By Justina Auta

The Director General of World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, says the organisation will assist Nigerian women entrepreneurs to improve their businesses, nations trade and economy.

Okonjo-Iweala, who had served as Nigerias Minister of Finance and Supervising Minister of the Economy, gave the assurance during a visit to the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, on Wednesday in Abuja.

She said the visit of the WTO delegate was to engage with the country on ways to help improve the economy and trade in Nigeria, as well as show appreciation for their support during her election.

According to her, WTO is also trying to find small business holders and women entrepreneurs to upgrade their businesses to enable them penetrate both local and international markets.

She revealed that WTO was working to support women entrepreneurs in the country, as it had assisted a women cooperative producing shea butter in Oyo State to upgrade and export their products.

The challenge on how to assist women entrepreneurs so that they move from the small activity they are doing to the next level.

So that they attain the quality that is required to be able to penetrate regional and international market that is one of the things that WTO can help with, she said.

The director-general assured that WTO through its programnes, such as the She Trade Initiative, would build the capacity of women traders to enable their business expand.

Okonjo-Iweala also revealed that the WTO was negotiating a round of e-commerce rules that could underpin trade on the internet to make it fair and balance.

This, she said, would enable more women entrepreneurs penetrate the markets through the internet.

The WTO wants to redress inequality through trade, wants to see trade as an engine of economic growth which is what we need during this pandemic, she said.

The director-general also expressed concern over spates of abduction of school students, which she said would further widen the gap for girl-child education.

She, therefore, urged the government to revive the safe school initiative and secure school environment.

On her part, the wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, described Mrs Okonjo-Iweala as a role model for Nigerian women, who had served the country with humility, skills and knowledge.

Mrs Buhari, represented by Dr Hajo Sani, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration (Office of the First Lady), encouraged other women to play their role as models so that younger generation of women could emulate.

Earlier, the minister of women affairs urged the WTO boss to assist Nigerian women entrepreneurs improve their businesses.

Nigerian women are great entrepreneurs, they have done so much and so many of them have been so frustrated in their various businesses.

God has brought you to this seat to salvage us, to salvage great Nigerian women entrepreneurs, who have left their marks.

We will compile and showcase all their products and make sure we send them all out to you, Tallen said.

She, therefore, called on Nigerians, particularly women, to support the WTO boss in order to make Nigeria, Africa and the world proud and great.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that various women groups, politicians, National Assembly members, students, military and paramilitary women, CSOs, NGOs and various media organisations were present to receive Okonja-Iweala.

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of World Trade Organisation (WTO) says the organisation will make progress on negotiations concerning the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) in its forthcoming 12th Ministerial Conference.

Okonjo-Iweala disclosed this at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

The 12th conference is scheduled to hold in Geneva in December.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the DDA, known as Doha Round is the latest round of trade negotiations among the WTO membership.

It is aimed at achieving major reform of the international trading system through the introduction of lower trade barriers and revised trade rules.

NAN gathered that the African groups in WTO are seeking for this negotiation which has agricultural package to be addressed, demanding for a special safeguard mechanism for developing countries.

In spite of several efforts by some developed countries to undermine the DDA, the African Groups have stood their ground because it has to do with food security, subsidy on agriculture which distort trade and employment.

The WTO director-general, however, noted that the negotiation on the agenda was yet to be completed during the round and was still hanging.

There are some specific mandates as you know that developed and developing countries did not see eye to eye.

There are some specific mandates on agriculture package, we think we could make progress may be even at the WTO Ministerial Conference.

We will have some kind of outcome on Public Stock-holding for food security purposes on which developing countries want to have the ability to have reserves.

This is in case they have difficulties feeding thier population, they can buy grains or whatever products in times of plenty and store them to be able to sell later.

But there are countries, who are concerned about wether goods are being subsidised, wether they are sold later in the open market thereby undermining the ability of the free market to function, she said.
According to her, there is potential to come to an agreement on the public stock holding for food security issues, so we could deal with that.

She said there was also a possibility to deal with the humanitarian exception to restricting the world food programme from buying food freely for humanitarian purposes.

This, she said was , also being discussed and almost every countries had agreed except two countries
So, we will work on it, she added.

Okonjo-Iweala, who assumed duty as the first female and African D-G of WTO on March 1, was on her first working visit in Nigeria.

In the course of spurring economic growth, she had met with President Muhammadu Buhari, various ministers and key players in health sector.

In view of boosting trade and investment, she had engaged Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and Minister of State, Amb. Mariam Katagum.

The former Nigerian Finance Minister also interacted with captains of industries on view of bringing their trade challenges to the fore for WTOs intervention.

