News Agency of Nigeria
Economy/Business

NEPZA reiterates commitment to conducive environment for foreign investors

By Emmanuella Anokam

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, the Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), has reiterated commitment to creating competitive environment for foreign investors in the country.

Mr Martins Odeh, Head, Corporate Communications, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said the NEPZA boss said this when he received a Turkish Business Delegation.

The delegation was led by Mr Onur Akgul, Commercial Counsellor from the Turkish Embassy in Abuja.

Adesugba explained that he was part of few investment promoters in Nigeria who paved way for the establishment of the Nigerian/Turkish Investment Council years back.

He said that the Federal Government was committed to using the Authority to create huge business and investment alternatives in the drive towards economic diversification.

He expressed delight that the Turkish Government was contemplating having an exclusive free trade zone in Nigeria for its investors and companies.

According to Adesugba, the Authority is committed to assisting in the facilitation of the proposed zone in order to achieve it target of stimulating wealth for Nigerians.

Earlier, Akgul said the Turkish businesses were seeking a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Abuja.

He said that 50 companies would commence the initiative in different specialties ranging from construction, furniture, plastic, technology and technical/vocational services

Similarly, the NEPZA boss called for a seamless commencement of operation at the Enugu Industrial Park Free Trade Zone.

He said this on a tribute to Dr Chris Okereke, Managing Director, Lion Business Park Free Zone Management Company, promoter of the zone, who died on March 2.

Adesugba said that late Okereke was foremost in ensuring the establishment of the zone, adding that Okereke used the Business Park Free Zone Management Company to promote the zone.

He, therefore, appealed to all interest groups to ensure seamless commencement of full operation in the zone.

“This is a zone that should boost the country’s power generation, energy conversion, technologies and manufacturing among others. The Authority is concerned over its present state. We must make it work, ” he said. (NAN)

Health

Nigeria records 371 new COVID-19 infections

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has registered 371 new cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the total number of infections in the country to 158,042.

The NCDC disclosed the figures on its official Twitter handle on Friday.

The public health agency recorded three COVID-19 deaths, raising the total fatalities in the country to 1,954.

The NCDC disclosed that the new infections occurred in 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the last 24 hours.

It stated that Lagos State reported the highest number of infections with 101 cases, followed by Rivers with 54 and Anambra with 31 cases.

Ebonyi had 23, Imo-23, Kwara-22, Kano-20, Taraba-17, Akwa Ibom-16, FCT-15, Abia-13, Kaduna-13, Osun-five, Edo-four, Oyo-four, Kebbi-three, Ogun-three, Ekiti-two, Nasarawa-one and Zamfara-one.

According to the NCDC, a total of 137,025 COVID-19 patients have recovered from the disease, including 609 in past 24 hours.

It said there 204 community recoveries in Kwara, 167 in Lagos State, 88 in Edo and 60 in Osun, all managed in line with set guidelines.

The NCDC noted that the number of active COVID-19 cases in Nigeria was 19,063,on Friday,  down slightly from 19,385 the previous day.

The agency said that a multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, had continued to coordinate the national response activities in Nigeria.

NAN recalls that Nigeria has tested 1,544,008 people since the COVID-19 index case was announced on Feb. 27, 2020. (NAN)

