Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, proposed a toast for the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The vice president’s toast was proposed at a dinner organised in honour of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Prof. Vuong Hue.

Osinbajo, had earlier, at the Presidential Villa, received Hue and his team and witnessed the signing and exchange of the Memorandum of Understanding on waiver of visa requirements for holders of Valid Diplomatic and Official Passports.

The vice president, during the toast on a lighter note, said that Hue was his long lost brother as both of them were born on same year and same month– March, 1957.

Osinbajo said more so, that he and Hue were both lecturers and professors.

He said that Nigeria and Vietnam had maintained long standing diplomatic relations since 1976 but there were no high level engagements.

“So, this visit is very significant because we will be looking at the possibility of setting up a bilateral commission between Vietnam and Nigeria so that we can concretise the existing areas of cooperation that we discussed earlier today.

“ I am confident that we can build on the successes recorded in the past while we work on boosting cooperation in business, trade and investment and social and cultural relationship between both countries.

“We agreed on promoting a friendly football match between Vietnam and Nigeria.

“The Super Eagles and the Vietnamese National Team and as well the Female National Team of Vietnam and our Super Falcons.

“First toast to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; Long live the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; the next will be the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’’ he said.

In his response, Hue said that Nigeria and Vietnam had a lot of things in common.

He said that aside boosting economic and trade ties, there was need to enhance cultural relationship.

Hue said that the Vietnamese national team was a strong side in Asia as he was looking forward for a friendly match between both male and female national teams of both countries.

In his welcome address at the dinner, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada, said that the Vietnamese delegation, led by Hue, had demonstrated willingness to strengthen relationship between Nigeria and Vietnam.

He said that the delegation had the opportunity of meeting people that matter in Nigeria, especially on the area of trade, commerce and investment.

“Indications are that their engagements are very fruitful and they are willing to take the relationship to the next level.

“On our part, we are, ready and willing to reciprocate; to pick up the challenge they have thrown to us.

“This evening, we, signed an agreement on waiving Visa for people carrying diplomatic passport,” he said.

Dada said that the dinner was put together by the vice president to introduce the Vietnamese delegation to Nigerian cuisine.(NAN)

An Enugu-based rice farmer, Mr Ekene Uzodinma, has lauded the Federal Government for mustering the political will to close the country’s borders to check smuggling and other cross border crimes.

Uzodinma, who is the Manager of Excellent Integrated Farms Ltd,Enugu, made the commendation in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Wednesday.

According to him, the Federal Government should sustain the measure in view of its positive impact on the nation’s economy policy.

He said that prior to the border closure, rice farmers had unfair competition with foreign rice being smuggled to the country through land borders.

According to him, the measure has tackled the age-long illegal importation of weapons and ammunition that hitherto aggravated the state of insecurity in the country.

“Border closure; I want to first of all congratulate Nigerians and thank the government for taking that bold step to close the borders.

“Beyond the positive effect it has on rice, it has positive effects in so many other things; ammunition and fire arms and a lot of things being smuggled into the country, not just rice.

“Secondly, the Federal Government also loses so much revenue to smugglers, not just rice.

“On the other hand, that closure has also created opportunities for farmers in Nigeria; that means our products are being purchased this time around.

“Our rice is the best anywhere in the world. We have the best rice because of the kind of texture of land in Nigeria. The taste of our rice is different and nutritious, it is very beautiful.

“It is unfortunate; we also unduly regard imported goods; which made it almost impossible for us to sell our products.

“Foreign rice enjoys higher patronage than the local rice, whereas the local rice is better off.

“So, the border closure will also help the farmers to boost their production, increase their earnings and also promote the made-in-Nigeria goods.

“For me, I am trusting God that the Federal Government will sustain the border closure to the point where our rice can now be exported abroad,’’ he said.

Uzodinma, whose brand of rice is called Elfrida Premium Quality, noted that youths could take advantage of the recent development to maximise the opportunities and profits in the agricultural sector.

“I will also want youths in Enugu state to take advantage and participate in the free-of-charge `One Youth, One Hectare’ of farmland project being organised by my Non-Governmental Organisation, The New Enugu Project (TNEP).’’ (NAN)

The Supreme Court on Wednesday delivered its first ruling against the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Atiku and his party are before the apex court to challenge the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the February 23, 2019 poll.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, who leads the seven-man panel of the apex court, in the lead ruling consented to by other members, overruled Atiku and his party’s request that their seven interlocutory appeals should be heard after the main one must have been argued.

