By Lizzy Okoji

The Embassy of Turkey in a bid to strengthen ties with Nigeria has organised a week-long event, where both countries can learn more about each others culture through food.

Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hidayet Bayraktar, speaking at the inaugural dinner of the event on Saturday in Abuja, said that the event was organised at the instance of the Turkish President.

Bayraktar in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that the event, which would become an annual one, aimed at showcasing Turkey to the World, especially through its food and culture.

He explained that just like other countries have clichd restaurants like the Chinese, French and Italian Restaurants, Turkey also aimed at pushing to the world its Turkish restaurant.

Bayraktar also noted that Nigeria and Turkey would build stronger ties if similar event was held by the Nigerian government in Turkey, to create an opportunity for the Turks to know Nigeria better,

Today, we started the Turkish cuisine week in Abuja, this is the gala dinner and it is under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Turkey.

And, the cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Turkey, from now, every year, it will be an annual event, in our whole Embassies.

We are trying to introduce the Turkish Cuisine to the world. We are culturally very rich, with rich history.

According to him, all the culture and food we have today are a combination of our richness in culture.

It is also an opportunity for the Nigerians to taste the food and know about the richness of the Turkish foods.

This is one of the first nights of the week-long activities in Abuja. All through this week Frazer suites will have Turkish cuisines on their menu, he said.

According to him, as you know, food is always one of the show of culture. When we eat food, we do not just eat Turkish or Nigerian foods.

For example, we go to Chine restaurants, we go to French restaurants. It is a platform to share each others food.

Through your ministry of culture and tourism, It will be good to do what we are doing here in Turkey.

It will be an opportunity for them to also get the Turkish people to know about Nigerian cuisines also as food is always the common language, Bayraktar said.

Also speaking with NAN, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed noted that gastronomy was a more effective way of strengthening bilateral relations aside hard core diplomacy.

Mohammed said that Nigeria and Turkey had built and enjoyed strong relations in the past years and such an event would continue to sustain the relations.

What we have witnessed tonight is the growing power of what I call self-power. Self-power in the area of tourism and how countries today is using tourism to bind countries together.

How they are using tourism to reach out to people, an how tourism, especially gastronomy, music, film, fashion are not just tools of trade but also tools of diplomacy.

What we have witnessed tonight is the beginning of a one-week gastronomy. It is quite significant in the sense that many countries are known for the kind of gastronomy they provide.

And, they have influenced the world, and sometimes conquered the world through food.

You can imagine Kellogs cornflakes, you can imagine what our kids, and grandchildren today will do if you do not give them Kellogs, look at Mr Biggs, McDonnalds.

This is the effect of gastronomy, where through food you begin to get closer, begin to understand another country much better.

It brings countries and people together more effectively than the hard-core diplomacy, Mohammed said.

NAN reports that the event had in attendance members of the diplomatic community, representatives from some Nigerian Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDA).

The Managing Director of NAN, Mr Buki Ponle, was among the dignitaries that graced the occasion. (NAN) (

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Edith Ike-Eboh and Emmanuel Afonne

Activities for the week at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), started with a cheering news that President Muhammadu Buhari will unveil the new NNPC on July 18.

This was disclosed within the week by the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari, at the opening ceremony of the 8th African Petroleum Congress and Exhibition (CAPE VIII) which held in Luanda, Angola.

Kyari said the unveiling was in furtherance of the implementation of Section 53(1) of the Petroleum Industry Act which provides for the establishment of a new corporate entity known as NNPC Ltd.

Delivering a goodwill message at the conference, the GMD highlighted the revolution currently taking place in the Nigerian oil and gas industry through the implementation of the PIA.

He called on the industry leaders and other participants at the conference to join him and the NNPC family for the unveiling of the new NNPC.

He said the CAPE VIII was coming at a time when the world stood between the challenge of energy security and the necessity for energy transition in the context of energy justice.

Kyari stressed that there was need for all stakeholders to find amicable solutions to the challenges facing the sector.

He also called for collaboration between African oil producers, national oil companies and the multinationals to seek ways to sustainably finance the growth of the oil and gas industry; thereby ensuring the economic progress of African countries.

The African Petroleum Congress and Exhibition (CAPE) is a triennial initiative of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), an intergovernmental organisation established in 1987 to serve as a platform for African petroleum producing countries to cooperate, collaborate, and share knowledge and competences.

The aim was to maximise the developmental and welfare benefits accruable from petroleum exploitation activities in its 15 member countries.

