By Kelechi Ogunleye

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has warned political thugs and vote buyers against acts that could destabilise Saturdays Osun gubernatorial election.

Deputy Commandant General (DCG) in charge of Operations, Mr Dauda Mungadi, gave the warning while addressing officers and men of the corps in Osogbo on Friday.

Mungadi said that the warning cut across hoodlums, ballot box snatchers and those with intentions to distablise the security plans of agencies.

Preventing vote buying is a collective responsibility as we are to ensure enforcement with our strategies on how to address those caught vote buying.

Those with such intentions to destabilise the peaceful process of the election should relocate out of Osun or face the wrath of the law.

The corps will not condone any breech of peace during the election, he said.

The DCG urged operatives deployed to the state to remain disciplined, apolitical and good ambassadors of the corps.

According to him, anyone found perpetrating unethical conduct will face sanctions.

He noted that the corps had established an anti-vote buying squad to work in synergy with other anti-fraud agencies.

He further said that the corps was partnering sister agencies to ensure a hitch-free poll and to guarantee crime free environment.

The head of operations called on citizens to contact the corps through its toll-free numbers: 08060003181,08032898909 and N-alert number: 080046837467.

Download the N-alert, click on it, select a preferred language which will enable the situation room contact the right operatives, he said.

Mungadi said that the situation room was a proactive measure to swiftly respond to emergencies and rescue probable victims of electoral violence.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Staff, Liberian Armed Forces, Maj.-Gen. Charles Johnson, has called for more supports in the area of training and cooperation from the Nigerian Army.

Johnson made the call when he visited the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya on Friday in Abuja.

He said that Liberia had enjoyed great support from Nigerian military given its history in contending with conflicts in the 1990s.

Liberian military chief said that since the formation of the nations military after years of protracted conflict in 2005, a large number its officers had continue received trainings in Nigeria.

He said the visit was to seek for more support and cooperation from Nigerian army to enable the Liberian military develop its capacity.

He thanked the Nigerian army for the role it played in bring about peace and stability to Liberia as well as developing its military.

According to him, the 17 years of relative peace in Liberia today is because of the sacrifices from the men and women of the Nigerian military.

Our visit her is to see how we can cement that relationship, how we can tap from your experience and request for more training of our officers looking at the contemporary threats we have in our region.

Responding, the COAS Yahaya commended the Liberian military chief for the visit and pledged to continue to uphold the ties that had existed between the two armies.

Yahaya said the Nigerian army would provide support where needed considering the current security threats confronting the West African subregion.

He said pledged to provide more training opportunities for the Liberian military in its training institutions like the Army War College, School of Infantry and Artillery School.

He said that all the serving principal staff officers of Nigerian army had served in peacekeeping mission in Liberia, adding that doors were open for more collaboration and support.

The New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the delegation also paid similar visit to the Defence and other services headquarters as well as some military institutions. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Lucy Ogalue

The Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr George Moghalu, has expressed optimism that the recently concessioned Onitsha River Port will impact positively on the nations economy.

Moghalu made the expression, while formally handing over the port to Dr George Nwangwu, the Managing Director, Universal Elysium Consortium and concessionaire of the port in Abuja on Friday.

We are here to formalise the handover of the Onitsha port that has been formally concessioned because the agreement for the concession has been signed.

And what we are doing now is to give the concessionaire the instrument of authority to enable him move into the port and put it to active use.

The port we believe is a very strong Federal Government asset.

On our own part, we are very excited because I believe this is the very first successful PPP arrangement in the maritime sector. I am not sure if anyone has happened.

Ones again I congratulate you and formally sign the papers.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

The Met Office of the United Kingdom (UK), the countrys national weather service, on Friday issued a red warning for extreme heat, the highest-level alert.

The alert, issued for the first time ever, is an upgrade from an amber warning that has been put in place until the end of Tuesday.

Exceptional, perhaps record-breaking, temperatures are likely on Monday, then again on Tuesday, it said.

The highest temperature recorded in the UK so far was 38.7 degrees Celsius at Cambridge Botanic Garden in July 2019.

The Met office said it expects population-wide adverse health effects, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to serious illness or danger to life. (Xinhua/NAN)()

Edited by Ummul Idris/Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

Saudi Arabia on Friday announced a decision to open its air space to all air carriers.

The countrys General Authority of Civil Aviation tweeted that the decision meets Saudi Arabias dedication to fulfilling its obligations under the Chicago Convention of 1944.