The seven-man panel held that it would be unnecessary to hear the interlocutory appeals when a judgment on the main appeal marked SC.1211/2019 would cover the field.

The Lagos High Court, in Ikeja has ordered the Lagos State House of Assembly to halt probe of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode pending the determination of the case filed by the former governor against the Assembly.

The court adjourned the matter brought before it by Ambode, against the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa in connection with the ongoing probe of procurement of 820 buses by Ambode’s administration.

Justice Adesanya adjourned till 20th of November, 2019 for the respondents in the matter to respond to the plaintiff’s application.

Adesanya had on 29th, October 2019 ordered the Speaker and some members of State House of Assembly to appear before the court after hearing a motion ex-parte moved by Ambode’s lawyer, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN).

Other defendants are the Clerk of the House, A. A. Sanni, who signed the newspaper ads, inviting Ambode to the House by 2pm; Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee set up by the House to probe the procurement, Fatai Mojeed; and members of the Committee: Gbolahan Yishawu, A. A. Yusuff, Yinka Ogundimu, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, M. L. Makinde, Kehinde Joseph, T. A. Adewale and O. S.

The lead counsel to the respondents, Mrs. Adenike Oshinowo prayed the court to give them time to respond to the application because it was received late.

“We were served the notice very late yesterday and we shall be opposing the application and we are asking for a date to regularise our processes,” she said.

Following the adjournment at the instance of both counsel, Justice Adesanya, also ordered the parties to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of the case.

The former Governor had instituted a suit against the Assembly to contest the constitutionality of the probe of the buses which were procured based on budgetary approval as part of the Bus Reform Project of the State Government designed to revolutionize public transportation.

According to his statement of claim before the court, Ambode said contrary to deliberate misrepresentation of facts by the lawmakers, the procurement of the 820 buses was well captured in the 2018 Appropriation Law which was duly approved by the House.

“In section 1 of the Bill, the 1st Defendant (House of Assembly) authorized the total Budget for the year 2018 to be One Trillion, Forty Six Billion, One Hundred and Twenty One Million, One Hundred and Eighty-One Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty Naira (N1,046,121,181,680.00) comprising the sum of Three Hundred and Forty Seven Billion, Thirty-Eighty Million, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Eight Thousand, Eight-Hundred and Seventy-Two Naira (N347,038,938,872.00) only and Six Hundred and Ninety-Nine Billion, Eighty-Two Million, Two Hundred and Forty-Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty Naira (N699,082,242,808.00) only as the Recurrent and Capital Expenditures respectively.

“Part of the items authorized by the Bill under Capital Expenditure was: “LAGBUS Public Transport Infrastructure (MEPB); Part financing of 820 buses” which was item 8 under schedule 1- Part C of the Bill,” he said.

He added that having prescribed the manner of withdrawal of funds in sections 3 and 4 of the 2018 Appropriation Law, it was unconstitutional for the House to attach another condition in section 9 of the law for further approval to be sought before incurring any expenditure on the purchase of the buses.

Highlighting the specific breach of his constitutional rights to fair hearing by the House, the former Governor said on August 27, 2019 during proceedings of the Assembly, some lawmakers thoroughly vilified and disparaged him as having purchased the buses without budgetary approval and that the procurement was a waste of public funds, while at the end of the proceedings, the House resolved to constitute an Ad Hoc Committee to probe the procurement.

He said it was surprising that the very lawmakers who contributed actively in vilifying, disparaging and denigrating him constituted the bulk of the members of the Committee, which was a clear derogation of his right to fair hearing.

Ambode added that in continuation of deliberate misrepresentation of facts of the issue, the House falsely claimed that an invitation had been extended to him to appear before the Committee but that he failed to honour the said invitation.

“On Thursday 10th October, 2019, the 4th and 5th Defendants (Mojeed and Yishawu) who are Chairman and member of the Committee respectively set up by the 1st Defendant pursuant to the provisions of section 129 of the Constitution again raised on the floor of the House an allegation that the Claimant (Ambode) was invited to appear before the Committee but that he failed to do so whereupon the 2nd Defendant (Speaker) ruled that a warrant of arrest would be issued against the Claimant if he refuses to appear before the Committee.

