Emefiele

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, has reiterated the need for the country to discontinue with heavy dependence on crude oil to guarantee public revenue and foreign exchange.

Emefiele made the call on Saturday in Abuja at the prize presentation ceremony to mark the end of the 2020 CBN Governors Golf Cup tournament.

The governor, who was represented by Mr Edward Adamu, Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, CBN, therefore, urged the country to harness its other economic potentials to enhance its growth.

According to him, this has become even more imperative to facilitate early exit of the economy from the current recession.

According to him, sports cannot be left behind while deploying available tools to ensure the development of the country since it attracts foreign exchange.

This, he said, had propelled the CBN into sponsoring numerous sporting events in the country including golf.

He said that the apex bank would not relent in its effort to empower the youth, sportsmen and sportswomen as they had constantly launched the country and themselves into the international sporting arena.

The Banks consistency in promoting the game of golf and other sports in the country has had a remarkable impact on youths and sportsmen and women generally.

In particular, the sponsored events have continued to provide platforms for Nigerians to express themselves and launch into the international sporting sphere.

At the CBN, we are committed to sustaining people-centered policies, he said.

According to him, through interventions in various sectors of the economy, the Bank is able to touch lives and livelihoods; specifically, the Banks policies prioritise jobs, wealth creation and inclusion.

The CBN has been in the vanguard of promoting youth empowerment not only through sporting events, but also through development finance initiatives and schemes.

These include Youth Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (YEDP), Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF), Vocational and Entrepreneurship Development Centres (VEDCs).

Others are the Agri-Business/Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS) and the Private Sector-led Accelerated Agricultural Credit Scheme (P-AADS).

According to Emefiele, the banks Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) has a tremendous effect on agriculture, impacting greatly on local production of various crops, most significantly rice and nine other crops.

He noted that the ABP had significantly contributed in cutting down rice importation in the country, while the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS) recorded considerable beneficiaries who have greatly contributed to the nations drive for sustained food security.

I urge Nigerians to take advantage of these initiatives to contribute to the countrys growth and development and share in her prosperity, he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the one-day golf tournament saw winners emerged from various categories of the tournament including the CBN Staff category which O. Owoeye won with a handicap of 28 and gross nett of 116 and 88.

Abubakar Abdullahi emerged as the runner up with a handicap of 11, gross score of 97 and 86 nett.

Winners also emerged from the Auxiliary, Veteran Ladies, Veteran men and CBN Pensioners categories. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Chief Harry Akande

By David Adeoye

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has described as a huge loss, the death of business mogul and former presidential aspirant, Chief Harry Akande.

Makinde expressed the regret in a condolence message to the deceaseds family, according to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Taiwo Adisa, on Saturday in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akande died on Saturday morning during a brief illness.

He was aged 77.

Makinde said: The news of the death of the Agba Oye of Ibadanland and internationally-renowned businessman, Chief Harry Akande, came to me as a shock.

His death meant another great loss to Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria.

Akandes fame as a businessman and his decision to join Nigerian politics to make a difference were classic.

His conduct gave courage to the younger generation of businessmen, most of whom have gone ahead to emulate Akande and are making good their dreams.

The governor said that Akande was one of the pathfinders for businessmen in politics.

He added that Akandes efforts in deepening democracy through participation in politics would go into the annals of history, especially his role in building formidable opposition.

This is one death too many; we can only pray to God to halt these deaths and allow our elders to make more impacts on humanity.

We cannot question God but we can pray, and that is what we will continue to do.

I pray that God will grant repose to Chief Akandes soul and sustain his immediate and extended families, Makinde said.

NAN reports that the late Akande was a one-time presidential aspirant on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party. (ANPP)

Source: NAN News

Troops foil bandits attack on Kaduna communities

By Sani Idris

A combined team of the military and police on Friday night, foiled an attack by armed bandits in Kasuwan Magani community, Kajuru local government area of Kaduna State, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, said in a statement in Kaduna on Saturday.

According to Aruwan, the armed bandits attempted to assassinate some Fulani community leaders by shooting sporadically, but eventually escaped when the security team turned up, in response to distress calls.

While fleeing the area, the armed bandits shot one Alhaji Ahmadu Suleiman, a Fulani leader, but he survived with bullet wounds and was rushed to a hospital in Kaduna, he said.

Aruwan said the situation caused pandemonium in the community as fake stories were peddled across Social Media of the outbreak of ethno-religious crisis in the area.

In response, he added that the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, in a swift reaction, hosted a confidence building meeting, on behalf of the state government, that involved critical stakeholders, including religious, traditional and community leaders.

Present at the meeting were the Garrison Commander One Division, Brig-Gen. Olusegun Abai, Commanding Officer, 312 Artillery Regiment, Lt. Col. AK Muhammad, Flt. Lt. Ephraim Yakubu of the Nigerian Air Force and Supt. Bala Kassim, the Officer in charge of Operation Yaki.

Others are Moses Sarwuan of Department of State Services and the Divisional Police Officer of Kasuwan Magani, Mukaila Adamu, the commissioner said.

Aruwan explained that at the meeting, the government and security agencies praised the community for their unified and decisive action against the bandits, without any religious or ethnic considerations.

The community was further tasked to double collaboration with government and security agencies, as senior military and police officers toured routes exploited by the armed bandits, he said.

Meanwhile, Aruwan has disclosed that the government had been informed by security agencies about the death of one Sani Khalil, a kidnapped citizen, who had been held by bandits for almost two weeks.

Khalil was kidnapped in November 2020 on the Rigasa-Link Road, in Igabi Local Government Area of the state, and government has since sent condolences to the family, Aruwan said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Policemen on duty

By Olawale Jokotoye

The Police command in Ogun says it has rescued three out of four of its men abducted by hoodlums at Aba Tuntun community in Ijebu Igbo in the Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Abimbola Oyeyemi, made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen in Abeokuta on Saturday.

Oyeyemi said that a Constable, Mr Emmanuel Gene, was still being held captive by the hoodlums.

The spokesman said that the police had deployed operatives to the area to rescue the missing policeman.

He said that three suspects had been arrested in connection with the abduction and that they were helping the police in investigations.

According to Oyeyemi, the village head has sent a petition to the police that some hoodlums are in possession of dangerous weapons in the village.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ijebu Igbo, led his team to the place on Thursday with vigilantes and recovered six single barrel guns, 16 Dane guns, 16 cartridges and arrested the suspects.

While taking the suspects and the weapons to the station,some hoodlums ambushed them and abducted four of the policemen.

They shot the DPO in the arm and freed the suspects.

We have rescued three of the policemen abducted. We dont know the whereabouts of the constable among them.

We have arrested three suspects and they are helping us in the investigation, Oyeyemi stated. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Mr Tony Nezianya

By Chimezie Anaso

Former Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) image maker, Mr Tony Nezianya, on Saturday urged sports journalists to understand general and specific rules of various sporting events to remain experts in their chosen specializations.

Nezianya, a seasoned sports journalist and former director with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), gave the advise in a lecture on Journalism and Sports Development in Contemporary Society, he delivered at the 2020 Anambra SWAN WEEK Award and Recognition Night, in Awka.

He said that journalism had created convergence for all stakeholders, including athletes/players, administrators, financiers, marketers and spectators, and a sports journalist needed to be knowledgeable about sports to make sense of it all.

Nezianya, who is currently a Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Willie Obiano on media, said sports journalists must also endeavour to provide technical, factual and timely information in their reportage.

In all the groupings, it is the activity of journalists with bias for sports reporting, commentating and analyzing, that provide coordination for these healthy interactions.

Now that sporting activities have been professionalized, it is only fitting that the sports journalist must also professionalize his services to benefit the growth and development of humanity.

As professionals in the field, you must be knowledgeable in the rules and regulations involved in the practice of sports and must be in a position to provide authentic information, because there are General rules and regulations and there are also specific rules guiding every game and competition, he said.

Nezianya said that practitioners should ensure they were technologically savvy and aspire to report sports at the highest level, as well as belong to relevant affiliate bodies, including the Association of International Sports Press (AIPS).

There is need for sports journalists to raise their levels too, ICT has come with many tools for the practice of excellence in sports journalism. If you are a practicing journalist and not ICT-compliant, please look for another job.

I recommend that all practicing sports journalists must aspire to cover the World Cup and The Olympic Games, at least once in their lifetime while on the job, to date, I have covered five Olympic Games.

You must also strive to register as an AIPS member, however, to get there you must be a member of SWAN, sports writing is no longer the job for the never-do-wells from other departments to be dumped on the sports desks, he said.

Nezianya said that sports had been adjudged by the UN as an index of development and a right of every citizen in any country, explaining that this accounted for why nations always strive to provide the best sporting facilities.

Among the awardees were John Abang, Commissioner of Police, Anambra, Emeka Okeke, Founder, Aspire FC, Adazi-Ani and Pius Okoye, representing Awka South 2 Constituency in the Anambra House of Assembly, who all got rewarded for their various contributions to sports development in Anambra.

Okechukwu Onuegbu of Blueprint Newspapers was also adjudged the best Sports Journalist in the state.

NAN reports that the SWAN WEEK, which began on Dec. 1, featured tour of sports facilities in Anambra, lecture and awards to deserving people. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, representing President Bihari at the 13th Extra-Ordinary session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government held virtually on Saturday

By Lizzy Okoji

President Muhammadu Buhari has called for the commitments of member states of the Economic Community of West Africa State (ECOWAS) as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement begins on Jan. 1.

Buhari made the call at the 13th Extra-Ordinary Summit of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government held virtually on Saturday.

Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, said that the successful commencement of the trade in January 2021 was indeed a fulfillment of the collective dreams of Africas founding fathers.

He said that the AfCFTA sought to achieve better, united, peaceful and prosperous Africa, adding that any abuse of the rule could affect trade relations, cause disorder, regional and geopolitical tensions and reduced economic growth.

Buhari pledged Nigerias commitments in taking all the necessary steps towards the effective commencement of the trading on Jan. 1, 2021.

In view of Nigerias strategic role in our collective efforts to build the Africa we want, the Nigerian government has taken bold steps to ratify the AfCFTA.

It is, however, pertinent to remind us of the need to preserve the agreed rule we are putting in place, to ensure that there is no breakdown or abuse of the rules based continental free trade framework.

We must, therefore, work assiduously to encourage probity, transparency, and promote a shared and inclusive prosperity for all Africans, he said.

According to him, Nigeria is keenly aware of her role in deepening intra-Africa trade and making it a success. We remain open to transparently work with our brothers and sisters across Africa in the spirit of cooperation.

To deepen Continental Integration through the free movement of goods, natural and legal persons across the continent we must remain strident and committed in our support for the instrument while timeously addressing actions that could lead to breakdown of rules-based African Continental Free Trade Area.

The successful commencement of trade in January 2021 is indeed the fulfillment of the collective dreams of our founding fathers, for a better, united, peaceful and prosperous Africa.

Let us, therefore, keep in mind that any form of abuse of the rules that undermine our borders and affect our markets could be a recipe for strained trade relations, disorder regional and geopolitical tensions and reduces economic growth, Buhari said.

Buhari also said that trade rules requires trust and constant updates. We must continue to work to address and close noticeable gaps, in particular, the challenges occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and other critical issues affecting the continent.

According to him, AfCFTA is a rules-based system that provides governance structure for intra-Africa trade, including for settlement of trade disputes and smooth operationalisation of the agreement.

In this regard, we are further assured that the mechanism will provide the essential balance previously lacking in our trade relations

Importantly, this agreement is strategic and relevant to the establishment of an economic and legal framework for intra-Africa trade relations and further serves as a platform for deepening Africas integration into the global economy, he said.

Buhari expressed optimism that the opportunities abound within the AfCFTA framework for the engagement of businesses that would foster trade as well as investments flows.

He added that the agreement would also foster growth of regional and global value chains.

Buhari noted that it is important that the launch of the trade in 2021 produces a win-win situation and shared prosperity for all member states. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NCDC boss Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu

By Abujah Racheal
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 324 new infections of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country.

The NCDC, on its verified website on Friday,stated that the new infection were reported from 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It said that Fridays infections bring the total number of cases in the country to 68,627 with 1,179 death and 64,467 discharged patients.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria has so far tested 791,539 persons since the first confirmed case of the pandemic in the country was announced on Feb. 27.

According to it, 176 COVID-19 patients were discharged in the past 24 hours.

The NCDC stated that Lagos state reported 115 new infections bringing the total number of its infections to 23,660.

FCT-110; Kaduna-57; Taraba-9; Akwa Ibom-8; Plateau-6; Bauchi-4; Ekiti-4; Kano-4; Katsina-4 and Rivers-3.

The NCDC said that a multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities.

Source: NAN News

IBy Lizzy Okoji

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Canadian government has provided 56 Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) to the Nigerian government to strengthen border security and management.

The IOM and the Canadian High Commission in Abuja handed over the MIDAS equipment to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in a ceremony at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja on Friday.

The 56 MIDAS which would be installed at the two major Nigerian International airports, in 28 in Abuja and 28 to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos would also be linked to Interpol.

Mr Franz Celestine, IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria alleged that Nigeria was asource, transit and destination country for migrant smuggling and human trafficking .

Celestine who was represented by Ms Prestage Murima, Programme Development Coordinator, IOM said that to this end, it would important to ensure the operational and investigative capacities of the national law enforcement agencies.

He said that strengthening the countrys air, land and sea borders would help address these and other related challenges.

Giving a brief of the project, Ms Yuki Daizumoto, Programme Coordinator Immigration and Border Management, IOM said the project applies to a comprehensive approach with three expected outcomes including increased capacity of local migration and border management authorities based on national needs and priorities.

MIDAS Installation and operationalization at Nigerias air borders lead to further availability of biographic and biometric data of travelers entering and exiting the country.

This system is not stand alone. Data collected by MIDAS is synchronied between 2 airports and the NIS HQ so that NIS can compile all the data and use it for further analysis.

All travel documents enrolled in MIDAS will be automatically checked against INTERPOL databases and relevant national and international watchlists.

MIDAS is connected to INTERPOL databases and national and international watchlists to flag suspects of domestic and transnational crimes such as human trafficking, smuggling, terrorism and drug related crimes etc.

Knowledge and skills of the NIS personnel on MIDAS installation and use and on interview techniques, profiling and identification of migrant smuggling and human trafficking cases are strengthened in line with international standards and good practices.

Mr Ryan Ward, Canadas Deputy High Commissioner for Nigeria said Canada values its relationship with Nigeria as a trusted strategic partner and top source country of migration to Canada from Africa, and Nigerians are contributing Canadas economy and our society.

Ward said that to this effect, Canada is committed to working with Nigeria to strengthen its border management and enforcement capabilities.

He said the support of the Canadian government to the project is an outcome of meeting of employees at Global Affairs Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and the Canada Border Services Agency in July and November 2019.

During these meetings, there were initial discussions about Canadian cooperation on supporting Nigeria to continue the roll-out of the IOM Migration Information and Data Analysis System, known as MIDAS, at key international border points.

Nearly a year and a half later, I am incredibly proud to witness the tangible outcome of these talks through the handover of 56 IOM MIDAS units to Nigeria supported by the Government of Canada, Ward said.

Mr Muhammed Babandede, Comptroller- General of the Immigration Service, assured the Canadian government that the equipment would be used judiciously because a safe border in Nigeria is a safe border for Canada and every other country.

Babandede said that prior to now, the Nigerian government has also taken border security and management as priority and training of NIS personnel also.

He said that on Wednesday, President Muhammadu Buhari approved in Council the completion and equipping of the technology building which was built at the cost of 7.2 billion and furnished and equipped at the cost of 2.4 billion.

Babande said that the commitment from the government of Nigeria indicates that MIDAS will be the key equipment in the technology building.

Mr Mahmud Sani. Regional General Manager at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport said that the installation of the MIDAS in the airport would further enhance the capacity of the airport authority and NIS.

He appreciated the IOM and the Canadian government for their support. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The 36 state governors are to meet President Muhammadu Buhari, as soon as possible, to address security challenges across the country, the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) said.

The forum disclosed this in a communiqu signed by its Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, after its 22nd teleconference meeting in Abuja on Friday.

According to the communique, Buhari will particularly speak in the light of attack on farmers in Borno State.

The communiqu said the governors deliberated on issues affecting the country, particularly on national security and the killings of some 43 rice farmers in Garin Kwashebe in Jere Local Government Area, Borno.

The communique said that the governors also endorsed two proposals on infrastructure development funds loans.

The proposal were from Gov. Nasir El- Rufai-led National Economic Council (NEC) ad hoc Committee on Leveraging Portion of Accumulated Pension Funds for Investment in the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and the Governor of Central Bank Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, it said..

The communique noted that the El Rufai committee briefed the forum on a proposed National Infrastructure Investment Fund (NIIF) under the auspices of the NSIA such that N2 trillion at nine per cent interest could be accessed through the authority.

The NGF chairman said that the CBN governor has a similar proposal to access N15 trillion naira for national infrastructure funding through INFRACREDIT at a lower interest rate of five per cent, it said.

The communique further said that both proposals were not mutually exclusive and could be adopted simultaneously with one streaming into the other.

The communique also said the NGF maintained its stance that stamp duties belong primarily to states and the various collection platforms are channels of payment to the states, while aligning with the guidance provided by its lawyers and experts.

The forum agreed to: direct State Attorneys-General to review the Water Resources Bill and send their input to the NGF secretariat as quickly as possible;

Agreed to keep active and operational the State COVID -19 Task Force Teams and Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs).

This is in addition to ensuring the prompt release of funds as outlined in the State Incidence Action Plans (IAP), keeping temporary treatment centres open, ramping up COVID-19 testing across the country.

Also to support the planned COVID-19 Testing Week to be launched by the Presidential TaskForce.

Commit to achieving the second Eligibility Criteria (EC) requirement of publishing online their approved financial year (FY21) Annual State Budget, prepared under the National Chart of Accounts, by Jan. 31, 2021.

Governors also restated their commitment to implement reforms associated with the programme including the deployment of a Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to support effective land administration and an efficient property tax system, it said.

On strike, the governors encouraged the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to hasten implementation of the truce elements in their resolutions to allow schools reopen immediately.

It added that the forum was currently intervening in resolving the lingering ASUU strike and had secured certain concessions from the federal government with the hope that the strike would be called off shortly. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Former President Goodluck Jonathan

By Lizzy Okoji
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to support the federal governments fight against insecurity in order to collectively tackle the menace.

Jonathan made the call on Friday in Abuja during the exclusive command performance by the Commonwealth Community Choir.

The choir, also known as the Port-Harcourt Male Ensemble International, was tagged Peace for All Nations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.

The former president said insecurity was a global phenomenon that was not peculiar to Nigeria due to the excesses of terrorists across the world.

I was there before and of course, you know there is a lot of insecurity. All what we can do is to collectively support the government, encourage the soldiers and other security operatives to do more for our safety, Jonathan said.

The former president said unity and peace must be collectively upheld by all especially the youth, adding that as a former President he knew the meaning of peace.

He stated that Nigerian youths sometimes engaged in all kinds of confrontation, recalling his conversation with one of his friends.

I was discussing with one of my friends and I said look, in Nigeria, they appear not to even have a national youth body. Because in most cases, the regional youth bodies are stronger than the national youth body.

Ordinarily, the national youth body is supposed to be stronger than the regional youth body, Jonathan said.

The former president lauded the programmes organisers for their efforts; When you see young people come together to perform with the theme: Peace for All Nations, I am quite impressed.

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said nothing could be more important than peace.

Osinbajo, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Religious Matters, Pastor Seyi Malomo, said peace in the society was one of the invincible cement that made everything to work.

If you remove that peace, everything will somehow collapse. So, peace cannot be coming at a more appropriate time when we are in celebration season of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who the Bible says is the Prince of Peace, Osinbajo said.

Earlier, Onyeama said the event marked the commencement of the execution of the mandate that has been entrusted through the choir by the Commonwealth.

He said as part of its mandates, the choir was expected to undertake a global tour of the Commonwealth nations to promote peace and development through music.

Source: NAN News