She also featured in roundtable discussions organised by Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and International Trade Centre (ITU) for entrepreneurs and women in trade on ways to remove administrative bottlenecks on export.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) on Thursday gave regulated service providers one month to register with the council or face sanctions.

The Executive Secretary, Mr Hassan Bello disclosed thisin Lagos at a sensitisation clinic for regulated service providers, the second phase for shipping companies, terminal operators and inland container dry ports.

Bello who was represented by Mr Cajetan Agu, Director, Consumer Affairs Department of NSC, said some of the sanctions were first and second warnings, delisting, sealing off of business premises amongst others.

He noted that since the first sensitisation clinic that took place on Jan. 31, 2019, only few regulated service providers had registered.

He listed those affected by the directive as: ports authority, seaport terminal operators, shipping companies, offdock terminal/bonded warehouses.

He said others were: cargo consolidators, logistics service providers, freight forwarders, inland container depot operators, stevedoring companies and others.

According to Bello, the registration is in line with part 2, section 41 of the NSC Port Economic Regulation of 2015.

The purpose of this clinic is to provide guidelines, rates and modalities for registration online with the NSC portal.

At the first sensitisation programme in 2019, participants raised issue of high registration fee, stating that it adds to cost of doing business and this was reviewed downwards, but surprisingly some regulated service providers did not pay.

It is hoped that stakeholders will avail themselves this opportunity and participate in the sensitisation clinic and equally register with the NSC thereafter for those who are yet to register with us.

Stakeholders should not take our persuasion as a form of weakness, they should utilise the one month grace period and register or sanctions will be meted out, he said.

He said some benefits attached to the registration included regulatory incentives, creating a pool of operators in the port sector, economic planning, ability to monitor the conduct of providers, free access to complaint mechanism and platform for consultation.

When appointed a port regulator, assignments were given to the NSC for them to create an effective regulatory regime at the ports for the control of tariffs, rates, charges and other economic services.

For shippers council to express these functions as prescribed under the regulation and under operation Know Your Customer, Part 2, Section 4 listed all the regulated service providers at the port.

And again, under section 4, the listed providers shall register with the council. It is line with this section that we are meeting today, carrying out this sensitisation training for stakeholders.

So failure to comply will amount to a breach of this regulation and shall attract sanctions as stipulated by the regulation, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Polycarp Auta

Troops attached to the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have shot dead an armed robbery suspect at Kutaya street in Jengre, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau.

The troops were stationed for maintaining peace in Plateau and parts of Kaduna and Bauchi and were responding to distress call when it engaged some bandits in a gun duel.

Maj.-Gen Dominic Onyemelu, the Commander of the task force disclosed the killing, which occurred on Wednesday night, to newsmen on Thursday in Jos.

Onyemelu said that two other members of the criminal gang escaped with bullet wounds.

He explained that one AK-47, a fabricated riffle, an automatic pistol, 16 of 9mm rounds ammunition and a cell phone, were recovered from the scene.

Yesterday, at about 11:45p.m. our troops on night patrol received a distress call of armed robbery incident at Kutaya street, Jengre area of Bassa.

The troops swiftly mobilised to the scene, where a shop owner, one Mr Reuben, was robbed of his personal belongings.

In the process, one of thearmed robbers was neutralised, while his two colleagues escaped with gunshot injuries.

Items recovered include one AK 47, a fabricated riffle, an Automatic Pistol, 16 of 9mm rounds ammunition and a cell phone, he said.

The commander said that the dead body of the armed robber was deposited at the morgue of Plateau State Hospital.

He said that his gallant troops would intensify the search for the other members of the gang who are still at large.

Onyemelu, who assumed duty on March 11, as the 13thCommander of the operation, assured residents of the state of its determination to ensuring that lasting peace was achieved across its joint operational areas.

He, however, called on members of the public to support and cooperate with the task force to succeed. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Edith Nwapi

A petitioner, Francis Awulu, told the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)s Independent panel, that he was asked to pay N1, 000 as gate fee every time he visits his late brother in the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) cell.

The panel is investigating alleged human rights violations by the disbanded SARS and other units of the police force.

Testifying on a petition by his family, Awulu alleged that his brother, Emmanuel, was killed in spite of the fact that the police collected N60, 000 from him.

The petition was filed against Insp Cletus Atuma, other officers of SARS, FCT commissioner of police and Inspector-General of Police.

He told the panel that Atuma and other SARS officers beat his brother beyond recognition and killed him at the SARS headquarters.

