By Folasade Akpan

The World Bank Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), have promised to continue to support Nigeria in bridging its infrastructure gap.

Both organisations said this in a statement issued by the World Banks Senior Communications Office in Nigeria, on Monday in Abuja.

Mr Hafez Ghanem, the World Bank Vice President for Africa, Mr Srgio Pimenta, IFC Vice President for the Middle-East and Africa and Mr Hans Lankes, IFC Vice President for Economics and Private Sector Development, were quoted to have discussed at a just concluded visit to Nigeria.

The meeting discussed how the World Bank Group could help Nigeria leverage private and public investments and expertise for inclusive growth.

According to Ghanem, the Bank can together with the private sector leverage government resources to bridge infrastructure gaps in Nigeria.

We have supported and seen success in transport, energy and power sectors using Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) models.

The Azura power project is an example of how we have attracted private sector investment in the power sector.

We are happy to work with the Government of Nigeria on power sector reforms, which will create a better environment to attract more private sector financing, Ghanem said.

Pimenta said that the financing needs of developing countries often surpassed their own budgets and available donor funding.

He, however, said that private sector resources and expertise could go a long way in bridging the gap.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, we are increasingly seeing the private sector design sustainable business models that are creating jobs and lifting people out of poverty, he said.

According to the statement, the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP), Nigeria faces a 100 billion dollar annual investment gap in infrastructure.

It added that the new approach to mobilise development financing, was also presented during a workshop with key business leaders and policy makers.

According to it, under this approach, the World Bank Groups institutions will work together to mobilise a range of financing solutions (both private and public) for projects in developing countries.

This, it said, would help expand funding options for low and middle-income countries and enable them to benefit from global best practices and expertise.

Participants at the workshop discussed how to crowd in private sector financing to solve Nigerias infrastructure deficit; identified the reforms needed to support PPPs and developed an action plan to generate future PPPs.

The statement highlighted the World Banks portfolio in Nigeria to be 11 billion dollars invested across all sectors, while IFCs portfolio stood at over one billion dollars in sectors including manufacturing, financial services and infrastructure.

The World Bank Group delegation also met with senior government officials including Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, the Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, Minister for Aviation, Mr Hadi Sirika and the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti.

Source: NAN

Bomb disposal officers carried out a controlled explosion on a suspicious package at Manchester Airport on Monday, police said, adding a man had been detained by officers at the scene.

Flights were unaffected but transport to and from the airport were stopped while officers assessed the suspect package.

A cordon is in place at Manchester Airport transport interchange and people are encouraged to follow directions from officers, Greater Manchester Police said in a statement.

Trams, trains and buses are currently suspended to and from the airport interchange.

Source: NAN

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in New York announced robust plans and initiatives by his administration to reverse the negative effects of climate change in Nigeria.

A statement by Mr Femi Adesina, the Presidents Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, in Abuja, said the plans were revealed in his address to the United Nations Climate Action Summit with the theme, A Race We Can Win. A Race We Must Win.

While sharing the sentiment expressed by the UN Secretary-General that the world is on the verge of climate catastrophe, President Buhari stated that undeniably, Climate Change is a human-induced phenomenon.

He, therefore, stressed the need for Member States to step-up their collective climate actions in line with the request of the Secretary General.

It is in this regard that I wish to reiterate Nigerias commitment to its obligation under the Paris Agreement, the aspirations enshrined in our Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and ensure a resilient future that mainstreams climate risks in our decision making.

I want to announce that the Government of Nigeria will develop a more robust sectorial action plan, and expand the scope of our Sovereign Green Bonds in line with our intended upward review of Nigerias NDCs towards the inclusion of the water and waste sectors by 2020, he said.

On the water sector, President Buhari revealed that Nigeria would issue a Green Bond for irrigation and construct multi-purpose dams for power, irrigation and water supply.

He said : We will strengthen solid and liquid waste management systems to attract more private sector investors.

We will take concrete steps to harness climate innovative ideas by including youths in decision making processes as part of our over-all climate governance architecture.

