CAN To Tinubu: Do Something, Nigerians are Suffering And Dying

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Northern bloc, comprising the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently find a lasting solution to hunger and mass poverty among ordinary Nigerians following the removal of fuel subsidy by him on May 29, 2023.
The organisation, in a communique issued at the end of a three-day meeting in Kaduna, chaired by its President, Rev. Yakubu Pam, declared that Nigerians are suffering due to the subsidy removal, noting that “life in the country today is becoming a living hell as prices of food, transportation and other essential commodities have gone up beyond the reach of the poor masses.”

The Northern CAN said subsidy removal had left Nigerians hungry as poverty has taken over the entire country and called on the president and the governors to do something to ameliorate the sufferings of the masses.
The communique signed by Northern CAN’s Public Relations Officer, Chaplain Gilbert Jechonia and released to Journalists in Kaduna yesterday, called on Nigerians not to relent in their prayers for the unity and stability of the country regardless of the mass poverty and hunger in the land.
The Northern CAN commended the government for taking steps to cushion the effect of the removal of petrol subsidy by way of providing palliatives, but said the steps were cosmetic and may not be the lasting solution to the present economic predicament.

“There is mass poverty and hunger in the land, many Nigerians are barely struggling to make ends meet”, the communique reads.
“Many businesses have collapsed as a result of the harsh economic situation in the country. Unemployment has pushed many young people into crime.
“It is our considered opinion that the provision of such palliatives is not a lasting solution to the hardship being faced by the masses.
“The government should take more concrete and realistic measures at addressing the problem than adopting this adhoc strategy that will only end up enriching a few individuals.

“The palliatives will end up in the pockets of some few individuals and their cronies as we have seen in Nasarawa state where some government officials in charge of the distribution of food stuff were reported to have connived with some traders to divert them!”
The group commended security agencies for fighting insurgency and banditry which it noted, had contributed to the destruction of the economy.
The association however said, “It is not yet uhuru as the bandits continue to terrorise communities, especially in the North.”
The communique lamented, “Almost on a daily basis, these criminals attack communities, killing and abducting people.
“Many people cannot go to their farms for fear of being abducted or killed.”

The association called on the federal government “not to relent in empowering and supporting security agencies to crush the criminals.”
The communique urged President Tinubu and the governors of the 36 states of the federation “to live up to the expectations of Nigerians, by ensuring that the economic and social problems bedeviling the country are addressed.”
The religious body also cautioned the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against the use of force in resolving the political impasse in the Republic of Niger, following a coup.
The communique states further: “That the President and governors must run an all-inclusive government and ensure that development projects are distributed fairly to give every section of the country or state a sense of belonging.

“The meeting called on President Bola Tinubu to do everything humanly possible to address the issue of food crisis in the land.
“The free fall of the Naira to Dollar and other foreign currency is a threat that the government must address for the good of our economy.”
In his inaugural address on May 29, President Tinubu declared an end to the era of fuel subsidy, stating that the 2023 budget did not provide for fuel subsidy, making further payment unjustifiable.

SOURCE: Arise News

Nationwide NLC Strike Disrupts Businesses and Government Offices in Middle Belt States

The ongoing two-day warning strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has seen widespread compliance in several Middle Belt states, including Taraba, Bauchi, and Kaduna. Businesses, government offices, and even financial institutions have been affected by the strike.

In Taraba, the State Chairman of NLC, Peter Jediel, expressed the necessity of the strike to ensure workers’ compliance. He emphasized that the N2 billion allocated by the Federal Government to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory was insufficient to address the nation’s economic challenges.

Bauchi also experienced the strike’s impact, with banks and government offices locked. Various institutions, including the Abubakar Umar State Secretariat and the Federal Secretariat, were affected. The State Council of NLC, chaired by Ibrahim Maikudi, expressed satisfaction with the strike’s first day and ensured that establishments adhered to the strike.

In Kaduna, the NLC Chapter Chairman, Ayuba Suleiman, stated that the nationwide strike aimed to push for wage increases. He highlighted the challenges faced by Nigerian workers, emphasizing that their salaries no longer meet their basic needs. Workers in Kaduna were locked out of their offices by the labor union, sending a clear message to the Federal Government about the workers’ plight.

