Sadiya Umar Farouk

By Yakubu Uba

The North East Development Commission (NEDC), says it plans to construct 10,000 houses for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno.

Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, NEDC Managing Director disclosed this at the official ground breaking ceremony of the President Muhammadu Buhari Special Intervention Project in Ngom, Mafa Local Government Area (LGA) of the state on Friday.

Alkali said that the project would help address housing needs of the IDPs in the state.

He observed that about six per cent of houses in the state had been destroyed due to Boko Haram insurgency, adding that the total value of property destruction by the insurgents was about 9.6 billion dollars.

Alkali said that the Federal Government has approved a national housing programme where the state would get another 8,800 houses.

He, however, observed that the houses would not be enough for the state and urged the government to look into the possibility of increasing states slot to 20,000.

I am making a passionate appeal to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to see that the state gets additional 20,000 houses alongside the ones we are having today.

The housing project will be executed as quickly as possible to facilitate the return of those displaced, Alkali said.

Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, said the special project was a pointer to President Muhammadu Buharis commitment towards rebuilding of the North East.

Farouq said that 100 houses would be built in Ngon, while the rest 900 would be spread to across nine other LGAs in the state.

Gov. Babagana Zulum, lauded Buhari for the project which he said would help in facilitating the return of many IDPs back to their ancestral home.

Zulum, who noted that the state has over 1.5 million IDPs, said his administration was committed to ensuring that all IDP camps in Maiduguri Metropolis and Jere LGA were closed on or before May 2021.

While expressing the gratitude of the people of the state to federal government, Zulum urged NEDC to do more in area of infrastructure, particularly roads, schools, and water supply distribution network.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NEDC in Maiduguri had inaugurated a 30-bed capacity Isolation Centre in one of the IDPs camp in Maiduguri.

It also donated 120 operational vehicles to the Nigerian Army and paramilitary organisations in the North East.

Similarly, ambulances and medical equipment were presented to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi and the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri among others.

Source: NAN News

Dubai's police force say they have arrested Nigerian Instagram celebrity Raymond Igbalodely, known as Hushpuppi, on allegations of fraud amounting to $435m (£346m).

In an operation police called "Fox Hunt 2", 12 other people were arrested in six simultaneous raids in Dubai.

Nearly two million people from different parts of the world were said to have fallen victims to the plot.

The social media star was based in Dubai and claimed he was successful businessman.

Watch the video below to learn how he and his gang swindled and scammed close to 2 million people to the tune of 1.6 Billion Dirhams.

Documentary on how Hushpuppy scammed about 2 million victims of 160 Billion naira – 02:21
— Showbiz Nigeria

The local authorities published video on Twitter, documenting the four-month investigation that led to the arrests.

.@DubaiPoliceHQ takedown "Hushpuppi", "Woodberry", ten international cybercriminals in a special operation dubbed "Fox Hunt 2". pic.twitter.com/E8oOFHZftG

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 25, 2020

Video Source: showbiz.com.ng

COVID-19 updates by NCDC

Nigeria has recorded 649 new cases of COVID-19 pandemic, bringing the total number of infections in the country, as at June 24, to 22,020.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) made this known on Wednesday through its official Twitter handle.

NCDC said that the 649 new confirmed cases were from 23 states, with nine deaths as at June 24.

The health agency said that no new state reported a case in the last 24 hours.

The NCDC said that Lagos still remained the epicentre of COVID-19, recording the highest number of 250 new cases, followed by Oyo state with 100 new infections.

Others were: Plateau-40; Delta-40; Abia-28; Kaduna-27; Ogun-22; Edo-20; Akwa Ibom-18; Kwara-17; FCT-17; Enugu-14; Niger-13; Adamawa-13; Bayelsa-7; Osun-6; Bauchi-6; Anambra-4; Gombe-3; Sokoto-2; while Imo and Kano have one each.

The NCDC said that till date, 22,020 cases had been confirmed with 13, 867 active cases; 7,613 cases treated and discharged; 120,108 samples collected and 542 deaths recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that it takes two to 14 days for people who are infected with COVID-19 to develop symptoms.

The NCDC said that most infected persons have little or no symptoms, but could spread the disease to others.

It stated that COVID-19 spreads very fast, urging Nigerians to take all the necessary precautions to prevent it.

Source: NAN News

Mr and Miss Nigeria International (2019/2020) King and Queen

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

A total of 120 contestants are jostling for the 2020 Mr and Miss Nigeria International (MMNI) competution, the BLC organisers said on Thursday.