Sports

Oyeleke emerges champion at national archery tournament

By Ijeoma Okigbo
Emmanuel Oyeleke of Lekki Archery Club has emerged the male singles 30 metres recurve champion in the male singles event at the national archery championship in Abuja.
The event which was held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in  Abuja was organised on Friday by the Nigeria Archery Federation (NAF).
Oyeleke who began archery in 2019 was excited about his victory.
“Coming all the way from Lagos to win this event is a testament to the fact that hardwork pays.
”We didn’t have enough time to train in 2020 due to COVID-19. But I would have loved to do more in terms of my personal performance.
”However, I think that what I am able to do here is good enough.
“The goal for me is the Olympics,” Oyeleke added.
In the female singles, Stella Agodi of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) won the female singles 30 metres recurve event.
Meanwhile, Bernice Nwamodoh and Akatiki Haruna of NPF, emerged first and second respectively in the female singles bare bow 15 metres event.
Also, Team Police defeated Team Arch Club in the mixed doubles 15 metres event to emerge winners.
Mohammed Abdullahi, President of NAF, urged winners of the competition to continue training so as to improve in their performance.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Team Immigration, Team Correctional Service, Team Army and Team Air Force also participated alongside Team Police.
Also, states such as the FCT, Kwara and featured teams in the three-day event, with over 60 athletes, alongside Lekki Archery Club, Lagos and Arch Club of Abuja.(NAN)
Sports

Cameroon girls beat Nigeria to avenge their boys’ loss

By Georgina Adegbie/Aderonke Ojo
Team Cameroon on Friday in Abuja whipped Team Nigeria 3-0 at the ongoing U-18 Girls African Nations Volleyball championship.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the match played at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, the Nigerian girls were spirited and lost gallantly in spite of their efforts.
Team Cameroon, as good as they may look, displayed a good level of supremacy in their game against Nigeria.
Team Nigeria fought well, but they were unable to win any of the sets, losing 26-28, 21-25 and 17-25.
Emile Tong Tong, the head coach of Cameroon, later said his players fought hard to win the match.
“The Nigerian team gave us a tough time in the game, but I’m happy that my players did well with experience to come out victorious at the end of the game.
“We will go and prepare ahead of our game against Ghana on Saturday,” he said.
On his part, Elishama Elam, the Head Coach of Nigeria’s under-18 girls, said he was impressed with the performance of his girls even though they lost their game
 “The girls fought well and they gave Cameroon a tough time, but unfortunately their efforts could not yield good results.
“We will go back to our drawing board and work on our laspses against our next matches and to get things right,”the head coach said.
The captain of Nigeria’s female team, Maryam Ibrahim, said they would improve on their performance to win their next game.
“We really need to work hard and qualify to play the World Cup. We will fight well to win our next match,” the captain said.

The African Nations Volleyball Championship which started on Thursday is expected to end on Tuesday.(NAN)

Culture & Tourism

FG pledges to make ‘Ito Ogbo’ festival international celebration

By Peter Okolie

The Federal Government has promised to take appropriate measures to make the ‘Ito Ogbo’ festival of Obosi people in Anambra a national and international event.

The festival is a triennial event that offers the community an opportunity to celebrate its natives that attained 80 years and above.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this year’s event will come up on Saturday at the Obosi Village Square, near Onitsha.

Speaking on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Traditional Ruler of Obosi, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, the minister described the festival as “worthwhile”.

Mohammed, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, assured Iweka that government would help to promote the festival to an international status.

“We are here today to witness the festival ourselves because of the importance we attach to it.

“Our visit is a step towards pushing it further. We are not only pushing it to a national celebration but an international one.

“It will become a festival that both the local and foreigners will hear about.

“We are going to be here on Saturday, when we will conduct interviews with various stakeholders and document the event for future references,” he said.

Earlier, the traditional ruler of the town, called for the festival to be made a national event because of its tourism potential.

He said that such a measure would go a long way to underscore the joy of longevity and also help to address the myriad of challenges facing the elderly.

He regretted that society no longer recognised the elderly, saying they were being neglected.

He said: “We are elated to have the federal government’s presence in this year’s celebration.

“This is the very first time we are having federal representative to observe the event.

“We want this celebration to spread, not only in this town, but across Nigeria and the world because we are not selfish.

“We recognise what our ancestors did for us by instituting the festival.

“So, we will want the festival to become a national celebration, which should be emulated and replicated in other parts of Nigeria and beyond,” Iweka said.

