By Nana Musa

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has urged the Federal Government to pay marketers their bridging claims to enable them to begin lifting petroleum products from the depots..

The IPMAN Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Yakubu Suleiman said this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

NAN reports that IPMAN claims the Federal Government owes its members N500 billion as bridging claims also known as transportation claims.

Suleiman also urged the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to convert the special allocation of products meant for cargo to IPMAN in order to quickly address the current shortage of fuel in the country.

We are calling on the Nigeria downstream and mainstream regulatory authorities to try and pay our marketers their bridging claims as from today.

This is important, so that as soon as we get the payment, we can give directives to marketers to start loading their trucks, so that they can start transporting petroleum products.

We are calling on the authorities and the NNPC to quickly allocate a certain cargo of AGO for IPMAN to distribute it to their members to enable them fuel their trucks for accelerated bridging loading.

There is no money to buy the product until the Federal Government pays our claims and assist in allocating a cargo of AGO to us to hasten loading from various loading deports, Suleiman said.

Reacting to the claims by IPMAN, an official of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) who spoke under condition of anonymity said the Federal Government had been paying the marketers, though in batches.

According to the official, IPMAN is one of our key stakeholders and we have a committee looking into issues bothering the association.

NAN also recalls that IPMAN had in a news conference urged Nigerians to prepare for the worse fuel crisis unless the Federal Government prevails on NMDPRA to pay its members their outstanding bridging claims amounting to N500 billion.

Most filling stations in Abuja were shut down at the weekend following scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, thereby, resulting to long queues.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), however, attributed the sudden appearance of fuel queues in parts of Abuja to low load-outs at depots.

A statement by Garba Muhammad, the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Department, NNPC had on Monday, said this usually happened during long public holidays (Sallah celebrations).

Muhammad said another contributing factor to the sudden appearances of queues was the increased fuel purchases which were also common with returning residents of the FCT from the public holidays.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

By Aderogba George

The Executive Director, FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Dr Mohammed Dan-Hassan, has said that clean and safe toilets will ensure human dignity for millions of Nigerians.

The director stated this on Tuesday at the ground-breaking ceremony for mass construction of public toilets across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), aimed at ending Open Defecation (ODF) in the city.

He described ODF as a matter currently receiving not just national, but global attention, adding that the FCT administration through RUWASSA was determined to end the menace and promote proper hygiene.

According to him, 2.4 billion people lack access to improved sanitation facilities globally with about 1 billion people who practise ODF around the world.

The director also disclosed that 39.4 per cent of the FCT population is involved in ODF practices, with a promise to change the narrative.

He stated that access to adequate sanitation and the practice of ODF were global issues that go into the heart of his agencys development objectives.

Dan-Hassan listed some of the issues which are caused by ODF spread of disease, threaten the security of women and girls, as well as contribute to malnutrition figure.

Another one, according to him is diarrhea caused by unsafe water, poor sanitation and hygiene affecting the lives of children each day.

According to him, improving access to sanitation and ending the practice of ODF can translate to fewer hospital visits, child death and missed school days.

Dan-Hassan stated that every one U.S. dollar spent on sanitation could give a return in investment between 9 U.S. dollars and 40 U.S. dollars, adding that Nigeria loses N455 billion annually due to poor sanitation.

Mr Nicholas Igwe, National Coordinator of Organised Private Sector in Water Sanitation and Hygiene (OPS-WASH), in his goodwill message thanked the FCT Administration for inaugurating the project saying that it was a welcomed development.

According to him, efficiency is key to achieving the momentous goal in ending ODF by the target year of 2025, and that the was a move in the right direction.

Igwe called on the 36 states to emulate the idea by locating public toilets in their various states to complement the Federal Governments efforts in ending ODF and to have a cleaner and healthier Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for FCT, Dr Ramatu Tijjani-Aliyu, has directed RUWASSA to accelerate action on ending ODF and to put in place other sanitation and hygienic measures in the FCT.

The minister also disclosed that the public toilets would be manage by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to ensure proper maintenance. (NAN) ()

Source: NAN News

By Femi Ogunshola

The House of Representatives on Monday mandated the NNPC and the CBN to nip the planned strike by airline operators in the bud.

It enjoined the two government agencies to provide the required assistance and declared that airline operators should name fuel marketer of their choice to supply them aviation fuel over the next three months.

The House enjoined marketers to begin the process of application for licences to import aviation fuel without intervention by middlemen.

It ruled that the six million litres of aviation fuel available should be sold at N480 per litre to the operators.

Speaker of the House, Rep Femi Gbajabiamila, had earlier lamented that certain resolutions of the House in the past had not been implemented leading to the impasse being witnessed in the aviation sector.

He added that although the strike had been called off, the nation did not need to wait for threats of strikes to nip them in the bud.

Gbajabiamila lamented that since the last meeting between the airline operators and the House, there had not been an effective communication as to the resolution of the issue.