We will mobilize Nigerian youths towards planting 25 million trees to enhance Nigerias carbon sink.

The Nigerian leader also disclosed that Nigeria had embarked on diversification of its energy sources from dependence on gas-powered system to hydro, solar, wind, biomass and nuclear sources.

According to him, Nigeria is progressively working to realize 30 percent energy efficiency and renewable energy mix by 2030, saying this is envisaged to lead to 179 million tons of carbon dioxide reduction per annum by 2030.

In addition, our Administration intends to develop a shelter belt across 11 States of the Federation spanning a distance of 1,500 km and 15km across through the Great Green Wall initiative.

Furthermore, the Federal Government has commenced the implementation of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Programme in Ogoniland, to recover the carbon sink potential of the mangrove ecosystem of the one thousand square kilometers (1,000 KM2) polluted site in the affected area.

I should also inform the summit that our Government has introduced Climate Smart Agricultural Practices to unlock Seventy-Four (74) Million tons of carbon dioxide per annum, through relevant technologies, advocacy and best practices, he added.

President Buhari also noted that the Lake Chad Basin, which used to be a region of productivity, food security and wealth for an estimated 40 million citizens living around the Chad Basin, had shrunk significantly from its original size due to Climate Change.

He pledged that the member countries of the region would continue to lead in efforts to have solid partnerships for the ecological restoration and recharge of the Lake.

We are confident that this would improve the living conditions of the diverse nationals living in the area, promote inter-state cooperation, strengthen community resilience, as well as assist in addressing the environmental and security crisis that threaten the region, its resources and inhabitants.

Finally, permit me to add that the forty million citizens in the Lake Chad area expect this Summit to take into consideration their concerns.

They anticipate that the outcomes of this meeting would include solutions to address the Climate Change impact in the Lake Chad area.

I am glad that the Secretary General and some of the member states represented in this hall are partnering with us in this endeavor, he further maintained.

President Buhari on behalf of the member countries of the Lake Chad Basin thanked them for their cooperation, saying he looked forward to deepening their partnership.(NAN)

Source: NAN

By Mustapha Sumaila

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says the transaction charges on deposit and withdrawal in furtherance of implementation of its cashless policy is on the amount in excess of the set limits.

The Director, Corporate Communication Department, Mr Isaac Okorafor, made the clarification in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

NAN reports that CBN on Sept 17 issued a circular to deposit banks to commence the implementation of the cashless policy in six pilot states across the country.

The CBN explained that transactions would attract three per cent processing fees for withdrawal and two per cent processing fees for lodgement of amounts above N500,000 for individual accounts.

Similarly, corporate accounts would attract five per cent processing fees for withdrawal and three per cent processing fees for lodgement of amounts above N3 million

The apex bank directed that implementation should commence from Sept. 18 in Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Abia, Anambra, and Rivers States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It, however, stated that the nationwide implementation of the cashless policy would take effect from March 31, 2020.

Okorafor explained that contrary to the misconception on the implementation of the policy, the charges would only be on the excess of N500,000 deposited or withdrawn for individual and N3 million for corporate body

According to him, if an individual deposited N510,000 the two per cent charge would be on the N10,000 excess which is N200 only.

He said the same applied to a withdrawal of same amount, adding that the three per cent charge would be on excess of the set limits.

He said that the same thing also applies to the corporate body also which five per cent on withdrawal and three per cent on lodgement of amounts above N3 million.

Many Nigerians welcome the development, noting that it would enhance transparency in financial dealings and reduce crimes such as ransom payment and extortion among others.

Others, however, described it as additional burden on banks customers who were already laden with other charges by the banks.

CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele had also said, after the Monetary Policy Committee meeting on Friday in Abuja,that the policy was inaugurated in the country in 2012 and implementation began in 2014.

The policy says if you deposit money in the bank above a particular threshold which for individual is N500,000 and N3 million for corporate bodies, then you will be charged, same for withdrawal.

