LaPromotif

Although, the maritime industry had its fair share of the unintended backlashes from the implementation of the Federal Government’s bold but necessary economic reforms in 2024, stakeholder collaboration aimed at positioning  Nigeria  as a leading maritime hub in West and Central Africa gained significant traction, apparently encouraged by the sector’s widely acknowledged vast potential that could transform it into the cornerstone of the nation’s economic growth and sustainable development in the coming year. For instance, naira depreciation which forced the exchange rates to skyrocket, significantly impacted the maritime sector, as import duties, calculated at dollar rates, became prohibitively expensive, leading to reduced import activities and a downturn in port operations. This, in turn, negatively affected ancillary services such as haulage and clearing agents, triggering job losses. The fuel subsidy removal and the floating of the Naira took toll on port users...

By Umar Ardo THE ongoing tensions between Nigeria and Niger, marked by accusations, sanctions, threats of military invasion and diplomatic stand-offs, have been simmering since July last year. Yet there has been conspicuous silence of Nigeria’s foreign ministry all the while. This raises critical questions about the relevance of diplomacy in Nigeria’s current governmental affairs. Traditionally, the foreign ministry is the vanguard of diplomacy, and its minister charged with managing international relations, resolving conflicts and fostering cooperation. But even when Niger’s president made those scathing accusations against Nigeria, it wasn’t the Foreign Minister that responded on behalf of Nigeria; it was the Information Minister that did! This foreign ministry’s absence in these crucial exchanges highlights a troubling shift in Nigeria’s approach to foreign policy under the Tinubu administration.  This lack of visible engagement by the Foreign Minister in the Nigeria...

By Victoria Frances WAZIRI Adio, the founder and executive director of the Agora Policy think tank, is concerned about some provisions in the proposed 2025 budget of the federal government. Adio expressed his concern in his column in THISDAY on Sunday, December 30, describing some of the budgetary provisions as “curious.” According to him. “One glaring example is the plan to transfer **N146** billion to the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) as counterpart funding for the Lagos Green Line Metro Rail Phase 1. This raises several questions: The proposed allocation for the metro line within a state comprises 65% of the capital budget and 57% of the entire budget of the Ministry of Transport,” he wrote. “If this is counterpart funding from a recapitalized MOFI, why is the money coming from the budget of a federal ministry? Why can’t MOFI raise its counterpart funding from the market? How was the decision made that this is a project worthy of federal investment, and will such funding b...

Earlier today, the 28th of December, 2024, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, the Director-General of Energy Commission of Nigeria, paid a courtesy visit to the Ohinoyi of Egbira land, HRM Alh. (Dr.) Ahmed Tijani Mohammed Anaje in his palace. The Director-General of Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, in his address appreciated His Royal Majesty for the warmth reception accorded him and his team and His Royal Majesty's unwavering commitment towards fostering peace, progress and development of Egbira land, same which he said has made it possible for the present peace and development we are witnessing in Egbira land. The Director-General stated that, he is in the palace to intimate His Royal Majesty on the development and achievements so far made by the Federal Government of Nigeria through his office, to wit: training of our youths in the development of *Clean and Renewable Energy*, for example, training on how to couple and fix Solar-powered street lights.  Accordi...