In his reaction, Mr Allen Onyeama, Chairman, Air Peace,who represented the airline operators, said the sale of aviation fuel at N500 per litre was still on the high side.

He added that aviation fuel cost should not take more than 40 per cent of airline operators total operating cost.

Alhaji Abdulmunaf Sarina, Chairman, Airline Operators Association of Nigeria who is also the Chairman, Azman Airline,noted that 75 per cent of aviation fuel was imported by the NNPC through Duke Oil.

He added that as a palliative, the NNPC should supply the 25,000 tonnes of aviation fuel promised to the operators which was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He observed that earlier resolution on aviation fuel price reached with the operators was not implemented.

Group Managing Director of NNPC Ltd., Mr Mele Kyari, however, countered that the agreed price of aviation fuel was not implementedbecause of price volatility.

Kyari added that going by market forces, the price of aviation fuel could be as high as N700 per lire, adding that the way out was for government to subsidise the price.

He noted also that accessibility to Foreign Exchange was another constraint face by airline operators.

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele on his part said oil theft in the Niger Delta was exacerbating the unavailability of Foreign Exchange.

He said that the CBN had no Foreign Exchange to aviation operators and that since the landing cost of aviation fuel was N460 per litre, the price would come to N550 per litre at the pump.

Emefiele said that the CBN would not grant any concession because it would amount to giving subsidy to aviation operators.

He said that there was need to look at the pricing structure that the operators were talking about, adding that the situation was getting attention from the Presidency.

I compelled some fuel marketers to take the loss and to sell aviation fuel at N480 per litre after getting a call from the Chief of Staff to the President that the operators were planning a strike and I promised to intervene, Emefiele said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Hawa Lawal/Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has charged his political appointees to remain focused and not to allow the heightened political activities in the country to distract them.

Okowa gave the charge while swearing-in two appointees on Monday in Asaba.

He said that their focus should be to pursue the finishing strong agenda of his administration.

The appointees are: Mr Nicholas Ojei as a Special Adviser and Mr Azaka Ossai as a member of the Governing Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

He congratulated the appointees on their appointment and reminded them of the need to make meaningful input in their various positions.

I want to congratulate you for this appointment and it is my prayer that you put in your best as we run through the next few months to the end of this administration.

There is no doubt that at this point in time, there is a whole lot that would want to distract us, but I want to urge you to do all that you can to be able to offer the dividends of democracy to our people in these few months, he said.

The governor said that there must be a connection between political appointees and the people at the grassroots.

He added that his administration would continue to inaugurate projects and advance human capital development.

Okowa advocated the collective inputs of all in achieving government targets, and commended the people for their overwhelming support to his administration which had culminated in the successes recorded in the last seven years of the administration.

We have just about 12 months until the end of this administration. As I promised our people, we want to remain focused as a government and work for the people of Delta State to the very last day of this administration.

So, even when there are distractions, I want to urge that you stay focused to what is expected of your offices, in order to ensure that you make your impacts even with this very short time that you have.

I have great confidence that you will do just that. Once again, congratulations, the governor said.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, Ossai expressed appreciation to the governor for finding them worthy to serve the state.

He promised that they would contribute their quota towards the Stronger Delta vision. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

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Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Abuja after attending the Summit of Heads of State and Government 15th Conference of the Parties (Cop15) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian leader had on Monday presented the countrys position at the summit.

The president had at a side event of the summit urged the World Bank, African Development Bank and other partners to support the One Planet Summit initiative and activate the 19 billion dollars pledge.

In his capacity as the President of the Conference of Heads of State and Governments of the member states of the PAGGW, Buhari said:

The inter basin transfer of water from Central Africa to the lake Chad should be taken seriously.

The meeting was President Buharis first assignment at the PAGGW Conference of Heads of State and Government following his election to head the institution in December last year.

NAN reports that the presidents Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and other government officials welcomed the president at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

==============
Edited by Salif Atojoko

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Mogbede/Ella Anokam

The Northern Solidarity Group on Monday presented the All Progressives Congress (APC) Expression of Interest and Nomination form to Chief Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources for 2023 presidential poll.

Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja, spokesperson for the group, Mr Suleiman Abdullahi said the minister has a good chance of getting the APC ticket and winning the presidential election.

He said that the minister needed the support of all Nigerians to emerge as the countrys next president.

We picked the APC Presidential Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to surprise the Minister State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, to contest for the presidency of this country.

Our decision as his fans from Northern Nigeria is based on the fact that we found him capable to led the country to the next phase.

Nigerians can see from his antecedent from the state to the federal level that he has garnered necessary experience and well acceptable across the country.

So we know that his chances of winning the ticket of the APC is brighter, he said.

Sylva while addressing the group, expressed joy for the love shown to him by Nigerians from all walks of life.

He said he was honoured and humbled by the show of love and committment, adding that it was however, not for him, but for Nigeria.