“The Claimant states that no letter of invitation was delivered to him before the 4th and 5th Defendants made the false allegation against the Claimant which was widely reported by various national Newspapers in the country.

“Further to the foregoing paragraphs, the 1st Defendant had also invited some of the former Commissioners who served under my government to appear before the 1st Defendant on Tuesday 15th October 2019. These included former Commissioners for Energy, Agriculture and Economic Planning and Budget respectively among others.

“After the proceedings of the Committee on 15th October 2019, the 1st Defendant represented to the public that the former Commissioners that appeared before it had indicted me in their testimonies. The information was widely published by National newspapers on Wednesday 16th October 2019.

“Contrary to the information made to the public by the 1st Defendant, the said former Commissioners for Energy and Economic Planning and Budget who were represented by the 1st Defendant to have indicted me, made public statements on Thursday 17th October 2019 denying that they ever indicted me in their testimonies before the Committee. The denials were widely published by online newspapers on Thursday 17th October 2019 and national newspapers on Friday 18th October 2019.

“The 1st Defendant falsely represented to the public that the said Commissioners indicted me in their testimonies before the Committee so as to justify my indictment by the 1st Defendant which indictment members of the 1st Defendant had hitherto threatened to carry out,” Ambode averred.

He added that the House Committee and indeed the entire members of the House had already adjudged him as having committed wastage of public fund by the procurement of the buses in question and had also already determined that the procurement was done by him as opposed to the State Government.

He said it was obvious that the lawmakers were totally biased against him having regard to their pronouncements on the floor of the House by reason of which he believes that his right to fair hearing as guaranteed by the Constitution had been seriously compromised by the defendants.

He is, therefore, seeking among others, the court’s declaration that the power of the House to pass a resolution under section 128(1) of the Constitution to cause an inquiry into his conduct as Governor is subject to right to fair hearing as guaranteed by section 36(1) of the Constitution.

He also wants a declaration that the Resolution of the House setting up a 9-Man Committee comprising of the 4th-12th Defendants to investigate all transactions in respect of the 820 Buses said by the defendants to have been procured by him derogates from his right as guaranteed by section 36(1) of the Constitution and therefore is unconstitutional, null and void.

Other claims are: “A DECLARATION that having regard to the provisions of sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Appropriation Law of Lagos State 2018, sections 8 and 9 of the Law which required the approval of the House of Assembly of Lagos State before certain expenditure of money is incurred by the Executive Branch of the State is not in accord with any provision of the Constitution and accordingly is unconstitutional, null and void.

“A DECLARATION that it is not lawful for the Defendants to represent or continue to represent to the Public that the Claimant, AKINWUNMI AMBODE, procured 820 buses in breach of budgetary approval.

“A DECLARATION that the powers of the 1st Defendant under sections 103, 128 and 129 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended does not include power to indict the Claimant as contemplated by sections 66(1)(h), 137(1)i and 182(1)i of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.

“AN INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants whether by themselves, their servants, agents and or representatives from compelling the Claimant, in any manner whatsoever, to appear before the Defendants pursuant to the Resolution passed by the Defendants on 27th August 2019 or any other Resolution passed in respect of the subject matter of this Suit.

“AN INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants whether by themselves, their servants, agents and or representatives from representing or continue to represent to the Public that the Claimant, AKINWUNMI AMBODE, procured 820 buses in breach of budgetary approval.”

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party reached a political dead-end on Wednesday as the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal against President Muhammadu Buhari’s election, for lacking merit.

The court in a unanimous judgment affirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari was validly elected as Nigerian President in the 23 February presidential election.

A seven man panel of the court, headed by Justice Tanko Ibrahim Mohammed, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, also dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, challenging the victory of Buhari at the presidential election.

The panel said there is no merit in the appeal. And Chief Justice Tanko Muhammad said the reasons for their judgment will be given later.

Other members of the panel are Bode Rhodes-Vivour, Olukayode Ariwoola, John Okoro, Aminu Sanusi, Ejembi Eko and Uwani Abba-ji.

At the opening of proceedings, the apex court stood down Atiku’s appeal for 15 minutes to enable parties agree on whether or not to consolidate all the appeals.

The Court however, resumed sitting after all the counsels agreed to a consolidation of all the appeals.

Atiku had gone to the apex court to challenge the September 11 judgment of the Justice Mohammed Garba-led Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal which affirmed President Buhari’s victory at the polls.

Two safety agencies of Lagos State Government on Monday discovered five containers laden with rotten fish and other edibles in Apapa area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the shocking discovery was made during a site inspection of the containers following reports of air pollution and release of toxic gas into the environment at one of the off duck terminals in Apapa.

NAN gathered that the site inspection was conducted jointly by Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and
Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).

“The joint-team discovered edibles, including fish, which had become rotten due to faulty refrigerators.

“The LASEMA team observed the absence of emergency action as well as preparedness plan and appropriate safety measures in place to curtail such incidence and guard against reccurence.

“A total number of 25 containers was located and five containers laden with edibles have faulty refrigerators.

“The edibles have therefore defrosted and have become rotten, causing severe health hazard to the environment,” Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, LASEMA Director General, told NAN on Monday.

The LASEMA boss said that the rotten edibles inside the containers left huge impact on four of the the affected 13 houses located on the street at Trinity Close, Apapa. (NAN)

Nigerian superstar singer, Tiwa Savage will be appearing in court on November 5, 2019, either in person or by proxy, as a lawsuit of N205 million which was filed against her by another musician, Olumuyiwa Danladi a.k.a. Danny Young in February of this year has pulled through for hearing.

Danny Young, through his counsel, Mr Justin Ige of Creative Legal, is claiming the sum of N200 million in damages against Tiwa Savage and former record label, MAVIN Records, owned by Don Jazzy for copyright violation. The plaintiff is also claiming extra N5 million as cost of action.

In the suit FHC/L/CS/230/2019 before Justice Mohammed Liman of Federal High Court, Lagos, Danny Young accuses Tiwa Savage and MAVINS Records of allegedly using his musical work titled “One” without his expressed authorization and thus infringing on his copyright.

The court, on the strength of the suit has now set November 5, 2019 for definite hearing of the case.

Source: VGR NGR

By Ige Adekunle

The Ogun Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has advised motorists to minimize night traveling to avoid being victims of armed robbery attacks and reduce carnages on the highways.

The FRSC Sector Commander in Ogun, Mr Clement Oladele, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ota, Ogun.

Oladele was reacting to two accidents in the early hours of Saturday that claimed nine lives and 12 injured on Sagamu-Ijebu Ode-Benin Expressway.

NAN reports that one of the accidents occurred when a gang of armed robbers operating at night were robbing travellers.

The commander said that a truck rammed into a panic car in the process of trying to escape from the robbers.

He said that the advice had become necessary as criminals always operated under the cover of darkness on the highways where the chances of escape and their not being recognised were high.

Thus, the night and under the cover of darkness is usually attractive to the criminals to operate and carry out their wicked acts, he said.

The sector commander implored motorists to be conscious of their environment and plan their journeys as various activities such as motorisation and crimes were heightened as the year was coming to an end.

They should also get their vehicles routinely serviced and avoid offering rides to unknown persons or patronising road side motor parks.

Instead, the passengers should board only commercial vehicles at recognised motor parks and ensure they fill correctly their details and those of their next of kin in the passengers manifest before embarking on any trip, Oladele cautioned.

Oladele further enjoined motorists to drive with alertness and observe any unusual scenario which should be promptly reported to law enforcement agencies en-route their journey.

The FRSC boss also urged commuters to call the FRSC toll free number 122 or the National Emergency toll free number 112, for prompt assistance. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Nigeria has lost its second Group B game to Canada- by 50 runs at the ongoing T20 World Cricket Cup qualifiers in the UAE.

Canada won the toss, elected to bat and scored 159 runs for the loss of seven wickets while Nigeria managed 109 for the loss of eight.

Nigeria impressed with the ball buta late partnership between Tariq Hamza and Nitish Kumar helped boost Canadas total to 158, and that was always a tall order for Nigeria.

Nigerias batsmen did not stand a chance after being reduced to 2/2, and in spite of a few valiant partnerships, Canada were just too good for them.

