General
Weight $ Measures Department Targets N5b Revenue in 2018
By Dipo Olowookere
The Department of Weight and Measures of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has targeted N5 billion revenue generation for 2018.
This was disclosed during the1st Quarterly Meeting of Legal Metrology officers and inspectors of Weights and Measures held on March 22, 2018.
Director of the Department, Engineer Muhammed Sidi Sada, gave this disclosure while delivering his opening remark at the event.
Mr Sada reiterated commitment of the department to work towards the achievement of the desired goals of the Mr Muhammadu Buhari-led administration on diversification which gave rise to this year’s theme of the 1st Quarterly Meeting of the Weights and Measures professionals: ‘Legal Metrology As a Tool for Economic Diversification and Inclusive Industrial Development.’
The Director highlighted the benefits accruing to the Federal Government and citizens of Nigeria from the performance of this important Department of Legal Meteorology which he said of: “Besides contributing to the building of trust for trade in Nigeria, the performance and functions of the Department cannot be overemphasized.”
Mr Sada said the functions of Legal Metrology Officers and Inspectors include: To reduce disputes and transaction costs during the sales of petroleum products, measurement of gas, electricity , water and the billing of telephone bills.
Other functions are providing level-playing field for Commerce by means of meteorological controls, facilitating effective stock control for businesses, for example, the use of dip tapes for measuring equipment and to facilitate the collection of revenue from the testing of weighing and measuring equipment.
“Given the significant roles played by these officers and their contribution to economic recovery and diversification agenda of the Federal Government, there is need for quarterly assembly of this Department to provide a forum to re-assessing, re-strategizing on performance evaluation and working towards improving on revenue generation mandate of the department,“ the Director said.
Mr Sada commended the Permanent Secretary and the Management of Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment for their roles in the restoration of 20% retention of internally generated revenue (IGR) for the development of infrastructure and procurement of standards. He also disclosed that pre-shipment inspectors have been trained on crude oil and gas measurement to enable them resume pre-shipment inspection of crude oil and gas at the export terminals.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, represented by the Director of Human Resources, Mr Dauda Haruna, in his goodwill message to the assembly, assured the department that conducive environment will be provided for Weight and Measures Inspectors to carry out their statutory responsibilities effectively: “Your welfare is paramount to the Management”, he said.
He commended the efforts of the officers who have been working assiduously in the field to generate revenue for the Government despite enormous challenges faced in the course of doing their jobs; he further encouraged them by saying “You may be aware that the issue concerning Weight and Measures Department have been discussed on the floor of the National Assembly. The Legislators are keenly interested in the development of Legal Metrology infrastructure in Nigeria; they are even recommending the upgrade of Weight and Measures Department to an Agency of its own.”
The representative of the Permanent Secretary further said: “It is not only the National Assembly that is committed to the transformation of Weight and Measures; even the World Bank has recently joined the list of International donors or Development partners that are coming up with programmes that are tilted towards the progress of your Department.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The federal government has promised to collaborate with stakeholders in the real estate sector to drive affordable and inclusive housing, aligning with broader initiatives aimed at improving access to decent homes for low-income and informal-sector workers.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Muttaka Rabe Darma, made this pledge at the 2026 Abuja International Housing Show (AIHS), where industry heavyweights like Dangote Cement, HBM Nigeria and others showcased their products.
Mr Darma noted that the government was ready to partner with organisations to address Nigeria’s housing challenges, remarking that the exhibition’s theme, Housing Solutions for Low-Income and Informal Workers in Africa, aligned with government efforts to expand access to affordable and inclusive housing.
He lauded Dangote Cement and others for their significant contribution to affordable housing and infrastructure development in Nigeria, describing them as key partners in efforts to bridge the nation’s housing deficit and improve access to quality building materials.
The Minister also commended Mr Aliko Dangote for his commitment to Africa’s industrialisation and economic transformation, noting that his investments continue to drive sustainable growth across the continent.
In the same vein, the chief executive of AIHS, Mr Festus Adebayo, described Dangote Cement as a dependable partner whose consistent support has contributed to the growth and success of the annual housing exhibition.
Dangote Cement’s Regional Sales Director for North Central, Mr Bankole George, who represented the National Sales Director, Dolapo Alli, said housing remains critical to dignity, social stability, economic productivity and inclusive development.
He identified major barriers to affordable housing as high land costs, expensive building materials, limited access to mortgage financing, weak rental systems and planning regulations.
He advocated innovative housing finance models tailored to low-income earners and informal workers, including micro-mortgages, rent-to-own schemes, cooperative savings programmes, employer-assisted housing and incremental housing loans.
The exhibition attracted thousands of policymakers, investors, housing professionals, exhibitors and delegates from several countries, reinforcing its status as one of Africa’s leading platforms for housing and urban development dialogue.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Young bloggers, online content creators and digital influencers have been charged to embrace ethical journalism, responsible storytelling and fact-based reporting as they shape public opinion in the digital age.
This task was given by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, during the Niger State Bloggers, Online Publishers and Content Developers Forum on Monday in Abuja.
In a statement on Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Rabiu Ibrahim, the Minister said digital platforms offer enormous opportunities for innovation and civic engagement but must be used responsibly to promote truth, national unity and constructive public discourse.
He urged bloggers and content creators to verify information before publication, reject misinformation and disinformation, avoid sensationalism, and use their platforms to educate, inspire and promote national development.
Mr Idris also encouraged young Nigerians to see digital content creation not only as a source of income but also as a tool for civic engagement and nation-building, stressing that ethical communication is essential to strengthening democracy and public trust.
He further encouraged aspiring bloggers and digital entrepreneurs to continue developing their skills and uphold professional standards that will strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s online media ecosystem.
“There is no democracy that can thrive without a responsible media. You cannot carry freedom and abandon responsibility,” he stated, adding that the government remains committed to protecting press freedom while encouraging ethical journalism.
The Minister also highlighted the establishment of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), the world’s first UNESCO Category 2 Institute dedicated exclusively to Media and Information Literacy, describing it as a major step in promoting digital literacy and responsible online engagement.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Rabiu Kwankwaso, disclosed that Mr Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, signed agreements committing himself to serving only one four-year term if elected in 2027.
Mr Kwankwaso explained that the documents comprised a formal agreement involving the political party and a separate personal accord between himself and Mr Obi.
According to Mr Kwankwaso, the deal stipulates that the presidency will return to Northern Nigeria in 2031 upon the completion of an Obi-led administration’s four-year tenure, if elected next year.
“We have agreed to formalise it in writing,” Mr Kwankwaso stated. “We have executed one document for the party and another between the two of us,” he revealed during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today late on Monday.
He reiterated that Mr Obi would honour his pledge and resist pressure to seek a second term, expressing confidence in the former Anambra State governor, noting that his interactions had convinced him that he would respect the agreement.
“I personally believe him, and, based on what I now know about him, I do not believe he will change his mind when the time comes,” he said. “We are all gentlemen.”
Mr Kwankwaso added that he and Mr Obi would continue to collaborate after the proposed administration completes its term.
“The agreement is that after four years, we will continue to work together as a group, as a party, and as friends and brothers,” he said. “After our four-year term, from 2027 to 2031, power returns to the North. That is the consensus.”
The former defence minister did not state that he would be the NDC presidential candidate in 2031; his comments referred broadly to the presidency returning to the North, rather than to his personal political ambitions.
Mr Obi has repeatedly pledged to serve only one term if elected; however, he has yet to publicly confirm the specific details of the documents described by Mr Kwankwaso.
In the 2023 Presidential polls, Mr Obi was the Labour Party presidential candidate while Mr Kwankwaso contested on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