I have tried my best since I was appointed by President Muhammad Buhari to give my service to Nigeria.

But to realise that my efforts have been noticed by some Nigerians to the extent of taking the trouble of obtaining the expression of interest and nomination forms for me, is very humbling.

And I must also say very shocking at the same time, but I am very happy and pleased by this gesture, the minister said.

While expressing appreciation to the group, the minister however, said that he would not give a straight answer to them.

Im really thankful for what you have done, but I need to consult, I need to consult my constituency and consult leaders of this countryand I will get back to you, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APC expression of interest and nomination forms were sold for N100 million for presidential aspirants while governorship aspirants paid N50 million for the forms.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB) and other partners to support the One Planet Summit initiative and activate the US billion pledge.

He said the pledge, meant for the activities of the Pan African Great Green Wall Agency (PAGGW), would be utilized for land restoration, tree planting, development of climate resilience infrastructure and investments in small and medium-sized farms.

The presidents spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the president made the charge at a side event he convened at the ongoing UN Conference Of Parties, COP15 in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire.

The presidential aide noted that the meeting was President Buharis first assignment at the PAGGW Conference of Heads of State and Government following his election to head the institution in December last year.

The meeting, which involved the 11 Sahel African states, discussed ways and means of accessing and utilizing US billion pledged by donors for the activities of the Pan African Great Green Wall Agency (PAGGW).

The Nigerian leader also underscored the importance of recharging Lake Chad, now down to 10 per cent of its water volume.

In his capacity as the President of the Conference of Heads of State and Governments of the member states of the PAGGW, Buhari said: The inter basin transfer of water from Central Africa to the lake Chad should be taken seriously.

He asked the secretariat of the Agency, funders and the soon-to-be appointed consultant to carry out the measure as a way of restoring the socio-economy of the more than 30 million people of the Lake Chad basin area.

As it is at the moment, the drying up of the Lake Chad has destroyed fish farming, animal husbandry and crop agriculture, leading to social and economic dislocation with serious consequences for peace in the basin area.

This has led to migration to Europe by many, creating problems for you over there. These should engage your attention as a committee, he said.

At the select meeting, which included International/Development Partners, Buhari said US billion pledged fund would also support small holder farmers, create institutional framework to enhance security, stability and governance, and capacity building.

All of you may wish to know that, in December 2021, I was elected to lead and drive the Agenda of the PAGGW bloc for the next two years.

This bloc, which includes Nigeria, Senegal, Niger, Sudan, Mauritania, Ethiopia, Mali, Eritrea, Djibouti, Burkina Faso and Chad, is facing dire and present danger due to the devastating effect of desertification and drought which is impacting negatively on the security of our communities and the livelihood of our people.

There is therefore an urgent need to confront these challenges associated with desert encroachment and drought, he said.

The president requested for more support for The One Planet Summit initiative, and the political will to actualize the mandate.

He said: It is on this note that on behalf of member States, I welcome The One Planet Summit Initiative that pledges US Billion to support the activities of the PAGGW which necessitated this very important engagement with you this morning.

The purpose of this meeting therefore is to draw your attention to this pledge and to inform you formally, that member states want to trigger the process for accessing the funding by utilizing the GGW Accelerator window mainly to address the following:

Land restoration and tree planting, Investment in small and medium sized farms/support to small holder farmers, Develop climate resilience infrastructure, Institutional framework to enhance security, stability and governance, and Capacity Building.

I therefore call on you, especially the World Bank, African Development Bank and the One Planet Summit Initiative to support this drive, he said.

The president also called on the multilateral institutions to set up a task team to work with PAGGW.

I will further request the partners, particularly the United Nations Conference to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and One Planet Summit to advise on a suitable Financial Consultant for the PAGGW that can coordinate the process under the auspices of the UNCCD and PAGGW in a transparent manner.

It is my hope that the parties to this meeting will give us maximum cooperation in this regard and make good their pledge to support Africas drive to addressing these climate challenges.

Finally, I will also direct Nigerias Minister of Environment to convene a meeting of Council of Ministers of member states to brief them on the outcome of this brief meeting.

In her remark, Amina Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary General, who represented the United Nations, described the meeting as a new era in the Great Green Wall programme.

She enjoined the Agency, the 11 African nations involved as well as the group of donors under One Planet Summit to move proactively with scale and urgency to set up government governance structure.

She also demanded that they should focus on land restoration, put in place the digital backbone to connect farmers with markets and ensure that the programmess and activities of the PAGGW were well rooted in individual national plans.

Mohammed advised countries to include the One Planet initiative in their national plans, and not treat it as added-on development project.

She said the initiative must align and adhere to the priority of top national development plans in order to succeed.

I believe that the capacity and commitment of the secretariat of the PGGWA, working together with UNCCD, and your team will be in the best place to engage with partners to develop the pipeline that will ensure that across the countries we are speaking to today, these efforts are made to come to realization sooner than later, she added.

The Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, Ibrahim Thiaw, described the coming together of Nigeria, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti as a great inspiration.

He expressed the hope that the US billion pledged at the One Planet Summit in Paris in 2021 would turn the dollars into hectares. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Naomi Sharang

Sen. Bamidele Opeyemi, Chairman Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, says President Muhammadu Buhari has done a lot in terms of infrastructure development across the country.

He said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

Opeyemi who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District while listing the achievements of the Buharis administration to include the developments in the transport sector, said that the administration had done so much with little resources than previous administrations.

In terms of provisions of infrastructure in this country, the current administration has done so much with little resources than previous administrations did when there was so much money, he said.

On security, the lawmaker said, unfortunately Nigeria is going through a very tough time some of the challenges are banditry and serious economic downturn.

This is not so much about the All Progressives Congress (APC). Some of these problems that we are having to contend with economically and politically are global in nature.

Some of these problems are things that even this administration inherited and has been managing.

In a country where there is so much insecurity; it doesnt even lie in the mouth of anybody to be shouting about the achievement of an administration.

We didnt pretend that we are inheriting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) some years ago, a Nigeria that was all set, or an economy that was buoyant, or a country that was well-secured.

We cannot politicise the issue of insecurity. It didnt start with APC. Its been a matter of continuous degeneration of a political system, he added.

Bamidele explained that part of the issues were global in nature, citing the increase in the price of fuel as a global challenge.

You have to understand the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and the impact, including some of the economic sanctions from Russia is having on the rest of the world.

If you are not able to relate some of these things holistically, there will be tendency to continue to blame APC or Buhari, he noted.

On whether Nigerians should give APC another chance in 2023, the lawmaker said APC still has a long way to go because we are talking about a Nigeria project; its a work in progress.

But should that be a basis to deny APC the opportunity to continue to be in government? No, because its not about APC now stepping down for PDP to take over because PDP was actually in charge, they didnt do any better than APC is doing today.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Acha

Flight operations at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, continued on Monday following the withdrawal of the earlier threat to shut down operations in airports across the country.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu who monitored activities at the airport, reports that as at 12 noon, Air Peace and Ibom Air landed at the facility from Lagos.

The two flights also took off to Abuja with few passengers.

Recall that the management of Air Peace had, in a tweet on May 8, assured the flying public of the restoration of its flight operations across the country.

The tweet read in part:This is to inform the public that the Airline Operators of Nigeria has withdrawn its planned shutdown of operations as a result of governments promises to urgently intervene in the aviation fuel crisis and immense consideration for the flying public.

Air Peace, has, therefore restored its flight operations while the operators engage further with the government, it stated.

However, NAN further reports that the usually busy airport was a shadow of itself as the facility was virtually empty with few workers. (NAN)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Stephen Adeleye

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Kogi chapter, on Monday solicited the support of its Rivers State counterparts and APC youth leader for Gov. Yahaya Bellos (GYB) 2023 presidential ambition.

The youths made the call at a Stakeholders Roundtable in Port Harcourt, while canvassing support for a youthful and purposeful leader like Bello during the 2023 general elections.

The Kogi NYCN Chairman, Amb. Usman Ogohi, appreciated the audience granted to his team and commended the Rivers youth leadership and stakeholders.

According to him, NYCN is a non-partisan group, which is poised to ensure adequate and capable leadership across all sectors, especially as it relates to youth welfare and representation.

Ogohi noted that Bellos emergence in Kogi was a clear signal of what a capacity-filled youth could do if allowed to handle the helm of affairs.

He stressed that the Governor had made youth participation and inclusiveness in politics to take a new dimension in Kogi.

He also called for the unity of Nigerian youths, to take over power in 2023.

if we dont support and stand for what we believe in, no one will do that for us and we would be doing ourselves a great disservice, he said.

The Kogi NYCN Chairman stressed that what set Gov. Bello apart from others was his strong belief in equity, fairness and justice.

He noted that these had reflected severally in his appointments and spread of development projects across the state.

In his response, the Rivers APC Youth Leader, who is also an APC statutory delegate, Baridakara Gbarato, thanked the Rivers NYCN chairman for making necessary arrangements for the roundtable.

Gbarato noted that beyond individual and party interests, youths must strive to build good relationships and leverage on building a networking platform that could improve members of their constituency.

He further tasked the youth on active political participation, adding that, if politics is left in the hands of the elders, youth constituency will continue to suffer misrepresentation and good governance.

While lauding Kogi NYCNs efforts towards Governor Yahaya Bello for President advocacy in the country, he stressed that at the right time, his profile would be accessed and the needful would be done accordingly.

Earlier, the Rivers NYCN Chairman, Nwisabari Bani, commended the leadership traits of Kogi NYCN Chairman and for showing strong desire towards the Governor Yahaya Bello for President emancipation project ahead of the 2023 election.