Also; contestants from 10 countries compete for Mr and Miss International Africa (MMIA).

The organisers, Brendance and Crusader Ltd (BCL), gave the figures in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Bredan Nsikak, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BCL, told NAN that the registration for the competitions, extended from May 31, ended on Thursday (June 25).

Nsikak said that the 120 contestants would participate in the audition for the MMNI contest tagged: Rebirth Edition 2020.

He noted that 2020 MMNI audition had more entries than the last edition which recorded 110 entries and produced Denis Idara and Peter Abah as the 2019/2020 MMNI.

The registration for the two pegeants, which had been on and was extended, has ended today, and 120 contestants met the requirement for the MMNI audition restricted to Nigerians, and we have confirmed them.

We will be having contestants from 10 African countries for the MMIA pegeant which the current MMNI King and Queen will be representing our country, he said.

The CEO attributed the increase in the number of contestants for MMNI to the COVID-19-induced restrictions which, he said, made more people to have time for the contest.

He added that no fewer than 25 aspiring contestants were disqualified due to age falsification, as the age limit was pegged at minimum of 18 years and maximum of 28 years.

According to him, the audition to begin on July 1, would be virtual since social distancing is still bein observed across the country.

More contestants turned out this year, most likely because of the lockdown as they have more time; we screened out the overage and underage.

Coronavirus is spreading; this is the reason we are going virtual for the audition starting next week, although there might be direct audition, he said.

According to him, the grand finale is billed for October at the Muson Center, Lagos State, after auditions in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Imo and Benue which would hold in batches.

He gave the participating countries for the MMIA to include Ghana, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Zambia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Cameroun and host, Nigeria.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger

By Rita Iliya
Niger government had approved the reduction of tax payment as part of measures to cushion the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic in the state.

Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger disclosed this during a press briefing in Minna on Thursday.

Bello, who was represented by Alhaji Ahmed Matane, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), said the tax reduction takes effect from June 24 to March 21, 2021.

He said the filling date of annual tax returns by all businesses and individuals have been extended to Sept. 30, while the filling of monthly PAYE returns by businesses has been granted 10 days extension beginning from the 10th to 20th of every month.

He also stated that the penalties and interests on late fillings, payments, and remittances as well as default on Tax liabilities have been reviewed downward to 5 percent for penalties and 10 per cent for interest charges.

He further said that government has granted 50 per cent reduction on all the rates as contained in the Harmonized Agricultural Produce and Livestock Fees Collection Regulation Act 2019.

Payments in four installments have been granted to all Tax payers in the Small Medium Enterprises SMEs and the Informal sector.

He assured that all the agencies responsible for collection of Tax have been notified on the development, hence anyone shortchanged should forward their complaints to the office of the SSG.

He, however, urged the public to continue to adhere strictly to all COVID-19 protocols by the state taskforce on COVID-19.

Source: NAN News

Sen. Akon Eyakenyi

By Naomi Sharang

Sen. Akon Eyakenyi (PDP-Akwa-Ibom) on Thursday sought the collaboration of stakeholders in the education sector to tackle the issues surrounding Almajiri system of education in the country.

Eyakenyi who represents Akwa-Ibom South Senatorial District made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The lawmaker who decried the manner in which the Almajiri children were being conveyed in trucks from one state to the other as a means to guard against the spread of COVID-19, described the system as a socio-religious problem.

He added that the problem needed to be tackled by stakeholders and state governments.

The way forward is for the state governments to be involved; for the stakeholders and parents to be involved.

Because I cannot see why someone will bring forth children and not be able to take care of them. You must be able to have children that you must be able to take care of.

You have two or you have three children; your income should be able to handle the number of children produced.

You want to have more than you can swallow and then the next thing is to send them out to go and start begging to earn a living.

Where are you taking them to, who are those you are sending them to go and beg from. You should be in a position to take care of your own children, she said.

On the limited number of Almajiri schools across the country, Eyakenyi said that given the COVID-19 pandemic, what was expected was for the management of schools to come up with measures that would help stop the spread of the disease.

The structures we have cannot accommodate the existing number of children during the COVID-19 period.

We cannot send the children all back to school at the same time. There is a strategy the ministry alongside the stakeholders are trying to put up to ensure they are taken care of when they get back to school.

If Churches and Mosques can go back and they say, do distance spacing, what stops the schools from doing so.

They can go in two sets, what it takes is determination. If we decide to do it, we have to start something.

