The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kano State has described the recent entry of former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, and retired Major Hamza Al-Mustapha into the party as a major boost to its strength and future prospects.

Speaking at a press conference in Kano on Friday, the SDP Chairman in the state, Alhaji Ali Shettima, expressed optimism that the development would enhance the party’s structure and appeal ahead of future elections.

“We are excited to welcome former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and retired Major Hamza Al-Mustapha into our great party, the SDP,” Shettima stated.

“We regard their entry as a significant boost to our party’s membership as we are making efforts to strengthen its structure and prepare for future elections.”

He dismissed concerns that the party had been weakened by the recent defection of its 2023 governorship candidate, Bala Gwagwarwa, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The party remains strong and united, despite Gwagwarwa’s exit,” Shettima said.

“His claims that he joined the APC alongside the entire structure of the party are absolutely untrue.”

He further emphasized that SDP executives at all levels remain loyal to the party, rejecting speculations that local government and ward chairmen had followed Gwagwarwa to the APC.

“As you have seen, our party executives, including the Director-General of Gwagwarwa’s campaign, are still with us. The claims that they all left with him are false. He left alone,” Shettima insisted.

In today’s fast-paced world, staying mentally alert and focused is essential. Whether you’re a student preparing for exams, a professional navigating a demanding workload, or simply looking to improve your cognitive abilities, the food you eat plays a crucial role in brain health.

Scientific research has shown that certain foods contain nutrients that enhance brain function, improve memory, and sharpen concentration.

Hereunder are five powerhouse foods that boost focus and mental alertness:

1. Fatty Fish – The Brain’s Best Friend

Fatty fish, such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for brain function and development. These healthy fats help build brain cell membranes and reduce inflammation, which can slow cognitive decline.

A study published in the journal ‘Neurology’ found that people with higher levels of omega-3s had better cognitive function and brain structure as they aged. Moreover, omega-3s are linked to improved mood and reduced anxiety, making fatty fish an excellent choice for mental well-being.

How to Add It to Your Diet:

– Grill or bake salmon and serve with vegetables.

– Add sardines to salads or sandwiches.

– Blend mackerel into a spread for a brain-boosting snack.

2. Blueberries – The Memory Enhancer

Often called “brain berries”, blueberries are packed with antioxidants, particularly flavonoids, that help protect the brain from oxidative stress and age-related cognitive decline.

A study published in ‘The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry’ found that consuming blueberries improves memory and delays brain aging. Their antioxidants also enhance blood flow to the brain, which can boost focus and concentration.

How to Add It to Your Diet:

– Blend blueberries into smoothies.

– Add them to oatmeal or yogurt for a nutritious breakfast.

– Eat them as a snack with nuts for a double brain-boosting effect.

3. Dark Chocolate – A Natural Cognitive Booster

Good news for chocolate lovers! Dark chocolate (with at least 70% cocoa) contains flavonoids, caffeine, and antioxidants, all of which can improve brain function.

Research published in ‘Frontiers in Nutrition’ suggests that the flavonoids in dark chocolate increase blood flow to the brain, enhancing memory, reaction time, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, the moderate amount of caffeine in dark chocolate provides an instant boost in focus and energy.

How to Add It to Your Diet:

– Eat a small piece of dark chocolate as a mid-day snack.

– Sprinkle dark chocolate shavings on yogurt or oatmeal.

– Add unsweetened cocoa powder to smoothies or coffee.

4. Nuts and Seeds – The Vitamin E Powerhouses

Nuts and seeds, particularly walnuts, almonds, and pumpkin seeds, are excellent sources of vitamin E, which has been linked to slower cognitive decline.

A study from ‘Harvard Medical School’ found that people who regularly consumed nuts had better cognitive performance as they aged. Walnuts, in particular, contain omega-3 fatty acids, while pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc and magnesium, essential minerals for brain function.

How to Add It to Your Diet:

– Eat a handful of mixed nuts as a snack.

– Add chopped nuts to salads or oatmeal.

– Blend pumpkin seeds into smoothies or sprinkle them on yogurt.

5. Green Leafy Vegetables – The Brain’s Detoxifiers

Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and broccoli are packed with vitamins K, lutein, folate, and beta-carotene, which help protect the brain and improve memory.

A study published in ‘Neurology’ found that people who ate a diet rich in leafy greens had slower cognitive decline than those who consumed fewer greens. These vegetables also support detoxification, reducing brain fog and enhancing mental clarity.

Some Ways to Add It to Your Diet:

– Make a green smoothie with spinach and banana.

– Add kale to soups or stir-fries.

– Include broccoli in your meals as a side dish.

Your brain needs the right fuel to function optimally. Incorporating these five brain-boosting foods into your daily diet can help enhance focus, sharpen memory, and support long-term brain health.

By making smart dietary choices, you can improve your mental clarity, stay productive, and maintain cognitive sharpness well into old age. Eat wisely, and let your brain thrive!

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has restated his administration’s commitment to partnering with local and foreign investors to develop and prosper the state.

The governor, who stated this while receiving a delegation of Chinese businessmen and investors in his conference room at the Office of the Governor, Ibadan, said they were in the right place for business partnership as Oyo State is open for business.

Makinde assured that his administration would do everything possible to support businesses in the state.

He added that the state would not relentlessly expand and boost its economy through local and foreign investors willing and ready to partner with the state government.

He expressed the hope that the state and the Chinese investors would have mutually beneficial business collaboration.

Earlier, the team leader and Consul-General of Nigeria in Shanghai, China, Ambassador Gbadebo Afolabi, said the Chinese businessmen were ready to partner with the state government on infrastructure development, energy, agriculture, and mining.

Chairman of the Working Committee for Overseas Cooperation of China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr He Lixiong, who spoke through an interpreter, Mr Innocent Okonkwo, also said the visit aimed to collaborate with the state government on critical sectors of the economy.

The Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Williams Akin-Funmilayo; Director-General, Oyo State Investment and Public Private Partnership Agency, Hon. Tilewa Folami; and Mr Tosin Ayoade were in attendance.

On the Chinese delegation were Dean Qingdao Tourism Planning and Architectural Design Institute, Mr Zezhong Yang; CEO, Sichuan Branch of China Machinery Industry Construction Group Inc., Mr Wang Fan; Manager, Changzhou Sanxin Energy Company Limited, Mr Liu Xiangdong; and Secretary, Nigerian Kazakhstan Business Council and Strategic Partners, China Overseas Working Committee, Mr Kehinde Adeyemi.

 

 

The Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoSF), in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has commenced a comprehensive project to equip Nigerian Civil servants with digital skills to modernise the Nigerian workforce.

This was the focus of the 3-day Digital Literacy Training and Certification Programme for the workforce, which commenced in Abuja on Monday. This programme is part of NITDA’s implementation of the “Digital Literacy for All” Initiative to achieve a 70% digital literacy level in Nigeria by 2027.

In her remarks during the workshop’s opening ceremony, the head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoSF), Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, said the initiative is geared towards “modernising the Nigerian civil service into a dynamic, technologically driven and globally competitive workforce.”

Represented by Permanent Secretary Career Management Office Fatima Mahmoud, the HoSF identified the urgency of equipping the workforce with relevant digital skills, stressing that “this will improve the country’s human capital development.”

She emphasised that the workshop will enhance capacity building and talent management, adding that it “aligns seamlessly with the National Digital Economy Strategy and Policy, which prioritises the development of a digitally secured workforce as a critical enabler of national growth and development in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration”.

In his remarks, the Director General and CEO of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, said the federal government’s economic diversification and transformation agenda cannot materialise without digital technology. He added that the Nigerian workforce constitutes the fulcrum that will provide digital solutions to citizens.

He said that NITDA’s collaboration with the Head of the service is to turn the civil servants into champions, stressing that the agency has the vision to make “Nigeria a digitally empowered nation fostering inclusive economic growth to move technological innovation.

“We have our strategic roadmap And action plan with eight strategic pillars. The first one is to foster digital literacy. To achieve this, we work with all stakeholders to develop the National  Digital Literacy Framework with an ambitious target of achieving 95%  digital literacy by 2030, and the president gave us a target to achieve 70% by 2027. Therefore, we devised an initiative called “Digital Literacy For All”.

Kashifu quoted the World Bank as saying that between 35 and 45% of the Nigerian workforce needs digital competency. That means all civil servants need to be digitally competent to fit in, adding that NITDA is also working with CISCO to develop the content for the civil servants.

“We want to enrol at least 2,000 civil servants every week, which means in a month we can do about 8,000, and with a workforce strength of about 69 000, we believe that if we can do 8,000 in a month in 9 months, we should be able to train the entire workforce,” he said.

The NITDA boss noted that his agency has been implementing this initiative in three areas. The first is with the Ministry of Education, which has developed a digital literacy and skills curriculum to infuse digital literacy into Nigeria’s formal education.

