…Describes the former Governor an Exemplary leader

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State extends his heartfelt congratulations to Captain Idris Ichalla Wada as he marks his 73rd birthday. The governor takes this moment to express his admiration for Capt. Wada, recognizing him as an exemplary leader endowed with an exceptional vision.

Governor Bello takes great pride in characterizing the former pilot as a leader who has consistently exhibited an unwavering commitment to both the service of God and the betterment of humanity. It is with respect and honor that Bello acknowledges the significant contributions that Captain Wada made to the advancement and prosperity of Kogi State during his tenure as its governor from 2011 to 2016.

The governor goes on to emphasize Captain Wada’s enduring influence, noting his invaluable guidance and sagacious counsel, which continue to inspire and shape the aspirations of the younger generation of leaders. As the anniversary of Captain Wada’s birth is celebrated, Governor Yahaya Bello wholeheartedly extends his wishes for a joyous occasion.

In his prayers, Governor Bello beseeches the divine to bestow upon Captain Wada the blessings of longevity and robust health, allowing him to continue to enrich lives and make positive impacts.

Born on the 26th of August, 1950, in the Dekina local government area of Kogi State, Captain Idris Ichalla Wada’s legacy is multifaceted. His journey encompassed not only a distinguished career as an accomplished aircraft pilot within the Nigerian Aviation Industry but also a remarkable tenure as the governor of Kogi State from 2011 to 2016.

Nigeria’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.1% in the first quarter of 2023 from 5.3% in the fourth of 2022, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said.

This was contained in a report titled, ‘Nigeria Labour Force Statistics Report Q4 2022 & Q1 2023’ which was released on Thursday by the NBS.

Recall that the bureau had pegged the country’s unemployment rate at 33.3 percent in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2020.

The NBS said it enhanced its methodology of collecting labour market data through the Nigeria Labour Force Survey (NLFS) in line with International Labour Organisation (ILO) guidelines.

“About three-quarters of working-age Nigerians1 were employed – 73.6% in Q4 2022 and 76.7% in Q1 2023. This shows that most people were engaged in some type of jobs for at least one hour in a week, for pay or profit,” the Bureau said.

“About one-third (36.4% in Q4 2022 and 33.2% in Q1 2023) of employed persons worked less than 40 hours per week in both quarters.

This was most common among women, individuals with lower levels of education, young people, and those living in rural areas.

“Underemployment rate which is a share of employed people working less than 40 hours per week and declaring themselves willing and available to work more was 13.7% in Q4 2022 and 12.2% in Q1 2023.”

It added that most Nigerians operate their own businesses or engaged in farming activities.

“Unemployment stood at 5.3% in Q4 2022 and 4.1% in Q1 2023. This aligns with the rates in other developing countries where work, even if only for a few hours and in low-productivity jobs, is essential to make ends meet, particularly in the absence of any social protection for the unemployed.

“22.3% of the working age population were out of labour force in Q4 2022, while it was 20.1% in Q1, 2023.

The rate of informal employment among the employed Nigerians was 93.5% in Q4 2022 and 92.6% in Q1 2023.”

Amb. James Momoh JP, the Chief Executive Officer of Social Plus Africa Communications Ltd and convener of the GIS-Awards, has issued a commendation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarding the appointment of 45 ministers to take charge of the nation’s affairs.

In his statement, Amb. James Momoh congratulated the newly appointed ministers responsible for key portfolios including the FCT, Agriculture, Women Affairs, Humanitarian, Communication, Information,Steel among others

He urged them to extend their full support to the federal government’s policies.

The swearing-in ceremony for the 45 ministers-designate, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, took place on Monday at the banquet hall of the presidential villa in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

During the event, President Tinubu addressed the newly sworn-in ministers, acknowledging the current formidable challenges the country is confronting.

He emphasized the necessity for these ministers to promptly implement much-needed reforms that have been postponed for an extended period.

President Tinubu stressed that the responsibilities of the ministers commence immediately.

With the nation facing pressing issues, he highlighted the urgency of the ministers’ roles in driving change and progress across various sectors of the government.

President Bola Tinubu on Monday swore in 45 ministers to a new cabinet that must get to grips with tackling the problems of sluggish growth, a weak currency and high inflation in Africa’s largest economy.

The country also faces widespread insecurity, including the theft of crude oil by criminal gangs.

The ceremony took place nearly three months after Tinubu took office on May 29 after winning a disputed presidential election in February which is being challenged by his main opponents in court.

“Your obligation is to return public faith in government so that our people can once again believe in government,” Tinubu told the new ministers.

The new cabinet will have to confront sluggish growth, caused by a previous collapse in oil prices that weakened the currency, slashed government revenues and drove up inflation.

It must also try to win back foreign investors who fled as currency controls were introduced in 2016.

Tinubu, 71, who is chairman of regional bloc ECOWAS, is working with other heads of government in West Africa to find a solution to the crisis in Niger where a military junta has seized power.

He has embarked on some of the boldest reforms that Nigeria has seen in years, including scrapping a popular but costly petrol subsidy and removing exchange rate restrictions. The naira has weakened to record lows.

The reforms are a gamble to try to kick-start growth but inflation has soared, worsening a cost of living crisis for Africa’s most populous nation. Nigeria will release its second-quarter growth data on Friday, the first after Tinubu initiated the reforms.

Tinubu, appointed former investment banker Olawale Edun as finance minister and coordinating minister for the economy. He named Heineken Lokpobiri as junior minister of petroleum and Ekperipe Ekpo as junior minister of gas resources.

A main petroleum minister has yet to be appointed, spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said.

Tinubu’s cabinet is bigger than that of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, who had 36 ministers in his first terms and 43 in his second term in office. Under the law, the president must include a member from each of the country’s 36 states.

Most cabinet members are political veterans, many of whom were key players in Tinubu’s election campaign.

“I believe in you that government can be a positive force for transformation and the vehicle for the collective progress of this country,” Tinubu said.