By George Odok
A Nigerian Industrialist and Chief Executive Officer of KAM Holdings, Dr Kamaru Yusuf, has performed the ground breaking ceremony of the Open and Distance Learning Centre in the University of Calabar.

At the ceremony on Saturday in Calabar, Yusuf said that the gesture was part of his contribution to the development of education as well as the university community.

According to him, the building will also serve as his Corporate Social Responsibility to the University.

Yusuf was conferred with an honorary degree in Business Management by the university at its 34th convocation ceremony of the institution.

The objective of KAM Holdings is to build our youths in the area of learning, science and technology, he said.

Speaking earlier, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Florence Obi, said that the Centre would further drive academic excellence in the University.

When we met Dr Yusuf, we presented our challenges to him that we want to start Open and Distance Learning Centre.

The centre will open access to education to many more Nigerians who do not have the opportunity to come and do face to face contact in the University.

In order to meet the benchmark of the National University Commission, you must have a stand-alone building labelled as Open and Distance Learning Centre for the Commission to accredit the programme for learning.

It is my pleasure to have this great Nigerian industrialist in our University today for this ground breaking ceremony and for partnering with us in our development strides, she said.

Source: NAN News

By Harrison Arubu
The U.S. Department of State has delivered a subtle warning to would-be irregular migrants from Africa, who may be drawing inspiration from the crisis at the countrys southern border.

A spokesperson of the department, Mr Jalina Porter, who gave the warning, on Friday, said anyone seeking to enter the U.S. should do so through legal pathways.

The Biden administration certainly prioritises responsible and safe migration practices, and this doesnt preclude anyone, whether youre in the Northern Triangle or Central America or whether you are from Africa.

So, we say to those in Africa who are looking at whats going on along the border that the border is and always has been closed to irregular migration.

Anyone seeking to come to the U.S. should seek to do so via legal pathways, she told reporters at a news briefing.

Porter was responding to a question on whether there would be consideration for asylum seekers from Africa in President Joe Biden administrations proposed immigration reforms.

A part of the question centred on irregular African immigrants already in the U.S. watching the situation at the southern border and hoping to get some relief.

The Biden administration is currently grappling with an influx of illegal migrants, mostly from Mexico, at the southern border.

Reports say an average of 5,000 unauthorised migrants are crossing into the country though that route every day, posing a huge logistical and humanitarian challenge to the new administration.

U.S. authorities are reportedly allowing about half of the migrants to stay in the country and seek asylum.

After taking office in January, Biden reversed a policy by his predecessor, Donald Trump, of turning back unaccompanied children.

Now, the government processes them and places them with sponsoring families in the U.S., according to the BBC.

Critics are blaming these new policies for the surge in illegal migration, the BBC reported.

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Lawal
The Kebbi State Government in collaboration with Word Bank will expend 43 million dollars to build six modern markets and construction of rural roads across the state.

Alhaji Abdullahi Maigari, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, disclosed this to Newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the construction work is under the Kebbi State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (Kebbi RAMP) six years project.

Maigari said the modern markets, to be erected in different parts of the state, would consist of shops, storage facilities, wire houses and toilets among others.

He said the markets would be sited in Gunki in Argungu Local Government, Bunza in Bunza LG, Zuru in Zuru LG, Yauri in Yauri LG, Samanaji in Koko-Bese LG and Dodoru in Gwandu LG.

The commissioner said: This is to inform our people that the implementation of Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Programme (RAMP) has now come to full swing in Kebbi State.

This is achieved in the state largely due to the commitment and dogedness of His Excellency, the Governor of Kebbi State, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

According to him, the state government had fulfilled all conditions for the implementation of the programme in Kebbi.

To this effect, the rehabilitation and improvement of 225 kilometers of rural roads distributed across the state will be done as first phase and within two years of commencement of this programme.

This will be from the 450 kilometers of rural roads already earmarked, he noted.

Maigari added that there would also be other road construction work in the state consisting of routine maintenance of about 700 kilometres cutting across all the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.

The commissioner assured that dilapidated roads would also be repaired, regraded, filled with quality laterite materials and construction of culverts and river crossing drainage structure.

This work will cover reconstruction and construction of new culverts for connectivity to farmlands and markets, rehabilitation of 200 kilometers of some selected roads across the state and upgrade of 125 kilometers of road from laterite road to asphalt road, he said.

Source: NAN News

By Philip Yatai
The OCP Africa Fertiliser Nigeria Ltd. on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three research institutes in Nigeria to solve soil fertility problems and boost wheat production.

The MoU was signed at the Inception Workshop organised by OCP Africa to inaugurate the Soil Mapping and Fertility Evaluation for Formulation and Validation of Wheat Specific Fertilizer in Nigeria project.

Mr Caleb Usoh, OCP Africa Nigeria Deputy Managing Director and Country Manager, said at the event in Kaduna, that the project would address the problem of soil and its effect on wheat production.

Usoh, who was represented by the organisations Business Development Manager, Nigeria, Mr Akintunde Akinwande, said that OCP Africa had signed a similar MoU with the Nigeria Institute of Soil Science.

Today, we are here to sign another MoU with three prominent research institutions in the country to collectively proffer solutions to soil fertility vis--vis wheat production.

We are partnering with Lake Chad Research Institute, Maiduguri, with a mandate to improve wheat production in Nigeria and the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR

By Bukola Adewumi
The United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) and Global Environmental Facility(GEF) have resolved to improve food security in the country.

Ms Rhoda Dia, Project Manager Resilient Food Security Project, said this on Saturday in Abuja while inaugurating the executive members of the newly formed Gender Sensitive Advocacy Network to foster food security.

The inauguration followed a two-day national workshop for establishment of national level multi-stakeholders gender sensitive platform.

Dia called on the new executives to ensure that they achieve the nations food productivity goal.

She appealed to them to work wholeheartedly to improve livelihoods of the most vulnerable women, youths and people living with disabilities towards giving agriculture a voice.

She said that UNDP-GEF had worked with various organisations both at the local and national levels, adding that it was willing to work with the executives to enhance agricultural productivity and food value chains across Nigeria.

According to her, UNDP-GEF believes that no country can develop without empowering women and protecting their rights to save lives and rebuild livelihood.

Hajia Salamatu Garba, the newly elected president and founder, Women Farmers Advanced Network (WOFAN) commended UNDP-GEF for the initiative.

She promised to ensure that gender related matters in agriculture were well taken care of to achieve adequate food security.

She also promised to work with other stakeholders and partners to ensure the plight of women, youths regarding agriculture in the country were addressed.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that nine members were elected and inaugurated into different positions at the event.

Source: NAN News

By Joshua Olomu
Dr Akinwumi Adesina, 2017 winner of the World Food Prize and current President of African Development Bank, alongside other World Food Prize laureates, have called for United States intervention to end global hunger by 2030.

In an open letter to President Joe Biden, a group of 24 scientists, economists, researchers and past winners of the World Food Prize, including Adesina, described Americas role in tackling the scourge of global hunger as foundational.

They, therefore, urged President Biden to re-establish Americas global leadership to end hunger, play a leadership role in the upcoming UN Food Systems Summit and other global initiatives.

The World Food Prize laureates urged Biden to refresh US evidenced-based policy and investments to achieve the goal of ending hunger.

They added that he should expand the highly successful USAID Feed the Future Initiative and Innovation Laboratories, to reach more countries.

As the world staggers out of COVID-19 and into the light of 2021, we seek to illuminate our collective path towards 2030.

We urge the Biden-Harris Administration to focus on the promise to Build Back Better in transforming our food systems.

The United States leadership in ending global hunger is imperative and must be backed by bold actions and your personal commitment for the U.S. to engage on major global initiatives.

The opportunity for renewed U.S. leadership to transform food systems has never been greater. The appetite of partners around the world to work with the U.S in both the public and private sectors is strong.

We urge the Biden-Harris Administration to seize this moment and invest in development and cooperation to achieve zero hunger by 2030.

Americas leadership on getting food systems right will inspire and embolden others to join forces to end hunger, counter climate change, generate jobs, and promote responsible stewardship of the environment.

Supporting economic growth globally leads to increased trade for American entities, increases stability in conflict areas, builds bonds of solidarity and trust that are the bedrock of diplomacy, and alleviates the suffering of the most vulnerable.

These outcomes reflect long-held, treasured American values and offer opportunities to realize global aspirations. the letter reads.

The World Food Prize laureates recalled that in 2009 post-financial crisis and as a result of the LAquila Declaration, the U.S. announced the .5 billion Feed the Future Initiative with bipartisan support.

They noted that the initiative helped to reverse decades-long declines in funding for food and agriculture, around the world, which also prompted collective global investments of billion and triggered progress for hundreds of millions.

They cited a recent Ceres2030 report that says the world could end global hunger by 2030 with an extra annual investment of billion, a small fraction of the worlds COVID mitigation investment.