The 8th edition of the conference was organised by APPO in conjunction with the Government of the Republic of Angola, and AMETrade.

Also on a cheerful note, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) commended the NNPC Ltd. for being the highest tax paying company in the country in the 2021 fiscal year.

The FIRS gave the commendation in a statement issued by its Executive Chairman, Mr Muhammad Nami, to celebrate its landmark achievement of generating over 6 trillion Naira in tax revenue for the first time in its history.

According to the FIRS, the feat defies the harsh global economic conditions imposed by the lingering COVID-19 pandemic to produce a heroic performance in tax payment and compliance.

The FIRS is pleased to celebrate the top-performing taxpayers who contributed to her success in 2021. The Service surpassed its tax collection target in 2021, and in doing so, crossed the N6trn threshold for the first time.

The feat recorded by the Service was also made possible by the uncommon leadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari.

It was also made possible by the active support of our supervisory Ministry, the backing of the National Assembly and its leadership, as well as the cooperation of all other stakeholders in the tax area.

To everyone who contributed to FIRS success in 2021, we say thank you.

Of particular importance was the contribution of our much-esteemed taxpayers, they defied the harsh global economic conditions imposed by the lingering COVID-19 pandemic to produce a heroic performance in tax payment, compliance and support.

The combined efforts of all taxpayers made it possible for the Service to achieve the tax revenue collection of 2021 which provided revenue to our government, the FIRS stated.

NNPC Ltd. had last year presented a symbolic cheque of N621 billion under the tax credit scheme to the ministry of works and housing for the construction of 21 selected roads across the country.

The Company had also in October last year expressed interest to invest in the reconstruction of selected federal roads in order to sustain a smooth supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country.

The road construction initiative executed under the tax credit scheme is being funded through the FIRS in accordance with President Muhammadu Buharis Executive Order 7.

Under the programme, the NNPC would construct a total of 1,804.6 kilometres of roads at a total cost of over 621billion naira.

The FIRS also recognised the Nigeria Liquified Petroleum Gas Company Ltd. as the Most Supportive Taxpayer.

It listed Shell Petroleum Development Company Ltd, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, and Chevron Nigeria Ltd. and a subsidiary of the NNPC Ltd, Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) among the Top-Performing Taxpayers for the year.

Still in the week under review, the GMD/CEO of NNPC Ltd., Malam Mele Kyari was honoured with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Year Award for 2021 by the Leadership Newspaper.

Also honoured by the Leadership Newspaper at its Annual Conference and Awards which held in Abuja, were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who were conferred with the 2021 Leadership Persons of the Year Award.

According to the newspapers Editorial Board, Kyari merited the award because of the high degree of transparency and accountability he brought to bear on the management of the NNPC, adding that under his watch, NNPC became an incorporated entity in line with the PIA.

Kyari played a major role in turning NNPC into a profit-making national oil company and is instrumental in driving the present administrations gas revolution, among other innovations, the Leadership Board stated.

In his acceptance speech delivered virtually from Luanda, Angola, where he was attending the African Petroleum Congress and Exhibition (CAPE VIII), Kyari expressed profound appreciation to the Leadership Newspaper Group for recognising the efforts of the NNPC, adding that such an honour was a call to do more.

The award was received on his behalf by the Group Executive Director, Corporate Services, Mrs Aisha Katagum.

On his part, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, noted that integrity was part of the core values that the late publisher of the Leadership Newspapers, Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah, stood for.

Osinbajo added that he was satisfied that his legacies were being maintained by the organisation.

Other dignitaries honoured at the event were, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva; Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal; Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel; Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammad Yahaya and the Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Bala Muhammed.

Also in the week, the Federal Government and the Nigerian NNPC Ltd. commended Seplat Energy Plc for taking practical steps to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide in line with the agenda to achieve net zero by 2060.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, gave the commendation at the launch of the Tree for Life initiative by Seplat Energy Plc in Abuja.

Speaking at the event designed by the company to plant trees and keep the environment healthy as part of its carbon count, Sylva applauded Seplat for coming up with a practical way to reduce carbon dioxide from the environment.

He said that the promise made by President Muhammadu Buhari committing Nigeria to 2060 as the date for Nigeria to achieve net-zero carbon emission was a goal every Nigerian should work towards achieving.

Sylva noted that Seplat was already working towards that through the launch of the Tree for Life initiative.

