Soneye to FG: Support media with tax incentives, relief on import duties – ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The immediate past Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Mr. Femi Soneye, has urged the Federal Government to support the Nigerian media with targeted incentives, reports ITREALMS.

Speaking after receiving the NUJ FCT Excellence in Corporate Communications Award, Soneye emphasized the need for tax reliefs and import duty waivers on essential media tools, such as newsprint, broadcast equipment, and digital infrastructure.

FG issues code of practice for computer-related platforms in Nigeria - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) through the collaboration of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has issued a code of practice for computer-related platforms in the country, reports ITREALMS.

This, NITDA said, is in line with its mandated as contained in the Section 6 of NITDA Act 2007; to standardize, coordinate and develop regulatory frameworks for all Information Technology (IT) practices in Nigeria. 

Fake News worries FG, prepares IOs

ITRealms:

The Federal Government is seemingly worried over the menace of fake news, and is preparing the Information Officers (IOs) on how to effectively counter this effect with fact-based narratives, reports ITRealms.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made this disclosure in Abuja Wednesday in his key note address at a capacity building Workshop for Strategic Communication Liaison Officers, with the theme "Mainstreaming Strategic Communication Across Government for National Security."

He said though the Social Media has proved to be a powerful tool of public communication, it is plagued with challenges, particularly the prevalence of fake news which makes it imperative for Information Officers to brace up and overcome the challenge.

''Faced with the prevalence of fake news, we took action by preparing Information Officers with the skills to identify and counter such fake news through engagement and counter narrative. Information Officers are assigned to monitor both online and offline news media to identify such fake news and develop timely and credible counter narratives to respond to such fake news,'' Alhaji Mohammed said.

He said the Federal Government is also implementing a robust strategic communication framework, with feedback mechanism, to interface with Nigerians on the policies and programmes of government.

"For example, we engage through Town Hall Meetings across the six geo-political zones to inform Nigerians and the international community about our programmes and to listen to criticism, feedback and advice from the citizens.

''Through these meetings, we are able to shape policy and improve on delivering our promises to the people. The town hall meetings, undoubtedly, have yielded positive results with the kind of direct feedback we received from Nigerians. These interactions with Nigerians underscore the importance this administration attaches to the people in carrying them along in the task of governance," the Minister said.

He underscored the critical role of Information Officers in strengthening government communication to achieve national strategic objectives, particularly in managing the image, reputation and promoting the cultures of the people of Nigeria through a dynamic public information system.

He said because of the dynamics of public communication, ''the ministry is leveraging on various Social Media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype, Twitter and Instagram to reach our audiences, especially the youths. These Social Media platforms also provide unique opportunity for the Ministry to aggregate and gauge public opinions and perceptions of government."

The National Security Adviser, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Services, Ambassador Aminu Nabegu, challenged participants to come up with a strategic communication plan to counter the propaganda and negative narratives by terror and anti-state groups.

He said the present administration has eliminated inter-agency rivalry in order to achieve seamless and coordinated approach to effective communication.

The Workshop was organized by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP) to build the capacity of Strategic Communication Liaison Officers (SC/LO) across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs),

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

MMM founder berates Federal Government, wondered why life is hard for Nigerians

Trade & Investment@ITRealms:

The MMM Founder, Sergey Mavrodi has berated the Federal Government (FG) for the recent frozen of all bank associated to the scheme, reports ITRealms.

In a letter, ITRealms gathered, displayed on the page of all participants of the scheme, Mavrodi told FG in his submission wondered that if they (FG) know what is good for Nigerians, why then is life so hard for the citizens.

“And finally. If you know what is right for people, why is the life so bad in the country?,” he stated.

ITRealms recalls that the Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently warned Nigerians against the MMM scheme which it described as a “Ponzi”.

A Ponzi is scheme game based on a fraudulent investment operation where the operator, an individual or organization, pays returns to its investors from new capital paid to the operators by new investors, rather than from profit earned through legitimate sources.

Just as the House of Representatives last October ordered an investigation into the operation of the MMM scheme.

Excerpts from Sergey Mavrodi’s letter to the Federal Government, reads:

“Honorable authorities,

So far MMM has come under a constant attack from you. In this regard, I would like to ask you a few simple questions. Since you are concerned with the interests of millions of your fellow citizens, I hope that you would be so kind to answer them.