According to him, this will help to make the nation’s youths to appreciate the elderly rather than abuse or neglect them. (NAN)

General News

Prioritise your roles to promote Nigeria abroad, Onyeama urges Ambassadors

By Fortune Abang
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has urged newly accredited Ambassadors and Deputy Ambassadors to prioritise their roles toward promoting their fatherland in countries they were designated.
Onyeama gave the charge in his address during  presentation of Letters of Credence to 13 Ambassadors and 12 Deputy Ambassadors on Friday in Abuja.
A Letter of Credence is a formal diplomatic letter that appoints a diplomat as Ambassador to another sovereign state
According to him, the appointment attests to the many years of hard work and also a testimony to the confidence  President Muhammadu Buhari reposed in the appointees.
Onyeama said:  “This is to send you out as envoys to represent the President in countries which you have been designated.
“It is an onerous task that you also have; it is very prestigious and there is a high responsibility to win the alter-ego of which the President is sending you out.
“So you must have broad shoulders to carry out that responsibility, I have confidence that you will discharge your responsibilities with great success, for the interest of Nigeria.
“There are large numbers of Nigerians in countries you have been designated, remember it is important you are representing the President, you are also servants to Nigerians in countries you are accredited,” he said.
He urged them to also create vistas for Foriegn Direct Investments and mutual relationship between Nigeria and their host countries in the delivery of their roles as envoys.
Speaking on behalf of the Ambassadors and Deputy Ambassadors, Amb. Benaoyagha Okoyen, expressed appreciation to President Buhari for giving them the privilege to serve their fatherland.
Okoyen, who is Ambassador of Cuba designated to Honduras, Bahamas and Nicaragua, said that Nigeria is a nation that must be great when talked about in terms of everything.
“As principal representatives of the President, we are aware of our responsibilities; we will provide required leadership in our various nations and countries of accreditation.
“We will deliver our duties with dedication and patriotism by putting our nation first in all we do and be mindful that it is time Nigeria needs right leadership in the world.
“Nigeria is the best destination and being great in Africa, every nation will be relying on the strength of our resources and capabilities,” Okoyen said.
He, however, promised not to take their responsibility for granted, saying we will rely more on directives of the ministry, be rest assured of our loyalty.
High point of the ceremony was presentation of Letter of Credence to 13-Ambassadors and 12-Deputy Ambassadors. (NAN)
General News

IPAC lauds FG’s stand ruling out negotiation with bandits, terrorists

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has supported the Federal Government decision ruling out negotiations with bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements in the country.

Dr Leonard Nzenwa, National Chairman, IPAC, said this when he spoke at a news conference on Friday in Abuja.

Nzenwa expressed worry over the activities of non-state actors masquerading under different names and unleashing mayhem on Nigerians in the forms of kidnapping, maiming and killing,

“The most pathetic, soul-wrenching was that these merchants of death have intensified efforts to destroy the Nigerian education system.

“Killing our education system by kidnapping and holding hostage our young daughters and boys who are innocent and have not wronged them in any way.

“To descend this low to blackmail the people and the nation must not be allowed to continue.

“The Nigerian people and government of Federal Republic of Nigeria must rise up to stop this brigandage by forces resolved to destroy the country,”he said.

Nzenwa said after reviewing the situation in the country over some months, IPAC supported the call by the National Assembly urging President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency on national security.

He also urged the president to undertake complete overhaul of the nation’s security architecture.

Nzenwa expressed concern on the level of intelligece gathering and its usage by security agencies.

“We commend Buhari for changing the Service Chiefs few weeks back, but this change will only be meaningful to Nigerians if it yields positive results whereby this band of terrorists and troublemakers are crushed and utterly decapitated.

“A great nation like Nigeria cannot be destroyed by these anarchists. Mr President must act decisively now to rein these outlaws,”he said.

Nzenwa called on government to increase budgetary allocation to security , while urging government to address youth unemployment.

“IPAC calls on government to review and enhance compensation and welfare package of the armed forces personnel, boost intelligence gathering and its usage.

“Government should expressly and unequivocally support, endorse, fund and scale up community policing in the country.

“IPAC calls on government to address herders/ farmers/ ethnic clashes frontally.

“We also call on government to forbid/warn and prosecute individuals inflaming the polity with their speeches (hate or otherwise),” he said.(NAN)

Sports

2021 Abuja Lawyers League to kick off May 15 – Organisers

By Priscilla Osaje

The Abuja Lawyers League (ALL), an annual football competition, will begin on May 15, according to the organisers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition is aimed at cresting an environment for lawyers to socialise outside the courtrooms.

The chief host of the 2021 ALL, Yakubu Maikyau, said  he would work with the organisers to achieve their objective of holding a very remarkable event.

“We accepted to work with them on plans they already had, to ensure that they achieve the set objectives in 2021.

“We will continue to support and partner with them. I can see from the summary of what they have achieved since 2017 and the story has been from one level of progress to another,” he said.

Maikyau noted that sports provided a platform for better interaction among colleagues, and “it is one moment we put all our differences behind, especially in football.”

” In it, there is no religious sentiment and ethnic bigotry. All the prejudice that seems to divide us are consumed with our interest in sports,” he added.

Maikyau who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) explained that sports fosters unity and cooperation and offered citizens an opportunity to contribute to the growth of the nation.

The competition chief host also urged Nigerians  to change their lifestyle and engage in regular exercising to achieve physical fitness.

He disclosed that he had participated in medical outreach and partnered with South Americans in collaboration with the Nigeria Medical and Dental Council.

“They deploy their personnel who volunteer in medical outreaches together with doctors and nurses from the University College Hospital Ibadan,” Maikyau said.

He commended the Kebbi  Government for their collaboration and support, saying they would extend the medical outreach across the state.

“This is an opportunity and my colleagues and I will be part of it.”

Speaking earlier, Olujimi Olujide, the Principal Head of members of the competition’s Organising Committee, appreciated Maikyau for his gesture.

He further praised him for also deeming it fit to be their host this year.

“The media  conference/official unveiling of the host is to formally communicate to the world that this year’s competition is named after the host, Maikyau,” Olujide said.

He added that the idea of ALL was conceived in 2017 and that it had grown exceedingly among lawyers in Abuja and the country in general.

“In 2017, it started with six teams with the coming together of 30 persons.

“In 2018, we had it in honour of Lateef Fagbemi, a SAN, and the competition was known as LOF Cup, while in 2019 we had it in honour of Akinolu Olujinmi and it was called  the “Kacos’ cup.

“Last year was a blank competition known as Abuja Lawyers League,” Olujide said.

He explained that the last event was remarkable due to the ground-breaking achievement of the first Abuja Lawyers League Gala/Awards Night, where prizes were presented to players and sponsors.

The official noted that the lawyers’ league was a platform for lawyers to interact and get in touch with the reality of all they had, in terms  of help and sports activities.

“We have grown to reaching more lawyers over the years, because in 2017 we had six teams, and in 2018 10 teams, while  in 2019 and 2020 we had 14 teams,” he added.

Olujide said the plans to have medical outreach for lawyers was quite necessary.

He disclosed that the medical team that would offer certain level of free medical services and advice to lawyers would be a great development.

” Also, as part of our corporate social responsibilities as a football organisation, we have gone to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp at Durumi to donate some relief  materials and we intend to do more.” (NAN)

Business , Economy/Business

Islamic finance institute to partner TrustBanc Arthur

 

By Rukayat Adeyemi

The Institute of Islamic Finance Professionals (IIFP) is seeking partnership with TrustBanc Arthur, a non-interest investment institution, to further deepen the penetration of Islamic finance in Nigeria.

IIFP Acting President, Dr Tajudeen Yusuf, made this known when he led associate members of the institute on a courtesy visit to the Chief Executive Officer of TrustBanc Arthur, Dr Basheer Oshodi, on Friday in Lagos.

Yusuf said that IIFP was seeking partnership with the Shariah compliant firm to gain intellectual support and to also benefit from its wealth of experience.

The IIFP leader commended Oshodi’s impressive passion for the islamic finance movement in Nigeria.

“It is commendable that even after taking a back seat from the helms of affairs of the Institute, you are still very open and ever ready to work with us,” he said.

He said that the institute had submitted a proposal to the University of Lagos for approval to commence postgraduate studies in Islamic finance  as part of the effort to widen the Islamic finance market.

He expressed optimism that enrolment for the programme would start by June for the studies to commence in September, while doctorate programmes was expected to start within three years.

Yusuf said the institute was building its academic and intellectual base to be able to compete globally.

He said the institute would be looking forward to have Oshodi among other Islamic finance academics to lecture in some of its courses.

The IIFP leader said that “the future is bright for the Islamic finance market in Nigeria because it is a market for everybody,” adding that all hands must be on deck to distribute and maximise its inherent benefits.

In his response, Oshodi said it was important for the institute to measure its activities in terms of overall growth of capacity and the industry as a whole.

“By measuring, it means that we have to identify specific things to be done with timelines, so that by this time next year we should have moved from point A to B or M.

“For that to happen, we have to consider what should be put in place, in terms of membership strength for IIFP.

“Now we have more financial institution, Takaful companies, law firms, Assets management companies, among others, who are developing funds and they all need capacity.

“So, we must look into how to make all of them IIFP members, as some of them are not.

“They will be expected to pay minimum subscription, enjoy training programmes from time to time,” he said.

Oshodi urged the institute to look into the areas yet uncovered in the islamic banking such as the strategic model, the business strategy and presentation skills.

He also urged IIFP to package the curriculum vitae of its members to be appealing to employers upon graduation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other IIFP members present during the visit were Mr Monsur Musa, Hajia Wasilat Olanrewaju-Adesina, Mrs Adogie Momoh and Miss Kwathar Imam. (NAN)

Defence/Security

Abia Govt seeks stakeholders’ support in fight against crime

By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has urged stakeholders and residents of the state to support his administration’s efforts to end the rising wave of violent crimes in the area.

Ikpeazu made the call on Friday at the grand finale of the sensitisation campaign against criminal activities held at Mgboko, the headquarters of Obingwa Local Government Area (LGA).

He said: “We have a unique system that is dependent on the support of the people in order for our state to thrive.

“I urge the people to be vigilant and complement government’s efforts in the fight against crime by reporting suspected criminals to security agencies.

“It is the responsibility of everyone to be vigilant concerning the activities happening around them and the state government will  not hesitate to prosecute culprits.”

He said the aim of the campaign was to encourage members of the public to engage in legitimate ventures built on honesty and integrity.

Ikpeazu opined that criminals operate mostly under the influence of drug and described drug abuse and drug trafficking as the bane of society.

He encouraged the people of Abia to take advantage of the various government’s empowerment programmes and dissociate themselves from illegitimate businesses.

In a speech, the Commissioner for  Police in the state, Mrs Janet Agbede, said the campaign would help to ensure a crime-free Abia.

Agbede commended the state government for assisting security agencies in the state with  necessary logistics to tackle crime and criminality.

She urged the people to apply the principle of “know your neighbour” and endeavour to report unusual activities in their neighbourhood to security agencies.

In an address, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Anthony Agbazuere, described the increasing spate of insecurity in the state as worrisome.

Agbazuere described security as everybody’s business, saying it was imperative for the public to complement government’s efforts in the fight against crime.

Earlier, the Chairman of Abia Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Joseph Nwabeke, said: “Crime is not part of our culture.

“As custodians of our culture, traditional rulers have an important role to play in keeping the state crime-free.”

Nwabeke urged  traditional rulers to encourage their subjects to eschew all forms of vices and be law abiding in order to provide the enabling environment for community development.

In an interview with newsmen, the Chairman of Obingwa LGA, Chief Ibe Nwoko, described the campaign as appropriate.

Nwoko also promised to initiate programmes that would support the state government’s efforts in tackling crime. (NAN)

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