He challenged other oil and gas companies in the country to take advantage of the various projects and corridors opened up by the Federal Government in the gas sector to reduce the nations carbon footprint, stressing that Nigeria had adopted gas as its the transition fuel to net-zero situation.

Speaking in similar vein, the GMD/CEO of NNPC, Kyari who spoke virtually from Luanda, Angola, where he was attending the African Petroleum Congress and Exhibition (CAPE VIII), said that NNPC was completely in support of Seplat in the Tree for Life initiative.

Kyari urged other operators in the oil and gas industry to toe similar path in tackling compliant issues.

In her remarks, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of NNPC Ltd., Sen. Margery Chuba-Okadigbo, said it was a great development for energy companies to be at the forefront of solving the global energy conundrum of heavily depending on fossil fuels for economic development yet wanting to get rid of it fast.

Speaking earlier in his opening remarks, Chairman of Seplat, Dr ABC Orjiako, said the Tree for Life project was a promise kept as it was a follow up on the promise made last year at the companys Energy Summit to always conduct a carbon count in its operations.

The tree planting launch was performed by Sylva alongside Seplats Chief Executive Officer, Mr Roger Brown, Sen. Margrey Okadigbo, the NNPC Board Chairman and Dr ABC Orjiako, Chairman, Seplat, among others.

Visit us on www.nannews.ng for more details. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

Source: NAN News

By Hilary Akalugwu

The ambition of Dr Pat Asadu representing Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal constituency to return to the House of Representative in 2023 for the fifth time suffered a setback on Sunday.

He was beaten to the third place at the Peoples Democratic Partys (PDP) primary election held at Nsukka.

Chief Vita Abba emerged as the winner having polled 91 votes out of the 111 votes casted at the election.

The runner up Mr Clinton Isiwu scored 11 votes while Asadu got two votes. Messrs Chidi Obetta, Aniegbulam Ezeugwu and Chukuemeka Asogwa got one vote each.

Announcing the result, the Returning Officer, Mr Chinedu Onu, thanked delegates for conducting themselves in orderly manner at the primary election.

Onu said all the 111 delegates accredited for the primary election, voted, but four of the votes were invalidated.

In his acceptance remark, Abba expressed appreciation to the delegates for voting for him and promisedthat he would not disappoint the party if elected at the 2023 general elections.

This victory is victory for PDP; victory for justice and victory for democracy in our constituency.

I thank all delegates and the party for finding me worthy to fly the partys flag in 2023, Abba said.

Mr Bradan Uzoagba, who led Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) team to monitor the primary election, described the exercise as free and fair.

Isiwu who placed second said he accepted the result in good faith as the election was free and fair. (NAN) (www.nanewsng.com)

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Edited by Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

Manchester City won their fourth English Premier League (EPL) trophy in five years on Sunday but nearly let it slip from their hands.

They had to come from two goals down to beat Aston Villa 3-2, and edge closest rivals Liverpool with just a point.

Manchester City scored their three goals inside an electrifying five minutes late in the second half.

After an afternoon of high nerves, laced with the fear of Liverpool pipping them to the title at the post, relieved and jubilant Manchester City fans poured onto the field at the final whistle.

Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan scored twice as Manchester City took the vital three points, making Liverpools 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers irrelevant.

The moment we found a goal it changed everything. We were not playing in normal circumstances but you have to handle it, said Guardiola.

Gundogan is the best inside runner we have. We were arriving down the sides and we needed a player with the sense of tempo in the box and he is the best.

We are legends. When you win the Premier League four times in five seasons it is because these guys are so, so special. We will be remembered, he said.

The day was set up for a party and there was a relaxed mood around the ground before kick-off.

But that was soon to change as Aston Villa, managed by former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, provided a twist in the storyline.

Matty Cash put the visitors in front in the 37th minute with a fine header from a Lucas Digne cross from the left flank, and the mood in the stadium instantly changed.

Manchester City were far from their fluent best, lacking finesse as they piled on the pressure in search of a leveller but rarely troubling Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

The edgy mood among the home fans turned to desperation after Philippe Coutinho then doubled the lead for Aston Villa with a goal of pure simplicity.

Ollie Watkins headed on from a long Olsen goal-kick, and the former Liverpool midfielder Coutinho produced a brilliant first touch to cut inside and then drilled the ball into the bottom corner.

Liverpool were level with Wolves at the time of Coutinhos strike, but Manchester City knew that a goal for Juergen Klopps side could now take the title away from them.

