By Olaide Ayinde

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar III has called on traders to avoid increasing prices of foodstuffs as Muslims month of fasting approaches.

Muslims across the world will observe a 30-day fasting period (Ramadan) beginning in April.

The Sultan made the call on Saturday in Bauchi at the close of a week-long 2022 National Quran Recitation Competition hosted by the Bauchi State government in collaboration with Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto.

He stressed the need for traders to be wary of the day of judgement and to avoid extortion of patrons.

I use this medium to call on all market people who sell things to be fearful of what Almighty God will ask them when they get to him on the day of judgement.

Instead of increasing prices of foodstuffs and other essentials, please try to reduce the prices so as to get the blessing of Almighty God, he said.

The sultan, who is also President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, also called on governments at all levels to evolve measures to reduce cost of living in the country.

He lamented increasing cost of living, especially foodstuffs and called on government to try and reverse the trend by providing an enabling environment.

I think it is left to all of us in authority to work together and bring this rise in cost of foodstuffs to affordable levels so all of us can have a successful Ramadan.

I believe its not too much to ask government after all, we elected you into office to serve us and not for us to serve you, the sultan said.

Alhaji Abubakar also called on politicians to play politics with the fear of God, especially as the 2023 general elections approach.

He reminded all that it is only God who gives power to whom He wants; at the time He wishes and that He will take it when He wants.

Do not make it a do-or-die affair because God already knows who is going to be the leader come 2023; whether at state or federal level, but we dont know because we are mere mortals, he stressed.

In his address of welcome, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State said it was the third time the state was hosting the event since the inception of the competition.

Mohammed, who stated that there were winners, but no losers in the competition, donated N10 million to all the 368 participants drawn the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.

Those who won will also be given N10 million and N5 million to the judges. This is to say that we appreciate and that everybody is a winner.

On our part as leaders, we must live with the fear of God and lead by example.

As politicians, we should not overstretch our discretion; we should not be excessive, greedy or selfish and we should know that there is a day for accountability, a day of judgement.

We should fear not only EFCC or ICPC, we should fear God and also our people should know that they should elect people that are God-fearing, he said.

Mohammed promised that the state government would give winners in the competition free scholarships up to university level. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

Algerias Desert Foxes on Friday beat hosts Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 1-0 in Douala for a crucial lead in their 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff.

The 2019 African champions scored through Islam Slimani in the 40th minute of the first leg encounter to tip the balance of the fixture in their favour.

The striker rose to meet Youcef Belailis free-kick and power a header past Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper Andr Onana.

Algeria, who were eyeing a fifth World Cup appearance, will now on Tuesday host Cameroon who have been to an African record seven World Cup finals.

Fifty thousand home supporters had packed the Japoma stadium, where Algeria had lost two matches and drawn one in their disappointing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) display in January.

But the Algerians, whose 35-match unbeaten run had ended then, resumed their form by showing steely resolve to keep the hosts at bay.

It seemed in the opening minutes that Cameroon would blitz their way to a comfortable victory, as Belmadi lined up a 5-2-3 formation for the first time since he took charge in 2018.

Lyon forward Karl Toko Ekambi threatened Rais MBolhis goal on two occasions, but Algeria found its shape after a quarter of an hour.

They began controlling possession and nullifying Cameroonian attacks.

The match was significantly delayed in the second half with multiple substitutions and then a partial power outage which affected some of the stadiums lighting projectors.

On the pitch, the hosts suffered from a similar lack of illumination until the closing stages when Karl Toko Ekambi and substitute Leandr Tawamba prompted scares in the Algerian defence.

Now, the Algerians have not lost a home match at Stade Mustapha Tchaker stadium in Blida since they started playing at the arena in 2004.

It is a run that spans over 40 matches.

Tuesday in Blida will now determine what goes from there for both sides.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Hamza Suleiman

Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have neutralised 126 Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the North-East.

Col. Obinna Azuikpe, the Theatre Command Intelligence Coordinator, made this known while reviewing progress of the operations in the North-East, on Friday in Maiduguri.

