Business

‘No more easy money in Nigeria’- President Buhari

Published

10 years ago

July 14, 2016

President Muhmmadu Buhari on Wednesday said that the era of free and easy money in the country had gone for good.

Bahuari made this known when he inaugurated road and drainage projects in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara. He inaugurated the 20km township road and 40km drainages in Tsafe Local Government amounting to N2.1 billion.

The president also inaugurated the 75-kilometre Wanke- Danjigba-Kucheri-Kigama-Bilbis Road with seven bridges valued eight billion nairaNara. He vowed that his administration would enthrone good governance through vigorous prosecution of the ongoing war against corruption in the country. Buhari pledged to continue the ongoing war against corruption, noting that corruption had retarded the growth of the country.

According to him, the ongoing crusade against corruption is not aimed at humiliating anyone but rather meant to recover all looted fund to be put to public use. He, therefore, called on the people of the state and Nigerians in general to join his administration’s efforts in ensuring that the change desired was well delivered. “As the people of the state are aware the change agenda was central issue of our 2015 electioneering campaign. “Since this administration’s assumption of office in May 2015, the journey to fix the country and restore the hope of the common man in the Nigerian project has begun in earnest. “You have all agreed to join me and work as agents of change, the challenge before all of us therefore is translating the change into reality. “I,therefore, wish to call on every one to think closely about the Nigerian situation. “There is no easy money to throw around, we must go back to farming, livestock rearing so that we could develop the industries. “We must put our hands on deck to ensure success of our mission in engineering Nigeria. “If efforts were made in the past to diversify the economy from our absolute reliance on a single commodity, we would not have found ourselves in our current situation. “I assure all Nigerians that the grim economic situations are passing phase which all societies go through,’’ he added. The president also noted with delight that the security situation in the country was improving, not only in the North-East, but all over the country. He also expressed the hope that the macro-economic policies as well as the monetary policies being implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would lead to steady growth in significant sectors of the economy.

On security, Buhari noted that the commitment of his administration to secure the country had already started yielding fruitful results. He said that for the first time in the history of Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, seven years ago, the people of Borno celebrated this year’s the Eid-el-Fitri with ease, devoid of any security barricades. He reiterated the government’s determination to deal decisively with any threat to security of the nation from any quarters. “Part of the reasons that I’m personally here is to flag off the military operations aimed at routing out the menace of cattle rustling and armed bandits, not only in the state, but in the entire axis of North-West. “I also wish to reiterate to the people of Zamfara and to Nigerians in general, the commitment of this administration to restoring sanity in governance. “We shall continue to prosecute the war against corruption. We do not wish or desire to humiliate or disgrace anybody, but we must recover stolen fund and put them to collective public use,’’ he said. Buhari said he had listened to the litany of requests put forward by the state governor and gave an assurance that he would carefully study them and respond appropriately. In his remarks, Gov. Abdulaziz Yari, said the construction of the roads was part of the state government’s efforts to open up the rural areas, especially being an agrarian state . According to him, this will enable farmers transport their farm produce to the urban centres. Yari said that the road projects would also to create gainful employments to the teeming youths of the state. He revealed that the state government had also embarked on other roads projects across the state, covering about 610 kilometers.

The state government has so far constructed over 300 roads and drainages covering 700 kilometers in 14 local government areas of the state at over N42.78 billion. He said that the state government, he said, had also embarked on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of about 12 federal roads spread across the three Senatorial zones of the state worth billions of naira. The governor called on the president to urgently intervene and ensure the refund of the money to the state government. He further said that the state government had so far expended N1.2billion to boost girl-child education, including girls whose education were interrupted, married women, divorcees and widows.

Business

ADVAN Wins Global Honour at WFA Awards for “Project Freedom” Initiative

Published

6 hours ago

April 25, 2026

Sahara Weekly

ADVAN Earns Global Recognition As WFA President’s Award Winner For “Project Freedom”

The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has been recognised on the global stage as a recipient of the prestigious WFA President’s Award, presented by the World Federation of Advertisers during its Global Marketer Week in Stockholm. The recognition places ADVAN among a select group of leading industry associations worldwide acknowledged for driving meaningful impact in marketing and society.

The WFA President’s Awards, established in 2010, celebrate national industry associations whose initiatives advance the marketer’s agenda and contribute to positive change. This year’s honours were awarded following a rigorous selection process involving 38 submissions from associations across the WFA’s global network, with winners chosen for their measurable impact and potential for replication across markets.

ADVAN’s recognition comes through its advocacy initiative, Project Freedom, a bold and strategic effort focused on addressing the challenges of stifling, non–data-driven regulations affecting businesses in Nigeria and across Africa. The initiative underscores the importance of evidence-based policymaking while championing the constitutional right to freedom of commerce.