What are you trying to get? Do you want the MMM System to collapse and millions of people to suffer? Who will support them then if now MMM is their only means of livelihood?Will you? You even don’t pay wages to people? Or might you not care about them? Might you be using a trendy topic to make a good name for yourselves? What will you say to a mother who will have no money to buy food for her child? Will you let her child die for the sake of the higher interests of the economy?

You say that MMM is a scam. What is the scam here, if all members are warned in advance about all the risks, the possible and impossible ones? They know there are no investments at all. The warning is a red text on a yellow background placed on most prominent place of the website.

You say that MMM is bad. Why? Yes, it produces nothing, but nothing gets out of the country either. The money is just redistributed among the citizens of Nigeria. It gets from those who are richer to poorer ones, in this way restoring social justice. What”s wrong with that?

You have repeatedly stated that “it should be investigated! .. researched!..” It means you know nothing about this System yet; you even haven’t understood how it works………

And finally. If you know what is right for people, why is the life so bad in the country?

Sincerely yours,

Sergey Mavrodi

P.S. As for your statement that “everything will collapse soon”. The system has been working in Nigeria for a year, and according to your estimates, the total number of members now is about 3 million people. In Nigeria the population is approximately 195 million. Can you calculate? Will it be “soon”? :-)”

•Source: NAN.

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

FG says ‘National Addressing System, panacea against crime’

ITRealms:

The Federal Government has described the holistic National Addressing System (NAS) as the panacea against crime in the country, reports ITRealms.

Speaking through the Communications Ministry, the Federal Government urged for the establishment of a national addressing system nationwide.

According to a press release made available to ITRealms by the Special Assistance on Media to Minister of Communications, Victor Oluwadamilare, this was contained in a presentation by the acting Post Master General of Federation, Mr. CYB Ndahi, to the minister of in Abuja.

 According to him, the new development will help individual to secure a legal identity, facilitating the planning and implementation of public policies and to fight against any national disasters and diseases.

He further explained that this is necessary to reinforce national and international security and helps in sending mails, adding that people need addresses to be recognized as members of their communities.

“The national addressing system will help individual secure a legal identity and facilitate the planning and implementation of public policies and services. It is also useful to fight against national disasters and diseases. It will reinforce national and international security and enable tax levy better and dispatch emergency services.”

Ndahi maintained that the establishment of national addressing system is the only way to control criminality and fight corruption, adding that government should do all in its capacity to ensure it work out.

“Banks and other commercial institutions need accurate addresses to locate their customers against fraudulent activities. Water boards and electrical distribution companies need accurate addresses for distribution of their bills and revenue collection, he noted.”

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

FG promises enabling environment for insurance growth

ITRealms:

The Federal Government (FG) has promised to provide the enabling environment for the growth of the nation’s insurance industry, reports ITRealms.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun gave this assurance in her remarks to the National Insurance Conference in Abuja, saying that the current administration would lead in the reforms of a more vibrant Nigeria insurance market.

She explained that a developed and active insurance market would bring about increase in the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), accumulation of long-term funds for infrastructural financing, job creation, and an improved standard of living.

She added that the development would also attract foreign investment into our country.

Dwelling on the ongoing efforts of industry stakeholders to reposition the insurance industry for growth, the Minister said the Federal Government was ready to lend its support, saying “There is a need to immediately address the decline in the Nigerian Insurance Industry as it is lagging behind global and African peers. Despite being the largest economy in Africa, the Nigerian insurance industry remains largely underdeveloped. The industry has under-performed the Banking sector and even the recently established Pensions sector."

Emphasising the resolve of the Federal Government to stimulate extra-ordinary growth and unleash the potential of the insurance industry in Nigeria, the Minister listed some factors necessary for the change. These, among others include the needs to:

"Recognise our true stage of development- we are an industry that despite its age remains in its infancy. This means that Government must act as a nurturer and incubator of the industry. We have also seen the success of the pension fund industry as a text book example of where government policy set clear parameters for participation, led by example and enforced legal obligations. 