Suleiman explained that the warning strike served as a message to the government, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the high cost of living and the inadequate income of workers. National NLC leaders had already given the Federal Government a 21-working-day ultimatum to address these issues, making it clear that immediate action is needed.

Subsidy removal: Cash transfer is scam – Kaduna Gov Uba Sani

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state, has described the proposed cash transfer policy of the Federal Government as a scam.

Sani stated this while speaking in an interview with Arise Television’s News Night on Friday.

The governor said, “My position has always been that, at this critical time, cash transfer should not be something that we should bring up, completely. I think that cash transfer for me, in my opinion, is a scam. Completely is a scam. I can be very certain about that, because who are you transferring the money to?

“Let me give an example, go and check the current statistics. Like I said, as the Chairman, Committee of  Banking for four years in Nigeria, I oversight Central Bank, I oversight all the commercial sector of our economy for the last four years and I look at the statistics, I will be very firm on this issue and you can go and check it. 

“Let me give an example, go and check the current statistics. Like I said, as the Chairman, Committee of  Banking for four years in Nigeria, I oversight Central Bank, I oversight all the commercial sector of our economy for the last four years and I look at the statistics, I will be very firm on this issue and you can go and check it. 

“About 70 to 75 percent of the rural population in North West are financially excluded completely. You will have to go and check, these people we are talking about are important people in the society. They do not even have a bank account so who are you transferring the money to?

“Let’s try and work very hard to make sure that they are financially included, that is the most important thing and I will like to call on our development partners, the World Bank, to put more money towards bringing more people into the financial services and the vulnerable in particular.

“Let’s put more money to ensure that we open accounts for them, get them involved, if we don’t do that, no matter what we do however you do it, money will go to the wrong people, that’s the fact.”

President Bola Tinubu had earlier unveiled his administration’s plan for a monthly N8,000 transfer to 12 million of the poorest households in the country for six months, in a bid to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy.

The plan was contained in a letter read last Thursday on the floor of the House of Representatives regarding the $800 million loan request of the previous Muhammadu Buhari administration for a social safety net programme.

But days after the announcement, the Federal Government said it will review the move following the public outcry it generated among Nigerians.

Recall that following the removal of the petrol subsidy and the recent hike in petrol prices to up to N617/litre, the National Executive Council (NEC)  agreed on palliative measures for Nigerians.

NEC also considered integrity tests on state social registers, cash transfers would be done via state social registers subject to state peculiarities.

The Federal Government also initiated a six-month cash award policy for public servants.

According to the Federal Government, food items grains and fertilizers are to be distributed by state governments at the rate acquired from National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), while states were asked to double down on energy transition plans in the transport sector.

Source: Vanguard

We inherited N307 billion debt from Lalong’s administration – Mutfwang

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has announced that his administration inherited a debt burden of N307 billion from the immediate past administration in the state.

The governor announced this shortly after receiving the reports of the committees on the Transition and Strategic Development Framework for Plateau State on Monday in Jos.

Prof. Ganyir Lombin headed the two committees.

The governor voiced his determination to take the state to greater heights despite its huge debt profile.

Mutfwang particularly expressed his readiness to tackle the current security challenges in the state.

“Throughout the campaign season, we were under the mistaken belief that our debt burden was around N200 billion; to hear that it is N307 billion is quite intimidating and worrisome,” he said.

The governor pledged to meticulously study the document presented to him, adding that further investigation would also be conducted with appropriate action taken after that.

Earlier, Lombin explained that some operational challenges prevented the two committees, which had appointees of the past administration as members, from jointly presenting their report.

He noted that the handover notes presented to the governor on May 29 differed from the agreed template developed by the joint committee.

Source: Daily Post

Yahaya Bello threatens to detain and charge anyone who refuses to accept obsolete Naira notes

Kogi’s governor, Yahaya Bello, has threatened to detain and prosecute anyone who refuses to accept the old Naira notes.

These details was disclosed in a statement made in Lokoja by Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, Bello’s Commissioner for Information and Media.
The old Naira notes of N1000, N500, and N200 should continue to be accepted as lawful money alongside the new notes in all transactions until December 2023, the supreme court declared on Wednesday.

The governor described as “wrong” and “demeaning” the ongoing rejection of the old Naira notes in spite of the supreme court verdict.

“This administration will not stand and watch some persons and businesses continue to reject the use of the old naira notes, even after the court judgement validating their use.

