Lawal
Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo
Ilorin, June 25, 2024(NAN) Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara has condoled with the family of a former Military Governor of Benue, retired Air Vice Marshal Adebayo Lawal, who died on Sunday.
The Offa-born military officer was aged 83.
AbdulRazaq in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye on Monday in Ilorin, also condoled with Offa community and the Nigerian Air Force.
The governor said the death of the former Minister of Youths and Sports represents the end of an era in the Nigeria’s military history, especially the Nigerian Air Force, where he attained many milestones.
“His footprints in the Nigerian Air Force, his fine legacies as a community leader and statesman, and the ideals he lived for will help to preserve his memory”, the governor said.
AbdulRazaq prayed God for the repose of Lawal’s soul and to preserve his family.
Born on Sept. 14, 1941, in Offa, Kwara, Lawal joined the Nigerian Air Force in 1963 as pioneer officer. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
AGF/BEKl/IKU
Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Tayo Ikujuni
UN chief condemns terror attacks in Russia’s Dagestan
Attacks
By Cecilia Ologunagba
New York, June 25, 2024 (NAN) The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has condemned terror attacks against several churches and synagogues in Russia’s mainly Muslim Dagestan region, with the death toll now rising to at least 20.
Guterres, in a statement by his Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, on Monday, conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families, the people, and the Government of Russia, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
Gunmen using automatic weapons reportedly opened fire inside a Christian Orthodox church and synagogue in the city of Derbent on Sunday evening, killing an Orthodox priest.
In what appeared to be coordinated attacks, terrorists also shot at traffic police who were on post in the city of Makhachkala, north of the Caspian Sea, and attacked another church nearby.
There were reported gun battles around the Assumption Cathedral in the city lasting for several hours. At least 15 police officers were among the dead together with four civilians.
Authorities in Dagestan said that at least six militants were also killed following the attacks, although no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The assault came just three months after an ISIL terrorist group affiliate known as ISIS-K, carried out one of the deadliest terror attacks on Russia soil in recent years, at the Crocus City Hall, in Moscow, killing more than 140.
Russian authorities said they were investigating if so-called sleeper cells were involved in coordinating the attacks, and Dagestan has reportedly declared three days of mourning. (NAN) (www.nannnews.ng)
113 countries yet to have woman head of state, says UN women
Women
By Cecilia Ologunagba
New York, June 25, 2024 (NAN) The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as UN Women has said 113 countries have never had a woman Head of State and only 26 are led by a woman today.
The UN Women, in a new figure on gender equality released on Monday, said women should be put first as many countries head to the polls in 2024.
The new data comes as the world celebrated the International Day for Women in Diplomacy, recognising the different ways women are breaking barriers and making a difference in the field of diplomacy.
“As many countries head to the polls this year, we all must put women first, at the pinnacle of power, where and when it matters the most,” UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous.
As of January 1, 2024, women make up less than a third of Cabinet ministers in 141 countries. In seven countries, there are no women represented in Cabinets at all. Meanwhile, only 23 per cent of Ministerial positions are held by women.
Women are also underrepresented as Permanent Representatives to the UN.
As of May 2024, women held 25 per cent of senior ambassador posts in New York, 35 per cent in Geneva, and 33.5 per cent in Vienna.
“Our work is guided by the belief that when women lead, the world is better for all people and the planet.
Women’s equal participation in governance and leadership is key to improving lives for all,” Bahous said.
According to her, electing and appointing women in leadership positions signals strong political will for gender equality and demonstrates a collective commitment to tackling the challenges the world faces today.
“As we prepare to mark 30 years since the passage of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the world’s most progressive blueprint for advancing women’s rights, UN Women continues to work to ensure women lead and thrive in shaping and driving positive change, including through occupying the most senior positions of power”, she said.
NAN reports that in 1995 the Beijing conference built on political agreements reached at the three previous global conferences on women, and consolidated five decades of legal advances aimed at securing the equality of women with men in law and in practice.
It aimed at accelerating the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women and at removing all the obstacles to women’s active participation in all spheres of public and private life through a full and equal share in economic, social, cultural and political decision-making. (NAN) (www.nannnews.ng)
Troops arrest suspected bandits, gunrunners in Plateau, Kaduna
Arrest
By Polycarp Auta
Jos, June 25, 2024 (NAN) Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) and 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, have arrested some suspected bandits and gunrunners in Plateau and Kaduna State.