In spite of that, Nigeria will take the positives of the game as they prepare to face Oman on Wednesday.(NAN)

Source: NAN

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has conceded he could be out of a job if results do not improve but said he tries not to pay too much attention to speculation over his future.

Spurs have made a poor start to the season with three wins in nine Premier League games so far and head into Tuesdays Champions League match against Red Star Belgrade at the bottom of Group B.

Tottenham began their European campaign with a draw at Olympiacos before being comprehensively beaten 7-2 in London by Bayern Munich. They were also held to a 1-1 draw by bottom-of-the-table Watford in the Premier League at the weekend.

Our performance is not as good as we can deliver, Pochettino told reporters. Of course we need to improve. On the other side there are all of the rumours that happen at any club when you dont win but it doesnt mean theyre true.

I understand this business. Im 47 why do you think I dont have grey hair? Because I dont pay attention to any of this. I only pay attention that we need to improve our performances.

If we dont improve our performance, what is going to be the result? Its always the same in football and you are thinking the same as me.

The Argentine, who is contracted to Tottenham until 2023, has transformed the club since taking over in 2014, turning them into regular Champions League contenders.

He led Spurs to the Champions League final last season, where they lost to Liverpool, but said he was not surprised by his position being called into question after a few poor games.

That is football, Im not surprised. Its normal, Pochettino said. Football is always about winning today and tomorrow. What happens yesterday is gone and we apply this philosophy here.

You need to think about winning today and tomorrow If I think too much ahead and I dont win, then these rumours dont surprise me.

Source: NAN

(Reuters/NAN) Liverpool have condemned a graphic racist banner unfurled by fans before the start of their Champions League Group E clash away at Racing Genk on Wednesday.

The banner, displayed in an area populated by travelling fans, depicted Liverpools Belgian striker Divock Origis head on a naked body, alongside the Champions League trophy.

In a statement released shortly before kick-off, Liverpool said they had acted swiftly to have the banner removed, saying it perpetuated a racist stereotype.

This is completely unacceptable, a club statement said.

Liverpool Football Club condemns the offensive banner displayed in our section of the ground, prior to kick-off.

We acted swiftly to have the banner removed and we are now working with the local authorities and stadium team in Genk to identify those responsible.

Any subsequent action will be taken in keeping with our sanctions process. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has charged Nigerias Golden Eaglets to display the Nigerian spirit and win the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil for a record sixth time.

The minister gave the charge on Friday in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

I watched their final training here (in Abuja) before they left for Brazil and I told them the only option is winning. And that is justified by the fact that they are five times world champions.

What I also saw on display was encouraging. I saw talented football players that can compete with any other team in the world.

All I can say is that Nigerians are solidly behind this team, we believe they can bring glory to our country; and as they compete for the sixth title, we expect they will win the World Cup because they are indeed champions, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 18th edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup will hold in Brazil from Oct. 26 to Nov. 17.

Nigeria are the most successful team in the history of the event with five wins (in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015) and three runners-up medals.

The Manu Garba-tutored boys are in group B alongside Hungary, Ecuador and Australia. They will face Hungary in their opening match on Saturday.

Source: NAN

The Nigerian Police has arrested one Isiaka Ayobami of No. 2, Ayo Ijaiye Street, Isheri, Lagos, for forcefully seizing a one-year-old girl, Aishat Isiaka, from her mother and hitting her on the ground.

DSP Bala Elkana, Lagos Public Relations Officer, in a statement released to newsmen on Sunday, said that the babys head was shattered and that she died on the spot.

Elkana said that the father of the deceased, Alhaji Garuba Isiaka, of No. 7, Ayo Ijaiye Street, had earlier reported at Isheri Police Station about the crime by the suspect.

It was gathered that the man forcefully seized his daughter from the mother and hit her on the ground, shattering her head.

The suspect was almost lynched by angry mobs from the area, if not for the timely intervention of the police. He will be charged to court for murder, Elkana said.

Source: NAN

In this interview with some Nigeria journalists on the sidelines of the just-ended s in Washington DC, the President of the African Development Bank, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, shares his vision for Africa, and some interventions by the bank to prepare the continent and its people for the digital future. Harrison Arubu was there for the News Agency of Nigeria. Excerpts:

We are supporting women. I think when Africa gets the issue of women right, it will get everything right. And so there is the issue of access of women to financing that we provide through Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA). This will help to mobilise billion for businesses for women on the continent.

The other one is that we actually supported another fund which is called the Alethia Identity Fund, which has just closed at million and that is to support growth capital for the businesses for women. So in other words, the small, medium and the large businesses for women are what we are supporting. Finally, I will like to see financial institutions in Africa being held fully accountable when it comes to financing women.

And so the bank will be launching what we call the Women Financing Index for Africa in which all financial institutions in Africa will be rated based on their lending to women. So, both in terms of the volume of lending, in terms of the terms of lending and in terms of the development impact of their lending for women. So, those who lend more to women will get more resources from us at a discounted rate from us, so you can lend more and have more impact for women.

So, we are focused massively on how we can drive investments for women. Thats a big issue for us, just to give you an update on that. We raised million from the G7 leaders when I was in Biarritz with President Macron. It was great.

Let me just say more generally as a bigger issue, when it comes to driving green growth on the continent. I believe that achieving green growth on the continent is not an externally imposed issue, it is in Africas interest to actually have green growth, to have clean air, clean water and to grow in an environment where people have good quality of life.

And so, you can have GDP growth but if you are having GDP growth in which its occurring huge amount of emissions, pollution of water, of air, its not improving the life of anybody. So, anybody telling me in any part of the world that my GDP is growing, that is not my concern. My question is: is at what cost? What does it mean for the lives of people?

So, for us at the Bank we are very big on renewable energy. Today, we have doubled climate finance as an institution from billion to billion by 2025. Secondly, about 50 per cent of our climate financing is on climate adaptation. Because, you see a lot of draught, you see a lot of floods, you see all of these extreme weather patterns that are happening. So, we are actually doing a lot of that to support countries to adopt to climate change.

The other thing of course is that we have just launched an initiative which is called Desert to Power, meant to provide universal access to electricity all across the 11 countries in the Sahelean Zone of West and Central Africa.

The Sahelean Zone has the least access to electricity, but it also has the highest problems in terms of migration towards Europe. It also has the highest problem in terms of insecurity and fragility, and the highest challenge in terms of fertility rate. If you look at the birth rate in Niger, for example, that has almost 0.8 percent of rural access rate for electricity, the fertility rate is 7.2 per woman, which is one of the highest in the world. So, there is a direct correlation or association between not having electricity and rising fertility rate.

(Cuts in) So, they thrive in darkness.

Yes, they get busy with other things.

(General laughter)

It has its own consequences.

What we have done is that we are leading this effort that will provide electricity for 250 million people across the 11 countries and 90 million of those will be through off-grid systems because of the sparse populations there. It is our biggest effort, and its going to be the worlds largest solar zone. We are not just talking about it.

We have started in Burkina Faso with a project called Yellen Rural Electrification Project which is a solar-based project we are doing with Agence Franaise de Dveloppement (AFD), the French Agency for Development. We also have another one weve done in Chad that is called Djameya Solar Power Plant Project. We have in Mali and other places as well.

And of course this will include northern Nigeria because we are working on a 1,000 megawatts solar power project that is going to be in Jigawa. So we take the whole of the Sahelean part of that.

Just to conclude on that, we have launched something thats called the Green Based Loan Facility, a million facility that will allow us to support countries that want to move out of dependency on coal or other fossil based energy sources towards renewable energy, so that we are able to provide you financing at a cheaper cost to be able to make that transition.

It is open for any country that wants to have access to it. It is that you must have a bankable project that can use it and you will meet all the conditions that the bank will normally require, but it is an open thing for any of the countries willing and interested in doing it, even the private sector by the way.

The issue for us with climate finance is we build climate finance into our projects. For example, if you take the case I just mentioned to you now, we are supporting the development of a thousand megawatts of solar that is going to be in the Jigawa area, which is huge for us. We provided as well for the evacuation of power in Nigeria with the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

We provided them with million that can support the evacuation of power and that is a big problem in Nigeria because of the liquidity crisis that is in the energy sector. We have also provided support to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) so it can meet some of its own payment requirements to those supplying them with gas.