He said the troops recorded successes against the insurgents in the ongoing clearance operations in the past three months, adding that, ten soldiers had paid the supreme price.

Azuikpe said that the troops under the Operation Desert Sanity conducted 9,163 patrols, 5,553 ambushes and 1,006 clearance operations.

He said the troops successfully cleared insurgents enclaves in Afa, Kara, Abullam, Talala Ajigin, Buk Alagarno, Dole, Alafa, Darusalam, Kuraba, Ukuba and Camp Zero.

The troops, he said, also destroyed insurgents bomb factories and a major cell used for detaining 150 captives.

Azuikpe explained that the Command also recorded about 81 Improvised Explosives Device (IEDs) attacks across the region within the period under review.

He said that about eight indirect Motar bomb attacks were recorded in Maiduguri, Malam Fatori, Gamboru Ngala and Bama.

He said the troops also recovered arms and ammunitions including artillery guns, Anti Aircraft guns, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), Gun trucks, an 18 seater bus and 60 Commando Mortar bombs, among others.

Also commenting, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, Theatre Commander OPHK, identified detection and diffusing of IEDs as a major challenge in the fight against insurgency in the region.

Troops must scan areas where it is conducting patrols before going for any operation, and scan again while returning.

In spite of these challenges, the troops continued to record remarkable successes in various operations against the insurgents in the North East, he said.

Musa said the conduct of the Operation Lake Sanity by the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), would further harness the operational gains recorded so far in the theatre.

From the indices of happenings in the North-East theatre of operation, it is possible that the insurgency will be over in 2022.

This is because the ongoing battlefield regional counter insurgency efforts have been comprehensively sustained through operation Hadin Kai and the MNJTFs operation.

This is with the support from the Air Task Force, Maritime and other security agencies.

The Chief of Army Staff and other Service Chiefs have been very supportive which translate to the successes recorded so far.

This also means that President Muhammadu Buhari is supporting them, through the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Vivian Ihechu

The Government of the Republic of Cte dIvoire on Friday signed the hosting agreement for the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023), which officially confers it as the host of IATF2023.

The agreement which took place in Abidjan was between Cte dIvoire , African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union (AU) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IATF2023 will be the third edition of the African continents premier trade and investment event.

This follows the resoundingly successful second edition held in November 2021 in Durban, South Africa, and realised over .1 billion in trade and investment deals, with 1501 exhibitors and over 32,500 attendees from 128 countries across Africa and beyond.

Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, said: The IATF has become a platform for actualising the vision of the African continental Free Trade Agreement.

It is opening up new trade routes, rapidly expanding knowledge of the continents trading environment and exposing our cultural heritage to our markets and faraway consumers.

The combined billion in deals sealed during the Durban and Cairo trade fairs are reminders of the abundant intra-African trade and investment potentials.

They represent the remarkable trade and investment arrangements that wouldnt have seen the light if not for the trade fair.

Citing instances of some of the successes as a result of the IATF, he said: For instance, the Government of Malawi has expanded the market for his agricultural products to South Sudan and other African markets.

Thanks to the bilateral government to government trade deals signed during the 2021 trade fair.

It was at the 2018 Inter African trade fair that the .9 billiondam project was signed between the Government of Tanzania and Egyptian contractors, making it the largest ever intra-African EPC contract.

We are happy that that project is going on smoothly.

When the curtains fell in Durban, new business relationships were forged, governments found new sources of food, capital goods and other items. African banks found new opportunities for regional expansion.

Fashion designers found new markets where the African creative industry found a new convening platform called the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX).

According to Oramah, the IATF train has since left the South African base where it was a few months ago and has come to West Africa to build on the successes.

When it arrives in Abidjan in November 2023, it will make a stop in familiar territory, in a country that also values continental integration, and has been at the forefront to push for Africas collective self-reliance since the early1960s.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Management of Afreximbank, I thank HIS Excellency, President Alassane Ouattara of Cte dIvoire.

I thank His Excellency, Prime Minister Patrick Achi, as well as the entire Government and People of Cte dIvoire for accepting to host the third edition of the trade fair.