Maj. Samson Zhakom, the Media Officer of OPSH disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Jos.
According to Zhakom, the suspects were arrested following the joint operation conducted by the men of OPSH and 3 divisions.
He explained that various types of arms and ammunition were equally recovered during the raid that lasted one week.
”On June 21, troops conducted an operation to flush out armed militias and other criminals in a suspected bandits’ hideout at Pandam forest in Qua’anpan Local Government Area of Plateau.
”During the operation, troops recovered 3 AK-47 rifles, 5 AK-47 magazines and 75 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.
”Also, in a combined operation with a sister security agency on June 21, troops tracked and arrested a notorious gunrunner along Jos-Abuja road, around Riyom local government area of Plateau.
”The suspect was arrested while on his way to supply 35 AK-47 magazines to another gunrunner who, unknown to the first gunrunner, has been tracked and arrested in Kano state on June 20.
”Information obtained from the arrested suspect led to the immediate arrest of the major arms supplier at Manchok, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna state.
”This is while he was making efforts to receive the 35 AK-47 magazines from the first gunrunner for onward delivery to bandits in Zamfara State,”he said.
Zhakom said that the troops conducted further search operation at the home of the major gunrunner and recovered the 35 AK-47 magazines, 60 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special), three Bajaj motorcycles, three mobile phones and items suspected to be local charms.
The media officer called on the residents of the two states to support and cooperate with the security agencies in their bid toward ending all forms of security challenges confronting them.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Gov Mai Mala Buni, Gov Babagana Umara Zulum and Gov Umaru Fintiri in Pakistan
Buni, Zulum, Fintiri tour Pakistan to understudy post-insurgency disaster mgmt
Insurgency
By Nabilu Balarabe
Damaturu, June 24, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, his Borno and Adamawa counterparts, Prof. Babagana Zulum and Umaru Fintiri, respectively, have toured Pakistan to understudy post-insurgency disaster management.
Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, Buni’s Director-General (DG) Press and Media Affairs, disclosed this to journalists in Damaturu on Monday.
The tour was organized by the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) of the World Bank and coordinated by the North East Recovery and Stability Programme (NERSP) Programmes Management and Coordination (PMC) CELL, North East Development Commission (NEDC).
Mohammed said the tour would deepen the governors’ understanding of international best practices in crisis management, disaster resilience and urban development.
“ The visit aims to : understand best practices and solutions relevant to MCRP AF and NEDC/BAY mandates. Strengthen institutional capacity for planning, recovery, and stabilization.
“ Enhance implementation of infrastructure, services, and social cohesion. Improve planning for post-NEDC phases and Increase MDAs’ capacity to design and implement sustainable projects,” he said.
The director-general said the team had so far visited Punjab Municipal Development Fund Corporation (PMDFC, LGCD) and Punjab Planning and Development Board (PnD Board).
Mohammed said the Governors were expected to visit Punjab Disaster Management Authority, PMDFC Municipal services projects, Islamabad Disaster Risk Management Portfolio and Khyber Project for Rural Investment and Institutional Support.
He said the team would meet with Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, UN agencies, among others, during the visit.
“ Gov. Buni will have bilateral discussions with heads of donor organisations and private sectors for resource mobilisation,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NERSP PMC Cell, is a World Bank-funded initiative supporting recovery and peace-building in the Northeast States of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe.(www.nannews.ng)
Abuja, June 24, 2024(NAN)The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), has said that the country’s Free Trade Zones generated N11.1 billion between 2020 and 2023.
Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi, Managing Director of NEPZA, said this in a statement by his Head of Corporate Communication, Martins Odeh, on Monday in Abuja.
Ogunyemi said the sum contradicted the earlier N11.11 trillion erroneously captured in the authority’s submission to the Senate Committee on Trade and Investments.
He described the initial quoted figure as a regrettable typographical mishap.
According to the managing director, the sum of N377.33 million was generated in 2020, while N3.11 billion accrued to the Federation Account in 2021 from the scheme.
Ogunyemi said the total remittances from the scheme in 2022 stood at N3.44 billion, while an impressive N4.17 billion came through in 2023.
“The management’s attention has been drawn to the news that it remitted a whopping N11.11 trillion to the Federation Account as of October 2023.
” This information was a classical typography error, and it is regrettable.
“Let me emphatically state that the remittances from the Free Trade Zones from 2020 to 2023 stand at N11.1 billion only.
