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Shettima Urges States To Unlock Full Potential Of $750m SABER Programme
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The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has implored state governments to accelerate business-enabling reforms to unlock the full potential of the $750 million World Bank-assisted State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme.
This, he said, has become necessary to attract domestic and global capital, enhance local infrastructure, and drive subnational economic growth.
Shettima, who spoke on Tuesday during a stakeholder meeting on optimising the implementation of the SABER programme at the Presidential Villa, noted that a fully implemented SABER programme would help create a more predictable and transparent business environment.
He also listed other benefits of the programme to include attracting domestic and foreign investment, strengthening private-sector confidence, reducing the cost of doing business, expanding digital and physical infrastructure, improving access to land and commercial justice systems, and enhancing the competitiveness of the states.
“These outcomes will translate into increased economic activity, higher productivity, job creation, improved internally generated revenue, and better living standards for our citizens,” he stated.
Accordingly, the Vice President directed the Director General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Zarah Mustapha-Audu, to initiate moves towards extending the lifespan of the programme by an additional year “so that our states can fully utilise the opportunities at our doorsteps.”
Shettima noted that Nigeria stood a better chance of facilitating the actualisation of its one trillion-dollar economy drive by fully optimising SABER implementation.
“I therefore encourage us to engage constructively and contribute meaningfully to our deliberations. Let us seize this opportunity to unlock the full potential of the SABER Programme and position our States as engines of economic growth, investment, and sustainable development,” he stated.
Shettima tied the success of the ongoing reforms of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to a conducive and enabling environment for businesses to thrive, maintaining that this could be determined at the subnational level.
“As a nation, we have embarked on a bold economic reform agenda under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The success of this agenda depends significantly on our ability to create an enabling environment for businesses to invest, expand, and create jobs.
“While the Federal Government continues to implement reforms at the national level, the reality remains that many of the conditions that define the experience of investors and businesses are determined at the subnational level. This is why the role of State Governments in the implementation of SABER is critical.”
Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, encouraged stakeholders to address identified implementation bottlenecks as the SABER programme delivers its intended outcomes for Nigeria in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She expressed optimism that the $750 million performance-based intervention designed by the World Bank technical team and the PEBEC Secretariat would be fully accessed by the states.
Giving an overview of the SABER Programme and implementation matters, the Director-General of PEBEC, Zarah Mustapha-Audu, assured that the council remained committed to removing bureaucratic bottlenecks by working with all arms of government, civil society organisations (CSOs), the private sector, and other stakeholders towards achieving the programme’s objectives.
She explained that while the funds were tied to deliverables, progress was being made by participating states to meet all disbursement-linked indicators as stipulated by the programme.
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Tinubu back to Abuja after Eid-el-Kabir break
President Bola Tinubu returned to Abuja on Tuesday evening after spending the Eid-el-Kabir holiday in Lagos, where he carried out a string of political and official engagements, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement.
The President’s aircraft touched down at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 5:17 p.m., and he was received by senior government officials, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu.
During the holiday period, Tinubu received Vice-President Kashim Shettima and other visitors during the traditional Sallah homage from several political leaders. “I thank all those who came to observe the Sallah rites with me,” the President was quoted to have said in the statement, noting the visits by top legislators and party leaders.
The President also hosted the leadership of the Senate, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and welcomed members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum under the chairmanship of Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. APC stakeholders from Oyo State—including the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Alli—and the party’s House of Representatives and State Assembly candidates from Lagos were among those who visited the President during the holiday.
On Monday, Tinubu attended the International Fleet Review at Eko Atlantic City Waterfront, an event marking the 70th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy. There he commissioned three naval vessels—NNS Oloibiri, NNS Mambila, and NNS Gurara—underscoring his administration’s focus on maritime security. “The commissioning of these vessels is a step toward protecting our maritime domain and supporting national security,” the President said.
Also on Monday, President Tinubu met with the President of the Republic of Benin, Romuald Wadagni, in what the statement said “reinforced the longstanding bond of friendship, regional cooperation, and economic partnership between the neighbouring countries.”
The statement added that before the holiday, the President participated in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Lagos, voting in his own primary and receiving the party’s endorsement.
The statement reiterated that President Tinubu was endorsed nationwide by close to 11 million voters as the APC’s flagbearer for the 2027 presidential election.
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Boko Haram: NAF Chief assures of people-centred air operations
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has again reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to conducting professional, responsible, and people-centred air operations in its ongoing counter-terrorism and other security operations across the country.
Aneke also assured that the commitment of the NAF remains steadfast in its resolve to institutionalise Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) across all levels of operations as part of its commitment to global best practices.