The Convention stipulates non-discrimination between civil aircrafts used in international air navigation.

The decision consolidates the Kingdoms position as a global hub connecting three continents and enhancing international air connectivity.

Earlier, Israeli caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid applauded the Saudi Arabian decision on its decision to open the airspace.

This is the first step. We will continue to work with due caution, for the Israeli economy, its security and for the citizens of Israel, Lapid said in a statement released by his office.

Israeli airlines previously could not travel over Saudi airspace due to a ban, making flights to regions like Asia costlier and longer.

The announcement comes on the same day Saudi Arabia prepares to welcome U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday.

Bidens visit is his first to the Kingdom and the Middle East since becoming president.

He will meet Saudi Arabias King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the countrys Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. (Xinhua/NAN)()

Edited by Ummul Idris/Uche Anunne

Source: NAN News

By Sylvester Thompson

All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has urged the Federal Government to set up a special task force to tackle insecurity as part of the plans to address food shortages.

Mr Kabir Ibrahim, National President of AFAN, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja on Friday.

He said there was a nexus between insecurity in many parts of the country and food security.

He said addressing the nations security challenges would go a long way in checking the skyrocketing prices of food items.

Ibrahim advised that the special task force should be made up of various security agencies and organisations in the country.

He said membership of the task force should include National Security Adviser (NSA), the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Heads of the army, Air force and Navy.

The membership should also include Civil Defence Corps, the DSS, police, Miyetti Allah, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, AFAN, Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

Also, to be included in the team should be The National Assembly, Judiciary, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Sultan of Sokoto; and youth and women leaders.

The President should inaugurate this task force and charge it to come up with tangible results within a timeline of 12 weeks from the date of inauguration, Ibrahim said.

The AFAN president advised that the task force should be under the direct control of the Food Security Council.

According to him, if this is done, insecurity will no longer hinder farmers from seamlessly accessing their farms.

The issue of banditry and kidnapping should be addressed through non-kinetic means because it is obvious that the kinetic approach is not yielding very good results, he said.

Ibrahim said the last seven years had witnessed the evolution of Agriculture Promotion Policy, the CBNs Anchor Borrower Programme, the National Agricultural Land Development Agency(Integrated farms), and several windows of Credit.

He also said that Social Safety Nets, Medium Term Development Plan 2021-2015, signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) also came on board.

Interventions by the African Development Bank, Development Partners among others were also witnessed.

Unfortunately, the food sufficiency and the much desired food security is still a mirage, he said.

Ibrahim said the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of synergy between stakeholders in the agriculture sector, among other challenges contributed to the current weak food system in Nigeria, adding that they could be addressed through the task. (NAN)()

Edited by Nick Nicholas/Uche Anunne

Source: NAN News

By Ikenna Osuoha

Ms May Ikokwu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Save Our Heritage Initiative, an NGO, on Friday called for empowerment of youths through skills acquisition to create wealth and end insecurity.

Ikokwu made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on the occasion of the World Youth Skills Day, in Abuja.

She expressed concern over the spate of insecurity, drug abuse and other vices among youths, noting that empowering them with adequate skills was imperative for growth and development of the country.

According to her, many young persons are wasting away as a result of joblessness, a factor that has been largely responsible for the increase in crimes such as kidnapping and banditry.

She called on government to devise means of taking the youths out of the streets through productive engagement.

Many of the youths roaming the streets are endowed with different talents waiting to be harnessed to national advantage, she said.

Ikokwu urged federal and state governments to act fast, not just to save the youths from redundancy, but create wealth through skills acquisition.

The youths of today are our future and heritage. It is our duty to ensure that their potentials are fully captured, she said.

NAN reports that the World Youth Skills Day is celebrated on July 15, of every year, after the United Nations announcement of its existence in 2014.

The objective of the World Youth Skills Day is to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

Source: NAN News

he National Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy (NPRGS) says N400 billion has been approved for various poverty reduction schemes in 2022.

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa spoke with State House correspondents after a meeting of the National Steering Committee of NPRGS on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari, had in 2021, inaugurated NPRGS to be chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Sule said the meeting was to review the implementation of what was approved in the budget.

It is a meeting of the steering committee of the Presidential Poverty and Growth Strategy.

The last meeting we had, the fourth meeting, we were able to set up various working groups that we are going to prepare total budget that was required.

