By Sylvester Thompson

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, on Tuesday called for investment in local production of bitumen for road construction as Nigeria spends too much on importation.

Onu said this at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Nigeria Building and Road Research Institutes (NBRRI), first virtual international conference in Abuja.

According to Onu, with the reduction in foreign exchange earnings as the prices of crude oil drop at international market, there is need to find alternative sources of bitumen.

He said this would also encourage the use of concrete in road construction.

Nigeria has one of the largest deposits of bitumen natural sands in the world and it covers four states of Edo, Ondo, Ogun and Lagos.

It is estimated that bitumen reserves cannot be less than 42 billion barrels, out of which 43 industrial chemicals including heavy crude petroleum, can be obtained, he said.

Onu urged that the private sector should be brought in to invest in local bitumen production, adding that all necessary incentives should be provided for this to happen.

We cannot have huge deposits of bitumen natural sands and yet continue to import bitumen from other countries.

This does not make sense and should not be allowed to continue, Onu said.

He noted that if people in bysiness, who currently import bitumen into the country would consider investing in local production, this would help to boost local bitumen demand in the country.

Earlier, Mr William Wadni, Chairman, Governing Board of NBRRI, in his welcome address, said that the Nigerian construction industry was one of the fastest growing in the world.

Wadni stressed that to maintain its impressive performance, it was imperative that the industry be repositioned to enable it compete with its contemporaries globally.

Dr Mohammed Abdullahi, Minister of State for Science and Technology, in his goodwill message, said it was impressive that the 2021 conference sought solution to eradication of waste in the building industry.

I hope this platform will sensitise professionals and experts in the industry on the opportunities offered by Presidential Executive Order 5 and support its full implementation, Abdullahi said.

Mr Edet Akpan, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, said the conference was apt and in line with global context.

When scientists and engineers are pulled together, the best will be achieved. A knowledge based economy is something all must be carried along, Akpan said.

The theme of the conference is: Circular Economy in the Building Environment for Enhanced Performance of the Nigerian Construction Industry.

Source: NAN News

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

FBN Holdings Plc shareholders on Tuesday endorsed a total dividend of N16.15 billion declared for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2020

The shareholders approved the dividend at the companys ninth Annual General Meeting held by proxy and monitored live on YouTube by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reports that the dividend translated to 45k per share, compared to 38k per share paid in the corresponding period of 2019.

The dividend declared would be payable on April 28 to eligible shareholders.

Speaking at the meeting, Founder, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr Sunny Nwosu, commended the company for the enhanced dividend declared for the 2020 financial year.

Nwosu applauded the directors, management and staff of the company for serving the shareholders diligently, in spite of the challenging operating environment and COVID-19 pandemic.

On unclaimed dividends and dormant accounts, he urged the Federal Government not to pursue policies that would discourage investors from investing in Nigeria.

Nwosu also enjoined registrars and company secretaries to map out strategies that would reduce the level of unclaimed dividends.

Also speaking, Mrs Bisi Bakare, National Coordinator, Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria, lauded the company for reducing Non Performing Loans (NPL) to 7.7 per cent from the 9.9 per cent posted in 2019.

Bakare said that the company had showed resilience in dividend payment and operational performance in spite of challenging times.

Mr Adebayo Adeleke, another shareholder, commended the board of directors and the management for the transformation recorded by the company.

Adeleke noted that the company had shown ability to contain cost and had been consistent in reducing the NPL.

Responding, Mr Urum Kalu Eke, the companys Group Managing Director, told shareholders that the company was well positioned to pay higher dividends in the years ahead.

We are well positioned to begin to pay higher dividends in the coming years.

We will not relent in our leadership position; it goes beyond creating structure, what we are doing now is to build synergy, platforms and collaborations.

We will continue to thrive to generate earnings and be in a position to pay dividend at a higher level.

We are committed to restore this group as the foremost, the biggest institution in Nigeria and Africa and it will happen, Eke said.