The World Food Prize was created by Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Norman Borlaug, in 1986 to recognize scientists and others who had improved the quality and availability of food.

The sum of ,000 prize is awarded annually by the Des Moines, Iowa-based World Food Prize Foundation, which receives support from more than 80 companies, foundations and individuals.

In 2017, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, current President of the African Development Bank Group and Nigerias former Minister of Agriculture, won the World Food Prize.

For millions of poor people around the world, the risk of dying from hunger is greater than dying from COVID-19.

Without food, medicines dont work. Food and nutrition are the vaccines against hunger. Lets vaccinate the world against hunger, Adesina said.

Source: NAN News

By Philip Yatai
The Nigerian Breweries Plc (NB) has received the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) 2020 Highest Taxpayer, Pay-As-You-Earn Award.

The Executive Chairman, KADIRS, Dr Zaid Abubakar, described Nigerian Breweries at the agencys 2020 Grand Dinner and Award Night, in Kaduna on Friday, as one of the committed taxpayers in the state.

Abubakar urged other corporate organisations to emulate Nigerian Breweries and other committed taxpayers in the state by paying the needed tax voluntarily and as and when due.

The essence of the award was to motivate taxpayers in the state to continue to pay their taxes voluntarily so that the state government will continue to deliver quality services to the people, he explained.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr Murtala Dabo, who presented the award to the Brewery Manager in the state, Mr Abbay Ajayi, congratulated the company for being a worthy partner.

Receiving the awards, Ajayi thanked KADIRS for recognizing the efforts of the company in fulfilling its tax obligation and contributing to the development of the state.

Ajayi said that the company has made tax and duty payment of approximately N330.5 billion over the last five years in the country.

He said that the Nigerian Breweries has paid a total of N1.4 billion to Kaduna state government as PAYE and levies, among others between 2018 and 2020.

We have equally paid N315 million to Kaduna State Water Cooperation as water bills from 2016 to date.

We have so far invested N45 billion in Kaduna state from inception to date and planned to invest N7.0 billion in the state in 2021 alone.

Kaduna has been a home for all of us at the Nigerian Breweries since the 1960s and we are still thriving due to the conducive business environment that have made Kaduna more home than any other, he said.

He reiterated Nigerian Breweries continued investment and support to the development agenda of the Kaduna state government and Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a total of 23 taxpayers were honoured as part of efforts to encourage voluntary tax compliance and boost revenue generation for the development of the state.

Source: NAN News

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
First Bank of Nigeria Ltd. has reinforced commitment to women empowerment with FirstGem for economic growth and development.

FirstBank Deputy Managing Director, Mr Francis Shobo, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said that the bank seeks to drive financial development and the empowerment of women through gender engineered programmes.

Our FirstGem account is specifically designed to meet the financial needs of women as it offers unrivalled services that empower women to do more and achieve more.

At FirstBank, we recognise that promoting female entrepreneurship and empowerment is crucial to a better society, Shobo said.

He said that the bank had concluded arrangements to the fourth edition of its annual FirstGem Conference, tagged FirstGem 4.0.

The FirstGem 4.0 is the icing on the cake in the streams of initiatives and activities we have organised and participated in March as we join the world to celebrate women for the indelible roles they play in our society.

Through these activities, we spearhead the call on the need to promote women inclusiveness in the country as the role they play towards the continued socio-economic growth and development of any given society cannot be overemphasised.

The 2021 event is themed The Art of Negotiation and convened to provide women with insights on the secrets of wealth management, investment and savings, he added.

He said that the banks Chairman, Mrs Ibukun Awosika, would be the guest speaker at event slated for March 31.

According to him, FirstBank SME customers will be given the opportunity to pitch their business idea and stand a chance to get N1 million seed fund to kick-start their business.

He said that the business ideas would be judged by the following criteria; Originality, Feasibility, Good presentation skills and Sustainability.

The product, FirstGem, is an account designed specifically to meet the needs of women, aged 18 years and above.

The product is targeted at a broad spectrum of women, working professionals, entrepreneurs or market women to promote their business through an array of benefits.

FirstGem account owners have access to mouth-watering discounts at merchant outlets (spas, salons, grocery stores) that offer lifestyle products and services.

Since the product launch in October 2016, the bank has implemented various activities targeted at promoting female empowerment, impact and influence in the economy.

FirstGem has successfully empowered women in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Source: NAN News

By Nana Musa
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said improving Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) while not stifling business especially small businesses, was a balance that must be at the heart of policy development, planning and regulation.

Osinbajo said this during the closing of the 19 Joint Planning Board (JPB) meeting with the theme National Development Planning in Nigeria: Issues and Challenges, in Abuja on Friday.

The meeting that started on Wednesday was organised by the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, in collaboration with states ministries of budget, economic planning and other relevant stakeholders.

Osinbajo said the primary purpose of planning the economy was to accelerate growth and development outcomes that would improve the lives of the people.

To be meaningful, our planning processes must lead to tangible outcomes in the form of growth that exceeds population growth, real growth in the sense of growth which creates jobs, opportunities and circumstances for the well-being of the people, Osinbajo said.

He said that it was important when drawing up national plans to take account of the interests of the more vulnerable members of the society.

This is why social investment and social protection are at the heart of the Buhari Administrations policy interventions.

Indeed, top of mind for Mr President is how to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in this decade as we radically re-engineer the productive base of our economy in agriculture, manufacturing, mining and the digital and creative sectors.

The Vice President said that priorities for planning are the structural transformation of the economy from low value-adding activities to high value-adding activities and increased job opportunities for our huge youth population.

According to him, sometimes the implementation failures were due to resource and capacity constraints, but we must also ponder on the possibility that our plans might in some cases, not realistic and not grounded in our objective reality.

In other words, is the lack of implementation due to the fact that our visions and plans have been unduly fanciful.

Osinbajo also said that the outcomes and recommendations would be of immense importance to the ongoing Medium-Term National Development Plans (MTNDP 2021-2025) and Agenda 2050.

I also look forward to the formal presentation of the Report of this Meeting to the National Economic Council (NEC).

The Minister Of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, said that the meeting was to discuss on a new adoptable approach towards formulating effective national plans that would serve as successor to the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020 which ended in December.

Ahmed said that the ERGP was crafted at the wake of the global economy meltdown in 2016 and it was able to pull the country out of recession.

She said that the pandemic impacted on the economy by a wave of recession in 2020 which was short lived by proactive measures put in place by the administration.

She said that the experience calls for an urgent strategy to develop a more resilient and sustainable economic model that could stand the test of time.

The Minister of State, Finance Budget and National Planning, Prince Clement Agba, said that the discussions had been very enriching especially coming at a time that the MTNDP 2021-2025 and Nigeria Agenda 2050 were being developed.

The outlook for the Plan is to ensure that a holistic and robust plan document which enhances synergy and inclusiveness is delivered to Nigerians.

Agba said that contributions, time and efforts dedicated to the various sessions of the programme was immeasurable.

He said that the ministry has harvested invaluable comments, observations and recommendations that would further enrich the MTNDP 2021-2025.

Also, the approach for the Plan as you may be aware is a clear departure from the usual norm because all relevant stakeholders were engaged at every level of the process.

I assure all of us that the Ministry, working closely with you, will finalize and launch the plan within the shortest possible time.

My appeal is that all stakeholders including the MDAs, states and organised private sector should ensure that the objectives of the plan are achieved.

The plan is also tied to other regional development plans such as SDGs, AU-2063 and ECOWAS Vision Document, Agba said.

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports that its troops of an unidentified battalion under Operation Lafiya Dole protested over alleged unpaid operational allowances as well as obsolete equipment in Maiduguri.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, in a statement on Friday, said the media reports were unsubstantiated and did not represent the true situation of the incidents.

Yerima said that what some media reports described as protest was a mild complaints by few soldiers of Mobile Strike Team (MST), deployed for Exercise Tura Takaibango in the frontline of operations.

According to him, at about 3 p.m. on March 25, some of the troops of Mobile Strike Team 10 and 11, who were primed to conduct phase 2 of Exercise TURA TAKAIBANGO in Bama after the first phase of the exercise, raised some concerns.

The concerns were quickly addressed before they were relaunched to the second phase of the operations.

On the issue of obsolete weapons as reported in some media, the position of Army Headquarters is that soldiers have right to demand for proper weapons to prosecute the operations.

However, the Federal Government was making concerted efforts toward deploying new fighting equipment to augment the existing ones in the theater of operation.

The Army wishes to also deny report that any soldier was owned any operational allowances. No soldier was owned any allowance in the theatre, he said.

Army spokesperson gave assurance that Nigerian army would continue to remain focused and determined to perform its constitutional roles and responsibilities professionally in the protection of the sovereignty of Nigeria.

He added that the army was also committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property while clearing the terrorists, their cohorts and collaborators in the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News