President Bola Tinubu is determined to change the fortunes of Nigeria, regardless of the challenges confronting the country, says Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

Shettima said this on Saturday in Abuja at a one-day retreat for presidential aides and heads of units in his office.

According to him, the nation’s economy is on the path of growth on account of President Tinubu’s policies and determination to transform the economy for all Nigerians.

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“President Tinubu is determined to change the fortunes of the nation. We all want to bequeath to the younger generation a united and progressive country.

“Yes, the economy has and is experiencing challenges but we have turned the corner. As of now, we are producing 1.8 million barrels of oil per day.

“The economy is on an upward trajectory and I believe in the new year, the economy will grow in leaps and bounds,” he said.

Shettima urged all aides in the presidency to synergise more and work harder in helping the President to deliver on his mandate.

“The country is greater than all of us. I urge you, let’s work as a team and as a family,” he said.

Earlier, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice-President) Sen. Hassan Hadejia, explained that the retreat was planned to enable aides to synergise on ideas.

According to him, this is to ensure a seamless execution of tasks assigned to the office of the Vice President.

He said the essence of the retreat was to enhance strategic communication in the office, streamlining project funding and partnership.

Hadejia added that the retreat would improve collaboration and synergy within the office and enhance collaboration with ministries, departments and agencies.

Also, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, commended the efforts of aides in the office, especially on tasks concerning strategic communication.

Baba-Ahmed stressed the need for improved collaboration across the presidency.

On his part, the Special Adviser to the President on General Duties, Dr Aliyu Moddibo-Umar, implored the aides to avail the system of their knowledge and expertise.

“Be humble and focus on the tasks at hand. We need to deliver on the difficult task ahead. The primary thing is just the work,” he said.

(NAN)

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed criticisms from individuals described as “hustlers masquerading as activists,” vowing not to be distracted by their antics.

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the FCT Minister, in a statement on Saturday, accused certain critics of operating as “professional scammers” who thrive on blackmailing public officials.

Olayinka alleged that the ongoing backlash against Wike stems from the minister’s refusal to yield to their demands for patronage.

“While growing up in Okemesi Ekiti, my grandfather taught me never to wrestle with pigs because, at the end of the fight, sane minds won’t be able to differentiate between you and the pig,” Olayinka said. “As a matter of principle, we won’t dignify some people with a response.”

Olayinka accused some self-styled activists of exploiting their platforms for personal gain, including misappropriating funds and leveraging blackmail schemes to extort public officials.

“Some of these so-called activists jump from one platform to another because Wike has refused to play their ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ games. Their tactics are simple: make noise in the media or organize protests, then send emissaries to negotiate payments. Once paid, they move on to their next targets,” he claimed.

Citing personal encounters, Olayinka recounted how, in 2016, an individual approached him during his bid for the National Publicity Secretary position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with a proposition to monetize activism by attacking public officials.

“Today, that same individual parades himself as an activist. But Wike is not someone who plays their games, and that’s why they are frustrated,” Olayinka added.

Addressing allegations of land grabbing against Wike, Olayinka challenged accusers to present evidence. He argued that the ongoing removal of shanties in the FCT, which some have criticized as land grabbing, was necessary for public safety.

“Calling the removal of shanties that pose security threats ‘land grabbing’ is an indication of wasted education,” he said. “People occupied lands without authorization, built houses under trees using planks and tarpaulins, and turned them into settlements. These are not legitimate claims to land.”

Citing the case of a shanty in Wuye near a residential estate and rail line, Olayinka said the occupants admitted they had no authority to occupy the land and acknowledged that the settlement had been cleared 22 times under previous administrations.

“Their only request was relocation, and their representatives met with the FCT Ministry on Tuesday. If this is what these hustler-activists are labeling as land grabbing, I pity those who still believe in their credibility,” he stated.

The Governor Uba Sani led Kaduna State Government has announced a plan in partnership with international agencies to build 102 new schools, renovate 170 others and return 200,000 out-of-school children back to school.

The Project Coordinator, Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROSC), Ezra Angai, who led an advocacy visit to the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon. Liman Dahiru, reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to providing quality and affordable education for every child.

Angai said the State Government has partnered with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Education Above All (EAA), Save the Children International (SCI), and UNICEF to address the pressing issue of out-of-school children.

Explaining that the project is an initiative of the Kaduna State Government to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the state, Angai said, the administration of Senator Uba Sani has been particular about education and the need to reduce the number of out-of-school children.

The Project Coordinator while noting that the initiative would be implemented over a four-year period across the 23 local government areas of the State, said the specific objectives of the project include, to improve access to quality education through the construction of 102 schools and the renovation of 170 schools.