Bani urged the youth to wake up to the reality of the need to be politically partisan, stressing that youth could not achieve their dream or change the narrative without playing their part in the political system. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Perpetua Onuegbu
The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has completed the Seventh National Action Plan (NAP 7.0), following the 30-day extension of the previous completion date of April 6.

Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business/PEBEC Secretary, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

PEBEC, at its meeting held in January, had approved the commencement of NAP 7.0 to run from Feb. 7 to April 7, with a target to deliver 57 reforms within the 60-day accelerator window.

NAP 7.0 marks the end of the 90-day accelerated reform cycle targeted at implementing reforms for improved efficiency and transparency of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Oduwole noted that the completed reforms for the NAP 7.0 included the publication of Insolvency Regulations pursuant to the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020.

According to her, the reforms provide the much-needed support for the operationalisation of the extensive insolvency provisions in CAMA 2020.

She said that public companies would now be able to upload their share registers on Corporate Affairs Commissions Company Registration Portal (CRP).

Furthermore, enforcement of compliance with Order 172 on the timeline for Distribution companies (Discos) to complete new connections for maximum demand users to the distribution grid has commenced.

The reform will improve Discos turn-around time for connecting maximum demand users.

Likewise, the Trademark Registry has resolved previously recurring errors in the manual generation of certificates/recordal documents, Oduwole said.

She commended the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, for her kind and timely support for the implementation of the reforms.

She said that the PEBEC Secretariat would continue to work with MDAs to deliver outstanding reforms for the benefit of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and the Nigerian economy after NAP 7.0 window closed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PEBEC is chaired by the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, while the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Adeniyi Adebayo, serves as the Vice Chairman.

It also consists of 13 ministers, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of Service and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Its membership cuts across high-level representation from the National Assembly and the Judiciary, as well as State Governments, Local Governments and the private sector.

NAN reports that some of theparticipating MDAs in the reforms include the CAC, Trademarks Registry (Federal Ministry ofIndustry, Trade and Investment), Citizens and Business Department (Ministry of Interior).

Membership also includes Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Others are, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) and National Agency for Food andDrug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The NAP 7.0 was designed to reduce the challenges faced by MSMEs across four areas Agro-Export Implementation Action Plan, Automation Reforms, Regulatory Reforms and Executive Order 01/ReportGov.NG compliance reforms.

The reforms also include the streamlining and simplification of ago-export regulatory practices with a view to boosting the competitiveness of Nigerias agro-exports while enhancing Nigerias foreign exchange earnings as stated in the Agro-Export Plan. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Adeleye Ajayi

Source: NAN News

By Uchenna Ugwu

The Ebonyi State Government has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his two-day official working visit to the state.

Gov. David Umahi on Sunday, expressed deep gratitude over the visit in Abakaliki.

The President had on May 5 and 6, visited the state for commissioning of projects, including King David University of Medical Science and Technology.

Others included the University Flyover, dualised concrete road, Presidential Lounge of the state International Airport.

Umahi described Buharis presence in the state for all the projects commissioned as generous.

We are pleased to convey to you the warm appreciation of Ebonyi people and the South-East, over your positive dispositions to the development of the zone.

While we assure your Excellency of our unwavering support and solidarity, please accept always, the assurances of the esteemed regards and best wishes of the Government and Ebonyi people, Umahi said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Bashir Rabe Mani

Alhaji Jelani Aliyu, the Director-General (DG), National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), says the private sector has so far invested over N500 billion in the automotive industry.

We have encouraged, supported, and enabled the private sector to come and put in over half a trillion naira to set up factories and assembly plants across the country, Aliyu told newsmen in Sokoto on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the DG spoke to newsmen on the efforts of the council to bolster the local production of vehicles in Nigeria.

Aliyu said: We have companies like Dangotes Sinotrucks, Innoson in Nnewi, Elizade, Lanre Shittu, Honda West Africa, Mikano, Nord, all producing vehicles in the country.

We have companies and assembly plants in Lagos, Nnewi, Kaduna and Kano. Some are beginning to come up in Bauchi, Kano and Ogun states.

So, there are a number of companies actually producing and assembling vehicles in Nigeria.

Aliyu further stated that these companies have a combined capacity of producing up to 400,000 vehicles per year.

We are not there yet, we are not producing 400,000 vehicles per year, because of market challenges.

We are, however, doing a lot to unlock that potential and put a stop to the importation of new and used vehicles.

As we speak, you can see that there are individuals and companies that believe in the current and future economy of Nigeria in a such a manner that they can invest this huge amount of money, he explained.

Aliyu also said that the council is speaking to the bigger companies such as Toyota, Volkswagen and Nissan to come into Nigeria and directly set up their own production plants.

He added that the council is also working to effectively implement an automotive policy, with a view to wooing these companies back to Nigeria.