Led by his counsel, Uche Uwazuruonye, Awulu said the deceased, a poultry farmer, was arrested on Aug. 20, 2019 by Atuma at about 2 a.m. in Gwagwalada, FCT.

Immediately my brother was taken into custody, he was denied access to his family and untill he died.

For every visit we were asked to pay N1, 000 as gate fee to get to where my brother was detained unlawfully which did not yield any result.

On one of my visits, one Insp Wisdom advised me to pay N4 million to make sure that I get a listening ear from the SARs ogas.

I told him I could not afford such an amount. He collected the N8,000 I had on me. After the payment, Atuma informed me that my brother was a cultist.

After much negotiation, Aruma demanded for money and I gave him N60,000 for the release of my brother. On Aug. 26, 2019 we were told that Emmanuel had died, he said.

Awulu, pleaded with the panel to order for compensation from the police for being responsible for his younger brothers death adding, he was the breadwinner of the family, he had six dependents.

We also pray the panel to ensure that the perpetrators of this inhumane act are punished, he said.

The Chairman of panel, rtd justice Suleiman Galadima, adjourned hearing until April 16 for cross-examination. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Oluwabukola Akanni

Princess Aderonke Adedoja, the founder of Aderonke Ramat Adedoja Foundation (ARA), says chances of a woman, emerging as president of Nigeria in the next decade, is a possibility.

Adedoja made these remarks on Thursday at the ongoing Oyo State Women Entrepreneurship Summit entitled Women Rise Up on Thursday in Ibadan.

Adedoja, who is the convener of the summit, said that the misconception that, men are more superior, accounted for the low representation of Nigerian women in politics.

According to her, in order for women to increase their participation in politics and other sectors, they must be seen as equal to the men folks with equal and inalienable rights.

Women should stop sitting on the sideline and should demand what is rightfully theirs.

We cannot afford to continue cheerleading for the men.

We must rise up and claim our God-given rights as God created us to be equals and leaders.

In order to increase our participation in politics, we must begin to see ourselves as equal stakeholders with the intelligence, skills and abilities to take up leadership positions in politics, she said.

Adedoja, who was the first female House of Representatives aspirant in Oluyole Federal Constituency in 2019, said that women could make ground-breaking achievements in politics if given the opportunity.

From contesting in the last election, I have understood the game and I have confidence in myself that I can win in the next election without a godfather.

I have the skills and abilities and it is time for women to support their fellow women so that we can have more female participation in politics.

Im really hopeful that in the 2023 elections, more women will emerge as winners.

It is up to women to decide they will no longer be docile in politics and we will have a female president in Nigeria very soon, maybe in a decade.

Also speaking, an entrepreneur, Mrs Folasade Akinrinmola, said that women needed more than one skill sets in order to have an edge over the men folks.

Akinrinmola, who is the CEO of A-Z Event Experts, said that todays women are confronted with several challenges, including poverty and inequality.

Such challenges should, however, be seen as a ladder to success.

Todays society demands that women have multiple streams of income if they are going to make a meaningful impact in society.

In order for women to have a good outing in the next general elections, we must be ready to take risks and support one another, Akinrinmola said.

In the same manner, a social entrepreneur, Natasha Akpoti, remarked that women have the intelligence, character and capacity to bring about the much needed social change in Nigeria. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the only way to effectively address the massive infrastructure deficit in Nigeria is by Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

Osinbajos spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said the vice president spoke at the opening ceremony of a 2-day retreat of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP).

The retreat will, among other things, deliberate on the proposed amendment of the Public Enterprises (Privatisation and Commercialisation) Act, 1999.

The vice president said that Nigeria would require at least 2.3 trillion dollars over the next 30 years to bridge the infrastructural gap.

The review of budgetary allocation for capital expenditure even over the past decade will show that government resources are completely insufficient for this purpose.

While government can take either commercial or concessionary loans for infrastructure development, this is an additional burden on a usually considerably leveraged balance sheet.

He said there was a large pool of investable funds from both local and international investors for the development and maintenance of infrastructure.

Osinbajo said, however, the funds were only accessible where there was a business case to be made for developing public infrastructure.

So, for both institutional and individual investors, there is far more comfort with lending or with equity participation where a private sector entity partners with a public authority owner of the infrastructure.

This way the public partner can play its natural role of a regulator (regulation and policy), leaving business to the private sector whose reason for being is business; so, for investors, PPP presents the best of both worlds, he said.

He urged the participants drawn from the private and public sectors at the retreat to remain focused on the objectives of the meeting,.

According to him, developing a framework that will be attractive to investors should be topmost in their deliberations.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director-General of BPE, Mr Alex Okoh, said the current economic environment required government to adopt innovative ways of attracting resources for infrastructure development.

