News Agency of Nigeria
Economy/Business

JED invests N800m to improve electricity in Benue

By Emmanuel Antswen
The Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Company says the company is investing  about N800m to improve electricity in Benue.
Alhaji  Inuwa Babangida, Chairman, Board of Directors of the company,  disclosed this on Tuesday in Makurdi, when he paid a courtesy visit on Gov. Samuel Ortom in Makurdi.
He said JED was investing the sum on the land given to it by the state government and for the replacement of obsolete cables with galvanised steel towers to boost electricity supply in Benue.
He stated that the mass metering scheme to be executed in phases, had 28,000 meters to be distributed in Benue during the first phase.
The chairman said JED had budgeted resources to improve electricity supply in Benue and other states under its franchise, adding that the support of the Benue State Government was key to actualisation of the project.
In his remarks, Gov. Samuel Ortom urged  the company to ensure the metering of all customers in the state.
Ortom stated that electricity was vital role in wealth creation through provision of employment opportunities, adding that obsolete cables had been the bane of steady electricity supply in some parts of the state.
The governor urged the management of JED to also engage indigenous  personnel during recruitment to help provide  security for its facilities, with a pledge to partner with the company.
He commended the Makurdi branch manager of the company for his commitment and dedication to duty, even as he appealed for extension of the 33KVA line to the industrial layout to encourage production.(NAN)
Foreign

World leaders congratulate Gorbachev on 90th birthday

World leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev on his 90th birthday on Tuesday.

“You rightly belong to those bright, unconventional people, extraordinary statesmen of our time, who have had a significant impact on the course of national and international history,” Putin wrote in a congratulatory letter to Gorbachev, published by the Kremlin.

Gorbachev’s “great professional and life experience” still allowed him to “actively participate in popular social and educational work” as well as “international humanitarian projects,” Putin wrote.

“Your commitment to freedom and your courage over the decades to make the tough, albeit necessary, decisions, have made the world a safer place,” Biden wrote in a letter released by Gorbachev’s staff.

The letter said that the agreed extension to the U.S.-Russian nuclear arms treaty START was proof that the two countries would continue Gorbechev’s “legacy.”

German Chancellor Merkel joined Putin and Biden in congratulating Gorbachev, who was one of the architects behind German reunification more than 30 years ago.

“I take your day of honour as an opportunity to thank you once more for your personal commitment for the peaceful overcoming of the Cold War and the completion of German unity,” Merkel wrote in a letter to the former leader.

“Your important contribution to a reunification in freedom remains as unforgotten in Germany as your constant personal engagement for friendly relations between our two countries,” Merkel said.

Gorbachev, the former secretary-general of the Communist party, is considered one of the greatest reformers of the 20th century.

He introduced policies that opened up the Soviet Union to the world and ultimately led to the collapse of the Communist regime and the end of the Cold War with the U.S.

Many Russians also say he is responsible for the ensuing downfall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Pro-democratic forces, however, see him as a symbol of freedom, as he has criticised repression under Putin and warned against falling back into a dictatorship.

Gorbachev also owns a political foundation and co-owns the Kremlin-critical newspaper Novaya Gazeta. (dpa/NAN)

Economy/Business , Food Security

FG begins sale of 200,000 tonnes of rice to 18 millers

By Ibrahim Bello

The Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria’ (CBN) Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) has commenced sale of 200,000 metric tonnes of paddy rice to 18 Nigerian millers.

The CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, made this known at the 5th year anniversary of ABP at Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.

“Just as we have given the money to farmers for the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, we will be disbursing the paddy aggregation loans to those millers.

“This is in order to use the loan to pay the farmers so that the farmers can repay their loans,” Emefiele said.

He said that the CBN had financed 2,923,937 small holder farmers cultivating 3,647,643 hectares of land across 21 commodities through about 33 participating financial institutions in the country.

Emefiele said the experience of 2015 to date had led to  significant improvement in the execution of the programme.

He said that the bank had added several layers of control to improve on transparency and accountability among stakeholders.

“Today is a demonstration of the growth that had been attained in the agricultural sphere.

“It is important to note that, we are still far from attaining perfection but the emerging result from the programme reaffirms our belief in the potentials inherent in our agricultural sector.

“Farming will become a profitable venture in Nigeria as all farmers, because of the guaranteed off-take of their produce,  are smiling to the banks.

“Under the 2020 wet season CBN and Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) partnership, we financed 221,450 farmers for the cultivation of 221,450 hectares in 32 states of the country.

“Repayment of loan is crucial to the sustainability of the programme.

“In support of the growth recorded in this drive to attain self – sufficiency in food production and to moderate prices of agricultural commodities, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the resuscitation of Nigeria’s commodity exchange.

“And the CBN in partnership with other stakeholders, will be committing  at least, N50 billion to this initiative,” Emefiele explained.

He expressed the bank’s  commitment to finance one million hectares of rice farms in the present dry season farming with the plan of exploring two cycles of production with the season.

In his remarks, Gov. Atiku Bagudu expressed optimism that the farmers would take the country out of her tough economic challenges.

Bagudu commended President Buhari for his magnanimous support to all states in the country  to ensure that economic activities were kept functional.

The President of Benin Republic, Mr Patrice Talon was represented by his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Aurelie Agbenonci at the occasion.

Talon said that a team of about four ministers was in the state to witness the celebration of successes by the state in particular and the country at large.

“We have seen it all and we are going to establish a partnership in milling and produce rice together to feed the whole West African sub- region,” he said.

Earlier, the National President of RIFAN  Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, commended President  Buhari for his commitment to food security and visionary ideas for the initiation of the programme five years ago.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those in attendance at the event included the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III and former Senate President, Ken Nnamani. (NAN).

Foreign

3 media employees killed in eastern Afghanistan

Three employees of independent broadcaster Enikas were killed by a gunman in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Nangarhar, the broadcaster’s owner told dpa on Tuesday.

The employees, three women who worked at the dubbing section of Enikas, were buying items from a market in the provincial capital Jalalabad when they were attacked, said Zalmay Latifi.

While no group has claimed responsibility for the incident yet, Latifi said that armed anti-state militants oppose the broadcaster’s activities.

Both the Taliban and Islamic State are active in the province.

This is the latest in a string of attacks against the independent news outlet.

In December, gunmen killed Malala Maiwand, a female news anchor at Enikas, and her driver in Jalalabad.

In 2018, the director of the channel was abducted by gunmen but was later freed.

Also in 2017, several people including a driver working for Enikas were killed in an explosion close to the broadcaster’s offices.

The United Nations’ Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported in February that since 2018, at least 65 media workers and human rights defenders have been killed in targeted attacks throughout Afghanistan.

According to UNAMA, such attacks had increased since the beginning of intra-Afghan peace talks in mid-September 2020, as at least 11 the media employees were killed between October 2020 and January 2021.(dpa/NAN)

Culture & Tourism

Edo govt, UNIDO to partner in building world-class museum

By Monday Ajogun

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo says his administration will work with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to build a world class museum and promote tourism in the state.

Obaseki gave the assurance in Benin on Tuesday when he received the Country Director of UNIDO, Jean Bakole on a courtesy visit to Edo Government House, Benin.

He said that said the Benin Empire was very rich in arts and culture and had much to sell to Africa and the world at large.

The governor said that all the stolen artworks might not be returned but expressed readiness of his administration to work with UNIDO, other groups, to ensure the artworks are returned.

According to him, we have got support from major European museums in the world and we are doing documentation of the artworks globally, hoping to have worked significantly before the end of this year.

“The design for the museum is almost ready; hoping before the end of the year we would have worked significantly on that project.

“It can’t be done in four years’ term frame but within the frame work of a plan,’’ he said.

Earlier, Bakole said that the governor was doing greatly in developing the state.

He gave an assurance of UNIDO’s readiness to support Edo Government in its efforts to change the narrative of the state. (NAN)

Business , Economy/Business

Nestlé Nigeria Plc records N287bn revenue, 1.1% growth in 2020

By Vivian Ihechu

Nestlé Nigeria Plc has announced its financial results for the year 2020, posting a revenue of N 287.1 billion with 1.1 per cent growth over the previous year.

Gross profit for the year 2020 stood at N 119.2 billion, compared to N 128.1 billion during 2019.

The company posted profit after tax of N 39.3 billion for the year. The detailed financial results are available on our https://www.nestle-cwa.com/en/investors/nigeria

In addition to N 25 per share interim dividend already paid in December 2020, the Board proposed an additional dividend of N 35.5 per share making for a total dividend of N 60.5 for 2020.

This proposed dividend will be submitted for approval at the company’s Annual General Meeting on  June 22,  2021.

Results :

Commenting on the results, Mr Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director and CEO of Nestlé Nigeria PLC, said: “Amidst a very challenging business environment in 2020, we strengthened market leadership across our categories.

“Thanks to our high performing team, we successfully continued to provide our consumers with high-quality affordable foods and beverages to enjoy every day.

“In line with our purpose of unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone today and for generations to come, we broadened our portfolio in 2020.

“To help our consumers fulfil their nutrition needs. Our latest innovation is the new GOLDEN MORN Multi-Cereal, fortified with Iron and other vitamins and minerals.”

Elhusseini  said:“Going into 2021, which portends to be another challenging year, we will continue to focus on keeping our people safe.

“We will continue supply of high-quality nutritious foods and beverages to consumers as well as caring for our communities and the planet.

“ We will also keep supporting our business partners as we strengthen our operations to adapt to the rapidly changing reality,’’ he said. (NAN)

General News

COVID-19 vaccines shipped by COVAX arrive in Nigeria – WHO

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The World Health Organisation  (WHO) says Nigeria has received nearly four million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, shipped via the COVAX Facility, a partnership between CEPI, Gavi, UNICEF and WHO.

COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) working in partnership with UNICEF, the World Bank, civil society organisations, manufacturers, and others.

WHO Office in Nigeria, in a statement posted on its website on Tuesday,  stated that the arrival marked a historical step toward equitable distribution of the vaccines.

“The arrival marked a historic step toward the goal to ensure equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally, in what will be the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history.

“The delivery is part of a first wave of arrivals in Nigeria that will continue in the coming days and weeks.

“COVAX shipped 3.94 million doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) from Mumbai to Abuja.’’

The statement quoted Edward Kallon, UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, as saying, “the UN Country Team in Nigeria reiterates its commitment to support the vaccination campaign in Nigeria and help contain the spread of the virus.

“The arrival of these vaccines in Abuja today marks a milestone for the COVAX Facility in its unprecedented effort to deliver at least 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines globally by the end of 2021.”

The arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine would enable the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to commence the vaccination of Nigerians in priority groups, starting with frontline healthcare workers.

The statement also quoted Thabani Maphosa, Managing Director for Country Programmes at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, as saying, “This is a landmark moment for the country .

“It is a landmark moment for the country and the COVAX Facility’s mission to help end the acute phase of the pandemic by enabling equitable access to these vaccines across the world.

“We are glad to see Nigeria is amongst the first receiving the doses from COVAX, thanks to the excellent level of preparedness put in place by the Government of Nigeria.

“Gavi looks forward to these vaccines being made available to the people most at risk, as soon as possible and to ensuring that routine immunisation services for other life-threatening infections are also delivered to avoid other disease outbreaks.”

The statement further quoted Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Representative in Nigeria, as saying: “It is heart-warming to witness this epoch-making event.

“WHO wishes to congratulate the government of Nigeria for its participation in the global vaccine collaboration (COVAX) efforts and its commitment to protecting Nigerians against this pandemic.

“Vaccines are a critical new tool in the battle against COVID-19; therefore, this is a step in the right direction.

“These vaccines have undergone rigorous regulatory processes at global and country level and have been deemed safe and effective.”

The COVAX Facility is expected to deliver around 90 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the African Region in the first quarter of 2021 and has committed to providing up to 600 million doses to the region by end-2021 to cover 20 per cent of the population.

“After a year of disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, today we celebrate the efforts being made in getting the vaccine to Nigeria.

“With more than 150,000 Nigerians infected with the virus and over 1,800 lives lost, the path to recovery for the people of Nigeria can finally begin.

“This is a very significant occasion – the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines into Nigeria is critical in curbing the pandemic.

“The only way out of this crisis is to ensure that vaccinations are available to all,” the statement quoted Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, as saying.

The COVAX Facility thanks the governments, foundation and other donors who contributed to making this milestone happen – including the generous support of the European Commission, countries of the European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. (NAN)

Economy/Business , Food Security

FAO trains 600 crop, livestock farmers in Benue

By Philip Dzeremo

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said it had trained 600 crop and livestock farmers in rural communities of Benue on alternative feedstock.

The five-day training, which began on February 1 with a refresher training for extension workers, was followed by mobilisation of farmers in some communities in Logo, Makurdi, Guma and Kwande Local Government Areas.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was sponsored by the United Nations, in collaboration with the Center for Social Change and Economic Development (CSCED).

Mr Idris Gabdo, a consultant with CSCED, an implementing partner of FAO, said in an interview with NAN in Makurdi on Tuesday that the initiative was designed to teach the participants hydroponics fodder, multi nutrient block and urea treatment.

Gabdo explained that the three layers of feedstock were aimed at boosting both crop production and animal feed.

He said: “So far, we have achieved more than 50 per cent of our training requirements by handing out our deliverables.

“The training involved stepping-down knowledge of alternative feedstock and value chain, opportunities in alternative feedstock, feed quality and safety, animal nutrition and feed processing.

“We also had training on three practical step-down skills on hydroponics fodder production, multi nutrients block-making and urea treatment.

“We started the training with 20 extension workers, one absconded during the refresher  training, while another absconded during the step-down training.

“But we have some of our extension workers working in more than one community, so, by and large, we have done well.

“In fact, we have already sent our interim report to FAO, stating the progress already made from mobilisation to training in the rural communities.

Gabdo said that each of the 20 extension workers was expected to train at least 30 people in each community.
A trainee, Mrs Msughshima Vershima, described the training as impactful.

According to Vershima, who rears pigs and sheep, she learnt a lot on animal hygiene, urea treatment for animals and new methods of crop production.

Mrs Adikwu Oyiwodu from Agatu, who rears goats, expressed gratitude to FAO for the training and said she would no longer allow her goats to graze openly.

“I have learnt so many things during this training. I learnt about urea treatment and hydroponics, which will help me improve the feed for my goats,” she said.

Mr Godwin Abu said, “With the knowledge acquired from this training, I can use small amount of money to provide feed for my goats and chicken.”

An extension worker, Mr Augustine Ojotu, said he exceeded the 30 trainees target because of the response from the community.

Ojotu said seven herdsmen turned out for the training and were taught in Hausa Language, through an interpreter.

He said the herders were impressed with the training and promised to utilise the skills to improve the nutrition of their cattle.

The programme, an initiative of the UN, United Nations Human Rights Commission and the UN Women, is aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence between herders and rural farmers. (NAN)

Business , Economy/Business

NIPC to showcase investment opportunities at Nigeria Finance Week – Official

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) says it will host a special session tagged “Showcasing Sub-National Investment Opportunities” at the Nigeria Finance Week to promote investments into priority sectors.

Mr Emeka Offor, NIPC’s Director of Strategic Communication, said at the opening of the finance week on Tuesday in Abuja that it would hold the special session on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the virtual event seeks to showcase opportunities and the latest technologies in Nigeria’s rapidly developing banking and financial services sector.

Offor said the event, organised by the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning in collaboration with NIPC and Frontier Exchange Ltd, U.K., would hold between March 2 and March 4.

According to him, state investment promotion agencies from the geo-political zones of Nigeria will join NIPC to discuss promotion of investments in the priority sectors.

He noted that the session would also highlight Nigeria’s investment prospects across the states.

He added that the support mechanisms in the states from new and existing investors would be discussed, to further showcase the Nigerian evolving investment climate. (NAN)

General News

NEDC takes over reconstruction of bridges destroyed by insurgents in North East

By Muhammad Adam

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) says it has taken over the reconstruction of major bridges destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.

Mr Mohammed Alkali, the Managing Director of the commission, disclosed this during the inauguration of the commission’s infrastructure reconstruction and rehabilitation projects on Tuesday in Yola.

Alkali said that the 12 years of insurgency in the region had affected commerce, following the destruction of markets, roads and bridges as well as public sector infrastructure.

He said the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing had awarded numerous contracts for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads in the region.

The managing director said that the execution of the projects was very slow due to poor funding and insecurity in the region.

“Under the intervention, the commission has taken up the responsibility for full funding and reconstruction of some major bridges destroyed by insurgency in the region.

“The first project to benefit from this co-funding collaboration is the reconstruction of three bridges at Kudzum, Dilechim and Wuro Ngayandi all in Adamawa.

“The commission will, as part of the collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, also construct additional three bridges on the newly awarded 80 kilometre Jabbi Lamba-Belel road contract,” Alkali said.

He said that the reconstruction of the bridges would restore trade links between Adamawa and Borno as well as boost trades with Cameroon Republic.

Alkali said the commission had apportioned 647 projects across the states in the region in the education, agriculture and health sectors.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), said several schemes had been evolved by the current administration to close the funding gap required for road projects in the country.

Fashola, represented by Mr Emmanuel Adeoye, Director Highways Bridges and Design, listed the scheme as Sukuk Funds, Tax Credit Scheme and Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF).

He said the  Chinese Exim Bank loan was one of the schemes, and added that more funds were still needed to cater for road infrastructure deficit across the country.

He said the ministry had approached the NEDC for partnership to improve the quality of road infrastructure in the zone.

“The NEDC an agency of the Federal Government mandated to rebuild the region gladly accepted to collaborate with the ministry to co-fund road projects in the zone.

“This laudable partnership has given birth to the co-funding of any federal highway in Adamawa,” Fashola said.

In his remark, Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, described the beginning of the projects as a manifestation of good working relationship between federal and state agencies. (NAN)

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