But then came the Manchester City comeback that sealed the title, regardless of events at Anfield.

Two substitutes combined for the first, with Gundogan heading in a Raheem Sterling cross at the back post in the 76th minute.

Half-time substitute Oleksandr Zinchenko, on the left flank, then showed composure to pull the ball back to Rodri.

The Spaniard delivered a pinpoint finish side-footing into the bottom corner from 20 metres.

The title-winning goal came in the 81st minute when Kevin De Bruyne whipped in a low cross to Gundogan, who tapped in from close range, sending the crowd into rapturous delight.

The magnitude of your achievement is defined by the magnitude of your rival, reflected Guardiola.

Ive never seen a team like Liverpool. I know its tough but a huge congratulations to them. They help us to be a better team, he added. (Reuters/dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne and Olawale Alabi

Source: NAN News

By Segun Giwa

The immediate past Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo State, Prince Dele Ogunbameru, says that he resigned his position to foster unity in the party.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogunbameru, at the party congress held on Monday, May 16, at Royal Bird Hotels, Ijapo, Akure announced his resignation as chairman.

Ogunbameru, in an interview with NAN in Akure on Sunday, said the unity in the party was more important than any individual interest.

We have witnessed a lot of bickering in the party, our primary goal should be how to reconcile warring groups; the party must move forward.

We had a peaceful congress, where factions in SDP in Ondo State were reconciled after a long period of time.

The congress was in line with the Independent National Electoral Commissions directive, and I, as the state chairman of the recognised SDP, voluntarily resigned my position.

A new chairman, Mr Dele Thomas and new executives have emerged, so there is no more faction in Ondo State SDP.

l thank a former chairman of the party in the state, Chief Korede Duyile and other stakeholders for their faith in the party and their determination to work for the success of the party in the upcoming general elections, he said.

Ogunbameru charged the new executives to reconcile aggrieved members and ensure the partys victory in the 2023 general elections in the state.

NAN reports that Mr Dele Thomas was elected as the state Chairman at the congress; while Tope Bambo and Dr Sola Agboola, emerged as Deputy Chairman and State Secretary, respectively.

Mrs Rachael Ajayi emerged as the State Treasurer, while a veteran journalist, Mr Remi Olayiwola, was elected as the Publicity Secretary.

Thomas while addressing the congress, had promised a level-playing ground for all aspirants and assured members that they would be carried along in the running of the party.

He appreciated elders of the party for always cooperating and ensuring that the factional crisis was resolved.

Also, a former Chairman of the Party in the state, Chief Korede Duyile, said as a leader, his goal was for the party to move forward.

Duyile, who noted that SDP started from Ondo State, expressed happiness that the problem in the party had been resolved.

He appealed to all members present at the congress to work for the unity of the party. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ayodeji Alabi/Tayo Ikujuni

Source: NAN News

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

Some financial experts have called on the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to adopt a more realistic approach to its policy decisions.

This advice is coming as the MPC is scheduled to holds its bi-monthly meeting on Monday.

The experts, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews, urged the committee to take practical policy decisions to effectively tackle the countrys monetary and economic challenges.

A past President of the Chattered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr Okechukwu Unegbu, urged the committee to carry out extensive research on the economy before coming out with its parameters.

Unegbu said that the idea of retaining the same parameters for several months without any positive economic impact gave the impression that the MPC meetings were merely routine.

He urged the MPC to look inward and formulate home-grown policies that will slow down inflationary trend and engender real economic growth.

NAN reports that the MPC had retained the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 11.5 per cent and held all other parameters constant at its last nine meetings.

Thus, the asymmetric corridor has remained at 100/-700 Basic Points around the MPR, the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) remained at 27.50 per cent and the Liquidity Ratio remained at 30.00 per cent.

According to Unegbu, the MPC should observe and compare economic conditions preceding its last few meetings and the impact of its policy decisions afterwards.

Retaining the same parameters for such a long time without visible improvements indicates that the committee, and the apex bank are not doing enough.

Look at the inflation rate, look at the exchange rate, there has not been any appreciable improvement.

They need to carry out a research and compare two or three past meetings to know the impact of their policy decisions, he said.

Unegbu also advised the apex bank to cut down on its intervention in different economic sectors so as not to cause dislocation in the monetary system.

CBNs interventions have not changed anything; the interventions are not working.

Look at the CBN appealing to farmers to pay back their loans. Does the apex bank have capacity to recover those loans?

