The United Nations has warned that the already dire hunger crisis in Yemen is teetering on the edge of outright catastrophe.

The humanitarian situation in the country is poised to get even worse from June to December 2022, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said on Monday.

The agency estimated that a record 19 million people would likely be unable to meet minimum food needs in that period.

According to a forecast, 2.2 million children are also at risk of malnutrition, while 161,000 people, a five-fold increase from the current 31,000 are to be at risk of starvation in the second half of the year.

These harrowing figures confirm that we are on a countdown to catastrophe in Yemen and we are almost out of time to avoid it, said David Beasley the Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP).

Unless we receive substantial new funding immediately, mass starvation and famine will follow, Beasley added.

Yemen had been roiled by a devastating power struggle between the government and the Houthi rebels, who seized the capital Sanaa and other areas since late 2014.

The conflict remains the primary driver of hunger in the country, the UN said.

The war in Ukraine might have significant impact on imports, which would further increase food prices.

According to UN, Yemen is almost entirely dependent on imports and 30 per cent of wheat imports come from Ukraine.

Source: NAN News

By Taiye Agbaje

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday directed two aggrieved directors of Green Energy International Limited and its Chairman, Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe, to explore out-of-court settlement on the matter brought before it.

Justice Bolaji Olajuwon gave the directive shortly after the resumed hearing on the matter.

The directive came as the directors demanded that the shares alleged to have been illegally allotted to Adegbulugbe, Olusegun Ilori, Glorybright Investment Limited and Grand Energy Limited be offered to the original shareholders.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the directors, Dr Bunu Alibe and Mr Ayodele Olojede, have locked horns in a legal battle with Adegbulugbe over the ownership of the oil and gas company.

NAN reports that while Alibe and Olojede are the petitioners in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1390/2020, Green Energy International Limited is the respondent.

When the matter was called, counsel to the respondent, Bembella Anichebe, SAN, informed the court that he filed a motion by notice of withdrawal on March 3.

The said motion by notice of withdrawal supercedes the earlier motion. The processes have been filed and we are ready to proceed, he said.

Olajuwon then asked Anichebe what the development was after her advice on the last adjourned date that the parties should work toward reconciliation.

She said on Thursday, Vincent Ohor, who held the brief of Etigwe Uwa, SAN, counsel to the two directors, told the court that the first peace move broke down because what was offered to Alibe and Olojede was unacceptable.

The judge recalled telling Ohor to tell his clients to open up on the terms of settlement they wanted.

Olajuwon asked Anichebe if there had been any headway since the last adjourned date.

The senior lawyer said that he spoke with Uwa, counsel to the directors, on telephone with a view to meeting and reviewing the earlier meeting held.

NAN reports that Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, who was presiding before she was transfered to Calabar Division of the court, had given the parties the leave to explore reconciliation option.

Anichebe told the court that he and Uwa could not meet physically and only spoke on phone on the matter.

Responding, Uwa confirmed that the two counsel spoke on telephone after the last sitting.

It is also correct that we tried to meet but when I called the learned silk, he was in a meeting, he said.

He said though they had planned to meet last week, he could not come to court.

If I had come to court, we would have spoken. And now, we could not meet till the proceeding began, he said.

Uwa, however, restated the commitment of his clients to settling the issue.

He said being oil assets involved in the matter, the figure the other party offered to give his clients was almost two per cent which he considered too low.

So to that extent. it is not my attitude to fight unnecessarily.

The only reason we could not settle last time was that the valuation they came with was so low, he said

Uwa, who said since the case was an oil-related matter, there are specific laws that guide the sector and called for independent valuers to do an evaluation.

He said in order to explore the opportunity given by the court, todays proceeding should be put off.

The judge, who said that he would give the parties the last chance to explore out-of-court settlement, fixed March 23 for report of settlement.

Meanwhile, the two aggrieved directors have asked Adegbulugbe to give the shares he was alleged to have illegally acquired to the original owners.