We need a set of regulations to ensure that government gives maximum support to those who invest in this sector, because, when these companies come in, they put in hundreds of millions of dollars.

They want to be sure that regardless of what the government is doing, their investments must be protected, Aliyu said.

According to the director-general, the council has also engaged an international firm, KPMG, to review the automotive policy in tune with the extant global movement in producing vehicles.

He recalled how in the 70s and 80s, firms like Peugeot, Volkswagen, Anamco and Leyland were producing over 140,000 vehicles per year and suddenly stopped.

Aliyu said, all that stopped overnight because the prices of crude oil that the country was so dependent on as a resource dropped from US per barrel, to below US.

So, overnight, Nigeria went into recession, overnight, Nigerians became poor, those people who could buy new vehicles like 504 and 505 Peugeout, and volkswagen beetles could no longer do that.

So, these companies could no longer sell their products, and were forced to leave because of market forces.

Aliyu said that the council is working tirelessly to bring back that lost glory and discourage the heavy reliance on fairly used cars, called tokunbo cars, by Nigerians.

He said that the council is diligently implementing the National Automotive Industry Development Plan ( NAIDP), to reverse the ugly trend.

Aliyu insisted that the vehicles produced in Nigeria were of the same qualities with those imported, if not even better.

These vehicles made in Nigeria are configured to work with our extreme environment. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Alhaji Ahmed Wadada, a frontline Senatorial Aspirant for Nasarawa West Senatorial District, has admonished members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to embrace peace and unity in the interest of the partys progress and development.

Wadada gave the advice while delivering his address at the Nasarawa West Zonal valedictory meeting in honour of the National Chairman of the APC, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, held on Sunday in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

The former two-term member of the House of Representatives, emphasised that unity among APC faithfuls is a determinant factor for consolidating the successes of the party in the forthcoming 2023 General Elections in the state and the country at large.

The founder of Keffi Polo Ranch described Sen. Adamu as a political legend who made his mark in Nigerian politics, adding that Adamu has reached the zenith of his political career and is being admired by the younger generation.

Wadada said that the relationship between him and Sen. Adamu is harmonious in spite of their political differences.

And that is why I tell whoever cares to listen that when you see any political issue between myself and Sen. Adamu, stay out of it.

Whatever happens you will never understand what is in between us and above all as I mentioned earlier, there are two pieces of advice that he gave me in the past that was meaningful to me and shall continue to be meaningful to me.

Earlier, the former Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government, Dr Zainab Ahmed Tanko, also extolled the virtues of Sen. Adamu, who she described as her mentor.

She commended Adamu for his contributions to the creation of Nasarawa State and his efforts towards ensuring that the state has a sense of direction since inception.

In attendance at the event were the serving and immediate past former Speakers of Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Nasarawa State APC Chairman, Mr John Mamman, Local Government Chairmen of Karu, Nasarawa and Keffi, among other stakeholders. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Hajara Leman

A political pressure group, Hamza Almustapha Media Awareness (HALMA), has urged retired Maj. Hamza Almustapha to join the 2023 presidential race in order to tackle insecurity and other challenges facing the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Al-Mustapha was the chief security officer to the late Head of State Sani Abacha.

The group made the call on Sunday during a townhall meeting with women, youth groups and other stakeholders on the 2023 general election.

The Chairman of the group, Dr Muhammad Habib, expressed optimism that Al-Mustapha would tackle the security challenges bedevilling the country if he emerged as the next president.

Al-Mustapha as a security expert and top government official in the past has wealth of experience and ideas on how to surmount the nations problems.

When it comes to economy, he was the brain behind Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) creation.

And PTF has helped a lot in terms of education, infrastructure, almost every angle, he said.

He urged elders and youths across the country to prevail on the former chief security officer to join the presidential race under any political party of his choice.

The Guest Speaker, Dr Babayo Suleiman of the Department of Political Science, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State, harped on the importance of possessing Voter Registration Card (PVC).

Suleiman said the PVC provide opportunity for Nigerians who attained age 18 to register.

He said voting was important to every eligible Nigerian because it is only through voting you will elect the leaders of your choice.

With the huge population in Nigeria, you may think that your single vote cannot make any change, but your vote carries much weight as everybody else, he said.

NAN reports that highlight of the meeting was the distribution of empowerment form to various women groups who participated in the meeting. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Abiodun Azi

The President, Biochemist Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BPAON), Olayemi Ikotun, has appealed to the present generation to embrace natural diets in order to live long.

Ikotun made the appeal in Lagos on Sunday during the 2022 Biochemist Practitioners Induction Conference.

He said that biochemists over the years have found out that natural medicinal supplements which are raw material plants are very useful for the body and enhance longevity.

He said that intake of natural medicinal supplement makes one to live long without side effects.

The Chief Biochemist said that ailments such as fibroid and infertility have been treated and cured with natural medicinal supplement.

As biochemists, we know how to give out the effective treatment with effective natural supplements in treating fibroid.