The beneficiaries do not see them as loans, but as their own share of the national cake, he said.

According to an economist, Prof. Lanre Olaniyan, retaining the same parameters for the upteenth time, in the midst of rising inflation and other economic challenges, means something is not right.

Olaniyan, a professor of economics from the University of Ibadan, urged the MPC to take cognizance of the impact of its prevailing parameters to be properly guided.

However, another economist, Dr Tope Fasua, urged the MPC to be circumspect in its policy decisions so as not to worsen the situation.

Except we want the CBN to be adventurous, if they increase the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), its a cue for the Deposit Money Banks to increase lending rates.

And, usually, lending rates will be increased a lot more than deposit rates.

The manufacturers and other stakeholders will blame the apex bank for making their lives more difficult. But if they do that, the aim could also be to slow down inflation.

The second point is that, if they reduce, inflation might continue to grow. If we want to be experimental we could push for a reduction in rates, he suggested.

Fasua called for improved productivity in the country, adding that a reduction in the rates would boost productivity by encouraging people to borrow more from the banks, while depositing less.

Our banks are fairly comfortable but we could do with a lot more productivity in the country, at the risk of a little more inflation, he said.

NAN reports that at the last MPC meeting in March, the 10 members present were divided on the policy decisions and parameters to adopt.

Three members had voted to raise MPR by 25 basis points, one member voted to raise MPR by 50 basis points while six other members voted to hold all parameters constant.

According to the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, the committee was of the view that increasing the rates during inflation could adversely impact on economic recovery and stifle expected investment expansion.

Emefiele also said that tightening would reverse the steady improvement recorded in credit expansion, and it will not necessarily tame inflation.

He added that the committee decided to adopt a precautionary policy stance that is consistent with the prevailing economic conditions. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vincent Obi

Source: NAN News

By Ramatu Garba

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) received 129 Nigerians stranded at Agadez, Niger Republic on Saturday in Kano

NEMA Coordinator, Kano Territorial Office, Dr Nuradeen Abdullahi, gave the figure when he received the returnees.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the returnees arrived in Kano in three luxury buses organised by the International Organisation on Migration.

The returnees were brought back through a voluntary repatriation programme for those who left Nigeria to seek greener pastures in various European countries but could not get to their destinations and became frustrated, Abdullahi said.

The coordinator added that the returnees included 125 male, two female and two toddlers.

According to him, the returnees are from different parts of Nigeria; some from Kano, Gombe and Anambra states.

He added that they would be trained for four days to be self-reliant and would be given grants to start new lives.

The returnees were given toiletries and clothes and fed on arrival

One of them, Ummi Aliyu from Kano State, a widow and mother of nine, said she travelled with two of her kids up Algeria for greener pasture.

I am a widow; that was why I left my seven other children in Nigeria to travel outside the country to get enough money to take good care of them, she said.

Another returnee, James Kelechi from Anambra, said that he operated a medicine store before he left Nigeria in search of greener pasture.

My business was not moving fine; that was why I decided to travel to Italy in search of greener pasture, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

By Vivian Emoni

The Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP) has endorsed 60 Ambassadors for Peace to transform conflict and strengthen peace and unity in Nigeria and Africa.

At the graduation ceremony of 2021/2022 COFP Fellowship Programme, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, President of the foundation, encouraged the graduates to continue with good work of peace.

Onaiyekan, also the Founder of the foundation, said that the fellows were the 4th graduates, adding that the foundation started about five years ago and had extended to other African countries.

According to him, this marks the successful putting into the filed of another group of workers in the noble task of building peace.

It is also for transforming conflicts, strengthening the resilience of our oppressed people and creating conditions for the genuine prosperity of our people.

Our foundation is based on a deep conviction and faith in God. Our faith in God also inspires and empowers us to launch on to action to do all we can for good of our human environment.

We are grateful to all who have joined us as partners in this noble task and all who have been supporting and facilitating the work, both from abroad and Nigeria, he said.

Onaiyekan thanked the graduates for their dedication throughout the one year programme on interreligious dialogue, conflict transformation and meditation.

He said that the fellows had been equipped and strengthened for the task of interfaith and peace building actions for development of the societies across Africa.

These fellows have also discovered the force of inter-faith action in a sacred coalition against violent extremism in the name of God.

The foundation is now poised for continued growth in both extension and quality of the services it is planning to render to our communities in the years that lie ahead, he said.

Onaiyekan, however, urged all the fellows, private and government partners for the sustainability of the programme as it would promote more peace and oneness to Africa at large.