“We are working to train all teachers and collaborating with the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and others to infuse it into all tertiary institutions. Before now, we have done a pilot with Nasarawa State University in collaboration with CISCO as well, which has helped to develop the content and certificates that are globally recognised, and now we are working with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to implement that across all the universities in Nigeria.

“We want you to be advocates of digital literacy. We aim to train over five million workers across the federal, state, and local governments and private sector because we want to develop our digital sector. We want every Nigerian to be able to navigate around the digital world safely and responsibly,” he said.

Also, Ikechukwu Ibeawuchi, from the Government Affairs of CISCO Nigeria, told LEADERSHIP in an interview that the firm has made the resources available through its network academy. This online platform enables participants to access training in different digital skill areas.

 

 

In an effort to digitalise health information management in the state, the Cross River State Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress, through a project called (IMPACT Project) has procured 196 laptops for personnel in the health records units across the Primary Health Centres in 196 wards of the state.

This initiative is to accelerate coverage and transformational services for effective monitoring and evaluation.

Funded by the World Bank, the IMPACT Project aims to reduce maternal mortality, malaria, neonatal mortality, as well as infant and under-five mortality rates.

Speaking while receiving the equipment in his office on Wednesday in Calabar, Governor Bassey Out lauded the World Bank’s contributions to the improvement of health services in the state.

Otu stated that the newly introduced IMPACT Project will add further impetus to feats already achieved through the symbiotic relationship between Cross River and the World Bank.

“Health has continued to be one of our very major priorities. It is true that without health, of course, we wouldn’t even have a state.

“That is why you can bear me witness that most of the projects that have come out in terms of counterparts funding, we have engaged all of them.

“We’ll continue to give that support, whatever it takes, to make sure that we do our best for our people. We have allocated over 5 billion in our 2025 budget to upscale all our primary health facilities.

“We also have plans for health insurance because we know that health insurance is not where it’s supposed to be. We’re working very hard to come out with the best health insurance for our people,” Governor Otu said.

He charged that the facilities are put into use and not left as furniture in those offices. “Actually, the system we are trying to put in place is something that the local government chairmen, the ward councilors, and everybody will be involved.

“Both in education and healthcare, we need to ensure that most of the things that are invested get right down to the people. So I want to thank the World Bank for these interventions,” he stated.

Earlier, the IMPACT Project Manager, Dr. Paul Odey, emphasised that the project will in no small measure improve the health sector across Cross River State.

“This is a World Bank project that started on the 17th of February 2021. However, before now, Cross River State was not part of this project. The People’s first mantra came in, and the Sweet Prince approved this thoughtful project to be brought to Cross River State,” he stated.

Odey explained that the project primarily focuses on immunization for children under five, malaria, pregnant women, training and sensitisation of health attendants to ensure that facilities are accessible to those living in rural areas.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday urged the Government of the People’s Republic of China to increase the $2 billion currency swap between Nigeria and China to enhance trade between the two countries.

Tinubu also called for an upward review of the $50 billion aid package announced for Africa by the Chinese President, Xi Jinping last year.

China and Nigeria recently renewed their currency swap agreement, valued at 15 billion yuan (approximately $2 billion), to enhance trade and investment.

Receiving the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Wang Yi, at the State House in Abuja, the President, in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga said increasing the level of currency swaps will speed up the infrastructural development in Nigeria and deepen the strategic bilateral relations.

“We still demand more in the area of currency swap. The level you have approved as a government for Nigeria is inadequate considering our programme. If you can increase that, it will be well appreciated.

“Our bond should grow stronger and become unbreakable,” the President said.

Regarding the $50 billion pledged by the Chinese Government to support Africa, President Tinubu noted that the continent’s infrastructural needs would require more commitment, urging a review of the amount to reflect the continent’s reality.

“I am happy you are part of China’s highest decision-making body. We will want you to use your position to influence improved project funding. First, I say yes to the 50 billion dollar support, and thank you for contributing to African growth.

“The infrastructural needs of Africa are greater than that, and we want to move as rapidly as our other counterparts. All share your vision of rapid development. Africa values the relationship with China, and we seek deeper collaboration for infrastructural development,” he stated.

 

Tinubu further called on China to support Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council.

 

“You are a member of the UN Security Council. We want you to use your influence to ensure Nigeria secures the seat,” the President said.

While thanking President Xi Jinping for his warm reception during his visit to China last year, the president said Africa, particularly Nigeria, was prepared to meet developmental goals and contribute counterpart project funding.

“We are ready to move and reach the various developmental goals. Due to our deliberation, we signed many MoUs and planned many action programmes.

“My visit during FOCAC was a good experience. We signed several comprehensive MoUs during the visit. We planned several programmes of action. As a result of that deliberation, I made sure that immediately after I returned, I appointed one of the best brains available to coordinate Nigeria-China relations, Mr Joseph Tegbe. He will work to actualise various MoUs and promote a greater understanding of developmental programmes.”

 

Tinubu who described his visit to China in 2o24 as a good experienced thanked his visitor for coming at a critical time.

 

He extended sympathy to the Chinese government for the earthquake in Tibet. “It was a natural disaster that nobody expected. We commend your Government for the rapid reaction to protect lives.”

 

Yi thanked President Tinubu for appointing a Director General and Global Liaison, Nigeria—China Strategic Partnership to oversee the implementation of the MoUs for the rapid development of the Nigerian economy.

 

“I would like to thank Nigeria for abiding by the one-China principle, and we will continue to support Nigeria in achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda, countering terrorism and ensuring regional security,” he said.

 

He added that Chinese investments in the country would focus on employment generation and infrastructural development, stressing that the Chinese National Development Bank had started funding some development projects.

 

He further assured of the Chinese Government’ support for an African country in the UN Security Council, adding that “it was a historical injustice by the world that should be corrected”.

 

“We stand with Africa, and we will not support a country that invades another country,” he stated.

The foreign minister also said China would welcome Nigeria’s membership in the BRICS and participation in the global development mechanism.

He said China fully supported Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), for a second term in office.

He lauded President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and consistency in projecting Africa’s needs, which require China’s support.

“You brought Renewed Hope to the people of Nigeria. Your economy has sustained sound momentum, and Nigeria’s global influence has steadily increased. Nigeria has played an important role in upholding regional peace and has become an important force for African stability.

“We congratulate Nigeria on its achievements and believe that, under your leadership, Nigeria will realise greater achievements,” the Chinese foreign minister stated.

The search for long-term funding propelled three companies to approach the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited for N5.1 trillion new listing in 2024, LEADERSHIP Sunday learnt.

The debut listing of Transcorp Power Plc, Aradel Holdings Plc and Haldane McCall Plc on the Nigerian equities market resulted in an additional inflow of N5.1 trillion to the bourse. These entrants have contributed to the deepening of the market.

During the year, Transcorp Power, a power subsidiary of Transnational Corporation has listed its shares via introduction on the Main Board of NGX, adding N1.8 trillion to the market capitalization of NGX and further boosting liquidity in the Nigerian capital market.

Also, Aradel Holdings listed 4.345 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at a price of N702.69, marking a market capitalisation of N3.05 trillion; while Haldane McCall Plc listed 3.122 billion shares at N3.84 per share valued at N13.17 billion on the NGX.

The listing of new issues in the market is expected to deepen the market, improve liquidity and tradability of companies’ shares. Also, it will increase access to capital in order to fund companies’ future growth initiatives.

The chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga reaffirmed that the capital market was one of the most remarkable tools in achieving President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy.

He highlighted The NGX’s strategic focus on enhancing its infrastructure, broadening investor access, and maintaining a global outlook.

Recently, the CEO of NGX, Jude Chiemeka reiterated the Exchange’s commitment to providing a robust platform for capital raising, saying, “the NGX is a multi-asset exchange, not just an equity-based platform. We currently have 322 listed securities on our Exchange, which serves as a viable platform for raising capital.”

He added that, “year-to-date, we have facilitated over N5.7 trillion in funding for corporates and governments, apart from banks’ capital-raising activities. Our platform, with a combined market capitalization of over N106 trillion, offers significant value and opportunities for growth,”

At its listing on NGX, the Group chairman of Transcorp, Tony Elumelu stated that the listing marks a historic moment for Transcorp Power Plc.

“This milestone reflects Transcorp’s commitment to catalysing economic growth and prosperity. We invest in strategic sectors within the economy, transform, expand businesses, and consciously seek ways to share value. Our track record is evident with Transcorp Hotels Plc and now Transcorp Power Plc. We are focused on improving access to electricity for all, creating lasting value for our shareholders and contributing to our nation’s development,” he said.

Also, the group managing director of Haldane McCall, Dr. Edward Akinlade explained that the decision to seek listing was not only for visibility, but to open new opportunities to raise long term funds for expansion.

He captured the company’s strategic vision, growth trajectory and future plan, assuring capital market stakeholders of sustained growth in the company’s net profit, regular dividend payment of 30 per cent of net earnings, maintenance of strong investor relations to reinforce investor confidence and provision of timely information of the company’s activities in line with the Post Listing Requirements of NGX.