This treatment will clear off the fibroid layers in the system accurately without side effects, he said.

Ikotun said that treatment is done in stages for two months until the fibroid clears off.

He encouraged women that are within the child-bearing age limit but advanced in age to embrace natural medicinal supplement to treat fibroid.

He said that age limit should be put into consideration before a women embarks on surgery to cure fibroid, adding that these women should rather embrace alternative remedies like natural medicinal supplement.

He said exposing women that are advanced in age to surgery might damage their reproductive organs and cells because all females reproductive organs are very sensitive to surgical tools.

He said that patients who had done surgery before to cure fibroid should eat more of alkaline foods in order to avoid regrowth.

Also, the Vice President of the association, Kolawole Mosebolatan, said that the mission of biochemists is to come and regulate herbal products.

He said that biochemists have discovered that natural plant materials when used and taken accurately to cure ailments work better without side effects.

He said that taking chemical substance into the body system might cause other complications.

Mosebolatan said that when you treat with natural plants, it works well and flows with the body system because the body is natural.

He said that biochemists treat fibroid, pile and ovarian cyst with natural herbs for certain months without side effects.

He said that awareness about natural medicinal supplements and herbs in Nigeria is very low.

The BPAON Vice President said that Nigerians are not too enlightened on how to take and use herbal products, indicating that most Nigerians take herbal products without control.

The biochemist also called for collaborative efforts among relevant agencies in Nigeria with researchers playing key roles in coordinating training and capacity development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 11 biochemists were inducted into the association at the event. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vincent Obi

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Sunday leave for Abidjan, Cote dIvoire, to attend the 15th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

The presidents Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, confirmed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Shehu said the conference was aimed at addressing the future of land, regarding desertification, drought, degradation, rights, restoration and implications for national and world economies.

He said the Nigerian leader would join other world leaders at Sofitel Hotel, Abidjan, for the 15th session of the COP15 of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, with the theme, Land. Life. Legacy: From scarcity to prosperity.

According to the presidential aide, the convention aims to take action to ensure that land, the lifeline on the planet, continues to benefit present and future generations.

To achieve the visionary objective of land restoration and balance, COP15 will bring together leaders from governments, the private sector, civil society and other key stakeholders from around the world to drive progress in the future of sustainable management of one of the most precious assets, land.

The convention will explore links between land and other key development issues, which will be discussed during the high-level segment, including a Heads of States Summit, high-level roundtables and interactive dialogue sessions.

COP 15 is a key moment in the fight against desertification, land degradation and drought.

Accordingly, it will build on the findings of the second edition of the Global Land Outlook and offer a concrete response to the interconnected challenges of land degradation, climate change and biodiversity loss as the world steps into the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, he said.

He added that drought, land restoration, and related enablers such as land rights, gender equality and youth empowerment were among the top items on the conference agenda.

The president, who is also the President of the Great Green Wall in Africa, will be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi.

Others are: Minister of Agriculture, Mahmoud Mohammed and Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu.

Also on the presidents team to Abidjan are: National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, Director General, National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai and Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri- Erewa.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Salif Atojoko

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

INEC on Sunday in Abuja condemned calls from some unidentified quarters on the commissions boss, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to join the 2023 presidential race.

Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, described the calls as preposterous, saying it would not happen.

Our attention has been drawn to innuendoes in certain quarters that Nigerians should not be surprised if the INEC Chairman joins the presidential race.

It is a preposterous proposition. It will not happen. The Chairman remains an umpire committed to free, fair and credible elections.

His responsibilities as the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation and Returning Officer for the presidential election are onerous enough for him to contemplate extraneous matters at variance with the law, morality and his personal principles, Oyekanmi stated.

He added that Prof. Yakubu would continue to discharge his responsibilities without affection for, or ill will against any political party or candidate. (NAN)(www.nannnews.ng)

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Edited by Ayodeji Alabi/Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

By Florence Onuegbu

Ideas Nigeria Movement (INM) says calls by various persons and associations for Mr Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to resign his position is baseless.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INM is a group of Nigerians with a focus on national unity, innovation, and capacity.

Emefiele had been caught in a vortex of criticisms for his alleged partisanship, and purchase of form to contest in the forthcoming primary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), for the presidential ticket of the party.

Mallam Nadodo Abubakar, Executive Secretary, INM in a statement on Sunday said that Emefiele had not breached any law, especially the Constitution, hence should not resign.

Abubakar said that Emefiele had admitted that a group of farmers had purchased the N100 million forms on his behalf, but had rejected the form, as he was yet to take a decision on contesting for the presidency.

He said that the CBN governor said if he was willing to contest, he would purchase the form with his own hard-earned savings from over 35 years of banking leadership, in full compliance with the laws, and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Abubakar said that it was, therefore, unnecessary for some persons to still call for Emefieles resignation, even when he had rejected the form, and was yet to declare his intent to participate in the election.