We cannot fold our hands and say because of COVID-19 let the children not go back to school, the education system will totally collapse.

This is third term almost running out. We are about entering the long vacation. And by September the school session is supposed to resume. If the children lose a whole session, how do we make up, she said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

FrieslandCampina WAMCO

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria, producers of Peak and Three Crowns Milk, has announced a turnover of N161.83 billion for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2019.

The turnover represented an increase of 8.5 per cent when compared with N149.16 billion over 2018.

Mr Ben Langat, Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria, made this known on Thursday at the 47th Annual General Meeting of the company held virtually.

Langat said that the company posted a profit before tax of N18.75 billion against N16.31 billion posted in 2018, representing a 15 per cent increase.

The shareholders unanimously approved a total dividend payout of N9.49 per 50k share, having paid an interim dividend of N2.68 per 50k share in November 2019; with a final dividend pay out of N6.81 per share.

In the year under review, the business environment remained challenging.

In spite of the headwinds, FrieslandCampina WAMCO played a leading role in Nigerias backward integration initiative led by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the dairy sector, Langat said.

He noted that the company activated its Dairy Development Programme (DDP) in Bobi Grazing Reserve, modeling 10 years success of the programme on a 10,000-hectare grazing reserve in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger.

Langat said the company inaugurated a state-of-the-art factory for the production of Yoghurt and introduced the new Peak Yoghurt Drink in three distinct flavours (Plain Sweetened, Strawberry and Orange) into the market, in line with its business plan.

Speaking on the companys business outlook for 2020, Langat said that the Board of Directors and management of FrieslandCampina WAMCO remained positive and confident about the future of the company, in spite of the disruption caused by COVID-19 pandemic.

Langat said that the company would remain focussed on its purpose of providing better nutrition and advocating healthy living.

He said that FrieslandCampina WAMCO would continue to actively engage consumers and pursue its backward integration for business sustainability. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Abiola Ajimobim, EX-governor of Oyo state

By Martha Agas

The Northern Governors Forum (NGF) has expressed sadness on the death of former Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State.

Ajimobi died on Thursday at the age of 70 years.

In a condolence message in Jos, the NGF Chairman, Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau, said that Ajomobis death was painful.

Lalong described the deceased as a man of integrity, who served Oyo people and Nigeria with excellence.

He said that Ajimobis leadership qualities and significant roles in the formation of the All Progressives Congress endeared him to many.

He said that the attributes led to his appointment as the partys Deputy National Chairman, South.

The late Ajimobis contributions to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria during his career made a significant impact on its growth and development, the NGF chairman said.

Lalong condoled with Ajimobis wife, children and entire family, urging them to take solace in his legacies and accept his death as the will of God.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ex-Governor of Oyo, Abiola Ajimobi

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with government and people of Oyo State over the passing of former governor, Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi, whose contributions to the development of the state, and nation, will always be remembered.

In a condolence message released by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Thursday, the President commiserated with the family of the former governor, who served the country as a Senator, 2003, before winning the governorship election in 2011.

The president noted that the deceased remained steadfast and consistent in his progressive views, and working assiduously for the creation of the All Progressives Congress.

According to him, Ajimobi, aged 70, left the world at a crucial moment when the party and the country needed his counsels to heal and grow, noting that his absence would be sorely felt by all associates, particularly in the APC.

The President prayed that the almighty God would comfort the family of the former governor, and grant him a peaceful rest.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Electricity

By Constance Imasuen

The Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) say they are losing over N30 billion in monthly revenue due to cases of energy theft, meter bypass, vandalism and unpaid electricity bills by consumers.

The DisCos disclosed this in a statement by Mr Sunday Oduntan, Executive Secretary, Reserach and Advocacy, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) in Abuja on Thursday.

According to Oduntan, over 40 per cent of electricity consumers do not pay their electricity bills while they indulge in illegal connection of electricity.

He said DisCo operators, who were present at the recent public hearing in Abuja by the Senate Committee on Power, attributed the challenges to form the major part of the DisCos Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC

COVID-19 updates by NCDC

Nigeria has recorded 649 new cases of COVID-19 pandemic, bringing the total number of infections in the country, as at June 24, to 22,020.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) made this known on Wednesday through its official Twitter handle.

NCDC said that the 649 new confirmed cases were from 23 states, with nine deaths as at June 24.

The health agency said that no new state reported a case in the last 24 hours.