It is a responsibility that Cte dIvoire has willingly assumed and which we sincerely appreciate and applaud, he said.

Prime Minister Patrick Achi, who represented President Alassane Ouattara of Cte dIvoire, commended the IATF2023 Advisory Council for their resilience, commitment and efforts to develop African economy.

He said that the country was committed to ensuring a successful hosting of the IATF2023.

This is an honour bestowed on Cte dIvoire and the leadership of the country for the economic development and strengthening of trade development in the African Continent.

It is evident that this will consolidate the business and economic intensity of the continent.

Also, His Excellency Souleymane Diarrassouba, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Cte dIvoire, affirmed that the IATF has helped to boost economic development of the African continent.

According to him, the IATF2023 serves as an opportunity to further showcase, exhibit and foster trade and joint ventures among others.

He assured that the event , as part of the vision of the Government of Cte dIvoires development plan, would overcome the impact of COVID-19 and deliver a fruitful and collaborative engagement. (NAN) (www.nanenews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Delta State Government has approved a lease-to-own contract for the Oghara Independent Power Project (IPP) in Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa on Friday in Asaba.

He said that government had taken the decision of Lease-to-own instead of outright sale as earlier advised to ensure that the state gets value for its investment in the electric power project.

Aniagwu said, at todays EXCO meeting, we approved the principle of Lease-to-own not outright sale as we were advised before now.

What we have done now is Lease-to-own where the lessee will now have to fix, operate and bring it to a state where it will work and then begin to pay some amount of money to the state government for a period of time.

The Commissioner flanked by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, said the EXCO also approved the appointment of Sylvester Enechaziam, as the Ogbelani of Illah Kingdom, in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.

He said other approvals included the purchase of two fire fighting trucks for the state fire service to improve their capacity to combat rising incidences of fire outbreak across the state.

Exco also approved the appointment of HRM Sylvester Enechaziam as the Ogbelani of Illah Kingdom in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.

The Construction of Phase 1 of Odododegho Road 2.5km from Ekiugbo Junction in Ughelli North; Egbo Street and Egbule Street Idumesa in Ika North-East were also approved, while the Ute-Okpu and Ute-Enugu Road was repudiated to be rewarded to another competent company.

Exco approved construction of drainage channel to deflood Koka junction to Ibusa Road on dual carriage road, Aniagwu said.

Aniagwu disclosed that today would be the last council meeting to be attended by cabinet members who had expressed interest in contesting 2023 general election.

The exit would enable them pursue their 2023 aspirations and we wish them well in their future endeavours.

It is their desire to go and contest and we wish them well even as the governor has advised all contestants involved in the contest to avoid heating up the polity.

At the moment, Delta is a very peaceful state and we want it to remain so even in the course of the electioneering campaign and as such all contestants have been advised to maintain a high level of decorum.

They should use words recognising the fact that we are all brothers whether in the party at the level of primaries or at the level of the main contest with any other opposition party.

What is important is that we are all from Delta and those aspiring to lead must show leadership by using languages that are in line with what those who are to be called leaders use.

So, if you dont see some members of cabinet in the next meeting, do know that they have complied with the provision of the Electoral Act of 2022 as passed by the National Assembly, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

Source: NAN News

By Sandra Umeh

The Federal High Court of Nigeria is scheduled to vacate for its annual Easter break from April 8, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The notice was contained in a circular issued to Federal High Courts, signed by the Chief Judge of the court, Hon. Justice John Tsoho.

The circular was sighted by NAN on Friday.

According to the circular, the 2022 Easter vacation is from April 8 to April 25.

Judicial activities are scheduled to resume on April 26.

The circular further designated the Abuja, Lagos and Port-Harcourt divisions of the Court as vacation courts, open to the public in cases of extreme urgency.

Part of the circular read: The Abuja Division will cater for cases from the Federal Capital, North Central, North Western and North Eastern parts of the country.

The Lagos Division will cater for cases from Lagos and the South Western part of the country while Port-Harcourt Division will cater for cases from Rivers State, the South-South and South Eastern states.