Alibe and Olojede made the call in a defendants counterclaim in support of the amended statement of defence filed before Olajuwon.

The application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1390/2020 was filed by their lawyer.

NAN reports that while the company is the plaintiff/1st defendant to counterclaim, Alibe and Olojede are 1st and 2nd defendants/counter claimants respectively.

In the application, they joined Adegbulugbe, Ms Orowole Ebenezer, Mr Olusegun Ilori, Global Bright Investment Ltd, Grand Energy Ltd and Mr Kayode Adegbulugbe as 2nd to 7th defendants to counter claim, and asked the court to summon them as third party.

Alibe and Olojede averred that Adegbulugbe (2nd defendant to counterclaim) is the current Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company (plaintiff) who joined the firms board in 2014 after resigning his position in government.

The 3rd 7th defendants to counterclaim were at different times purportedly allocated various shares in the plaintiff/1st defendant to counterclaim, they said.

The directors said after the dispute between them and Adegbulugbe arose, they instructed their lawyers to conduct a comprehensive search at the Corporate Affairs Commission to determine the state of affairs in respect of the company.

That search disclosed that 2nd Defendant to Counterclaim(Adegbulugbe) has been using several fronts and sometimes nonexistent persons to acquire the shares of the plaintiff in the most unlawful and or fraudulent manner and in breach of the memorandum and articles of association of the plaintiff/1st defendant to counterclaim.

Professor Adegbulugbe unilaterally caused 6,000,000 shares of the plaintiff to be allotted to one Oluwakayode A. Dotun who is a nonexistent

Professor Adegbulugbe always forged a signature purporting to be that of the said Oluwakayode A. Dotun for the purpose of signing relevant corporate documents.

The said Oluwakayode A, Dotun on 15th January, 2014 purported to relinquish the said 6,000,000 shares back to the plaintiff.

Two other persons to whom Professor Adegbulugbe had allotted shares viz Olorunfemi I. Blessing (Mrs.) and Elijah Adepoju also relinquished 3,000,000 shares and 600,000 shares in the plaintiff back to the plaintiff on the same day.

These relinquished shares were illegally allotted to Professor Adegbulugbe and his family members including some companies controlled by him, they said.

The directors alleged that Oluwakayode A. Dotun is a fictitious nonexistent person and a fake drivers licence was forged for him and the said drivers license bears the photograph of the brother of Professor Adegbulugbe.

The purported signature of the said Oluwakayode A. Dotun is exactly the same as Professor Adegbulugbes handwriting.

The said Oluwakayode A. Dotun has never provided any service to the plaintiff and has never paid any amount for the shares illegally allotted to him by Professor Adegbulugbe.

Through this fraudulent or illegal or unlawful scheme, Professor Adegbulugbe acquired 9,600,000 in the plaintiff at a time when its total allotted shares was approximately 21,000,000, they averred.

They alleged that Ms. Orowole Ebenezer, Mr Olusegun Ilori, Glory Bright Investment Limited and Grand Energy Limited, were allotted shares through Adegbulugbes manipulation, had neither provided any service to the company in return for the shares allotted to them nor did they pay for the original shares allotted to them.

Alibe and Olojede, therefore, prayed the court to declare that all the shares allotted to and currently held by Adegbulugbe, Mr. Segun Ilori, Glory Bright Investment Limited Grand Energy Limited were illegally allotted and acquired and the said allotments are unlawful, null and void.

An order setting aside the allotment and ownership of the following shares in the plaintiff viz:

(a) 16,666,666 shares allotted to and currently held by Prof Adegbulugbe.

(b) 8,250,000 shares allotted to and currently held by Mr. Olusegun llori

(c) 5,000,000 shares allotted to and currently held by Glorybright Investment Limited.

(d) 1,666,000 share allotted to and currently held by Grand Energy Limited.

