The Chief Staff stated this during a familiarisation visit to the Agency on Thursday August 22, 2024 alongside Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, the deputy chief of staff; and Engineer Olufunso Adebiyi, the permanent secretary, State House.

Gbajabiamila took time to test drive NASENI’s electric vehicle pick-up van and visited NASENI Hatch Box, Innovation Hub, Solar Irrigation Pump, and was shown new products such as Home Solar, Prepaid Meter, Laptop, Smartphone, Battery among others.

The visit was part of the engagements with agencies of government under the supervision of the Presidency to understand their mandates, activities and challenges and how they are aligning with the present administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking after an inspection tour of NASENI Complex in Idu Industrial Area, and also witnessing first-hand the new projects and products embarked on by Mr Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the executive vice chairman/CEO of NASENI, since assuming office in September 2023,  Gbajabiamila thanked the EVC and Management for their warm reception.

He said,

“I am glad I embarked on this trip. I am glad we are all here to see for ourselves where NASENI is and what it is doing. The whole idea behind this trip was actually to come and hear first-hand, and to see onsite what you are doing, how you are doing it, what the challenges are and so on and so forth.

“That way we could get a grip of what needs to be done, whether there are lacunas here and there. I am glad you have demonstrated what you are doing and how you are doing it. I am even happier that there are no challenges from what you said.  Quite honestly I am very impressed with what we have seen and heard,” he said.

The Chief of Staff to the President stated that, that the impacts of Mr. Halilu have translated into lots of products in a matter of 11 months speak lots of volumes about his commitments, dedication and passion for what he is doing. “So, I commend you and the rest of the team,” he added.

Furthermore, he noted that we are in a technology-driven age and  NASENI is one of the agencies of government that are key to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to put Nigeria among the comity of nations in terms of advancements in science and technology.

“I believe we have what it takes as a country, not just material resources but more importantly human resources”, adding that  “people who are sharp, smart, young men and women in this country exist who can deliver in terms of advancement of our technology. I thank you very much for what you are doing”

Earlier, the EVC of NASENI took time to explain to the Chief of Staff the various innovations, interventions and partnerships which the Agency has embarked on in the last few months to advance technology transfer and align the NASENI’s mandate with President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Your Excellency, under your guidance and the leadership of His Excellency, President Tinubu, we have embarked on a transformative journey. This journey is characterized by an accelerated push towards technological independence and industrial growth. It is through your endless support and that of your team that we have been able to make significant strides in achieving these goals, Halilu added.

The scheme, anticipated to launch within the next three weeks, holds the potential to become a defining legacy of the current administration.

During a meeting with a delegation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) led by the Association’s President, Lucky Emonefe, Gbajabiamila emphasized President Tinubu’s focus on the success of the Student Loan Funds policy. He assured that the launch is expected within the next two to three weeks, with final details currently being finalized.

FG Hints on Deploying Education Tax for Student Loan Scheme

Highlighting the program’s potential, Gbajabiamila addressed the unconstitutionality of educational deprivation due to birth circumstances. He stated, “It is to make sure people are not deprived of their education just because of circumstances of their birth that itself is unconstitutional.” 

He urged students to counter negative criticisms and champion the policy’s benefits, stressing their key role in ensuring no deserving student is left behind. “Now we are going to need you for the success of this policy because generally, it is a well-received policy,” he said, calling for their embrace and active participation in its success.

Addressing concerns about potential disruptions due to strike actions by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Gbajabiamila reassured students that the government is actively addressing the union’s concerns and striving to prevent any looming industrial action. 

He reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to ending strikes in universities and higher institutions through various directives. This commitment includes declarations aimed at ending strikes by academic unions, highlighting the government’s focus on creating a stable learning environment.

Beyond the Student Loan Funds policy, Gbajabiamila acknowledged the inclusion of two youth representatives in the Federal Executive Council. He further noted plans for establishing a Youth Advisory Council to directly advise the President on youth-related matters and development initiatives. 

This move points to the government’s recognition of the importance of youth voices and their inclusion in shaping the nation’s future.

This development holds huge promise for improving educational opportunities and empowering Nigerian youth to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.

PUNCH reported that Gbajabiamila said this while representing Tinubu at the public presentation  of a book, “Nigerian Public Discourse: The Interplay of Empirical Evidence and Hyperbole” written by a former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, in Lagos

This is according to a Thursday statement by Tunde Alao, the senior special assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Media), Office of the Lagos State Deputy Governor.

“The social media has become a societal menace and must be regulated. As many people do not understand that once the send button is hit, there is a potential to reach millions of people around the world which is capable of causing a great danger not just in the society but even unintended consequences to the individuals that are receiving information which may include security of life,” the statement quoted Gbajabiamila as saying.

Governor Sanwo-Olu was also represented at the event by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat.

The statement noted that Tinubu maintained that his administration had an obligation to engage in evidence-based discussion and data-reliant decision-making, hence, the need for accurate data that would be used for better policy formulation and execution.

“As citizens become more interested in governance, it is the government’s obligation to ensure that engagement with citizens springs with shared agreement on what the truth is, what is real and what is not,” Gbajabiamila said.

The president commended the author for putting in book form his thoughts and experience garnered both as a governor and member of the federal executive council.

Speaking at the event, Hamzat noted that accurate data would help in finding lasting solutions to myriads of challenges facing the nation adding that “for a developing country like us, part of the problem we have is that we don’t have data, which is very crucial for policy formulation for national development.”

While stressing the importance of data, he noted that “deterministic data is essential even in our daily lives, even on issues such as building – buildings require correct data to know the threats.”

In his remarks, the book author, Fashola, disclosed that the book was written based on his 21 years of experience as a public office holder, highlighting different public issues.

“My joy is that the conversation has just started, and by and large, we will get good and positive results in our quests for national development”, Fashola was quoted as saying.

In August 2023, the NetRights Coalition expressed dismay over the statement credited to Mr. Dele Alake, then ministerial nominee and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, during his ministerial screening on the floor of the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.

During the session, Mr. Alake said:

“I will recommend the strengthening of our regulations and the applications of those laws. The laws must be tested so we can know the proficiency of those regulations…..“I will support anything that comes from this hallowed chamber that promotes that course of action….“If there are laws, bills and motions in line with this, please be sure of our full cooperation.”

The NetRights Coalition in a statement, said this disposition spells danger for freedom of expression in Nigeria “and we expect that Mr. Alake, an experienced media practitioner himself, understands the risks. The Nigeria Senate has a terrible record of initiating poorly thought-out, control-seeking social media regulations”.

“In 2015, the Senate introduced a bill called the Frivolous Petition Bill which sought to repress online speech.

The bill was withdrawn from the Senate due to heavy criticism from citizens, civil society, and various stakeholders.

The speaker made this known on Thursday at a press conference on pressing national issues held at the National Assembly, in Abuja.

He said the intention of the leg­islation is not to stifle free speech but to protect the dignity of indi­viduals and institutions against cyberattacks.

He said Nigerians must be wary of slander against officials of gov­ernment, stressing that unscrupu­lous persons have, of late, launched campaigns of calumny against top government officials.

He stated that as Nigerians nav­igate through “these tumultuous times,” the importance of unity and constructive engagement could not be overstated, stressing that the syn­ergy between the three arms of the government – executive, legislative, and judiciary – is paramount.

He said,

“For this reason, I call on every citizen to engage in pos­itive and constructive criticism. Your voices and opinions are in­valuable, providing the compass that guides our actions and policies. At this juncture, ladies and gentle­men of the press, as the speaker of the House of Representatives, my colleagues and I invite Nigerians to engage critically with us on im­portant national issues. In fact, we encourage and welcome criticisms, but these must be constructive and targeted at building national unity and cohesion and advancing devel­opment.

“However, while we encourage freedom of expression and con­structive dialogue, we must also be wary of the dangers of fake news and campaigns of slander and defamation, especially against the president and senior government officials.”

The speaker noted that there had been a rise in defamation cam­paigns on social media involving the deliberate dissemination of false and misleading information with the intent to harm the repu­tation of individuals or organisa­tions.

According to him, these cam­paigns often target political oppo­nents, seeking to undermine their credibility, integrity, and public trust.

The speaker cited the recent case of “unjustified and baseless allegations” against the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, which he warned “point to the danger of an unfettered and unaccountable social media.”

Abbas cited his predecessor and current Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, as one of the many victims of cyber­bullying, defamation and character assassination.

The speaker said cyberbullying is punishable, according to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act, and Section 24 of the Cybercrime Prohibition and Prevention Act (2015).

He stated,

“Such acts not only undermine the integrity of our de­mocracy but also erode the fabric of our national unity. Yet, Femi is just one of millions of Nigerians who suffer cyber bullying and coordinat­ed campaigns of defamation daily. Too many victims are not as pow­erful as him to defend themselves.

“Those of us who have worked with him for over a decade can at­test to his patriotism and integrity. His willingness to voluntarily sub­ject himself to investigation by all security and law enforcement agen­cies demonstrates his rectitude and honour. I urge the security agencies to work diligently and swiftly to in­vestigate all matters he has raised in his letter to them and inform Nigerians of their findings. If not found guilty, these agencies must fish out those responsible for the character assassination and ensure they are brought before the law.” (Independent)

A breakdown of the appropriation bill 2024 of N28.7 trillion:

1. Capital Expenditure — N9.99 Trillion (35%)
2. Recurrent Expenditures — N8.77 Trillion (30%)
3. Statutory Transfers — N1.74 Trillion (6%)
4. Debt Service – N8.27 Trillion (29%)

How FG plans to fund the budget 2024:

The Tinubu’s government planned the budget on the assumption that:

1. Oil price benchmark will remain at $77.96 per barrel
2. Oil Production Rate will be 1.78 million barrels per day
3. Exchange rate will remain at N800 to $1, and
4. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth will be 3.88%

President Tinubu Signs the appropriate bill 2024:

Speaking at the signing of the bill, the President assured Nigerians that the implementation of the 2024 budget would be efficiently pursued and vigorously monitored, adding: “All the institutional mechanisms shall be held to account in ensuring diligent implementation”.

“All MDA’s have been directed to take responsibility and provide monthly Budget Performance Reports to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, which in turn shall ensure the veracity of such. The Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy shall hold regular reviews with the Economic Management Team and, in addition, I shall Chair periodic Economic Coordination Council meetings,” he said.

The top priorities of the 2024 budget of N28.7 trillion are defence and internal security, job creation, macro-economic stability, improved investment environment, human capital development, poverty reduction, and social security.

The President emphasized that his commitment to enhance investment promotion while creating a rules-based society that favours no individual over the law begins with important reforms in the Nigerian judiciary, the funding for which is captured in the 2024 Appropriation Act.

“Funding the judiciary is a major element in our effort to support a just, rules-based society. Statutory transfer to the Judiciary has been increased from 165 billion naira to 342 billion naira,” the President said.

Godswill Akpabio, president of the Senate, and Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the House of Representatives, were present at the signing.

Other senior government officials present at the brief ceremony include: Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.