"If we are to use the Pension fund success story as a template for the Insurance Industry, then we can jointly identify the required road map."

She also stressed the need to strengthen the capital base of insurance companies.

She recalled that in 1981, the minimum capital requirement for banks was N1million while that of composite insurance companies was N0.8 million. By 2014 Banks had grown theirs to N25 billion and Composite Insurance Companies to N5 billion showing that Banks had grown capital requirements 8x faster. The industry needs to recapitalise. Capital levels were last raised in 2007. To take true advantage of the opportunity for the industry we must recapitalise and reposition. The top 3 banks have capital in excess of N300 billion each! The top 3 insurers have capital of between N14 billion to N25 billion.

"The insurance sector needs to raise minimum capital requirements in a manner that is comparative to what happened to the banking sector in the last two to three decades. Increased capital will provide funding for publicity and product development. It will raise the clout of insurance companies in policy formulation and will enhance our capacity to hire the best people and deploy the technology and marketing, product awareness and investment needed to support the industry.”

According to her, the current administration firmly believes that the economy has only one direction to move in and that is upwards as true change means doing things differently with the full expectation of different outcomes. “Our confidence in the future of our economy is not based on the statistics that have consistently detailed its potential but rather the deliberate policies and actions that will ensure a robust and sustainable recovery.

“Our economic focus is built on pursuing a disciplined approach to our financial management, reducing the cost of governance and increasing its impact. This is being attained by efforts to maximise revenues and minimise leakages through corruption, waste and inefficiency. This will release the headroom needed to fund our essential infrastructure, which will in turn lead to the increased growth of the non-oil sector and a more diversified revenue base. Our days of reliance on oil as a principal source of revenue must be put firmly in our nation’s economic history. That process of adjustment is painful but like “’ good medicine” is the only effective cure.”

She said a key element of the enabling environment is the de-risking provided by the insurance industry.

Quoting NIA sources, the Minister said that Nigeria with a penetration of 0.3% recorded total industry Gross Written Premium (GPW) of N350 billion in 2015. “If we collectively set a 7-year target of achieving Africa’s average penetration of 3.5%, we can transform our industry into one with GWP of N4.5 trillion by 2023. 

To achieve this, the industry will have to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 44% from 2017 to 2023. This is in no way an impossible target and in fact represents the type of ambitious objectives we need to set for ourselves as several sectors in Nigeria including Telecoms, Banking and Pensions Management have been able to record such impressive growth through the collective support of all stakeholders. It is also consistent with the Change mandate of His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari. We have no reason to be different.”

She reiterated the need to act urgently, as the development of the Nigerian insurance industry will come with other attendant benefits that are critical  to achieve the type of growth and change for the economy and for the large number of Nigerians who have been deprived of the financial stability, protection and business growth that developed insurance markets have provided for their citizens for centuries. All successful economies are characterized by a strong investment culture of which insurance plays a key role.

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Pix: The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun (3^rd left) holding a plague presented to her at the National Insurance Conference 2016, in Abuja, Monday. To her right are Commissioner for Insurance, Alhaji Mohammed Kari and Chairman, the Nigerian Insurers Association, Mr. Eddie Efekoha. To the Minister’s left are Chairman, National Insurance Conference Planning Committee, Mrs Yetunde Ilori; President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Lady Isioma Chukwuma and President, Institute of Loss Adjusters of Nigeria, Mr. Ralph Opara.

Nigeria plans visa-free pact with 8 African countries–Onyeama

ITRealms:

The Federal Government of Nigeria may have concluded plans to sign visa-free pact with eight African countries, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, reports ITRealms.

The Minister revealed this at a press conference in Abuja, Tuesday, saying the plan would promote economic partnership on the continent, even though he did not disclose these countries yet.

“Africa is the centerpiece of our foreign policy but it is a paradox that as a Nigerian, you cannot go to an African country without a visa unlike what is obtainable in Western Europe,” he lamented.

Onyeama also said Nigeria was trying to come up with an initiative, like the one in Western Europe where one could enter any sister country without a visa, pointing out that the new idea should bring about an upsurge in economic activities.

“We want to start with about eight countries or see if they come up as a group of eight countries. At the presidential level, they agreed to that, and signed up to free movement. If we can achieve that within a year, then other countries may want to join and we believe that this is a better way to go than institutional ECOWAS etc, as countries take so long to ratify agreements,” he said.

The minister further said that the ministry was working with the immigration to see rise in the number of visa issued to businessmen and investors as well as reduce the time it took to register companies.

Okoli Vincent/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Borrowed funds to finance capital projects – Nwankwo, DMO Boss

ITRealms:

The Director-General of Debt Management Office (DMO), Dr. Abraham Nwankwo has said that the Federal Government is fully committed to ensuring that all fund borrowed to finance the 2016 budget, will be dedicated to fund capital projects, reports ITRealms.

Nwankwo stated this on Tuesday at a one-day workshop by DMO on “Public Debt and the challenge of financing Nigeria’s economic recovery” organised for Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) in Lagos.

“The DMO is committed to making sure that we raise money to fund the 2016 budget deficit from appropriate sources and through appropriate mix during the fiscal year to make sure that capital projects are funded,” he said.

The DMO boss who stressed that the Nigerian debt level is highly sustainable, noted that the nation still had a lot of idle potential, which the administration is currently working to harness for effective growth of our national economy.

According to him, while comparative tax revenue to GDP ratio of Nigeria is less than 7.0 per cent, its peer group has a ratio of 18 per cent.  He therefore, stressed the need to widen the tax net to generate more revenue for the government.

“The debt to GDP ratio is 13 per cent, compared to the 56 per cent of peer group.  So in that essence, our debt is still very sustainable. In this respect, I am encouraging all Nigerians to continue to make sure that they pay their taxes fully as at when due because our tax revenue GDP ratio is relatively lower to countries in our peer group.  As our economy grows, as our GDP grows, as we are collecting enough in taxes from individuals and corporates bodies to be able to fund capital projects, our economy will continue to grow” he said.

He said the debt sustainability and overall economic sustainability can be significantly influence by individuals and corporate bodies paying taxes fully.

Speaking on the economic recession caused mainly by unfavourable structural change in the fall of oil prices globally, he said the Nigerian government is addressing the challenge through diversified, self-sustaining growth in agriculture and agro processing, solid minerals, manufacturing and ICT.

According to him, in the medium to long term, debt sustainability in Nigeria hinges on the overall sustainability of the economic, and the overall economic sustainability hinges on diversifying the economy in a sustainable manner.

“That is what the government is doing in agriculture, solid minerals, ICT and manufacturing. And to do that we need a strong infrastructure base and that is why government is spending what is borrowing on capital projects,” Nwankwo said.

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

World Communications Day 2016: Adewale Martins advises media, FG on security, herdsmen

ITRealms:           

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace, Alfred Adewale-Martins has counseled the Nigeria media practitioners and the Federal Government (FG) on advancing the security of the country, just as FG should take control of the situation, reports ITRealms.

Speaking both at the Holy Mass to celebrate the 2016 World Communications Day marked May 8, at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Onikan, Lagos and a press conference thereafter, Archbishop Adewale-Martins admonished media practitioners in line Pope Fraancis message, using media to be mindful of the words they use in conveying information to the public, especially in Nigeria.

“Words can build connecting bridges, words can also create wars” he asserted, saying that the media should also communicate the mercy of God to the people.

On the recent carnage by Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the country including Agatu in Benue State and Nimbo in Enugu State, the Archbishop implored the Federal Government to take control of the situation, advising that in trying to solve the problem, another problem should not be created.

“The peace and unity of the nation must be protected at all times. We cannot allow what is good for one side of a nation to affect what is good for the other side of the nation. Yes of course, we know that the herdsmen need to have grazing land for their cattle, but at the same time, people who are settled in their homelands also need their lands to farm and earn a living,” he warned.

Government, the Archbishop said, must ensure that impunity is not allowed to go unpunished, insisting that “If there are people who have attacked others, they should face the wrath of the law.”

He stressed that the needs of the herdsmen should be addressed as well, suggesting that the solution Government was proposing which has been frowned upon by the people will only be a source of more problems.

“As in many other countries, ranches should be built by the Government where they are needed,” he advised, emphasising that with the use of irrigation method, it would be possible to have grass all the year round in any part of the country for the purpose of grazing.