The other thing that we are doing obviously that is linked to climate in Nigeria is in the north of Nigeria where we have put about million into the north east area project, because a lot of the challenges we are facing are linked to climate: population growth, urbanisation, climate and environmental degradation. So, some of the challenges you find, the fragility you find in that part of the country comes from that. Thats why we built climate finance into our financing in the sector.

Source: NAN

By Isaiah Eka

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has called for improved funding for the Nigerian Army to meet with the current challenges in the fight against insurgency in the country.

He made the call at the opening of the 12th Biennial Training Conference of the Nigerian Army Finance Corps in Uyo, on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buratai was represented by the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham.

He said that the current funding for the army was inadequate in view of the roles it was playing in the internal security of the nation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference was Expanding Roles of the Nigerian Army in Internal Security Operations: Funding Imperatives.

He said that the public sector financial reforms, such as cashless policy, treasury single account and Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information (IPPIS), had prevented leakages in the sector.

The army chief said that some of the policies would affect the optimal performance of the army and its core competencies, if not well managed.

The Nigerian Army will continue to ensure prudence and accountability in the utilisation of available resources.

To this end, I authorised the establishment of Directorate of Audit and Financial Management (DAFM), which reports directly to my office.

The essence is to ensure judicious application of all appropriated funds disbursed to the Nigerian army formations and units.

The DAFM has supported the army in deriving value for money in its financial transactions and application of funds, he said.

Buratai said that the army had devised new strategies to combat insurgents in the country.

He stressed the need for the personnel to continue to be loyal to constituted authority and submit themselves to civil rule.

In the discharge of this duty, I had charged all personnel to remain committed to the global best practices by strict adherence to the rules of engagement and code of conduct, the army chief said.

He added that in spite of the daunting challenges of the operations, the army had maintained a rugged determination to turn the tide against insurgents.

Buratai said that the army finance corps remained central to the performance and effectiveness of the service during operations and peace times.

Earlier, Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom said that government alone could not fund the demands of the military.

Udom, who was represented by Mr Akan Okon, the state Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, said that the private sector must be brought in to assist in the funding of the operations of the army.

He commended the army for its role in curbing the insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and other security challenges confronting the nation.

In his address, the Chief of Account and Budget (Army), Maj.-Gen. Adekola Bakare, said that the theme was chosen to enunciate the challenges posed by inadequate funding of the army operations.

Bakare said that the conference would afford participants the opportunity to conduct a detailed appraisal of the current policies and procedures.

He said that this was geared towards repositioning the corps to provide transparent and efficient services to the army.

NAN reports that the conference was a forum for capacity building in the finance corps to enhance human capital development. (NAN)

Source: NAN

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote on Monday in a book of condolences for the 39 people found dead in a truck on Oct. 23 that the whole nation was shocked by the tragedy.

The whole nation and indeed the world has been shocked by this tragedy, and the cruelty of the fate that has been suffered by innocent people, who were hoping for a better life in this country, Johnson said.

We mourn those who have lost their lives. our thoughts are with their families far away, he wrote.

In condemning the callousness of those responsible for this crime we in the government of the United Kingdom resolve to do everything in our power to bring the perpetrators to justice. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN

The Lagos State Government says it will tackle the menace of unauthorised real estate practitioners across the state.

The Special Adviser (SA) to the Governor on Housing, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said this in a statement in Lagos on Monday.

Benson-Awoyinka said that the state government had planned a stakeholders forum for real estate practitioners, aimed at tackling the menace.

She said that the one-day stakeholders engagement slated for Wednesday, had as its theme Lagos Real Estate: Achieving 21st Century Compliance.

The special adviser said that the theme of the forum showed that the state government was making frantic efforts to eradicate the dubious practices of some real estate practitioners in the state.

According to her, the forum will help restore sanity and orderliness to the housing sector.

Benson-Awoyinka said that a legal approach alone might not be enough to solve the problem of fraud in the real estate business in the state, without the commitment of all the stakeholders.

She, however, said that the present administration was determined to ensure conducive environment for seamless operation within the sector.

I implore the real estate/agency businesses to cooperate with the state government, so that the state as a smart city would be made investors haven, not only in Africa, but the world at large, she said.