The NCDC said that Lagos still remained the epicentre of COVID-19, recording the highest number of 250 new cases, followed by Oyo state with 100 new infections.

Others were: Plateau-40; Delta-40; Abia-28; Kaduna-27; Ogun-22; Edo-20; Akwa Ibom-18; Kwara-17; FCT-17; Enugu-14; Niger-13; Adamawa-13; Bayelsa-7; Osun-6; Bauchi-6; Anambra-4; Gombe-3; Sokoto-2; while Imo and Kano have one each.

The NCDC said that till date, 22,020 cases had been confirmed with 13, 867 active cases; 7,613 cases treated and discharged; 120,108 samples collected and 542 deaths recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that it takes two to 14 days for people who are infected with COVID-19 to develop symptoms.

The NCDC said that most infected persons have little or no symptoms, but could spread the disease to others.

It stated that COVID-19 spreads very fast, urging Nigerians to take all the necessary precautions to prevent it.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

Senegalese President Macky Sall has self-isolated himself for two weeks as a precaution after coming into contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, the presidential office said on Thursday.

Seydou Gueye, the presidents adviser in charge of communications, said that Sall had taken the COVID-19 test after being exposed to coronavirus.

The results came back negative.

However, following the doctors recommendations on this issue, the president has been isolated for two weeks, starting on Wednesday, June 24, Gueye said in a statement posted on the offices Twitter account.

According to the Senegalese Health Ministrys latest update, the West African country has so far registered 6,129 COVID-19 cases, 93 deaths and 4,072 recoveries. (Sputnik/NAN)

Source: NAN News

NDLEA official

By Abbas Bamalli

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Command in Kano state says the state has recorded increase in drug abuse during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The state NDLEA Commander Dr Ibrahim Abdul said this on Thursday in Kano, while addressing a news conference on the commemoration of 2020 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

According to him, within the lockdown period, the command intercepted 7.8 73.937 kilograms of hard drug.

Abdul added that, though the COVID-19 pandemic impeded the operations of the command, over 1.2 tonnes of various hard drugs were seized in May.

He said the NDLEA also seized 4,374.629 kilograms of Cannabis Savita, 699.213 kilograms of psychotropic substance, 87 kilograms of cocaine and eight kilograms of heroin.

Abdul explained that, within the lockdown period, the command seized a vehicle loaded with compressed dried weed suspected to be Cannabis Sativa weighing 283 kilograms in Wudil, on transit to Bauchi State.

A very concerted sting operation was also conducted along Kano-Zaria Road, where a Toyota Sequadia jeep was intercepted, and two suspects were arrested with 300 blocks of compressed Cannabis Savita weighing 223 kilograms.

Worthy to note is a fact that a syndicate of barons dealing in cocaine was uncovered by our team, where male and female suspects were apprehended with cocaine weighing 100 grams.

According to Abdul, from June 2019 to date, the agency arrested 565 suspects, out of which 16 were females in Kano.
We have so far secured the conviction of 85 suspects, while six cases are still pending before the Federal High Court in Kano.

During the period under review, 34 regular clients were counseled and rehabilitated, while 723 suspects were referred for brief intervention, Abdul said.

The NDLEA boss identified lack of adequate manpower, shortage of logistics, inadequate facilities to accommodate addicts that required counseling and rehabilitation as some of the challenges facing the agency in the state.

Other challenges he mentioned included, inadequate community participation in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

Addressing the above logistics and financial problems will go a long way in enhancing the fight against drug abuse and trafficking, he said.

While commending the State Government, traditional leaders, other sister agencies, media and stakeholders, Abdul called on the public to continue to give the agency necessary support. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

APC Logo

By Ismaila Chafe

The National Executive Committee of the APC has approved the dissolution of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, appointing Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe as Caretaker Chairman of the party.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buni was swore-in by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami.

Buni, who was a one-time Secretary of the party, is to oversee the conduct of the forthcoming APC convention. (NAN)

Details later.

Source: NAN News

Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs,

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

Heads of State of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are set to meet to discuss issues bordering on the adoption of the single currency the Eco for the sub-region.

Nigerias Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing newsmen after a meeting with the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed and the President of ECOWAS Jean-Claude Brou.

He said that there was no division between Anglophone and Francophone countries within ECOWAS over the single currency adoption.

He added that the sub-regional body would hold a meeting of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government to ensure that all the member states were on the same page.

That is a whole point of organising this meeting very quickly so that we can dispel that notion that there is a division.

So, the sooner a meeting can be organised of all the heads of state, then we will be in a better position to dispel this notion that somehow, there is this division between the various groups. ECOWAS is one, he said.

Also speaking, ECOWAS President said the meeting was convened to discuss the single currency, assuring that ECOWAS was doing its best to advance the process.

I think we made very good progress in recent months and we continue to work collectively all together so that we can achieve what our principals have set, Brou said.

Earlier, the Nigerian Finance Minister Ahmed said the inability to meet the convergence criteria was responsible for the delay in achieving the regional single currency.

We are all struggling with trying to stabilise the exchange rate, trying to also make sure that our debts are at manageable levels.

So, we have to discuss whether the roadmap will stay as it is or we may have to change and move the roadmap forward. And that is a decision that the President will take, Ahmed said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations.

Sumaila Ogbaje

Defence Headquarters has reiterated the determination of the military to collaborate with other security agencies to stamp out the untoward security challenges bedeviling the nation.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this while giving update on the operations of the armed forces at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria in concert with other security agencies wish to assure the populace of our determination to stamp out all forms of criminality across the country in accordance with the directives of the Commander-in-Chief.

Troops deployed for various operations across the nation will remain committed and resolute in achieving the operational mandate which is to decisively curtail the activities of criminals in any part of the Nation.

The Military High Command empathizes with all those who have been affected by the activities of terrorists, armed bandits and other criminals in one way or another, he said.

According to him, the military also appreciates Nigerians for their patience and cooperation in giving timely and credible information on the activities of criminals in their localities.

He said that this had greatly assisted the military in its operations so far.

He encouraged the public not to relent in providing the military and other security agencies with timely and accurate information on the activities of terrorists, bandits and other criminals to aid its operations. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Chief Samuel Ohiri

By Ikenna Osuoha

A traditional ruler, Eze Samuel Ohiri, on Thursday appealed to the Federal Government not to re-open schools in the country, to avoid further spread of COVID-19.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday, Ohiri said it would be wrong for the government to allow schools to re-open as COVID-19 cases continue to spike nationwide.

The monarch, who is Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, made the appeal against the backdrop of the confirmation of 13 members of the Imo State House of Assembly, testing positive for COVID-19.

Ohiri, the traditional ruler of Obi Orodo community in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo, argued that re-opening schools at the moment would trigger community infections, capable of engendering unprecedented mortality rate.

He noted that many senior citizens with underlying health challenges in the academia would be at the risk of coronavirus infection if schools re-open.

The fact that many of our children are asymptomatic does not mean that revered professors or teachers, who are in their 60s and above cannot be infected.

I think re-opening schools now will be tantamount to exposing our professors and teachers and even our parents at home to dangers of the pandemic.

The traditional ruler argued further that even schools in the U.S. and other countries were still closed.

Ohiri said that the traditional institution in Imo would continue to support governments policies in protecting lives and property of citizens.

He described traditional and religious institutions as veritable vehicles for advocacy in the fight against COVID-19, tasking leaders in both institutions to take responsibility.

He recalled that the Imo traditional rulers council had since advised the governor of the state, not to lift the ban on cultural activities, to check the spread of the virus.

Ohiri pleaded with his colleagues to educate their subjects on the reality and dangers of COVID-19, saying that everyone was susceptible to the virus.

Nobody is immune to the virus no matter the class or whatever. Both the rich and poor are vulnerable to the virus.

On June 23, the Chairman of the Imo State COVID-19 Response Committee, Prof. Maurice Iwu, announced that no fewer than 13 members of the Imo State House Assembly had tested positive to the disease.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control 21,371 cases have been confirmed, while 7,338 patients were discharged with 533 people dead nationwide.

The centre announced also that 117,569 tests have been carried out Nigeria as at June 21. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Hameed Ali, NCS Boss

By Victor Nwachukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operating Unit (FOU), Zone C, Owerri, says it has confiscated contraband items worth N442.5 million in the state.

Mr Kayode Olusemire, NSC Controller in Imo, made the disclosure while displaying the seized items on Thursday in Owerri.

He listed the items to include 2,682 bags of foreign 50kg rice, 10,002 cartons of palmolein oil, 3,122 live ammunition for pump action rifles and 300 used and expiredtyres.

Others were a Marcopolo bus,a Toyota Sienna car, a Toyota Sequoia car, a Nissan Pathfinder car and abrewery truck, among others, used in conveying the smuggled items.