He said that the company was committed to progressive dividend every year, noting that it plugged back about N25 billion into the commercial bank subsidiary to boost its capacity.

He noted that the companys profit after tax of about N90 billion during the year under review was an indication that the turnaround embarked upon over three years ago had continued to transform the group.

For you to grow a loan book by 19.2 per cent in a challenged economy as we saw in 2020 is something that speaks to our faith and commitment to this economy.

For us to increase deposit by 22 per cent to N5 trillion says a lot about the trust and safety that we offer to the public, he stressed.

On NPL, Eke said that it would be reduced to a single digit within two to three years.

On unclaimed dividends and dormant accounts, he agreed that government must be careful in order not to discourage investments.

We need to build confidence into the system so that people that are bringing money will see confidence that their capital and funds are protected, Eke said.

He also assured the shareholders that the Finance Act stance on unclaimed dividends and dormant accounts had not commenced.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer, FirstBank Group, Dr Adesola Adeduntan said that the bank had built the largest agency banking in Nigeria with more than 100,000 agents.

Adeduntan said that the bank went into agency banking to assist government in financial inclusion.

We have created employment for at least 300,000 people thereby assisting government to address unemployment, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Igbaugba Ehigimetor

The French Government is to partner with the Benin monarchy for the repatriation of Benin artworks which were looted from the kingdom more than a century ago.

Mr Jerome Pasquier, France Ambassador to Nigeria, disclosed this when on Monday he led some officials of the French Embassy on a courtesy visit to the Oba of Benin.

Pasquier said that the French government was determined to eliminate all forms of discriminations and as well assist Africans in a dialogue to retrace their cultural heritage.

He also commended the Benin monarch for steps he had taken to curb the menace of human trafficking in the country and Edo in particular.

The French ambassador said that his country was committed to Omo NObas war against human trafficking.

We commend you for the effort you have put up to address the challenges of human trafficking and to assure you also that we are committed to the war against trafficking, he said.

On his part, the Benin monarch, Omo NOba Ewuare Ogidigan II, described the partnership as a panacea for eradicating vices in the society.

I also want to solicit the assistance of your government to revamp Nigerias dwindling economy through agro allied ventures, to engage the teeming youths from seeking greener pasture abroad, he stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Oba told the ambassador to implement the outcome of the proposed dialogue on African Cultural Heritage to achieve the set goals. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Alex Enebeli

The Enugu State Government says it has set aside loans for youths who want to engage in creative work in the state.

Mr Arinze Chilo-Offiah, Special Adviser to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on SME Development and Investment, made the disclosure in Enugu on Monday at an event to mark the 2021 World Intellectual Property Day organized by the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC).

The theme for the year is Intellectual Property (IP)and SMEs :Taking Your Idea to Market.

Chiloh -Offiah said the loan was operated under its Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Programme for the youth.

He commended NCC for finding it worthy to visit his agency and pledged to partner with them to enhance creativity in the state.

In her remarks, the NCC Director in Enugu State, Mrs Ngozi Okeke, reiterated its determination to ensure that peoples intellectual property are secured and protected in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commission visited Enugu State SMEs and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment for partnership.

Okeke said the event was to celebrate creativity, innovation and their impacts on peoples lives as well as promote better understanding of the intellectual property.

According to her, the commission would continue to promote a culture of respect for copyright while pursuing zero- tolerance of all form of piracy in the state.

She noted that the importance of SMEs in the society could not be overemphasised.

They are the backbone of national economies, live wires and provides goods and services to make our lives better.

They generate employment of over 50 per cent of the workforce and generate over 40 per cent of the national income, Okeke said.

The director explained that every business started with an idea which emanated from someone.

The idea is transformed into tangible assets which people use to satisfy needs.

The commission within its mandate provides protection for creative works from creation to the market and is committed to assist SMEs within its legal framework, she said.

Responding also, the Zonal Coordinator, South East, Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Cordelia Nwachukwu regretted the activities of pirates in the state and urged the commission to intensify its effort to reduce it.

