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Atiku shares his thoughts on Ease of Doing Business and Opportunities for Economic Growth

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Abubakar Atiku says Nigeria has always held enormous potential but that potential has yet to be fulfilled despite it being Africa’s largest economy and a prime investment destination,
According to the PDP presidential front runner “our country is blessed with formidable natural, physical and human resources. A vast domestic market and access to ECOWAS give it more than enough absorptive capacity to sustain a wide range of agricultural, industrial, and service activities. Yet business is tougher than it ought to be, and the economy is stuttering. “
Speaking further, the former Vice President says “we have just exited a recession and Nigeria is ranked a poor 145 out of 189 in the World Bank’s ease of doing business rating. It is also ranked 94 out of 131 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Scale. Opaque ownership and corporate governance structures frustrate due diligence and limit investment opportunities and irrespective of size, sector, and location, businesses face formidable challenges, including prohibitive capital, electricity, and logistics costs; weak and inconsistent laws and regulations; inefficient, incompetent, and predatory bureaucracies; unpredictable courts; clogged Too often, corporate fortunes hinge on political patronage.”

All these, he says, have to stop because as “President, I promise to undertake the following urgent measures: put an end to erratic policy shifts and regulatory changes; ensure the removal of the maze of unnecessary hurdles faced by anyone wanting to set up a business or access a market and eradicate the arbitrary effects and implications of a complex and sometimes deceitful web of taxes, levies, fees, and ad hoc contributions.”

(#Time2Atikulate series)

News and Report

Zenith Bank Assures Customers on Seamless Transactions, Apologizes for Disruptions During Infrastructure Upgrade

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Nigeria’s leading financial institution, Zenith Bank, has reassured its customers of improved services following recent infrastructure upgrades.

 

In a message posted on Thursday, the bank apologised for the service disruptions experienced across its e-channels during the upgrade period.

 

The bank clarified that the glitches were a result of routine information and technology maintenance, which is essential for optimizing service delivery.

 

Zenith Bank emphasized its commitment to ensuring 100% uptime, stating that it takes this responsibility “very personally” and continuously allocates resources to maintain uninterrupted service availability.

 

In the statement, the bank expressed its sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused to customers during the upgrade process, highlighting that the information technology enhancements are designed to improve the quality of service for its esteemed clientele.

 

The message reads in part:

 

Dear Valued Customer,

 

We sincerely apologise for the service disruptions you experienced recently on our banking channels. This was due to an information Technology upgrade aimed at improving the quality of service we provide.

 

We have made significant progress with the upgrade and you can now perform transactions conveniently with the following Zenith bank Channels:

 

Your Zenith Bank Debit Card

The Zenith Bank Mobile App

The Zenith bank Internet Banking Platform

Zenith Agents nationwide (Agent Banking)

 

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News and Report

Just In: Tinubu Set To Embark on  Two-weeks Annual Leave.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a two-week annual leave

 

According to Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja today for the United Kingdom to begin a two-week vacation, part of his yearly leave.

 

He will use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.

 

He will return to the country after the leave expires.

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Alleged Corruption : El-Rufai denies allegations, vow to swear on Quran….

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A former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has asserted that his entry into politics was driven solely by a desire to serve the people, not to amass wealth or siphon public funds.

 

El-Rufai made this declaration on Tuesday during a Hausa program aired on Freedom Radio, Kaduna.

 

Speaking candidly, the former governor dismissed allegations of financial misconduct during his administration, maintaining that he was already financially content before assuming office.

 

The Kaduna State House of Assembly had earlier indicted El-Rufai’s administration for the misappropriation of over N423 billion during his eight-year tenure.

 

 

However, El-Rufai and his associates have categorically denied the accusations, labeling them as politically motivated.

 

“I did not join politics to steal money or enrich myself. I was satisfied with what I had before becoming governor,” El-Rufai stated, adding that he is ready to swear on the Quran to prove his innocence if other former governors and current leaders do the same.

 

 

“I have always prayed for guidance in all I do, and I strive not to betray the trust of the people. Whenever the former governors of Kaduna State and other leaders are ready to swear with the Quran that they never misappropriated public funds, I will join them. I have no fear because I know I never took money that belonged to the people,” he said.

 

 

The former governor expressed dismay over the allegations, saying his administration has been accused without any clear evidence of where the money went missing or who took it.

 

He further claimed that his allies were being targeted and invited by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as part of a smear campaign against him.

 

“I have left everything to God’s judgment. I have prayed and will remain silent on the issue. I have instructed my lawyers to take legal action against those tarnishing my name, but for now, I’m focused on my activities like reading and writing,” he said.

 

 

El-Rufai emphasised that service to the people continues even after leaving office, stating, “You don’t need to hold a position in government to serve. We are still working with like-minded individuals who genuinely want to serve the people, not those seeking to enrich themselves.”

 

Looking ahead, El-Rufai revealed that he intends to return to politics in 2027 after completing his studies, remarking, “There is no retirement in politics. God willing, we will return and continue serving the people.”

 

 

 

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