He said an amendment of the BPE Act would among other things expand private sector participation in the Nigerian economy as well as attract more foreign capital to different sectors of the economy.

Dignitaries at the opening session included the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and the Senate Committee Chairman on Privatisation, Sen. Theodore Orji.

Representatives of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), NCP, among others were also at the event.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Afonne

Igbo people in the United Kingdom (UK) under the auspices of Ogbako Ndi Igbo, have urged the South-East governors to double their effort at ensuring the protection of lives and property of people of the region.

The group made the demand in a statement signed by Dr Jude Eze, Chairman, Ogbako Ndi Igbo UK, and 16 others, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, on Thursday.

We ask that our governors do more to protect our people before things escalate out of control, and to apply wisdom in managing hot spots of insecurity rather than fuelling it as was the recent case in Orlu, they said.

The group was particular about the disruption of farming activities in various communities in the South-East region due to the activities of bandits who rape women and commit other atrocities against farmers in different communities in the zone.

Over the past few years, there has been a gradual but sustained erosion of security in Nigeria and particularly in the South East region.

We have seen kidnappings on the rise as well as incessant vandalism of farmlands of our people by herdsmen.

Most shocking is the rape of our mothers, sisters, wives and daughters by these criminal elements with impunity whilst sometimes filming these nefarious acts and posting them on social media to further denigrate us and aggravate our pain.

These bandits who move around freely with AK-47 rifles have been reported to use these firearms on our defenceless people when challenged during these abhorrent acts thus resulting in loss of lives, the statement said.

The group wondered why such unlawful and evil actors should go unpunished when there is rule of law.

It also regretted that security which ought to be the primary responsibilities of the government had been politicised.

It is, therefore, sad to say at this moment that the authorities are failing the people of Nigeria and South-East in particular.

In a previous letter to the Executive Governors of the South-East states, Ogbako Ndi Igbo UK had solicited concerted efforts by the governors to tackle these security challenges facing our people.

It is with sadness that we note that our plea and suggestions towards improvement of security in Igboland like the formation of a regional security outfit have not been heeded to.

In the past months, Ogbako Ndi Igbo UK has noted the commendable response from autonomous communities across the length and breadth of Igboland which, left with no other choice, have chosen to protect themselves.

They have also gone at length to curtail the menace of the herdsmen and their cows.

These responses have been achieved through the formation of vigilance groups and other neighbourhood-watch outfits, it added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Vivian Emoni

The Federal Government has inaugurated a National Action Plan on Gender and Climate Change (NAPGCC) to guide implementation of actions that mitigate climate change impacts on vulnerable groups including women.

Dr Muhammad Abubakar, the Minister of Environment, at the inauguration ceremony and workshop of the NAPGCC on Thursday in Abuja said that the inauguration was for the good of the women and the country at large.

The workshop was organised by the Women Environmental Programme (WEP) in collaboration with the Climate Change Department of the ministry.

Abubakar said that Nigeria developed its National Action Plan on Gender and Climate in 2020 and was approved by the Federal Executive Council that same year.

He said that the development was in recognition of the need for gender mainstreaming in the implementation of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

He said that the main goal of the Action Plan was to ensure that national climate change processes in Nigeria mainstreamed gender considerations.

The minister said that the essence was to guarantee inclusivity of all demographics in the formulation and implementation of climate change initiatives, programs and policies.

According to him, gender mainstreaming can play a key role in policy development that targets mitigation and adaptation of climate change by ensuring that a gender equality perspective is adopted.

Thus, when it comes to decision-making and implementation towards building resilient communities in the face of climate change, the full and meaningful participation of all groups become essential.

In view of Nigerias intention to empower and respond to the needs of women in the context of climate change, this NAPGCC focuses on effective strategies.

The strategies were made for integrating gender into the implementation of national climate change initiatives, including the Paris Agreement particularly the NDCs.

The Action Plan presents milestones for ensuring that in building a climate-resilient Nigeria, the important and critical roles of women, youths and other vulnerable groups are carried along in the implementation of relevant national policies and strategies, he said.

Abubakar mentioned the priority sectors covered by the Action Plan as Agriculture, Forestry and Land Use, Food Security, Health, Energy, Transport, waste management, water and sanitation.

He said that the Action Plan covers the period 2020 to 2025.

He, however, encouraged all participants at the workshop to make meaningful contributions that would lead to a successful outing in achieving a low carbon, cleaner and healthier environment.

Mrs Sharon Ikezor, the Environment Minister for State said that the NAPGCC would serve as a guide in mainstreaming gender in addressing climate change action and challenges in the country.