NAN reports that the vacation Judges for the Lagos division include Hon. Justice T.E. Ringim and Justice A.O. Awogboro.

The Chief Judge further enjoined the vacation Judges to be wary of political cases brought to their courts during the period.

He advised that all matters requiring his attention be brought to him during the period.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja admonished the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to avoid being used for partisan politics or to settle personal disputes.

The President, who gave the warning at the unveiling of EFCCs Standard Operating Procedures, Policies and Manuals, at the State House, urged the Commission to focus on serving the nation and entrenching good governance.

He advised leaders and all operatives of the commission to resist the temptation of being influenced by political actors for personal gains.

I must advise the leadership and operatives of this Commission to resist the temptation of being used for partisan politics or be dragged into personal disputes.

Your job is to serve the nation in its efforts to entrench good governance, he said.

The president commended the leadership of EFCC for securing 2,220 convictions within one year and recovering over N152billion and million.

I am glad to note that the war against corruption, which is one of the cardinal objectives of this administration, is being strengthened.

This is being done through the institutionalisation of operational procedures particularly as they form the building blocks of transparency and accountability in administration and public expenditure, he said.

Buhari commended EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, for efforts to further institutionalise the commission by developing 26 Standard Operating Procedures and 25 Policies and Manuals for the Departments, Units and Staff of the Commission.

He also appreciated the support of the Board, management and staff of the commission.

The President called on other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), especially law enforcement agencies, to also ensure the standardisation of their processes within the extant laws and regulations.

I need not underscore the importance of todays occasion but let me remind you that the stakes are high but national expectations are higher.

Therefore, we must continue to strive and deal decisively with matters in accordance with the rule of law, Buhari said.

He said government would continue to accord all necessary support to MDAs in order to ensure the sustainability of the initiatives already commenced in actualising the vision of a corruption-free society.

Let me conclude by saying that the fight against economic and financial crimes in Nigeria is a collective responsibility of all Nigerians if we are to make meaningful progress as a nation.

I invite you all to fight corruption in all its ramifications and join us to entrench good governance values and integrity within all our systems.

As I have often said, If we do not kill corruption, corruption will kill us as a nation, he said.

According to the President, the development of the standards demonstrates the commitment of this administration to the fight against corruption and the acceptance of transparency and willingness to be subjected to scrutiny.

This is a confirmation of national efforts against graft.

I understand from your remarks, Mr chairman, that these are the first collection of policy documents ever developed in the eighteen years of the Commissions existence.

These are indeed remarkable achievements and are very commendable, he said.

The President assured of a rules-based system in government business and the provision of the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

You may recall ladies and gentlemen, that since we came into power in 2015, we have consistently demonstrated the necessary political will to fight corruption.

We have ensured the operational independence of the anti-graft agencies, strengthened the legal framework, empowered the regulatory agencies and provided adequate funding to support the fight against corruption, he said.

The chairman of EFCC earlier said the agency was undergoing various phases of reforms, including the production of the manual, to reposition it for the task of fighting financial crimes in the country.

The chairman thanked Buhari and the National Assembly for the confidence reposed on his ability and competence to take over the leadership of the organisation.

Bawa said departments had been reorganised and upgraded, including intelligence gathering, training and the academic institutions, to meet the demands of the job.

He said that a software had been developed for operations, and a mobile app, The Evil Eye, deployed for ease of reporting economic and financial crimes.

He said the EFCC already had a five-year (2021-2025) strategic plan with clear and measurable targets, based on five objectives.

According to him, the objectives include improving public engagement to fight crimes, systems and processes for prevention, intelligence gathering, prosecution and law enforcement.

I will lead an agency that will be the pride of our country, Nigeria, he said.

Source: NAN News

By Martha Agas

Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has reassured of successful conduct of Saturdays National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

Buni, also Chairman, APC Caretaker/Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) said this shortly after an inspection visit to the convention venue in Abuja.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Press and Public Affairs to Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau, Dr Makut Macham on Friday in Jos.

Macham said that Buni lauded the convention venue/site committee headed by Lalong on the preparations made so far.

