Rommi Royal News (2025)

21/02/2025

The Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of Housing and Urban Development Minister Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has unveiled a strategic initiative to reduce the soaring costs of building materials by establishing Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs (BMMHs) across the nation’s six geopolitical zones. This move aims to bolster local production, minimize reliance on imports, and make housing more affordable for Nigerians.

Key Aspects of the Initiative:
• Local Production Enhancement: By producing essential building materials such as cement, roofing sheets, and tiles within these hubs, the government seeks to lower construction costs and stimulate job creation in the sector.
• Strategic Hub Placement: The hubs will be strategically located to ensure easy access to raw materials and distribution networks, thereby reducing transportation costs and enhancing competitiveness.
• Fiscal Incentives: To attract private sector investment, the government is considering various fiscal incentives, including tax holidays, reduced tax rates, and subsidies for local manufacturers. These measures aim to foster innovation, improve quality, and reduce production costs.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Minister Dangiwa has announced plans to engage with cement and other building material manufacturers to address the recurring and disproportionate price hikes, especially given that many raw materials are sourced locally.

This comprehensive approach underscores the government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for private sector growth, ensuring that building materials are both affordable and accessible, and ultimately addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit.

21/02/2025

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21/02/2025

The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to enhance exports and attract investments by strengthening Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across the country. This initiative was highlighted during the 3rd Special Economic Zones Annual Meeting held in Lagos on February 21, 2025, themed “Fostering Strategic Synergies for Enhanced Special Economic Zones Operations and Sustainable Economic Growth.”

Key Highlights of the Initiative:
• Regulatory Synergy: The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment (FMITI) is collaborating with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) to align fiscal, monetary, and trade policies. This alignment aims to ensure that incentives within SEZs remain competitive, thereby fostering a conducive environment for industrialization and investment.
• Trade Facilitation: Efforts are underway to modernize Nigeria’s Commodity Exchange and enhance public-private partnerships. Additionally, the government is supporting preferential trade agreements with key nations to create a robust trade environment that promotes industrialization and attracts investments.
• Policy Consistency and Infrastructure Development: Emphasis is placed on maintaining consistent policies, improving infrastructure, and ensuring regulatory harmony. These measures are designed to boost exports, drive economic diversification, and position Nigeria as a hub for digital trade services.
• Investment Attraction: The government is actively engaging with stakeholders to align SEZ incentives with national economic priorities. This includes revising tax provisions to ensure that businesses operating within designated zones receive favorable tax benefits, especially those focused on exports.

These strategic efforts underscore Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging SEZs as catalysts for economic growth, job creation, and increased foreign direct investment.

21/02/2025

In his newly released memoir, “A Journey in Service,” former Nigerian military leader General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has, for the first time, acknowledged that the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election. This election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest, was annulled by Babangida’s regime, leading to significant political turmoil.

Reacting to this admission, Hafsat Abiola-Costello, daughter of MKO and Kudirat Abiola, expressed that while Babangida’s acknowledgment confirms what Nigerians have long known, it doesn’t erase the pain and injustice endured by her family and the nation. She emphasized that June 12 symbolizes more than her father’s legacy; it embodies the collective hope of Nigerians for a united and prosperous country. Abiola-Costello stated, “It’s sad that such a galvanizing statement as the breakthrough vote for MKO should have been truncated by an unjust annulment.”

This development has reignited discussions about Nigeria’s democratic journey and the sacrifices made to achieve progress. The annulment of the June 12 election not only led to national unrest but also resulted in personal tragedies for the Abiola family, including the assassination of Kudirat Abiola during the pro-democracy struggle.

21/02/2025

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21/02/2025

Bello Turji Kachalla, commonly known as Turji, is a notorious Nigerian bandit leader active in northwestern Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Niger states. Born in 1994 in Shinkafi, Zamfara State, Turji has been involved in numerous violent attacks, including the 2022 Zamfara massacres that resulted in the deaths of nearly 200 people.

Regarding the specific incident you mentioned—Turji imposing a ₦22 million levy on the village of Sokoto’s Deputy Governor and others—there are no available details in the provided sources. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on this event, I recommend consulting reputable Nigerian news outlets or official statements from local authorities.

21/02/2025

The Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has commenced an indefinite strike as of February 18, 2025, citing unresolved welfare issues. The union’s grievances include non-payment of withheld salaries from May to September 2022, 60% of September 2017 salaries, non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances since 2016, promotion arrears, and supervision allowances for the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES). Additionally, concerns have been raised about the non-remittance of pension funds from 2009 to 2019 and the lack of Group Life Assurance benefits for deceased members.

In response, the Kaduna State Government has labeled the strike as an act of sabotage. Commissioner for Education, Professor Muhammad Sani Bello, emphasized that many of the union’s claims predate the current administration. He noted that Governor Uba Sani has initiated measures to address these issues, including agreeing to meet some of the union’s demands and planning discussions with ASUU members upon his return from an official trip. Despite these efforts, the government expressed concern over the union’s decision to proceed with the strike, suggesting it could disrupt the academic calendar and reverse recent progress.

Consequently, the state government has announced the enforcement of a ‘no work, no pay’ policy for the duration of the strike, urging the union to reconsider its stance to prevent jeopardizing students’ futures.

21/02/2025

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21/02/2025

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that it processes refunds to Nigerian pilgrims after the completion of Hajj operations, rather than before.

In a recent development, the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a civil society organization, has called on NAHCON to refund over ₦400,000 to each of the 26,287 intending pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj. This request is based on the favorable exchange rate differentials that emerged after pilgrims had made their payments.

Historically, NAHCON has disbursed refunds post-Hajj to address issues such as poorly rendered services. For instance, in November 2024, the commission refunded approximately ₦5.3 billion to state pilgrims’ welfare boards and tour operators due to substandard services during the 2023 Hajj.

While NAHCON maintains its policy of post-Hajj refunds, the IHR’s appeal emphasizes the potential benefits of providing refunds before the pilgrimage, especially when financial circumstances, like favorable exchange rates, could ease the financial burden on pilgrims.

21/02/2025

At the recent launch of former Nigerian President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s autobiography, “A Journey in Service,” significant donations were pledged towards the construction of the IBB Presidential Library. The event, held at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, saw contributions totaling approximately N17.5 billion.

Major Donors:
• Aliko Dangote: The President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited committed to donating N8 billion. This will be disbursed as N2 billion annually over the next four years.
• Abdul Samad Rabiu: Founder of BUA Group, Rabiu pledged N5 billion to the project.
• Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma: The former Minister of Defence and founder of the TY Danjuma Foundation announced a donation of N3 billion.
• Arthur Eze: The business mogul contributed N500 million to the initiative.
• Senator Sani Musa (Niger East): He pledged N250 million towards the library’s construction.
• Mustafa Chike-Obi: The chairman of Fidelity Bank donated N100 million.

The IBB Presidential Library aims to serve as a national repository, preserving Nigeria’s arts, political, and military history, particularly highlighting the leadership and governance during Babangida’s eight-year tenure. This institution will be the second of its kind in Nigeria, following the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.

In his remarks, Aliko Dangote credited Babangida’s economic policies, especially the abolition of import licenses in 1986, for fostering private sector growth in Nigeria. He noted that such reforms have enabled the private sector to contribute approximately 85% to Nigeria’s GDP, with the government accounting for the remaining 15%.

21/02/2025

Tech startups in Nigeria are attracting foreign investors. If you had funding, what problem would you solve with tech?

21/02/2025

On February 21, 2025, during a ministerial press briefing, Nigeria’s Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, addressed the health and economic implications of consuming ponmo, the local term for processed animal hides. He highlighted that the traditional methods used in processing ponmo often involve burning the hides with kerosene or engine oil, practices that are carcinogenic and pose significant health risks to consumers.

Beyond health concerns, Minister Maiha emphasized the economic impact of ponmo consumption. He noted that diverting hides and skins from food consumption to the leather industry could generate approximately 700,000 jobs and add about ₦23 billion to Nigeria’s economy annually. The minister urged Nigerians to reconsider their dietary choices, suggesting that reducing ponmo consumption could bolster the nation’s leather industry and create employment opportunities.

This stance aligns with previous government advisories. In June 2023, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development cautioned against consuming ponmo and other smoked meats due to an anthrax outbreak in the West African sub-region. The ministry highlighted that consuming contaminated animal products could lead to severe health issues, including pneumonia and death.

While ponmo remains a popular delicacy in Nigeria, these warnings underscore the need for public awareness regarding its potential health hazards and the broader economic benefits of channeling animal hides towards industrial uses.

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