The Executive Director of the foundation, Sister Agatha Chikelue, said that the foundation has continue to engage faith leaders and community actors across the continent to bridge divisions by building inclusive societies that enhance peace.

Chikelue said that about 10 fellows were drawn from other African countries, adding that they were from different faith.

According to her, the participants of the one year programme successfully emerged from required 159 credit hours of study at the foundation and have executed their community peace projects in their various states and countries.

They will be awarded with a certificate in interreligious dialogue, conflict transformation and meditation.

We are confident that the training received in the one year has prepared our fellows to become peace ambassadors.

This means that a lot is expected from them.

One of the ways that they can strengthen the efforts to address challenges of todays conflicts, is by putting into action all they have learnt in the programme.

She encouraged the fellows to ensure that they used the initiative to address religious harmony, peaceful coexistence for community development.

The time has come to translate dialogue into practical actions, that is what it means to be a COFP fellow, she said.

Also, Dr Clementine Nishimwe, from Rwanda, one of the fellows who spoke on behalf of others, said that the foundation had made her understand the importance of living in peaceful environment.

Nishimwe, a Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, said that she would put into action all that was taught during the programme.

I will ensure that I translate dialogue into practical action.

As a lecturer, I see youths everyday; I make sure I deliver the message of peace to them and ensure that peace and unity exist among them.

I want to sincerely thank the foundation for the opportunity given to me to attend the programme. I promise to speak peace to my country in Rwanda and South Africa as well, she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says it is drafting six regulations on midstream and downstream operations to bring clarity, improve business processes and ease of doing business in the sector.

The Authority Chief Executive (ACE), NMDPRA, Mr Farouk Ahmed made this known during a meeting with members of the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) in Abuja.

Ahmed, in a statement on Sunday listed the regulations as Gas Pricing, Environmental Management Plan, Environmental Remediation Fund, Decommissioning and Abandonment, Gas Infrastructure Fund and Natural Gas Pipeline Tariff.

The ACE also informed the group that a Working Team chaired by Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure (DSSRI) , NMDPRA was set up to review the draft regulations.

According to him, the group will engage and consult stakeholders for smooth implementation when released.

One of our key concerns is boosting local refining.

Dangote and BUA refineries are coming on board; however, we want to see more companies investing in refineries so we can stop the importation of refined petroleum products, save our foreign earnings, create jobs and add value to the economy, he said.

He pledged the authoritys commitment in making the business climate in the midstream and downstream conducive for local and foreign investment to thrive.

The NMDPRA Boss, however commended the gradual growth of indigenous players in local exploration and production of petroleum products.

Earlier, the IPPG Chairman, Mr Abdulrazaq Isa said the IPPG was an association of 25 indigenous Exploration and Production (E

By Stephen Adeleye

The Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD), an NGO, has inaugurated a steering committee to drive the process of implementation of Violence Against Persons Prohibition(VAPP) Act in Kogi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Kogi House of Assembly had in 2021, passed the Bill with a view for the state to join other states in domesticating the Act.

The Senior Programme Manager, SCDDD, Mr Bola Abimbola, at the Inauguration of the committee urged members of the interim committee to discharge their assignment with utmost sense of commitment and dedication.

According to him, SCDDD is pushing for the assent of the Kogi governor, Alhaji Yahaha Bello, with a view to achieving the desired success.

With an advocacy language, Kogi No Dey Carry Last, is through which the committee intends to mobilise sufficient goodwill and support for the assent to the Bill.

With a little push, the VAPP Bill will be signed into law in the state.

Abimbola, however, acknowledged the governors uncommon scorecards in youths and women development as well as persons living with disabilities.

In his inaugural speech, the interim Chairman of the committee, Mr Mike Abu, said the committee had agreed on a number of strategies to deploy in prevailing on the state government to assent to the Bill.

He noted that the strategies included media day of action, where the committee would explore media platforms to push its aims and objectives.

Also we will engage key stakeholders toward seeing to the signing and gazetting of the state VAPP Bill, he said.

Abu expressed optimism that the Bill, when assented to, would attract speedy attention on the need to safeguard the citizens against violence of any kind.

This, he said, became necessary considering the governors passion for issues of safety, rights, dignity and security of Kogi people.

NAN reports that the VAPP Act is designed to tackle all forms of violence against persons in private and public life as well as providing maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment for offenders.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Chioma Ugboma

Source: NAN News