The SA called on all interested stakeholders across the state to register for attendance through the link: http://lasretrad.eventrite.com free of charge. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Mr Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation, said the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) allowed standing of passengers in trains along the Abuja-Kaduna railway to enable it accommodate the surge.

Amaechi, during the monthly inspections of the Lagos Ibadan railway project, told newsmen that insecurity made travelling unbearable for Nigerians.

He however, assured Nigerians that more coaches would be provided before the end of December to accommodate the surge of passengers at the rail stations.

The reason why we allowed standing on the Abuja-Kaduna is because insecurity has made it unbearable for passengers.

Even if the coaches arrive in second week of December, you dont know how long it will take to be cleared from the seaport.

Once it is cleared from the seaport, it may take one or two days to get here.We will struggle to make sure that before Christmas it happens.

But even if it does not happen, this one will be available, the only problem with this is that we will insist on 24 passengers on each coach, making it 48 for the two.

Once we get the next 10 coaches we are sending to Kaduna, the situation where passengers stand inside our coaches will be reduced.

Although it will not solve the problem of addressing the 3,700 passengers but at least it will reduce who stand.

According to the Minister, the present coach along the Abuja-Kaduna route can take a sitting capacity of about 1000 passengers but carry 3700 passengers daily.

He noted that the 10 additional coaches would go along way at reducing the pressure along the route.
Amaechi reiterated the importance of railway, adding that it would helpe the economy to grow.

He said:You dont make money in railways, it is the economy that grows. So you dont focus on how much you will make but on how much impact you will have on the economy.(NAN)

Source: NAN

Please note that the application will only be accepted when it is complete, i.e. when all the required documents are attached. Should there be documents missing the application will be rejected and the applicant has to apply fresh for a new appointment. Complete documentation does not guarantee the issuing of visas. Using falsified documents will automatically result in the refusal of the application. The visa fee amount of 60,00 Euro (only payable in 500 and 1.000 Naira bills) will NOT be reimbursed if the visa is refused, regardless of the reasons for the refusal. Application forms are free of charge.

Visa applications of minors are possible only if accompanied by a person entitled to custody. If this is not possible, the minor has to be accompanied by an authorized representative. The authorized representative has to bring along the original power of attorney as well as an identification card.

Every applicant is asked to provide the following mandatory documents(original + 1copyof each document, unless otherwise specified)after having booked an appointment via our website www.nigeria.diplo.de:

• valid passport + color copy of its data page –only E-Passports canbe accepted, no observations or renewals allowed

• for non-Nigerian nationals residing in Nigeria: copy of Nigerian residence permit

• 2 passport photos according to biometric specifications, one attached to the application form plus an additional one. (both identical photos)

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• letter of introduction from the local sports clubandfrom a higher authority (e.g. National Sports Commission, Nigerian Football Association)

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• NPC Birth Certificate

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Please refrain from bringing bags larger than these measurements with you to your appointments at the Consulate General. Bags bigger than 30 cm x 40 cm x 15 cm cannot be stored at the Consulate which is why applicants who bring such bags with them cannot be allowed into the Consulate.

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Startup Nigeria is a 3-Month Incubation Program designed to support innovative idea-staged companies across Nigeria with funding, mentorship and trainings. The curriculum is specifically designed to move companies from ideas to viable products/services.

The Startup Nigeria Program gives Founders the needed leverage to excel with our specially designed curriculum to help idea and early-stage entrepreneurs find their footing and grow in Nigerias socio-economic terrain.

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• The startups also receive funding to aid their idea to move forward and to support the act of fundraising in the future.

Scholarship Application Deadline

• Call for Application:The call for application stage commences from May 27 and ends on June 17, 2019
• Virtual Training:The next stage is the Virtual Training which starts in the first week of July (July 8) and ends on July 26, 2019.
• Virtual Training:The Incubation period goes on simultaneously with the Virtual Training. The Incubation stage starts from July 2 and ends on July 26, 2019.
• Pitch Bootcamp:The stage of the Pitch Bootcamp is scheduled for July 29 and 30.
• Demo Day and Post Program Support:The month of July is also booked for Demo Day while the months of August and September are for Post Program Support.

Method of Application:

Interested candidates who meet the criteria listed above should apply by clicking on the Apply button below:

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Source: Scholarships And Aid