General
FG to Revive Garment, Leather Industries With N5.09bn
By Adedapo Adesanya
As part of moves to deepen Nigeria’s revenue diversification process, the federal government is targeting sourcing for N5.09 billion to revive the garment and leather industries.
The Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Mr Chidi Izuwah, made this known in Abuja.
He stated that the amount, N5.089 billion, would be sourced by government from a partnership between the private and public sectors.
According to Mr Izuwah, it would be made up of 80 percent debt and 20 percent equity with zero financial contribution by the federal government.
He spoke at the presentation of the Full Business Case (FBC) compliance certificate to the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) in respect of the proposed NCS shoe and garment factories in Aba, Abia State and the Janguza Tannery Factory, Kano State under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements.
He said the PPP would also lead to the creation of 1,290 direct jobs, multiples of indirect jobs locally and savings on foreign exchange demand to procure uniforms abroad among other significant benefits to the country.
Mr Izuwah said the next stage towards the actualisation of the project was for the NCS, through the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, to secure the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval to enable NCS to sign the PPP contract and achieve immediate take-off of the project.
While attributing the achievements recorded during the development of the PPP project to the economic reform agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari, he expressed confidence that a formal ground-breaking ceremony to signal the take-off of the projects in affected states will happen soon.
He explained that the proposed PPP arrangement between NCS and Erojim Investments Limited (a local company) and its technical partner, Poly Technologies Inc., Beijing, China, is aimed at establishing a world-class factory using the most modern technology and quality inputs to produce high quality shoes, garments, and leather products to meet the demand of NCS and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), whose personnel wear uniforms and make use of other accessories.
“I am delighted to state that the successful start-up of this PPP project will no doubt lead to the revitalisation of Nigeria’s shoe, garment and leather industries in compliance with the federal government’s local content policy initiative encouraging MDAs to look inwards in meeting their basic needs.
“This project was competitively procured using the very proven ICRC Swiss Challenge PPP bidding method. This process involves subjecting the private sector initiated proposal to competition to create value for money while ensuring that the private sector takes significant financial risk and creates the efficiency needed to ensure that the project is delivered to time and specifications.
“The ICRC played a key role as part of her mandate to ensure that the nation attracts the required private investment to build our infrastructure stock to further bridge the infrastructure gaps across the country in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to the private sector-led economic development and inclusive growth,” he said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, has disclosed that the state government has not restricted the movement of people during the re-introduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Responding to an enquiry by an X user, Faveo Autos, on Saturday, he said the exercise was not brought back to restrict the movement of residents, noting that arresting anyone during the sanitation was unlawful and not backed by law.
However, he encouraged Lagosians to use the period to keep their surroundings clean.
“What is the fine for movement during environmental [sanitation]?” Mr Wahab was asked by Faveo Autos today.
In his response, the Commissioner said, “For clarity, there is no restriction on movement during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Consequently, arresting anyone on the basis of movement during the exercise is unlawful and does not represent the position or policy of the Lagos State Government.
“The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was reintroduced primarily to restore and strengthen the culture of environmental cleanliness across the state.
“The initiative is backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017. However, the law does not provide for any restriction on movement during the exercise.
“Our focus is on encouraging Lagosians to embrace environmental sanitation as a civic responsibility and a shared commitment to maintaining a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos, rather than relying on enforcement measures.”
Life is full of unexpected moments that test our patience, strength, and perspective. Everyone experiences setbacks, disappointments, and periods of uncertainty. While these moments can feel overwhelming, they also provide opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.
One of the most valuable lessons we learn is that difficult situations rarely last forever. Time, reflection, and a willingness to adapt often help us move beyond even the toughest circumstances. Maintaining a positive outlook and focusing on practical solutions can make a significant difference.
Relationships also play an important role in overcoming hardships. Support from family, friends, or mentors reminds us that we are not alone. At the same time, learning to let go of anger and resentment can free us from emotional burdens that prevent us from moving forward.
The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive. It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live. Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.
Personal growth is not about avoiding challenges but about responding to them with resilience and wisdom. Every experience, whether positive or negative, contributes to the person we become. By embracing change and practicing gratitude, we can create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
In the end, moving forward requires courage, forgiveness, and hope. When we choose to focus on what we can control instead of dwelling on the past, we open ourselves to new opportunities and a brighter future.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The establishment of four new army divisions has been approved by President Bola Tinubu, bringing the total to 12.
In a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, it was stated that the President also authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to strengthen national security.
The new divisions created include 5 Division, with the headquarters in Makurdi covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States; 9 Division, with the headquarters in Ilorin covering Kwara and Niger States; 10 Division, with the headquarters in Jalingo covering Taraba and Adamawa States; and 83 Division, with the headquarters in Benin City covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
It was disclosed that the establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.
Implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The statement said the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions will improve the operational effectiveness of the security agency and strengthen national defence capabilities further.
Before now, the Nigerian Army operated 1 Division, with the headquarters in Kaduna covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States; 2 Division, with the headquarters in Ibadan covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States; 3 Division, with the headquarters in Jos covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States; 6 Division, with the headquarters in Port Harcourt covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States; 7 Division, with the headquarters in Maiduguri covering Borno and Yobe States; 8 Division, with the headquarters in Sokoto covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States; 81 Division, with the headquarters in Lagos covering Lagos and Ogun States; and 82 Division, with the headquarters in Enugu covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
Mr Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
He lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