He stated that the policy was not designed to de-franchise hard working Nigerians as perceived by some categories of people.

According to him, a data conducted, revealed that close to 95 per cent of cash deposited and withdrawn fall below this threshold.

Emefiele said Nigerians had already embraced electronic channels and online transaction in market places.

He added that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises now had various options and channels available to collect a legitimate payment for goods and services, like POS, banks transfer using ATM, USD code among others.

He said that the cashless policy increases transparency in financial dealings and reduce crimes such as ransom payment and extortion among others.

The governor said the bank had the mandate under the CBN Act 2007 as amended to promote a sound and stable financial system through credible efficient payment system. (NAN)

Source: NAN

.Operators of fake handles wanted

By Monday Ijeh

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday said it did not own, use or operate any official twitter handles and therefore, urged Nigerians to disregard twitter messages linked to the service.

The Public Relations Officer of the service, Dr Peter Afunanya, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

He said the attention of the service had been drawn to messages on social media, claimed to have emanated from the official twitter handles of of the service.

The Service, therefore, disowns the ones, notablyand_, currently in circulation.

These twitter handles which also bear the Services symbols are not only fake but designed by their creators to deceive, misinform and defraud unsuspecting persons.

It is also believed that such handles were desperately created by subversive elements to spread fake news and falsehood, he said.

Afunanya, therefore, urged the public to disregard the twitter handles and any message(s) emanating from them.

He, however, added that a detailed investigation had begun to ensure that the suspects were apprehended and prosecuted. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Ikenna Uwadileke

Ms Leilana Fartha, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Adequate Housing, on Monday urged the Federal Government to impose vacant home tax with a view to addressing housing challenges in the country.

Fartha at a news conference in Abuja, expressed concern over human rights crisis presented by poor living conditions in Nigerias informal settlements.
According to her, the informal settlements house about 69 per cent of the urban population.

She said: Most residents in Nigerias ballooning informal settlements live without access to even the most basic services, like running water.

And they lack any security of tenure, forcing them to live in constant fear of being evicted.

My 10 days fact findings visit to Nigeria has presented an economic inequality in the country, which has reached extreme level and is playing itself out clearly in the housing sector.

There is an estimated housing shortage of 22 million units.

At the same time, newly built luxury dwellings are springing up throughout cities and made possible often through the forced eviction of poor communities.

These units do not fulfill any housing need, with many remaining vacant as vehicles for money laundering or investment, she said.

While urging the Federal Government to take urgent measures to address homelessness and poverty, Fartha advocated for a declaration of a nation-wide moratorium on forced evictions.

Government must address the grossly inadequate housing conditions with the urgency and rigour befitting a human rights crisis of this scale.

Apart from establishing a national commission to investigate gross human rights violations in the context of forced evictions, government should provide basic services to all informal settlements.

And must increase the number of shelters for persons in situations of vulnerability, Fartha said.

She further expressed worry that the Bill for an Act to provide rent control failed in the National Assembly.

According to her, when the bill for rent control first hit the National Assembly, it wasnt ripe

It is unfortunate that the bill died in NASS.

The idea of controlling rent caps is hotly debated in many countries.

New York just tried to have rent control laws passed; Barcelona is close to getting rent free as rent is actually frozen for some period of five to seven years.

So, in many jurisdictions, they have started to impose vacant home tax.

I support that kind of move from human rights point of view only where that money from the tax is directly put into the creation of affordable housing.

In the case of Nigeria it could be used as fund to upgrade informal settlements.

I dont like a tax and you never see where the tax is going.

There are other measures that can be explored, there are situations that homes are misappropriated given that the government has all the lands in trust, she stressed

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fartha will present a comprehensive report of her visit to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2020. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

The Schwab Foundation, a sister organisation of the World Economic Forum (WEF), has endorsed President Muhammadu Buharis National Social Investment Programmes(N-SIPs).

