Blog

Investment
By Kudirat Musa
Abuja, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, has commended the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for supporting the nation’s agricultural value chain development with 500 million dollars.

Mr George Oji, the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Lokpobiri gave the assurance when Ms Ndine Gbossa, the Country Representative of IFAD, visited him in his office.

He said that the Federal Government took the partnership with IFAD very seriously because of IFAD’s role in Nigeria.

“The IFAD fund has played critical role in making Nigeria the highest producer of rice and cassava in Africa.

“We take our partnership with IFAD very seriously and we appreciate the investments and the support that we are getting from you.

“Today, Nigeria is rated as the highest producer of rice and cassava in Africa, courtesy of IFAD intervention and the Anchor Borrowers Programme.

“This has helped Nigerians to answer the clarion call of this administration to go back to the farms to produce what we eat and eat what we produce,” he said.

The minister disclosed that Nigeria used to spend a whooping sum of 5 million dollars for the importation of rice every day but that through new policy programmes by the ministry and the intervention of partners like IFAD the figure had drastically reduced.

Lokpobiri expressed regret that Federal Government’s effort to reduce the importation of foreign rice into the country was being frustrated by the activities of the neighbouring country such as Benin Republic through the abuse of the ECOWAS protocol.

“The challenge we have with our neighbours is that because of the extant ECOWAS protocol, people will dump their rice products in their region and re-bag them and bring them into Nigeria.

“The reason is that under the ECOWAS protocol, any goods produced within the sub region can have free access to any market within the region.

“Based on that, those from Thailand would go to Benin Republic with their parboiled rice and then re-bag them as though they were produce in Benin Republic and then smuggled them into Nigeria.’’

He said that this had been denying the people of Benin Republic the opportunity to grow rice and then benefit from the Nigerian market “because of that, Nigeria has engaged the government of Benin Republic up to the presidential level.’’

“The President had to invite the President of Benin Republic to engage him because we are neighbours, let’s see how we can work together and curb this issue of smuggling,’’ he said.

The statement quoted the IFAD Country Respresentative, that the Executive Board of the fund recently approved additional financing for Nigeria in the Value Chain Development programme to the value of 89 million dollars.

“This has brought the total investment in this programme to 228 million dollars, for supporting rice and cassava production.

“This is in addition to another 60 million dollars for supporting the Niger Delta Youth known as the Alive for Niger Delta fund,’’ she said.

She said that Nigeria remained a very important partner of IFAD and had also attracted the highest investment in Africa, noting that, “altogether, we have investment in Nigeria that is worth half a billion dollars.’’

“Nigeria is one of the biggest investment countries for IFAD, so it is a very important country.”

“IFAD has set aside another 100 million dollars for investment in Nigeria for 2019 but is applying caution to know the outcome of the coming election before putting pen on paper for the fund,’’ she said. (NAN)
ROK/GY
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Edited by Grace Yussuf

Arik Air notifies passengers of flight disruptions

Flight

By Adekunle Williams

Lagos, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) The management of Arik Air says there will be slight disruption of flights during the Yuletide, due to  operational issues and adverse weather conditions.

In a statement signed by the airline’s media consultant, Mr Simon Tumba on Thursday in Lagos, the airline said the adverse weather would affect coastal areas, especially Benin, Enugu, Asaba and Warri.

“Therefore some flights may either be rescheduled or cancelled, subject to aircraft and airport closure time constraints.

“We regret the inconveniences this disruption will cause our customers and want to assure them of our sincere efforts to reducing the impact to the barest minimum.

“Our staff shall contact customers affected by this disruption, making alternative arrangements for them or refunds as the case may be,” Tumba said.

He assured passengers that the airline considered their safety and that of its crew as paramount, adding that the airline would only operate safe and secure flights.

Tumba said all hands are also on deck to make all flight experiences pleasurable.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had on Nov. 25 issued an Advisory Circular to all pilots and airline operators to take certain precautions, due to the adverse weather conditions.

The circular, signed by the Director General of the NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman, urged them to adhere to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) during flight operations in adverse weather conditions. (NAN)

WAC/KTO/SOA

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By Kamal Tayo Oropo/Oluwole Sogunle

APC
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Bashir Bolarinwa-led  All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara says it has appealed an Ilorin High Court judgment authenticating the Ishola Balogun-Fulani executive of the party.

Bolarinwa, who spoke with newsmen in Ilorin on Thursday, called on its members and supporters to remain calm and not be distracted by the judgment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a Kwara High Court sitting in Ilorin on Wednesday recognised the Ishola Balogun-Fulani faction of the APC in the state.