A DECLARATION that all the said shares listed subparagraph (ii) above are available for allotment and may be allotted only by first offering them to the remaining existing shareholders in the proportion of their current shareholding s0 that the said shares would be allotted in the following manner:

(a) Ayo Olojede 8, 250,000 shares

(@b) Bunu Alibe 5, 500,000 shares

() Chief David Serena Dokubu-Spiff 5,500,000 shares

(d) Miss Nnennaya Anya 4,166,666 shares

A declaration that the shares held by Ms. Orowole Ebenezer and held by her in trust for all the existing shareholders of the plaintiff apart from Prof. Adegbulugbe; Mr Olusegun Ilori, Glorybright Investment Limited and Grand Energy Limited.

An order for account to be rendered by Professor Adegbulugbe and Kayode Adegbulugbe of all the income and expenditure of the plaintiff and for them to pay over to the existing shareholders of the plaintiff as dividend such amount as is found to be the profit from the business since inception in the proportion of their shareholding.

An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants to the counterclaim from continuing to run the affairs of the plaintiff and from interfering in the operations management and control of the plaintiff.

An order directing the following remaining valid shareholders of the plaintiff to call a General Meeting within 7 days after judgment in this suit is delivered for the purpose of determining how the business of the plaintiff would be conducted going forward, they prayed. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ikenna Osuoha

With the lingering fuel scarcity in Abuja and other Nigerian major cities, Initiative for Leadership Development and Change (ILDC), has commended Nigerians for their patience and endurance.

Chief Ugochukwu Nnam, National Coordinator of the group gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

Nnam who saluted Nigerians for their endurance in spite of the trying times, urged them to continue to be law abiding.

I commend Nigerians for their endurance in spite of the fuel scarcity.

They should continue to believe in Nigeria, as they queue for the fuel, it is important they be orderly and peaceful about it, no one should oppress the other, he advised.

The ILDC Coordinator, however, urged Nigerian government to urgently address the situation for a respite to people.

According to him, government ought to do the needful in order to sustain the peoples confidence by making fuel available.

Nnam expressed hope that Nigeria would overcome the challenge with collaborative effort of relevant stakeholders.

He reiterated the commitment of his initiative in ensuring government that continues to be accountable where necessary for the delivery of good governance.

NAN reports that there has been lingering scarcity of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) in the past weeks in Nigeria especially Abuja and other major cities.

Source: NAN News

By Vivian Emoni

Mr Umar Garba, Field Officer, National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Jigawa has expressed worry over the vandalism and theft of facilities by communities in Jigawa.

Garba made the expression during an assessment of field investment by the agency in Jigawa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agency visited Birniwa, Makoda and Kirkasama, Local Government Areas for the fieldassessment

NAN reports that Nigeria is one of the pioneer communities of the Great Green Wall initiative facing challenges of land degradation, desertification, climate change among others and has 11 frontline states affected.

Garba said that the vandalism was negatively affecting the effort of the NAGGW, thereby, increasing more challenges and delay in the delivery of service.

According to him, some of the people from the community vandalise our facilities and this is causing a lot of challenges to us.

Sometimes their animals will destroy our facilities, the trees we planted, when they are about coming up, the animals will destroy the wire we use to protect the areas and damage our property.

This situation is actually affecting our effort, we have forest guards who are supposed to guard the environment, but they cant sleep in the forest.

I believed the unknown people and even the owners of those animals that destroy our facilities target them when our guards are not around the area.

My advice to the communities is to work with the agency, because the property belongs to them, they should support the officials to fight against this negative act, so that they can as well enjoy their property, he said.

Garba said that the communitys failure to accept governments project was another challenge facing the agency because the people felt that the government wanted to claim the land from them.

According to him, because they believe that the land belongs to them, some of them will not want to release their land for any project.

But some of them welcome our plan and embrace our project. Those ones release their lands and even join us to do the work.

We keep telling the communities how the projects will help them and we will continue doing our sensitisation to ensure we enlighten them.

Garba said that the agency established about 27 kilometers of shelter belts in 2017, 65 kilometers in 2020 and about 60 kilometers were established in 2021.

