News
Ambassador Urges Nigeria To Emulate Taiwan On Non-Oil Economy
Andy Yih-Ping Liu, Representative of Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria, on Friday said that Taiwan is probably one of the best role models for Nigeria to develop its non-oil economy.
Liu, also the Taiwanese ambassador to Nigeria, disclosed this in Lagos in a workshop organised by the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria.
The Tide source reports that the theme of the workshop was ‘2023: The Role of the Media’.
He said that although Nigeria and China have already had a diplomatic relations, in terms of development, in terms of economic, social education, Taiwan is probably one of the best role models for Nigeria to develop its non oil economy.
“In Taiwan, the only thing we have is human brain. And the only way we can make money is to import raw materials, process them to become end products and sell them,” he said.
Roger Chen, Deputy Counselor, who presented the business session, talked about Taitra, a trade promotion network that helps businesses to connect.
He said that it was founded in 1970 with 1,300 specialists and five offices in Taiwan.
He said that Taitra is the eight largest textile importer with more information on its website https/thpc.taiwantrade.com.
In its panel session, Mrs Adenike Tadese, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said that the media had a unique position as both conveyor and recipient of information.
Tadese, the Head of Department (HOD), Voters Education and Publicity at INEC, said that media messages could shape public opinion and set agendas.
She said that the media should educate citizens by carrying out voter education and public enlightenment.
Also, Mrs Abiola Beckley, Lagos Vice Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), said that the right atmosphere must be created for the media.
Beckley said that media could not do it alone, adding “if media had to report accurately, there were other channels that had to support them.”
She appealed to all stakeholders and employers of media personnel to do the needful during election.
Another panelist, Mr Obafemi Obadare, Punch Newspaper Editorial Board member, said that one of the challenges confronting elections is how to get voters back to the polls.
Obadare said that the middle class people in Nigeria have left election for the lower class, warning that the middle class needs to be brought back to the polls.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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