Pointing out on the need for adequate communication between the leaders and the led, saying “our leaders need to communicate a lot more than they are doing presently.”

Okoli Vincent/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

FG committed to uphold Freedom of Information Act

ITRealms:

The Federal Government has said its committed to uphold the Freedom of Information Act as a necessary instrument in the fight against corruption and promoting transparency in governance, reports ITRealms.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave this commitment in a remark in Abuja on Tuesday to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day, which has the theme “Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms: This Is Your Right.”

“We are indeed in a very interesting period, which calls for full support and use of the FOI Act and which recognizes the citizen’s right to know, promote war against corruption and sustain economic development. If activities of public institutions are subjected to scrutiny, it will be easier to measure their efforts against their goals and our expectations,” he said.

He said the government has taken a bold step further in not just guaranteeing Freedom of Expression but creating access to information.

“It is apparent that the tide today is to grant freedom of not just expression but also of access to information. However, each nation has to consider its own peculiarities in joining the fray. Since Sweden started the enactment several decades ago, many countries have embraced it and I believe many more are seriously considering the enactment. The fact is that if well utilised, an FOI Act will offer citizens a sense of involvement, belonging and fulfillment.

''It will go a long way in entrenching transparency, which will in turn help curb corruption, promote accountability, good governance, rule of law and service delivery in public office”, Alhaji Mohammed said.

He observed that for democracy to be entrenched in the country, the culture of transparency and accountability must permeate all then strata of government, and therefore enjoined the media to hold the government to account by exploring the Freedom of Act.

Alhaji Mohammed commended the media for remaining resolute in the pursuit of liberty, social justice, equality and democracy and assured that the Federal Government will continue to create the enabling environment for the media to thrive.

“Without even prompting, the citizens require full information on how they are represented and governed. The very nature of democratic government implies accountability and transparency, a free press and other democratic checks. Interestingly, Nigeria, as a developing nation, has a free and independent press. Its vibrant media have successful exposed corruption in higher places and remained undaunted in the face of victimization, politicization and sentiment expressed in some quarters against their professional stubbornness,'' he said.

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Buhari expresses concerns over inability of bail-out states to pay salaries

ITRealms:

The President, Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja expressed concern over inability of the states to pay salaries despite receiving bail-out from the Federal Government, reports ITRealms.

According to him, nearly two-thirds of states of the federation are still having difficulties with salary payments.

Speaking at a meeting with members of the Nigeria Governor Forum at the Presidential Villa, President Buhari said that he was very disturbed by the hardship which state government workers across the country and their families were facing due to the non-payment of salaries.

To ameliorate the hardship being faced by affected workers, the President said that the Federal Government will strive to make more funds available to the states by expediting action on refunds due to them for the maintenance of federal roads and other expenses incurred on behalf of the Federal Government.

President Buhari also said that he will establish an inter-ministerial committee to study a Fiscal Restructuring Plan for the Federation which was presented to him by the governors.

The President said that the committee will review the plan to improve the finances of state governments and make recommendations on how proposals in the plan should be dealt with by the Presidency, the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly through legislation.

SSA to the President on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Garba Shehu in a press statement made available to ITRealms quoted President Buhari as urging the governors, to understand that while he was ready to do all within his powers to help the states overcome their current financial challenges, the Federal Government also has funding problems of its own to contend with.

"You all know the problems we have found ourselves in. You have to bear with us," he told them.

The Chairman of the Governors Forum, Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State and the Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, who chaired the committee that worked on the Fiscal Restructuring Plan, asked the Federal Government to do more to help the states financially.

The governors told the President that while they had resolved to take other measures to boost their internally-generated revenue, the implementation of the Fiscal Restructuring Plan will help them to deal with their funding problems on short, medium and long-term bases.

They said that if the plan was adopted and implemented by the Federal Government, states of the federation will become more financially empowered to fulfil their constitutional responsibilities.

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

FG says state debt deferrals not bail outs

ITRealms:

The Federal Government of Nigeria has clarifies that State debt deferrals are not bail outs, just as creditors will not be adversely impacted, reports ITRealms.