According to him, Emefiele, as of today, has not breached any extant law of the land.

Even by his own admission, the CBN governor has not formally declared his intention to contest for the presidential ticket of any party, yet certain persons are already calling for his head, or his resignation while some are threatening to shut down the nation through protests.

We dare say that these reactions are baseless, ultra vires, and of no effect, as they are based on hearsay, and the actions of some Nigerians (not Emefiele), who are working at convincing Emefiele to join the presidential race.

It is, therefore, wrong and unjustifiable for critics of Emefiele to continue to demand his resignation, when the man, himself, has not officially declared his intention to run.

We admit that several groups, including professional bodies, have since mounted pressure on Emefiele to contest the presidency, such persuasions were only vicarious, and do not represent his opinion or intention.

Even so, these groups were only persuading Emefiele to exercise his constitutional rights and liberties, he said.

Abubakar faulted critics, who were referencing the Public Service Rules, CBN Act, and the 1999 Constitution to advance their argument.

He added that quoting laws was not enough, but showing proof of how his action or inaction offends any of the statutes.

According to him, the constitution was clear on the matter of who should resign, and when to resign, in the case of appointees seeking election to political offices.

While ruling on the suit marked FHC/UM/CS/26/2022, Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia capital, held that Sections 66(1) (f), 107(1) (f), 137(1) (f) and 182(1) (f) of the 1999 Constitution already stipulated that appointees of government seeking to contest elections were only to resign at least 30 days to the date of the election.

That any other law that mandated such appointees to resign or leave the office at any time before that was unconstitutional, invalid, illegal, null, and void to the extent of its inconsistency to the clear provisions of the constitution.

This ruling renders nugatory, any other law, rule, or Act of Parliament stipulating that appointees must resign ahead of the primary elections of their preferred party.

Even if we assume, though not conceding, that Emefiele is running, he has not contravened any of the afore-listed canons often quoted by his traducers.

For the avoidance of doubt, Emefiele has not breached any law.

He has not shown any partisanship, neither has he mounted any rostrum nor undertaken any tour across the land to woo delegates of any political party.

Every perceived political activity being linked to Emefiele was done by different groups, who merely made persuasive efforts to compel him to run for presidency on account of his antecedents as someone who believes in promoting a production economy as opposed to a consumption economy, the executive secretary said.

He said that it was no doubt that Emefiele remained the best CBN governor, who had genuinely-placed the nation on the path of economic diversification, through a revolutionary turnaround of the agriculture ecosystem.

We urge Emefiele to stay focused on the good job he is doing at CBN, where he has guided the nations economy out of two recessions, and navigated the economic landmines of COVID-19 pandemic, which consumed stronger economies in the advanced West, Abubakar said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abiodun Esan/Chioma Ugboma

Source: NAN News

By Yunus Yusuf

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) on Sunday insisted that they would go ahead with withdrawal of flights services on Monday over astronomical rise in aviation fuel.

Dr Yunusa Abdulmunaf, President of the association, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

Abdulmunaf said that the association unequivocally stood firmly by its decision to commence withdrawal of flights services from May 9.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the association had on Friday threatened to shutdown flights services to passengers, if the Federal Government refused to reduce the price of Jet A1, now being sold at N700 per litre.

NAN recalls that the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, had appealed to the domestic airlines to reconsider their decision to withdraw flight services in the interest of the flying public and the nations economy.

Abdulmunaf said that that the associations decision was a collective sacrifice for the common interest of the flying public and the nation.

In the light of frantic developments within the last 24 hours, since informing the general public of our decision to suspend operations in response to the astronomic and continuously rising cost of JetA1; we would like to state unequivocally that we stand firmly by our decision.

Airline operators are patriotic citizens and we are doing all we can to protect the flying public, contrary to what some subjective schools of thought might suggest.

This is a collective sacrifice for the common interest of our nation, he said.

Abdulmunaf, however, regretted the unfortunate position taken by one of its members, Ibom Air, not to stand by the collective decision of the association.

He said that, while they might have their reasons for doing what they did, it was pertinent to note that they equally accepted in their statement that the JetA1 situation poses an existential threat to the air transport industry in Nigeria.

According to him, Ibom Air also agree that the out-of-control situation is simply unsustainable.

The president, however, stated, airlines are not on strike, adding that they were private investors who do not run their airlines with public funds to be able to continue to pay upfront in cash at N700 per litre for Jet-A1.

He complained that the situation had increased the operational cost on daily basis to about 95 per cent, which according to him, was totally unsustainable.

Abdulmunaf said that its consequences, if allowed to stay, would be borne by the passengers; which he said was what they were trying to prevent.

He said that the association remained resolute in its resolve to find a lasting solution to this crucial problem of national emergency.

Once again, I use this medium to appeal to the conscience of our esteemed passengers for their understanding, the association president said. (NAN)

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Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

Source: NAN News