STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
President Bola Tinubu, on Friday in Abuja, called for strengthened cooperation to address the prevailing threat of terrorism, while commending the outgoing French Ambassador to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann, for her dedication to enhancing relations between France and Nigeria.
In a farewell meeting with the French Ambassador, President Tinubu urged Ambassador Blatmann to leverage her new role as Director for Africa in the French Foreign Ministry to advocate the urgent need to ”upgrade technical cooperation” between Nigeria and France to defeat terrorism and violent extremism.
”You have been excellent in promoting bilateral relations between both countries in the areas of economy, trade, education, arts, and culture. Thank you for the hard work you have done in Nigeria and for President Macron to appoint you to a new position as Africa Director, it is a testament that you excelled in your assignment in our country.
”You will always be welcomed in Nigeria. On regional security, we want you to remind Paris at every opportunity that it is necessary to upgrade our technical cooperation in our joint efforts to defeat terrorism and counter violent extremism in the region,” he said.
Reflecting on her tour of duty in Nigeria, Ambassador Blatmann shared notable achievements, highlighting France’s significant investments and remarkable increase in bilateral trade.
According to her, France is among the top foreign investors in Nigeria, with over $10 billion in investment stock, and with bilateral trade increasing by 51 percent in 2021 and 2022.
”We are also one of the biggest development partners with over 3 billion Euros invested over the last decade by AFD and PROPARCO. AFD now operates in 26 of Nigeria’s 36 states.
”Ever since I arrived here in October 2021, it has been a series of wonderful discoveries and amazing encounters. I will definitely take away with me the energy and creativity of this country that will forever guide me and fuel my afro-optimism,” she said.
Recognizing Nigeria’s pivotal role in regional security and stability, the outgoing ambassador emphasized the close collaboration between France, Nigeria, and other key partners in fostering sustainable international peace, security, and development.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
January 12, 2024
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU ESTABLISHES SPECIAL PRESIDENTIAL PANEL ON SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES
Sequel to President Bola Tinubu’s six-week suspension of the four (4) programmes under the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA), President Tinubu has approved the establishment of a Special Presidential Panel, which will be led by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun.
This Special Presidential Panel is tasked with immediately undertaking a comprehensive review and audit of existing financial frameworks and policy guidelines of the social investment programmes with a view to implementing a total re-engineering of the financial architecture of the programmes with detailed modification to procedures guiding the programmes’ implementation moving forward.
The Special Presidential Panel, which is comprised of ministers representing strategic sectors and will ensure a multi-disciplinary approach to the reform effort, is made up of the following members:
(1) Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance – Chairman
(2) Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare – Member
(3) Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning – Member
(4) Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation – Member
(5) Honourable Minister of Communicatons, Innovation and Digital Economy – Member
(6) Honourable Minister of State for Youth – Member
President Tinubu anticipates that this Special Presidential Panel will validate the confidence reposed in it by winning back all lost public confidence in these vital programmes over the years by ushering in a new era of operation based on open and accountable governance frameworks that will prove impervious to abuse and incompetence for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households across our nation.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
January 13, 2024
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU CELEBRATES HIS LONGSTANDING ALLY, CHIEF BISI AKANDE, AT 85
With a heart full of joy and gratitude to God, President Bola Tinubu celebrates his long-time confidant, Chief Bisi Akande, as he marks his 85th birthday on January 16, 2024.
Chief Akande, CFR, was the governor of Osun State from 1999 to 2003 and the first interim National Chairman of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC).
President Tinubu extols Baba’s defining principles of integrity, loyalty, truth, and justice, recalling his exemplary leadership odyssey and selfless service to Nigeria.
“Baba was a principal actor in the founding of our great party, the All Progressives’ Congress. He has always been a progressive; always noble and disciplined in thoughts and actions, as well as given to rational and enlightened ideals. He is a cherished friend and confidant, ever so generous with his wise counsel. I celebrate him,” the President says.
President Tinubu wishes Baba many more years in good health and strength and thanks him for his unfailing support and sacrifice over the years and now.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
January 15, 2024
PRESS RELEASE
SANWO-OLU SEEKS CONTINUOUS PRAYER, SUPPORT FOR ARMED FORCES, FALLEN HEROES
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has appealed to Lagos residents to continuously pray, support and remember families of the Armed Forces as well as fallen heroes who paid the supreme prize for the peace and security of the country.
The Governor made the appeal at the Year 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Interdenominational Divine Service, themed: “Honouring Sacrifice (John 15:14)” held at the Chapel of Christ The Light, The Secretariat, Alausa on Sunday.
The service was attended by members of the State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains, Commanding Officers in Lagos State, members of the Armed Forces, members of the Nigerian Legion, religious leaders, families of the fallen heroes and Christian faithful, among others.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by its Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo at the event organised by the Lagos State Government, said the occasion presented the opportunity to remember the fallen heroes as they paid the supreme prize by sacrificing their lives for the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
He said: “We are gathered here in the presence of God and in thanksgiving to Him as we remember our fallen heroes who paid the supreme sacrifice while preserving the unity and territorial integrity of our nation.
“Today, the government and the good people of Lagos State are united to appreciate the sacrifice of the departed; to pray for the continued repose of their souls; to remember their families left behind as well as those who have become incapacitated (one way or the other) as a result of injuries sustained in the war front.
“This occasion also presents the opportunity for us to remember in our prayers members of our Armed Forces who are sacrificing so much to keep the country safe against evil forces across the country.
“I wish to call on all the good people of Lagos State to continue to support members of our Armed Forces and their families. Let us always remember them in our prayers so that God Almighty will continue to grant them victory in Jesus mighty name. Amen.”
In his sermon, the Guest Preacher, Pastor Daniel Olukoya, the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), urged Nigerians to embrace sacrifice to enjoy a nation that they would be proud of.
Pastor Olukoya, who was represented by an Assistant General Overseer of MFM, Pastor Ladedoja Abiodun, said the event was to celebrate and honour fallen heroes who saved the country from external as well as internal aggressions and paid the prize for a better future.
He urged Nigerians to continuously pray for those who died in the course of servicing Nigeria and those who are still in active service.
The Commander 9 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Adegoke Adetuyi, read the Bible Reading at the event which featured prayers, praises and thanksgiving.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
14 JANUARY 2024