Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, Director General of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), has issued a stern warning to multinational companies operating in Nigeria.

She emphasized that companies failing to submit their Technology Transfer Agreements (TTA) to NOTAP for evaluation and registration will soon face severe penalties and potential prosecution.

Dr. Amadiobi delivered this message during a visit to several Information and Communication Technology (ICT) firms in Lagos, accompanied by senior NOTAP management officials.

The purpose of the visit, as stated by NOTAP, was to familiarize themselves with the operations of these companies.

NOTAP, established to oversee the regulation of foreign technology inflows into Nigeria, aims to promote the development of local technologies through the registration of TTAs.

Dr. Amadiobi highlighted the importance of transparency in technology acquisition, stressing that proper evaluation and registration of agreements are crucial to ensure fair contractual terms for Nigerian companies.

Addressing concerns over non-compliance, Dr. Amadiobi pointed out that some companies attempt to evade registration by bundling software and hardware agreements together.

This practice, she noted, undermines the regulatory process and disadvantages Nigerian entities seeking fair technology transfer terms.

While expressing readiness to collaborate with compliant companies, Dr. Amadiobi reiterated NOTAP’s commitment to enforcing strict penalties against those found in violation of the regulations.

She emphasized that such measures are essential to maintain integrity within the technology acquisition sector and to protect the interests of Nigerian businesses.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has raised serious concerns over an alleged plan by Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State to depose the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.

In a statement issued on Monday, MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Isiaq Akintola, claimed that there are intentions to unseat the revered religious leader.

This allegation comes on the heels of recent controversy and unrest following the removal of several monarchs in Kano State.

Governor Aliyu recently deposed 15 traditional rulers for various offenses, sparking fears of further actions against prominent figures.

Prof. Akintola asserted that Nigerian Muslims unequivocally reject any attempt to dethrone the Sultan, warning against actions that could destabilize the region.

Akintola said “Feelers in circulation indicate that the governor may descend on the Sultan of Sokoto any moment from now using any of the flimsy excuses used to dethrone the 15 traditional rulers whom he removed earlier.

“MURIC advises the governor to look before he leaps. The Sultan’s stool is not only traditional. It is also religious. In the same vein, his jurisdiction goes beyond Sokoto. It covers the whole of Nigeria. He is the spiritual head of all Nigerian Muslims.

Therefore, any governor who tampers with the stool of the Sultan will have Nigerian Muslims to reckon with because the Sultan combines the office of the Sultan of Sokoto and that of the President General of the NSCIA.”

The MURIC boss warned that Governor Aliyu should not force Nigerian Muslims into taking drastic revolutionary measures.

He stated that having a traditional ruler as a leader is a condition Nigerian Muslims accepted long ago as a necessary weakness in the structure they have to live with.

He said, “A military governor, Col. Yakubu Muazu, exposed this soft underbelly when he deposed Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki on 20th April, 1996. Nigerian Muslims will be forced to make a hard decision if Sokoto governors continue to diminish the authority of the Sultan.

“For the avoidance of any doubts, Sultan Muhammad Sa’d Abubakar is not only the Sultan of Sokoto but the Sultan of the Nigerian people. His performance and style of leadership have warmed him into the hearts of Nigerians.

“Nigerian Muslims North and South of the country may be constrained to pick Islamic scholars only as President General of the NSCIA and overall leader of Nigerian Muslims.

“It will be farewell to the leadership of traditional rulers over the NSCIA and an irreversible departure from Sokoto’s priviledged leadership position. But history will not be kind to Col. Yakubu Muazu and Ahmed Aliyu for ruining the chances of Sokoto.

“Once is happenstance, twice is a coincidence, the third time is enemy action. If the deposition of a Sultan and NSCIA leader happens a second time, Nigerian Muslims will not allow the embarrassment to happen a third time.

“MURIC reiterates its call on the Sokoto State House of Assembly to either repeal or review the state’s chieftaincy laws by adding the phrase ‘except the Sultan of Sokoto’ to Section 6, Cap 26 of the Laws of Northern Nigeria which empowers the state governor to depose the emirs including the Sultan.

“We urge Northern elites and Islamic scholars based in the North to intervene before it is too late. This is the time to lobby the Sokoto State House of Assembly and the governor himself.

“If the chieftaincy laws of Kano State can be repealed within 24 hours, nothing stops that of Sokoto State from being reviewed in favour of immunity for the office of the Sultan in a single day to save Nigerian Muslims from humongous embarrassment.”

In a striking revelation, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi has highlighted a possible massive economic crisis, reporting that Nigeria has lost N95 trillion in the last five years due to an alarming exodus of multinational companies.

The former governor made this statement via X on Monday, drawing attention to the dire implications for the nation’s economy.

According to Obi, over ten multinational giants, including GlaxoSmithKline, Equinor, Sanofi-Aventis, Bolt Food, Procter & Gamble, Jumia Food, PZ Cussons, Kimberly-Clark, and Diageo, have left Nigeria in the past year alone. These departures, he stressed, are not isolated incidents but rather a clear signal of a pervasive governance problem.

“Why are we not facing and solving these problems head-on?” Obi questioned, pointing to widespread reports attributing the exodus to Nigeria’s harsh business climate.

He cited sources like The Punch, which noted, “Multinational firms exit Nigeria over harsh business climate,” and The Guardian, which reported, “Insecurity, high energy costs force companies to leave Nigeria.”

The Nation also highlighted “Poor business environment, inconsistent policies drive companies out of Nigeria.”

Obi called for urgent action from Nigeria’s leadership, advocating for the creation of a business-friendly environment that fosters investment and growth.

He outlined key areas of focus, including improving security, stabilizing policies, and reducing energy costs.

Furthermore, he emphasized the need for transparency, accountability, and good governance to attract and retain business investments.

“We must unite to transform Nigeria into a nation conducive to business, attractive to investment, safe and prosperous for all citizens,” Obi urged.