“To us, rejecting the old naira notes is a clear disobedience of the Supreme Court ruling, which shall be vehemently resisted.

“Anyone who rejects the old naira notes should be reported to the security and government authorities for immediate arrest and prosecution.

“Also, banks that refuse to accept old naira deposits shall be sealed up as the state government will not accommodate financial institutions that willfully disobey court orders, moreso, the orders of the highest court in Nigeria, ” Bello said.

The governor urged all Kogi people to try to accept the outdated notes for regular business transactions now that commercial banks had begun issuing them.

The Kogi people are required to accept it as patriots because we cannot keep killing our economy even after the Supreme Court has granted us independence.

“As a result, the state government has established a high-powered Committee to ensure full adherence and compliance to the Supreme Court’s order over the use of the old notes,” Bello stated.

Working in the 21st Century with GreyHobb (Greysoft Technologies – www.greysoft.ng)

The Covid-19 pandemic came with a truckload of revelations. It is clearly possible for people to work from outside traditional office spaces and still achieve results. Also, since working from home comes with its own share of distractions such as the assurance of electricity supply in this part of the world, internet integrity, the absence of a semi-work environment where one could call out Amina from the next workstation and ask her opinion on a professional matter, children interruption during work hours etc., Greysoft Technologies – www.greysoft.ng decided to design a beautiful and serene co-working space (The GreyHobb) to take away all your headaches and the best part here for startups looking to spend a fortune on setting up their own office space is that they can just save that money and come to GreyHobb for as low as 15k monthly subscription.

Co-working spaces can lower a company’s real estate costs and provide greater flexibility in procuring and managing space. As a business strategy, co-working can be more cost-efficient than creating dedicated office space in certain markets with a large percentage of highly mobile employees. For businesses seeking to quickly enter new geographic markets, co-working also provides a more efficient alternative to planning, designing, constructing and relocating to a new permanent office space.

GreyHobb provides its visitors with an inspiring work and relaxation environment. On entry, you’ll spot an outdoor work area, heavily supplied with unwavering electricity and internet supply. You will also notice the abundance of breeze, clean oxygen air, blowing in from all corners. This is because of the lavishness of trees in the premises. As you approach the hub, you’ll notice to your left, the cafeteria with two external gazebos where co-workers can sit and eat as well as work. Behind is an external urinary where gents can go to do their thing. Inside the structures are well ventilated rooms, artistic sceneries with inspiring quotes and texts. The highpoint of it all is the culture that is practiced by the people in this environment, both staff and co-workers. A sharing ecosystem with everyone eager to learn and contribute to the growth of the other.

At GreyHobb, we can say we agree with the Nigerian artist Davido when he said; “We Rise by Lifting Others”.

GreyHobb, Kaduna – Beyond Co-working

GreyHobb, Kaduna – Beyond Co-working

At its core, GreyHobb (by Greysoft Technologies – www.greysoft.ng) seeks to create strong communities and foster synergies, adding greater value to everyone who participates in the ecosystem. The dynamic energy of this space helps people feel that they are part of something larger than themselves and that others care about their success and want to help propel their ideas forward.

Greysoft Technologies Nigeria – http://www.greysoft.ng is at the heart of tremendously alleviating poverty through a strong campaign and implementation of digital literacy. The Greysoft Innovation Hub popularly known as GreyHobb, situated in Kaduna state of Northern Nigeria has a simple mandate – “Help people leverage technology for improved livelihood“.

Greysoft’s CEO, Isah Raphael in an interview stated that “with the right level of digital literacy, poverty can be rapidly alleviated if not eradicated”. According to GSMA, the number of smartphone users in sub-Saharan Africa is estimated to reach half a billion in 2021, up from a subscriber base of 477million in 2019. The African population is largely youthful and to keep these youth idle is to make them available for employment as instruments that foster activities which pose threat to local communities, like thuggery, insurgency and banditry. Most of these youngsters own a smartphone. These phones can access the internet and browse opportunities on freelance platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, etc.

GreyHobb is training young people on how to live online by first acquiring basic competences on digital literacy (IC3 standard), as well as developing freelance solutions that match menial job givers with job seekers. After training, trainees are linked to online freelance platforms and provided with access to mentorship. Some of the trained youth who emerge above expectation may be hired to also become mentors to others. This is a process that will be iterative until the result is in sight.