Ikeazor said that the event was to officially launch the NAPGCC document, initiate the development of an implementation strategy framework and the development of next steps in implementing Nigerias Gender Action Plan.

The minister was represented by Hajia Halima Bawa-Bwari, Acting Director, Climate Change Department, ministry of environment.

Mrs Anne-Marie Abaagu, the Executive Director, WEP said that the aim of the workshop was to effectively improve on the implementation of the action plan.

Abaagu appreciated the ministry, British High Commission, European Union and Both ENDS for their immense support in making sure that the programme was successful. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Afonne

Food and beverage company Nestle Nigeria PLC, has kicked off a campaign to promote the intake of iron to address micronutrient deficiency and ensure healthy living.

Mrs Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Nestle Nigeria, said in Abuja at a stakeholder-engagement meeting with Ministry of Health and Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, on the need to take sufficient iron.

Uwadoke said that the stakeholder-engagement was to get the buy-in of major stakeholders in the Live Strong With Iron campaign, and to step-up awareness in at least 50 per cent of Nigerians as it relates iron deficiency.

he noted that the Live Strong With Iron campaign would be officially launched in Abuja on April 7, being the World Health Day, to drive behavioral change and ensure Nigerians adopt the habit of consuming foods with iron.

At Nestl, we are committed to enabling people to lead healthier, happier lives by continuously improving our products, providing affordable nutrition for everyone.

Beyond delivering tasty and nutritious products to consumers, we work alongside stakeholders to build strong communities and supply chains while improving livelihoods in communities directly connected to our business activities.

Our CSV focus areas in Nigeria include Nutrition Education, Building Thriving Communities, Youth Empowerment and Preservation of the Environment, she said.

Uwadoka noted that available statistics in their possession showed that 68 per cent of children under-five years were Iron deficient, while 37 per cent were stunted.

Dr Mrs Anthonia Ekpa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs who received the Nestle Nigeria team on behalf of the minister Mrs Pauline Tallen, said the ministry considered healthy living and the development of the girl-child.as a priority.

Ekpa urged Nestle to develop a policy to make it a national project for a greater reach.

We also address the need of the girl child especially those entering the stage of menstrual circle.

We collaborate with ministry of water resources, and now, we have seen what we neglected (campaign on iron intake) which we will add.

We will introduce it to our women development department and we will partner with Nestle Nigeria to do advocacy on this.

But we will identify serious Civil Society Organisation that we can use to develop a plan.

The team was also received at the Ministry of Health by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Abdulaziz Mashi. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Leonard Okachie

A federal lawmaker, Rep. Sam Onuigbo, has advised communities in his constituency to accept Federal Governments projects cited in their areas as their own.

Onuigbo,representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in Abia, gave the advice on Tuesday during an inspection of some ongoing federal governments projects he attracted to the constituency.

He said it was important for the beneficiaries of such projects to have a change of attitude and maintain them because the projects belong to them.

The two-term lawmaker said the projects being inspected were executed to alleviate the peoples sufferings.

Onuigbo said: The communities have the responsibility to follow through in any project being executed by federal government because it is going to be for their use.

Whenever they are not satisfied with what is being done, they should point it out so that the contractor can be called to order.

Why do you think you see buildings that were built in the 19th Century in Europe and America?

It is because these buildings were being maintained. We can also do the same thing here.

Onuigbo inspected projects in the three local government areas that make up his constituency.

Although he expressed satisfaction with the quality of the job done, he advised the contractors to expedite action and also correct some of the errors identified.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the projects included theOloko Health Centre in Ikwuano Local Government Area awarded by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

Others were a three-classroom block at Umuajata Central School, Olokoro, and installation of a new transformer at Umuagu-Nglori, Afugiri in Umuahia South and North council areas, respectively.

A community leader in Oloko, Chief Uche Dike, thanked the federal government and lawmaker for the project cited in his community.

Dike expressed joy that the project had reached about 90 per cent completion and promised that the community would help to protect and maintain the facility. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Idowu Gabriel

NDLEA seized illicit drugs worth more than N60 billion in the last two months, its chairman, Retired Brig.-Gen Buba Marwa, has said.

Marwa made the disclosure on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti at a colloquium tagged: Walk Away from Drugs, a programme organised by Ekiti Ministry of Justice.

He described the menace of drug abuse in the country as worrisome.

In Nigeria today, there is no challenge that is more worrisome than drug abuse.

For instance, insurgency, kidnapping and banditryare seen as peculiar to certain parts of the country, but drug abuse has no boundary or respect for ethnicity or religion.