“We are, however, making good progress to take the scheme to that point where it can generate such huge revenue for the government,” he said.
Ogunyemi said in 2023, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated N59.38 billion, Immigration Services N828.7 million, and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) garnered N8.738 billion from the free trade zones.
Ogunyemi said NEPZA was gradually transforming the scheme into the country’s sustainable economic gateway while calling for more support to position it for greater exploitation.
“NEPZA is the major driver of the Government’s initiative to diversify the Nigerian economy.
” With attractive investment packages and a focus on economy-driven sectors, NEPZA provides investment opportunities in different sectors across the country.
“At the moment, the scheme focuses on three critical investment areas, namely, Manufacturing 45 per cent, Services 30 per cent, and Oil and Gas with 11 per cent active investment exploitation,’’ Ogunyemi said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the scheme currently has 53 Free Trade Zones, harbouring 580 enterprises with a cumulative 30 billion dollars.
The authority collects 20 types of revenues, ranging from 500,000 dollars declaration fees, 60,000 dollars annually as Operation License (OPL) and 300 to 500 dollars Registration fees in line with extant regulations on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
There are also 100 to 300 in Examination and Documentation fees per transaction, which occur on a daily basis. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
LCN/CHOM//BRM
President Bola Tinubu and Mr Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered Bank, during the meeting with the bank’s executives on Monday in Abuja
Investment
Abuja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria remains committed to a balanced approach to energy transition.
According to him, the country still requires substantial investments in the oil and gas sector to meet its energy demands and economic needs.
Tinubu made the remarks at a meeting with the Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered Bank, Mr Bill Winters, on Monday in Abuja.
He called for a just energy transition that supported vulnerable communities across the nation.
The President highlighted the importance of balancing the mutually beneficial shift to green industrial growth and energy with the immediate energy needs of Nigerians.
“We value your cooperation, friendship, and partnership. Substantially, we have oil and gas as our primary source of revenue today.
“As friends, we do not expect you to run away from investments in this sector. We face the future prospect while prudently maximising the present.
“Green industry and energy, yes. We will surely catch up with that. To run a marathon, you need energy today. Nigeria holds the largest reserves of gas in Africa.
“We know we can make best use of great opportunities that exist in the sector. We do not want you to back away from fossil fuels,” the President said.
He said he had seen retractions and retreat positions by some players in the industry, but explained that for any energy transition to succeed, people must live and live well.
“We must be able to meet our obligations to the vulnerable communities. We are committed to being prudent with our natural resources to bring prosperity to our deserving people.
“As we hold the largest reserves in gas on the continent, we do not want to go backward, we want to move forward, and we welcome deepened partnership with your institution,” said Tinubu.
He also highlighted strategic projects across different sectors embarked upon by his administration to stimulate economic growth.
He reiterated his commitment to sustaining ongoing economic reforms and measures to stabilise the economy.
The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun, described Standard Chartered Bank as a valued partner to Nigeria, providing finance for infrastructure, advice on ratings, and the prudent management of Nigeria’s Eurobond.
He said the Bank had indicated interest to finance key infrastructure projects in Nigeria, including the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line rehabilitation, as well as the provision of 3 billion dollars in innovative financing for the NLNG dividend initiative.
“They are also one of our lead managers for Eurobond issuance, and they advise us on our ratings.
“I am pleased to note that Moody’s has just completed our rating review and maintained Nigeria’s rating as a positive outlook, which is very encouraging,” the Minister said.
He also said Moody’s positive outlook rating followed the recent announcement of the World Bank’s 2.25 billion dollars financing package for Nigeria, reflecting the positive trajectory of the current administration’s economic reforms.
In his remarks, Winters lauded Presidential directive Tinubu’s bold economic reforms, noting the international investment community’s recognition and support.
“We see ourselves as ambassadors to Nigeria in the international investment community, and we take our advisory role very seriously.
“We will continue to offer objective advice to the country because we have commitments in the country backed by our strong belief in what this administration is doing,” he said.
The delegation from Standard Chartered Bank included Mr Foluso Phillips, Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria, and Mr Dalu Ajene, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria branch of the bank. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edo Govt, Germany, canvass use of ADR for ease of doing business
Business
By Joy Odigie
Benin, June 24, 2024 (NAN) Edo Government and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) have canvassed the use of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to promote the ease of doing business.
The state government and the agency said this at a four-day training on ADR for Edo Government officials and private sector actors on Monday in Benin.
The Chief Judge of Edo, Justice Daniel Okungbowa said that ADR provided Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) the speed and cost effectiveness for resolving disputes.
Okungbowa said that prompt commercial disputes resolution was key to economic growth.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training is being organised by GIZ via its Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Development for Decent Employment in Nigeria (SEDIN) in partnership with the Mediation Training Institute, Abuja.
The Chief Judge said “ARD opens the door for businesses to have access to a transparent, confident, safe and secure environment to air their concerns and to participate in proffering solutions to their challenges.
“This boost their sense of employment, empowerment and also engenders wealth creation by increasing job opportunities.”
He commended GIZ for its continued partnership with Edo government, adding that the training would position the state towards becoming a hub of ease of doing business in Nigeria.
“When players in the MSMEs have enough confidence in the institutional structure position to support them, they are more likely to increase investment and expand their reach,” he said.
On his part, Mr Osahon Okoh, Policy Adviser, GIZ-SEDIN, said the SEDIN programme was aimed at improving the ease of contract enforcement for MSMEs in Edo.
Okoh said the training was to equip Edo government officials as well as private actors the business space with mediation skills geared towards ease of doing business.
“This training is about the justice system. We understand that conflict resolution is a big deal when we talk about ease of doing business.
“And we see this training as a means of strengthening our institutions to handle disputes more amicably and to create an enabling environment where businesses and investors can actually come.
“The big picture for us is to see that the economy grows in terms of employment in the state,” he said.
NAN reports that the participants would undergo a certification course on Mediation skills Accreditation and the Workings of the Multi-Door Courthouse. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Obi (Nasarawa State), June 24, 2024 (NAN) A Philanthropist, Mr Sonny Agassi, has donated N10 million to 100 poor and vulnerable persons in Jenkwe, Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa state.
Agassi, who is also the Director-General, Nasarawa State Geographic Information Service (NAGIS), said that the gesture was part of activities to commemorate his 54th birthday anniversary.
Speaking at the event on Monday in Obi, Aggasi said that the gesture aimed at empowering the beneficiaries economically.
He explained that the beneficiaries were carefully selected from the five electoral wards in Jenkwe.
”The N10 million will be distributed to the beneficiaries. Each of them will get N100,000.
”This is my way of giving back to the community that made me; I believe this move will alleviate the sufferings of the poorest of the poor.
”We will to continue to support the vulnerable, especially widows and orphans to better their lives,”he said.
The donor, however, called on the beneficiaries to put the cash into good use toward improving their personal income and that of their families.
Earlier, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, the Deputy Governor of the state, who congratulated the celebrant on his 54th birthday anniversary, commended him for remembering the poor in his community.
“I thank my brother for this humanitarian gesture; for me this is very sensitive and it calls for emulation,” he said.
Akabe, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, also advised the beneficiaries to invest the cash in meaningful ventures.
In a goodwill message, Sen. Tanko Al-Makura, the immediate past governor of the state, lauded the celebrant for giving back to his community.
“I commend you for thinking about your community and giving back to them from what God has blessed you with.
“I want everyone that is here today, including myself to support our people no matter how small it might be, to alleviate their sufferings.
“It doesn’t have to be big, but I am throwing the challenge to all of us not to always remember those who don’t have,’’ Al-Makura said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
SDJ/FAT/AZA
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Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi/Polycarp Auta
Tinubu congratulates Chief of Staff Gbajabiamila on birthday
Congratulation
By Salif Atojoko
Abuja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) President Bola Tinubu has extended warm congratulations to his Chief of Staff, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, on his birthday.
Tinubu, in a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, described Gbajabiamila as a statesman and prolific public administrator.
He said Gbajabiamila was also an accomplished lawyer who previously served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023.
“Owing to the quality of leadership and representation he provided for Surulere 1 Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives, Honourable Gbajabiamila maintained a perfect streak of re-elections across decades from 2003 until 2023 when he was appointed as the Chief of Staff to the President.
“President Tinubu joins family, friends, and staff of the presidency to celebrate an exceptional leader on this special occasion.
“The President commends Honourable Gbajabiamila for his diligence, high sense of responsibility, patriotic zeal, and commitment to the common good,” the statement read.
Tinubu wished Gbajabiamila many more years in good health and renewed strength in his service to the nation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