The CAS made this known while declaring open the maiden NAF Seminar on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response for strategic-level officers.
The one-day seminar, which was held at the MD Umar Blue Room, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force in Abuja, brought together an array of senior military officers, security stakeholders, policy experts, civil society representatives, journalists, and subject-matter experts to deepen institutional understanding of civilian protection considerations in contemporary military operations.
In his address at the seminar, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, who described the initiative as a significant milestone in the NAF’s continuous efforts to strengthen professionalism, accountability, and operational effectiveness, noted that the evolving security environment requires military leaders to balance mission accomplishment with the protection of civilian lives and property, stressing that strategic-level officers play a critical role in shaping operational decisions, institutional responses, and public narratives.
While noting that the NAF remains steadfast in its resolve to institutionalise Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response across all levels of operations as part of its commitment to global best practices, the CAS said maintaining public trust and confidence is essential to achieving lasting operational success.
He said, “Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response is not a constraint on our operational effectiveness; rather, it is a framework that enhances precision, improves decision-making, and ultimately preserves strategic legitimacy.”
He further stressed that civilian protection considerations enhance mission effectiveness by promoting informed decision-making, accountability, and operational discipline.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations (CCMR), Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, described the seminar as a landmark initiative in the Nigerian Air Force’s ongoing efforts to strengthen professionalism, accountability, and civilian protection in military operations.
He noted that modern military operations demand a careful balance between mission accomplishment and humanitarian considerations, particularly in complex operational environments where civilians are often present.
According to the CCMR, “Operational success is not defined solely by tactical achievements, but by the ability to conduct operations with precision, discipline, restraint, and utmost regard for the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of civilian populations within areas of operation.”
Air Vice Marshal Gabkwet further highlighted the NAF’s deliberate efforts to strengthen Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response through doctrine development, training, and capacity-building initiatives. He noted that the seminar was organised at the directive of the Chief of the Air Staff to enhance strategic-level understanding of CHMR principles and equip senior leaders with practical tools for balanced, objective, and timely decision-making. He added that effective civilian harm mitigation requires collaboration among military, paramilitary, and civilian stakeholders, making the broad participation at the seminar both timely and essential.
The seminar featured presentations and discussions by renowned experts in civilian protection, human rights, and military operations, providing participants with a platform for constructive dialogue on best practices, operational lessons, and practical approaches to minimising civilian harm while maintaining operational effectiveness.
The Chief of the Air Staff expressed confidence that the outcomes of the engagement would further strengthen the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to professionalism, operational excellence, and accountability while reinforcing its determination to protect civilians and uphold the highest standards in the conduct of air operations.
News
Osun to distribute nearly 2.9m mosquito nets to tackle malaria
A total of 2,897,443 insecticide-treated mosquito nets will be distributed to households across Osun State as part of the efforts to tackle malaria.
The mass campaign led by the Osun State Government is being executed in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme, Catholic Relief Services, Society for Family Health, and other malaria partners, with funding support from the Global Fund Malaria.
Speaking with journalists in Osogbo, the Logistics Advisor for the campaign, Simeon Ibvori, said the new nets would be given out to replace the ones distributed in 2023.
Ibvori, who spoke with journalists on Tuesday, said the insecticide-treated nets were being transported to the distribution hubs after they were moved from the state warehouse to the local government distribution stores across the state.
He added that the distribution will target rural wards where the risk of malaria remains very high.
“A total of 2,897,443 ITNs will be distributed to the people of Osun State. The objective of the ITN mass campaign is to ensure that for every two persons, there is one bed net to sleep inside.
“We do this every three years, and this campaign is to replace the nets we gave out in 2023.
“After collecting the nets, residents must air them under a shade for 24 hours before hanging and sleeping inside,” Ibvori noted.
He urged the residents to collect the nets once the distribution started, adding that the nets are to prevent them from contracting malaria.
“I want to appeal to the good people of Osun State to go out once the distribution starts to collect the nets.
“The idea is to replace the new nets with the old ones. The nets are meant to be used and not for sale. It is free of charge.
“Residents should also respect the health workers during the distribution and allow them to do their job. They have been trained and are fully equipped with the right information,” Ibvori added.
In 2023, about 3.68 million mosquito nets were distributed to households across the state.
Osun State Manager, Malaria Elimination Programme, Dr Olufemi Oroge, made the disclosure during a one-day campaign orientation meeting with selected media practitioners organised by SFHm in conjunction with the state Ministry of Health.
Dr Oroge further disclosed that since the commencement of the malaria elimination programme, over 200 million nets have been distributed, adding that the lifespan of the insecticide-treated nets is between one and four years.
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