The menace is so worrisome that within the last two months, more than N60 billion worth of illicit drugs have been seized and perpetrators arrested and prosecuted.

If access to drugs is prevented, criminality can be reduced by 50 per cent, Marwa said.

He called for concerted efforts by stakeholders to campaign against the use of illicit drugs.

The anti-drug agency boss suggested that parents should from now include drug certificate as part ofcriteria to give their daughters and sons hands inmarriage.

This will be the beginning in reducing drug usage and its prevailing economic effects on the nation, he said.

Declaring open the event, Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi restated the commitment of his administration at reducing drug abuse.

Fayemi, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, urged participants to take the deliberation seriously and to evolve implementable plans to rid the society of the menace.

In his address of welcome, Ekiti States Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Wale Fapounda, said that, the programme was organised because of alarming cases of drugs-induced criminality in the society.

In most cases prosecuted by the ministry, investigations showed crime perpetrators were under the influence of drugs, he said.

In attendance at the programme were representatives of traditional rulers, Ekiti State Commandant of the NDLEA, Mr Gaura Shedow, representatives of road transport workers, market women and youths, among others. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Group

By Monday Ijeh

A group, South East Support for N-Power, has urged beneficiaries of the N-Power and other Social Investment Programmes (SIPs) in the South East, to help propagate the positive impact of governments people-oriented policies.

The National Coordinator of the group, Mr Kamsi Uzodimma made the call in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

He urged youths in the region to take advantage of the batch C of the N-Power programme, adding that the programme had impacted positively on the lives of beneficiaries

Apart from the tens of thousands of the beneficiaries, we are also sensitising our youths and women on how to apply to be beneficiaries of batch C of the N-Power programme.

Beneficiaries of N-Power and other intervention programmes of the Federal Government are already coming out to tell their success stories.

This has continued to change the erroneous narratives about the neglect or marginalisation of the South East.

Apart from establishing their businesses, many of the beneficiaries are already employers of labour and if sustained, will continue to reduce unemployment level in the South East region, he said.

Uzodimma said the plan by the Federal Government to empower the vulnerable groups in the 95 Local Government Areas in the South East through skills acquisition and other empowerment initiatives was a welcomed development.

He said the plan was part of the ongoing SIPs of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

The coordinator said the plan would reduce youth unemployment in the South East, adding that tailoring, carpentry, shoe making, trading, aquaculture and healthcare would be the areas of focus in the vocational training programme.

He said the approval of the skills acquisition programme by the Federal Government was part of efforts to reassure the South East that the region remained an integral part of Nigeria, founded on equity, justice and egalitarianism.

Uzodimma said the appointment of focal persons in the five states of the South East was an indication that the Federal Government was committed to making the program a huge success in the region.

Source: NAN News

By Victor Okoye

Enyimba International Football Club of Aba on Wednesday slumped to a 1-2 loss to South Africas Orlando Pirates in their CAF Confederation Cup Group A clash at the Orlando Stadium.

The hosts dominated the early exchanges to score a well-deserved goal, before the visitors grew into the game in the latter stages.

Deon Hotto gave Orlando Pirates the lead in the 27th minute after he was set up by Linda Mntambo.

Enyimba were awarded a penalty kick late in the first half after Siyabonga Mpontshane fouled Anayo Iwuala inside the penalty box.

Austine Oladapo made no mistake as he superbly tucked the ball into the net, sending goalkeeper Mpontshane the wrong way.

The Buccaneers were awarded a penalty kick of their own in the 76th minute after Gabadinho Mhango was upended in the penalty box.

Substitute Tshegofatso Mabasa however blasted his kick wide.

Mabasa made amends for his earlier miss when he nodded home the winning goal a minute from time.

Enyimba will next host Algerian club ES Setif in their next game on April 1 at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba.

The result meant Enyimba lost their leadership of the group to their South African hosts, who now have four points from two matches.

Enyimba are in second place with three points from two matches, ahead of Libya side Ahli Benghazi on goals scored.

The Libyan side had beaten Algerian side ES Setif 1-0 in the groups other match.

The Standings

Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts

Orlando Pirates 2 1 1 0 2 1 1 4

Enyimba Inter. 2 1 0 1 3 3 3

Ahli Benghazi 2 1 0 1 2 2 3

ES Setif 2 0 1 1 0 1 -1 1

(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By EricJames Ochigbo

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate alleged sabotage responsible for frequent shutdown of Warri Refinery, towards addressing the problem.

The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion by Rep. Ben Igbakpa (PDP-Delta) at plenary on Wednesday.

Speaking, Igbakpa said that the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company was mandated to produce refined product from mainly local crude.

