President Bola Tinubu has emphasized the vibrancy, talent, and global competitiveness of Nigerian youths during a meeting with Ms. Reeta Roy, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mastercard Foundation. Tinubu pledged his administration’s strong support for public-private partnerships aimed at creating dignified work and employment opportunities for the country’s youth.
Acknowledging the alignment between Mastercard Foundation’s initiative to create 10 million jobs for Nigerian youths and his own Renewed Hope Agenda for economic development and job creation, President Tinubu expressed confidence in the potential of the Nigerian youth. He emphasized the need for inclusive governance and a change in the country’s dynamics and perception, highlighting Nigeria’s position as the largest economy in Africa and its responsibility to lead the continent.
President Tinubu welcomed Mastercard Foundation’s focus on digitization and recognized technology as a powerful tool in combating corruption. He assured the Foundation of his administration’s commitment to collaboration and the removal of any impediments hindering progress. Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, also praised the Foundation’s impact on human capital development in Nigeria.
Ms. Reeta Roy, the CEO of Mastercard Foundation, reported on the Foundation’s progress in Nigeria, where they aim to impact 30 million young Africans by 2030. She highlighted the success of the ‘Young Africa Work Strategy,’ which has already engaged 2.1 million young Nigerians in dignified work. Additionally, she mentioned that seven million individuals have participated in programs focused on skill acquisition, education, financial inclusion, and access to opportunities.
In a separate development, President Tinubu embarked on a private visit to France. The specifics of the visit were not disclosed, including the nature, form, content, and context. The President’s return date to Nigeria was also not indicated.
Furthermore, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dispelled rumors of plans to move the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to Lagos. Onanuga emphasized that such claims were baseless and originated during the 2023 general elections campaign. He clarified that the recent administrative movements of departments under the Ministry of Aviation and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should not be misconstrued as relocating the FCT, as they were aimed at proximity to their respective industries.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, highlighted President Tinubu’s commitment to promoting national cohesion through inclusive governance, ensuring representation from all segments of Nigerian society in his government, in line with the Federal Character Principle.
President Tinubu’s recognition of the talent and global competitiveness of Nigerian youths, along with his commitment to inclusive governance and collaboration with organizations like the Mastercard Foundation, demonstrates his dedication to empowering the youth and driving sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.
In a paper entitled “Promoting National Cohesion Through Strategic Communication,” delivered at the inaugural National Security Course for Psychological Operations and Strategic Communication organized by the Defence Intelligence Agency, Idris addressed the pressing challenges to national cohesion in Nigeria. The Minister, represented by Mr. Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director General of the National Orientation Agency, emphasized the need for comprehensive strategies to address these challenges. These strategies include the implementation of policies that promote inclusivity, equitable representation, and social cohesion.
Idris underscored the importance of shared national values, dialogue promotion, and acknowledgment and respect for Nigeria’s diversity as crucial steps toward building and maintaining national cohesion. He highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s (GCFR) dedication to national cohesion, emphasizing his commitment to upholding the constitution and ensuring that no part of the country feels alienated. The Minister commended President Tinubu’s vision of unity, understanding, and inclusive governance, noting that his government aims to operate with transparency and inclusiveness, avoiding an echo chamber mentality.
The Minister identified historical prejudices such as the civil war between 1967 and 1970 and the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914 as well as religious differences and ethnic diversity as fault lines that some interest groups exploit to polarize the country.
Idris emphasized the crucial role of the media in promoting national cohesion by avoiding divisive rhetoric and instead weaving national narratives that strengthen the bond of unity among Nigeria’s diverse cultures and religions. He cautioned against biased reporting and inflammatory content, which can escalate tensions. He also highlighted the challenges posed by misinformation and disinformation, particularly on social media, and the grave consequences they can have on national cohesion. To address this, Idris has been engaging with tech companies to ensure a balanced approach that upholds freedom of expression while safeguarding against potential harms on social media platforms. He emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to aligning its content regulatory framework with internationally recognized standards, reflecting their dedication to a regulatory approach that respects diverse perspectives while addressing potential challenges.
The Minister acknowledged the difficulty of promoting national cohesion amidst poverty and highlighted the Tinubu Administration’s commitment to lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty. The Ministry and government agencies responsible for poverty alleviation have been reset to ensure the President’s ambitious targets are achieved. Idris emphasized that economic empowerment serves as a catalyst for wealth redistribution and fosters social equity. By providing citizens from various socio-economic backgrounds with equal access to opportunities, feelings of marginalization can be mitigated, ultimately contributing to a more equitable society. The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) prioritizes economic empowerment and poverty alleviation to achieve these objectives.
In a separate development, Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, announced the Federal Government’s target of a 77% increase in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Speaking at the 2024 Strategic Management Retreat of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in Abuja, Edun emphasized the integral role of taxes in boosting government revenue, bridging infrastructure deficits, and creating social safety nets for ordinary Nigerians. He commended the FIRS management for their commitment to meeting revenue targets and expressed the government’s focus on shifting from expensive debts to domestic revenue mobilization. Edun stressed the need for increased government revenue to support infrastructure development and social services.
Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of FIRS, highlighted the historic moment of unveiling the new organizational structure of the FIRS, which aims to revolutionize tax administration in Nigeria. Adedeji emphasized the establishment of a customer-centric organizational structure designed to streamline processes and enhance efficiency in tax operations. The new structure embraces technology and an integrated tax approach, positioning FIRS at the forefront of innovation and meeting the evolving needs of taxpayers in a rapidly changing world. The structure focuses on tailored taxpayer services, simplifying the taxpayer experience and eliminating confusion and redundancy in tax administration.
Amina Ado, Coordinating Director of the Special Tax Operations Group, revealed that FIRS has set a revenue target of N19.4 trillion for the year. Ado highlighted the service’s successful surpassing of the 2023 target by generating N12.37 trillion, and expressed confidence that the 2024 target can be achieved through improved management of large taxpayers and sector contributors.