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Tribute To My Boss, HM Dele Alake At 68 — By Segun Tomori

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When I was privileged to be offered an appointment by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake in October, last year, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to tap from his immense wealth of experience and depth of knowledge, spanning over four decades in private and public service.

I had been enamoured by Dr. Alake since his name, alongside that of President Bola Tinubu, became a recurring decimal in the struggle for the actualization of the annulled June 12, 1993 Presidential elections.

He had carved a niche for himself as a renowned political strategist, communications and public relations juggernaut that not only gave verve to the pro-democracy struggle but later became one of the leading lights of Asiwaju Tinubu’s transformational leadership as Governor of Lagos.

Dr. Alake’s role in the presidential campaigns that culminated in President Tinubu’s ascendancy is already public knowledge as it will be recalled he fired from all cylinders to defuse the propaganda of the opposition as Media Adviser, superintending over the media and communications directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

Having watched him closely as a member of the then Strategic Communications Directorate of the same PCC, I was captivated by his grit, grasp of issues and the impeccable intellect with which he dissected issues and marshalled our campaign’s arguments.

Asides from giving me a free hand to excel in my role, he has been a mentor that has helped to hone my skills. Under his tutelage, I have grown to become a better communications professional in barely one year.

Today, Alake’s vision has given rise to a 2,570-strong mining marshals leading the charge to secure the mining environment; revised guidelines for Community Development Agreements (CDA); revocation of dormant mining licenses and those that defaulted in payment of annual service fees; the launch of the innovative online platform, the Decision Support System (DSS) that aids investors’ access to information about Nigeria’s mining sector, enabling them with a click of a button to make informed decisions about investing in Nigeria’s mining sector.

Efforts have reached an advanced stage to establish the largely private sector driven Nigeria Mining Corporation alongside the amendment of the 2007 Nigeria Minerals And Mining Act (NMMA) in collaboration with the National Assembly to back reforms with requisite statutes.

We have also seen novel engagement with sub-nationals that has led to reduction of conflicts through his principle of cooperative federalism. In deference to Alake’s vision, several states have applied and obtained licenses to participate actively in the mining sector and operate as Limited Liability Companies.

As you celebrate your 68th birthday, I want to express my gratitude for your unwavering dedication to our country, the President, and the solid minerals sector.

Your infectious zest and passion for transforming the hitherto neglected mining sector has captured global attention, and we are all motivated to support your vision of making solid minerals a leading contributor to our nation’s GDP.

Happy Birthday, “Prime Minister”. 68, hearty cheers. Many happy returns, sir.

 

Segun Tomori, FSCA is the Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development.

BIG STORY

JUST IN: Oil Marketers Reduce Petrol Price By 11.8% To N939.50 Per Litre

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Oil marketers sourcing “Premium Motor Spirit”, “PMS”, also known as petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery have reduced the price by 11.8 percent to N939.50 per litre, down from N1,060 per litre.

As of Thursday, December 19, petrol was still being sold at N1,060 per litre in Lagos and surrounding areas.

However, by Friday, MRS, a leading marketer, along with others, had adjusted their prices, now selling at N939.50 per litre.

It’s worth noting that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery had earlier lowered the ex-pump price of petrol to N899.50 per litre, down from N970 per litre.

According to the refinery, this price reduction is intended to offer much-needed relief to Nigerians ahead of the holiday season.

Anthony Chiejina, the Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, made this announcement.

“To alleviate transport costs during this holiday season, Dangote Refinery is offering a holiday discount on “PMS” (“petrol”). From today, our petrol will be available at N899.50 per litre at our truck loading gantry or SPM,” Chiejina said.

‘‘Furthermore, for every litre purchased on a cash basis, consumers will have the opportunity to buy another litre on credit, backed by a bank guarantee from Access Bank, First Bank, or Zenith Bank.”

 

More to come…

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BIG STORY

EFCC Allocates N18bn For Allowances, N5bn For Travels In Proposed 2025 Budget

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced plans to allocate N18 billion for allowances in 2025.

This figure is part of the proposed 2025 budget currently under consideration and awaiting approval by the national assembly.

As per the appropriation bill, the EFCC’s total budget for 2025 stands at approximately N62.2 billion.

This budget includes personnel costs (N38.6 billion), overheads (N20.9 billion), and capital expenditure (N2.2 billion).

Within the allowance budget, N1.7 billion is designated for “non-regular allowances,” while “regular allowances” are set at N16.7 billion.

Other proposed expenditures for the EFCC include welfare packages (N1.4 billion), fuel and lubricants (N2 billion), financial charges (N1.2 billion), construction and provision of office buildings (N1.1 billion), and maintenance services (N2.1 billion).

The EFCC also plans to allocate N4.9 billion for “local travel and transport,” with “international travel and transport” expected to cost N1.7 billion.

The proposed budget includes N800 million for the purchase of fixed assets.

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu unveiled the N49.7 trillion 2025 “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace and Rebuilding Prosperity.”

In his address to the national assembly, Tinubu stated that it was time “we rewrite Nigeria’s narrative together.”

The primary focus of next year’s budget will be the defence, infrastructure, health, and education sectors.

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BIG STORY

BREAKING: Court Grants Dele Farotimi N30m Bail In Defamation Case

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A magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti has granted N30 million bail to Dele Farotimi, the human rights activist.

Abayomi Adeosun, the magistrate, made the ruling on Farotimi’s bail application on Friday.

The bail conditions include two sureties, who must be responsible citizens in society, with the defendant required to leave his international passport with the court. Farotimi is also prohibited from granting media interviews during the pendency of the case.

The police had accused Farotimi of “criminally defaming” Afe Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in a book titled: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.

 

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