He explained that the three main sections of the production department which were reforming, crude distillation and catalytic cracking units have operated for the past years due to the efforts of its personnel.

According to him, the plants were operating at an output of around 115m3/hour which translates to about 68 per cent installed capacity.

The rep said that products from the refinery included, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or Petrol, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Kerosene (DPK), LPG or cooking gas, Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) for Ships and Industrial Fuel Carbon Black.

Therefinery has not operate optimally due to allegedly top management decisions of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to ground the plant for personal benefit from marketers importing products that can be produced in the refinery.

Theplant had severally shutdown due to haulage challenges, neglect in the evacuation of products, lack of functional or operational storage tanks and poor maintenance culture on the part of management which also constitutes another reason for the refinery non functionality.

Aware of the alleged plan to ground the plant from refining products by members of the top echelon of the Warri Refinery in collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) as well as diverting crude meant for refining.

Also awarethat when crude oil is delivered from Escravous tank farm for refining, the products are hoarded for about 14 days and thereafter diverted through the refinery jetty to interested buyers (or specific companies they have special interests in) who pay less.

The resultant effects of this perceived economic sabotage is that the plant is brought down because no crude to refine as it has been diverted, he said.

The house mandated its Committee on Petroleum (Upstream) to investigate the failure of the NNPC to address the haulage challenges.

The committee was also to look into the inadequate storage tanks affecting the Warri refinery and petrochemical company.

In his ruling, Deputy Speaker Ahmed Wase mandated the committee to investigate and report back in four weeks. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Temitope Ponle

Eleven African countries have validated the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement implementation strategies, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

Mrs Vera Songwe, UN Under Secretary-General and Executive Secretary, UNECA, said this in her opening statement at the 39th session of the Committee of Experts on Wednesday.

The experts meeting was also the sidelines of the commissions 53rd session.

Songwe listed the countries as Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Cte dIvoire, Togo, Niger, Cameroon, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The executive secretary further stated that countries that were in the drafting phase of the agreement were Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo, Kenya, Namibia and Malawi.

She added that countries that were in the inception phase were Nigeria, Tunisia, Guinea-Bissau, Benin, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan, Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique and Eswatini.

She said that data was unavailable for the other countries.

The AfCFTA came into force Jan. 1 as at February, 54 of the 55 African Union Member States had signed on.

Also, the UNECA head said 25 countries had signed up to the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) with potential savings equal to 0.71 per cent of the 2019 Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to the World Bank, the DSSI is an initiative by the bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urging the Group of 20 (G20) to help countries concentrate their resources on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of people.

The initiative took effect on May 1, 2020, and had delivered about 5 billion dollars in relief to more than 40 eligible countries.

In his remarks, Amb. Tesfaye Sabo, the Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the African Union and UNECA, said Africa had made a robust effort under the leadership of the African Union, to grapple with this pandemic and to reduce its socio-economic impact.

Sabo said this was done by working with global partners and through mobilisation of the African people.

These efforts have produced commendable results, he added.

The permanent representative said the conference was timely and critical for understanding the complex socio-economic implications of the pandemic and to chart a way forward. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ayinde Olaide

The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Bauchi State, Mr Yusuf Abdullahi, on Wednesday said six people lost their lives while 54 sustained injuries in a road crash in the state.

Abdullahi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi that the accident involved traders traveling from Darazo town in Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State to Dakuku Market in Gombe state.

Abdullahi said that dangerous overtaking was the probable cause of the crash involving commercial Mercedes Benz truck with 72 male passengers.

It was a lone fatal accident which involved a Mercedes Benz truck with a plate number AA476MSA conveying 72 traders from Darazo LGA of Bauchi state to Dakuku Market in Gombe state.

Six people lost their lives on the spot while 54 sustained injuries. The name of the driver is one Alhaji Saidu Misau and the probable cause of the accident is dangerous overtaking.

The truck veered off the road and threw the people away. Some were hung on the truck. It took us hours to carry out the rescue operation, he said

The Sector Commander further explained that the injured victims had been taken to Darazo General Hospital for medical attention while the corpses of the deceased were deposited in the mortuary of the same hospital.

He cautioned all road users, especially drivers, to be wary of speeding and dangerous overtaking.

Abdullahi added that the corps would not relent in its determination to sensitise road users on safe driving and the need to comply with traffic rules and regulations. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Grace Alegba

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Alhaji Babangida Hussaini, on Tuesday expressed satisfaction at the progress being made on Federal roads and housing projects in Lagos.

Hussaini during a technical inspection of roads and housing projects in Lagos State said that the Federal Government was committed to Lagos infrastructure upgrade, renewal and maintenance.