Olusemire said that the items were intercepted in Abia, Imo and Rivers, adding that operational activities were carried out simultaneously in other states of the federation.

The state controller who described the activities of smugglers as unfortunate, added that it was inimical to the economy and safety of Nigeria.

He advised the people to take advantage of the current farming season and Nigerias arable land to grow crops, and emphasised the need for patriotism and selflessness.

Nigeria is blessed with arable land and in this farming season,we should be planting rather than smuggling. Let us eat what we produce and produce what we eat.

It is quite pathetic that at a time when the whole world is putting heads together to conquer a ravaging pandemic,some persons are busy smuggling goods.

This is inimical both to our economy and our safety.

These are trying times. So, we have to be patriotic and eschew selfishness, greed and dishonest gains, Olusemire said.

He said that the NCS was working in close synergy with other security agencies in the fight against smuggling.

Olusemire called on members of the public to provide the service with useful information that would lead to the confiscation of contraband goods. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Mai Mala Buni

By Deji Abdulwahab

The new Caretaker Committee Chairman of APC, Mai Mala Buni, has pledged to do justice to every party member and ensure the ensure the current challenges were amicably resolved.

Buni, also the Governor of Yobe, made the pledge on Thursday while speaking with newsmen in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) had on Thursday dissolved the partys National Working Committee (NWC).

It set up Gov. Buni-led Caretaker Committee to organise a National Convention that would reset the party.

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the partys NEC held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Other members of the caretaker committee and extra-ordinary convention planning committee, include: Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun (South-West), Sen. Ken Nnamani (South-East), Stella Okorete (Women Representative).

Other members are: Gov. Sani Bello of Niger (North-Central), Dr James Lalu for the physically challenged, Sen. Abubakar Yusuf (Senate Representative) and Rep. Akinyemi Olaide, representing House of Representatives.

David Lyon (South/South); Abba Ari (North-West); Prof. Tahir Mamman (North-East); Ismail Ahmed (Youth Leader) and Sen. Akpan Udoedehe as the Committee Secretary.

Buni, also a former APC National Secretary, described the committee as a capable team to deliver the job.

After being two-time national Secretary of the party, I can say, I know the party very well.

I want to assure every APC member that we will do justice to every one, because we have a capable team.

I am a team player and am here to manage a crisis, and if you do not manage crisis, crisis will manage you.

So, without justice, there will be no peace; so, am ready to do justice to every APC member, the chairman said.

According to him, NEC is the highest organ of the party, except the convention, and NEC can function for convention in-between, so any decision taken by NEC is the final decision.

NEC has directed that every member in court should withdraw his suit.

Party will carry all members along, especially the leaders of the APC.

Many of them have paid their dues to the party, so we will carry them along, Buni said.

In a related development, the APC State Chairmen Forum has lauded the party NEC for dissolving the NWC, saying that NEC resolution would go a long way in ending the crisis rocking the party.

Its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lawal Liman, also lauded the NEC decision, directing party members that instituted court cases against one another to withdraw the suits. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

FG accepts Ghanas apology over embassy demolition

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

Nigeria has expressed satisfaction over the moves by the Government of Ghana to address the demolition of the residence of the Nigerian High Commissioner in Accra.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, told newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, that the government had taken note of the efforts of President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo and Ghanaian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayokor Botchwey to calm the situation.

He however expressed concerns that reports indicated that the perpetrators of the act were unhindered and had a lot of time despite calls to the Ghanaian authorities by the Charge dAffaires of the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana.

He added that further reports indicated that the security operatives who were on ground during the demolition, seemed to have been supportive of those carrying out the violation on Nigerias Sovereign territory in Ghana.

He however noted that the perpetrators had been arrested and arraigned in court and the government of Ghana had apologised and equally promised to rectify all the pending paper works that led to the misinformation of the Lands Commission in Ghana.

The Government of Ghana has assumed total responsibility and with the apology, have made it clear that they will be responsible for restitution rebuilding the building to the state that it was when it was destroyed.

So, this is to say that the matter has been satisfactorily resolved and that at very highest level as I mentioned, President Muhammadu Buhari personally engaged in this process.

The President of Ghana has apologised, those who carried out the action have been arrested and charged to court and the Ghana government has agreed to rebuild the property.

So, we would like to put the matter to rest and to acknowledge the very speedy reaction of the Ghanaian government and to say that we will now continue to further strengthen relations between our two countries, take lessons learnt from what has happened and move ahead without recriminations, Onyeama said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News