So, they were able to do that and then we were able to obtain also the presidents approval.

Based on the presidents approval and availability in the budget, so this meeting that we had was actually just to go through the implementation of whatever has been approved, both in the budget and by the president.

He said the first highlight of the meeting was to commend the technical groups that had been able to put up together their budget request.

The governor listed some of the programmes through which the Federal Government was implementing theNPRGS.

Looking at what is available in the budget this year, which is roughly N400 billion, the Humanitarian Ministry is going to take N350 billionfor the expansion of the various programmes likeGovernment Enterprise and Empowerment Programme(GEEP), Conditional Cash Transfer, Farmer Money, Market Money and the rest of that.

There is also another N50 billion that is going to be reserved for the various other programmes like in the Ministry of Agriculture for rural roads, electricity in terms of solar.

Those are the various areas that we discussed, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports thatPresident Muhammadu Buhari on June 22, 2021 inaugurated the committee tasked with driving the target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has promised that two special mission aircraft in the Deep Blue Project fleet will be deployed to fight oil theft.

Dr Bashir Jamoh, Director~General of NIMASA, who made this known in a statement in Lagos on Thursday, added that the move would protect the nations economy.

He made this known at the recently-held 16th edition of the Maritime Seminar for Judges, organised by the Nigerian Shippers Council.

According to Jamoh, oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal refining are unlawful activities threatening the economic and environmental well-being of the country.

He said the aircraft from the mobile assets of the Deep Blue Project would support existing platforms being deployed by other security agencies, which NIMASA had memorandum of understanding with.

Jamoh said that the aircraft would assist in patrolling oil facilities, installations and other assets to observe suspicious human and vessel movements.

Jamoh, while restating the agencys commitment to a crime-free and secure maritime domain, reminded participants at the seminar of President Muhammadu Buharis interest in rebuilding stakeholders and investors confidence in the countrys maritime sector.

Approval of the president for procurement of the assets, his coming to commission them in Lagos, and their deployment for security duties have contributed immensely to the fight against maritime crimes.

We shall be deploying our two special mission aircraft for aerial surveillance to prevent and fight oil theft in the country.

With this, we aim at using the aircraft to patrol sensitive areas, record suspicious human and vessel movements to process intelligence for timely action by our security agencies.

The oil industry is critical to our national economy and no space of the sector should be left for criminals to occupy or operate in, he said.

The director-general said that NIMASA had recorded gains in maritime security efforts but noted that more would need to be done to sustain and consolidate on the gains.

I am happy to state that our synergies have been beneficial to the country in many ways, Jamoh said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

CAN/OIF/IGO

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Ijeoma Popoola

Source: NAN News

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Debt Management Office (DMO) has described as false, the news going round in some media outlets, that Nigeria failed the World Bank Disclosure Rule.

According to a statement by the DMO on Thursday to clarify the situation, there has been no publication by the World Bank accusing Nigeria of failing its disclosure rule.

The statement was a response to recent media reports which indicated that the World Bank accused Nigeria of failure to publish its Annual Borrowing Plans (ABP).

The office said that Nigeria is one country that had imbibed the principle of transparency in public debt.

The website of the focal agency for this purpose, the DMO, is frequented by diverse individuals and institutions within and outside Nigeria, searching for information on Nigerias public debt.

The DMOs website is filled with detailed information on public debt, including debt by source, instrument, maturity, amongst others.

The website also includes debt management strategy and debt sustainability analysis, it said.

Faulting some specific claims in the report, the DMO said that the countrys annual borrowing plans were usually contained in the annual budgets.

The total borrowings are listed in three categories new domestic borrowings; new external borrowings and draw down bilateral and multilateral loans.

The public debt stock is published quarterly on the DMOs website. This is supported by periodic physical and virtual media briefing sessions, it said.

It added that guaranteed debt (contigent liabilities) were listed by name and amount in its website.

It said that information on recently contracted loans were as at Dec. 31, 2019 and Dec. 31, 2020.

Instrument coverage is comprehensive as borrowing instruments for external and internal debts are disclosed in the quarterly debt reports and annual reports, both of which are published in the DMOs website, it said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in Dec. 31, 2021, the DMO announced at a press briefing in Abuja, that the countrys total debt stock was N39.6 trillion.

The office also recently announced in its website that the total debt stock had increased to N41.6trillion by March 31, 2022. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Source: NAN News