The permanent secretary, who led a delegation of top engineers from Abuja and the South West on the tour, said the team had visited various sites across the nation, adding that, they were in Lagos to continue the inspection from where the Minister for Works and Housing had stopped.

He expressed satisfaction with the completion of work on top of the Third Mainland Bridge, as well as ongoing rehabilitation works on the abutment under the bridge.

He said that the Buhari regime would ensure constant attention on the Third Mainland Bridge to ensure up to date regular maintenance checks and repairs.

I am impressed with the pace of work on almost all the sites we visited, the Third Mainland Bridge is working fine, the first segment of the work has been done and they are working under.

And We shall continue to monitor and improve on the safety of the structural integrity of that facility because often times, the problem we have is about maintaining our existing facilities and infrastructure,he said.

Hussaini said that the headquarters of federal ministries were formerly in Lagos hence the need to inspect and maintain the buildings in Lagos State.

One of the policy imperatives of this administration is to set up the federal asset management department. It is always important for us to be looking at these facilities to maintain them and keep them in good shape,he said.

He said it cost a lot to maintain the buildings but it was quite unfortunate that government was constrained by funds which was impeding the maintenance efforts on some of the buildings.

He said that the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing would continue to maintain the edifices, adding that, decision to sell or lease any of the properties would be a policy issue that only the federal government could make.

He explained that the Presidential Implementation Committee was currently handling the issue of the abandoned old Secretariat buildings in Ikoyi.

He said that the Federal Ministry of Housing Training School for artisans being rehabilitated in Onikan, would improve capacity in the construction industry and tackle youth unemployment.

Basically if you look at the technical cadre generally, the turn over of experienced and capable hands are high, therefore, they need to have a fresh system of restocking what we have lost.

Which is very important and that is why we are using the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan to retrain our youths and to give them the skills so that they can serve as artisans to support the officers who are engineers and who work on projects on sites, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team began its inspection from the top of the Third Mainland Bridge and later inspected ongoing works underneath the bridge.

The team went into a closed door evaluation meeting before continuing its trip to the Federal Ministry of Housing Training School in Onikan.

They later visited ongoing road projects on Outer Marina and Bonny Camp on Lagos Island as well as ongoing shorelines protection projects in the Victoria Island axis. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Kingsley Okoye

Mr Haliru Nababa, the new Comptroller -General(CG), Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) on Wednesday, appeared before the Senate Committee on Interior for screening.

Speaking at the screening, Nababa called for improved funding for the service towards delivering its mandate.

He said there was an urgent need for improved funding for operations of the service, given its operational challenges.

Nababa said the service was in need of fund to organise workshops on capacity building for staff.

He listed the challenges of dilapidated structures, inadequate arms and ammunition, increasing urbanisation in some of the areas housing the service as challenges inherent in the NCS.

He said there was an urgent need to reconstruct the dilapidated structures which was partly responsible for recent jail breaks.

Sen. Abba Morro (PDP- Benue)and other members of the committee, commended the nominee for his steering performance in the past, having served in various capacities and locations in the service.

Sen. Betty Apiafi (PDP- Rivers) consequently moved a motion for the committee to approve the nomination of Nababa as CG of NCS.

The motion was seconded by Sen. Elisha Abbo (APC- Adamawa).

Sen. Kassim Shettima, Committee Chairman consequently asked the nominee to take a bow and leave.

He said his approval by the committee was hinged on his competence to deliver on the mandate of NCS.

He said the CG designate had the capacity, experience and exposures to catapult the service to greater heights, adding that the immediate CG had also done creditably well.

He said it was the responsibility of the committee to compliment the effort of the CG designate by giving him the support to confront the challenges facing the service.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the horrific attack on a convoy returning from a weekly market in Niger Republics Tillaberi region in which many citizens were killed.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Wednesday, Buhari extended his condolences to families of victims and all citizens of the neighbouring country.

The Nigerian leader denounced the heinous attack, declaring that Nigeria will continue to stand by all its neighbours in the fight against terrorism.

According to him, the mass killings underscore the enormous security challenges facing Niger Republic as they prepare to inaugurate their new President, Mohamed Bazoum, and indeed the entire sub-Saharan region.

He, therefore, stressed the need for the sub-region to work more closely to end the scourge of terror.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that armed men in South-Western Niger intercepted a convoy returning from a weekly market and attacked a nearby village in the Tillaberi region, which is near the border with Mali and Burkina Faso.

NAN reports that over 53 innocent traders were reported to have been killed by the gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram/ISWAP sect. (NAN)

Source: NAN News