ijero Local Government Area, Ikere Local Government Area, Ilejemeje Local Government Area and Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area, where she posited that her observations reflect a true and fair view of the local government areas as at 31st December, 2022.

Investigations into the books of Ekiti West Local Government Area revealed that these breaches occurred in overhead cost, transfer and purchase of assets, overshooting the budget by almost half of the amount budgeted, without a supplementary approval by the local government approving authorities.

Ekiti State Governor
LGAs in Ekiti State

For instance, in Overhead Cost, the total budget for the year ended 2022 was N81, 480, 000 but Ekiti West Local Government Area spent N122, 931, 602.00, exceeding the budget by a total of N41, 451, 602.00. 
Items captured in the Overhead Cost include maintenance services, transport,  grant, SUBEB Overhead,  fuel and lubricants,  training and human development, field overhead expenses, professional services,  miscellaneous expenses,  material supplies, Iyaloja Imprest and general utility.

Under transfer to other government entities, the total budget for the year 2022 was  N1,025,000,000 but what was spent without supplementary approval was N1,577,252,389.63, overshooting the year 2022 budget by  N552, 252, 389.63. As usual there is no supplementary budget to approve the excess based on the impunity which seems to have eaten deep into Ekiti West LGA.
Items captured under transfer include pension and gratuity,  SUBEB staff salary,  Security fund,  Parastatals and agencies, Peace Corps, Ekameta LCDA, Okemesi /Ido-Ile LCDA and  Special Rates with JAAC.

For Purchase of Assets, the total  appropriation for the Year  was  N74,000,000 but what was spent without budgetary approval was N71,031, 304.90, again exceeding the budget by  N2, 968, 695.10 kobo.
Items covered under this subhead include: land, building, infrastructure,  motor vehicles, plant and machinery, office equipment, furniture and fittings. 

This same trend was replicated in Ijero Local Government Area where budget for overhead cost was N74, 242,000.00  whereas what was spent without budgetary approval was N182, 020, 858.04, surpassing the budget by N107, 778, 858.04 kobo. 

The trend continued in Ikere Local Government Area where no amount was captured in the 2022 budget for Iyaloja, yet the local government paid a sum of N155, 256, 935.23 to the Iyaloja of the state. 
To be specific, N300,000 was paid to the Iyaloja as stipend for 12 months, N78, 162, 600 was paid for Iyaloja’s Logistic Security and another N76, 794,335.23 kobo was paid to the same  Iyaloja as Assist/workshop claims without being captured in the 2022  budget. 

Ikere LGA also overshot the budget for the year 2022  in transfer to other government agencies.  For instance, the total budget for transfer in the affected year was N414, 358,322, whereas what was spent was N1, 144,  077, 709.55, exceeding the budget by N729, 719, 387.55 kobo almost N1 billion.  In fact, the practice of overshooting the budget was carried over from the year ended 2021.

In fact the Ikere Local Government Area is so neck deep in impunity in the area of allowances also. For the year 2022, the budget captured N11, 500,000.00 for allowances but government officials spent N91, 179, 621.79 on allowances, exceeding what was provided for in the budget by N79, 679, 621.79 kobo. 

Ilejemeje Local Government Area is not left out in the mess pervading almost all the local  government areas in Ekiti State. For instance, under transfer to other government agencies, the Local government budgeted N543, 300, 000 for transfer to other government agencies, whereas  what was spent out of budgetary approval was N970, 836,  332.94 kobo, overreaching appropriation for the year by N348,  956, 892.52 kobo.

The cankerworm also spilled over to Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area under the subhead of Salary payment for the year ended December 31, 2022.  The Local Government Area  budgeted N1,158, 724, 854.72 kobo, whereas it spent N 1,818, 764, 568.38 kobo, consequently spending  a whooping N660,039, 713.66 without budgetary approvals. 


The same holds true for social contributions, where the sum of N6, 550,000 was approved for the local government but as a result of inherent impunity, officials of the local government  spent N56,512, 399.11 kobo without any supplementary consent.
The same level of executive lawlessness was exhibited in overhead cost, where  the total budget  approved for the local government under the subhead was N60,  290, 000, whereas officials of the local government went ahead to spend N101, 471, 297.67 Kobo, exceeding what is approved by  N41, 181, 297.67 kobo. 

This financial lawlessness was also carried further to the subhead, transfer of other government entities, where N530, 000,000 was approved in the budget but what was spent for the year was N762,  718, 354.54 kobo, exceeding approval by N68, 285, 303.45 kobo. The same trend holds  true for allowance and others.

Reacting to this  ugly development, Chairman, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) , Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmi Alonge, said the local government officers involved should be called to explain what happened if there is no virement.
“If there is no virement, then they should be called to explain. Ideally, they should not have spent beyond their budgetary allocation,” she said in a telephone interview with one of our team members.  

She said although inflationary trends could sometimes lead to spending beyond budgetary allocation, but that when such happens, officers who dispense such funds must provide a clear explanation for the gap. 

 “Most times, the amount allocated and funds expected do not match and the cost of things are also increasing. For instance, if you budgeted N3, 000 on fueling before, look at the cost of fuel now. If you budgeted N189 per litre, look at it today. So, the amount budgeted will be at variance because the cost of things are escalating every day, and unfortunately, the revenue remains the same. But there should be a system for explanation. Once something is very wide like that, it calls for questioning. The officer in-charge should have been called to explain the reason for the gap.” 

In his reaction, Policy and Research Officer at Corporate Accountability, Advocacy and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Zikora Ibeh said the practice of local governments in Nigeria spending beyond their budgetary allocations indicates a deficiency in due process and weak financial management and oversight structures. 

“This pattern poses a significant threat to the financial health of any state and fosters fiscal indiscipline, leading to financial mismanagement, misappropriation, and the potential rise in public debt as governments may need to borrow to cover deficits. This prevalent issue across multiple local governments in the country is also the reason why local authorities are unable to finance capital projects, undermining economic development and effective governance.”

According to him, when local authorities fail to adhere to their budgets without due process, they undermine public trust and raise concerns about transparency and accountability in their financial management.

“ In the long run, this practice will ultimately destabilise the macroeconomic stability of any state, leading to adverse effects on its development prospects.”

>>Budget Infographics: Innate communications<<