Working in the 21st Century with GreyHobb (Greysoft Technologies – www.greysoft.ng)

Working in the 21st Century with GreyHobb (Greysoft Technologies – www.greysoft.ng)

The Covid-19 pandemic came with a truckload of revelations. It is clearly possible for people to work from outside traditional office spaces and still achieve results. Also, since working from home comes with its own share of distractions such as the assurance of electricity supply in this part of the world, internet integrity, the absence of a semi-work environment where one could call out Amina from the next workstation and ask her opinion on a professional matter, children interruption during work hours etc., Greysoft Technologies – www.greysoft.ng decided to design a beautiful and serene co-working space (The GreyHobb) to take away all your headaches and the best part here for startups looking to spend a fortune on setting up their own office space is that they can just save that money and come to GreyHobb for as low as 15k monthly subscription.

Co-working spaces can lower a company’s real estate costs and provide greater flexibility in procuring and managing space. As a business strategy, co-working can be more cost-efficient than creating dedicated office space in certain markets with a large percentage of highly mobile employees. For businesses seeking to quickly enter new geographic markets, co-working also provides a more efficient alternative to planning, designing, constructing and relocating to a new permanent office space.

GreyHobb provides its visitors with an inspiring work and relaxation environment. On entry, you’ll spot an outdoor work area, heavily supplied with unwavering electricity and internet supply. You will also notice the abundance of breeze, clean oxygen air, blowing in from all corners. This is because of the lavishness of trees in the premises. As you approach the hub, you’ll notice to your left, the cafeteria with two external gazebos where co-workers can sit and eat as well as work. Behind is an external urinary where gents can go to do their thing. Inside the structures are well ventilated rooms, artistic sceneries with inspiring quotes and texts. The highpoint of it all is the culture that is practiced by the people in this environment, both staff and co-workers. A sharing ecosystem with everyone eager to learn and contribute to the growth of the other.

At GreyHobb, we can say we agree with the Nigerian artist Davido when he said; “We Rise by Lifting Others”.

Why Coworking is best for Startups – The GreyHobb experience

Why Coworking is best for Startups – The GreyHobb experience

Co-working spaces are flexible and shared work environments that make significant effort to connect users with supportive networks that commonly result in efficient work outputs, high level of collaboration and knowledge transfer.

Startups are usually small by nature and definition in the sense that the founders do not have big money in most cases. They also lack well-rounded experience in their field and the complete man-power they need; talk more of having the wherewithal to rent a fully furnished office space, powered with uninterrupted 24hr electricity and internet supply to run a successful venture. That’s why Apple, Facebook and the likes started from the garage.

GreyHobb, a co-working and creation innovation hub in Kaduna, Nigeria, founded by Greysoft Technologies Limited – http://www.greysoft.ng, sets off in a mission to help people leverage technology for improved livelihood, with a vision to achieve optimal access to digital opportunities. At GreyHobb, every startup is already incubated on sign up. This is evident in the structure of the community of co-workers, as each is carefully admitted in line with Greysoft’s values and vision. Joining an umbrella of innovative minds on a journey to solve problems digitally means that you are in the right space, if that’s your angle.

What’s important is that you immediately have access to a pool of mentors who are already walking the path you are dreaming of. You also have access to manpower, such as; digital marketers, product designers, developers etc. and some of these come in for free if you have good social skills. Naturally, you would have to hire these services and pay through your nose, but hey! The lady behind you is a good content writer and she could help you with a killer article if you ask nicely or at least show you how.

GreyHobb is well designed with external features such as gazebos for folks who like natural air and open spaces. The cafeteria is also built as gazebos so you can enjoy an all-round work experience whether you were indoors or outdoors. There’s also an external urinary and a wonderful ecologically friendly environment littered with trees everywhere, making the air clean and healthy to breathe.

There is also a crypto trading community at GreyHobb that trades for members just to ensure that members get richer – can you beat that?!As far as co-working spaces are concerned in Kaduna and I daresay Nigeria is concerned, GreyHobb is one of a kind.SHARETWEETPINSHARE

Top Ten (10) Tech Innovation Hubs and Co-working Spaces in Nigeria

Top Ten (10) Tech Innovation Hubs and Co-working Spaces in Nigeria.