Justice Bibiye, Communications Manager, National Social Investment Office (NSIO), in a statement on Monday, in Abuja, said the foundation conferred the prestigious Public Social Intrapreneur award on Mrs Maryam Uwais, Special Adviser to President on Social Investments.

Bibiye said that efforts by the Buhari administration to reduce poverty in Nigeria through its various SIPs had continued to receive thumbs up from well-meaning individuals and organisations within and outside the country.

He said Uwais and 40 other individuals selected from different countries received the award on Monday in New York in recognition of their innovative approach and potential for global impact.

The list includes start-up founders and chief executive officers, multinational and regional business leaders, government leaders and recognised experts who are working to address social and environmental issues with innovation, in areas ranging from water purification to financial inclusion to combating hate.

For more than 20 years, the Schwab Foundation has recognised social entrepreneurs as a new breed of leaders, values-driven, inclusive, compassionate and entrepreneurial, developing new sustainable models for business, human development and environmental initiatives and embedded them in the platforms of the WEF.

The 2019 awardees were formally inaugurated during the WEFs Sustainable Development Impact Summit held on Sept. 23, in New York, U.S.

Bibiye said that Uwais, in a goodwill message to the global gathering, described the award as an International endorsement of efforts by Buharis administration to address poverty and unemployment through the faithful implementation of the N-SIPs.

He said, however, that Uwais was unable to attend the event in New York.

The communications manager quoted Uwais as saying that the recognition was a call to action for the Federal Governmentto commit more resources to tackling poverty.

Bibiye said that Uwaisassured of continued transparency, efficiency and dedication in achieving the task of taking 100 million people out of poverty within 10 years, in line with the target set by President Buhari.

I am truly encouraged by this International endorsement of our efforts, through the structures and processes we have put in place towards ensuring that we drive implementation and set standards at Sub-National level in Nigeria (where the work is primarily done).

This award acknowledges that Nigeria is serious about reducing poverty and unemployment, while improving our human capital indices.

It is also a testament to the willingness of our legislators (at the National Assembly) and the Governors in the States to cooperate and partner the Federal Government in its bid to uplift the conditions of its hitherto less privileged citizens.

The close collaboration from the Federal Government, ministries and agencies, as well as the governors and officials of the states and local governments, has enabled us to work towards our objectives, as one united and indivisible country.

I am humbled by this recognition and thankful to the Almighty for this opportunity to serve my country and its citizens.

I am also grateful to the team that has worked assiduously towards achieving our modest successes; it has been a collective effort, personally led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the statement quoted Uwais as saying.

The Schwab Foundation provides a veritable platform of expertise, knowledge and resources, and a network we can engage with, for the work ahead.

It is a privilege for me to be able to learn, share and engage with the very best in social entrepreneurship, for the benefit of Nigeria and its citizens.

Uwais, whose appointment as Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment was recently renewed, has since 2016 been in charge of the NSIO, a portfolio of the Federal Government which coordinates all components of the NSIPs in an inclusive manner.

No fewer than 10 million pupils in 32 states across the country are currently benefiting from the School Feeding Programme, while close to 650,000 poor and vulnerable households in 27 states are enrolled onto the National Cash Transfer Programme.

This is in addition to over two million people who have benefitted from interest and collateral-free loans through Marketmoni, Tradermoni, and Farmermoni facilitated under the Government Economic and Enterprise Programme GEEP.

The N-Power, a job enhancement Scheme, has profitably engaged over 540,000 young people across all local government areas of the country.

Source: NAN

By Victor Okoye

Cristiano Ronaldo, conspicuously-absent from the FIFA Best Awards at the La Scala Opera house in Milan, on Tuesday took to Instagram to express his feelings in philosophical terms.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ronaldo missed out as Lionel Messi was named FIFA Best Player of the Year for the sixth time on Monday.

The Juventus superstar was conspicuous by his absence in Milan at FIFAs glitzy ceremony on Monday night.

Messi took the award ahead of his long-time rival and Liverpools defensive rock Virgil van Dijk.

The FC Barcelona superstar who won La Liga last season as well as the European golden boot, last won the award in 2015.

NAN also reports that Ronaldo was not even named by the hosts when the FIFPro World XI was announced, with the 34-year-old treated as persona non grata and no mention being made that one of the eleven was missing.

Ten minutes after the ceremony ended in Italy, the Portuguese superstar took to Instagram to show off what he had been up to away from the event.

He seemed to be immersing himself in a book while his son Cristiano Jr appeared to be doing his homework.

Ronaldo also offered up a few words, although it was not quite discernible whether he was talking about his not being victorious, or his current thigh injury.

Patience and persistence are two characteristics that differentiate the professional from the amateur, wrote Ronaldo.

Everything that is big today has started small. You cant do everything, but do everything you can to make your dreams come true.

And keep in mind that after night always comes dawn, a philosophical Ronaldo declared.

FULL LIST OF FIFA BEST 2019 AWARD WINNERS

Mens player Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentina)

Womens player Megan Rapinoe (Reign FC and United States)

Mens coach Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)

Womens coach Jill Ellis (United States)

Mens goalkeeper Alisson Becker (Liverpool and Brazil)

Womens goalkeeper Sari Van Veenendaal (Atletico Madrid and Holland)

Puskas award Daniel Zsori (Debrecen/Fehervar)

Fan award Silvia Grecco (Palmeiras)

Fair play award Marcelo Bielsa and the Leeds squad

FIFPro mens world XI Alisson; Matthijs De Ligt, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Virgil Van Dijk; Frenkie De Jong, Eden Hazard, Luka Modric; Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi

FIFPro womens world XI Sari Van Veenendaal; Lucy Bronze, Nilla Fischer, Kelley OHara, Wendie Renard; Julie Ertz, Amandine Henry, Rose Lavelle; Marta, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe.

Source: NAN

By Nana Musa

Two doctors with Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, have appeared before the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria Tribunal, to answer charges of gross professional negligence.

The doctors, Iyiola Adewale and Adigba Onodjohwoyovwe, are accused of gross professional negligence which led to the death of a patient in their care.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr Nasiru Aliyu, told the tribunal on Monday in Asaba that the defendants while on duty on March 7, 2017, negligently handled one of their patients, a pregnant woman, Mrs Rita Uchebuego, now late.

According to the prosecutor, they allegedly failed to attend to her as appropriate for the management of her condition.

Aliyu said the offence is punishable under section 16 of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Chairman of the tribunal, Prof. Abba Hassan, adjourned the case till Sept. 24, for address.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tribunal was established for trial of offences under the medical and dental practitioners act.

This is the tribunals third session in 2019, and had already convicted some doctors during its second session for professional misconduct.

Source: NAN

The excited actress took to her Instagram page to share the romantic engagement video with her Senegalese bae Frederic Badji, that took place on 1st of September 2019

View this post on Instagram

Omggggg I’m literally still on cloud nine right now ❤️, on the 1st of September 2019 the love of my life got down on one knee and asked me to marry him, it’s been weeks already and I honestly still I’m in shock ❤️❤️ I’m about to be a whole wifey to the love of my life 💃🏽💃🏽 God has been so good to me and I honestly can’t thank him enough ❤️❤️❤️ I want to thank all my friends that kept this news a secret @rugieee @fealinjobe @bimboademoye @tiannahsplacempire @belindadzattah @mapiatea @kodobarhair @mariamobil @moeshaboduong I love y’all so much ❤️❤️❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 omgggggg I’m a whole freakin fiancé with the dopest diamond ring ever ❤️❤️ I love you so my Frederic Badji my tall, dark, sexy fine ass, Senegalese king ❤️I cannot wait to start forever with you honey. Guys please take 5 minutes of your time and please watch my engagement video 😍❤️.. 1st September 2019 a day I will never forget ❤️❤️

A post shared by Princess Shyngle🇬🇲 (@princesshyngle) on Sep 20, 2019 at 1:06pm PDT

She also appreciated her close friends who kept her secret,secret.