Nigerians, in the course of last week, woke up to another damning report by the international corruption watchdog, Transparency International, in its 2020 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) report, in which Nigeria was ranked 149 out 180 countries in the world.
The country was also adjudged the second most corrupt country in West Africa, only surpassed by Guinea-Bissau and the 13th most corrupt on the Aftican continent.
The 2020 CPI also showed a worsening in the nation’s corruption rating since 2015, as the Buhari administration’s best could only manage 25 points out of a possible 100.
The 2019 TI report had ranked Nigeria 146th out of the 180 countries surveyed, scoring 26 points, while in the 2018 report, the largest country in Africa ranked 144 out of 180, pointing to the fact that corruption had worsened in the country.
The Federal Government has pledged to increase its support for Micro Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country to fight unemployment and aid economic growth.
This is as an additional 1.3 million jobs is expected to be created across the country with the Bank of Industry committing N1.3 billion to support the MSME sector.
This pledge was made by the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, during a Capacity Building Training for MSMEs on Monday, March 22, 2021, in Abuja.
At the training which was organised by Quantum Mechanics Limited in collaboration with the ministry, Adebayo said the fund would support the growth of MSMEs and artisans, pointing out that his ministry would continue to do everything possible to see to the growth of MSMEs in the country.
Telecommunication Firm, Airtel Nigeria, has announced the commencement of the National Identity Number (NIN) registration exercise in its retail outlets across the country.
This followed the latest approval from the Federal Government granting the company a verification and enrolment license to register citizens.
According to the firm, some select retail outlets are already opened in Lagos and Abuja for the exercise, adding that it is presently working on expanding NIN footprints to cover more areas and States.
“Residents of Abuja can now visit Transcorp Hilton situated in Mataima or Airtel showrooms at Carpet Plaza and Kano Crescent in Wuse 2, while those in Lagos can walk into Airtel Express Point, Oyin Jolayemi, Victoria Island or Airtel showroom in Adeniran Ogunsanya, Surulere, Lagos.