He said that the agency also executed 50 kilometers of orchard in 2020, adding that for woodlots, indigenous tree species and acacia Senegal has about 50 hectares each.

The officer said that the agency constructed a tube well, powered by a solar energy panel, adding that the well was functioning well.

The only challenge we are having about the tube well is that when sun is not bright, it will affect the pumping of the water but as soon as the weather is bright, it works very well, he said

Garba, however, advised the people in the community to embrace the projects for its sustainability. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Edith Nwapi

An FCT High Court, Maitama will on Tuesday hear a motion on alleged election fraud brought against the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Emmanuel Ogbeche of its FCT council.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Complainant/Claimant, Donald Ugwu, is challenging Ogbeches eligibility and clearance to contest the Abuja council poll.

The court, presided over by Justice Chizoa Orji, had on Feb. 1, ordered the defendants to appear on Tuesday, March 15, in an originating summons filed by Mr Michael Okorie, Counsel for Ugwu.

Okorie in the motion challenged the eligibility and clearance of the second defendant (Ogbeche) by the Credentials Committee set up by the first defendant (Trustees of NUJ).

He alleged that the exercise was carried out in violation of the extant NUJ Constitution.

Ugwu, an Assistant Editor-in-Chief in NAN, is urging the court to nullify Ogbeches clearance and declare him the sole candidate for the Dec. 4, 2021 council election.

He also prayed the court to grant an order nullifying Ogbeches purported screening and clearance by the credentials committee inaugurated by NUJ, contrary to the provisions of Articles 1, 5, and 6 of the NUJ Constitution.

He further prayed for an order disqualifying Ogbeche from contesting any elective position in the said election.

He asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, agents, privies or others from recognising Ogbeche as a candidate in the election.

Other reliefs sought included a declaration: That the check-off dues of the second defendant, having not been deducted at source, paid or remitted by his employer from his monthly salary as provided in Articles 4 (1a) and 2 (a) of the NUJ Constitution, the second defendant was not in good financial standing of the union.

That the second defendant, not being in good financial standing in check off dues, was not qualified as a candidate for the office of chairman of NUJ, FCT Council.

That the screening and clearance of the second defendant by the credentials committee inaugurated by the first defendant contrary to Articles 1 (a), 5 (9) (a-f) and 6 (7) a, b and e of the NUJ constitution was unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void.

The plaintiff averred that he had followed due process as required by the NUJ Constitution and the timetable by raising objections to Ogbeches candidacy, which were disregarded and unattended to by the credentials committee.

Ugwu averred that the members of the credentials committee were sympathetic to Ogbeche and continuously protected his interest against that of the members of the union.

He further averred that the NUJ Constitution did not provide waiver of the criteria for the qualification of any candidate seeking elective office.

I know that as a fact that recognising the candidacy of the second defendant without meeting up the mandatory requirement of the union will work hardship on the sanctity and supremacy of the constitution of the union.

We posit that to do otherwise by the honourable court is to give effect and endorsement to the rule of impunity other than rule of law, Ugwu argued.

He, therefore, urged the court to up the integrity of the union by giving a literal and natural interpretation of the goodwill of the members of the union in the overall interest of justice. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Sandra Umeh

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has commenced a forum for legal practitioners in the Diaspora to serve as a link to express their thoughts on legal issues.

The association made this known in a statement in Lagos on Sunday and signed by the NBA National Publicity Secretary, Dr Rapulu Nduka.

Nduka said the forum was set up in line with innovations in the amended constitution of the Bar.

He recalled that one of the innovations in the recently amended NBA Constitution 2021, was the establishment of a Lawyers in the Diaspora Forum (LDF).

The forum is to serve as a platform to connect and provide a voice for all persons qualified to practice law in Nigeria, but resident outside Nigeria.

This forum will also serve as a structured platform through which all lawyers in the diaspora may contribute their quota individually and collectively to the development of the Nigerian Bar, the legal system, and the practice of law in Nigeria, Nduka said.

He said that to join thr forum, a prospective member must be qualified to practise law in Nigeria; belong to a branch of the NBA; pay his Bar practice fees, and be resident outside Nigeria.

Anyone who meets these requirements is urged to complete the form at https://forms.gle/FduB6ACviQCRcYz76, Nduka said.

According to him, the personal data provided will be used to maintain a central register for NBA lawyers in the Diaspora and to communicate directly with them on matters relating to the NBA, or the forum. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Suleiman Shehu

The Founder of One Family, Satguru Maharaj Ji, has advocated 60 years imprisonment without an option of fine, for anyone found guilty of spreading fake news in Nigeria.

Maharaj Ji said at a news conference on Sunday in Ibadan that misinformation was currently having serious negative impact on the country and its citizens.

The founder said that imprisonment of 60 years without an option of fine for any offender of fake news would deter others that want to engage in such act to think twice before venturing into it.

He said fake news should be seen as something not good that needs urgent attention and concerted effort a to chase out those involved for the betterment of the country.

The founder of One Family, then called on the National Assembly to urgently pass a Bill criminalising fake news in Nigeria for the good of the country.

He said: The National Assembly must act fast as fake news is having a negative effect in all facets of our lives in Nigeria.

Misinformation should be taken seriously in this country.

Imaging you have accused someone of something and tarnish such persons image and at the end of the day we find out that such is not true.

Mahaj Ji further called on Nigerian leaders to always remember that they were in positions for the common good of all Nigerians and not for their personal gains.

He urged them to take care of youths for peace, progress and development of the country.

The self-acclaimed Perfect Master also called for adequate funding of the judiciary and make it to be truely independent.

Maharaj Ji called for the enforcement of the law banning phonograph and medical tourism, saying that the immunity of the governors should also be removed. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Constance Imasuen

The Electricity Power Generation Companies (GenCos) have called on stakeholders in the power sector to come together to resolve the current erratic supply instead of blame game.

Mrs Joy Ogaji, the Executive Secretary, Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) said this at a news conference in Abuja on Sunday.

Ogaji said to ensure electricity sustainability in the country, stakeholders in the sector must address the root causes of the current erratic power supply and not the symptoms.

Let us fix the power sector, instead of the blame game. We want to sit with government and look at the issues and come up with solutions that will improve electricity supply.

As a matter of urgency, we want to have a sit-down with government, if we want sustainability of power in the market.

We are also calling on the various agencies in the power sector to call the GenCos to a room, we are tired of crying on the pages of newspapers before we can be heard she said.

According to Ogaji, the current state of the national grid must be addressed in order to stop denying Nigerians their legitimate expectation of unhindered and reliable electricity supply.

She also disclosed that the poor management of the grid had affected the performance of the GenCos and damaged some units of their infrastructure.

Specifically, she said they engaged the services of an expert the previous year to look into the problem and the expert discovered that the machines were not operating optimally.

Ogaji said GenCos could generate 8000 megawatts 9000 Megawatts of electricity if the power sector could get things right.

The Executive Secretary also disclosed that load rejection had been a major problem affecting their performance.

As at now we are generating an average of 4000MW and above , we hope to generate more, she said

Ogaji said that GenCos had consistently demonstrated their commitment to Nigeria, Nigerians, and the power sector.

We have continued to make huge sacrifices and bear inestimable losses in our bid to see to a virile and thriving power sector that will benefit all and sundry.

We reaffirm our commitment to work with all stakeholders to fix the power sector. If we get the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry right, we will get the Nigerian economy right, she said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Franca Ofili

Mr Jake Epelle, Founder of the Albino Foundation, has appealed to Nigerians and Africans to stop killing people living with albinism for ritual proposes.

Epelle made the appeal when he featured on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum special interview programme on Sunday in Abuja.

He said when the news broke that there were rituals coming out of all African countries, Tanzania and all that; not only is it true, I have seen it with my eyes.