We have database for people that want trademarks and we search to see if work they bring is not anothers work.

In abroad, they respect other peoples efforts but here is a different thing; it is stealing and sin before God.

Nwachukwu thanked the commission for their visit, describing the theme for the year as apt.

She urged the commission to ensure that authors rights were adequately protected to encourage more book writers.

The coordinator however, said the ministry would partner with the commission.

NAN reports that World Intellectual Day is an annual event celebrated every April 26.

It was established by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in 2000 to raise awareness on how patents, copyright and trademarks impact on lives and to celebrate creativity. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ekemini Ladejobi
Lilian Afegbai, a Nollywood actress and former Big Brother Naija housemate, says her relationship is off the social media to prevent unsolicited advice from strangers.

She explained that it was safer for her to keep her relationship private despite fans curiosity about what goes on in her life.

The screen diva said she wants a situation where her relationship drama can be settled privately without people interfering and making it hard to reconcile.

Lilian wrote on her instagram:

The beauty of keeping my relationship private is, when we fight na two of us know say we dey fight, when we settle na still two of us know. Its normal, but when too many people are involved, it makes it harder to even reconcile

Lilian who is also a movie producer, won the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for Indigenous movie of the Year for her production debut Bound in 2018. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji
Ambassador Designate of Nigeria to Qatar, Yakubu Ahmed, has expressed commitment to promote mutually beneficial economic interest and bilateral relations between Nigeria and the State of Qatar.

Ahmed made the pledge on Monday while presenting his Letters of Credence to Qatars Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Soltan Bin Saad Al-Muralkhi, at his office in Doha.

The Nigerian embassy in Qatar disclosed this in a statement made available to the media on Monday in Abuja.

Ahmed said Nigeria and Qatar already had strategic relations which he would further build on as Nigerias envoy, to be mutually beneficial to both countries.

He thanked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs for the warm reception accorded him upon his arrival in Doha, Qatar on the 15th of April.

Ahmed further reaffirmed the cordial relations existing between both countries.

Ahmed also expressed commitment to promote mutually beneficial economic interest in the discharge of his responsibilities.

Speaking, Al-Muralkhi at the brief ceremony welcomed the Nigerian Principal envoy to Qatar and assured him of cooperation and support towards a successful tour of duty.

The minister further described Nigeria as a very important country in Africa and the world at large, paying tribute to Nigerian Nationals occupying strategic positions at different international organisations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ahmed, one of the newly appointed Ambassador-Designate is the immediate past Director of Protocols, State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ethiopia registered 841 new Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally to 253,120 as of Monday evening, the countrys Ministry of Health said.

The ministry also reported 19 new deaths from the pandemic in a day, bringing the national death toll to 3,570.

A total of 750 patients have recovered from the disease, taking the national count of COVID-19 recoveries to 193,497.

Ethiopia, Africas second-most populous country has so far reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the East Africa region.

The country is also the fourth most COVID-19 affected country in Africa in terms of positive cases.

According to the ministry, Ethiopia currently has 56,051 COVID-19 patients with 990 of them in severe condition.

Ethiopia is supplying COVID-19 vaccines to its population after the country received its first batch of vaccines from COVAX, a WHO-led initiative aimed at providing more equitable access to vaccines for low- and middle-income countries.

The East African country had also received a batch of Chinas Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines that was donated by the Chinese government. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Uchenna Ugwu

The Cedro Royal Multiventures, Abuja has trained 400 grassroots cassava farmers in the use of Akilimo advisory tool for fertiliser recommendation and weed management.

The Lead team of the venture, Mr Fakunle Aremu, said this on Monday in Abakaliki during a training workshop on the use of the tool.

Aremu said the innovation was meant to increase cassava production.

He said the firm, together with Eleanya Empowerment Foundation Africa in the state, wanted cassava farmers to see cultivation as a business and more profitable.

Aremu described Akilimo as a digital service that provided tailored fertiliser recommendations to farmers and service providers.

He called on trained farmers to pass the knowledge to other farmers for sustainability and food security.

We plan to train 8 000 farmers but will train only 400 today.

We train and build capacity of farmers on best practices in sustainable agriculture.

We also link farmers groups with innovations, financial institutions and markets, Aremu said.

The Akilimo Promoters with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Mr James Ekele and

Mrs Josephine Fasakin, said the objective of the recommendation was to show farmers that cassava farming is business and more profitable.

Ekele, who is also a facilitator, described the project name as Africa Cassava Agronomy Initiative (ACAI).

We have developed tools that guide farmers on fertiliser recommendation, weed management and best planting practices.

The fertiliser tool recommends six uses, such as type, quality, how and when to apply fertiliser on cassava farming.

It also helps them for cost benefits if it is profitable to use fertiliser or not.

The weed management describes how best to prepare a farm and control weeds to achieve maximum yield, Ekele said

The Founder, Eleanya Foundation and Farmer, Mr Henry Agha, called on government at all levels to support farmers to achieve objectives of the innovation and ensure food security.

Mr Emma Oyim, farmer and Chairman, FADAMA in Afikpo-North Local Government Area, said he had been cultivating cassava out of ignorance.

I am privileged to acquire this new innovation to boost cassava production and hope the programme will be carried out to the grassroots for maximum yield, Oyim said.

The General Overseer, God Sent Salvation Strong Tower Mission, Mr John Echem, said that governments support on funding would increase productivity of cassava.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop featured lecture in fertiliser recommendation and weed management. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Solomon Oladipupo

The Nigerian Army has pledged to protect all orientation camps and corps lodges of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the South-East amidst current insecurity in the zone.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 82 Division of the Nigeria Army in Enugu State, Maj. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, gave the assurance in Enugu on Monday when the Director of the South East Area Office of NYSC, Mrs Ngozi Nwatarali, visited him.

Lagbaja requested that NYSC State Coordinators in the South-East should update and compile addresses of all Corps lodges in the region and liaise with the various Brigade Commanders for effective security strategy.

The GOC observed that the security challenge in the South East was still at the lowest spectrum of insurgency.

He further noted that criminal elements were attacking national assets at the moment and that the condition might degenerate to kidnapping if not nipped in the bud.

However, the military commander assured the NYSC management that they were working assiduously to ensure the security of corps members at all times.

He equally promised to post more armed military personnel to protect the camps and to ensure synergy between NYSC and the Nigerian Army in the South-East.

On her part, Nwatarali called on the GOC to join hands with other security agencies to achieve the goal of effective security of corps members and NYSC orientation camps.

The regional director also prayed for an urgent and timely response by security personnel in case of any threat to lives of corps members. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Francisca Oluyole
Prof. Benjamin Adewuyi of the Federal University of Technology Akure has advised the Federal Government to resuscitate Ajaokuta steel company in order to serve as a catalyst for economic growth.

Adewuyi of the Department of Metallurgical Engineering of the institution, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, Ajaokuta steel is a national asset that should be given adequate attention to ensure it played it part in the Nations economy.

He said that no country would record economic growth without a viable metallurgical sector put in place, adding that Nigeria should revive its moribund metal sector.

The company is stagnant; we spoke with the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, few weeks ago and he said that the Russia team that will take audit of the company will soon arrive in Nigeria, he said.

NAN recalls that the accord to revive Ajaokuta steel company was reached during a meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and President Vladimir Putin in Russia in 2019.

The Russian government had nominated TYAZHPROMEXPORT (TPE), a Russian company, the original builder of Ajaokuta steel to conduct technical audit of the steel company to ascertain the level of work to be completed.

On Delta Steel in Aladja, he said that it would take political will to correct the mistake made on the company at its initial concession to an Indian company.

He said that nothing had changed about Delta steel since the administration of late Umar Yaadua retrieved Delta steel from the Indian company called Global Infrastructure (Nigeria) Ltd.(NAN)

Source: NAN News