He expressed satisfaction with the level of preparations made so far, especially the venue, and all arrangements put in place for the convenience and safety of all delegates during the convention.

He said the progress made by the committee was a demonstration of the unity and zeal among members of the APC, toward a successful convention that would ensure a solid future for the party.

He also commended the commitment and synergy among various committees, for the success of the convention, he said.

Responding, Lalong assured that all facilities required to ensure smooth conduct of the Convention have been put in place.

He advised all delegates to adhere to all guidelines especially the seating arrangements at the venue, to ensure a hitch free convention.

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC) says there is over 1.6 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) available for nationwide distribution.

Malam Mele Kyari, NNPC Group Managing Director, made this known at the official unveiling of the Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products (ADITOP) in Abuja.

Kyari who was represented by Mr Adeyemi Adetunji, Group Executive Director, Downstream, NNPC, said NNPC as of today has 1.6 billion litres of PMS which is about 27 days sufficiency.

This is to assure Nigerians again that there is adequate supply of PMS and it is getting to all nooks and crannies of the country. We will continue to ensure that we facilitate the availability of PMS.

I appreciate all Nigerians for all the patience and cooperation as we get back to normalcy in terms of petroleum products distribution in the country.

After the challenge we had in January and the global environment for energy got worsened with the crisis in Ukraine and Russia, NNPC will do its best to alleviate the plight of Nigerians, he said.

He noted said that the company had been working with relevant stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to put palliatives and continue to ensure that there was free flow of PMS in all areas of the country.

We are working with the authority, we are working with the Nigerian Association of Transport Owners and Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), now we are going to work with ADITOP to ensure we create normalcy to the situation, he said.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, called on stakeholders in the industry to make petroleum products available for citizens.

Sylva who was represented by Mr Famous Asiegbu, Director Human Resources in the ministry, said the ministry would continue to offer the association the needed support.

Alhaji Lawan Dan-Zaki, President, ADITOP, said that the Petroleum Industry Act if implemented properly and selflessly, could serve as a standard for national resource management.

Nigeria has a wealth of natural resources with petroleum playing a major role in the economy.

Unfortunately, in the Nigerian economy, the distribution of petroleum products is plagued by complex issues resulting in product outages, inflated costs, and disagreements over the products pump price, Dan-Zaki said.

He said that ADITOP was poised toward working with all the key players in the industry to tackle the challenges.

In his goodwill message, Mr Chinedu Okoronkwo, President Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), said that the unveiling of the association was a new road map for the oil and gas industry.

Okoronkwo decried that prior to the coming up of ADITOP marketers had no association that could aggregate the activities of truck ownership.

We are in a season that we are losing members because those not in the business have hijacked our business.

With the collaboration with ADITOP, there will be no more strike where people will lock NNPC depot. All these excesses would be checked, Okoronkwo said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Ginika Okoye

United Capital Plc, a financial services group, says its board of directors has approved a total dividend of N9 billion for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2021.

A statement issued by the companys Chairman, Mr Chika Mordi on Friday in Abuja, said the dividend which translated to N1.50 for every 50k share was an increase of 114 per cent when compared with 70k paid in 2020.

He said that in spite of the macroeconomic pressure, the companys total revenue was up by 40 per cent year-on-year to N18.07 billion from N12.87 billion achieved in 2020.

Operating profit before tax grew to N12.12 billion in 2021, up by 53 per cent from N7.95 billion in 2020.

While profit before tax was up by 50 per cent to N11.92 billion signifying solid growth in the overall profitability of the Group.

In addition, the total assets of the Group rose by 104 per cent year-on-year to N453.60 billion by December 2021.

This was driven by significant growth in managed funds while shareholders funds was up by 25 per cent to N30.55 billion largely due to the significant growth in profit after tax, he said.

Commenting on the groups performance, the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Peter Ashade, said the company would focus on the transformation agenda.

He maintained this would be done by deepening value propositions to key market segments and exploit new market opportunities in 2022 business year.

Our stakeholders can be assured of our commitment to keep delivering an exceptional result, Ashade said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News