Through Project Freedom, ADVAN has taken a proactive leadership role in engaging key stakeholders and shaping conversations around fair, balanced, and transparent regulation. The initiative reflects a shift toward constructive dialogue and collaboration, ensuring that regulatory frameworks support innovation, protect consumer interests, and enable sustainable business growth.

By earning this global recognition, ADVAN reinforces the growing influence of African marketing institutions in shaping international discourse. Its work highlights how local advocacy, when rooted in data and guided by clear principles, can deliver impact not just within national borders but across the global marketing ecosystem.

The award also affirms ADVAN’s commitment to strengthening self-regulation within the industry, fostering accountability, and promoting standards that align with global best practices while remaining relevant to local realities.

As the marketing landscape continues to evolve, ADVAN’s recognition by the World Federation of Advertisers signals a strong endorsement of its leadership and vision. It positions the association as a key voice in advancing responsible marketing, advocating for enabling policies, and ensuring that businesses can operate in an environment that supports both innovation and economic freedom.

Business

PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status

Published

1 day ago

April 24, 2026

Sahara Weekly

***PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status**

To prevent any misunderstanding regarding our affiliation with the United Nations, we hereby provide a formal clarification on the status and identity of the United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC), formerly known as IPGC.

UNIPGC is an independent Civil Society Organization and Non-Governmental Organization with continental chapters registered in the United States, Germany, Canada, and several countries across Africa. The organization is committed to promoting the values and principles of the United Nations, particularly in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), as well as advocating for good governance globally.

In furtherance of its mandate, UNIPGC has established partnerships with reputable diplomatic civil society organizations, including the United Nations Association of Nigeria and the United Nations Association of Ghana. These collaborations are aimed at strengthening its engagement with initiatives aligned with United Nations ideals.

Additionally, UNIPGC has entered into diplomatic relations with the International Organization for Economic Development (IOED), an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO), to enhance its capacity for international cooperation and diplomatic engagement.

We wish to clearly state that UNIPGC is **not** an entity, agency, or organ of the United Nations.

Members of the public and media practitioners are respectfully advised to refer to the organization by its full and correct name: **United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC)**, and not as the United Nations.

Thank you.

Business

Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour

Published

1 day ago

April 24, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour

Laffmattazz, one of Nigeria’s foremost comedy and live entertainment brands, is pleased to announce its official partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for the highly anticipated Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour, themed “Next Chapter: A New Season of Laughter.”

Now in its 15th year, Laffmattazz—the brainchild of renowned Nigerian comedian Gbenga Adeyinka (Gbenga Adeyinka 1st)—has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its seamless fusion of comedy, music, and live stage performances.

The 2026 tour, which kicked off on Easter Sunday, April 5th, 2026 at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, marks a significant milestone in the brand’s journey. Building on over a decade of success across Nigeria, this year’s edition signals a bold expansion into the international market, with a multi-city run in Canada, alongside major stops in Akure, Abeokuta, and Lagos.

This strategic partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited underscores a shared commitment to excellence and innovation. It is also aligned with FirstBank’s First@Arts initiative—a significant and ongoing program dedicated to supporting the creative arts, entertainment, and cultural sectors. Through this initiative, FirstBank provides financing, advisory services, and actively fosters a sustainable value chain for artists and creative entrepreneurs, while supporting key industry platforms such as the Nigerian Entertainment Conference.

Speaking on the collaboration, the Laffmattazz team stated:

“We are delighted to welcome First Bank of Nigeria Limited as a strategic partner for the Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour. As we mark 15 remarkable years of Laffmattazz, this partnership reinforces our vision to take premium Nigerian entertainment beyond borders, while delivering even bigger, better, and more memorable experiences for our audiences.”

As a key partner, First Bank will enrich the tour through innovative customer engagement initiatives, experiential activations, and exclusive fan experiences across all tour locations.

With its distinctive blend of humor, culture, and live entertainment, the Laffmattazz 2026 Tour is poised to connect audiences across cities and continents, bringing laughter to thousands of fans worldwide.

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About Laffmattazz

Laffmattazz is a premier Nigerian comedy and entertainment brand, now in its 15th year, renowned for its vibrant live shows and nationwide tours. Founded by Gbenga Adeyinka 1st, the brand continues to deliver high-quality experiences that celebrate creativity, culture, and laughter.

About First Bank of Nigeria Limited

First Bank of Nigeria Limited is Nigeria’s oldest financial institution, widely respected for its legacy of trust, innovation, and customer-centric financial solutions that support economic growth and development. Through its First@Arts initiative, the Bank continues to play a pivotal role in empowering the creative industry and driving sustainable growth across the sector.