According to him, the country has witnessed its share of cases of persons living with
albinism being killed for ritual proposes.

He said that in April 2014, he was almost a victim but was able to escape from the driver who tried to take him to an unknown destination.

These are issues that surround albinism that have not been touched, he said.

Epelle added that the foundation had also done a lot to ensure the protection of persons with disabilities in the country, including seeking hotlines from the police.

He said I have gone to police to ask for hotlines where my members can call or encourage our members to report cases that we have to follow up.

The Disability Rights Fund had once given us money with which we trained persons with albinism on how to protect their rights, how to promote their rights and how to prosecute those who violate their rights.

He said that the Albino Foundation had inaugurated the albinism champion and compiled handbooks in different languages to correct some of the myths and superstitions about albinism.

Epelle, therefore, appealed to the public to accord persons living with disability compassion and fair treatment to enable them to live their lives without fear of being violated (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Ephraims Sheyin

Mr Emmanuel Jime, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), has emphasised the need for the support of the media in the efforts to reposition the maritime industry to meet set targets.

We must build a robust partnership with the media. It is very crucial to our success in the maritime industry as government looks more toward diversifying and broadening Nigerias economic horizon, Jime said.

He spoke at the weekend when he received a delegation of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who paid him a courtesy call.

Jime said that the maritime industry was going through various reforms and implementing new strategies toward easing the time, cost and environment of doing business.

Such efforts require the buy-in of all stakeholders and the general public.

People living in the areas where the activities are undertaken also need to be carried along. We cannot do this without working with the media, he said.

Jime particularly lauded the shippers councils partnership with NAN over the years, saying that the maritime outfit had benefitted immensely from that partnership.

We shall continue to build on that rewarding relationship with NAN.

Aside covering our activities effectively, NAN remains the most credible source of news in the country and even the whole world.

Anything I read from NAN, I just believe it is the gospel truth. NAN cannot lie. Their editors are always meticulous and strive to balance every information before publishing it.

In an era where fake news is common, NAN has kept its head high and distinguished itself as freshly different. We shall continue to identify and work with NAN to propagate our activities, he said.

Jime said that the NSC shall continue to crave NANs friendship as it curries support of all concerned toward achieving its mandate of protecting players and regulating activities of the maritime industry.

We try to regulate the cost of doing business. We also try to regulate local shipping charges and also ensure quality service delivery.

We have worked out the port process manual and will strive to ensure that the ports sector is working as required. We shall need the media to play its role so that, together, we can shore up economic growth.

Jime also spoke on the status of the many dry ports across the country and expressed the hope that they would soon be completed and put to use.

Our goal is to make Nigeria the maritime hub of Africa. To do that, our sea ports must be in good shape. Lekki Deep Seaport will soon come on stream and give us a massive boost.

All of these efforts must be supported by everyone and the medias role can never be over emphasised, he said.

Earlier, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Head of Lagos Operations and leader of the NAN delegation, had called for closer working relationship with the NSC toward broadening Nigerias economic horizon.

He said that the NSC was very crucial to the nations quest to diversify its economy, noting that an efficient maritime industry would shore up economic growth and reduce dependence on oil revenues.

Sheyin noted that the Federal Government had continued to invest heavily in the maritime industry, hence the need to keep Nigerians abreast on developments in that critical sector.

As elections draw nearer, Nigerians will be anxious to hear what government has achieved in all sectors. One sector many are concerned about is the maritime industry.

NAN is prepared to publicise the achievements and challenges of the sector so as to answer those questions and assure Nigerians that government is working.

As a federal government agency, we need to highlight governments efforts. The ultimate goal is to form a partnership that will benefit Nigeria and Nigerians.

In NAN, we believe that such synergy is necessary to promote the quest to develop alternative revenue sources, create jobs and widen our economic frontiers, he said.

Also in the NAN team were Mr Abdulfatai Babatunde, Head, Lagos Newsroom, and Mr Wale Ojetimi, Head, Metro Desk. (NAN)

Source: NAN News