NAN also recalls that the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, had on July 30 dissolved the executive following the defection of  Senate President Bukola Saraki to the Peoples Democratic Party.

The party also constituted another  state executive under the chairmanship of  Bolarinwa.

But in a judgment read by Justice T. S. Umar, the court held that “the purported dissolution of the executive committee of APC led by Balogun-Fulani was illegal, null and void.’’

Bolarinwa alleged that the  Balogun-Fulani faction had always insisted that the court’s judgment would be favourable to it.

“As believers in the rule of law and the ability of the judiciary to dispense justice without fear or favour and in the best tradition of incorruptible judiciary, we refuse  to take their boisterous attitude and utterances as mere psychological  ego massaging.

“Alas, the developments that culminated in the judgment and the conduct of Justice T. S Umar in the course of the trial have proved to us that our absolute belief in the impartiality and absolute integrity of every judicial officer is grossly misplaced in the instant case.

“I wish to intimate you all that every conduct of Justice T. S Umar that made the judgement no news have been documented and forwarded by our lawyers to the Chief Justice  of Nigeria,” Bolarinwa said.

He stated that the law was clear on party primaries for the election of  candidates, adding that  no “procured judgement of any high court’’ can change the established position.

Bolarinwa also said all the 24 state Assembly, six House of Representatives, three  Senatorial,  governorship as well as presidential candidates elected at the primaries conducted by the National Working Committee remained valid.

He added that the conduct of the primaries were in line with Article 13.4 (v) and (xiv) of the constitution, adding that  winners at the primaries remained the authentic candidates that would  fly the APC’s flag in  the 2019 general elections.(NAN)
OOH/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

Lagos 2019: Accord gov. candidate steps down as party adopts Agbaje

Endorsement

By Bolaji Buhari

Lagos, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Lagos chapter of Accord Party has adopted the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP),Mr Jimi Agbaje, for the 2019 election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the party endorsed and adopted Agbaje on Thursday at a programme to flag off its campaign activities in Ikeja.

The endorsement followed the open pronouncement by the governorship candidate of the party, Mr Joseph Beckley, that he had agreed with the party to step down for Agbaje and support his ambition.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees of Accord, Rev. Adebayo Adeniji ,while presenting Agbaje to party men, said his adoption was strategic.

He said there was the need for well-meaning people to join forces to take the state from the All Progressives Congress(APC).

Adeniji said the party believed the adoption of Agbaje would help “rescue”the state and ensure residents enjoy the dividends of democracy.

“Today is a historic day because we have taken a step to give Lagos to the people.

“We have adopted Mr Jimi Agbaje so that together, we can take the mantle of leadership in 2019.

“Agbaje has the vision and capacity to win and even deliver.We believe it is better to join efforts with a candidate who will give the state to the people,” he said.

Adeniji explained that Accord was only supporting the PDP governorship for the election but would field candidates for other elections in the state.

He enjoined party members to give their best to ensure victory for Agbaje in the governorship election as well as Accord candidates vying for legislative seats in the state.

Beckley, in his brief speech, said he decided to step down for Agbaje because he had the capacity to govern Lagos and was better positioned to win the election .

He also urged party members to work hard to mobilise residents to vote for Agbaje in the 2019 election.

In his acceptance speech, Agbaje described his adoption by Accord as humbling.

He thanked the party and the governorship candidate for endorsing him.

Agbaje gave the assurance that he would reciprocate the gesture by winning the election and delivering real democratic dividends in the state.

He said his determination to dislodge APC and “free Lagos “ in 2019 was unwavering, urging all residents to support him to give them the state of their dream.

“My message to those who are still waiting on the other side is that the freedom train on the move.

“Let them join it before the momentum will move too much for them to catch up with. There is still room in the train and it is time to move in.

“And to the other people, the APC, my message is clear: their time is up. They will be defeated in 2019.

“Instead of delivering good governance to Lagosians, they are after my posters and campaign boards.

“I am telling them now that enough is enough. It is time for freedom. It is time for free Lagos from impunity, from imposition and from one-man rule”,he said.

NAN reports that Mr Wale Oluwo, who recently resigned from the cabinet of Gov.Akinwunmi Ambode as Commissioner of Energy and Mineral Resources to join PDP, was with Agbaje at the occasion.

The PDP deputy -governorship candidate, Mrs Haleemat Busari; the PDP state Chairman, Dr Adebola Dominic; and Publicity Secretary, Mr Taofeek Gani, also joined Agbaje at the programme.

NAN reports that Accord, at the ocassion, received many defectors from the APC and also presented flags to its candidates for Federal and state legislative seats.

Prince Sunday Ajayi, who led the APC defectors into Accord, said they left their former party owing to what they called the culture of impunuty and imposition.

He said the inability of Ambode and others to get tickets for re-election despite good performance was proof that APC in the state was only for some people and not for members.(NAN)
BHB/SOA

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

44 ships carrying various products expected at Lagos ports

Ships

By Aisha Cole

Lagos, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) Forty-four ships carrying petroleum products, food and other goods are expected at the Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports from Dec. 1 to Jan. 12, 2019, the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) said on Thursday.

The NPA said four of the six ships would sail in with petrol, the other 38 with buckwheat, general cargo, ethanol, aviation fuel, steel, Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK), diesel, aviation fuel, bulk gypsum, sugar and containers carrying different goods.

It said 24 other ships had arrived at the ports and were waiting to berth with bulk wheat, general cargo, container, bulk and petrol. (NAN)

AIC/IKU/SA

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni/Salif Atojoko

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Export
By Sylvester Thompson
Abuja, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, says Nigeria is presently a major leader in yam and ginger exportation and has the best quality ginger in the world.

Ogbeh made this assertion in Abuja on Thursday at the Africa International Investment Summit and Expo (Africinvest) 2018, which also featured the Commodities International Summit and Exhibition.

According to him, government is promoting the export of ginger and Nigeria is the third largest exporter of ginger after China and India, with Nigerian ginger considered as the best in the world.

“Government is committed to enhancing increase in the volume of our ginger exports and to ensure that our various exportable food and cash crops are developed to meet global export standards.’’

Ogbeh was represented by Alhaji Azeez Olumuyiwa, the Director, Agric Business Processing and Marketing.

The minister said that President Muhammadu Buhari launched a time bound aggressive plan to unlock Nigeria’s agricultural potential through the Agricultural Promotion Policy (APP) 2016 to 2020.

According to him, this is called the Green Alternative which is meant to provide a disciplined approach to building a resilient agribusiness ecosystem.

“This will solve the core issues at the heart of limited food production and delivery of quality standards,’’ Ogbeh said.

He maintained that the success of the new policy hinged on engagement of market place participants, farmers, states, investors, financial institutions and communities as well as research laboratories.

The minister also disclosed that in first quarter of 2017, agricultural export increased by 82 per cent over quarter fourth of 2016 levels.

He said that export earnings from agriculture goods stood at N30 billion made up of Sesame seeds export of N3.7 billion to Turkey, N1.6billion to China and N1.6 billion to India.

He also listed others to include soya beans export of N3.4 billion to Russia and N1.2 billion to Greece.

He said that there was frozen shrimp export of N2.2 billion to the Netherlands, cashew nuts export of N1.8 billion to Vietnam and crude palm kernel oil export of N1.2 billion to the Netherlands.

On the Africinvest 2018, the minister said that the gathering was in the quest by the present administration to boost agricultural production, self-sufficiency, food security and investment in the sector.

Mr Anglo Elosia, the Chairman and Chief Coordinator of the Expo said: “We look at various ways by which under this platform, we can identify first of all our natural resources and all human resources.’’

“We then harness them together from nation to nation,’’ he said.

Elosia said that good leadership would ensure that the natural country’s resources were protected against predators who under value resources and profit from them in the black market. (NAN)
SET/VIV/GY
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Editing by Vivian Ihechu/ Grace Yussuf

Gov. AbdulFatah Ahmed of Kwara

Budget

By AbdulFatai Beki

Ilorin, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Kwara House of Assembly on Thursday passed 2019 Appropriation Bill of N157. 8 billion.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the budget was 0.19 per cent higher than N157. 5 billion presented to the House by Gov. AbdulFatah Ahmed on Dec. 6.

The capital expenditure of the budget is now N79.5 billion as against N79.7 billion proposed by the governor, representing 50.44 percent of the total budget.

The recurrent expenditure is put at N71.1 billion  from N70.6 billion representing 49.56% of the total budget.

As required law, the sum of N1.2 billion was allocated as one per cent of the state Consolidated Revenue Fund to the State Health Insurance Scheme.

The measure, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports will ensure accessibility of residents to qualitative healthcare delivery.

The Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad, directed the Clerk of the House, Hajia Halimat Kperogi, to prepare a clean copy of the budget for governor’s assent.

Ahmad explained that with the passage of the budget, the house had demonstrated its commitment and high sense of patriotism.

He, however, expressed displeasure of non-funding of the audit unit by the state government. (NAN)

BEKK/IKU/JTJ

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Edited by Tayo Ikujuni/Julius Toba Jegede

Abba-Aji resigns as Chairman of IPCR Governing Council
Resignation
By Isaac Aregbesola
Abuja, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Sen. Muhammed Abba-Aji has resigned his appointment.
The Resident Information Officer, IPCR, Mr Abu Michael, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Abba-Aji’s led board was inaugurated on March 8 by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama.
Abba-Aji reportedly dumped his governorship ambition on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and picked the form of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to contest the Borno Central Senatorial seat.
Michael explained that Abba-Aji said his resignation was in accordance with the electoral law; since is at present a senatorial candidate in the forthcoming 2019 election.
He said his resignation was with mixed feelings because IPCR was the most important place to concentrate all resources in view of the diverse conflicts confronting Nigeria.
Abba-Aji expressed regret that the institute was poorly financed hindering it from carrying out mediation and other interventions to recover durable peace and national cohesion.
He also expressed concern that the institute suffered financial problem that made it impossible to pay the allowances of members of the governing council that have been so committed to provide the leadership needed for IPCR.
Abba-Aji expressed gladness on the efforts to transform the institute into National Peace Commission.
He appealed to the Federal Government to properly mobilise the institute to carrying out peace building activities to make Nigeria the most peaceful country in the world.
He urged the directors and other staff to remain subservient to the Acting Director General for his progressive bid to fulfilling the mandate by which the institute was established.
The Acting Director General, Dr Bakut T. Bakut and members of the management in their remarks commended Abba-Aji for his good leadership quality and wished him well in his future engagements.(NAN)
IAA/ESAN/ABI
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Edited by Abiodun Esan/Ali Baba-Inuwa

Pupils
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Coordinator, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Mrs Victoria Aleogena says more than 120,000 primary school pupils, would benefit from the programme.

Aleogena disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

She said that over 123,000 pupils in Primaries one to three across 626 public schools in the FCT would benefit from the feeding program, scheduled to commence early 2019.

She explained that the programme is a component of the Federal Government’s social safety net designed to primarily increase enrolment, retention and transition in school, and also increase their nutritional and health status.

“We have not determined how many food vendors yet, but we will need about 1,250 or 1,300 and about 2,000 applications have already been received since August, this year, when the committee was inaugurated,’’ she said.

She appealed to the FCT residents to be patient with the government on the lateness of the programme.

The coordinator assured that the due process would be applied in selecting the food vendors, explaining that they had to resort to open ballot system to select the cooks.

Aleogena said when selected, all the cooks would be required to open accounts with two or three banks designated by the FCT administration, through which their monies would be paid to them directly by the Federal Government.

She added that the FCTA was working with bakers association to reduce the cost of bread and eggs for the food vendors.

“We are working with Agriculture and Rural Development, Education, Social Development, Area Councils Services.

“Also, Health and Human Services Secretariats, as well as the FCT Treasury and Economic Planning, Research and Statistic Departments have pledged support for the programme.

“We therefore appeal to the public, especially the parents, guardians and pupils to be patient and understand that we are following due process to give them the best and serve as a model for other states,’’ she reiterated. (NAN)
KM/FF/EAL
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Ekemini Ladejobi

Reward
By Yakubu Uba
Yola, Dec. 20, 2018 (NAN) Adamawa Ministry of Health has rewarded six of the 21 local government areas in the state
for their outstanding performance in implementing Save One Million Lives (SOML) health programme in the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Fatima Atiku, made this known at the 2018 Steering Committee Meeting and Award
Presentation to Best Performing Local Government Areas in SOML Programme on Thursday in Yola.

She said that the rewards were in six areas comprising immunisation, family planning, birth attendance, malaria control,
nutrition and HIV/AIDS control.

Atiku added that the awards to deserving local governments comprising Toungo, Madagali, Yola South, Yola North, Gombi
and Mubi North was to ginger them to sustain the tempo and encourage those lagging behind to brace up.

She said that the state received such award at the national level and decided to do same to performing local governments
in the state to motivate them.

Dr Abdullahi Belel, the Executive Chairman, Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, lauded the commitment
of the state government in transforming the healthcare sector and urged health workers at the rural areas to do their best to
ensure it succeeded.

In their respective goodwill messages, UNICEF, WHO, HSMB and ADSACA lauded the Adamawa Government’s commitment
to healthcare delivery.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a team of health officials from Bauchi State which
attended the ceremony under the leadership of Abdulkadir Ahmed, lauded the successes recorded in Adamawa under
the SOML programme.

The team was in the state to study the approach used to replicate same in Bauchi State. (NAN)
YMU/HA
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