FG through the Federal Ministry of Finance, said that further to the states debt repayment deferral for the month of March that was announced last Thursday, the Federal Ministry of Finance has given clarification.

According to the a press statement endorsed by the Special Assistant on Media to Honourable Minister of Finance, Festus Akanbi made this clarification on behalf of his principal, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, the debt repayments due to the States’ creditors will be fully paid notwithstanding the deferral.

The Federal Government, the ministry said, will make the due debt repayments, which would be offset against liabilities owed to the States, thereby affording all creditors, including bondholders, not to be adversely impacted.

Further, the Ministry reiterated that the deferral is not a bail out but rather a responsive measure by the Federal Government to put States in a better position to meet their salary obligations.

“The deferral amounts to a total of N10.9 billion. All states will receive the relief in this instance, however further deferrals will be subject to the agreement of a Fiscal Restructuring Plan to be prepared by each state with clear measurable objectives,” part of the statement read.

The Ministry equally said its keen to ensure that the programme of Financial Discipline being driven by the Federal Government is replicated in all tiers of government, including elimination of payroll fraud and increased spending efficiencies in overhead. 

“Enhanced financial transparency by the publication of audited accounts and submission of debt profile may also be required,” the ministry cautioned.

+ITRealms DSA 

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Reps authorize FG to increase diaspora bond to $300m

ITRealms:

The House of Representatives has authorized the Federal Government to increase the Diaspora Bond from $100 million to $300 million as part of FG borrowing plan, reports ITRealms.

The authorization, ITRealms gathered, was given during the consideration of the report of the Hon. Garba Shehu Sarkin Noma-led Ad hoc committee, mandated to work on the presidential request at the Committee of the Whole presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yusuf Lasun, Tuesday.

ITRealms also gathered that the Diaspora Bond was captured in the federal government’s external borrowing plan 2016-2018 as a means of diversifying the sources of government funding for capital projects in priority areas such as roads, railways and power.

The diaspora bond, ITRealms reports, reduces the interest cost of government’s borrowing as it is an inexpensive way to raise funds for developmental projects.

ITRealms recalls that in January 2011, Nigeria issued €500 million bond to announce its entrance into the international capital market for a tenor of 10 years, issued at the rate of 6.75 per cent, with the subscription rate at 260 per cent.

This was followed by another successful float of €1billion bond in July 2013 which was in dual tranches of €500 million bond each.

However, the first tranche of €500 million bond in 2013 was for a tenor of five years, issued at the rate of 5.125 percent, with the subscription rate at 346 percent.

The second tranche of €500 million bond, ITRealms further gathered, was for a tenor of 10 years, issued at the rate of 6.375 per cent and at a subscription rate of 445 per cent.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) 

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

FG maps culture, tourism sectors to boost economy – Lai Mohammed

ITRealms:

The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced plans to map the culture and tourism sectors of the economy in order to boost activities and create jobs, reports ITRealms.

Disclosing this to ITRealms, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said Sunday in Lagos at a meeting with Arts, Culture and Tourism Correspondents, that these sectors are close to this administration heart, hence FG is working hard to bring the culture and tourism sectors into the mainstream of the nation's economy.

“Working with various local and international partners, including the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the British Council, we are mapping our creative arts, by which we mean pottery, weaving, dyeing, sculpturing, etc, with a view to reviving them massively through capacity building for those involved and the provision of loans,” he said.

The Federal Government, he also said, believes this will not only create hundreds of thousands of jobs, thus keeping our people meaningfully engaged, it will also become money spinners for the economy and stem the rural-urban migration.

“As you are very much aware, this Administration is diversifying the economy away from oil, which for many years has been the mainstay of our economy. Among the sectors that have been identified as veritable sources of revenue for the nation are the Arts, Culture and Tourism Sectors. This is why we in the Ministry of Information and Culture are working hard to move these sectors from the margins to the mainstream, and ensure that the rural poor in particular are factored into the sector's architecture,” he said.

In addition, Alhaji Mohammed said special attention will be paid to the capacity building of culture and tourism managers in a deliberate effort to revive the nation’s creative arts, boost tourism and create employment for Nigerians, particularly the rural dwellers.

+ITRealms DSA 

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Pix: Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed