Blog

Refinery

By Yunus Yusuf

Lagos, Sept. 7, 2018 (NAN) The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has urged the Federal Government to improve efforts in ensuring enhanced capacity of the refineries in the country and depots to end fuel importation.

Alhaji Debo Ahmed, Chairman Western Zone, IPMAN, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos against the backdrop of some moribund depots.

Ahmed said that if the country’s refineries and the 22 NNPC depots were working effectively, this would save the huge amount spent on importation and subsidising the price of fuel by NNPC.

He also urged the government to embark on massive repairs of depots and product pipelines in the country to save the country huge investment on products importation.

According to him, when all refineries are in full production, it would go a long way in addressing fuel scarcity and check petroleum product importation.

“This is the appropriate time to save the economy by stopping subsidy and channel the money to other sectors.

“Pumping of products to Ejigbo Satelite depot has been challenging in the last three months while Ibadan depot loading capacity has dropped to 10 per cent,“ he said.

He also said that the Ibadan depot had been operating on skeletal loading for almost three months.

Ahmed also urged government to provide adequate security to checkmate pipeline vandals across its pipelines network to ensure adequate product availability.

He said that incessant pipeline vandalism had turned the country into importer rather than an exporter of refined oil and trucking the imported fuel from the coastal areas to hinterland.

Ahmed also called on government to ensure reduction of petroleum products trucking to short distances by making sure that the 22 depots function properly.

He said that the depots should also be strategically located throughout the six geo-political zones of the country to boost distribution. (NAN)

YO/AAB/DUA

Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Dada Ahmed

Shekarau

By Tukur Muntari
Kano, Sept. 7, 2018 (NAN) The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Mr Adams Oshiomhole on Friday in Kano expressed happiness over the defection of former governor of Kano state, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau from PDP to APC.

Oshiomhole made the remark when he paid a visit to the former governor at his personal residence at Mundubawa quarters in Kano metropolis.

Shekarau was a founding member of APC, but left when the party was handed over to Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, who was then the governor. Kwankwaso has gone back to PDP, with Shekarau also going back to APC.

“ I am extremely delighted to be in your midst because it is an opportunity for me to meet and reunite with you,”Oshiomhole said.

“We have come to reunite with a friend, Comrade and a real Progressive in order to move our party forward, “he said.

He expressed optimism that the defection of Shekarau to APC would strengthen the party in the state and the country at large.

“From your life style and what you did for Kano State, nobody can claim to be more Progressive than you. We know it is condition that make crayfish bend.”

Oshiomhole thanked the former governor and his supporters for the warm reception accorded him and his entourage.

Shekarau said: “Our coming together will not only move Kano state forward but the country as a whole.

“Anybody who writes history of APC without mentioning Shekarau, the history is not complete,”he said.

Shekarau, who thanked the APC leadership and Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje for the ‘political and friendly’ visit, assured that the consultation between him and the APC was in ‘full gear’ for his final movement to the the party.

Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje described Shekarau as one of the founding fathers of APC and assured him of his readiness to establish a good relationship.

“I am the happiest person in the state because the dream has come true as we have always been good friends and brothers, “Ganduje said.

NAN reports that among those who accompanied Oshiomole on the visit were Sen. Kabiru Gaya, Sen Jibrin Majiya and the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters, Abdurrahman Kawu-Sumaila.

Also present  during the visit were the state Deputy chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Ibrahim KT, other executive committee members of the party as well as many supporters of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.

NAN reports that Shekarau is expected to formally announce his defection to APC at a grand ceremony any moment from now.

(NAN)
MTM/

Fraud

By Muftau Ogunyemi

Akure, Sept.7, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has arrested a 45-year-old ‘prophet’, name withheld, for allegedly issuing fake NSCDC appointment letters to job seekers in Ondo state.

The commandant of NSCDC in the state, Mr Pedro Awili, disclosed this presenting the suspect along with others, arrested for various crimes on Friday in Akure.

Awili said that the suspect was arrested at Iju in Iju/Itaogbolu Local Government Area of the state.

He said that the “ prophet“ had issued about 50 of such fake letters in conjunction with his accomplice, name withheld now at large.

According to him, that suspect, is a pastor in charge of a parish of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in the same local government area.

He said that the command had recovered about 50 appointment letters from the “prophet and another suspect.

 The commandant said they issued the fake letter to the unsuspecting members of the public after collecting N200, 000 to N300, 000 each from them.

“We are using this opportunity to tell Nigerians that NSCDC is not recruiting; anything you see on social media about this is a scam.

“Don’t be deceived by the people who want to take this advantage to dupe the teeming population of those looking for jobs by collecting money from them.

“Also, NSCDC Commandant-General  has on several media, the electronic and print, informed the people of this country that NSCDC is not recruiting, even up till now,’’ he said.

The commandant said that the suspect would soon be charge to court.

Speaking to newsmen, one of the suspects, who claimed to be a prophet of a Celestial Church of Christ, (CCC) Ayomikun Parish, Iju said, denied issuing letters to members of the public regarding recruitment by NSCDS in the state.

He said it was another one Pastor that issued the letters.

The suspect said that it was the said pastor that requested him to give him his bank account number that someone wanted to send money to him through it.

“One person paid N130, 000 and later paid N120, 000, while his friend paid N200, 000 into my account on behalf of the pastor and asked them to collect their letters from me,“ he said.

The “prophet“ said when the money was paid into his account, the said pastor sent one account number to him, through which he forwarded the money to him.

“ I later discovered that the account number belongs to his wife.’’(NAN)

OMA/JTJ

Edited by Julius Toba Jegede/Dada Ahmed

We are  ready to support more Nigerian farmers – Netherlands

2019: Sen. Hunkuyi calls on Nigerians to vote for credible leaders

Election
By Cecilia Ijuo
Kaduna, Sept. 7, 2018 (NAN) A federal lawmaker, Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi, on Friday urged Nigerians to shun sentiments by voting for credible leaders that would meet their aspirations in 2019.

Hunkuyi made the call while declaring his intention to run for governorship in Kaduna State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He spoke at a town hall meeting in Angwan Wakili, Southern Kaduna.

Hunkuyi said the mandate to elect credible leaders that would deliver the dividends of democracy lay with the people, urging them to take their power seriously.

He said that what gave him the confidence to take up the race was the fact that he would receive the overwhelming support of the people.

The aspirant said that his decision  stemmed from the people’s desire to chart a new course for the state.

“My intention to run for governor is because I have the people, and that is what politics is all about.

“It was the power of the people that was harnessed to remove the former government,” he said.

According to him, the same power of the people will be at work in 2019.

He also spoke on the lingering animosity between the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-rufai and senators representing the state over the Senate’s refusal to approve a 350 million dollar loan sought by the state government.

Hunkuyi said he had no regrets kicking against the loan.

According to him, excuses by the state government that the non approval of the loan hampered infrastructure development are only to whip the people’s sympathy.

“You do not build any economy using loans.

“Loans are meant to be used as support packages in rebuilding the economy.

“As such, the governor cannot use a loan of whooping 350 million dollars to build the economy,” he said.

He claimed that no part of the loan had anything to do with infrastructure or the general welfare of the people.

“What we are trying to do now is to galvanise the support of the people that brought in this government to find an alternative government in 2019,’’ he said.

Hunkuyi (PDP-Kaduna) had recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress to PDP. (NAN)
CJM/AOM/SOA
===============
(Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Oluwole Sogunle)

Assent

By Cecilia Ijuo

Abuja, Aug. 7, 2018 (NAN) The Network of Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria (NCSON) has raised concern over the non-assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari, saying it was ominous.

The National Coordinator of the group, Mr Kalu Victor, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the amendments were corrections of some challenges identified in the 2015 elections.

While appreciating Buhari’s concerns over the bill, Victor said, “in view of the importance of the bill, particularly for the success of the 2019 general elections, the concerns could have been resolved and the bill signed.

“This is a danger to democracy. For instance, the president was complaining about the amount, but even his own party is selling Expression of Interest form, Nomination form and other forms is high.

“If he had signed the bill that would have been resolved. Besides that, there are many provisions in the bill that would be beneficial to the 2019 elections and sustenance of democracy.

“Unfortunately, it has been rejected three times and this is not good for our democracy.

“This is not about any individual but about the interest of Nigerians,” he said.

Victor called on the federal legislature to override the president’s veto in the interest of the country.

He said, “Our position as a group is that the National Assembly should override the president’s veto.

“I know the reason the National Assembly has been foot-dragging on overriding the president’s veto on some crucial bills he declined assent to; it is the respect they have for him.

“They are also being careful in doing that so that those who do not understand it will not misinterpret their actions.

“But for us, especially for the sake of our democracy, they should override his veto.”

NAN reports that the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018, when signed, would among other things, prohibit political parties from imposing arbitrary fees on political aspirants.

The bill prescribes limits for each elective office and they include N150, 000 for Ward Councillorship aspirant in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), N250, 000 for an Area Council Chairmanship
aspirant in the FCT.

House of Assembly aspirant is N500, 000; N1 million for House of Representatives aspirant, N2million for a senatorial aspirant, N5 million for governorship aspirant and N10 million for presidential.

The bill also seeks to ensure that the use of the smart card reader and other technological devices in elections are legalised.

It also seeks to provide solution to a situation where a candidate dies before being declared winner as was the case in Kogi in 2015.

Furthermore, the bill seeks to create additional observation privileges for polling agents and accredited observers, by allowing inspection of election materials.

In addition, it allows written and audio-visual recordings of inspections by polling agents before commencement of elections.

The bill seeks to ensure that political parties seeking to
nominate candidates for elections hold either direct or indirect primaries for aspirants to all elective positions.

The president had on Sept. 3, declined assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018, transmitted to him by the national assembly on Aug. 3, for the third time.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang, had disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

He said the president declined assent to the bill due to some drafting issues and the period fixed for primaries among others.

Enang had in August, clarified that the bill, as forwarded to the president, was alive and awaiting assent.

He gave the clarification against the backdrop of a newspaper report that Buhari had again vetoed the bill forwarded to him for assent.

Enang had said that the vetoed bill was the one sent to the president on June 27 and not the one passed by both chambers of the National Assembly on July 24, the day it embarked on annual recess.

NAN reports that besides the vetoed version of the 2018 electoral bill forwarded to the President on June 27 and vetoed on July 26, he had earlier rejected the first amendment bill in February, for assent.

NAN further reports that following the July 26 veto, the Court of Appeal on Aug. 1, nullified the April 25 judgment of the Federal High Court, which struck out the National Assembly’s election re-ordering provision of the bill. (NAN)

CJM/OPI

Shares
By Lilian Okoro
Lagos, Sept. 7, 2018 (NAN) Some major blue chips on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday, recorded price depreciation as a result of profit taking by investors.

Blue chips generally sell high-quality, widely accepted products and services.

They are companies known to weather downturns and operate profitably in the face of adverse economic conditions a development that helps to contribute to their long record of stable and reliable growth.

However, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dangote Cement topped the price losers’ chart, dropping N1 to close at N20.9 per share.

UBN followed with a loss of 55k to close at N5.3 per share.

Lafarge Wapco depreciated by15k to close at N23, while Oando Oil and Zenith Bank lost 1k each to close at N5.25 and N20.9 per share respectively.

The All-Share Index lost 72.31 basis points or 0.21 per cent to close at 34,037.91 against 34,110.22 recorded on Thursday.

The market capitalisation dipped by N26 billion or 0.21 per cent to close at N12.426 trillion compared with N12.452 trillion achieved onThursday.

On the other hand, Glaxosmith led the gainers’ table with N1.2 to close at N14.3 per share.

Mobil Oil followed with a gain of N1 to close at N180, while Dangote Sugar grew by 9k to close at N16 per share.

Diamond Bank also gained 1k to close at N1.33, while Maybaker appreciated by 0.09k to close at N2.49 per share.

In all, investors staked N2.10 billion on 155.95 million shares in 52,715 deals, representing a growth of 5.19 per cent.

This was against 164.500 million shares worth N2.07 billion traded in 3,188 deals on Friday.

The financial services sector remained the most active with GTBank emerging the most traded equity with 27.19 million shares worth N948.89 billion.

Zenith Bank came second with 19.68 million shares valued at N412.01 million, while Sovrenins sold 12.66 million shares worth N3.04 million.

Fidelity accounted for 10.81 million shares valued at N18.56 million, while Sky Bank traded 7.88 million shares valued at N4.37 million. (NAN)
LUC/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed

Fuel
by Edith Ike-Eboh

Abuja, Sept. 7, 2018(NAN) The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has assured that there is enough fuel in the country and that there is no need for panic buying of petroleum products by motorists and the public.

The corporation disclosed this in a statement issued by Mr Ndu Ughamadu, It’s spokesman, in Abuja, on Friday.

This, followed reports of an ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) over a purported intervention by an arm of the security agencies in what the union viewed as purely labour matters involving a company and its workers in Delta State.

He added that the corporation’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru and his Management team, were engaging the parties involved, saying the parties are close to resolving the issues.

Ughamadu in the statement advised motorists and other consumers of petroleum products not to engage in panic buying as the NNPC Management was close to reaching an amicable resolution of the challenge.

NNPC assured that the corporation had adequate storage of petroleum products across the country and advised that they should not entertain any fear of petroleum shortages (NAN)
ENO/SH

=======

edited by Sadiya Hamza

Pilgrims

By Mohammad Nur Tijani

Kano, Sept. 7, 2018 (NAN) The first batch of 542 Kano State Pilgrims who performed the 2018 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia, have returned home.
The pilgrims, who were on board a Max Air Boeing 747 aircraft, landed at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport around 4:35am on Friday.
Hajiya Hadiza Abbas, the Public Relations Officer of Kano state pilgrims welfare board disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Friday.
She said the pilgrims were from Dala, Fagge, Ungoggo, Gwale and Bebeji local government areas of the state.
Abbas, who is currently in the Holy land, said the pilgrims were in good health condition and have since returned to their respective local government areas of origin.
According to her, the board had already started preparations for the transportation of the second batch of its pilgrims on Sunday, Sept. 9.
NAN recalled that no fewer than 2,850 pilgrims from the state performed the 2018 Hajj exercise. (NAN)
MNT/MTM
==========

Policing
By Deborah Coker
Okada (Edo), Sept. 7, 2018 (NAN) A former Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Solomon Arase, has said that collaboration between the public sector, private sector and the Civil Society is essential and critical in modern policing.

Arase said this on Friday in Okada, near Benin, while delivering a public lecture to mark the 84th birthday of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.

He Spoke on the topic: ” Strategic Partnership for National Security: Extending the Frontiers of Private Sector Participation Model”.

He said the primary goal of Government was to attain socio-economic development for national self-reliance.

The former inspector-general of police said this was largely predicated on the security systems, among other factors.

According to him, the efforts of public sector alone could not adequately guarantee national security.

He, therefore, said that collaboration between the public sector, private sector and civil society was essential and critical in modern day policing often anchored on community policing system.

Arase also said that his lecture was a re-echo of strategic partnership for national security using the paradigm of private sector participation.

“In particular, I allude to the view that the frontiers of private participation model have been set.

“Without being immodest, I take the position that, beyond eulogy and rhetoric, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin, has creditably and unbeatably set the Levant frontiers of private sector participation in guaranteeing national security,” he said.

He said that this had set the standard to reach the crescendo of strategic partnership for national security.

The former I-G stated that an individual could not do it alone, and urged all other non-State actors to follow his footsteps.

He said this would help to secure the present generation and generations yet unborn.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Lawrence Okechukwu, Vice Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Okada, said that the topic of the lecture was apt because of the daunting global security challenges.

Okechukwu said the lecture was an annual event organised by the institution as part of activities to mark the birthday celebration of the founder of the institution and the patriarch of the Igbinedion family.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the birthday celebration comes up on Sept. 11. (NAN)
DCO/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf