News
Nigeria Targets N360bn From Lottery
Nigeria has the potential to earn at least N360 billion from
lottery per annum, Director -General of the National Lottery Regulatory
Commission (NLRC), Mr. Peter Igho, said in Abuja, yesterday.
He made the declaration when he told newsmen that the
revenue would be earned if lottery was run properly.
Igho expressed regret that Nigeria was yet to tap into the
revenue potential which could spur rapid development in country.
“I established a study and that study is of great interest
because it showed that the potential of lottery in this country is not less
than N360 billion revenue per annum, if run properly.
“If all things are on ground to ensure that lottery was
carried out in the country with transparency and integrity; that all those who
were licenced to operate were doing so following all the rules of lottery.
“It’s not surprising because if you realise that in the UK
for example with its population of less than one third of our population, about
75 per cent of the population of Britain plays the lottery every week with the
average of a disposable income of three pounds, fifty pence each.
“In 14 years of the lottery, they have generated over £22
billion for good course, that’s well over £1.5 billion per annum.
“With our population of a 150 million, even if 50 per cent
play that, you will realise that the potential in terms of revenue is quite
big.’’
Igho also said Nigerians were misinformed about what lottery
entailed hence the current misconception and the misunderstanding that it was
synonymous with gambling.
He said: “If you ask 100 Nigerians what they think about
lottery, about 90 of them will tell you it’s something that has to do with
gambling; it is not surprising because the notion is based on ignorance.’’
The director-general explained that the difference between
gambling and lottery was that gambling was for the benefit of the gamblers,
whereas lottery was that game of chance that is concurrently used to raise
money for good causes.
He stressed that lotteries had been used all over the world
to raise money to bring about development in countries where they were played
and that Nigeria should not jettison the opportunity.
Igho cited the case of China which used lottery to build the
famous ‘Great China Wall’ – one of the Seven Wonders of the World, while the
United States of America used it to develop the country, including the
establishment of 55 prominent institutions of higher learning like Harvard and
Yale universities.
“Many of us have just come from watching the 2012 Olympics,
where we blamed our own athletes for not performing well.
“If you recall the Prime Minister of Britain, Tony Blair,
was on air to say that the great deal of the success Britain had was because of
the more than 850 million pounds funding and support the country got from
lottery.
“The money paid over 80 per cent of the revenue used for the
training of British athletes going to the Olympics.’’
Igho said there was nothing irreligious about lottery.
Morocco and Niger Republic, he added, had used lottery
proceeds in the past to execute development projects and even send their
citizens on pilgrimages.
He noted also that religious groups in Europe and the United
States had also promoted lotteries and used the proceeds for good causes.
Igho said that the NLRC had so far raised close to N3
billion through lottery in the country.
He also noted that the commission would embark on public
sensitisation to create a proper enlightenment that lottery was something big
and good and its proceeds could be used for development.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
News
We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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