September 15, 2024

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1 Kulikuli entertainment boss calls for promotion of Afrobeat music

2 Wike promises support to private investors in FCT

3 FCT: Wike blames rising cost of housing accommodation on market forces

4 How Africa’s mineral resources can fuel its future

5 Floods: FG alerts states, confirms Alau Dam intact

Health

Reps pledge support to blood service delivery

By Justina Auta

The House of Representative Committee on Specialty Healthcare has pledged its support to advocate for increased budgetary allocation to improve blood service delivery in the country.

Lawan Ali-Shettima, Deputy Chairman of the committee, stated this during an oversight visit and roundtable discussion with the management of the National Blood Service Commission (NBSC), in Abuja.

Ali-Shettima said the visit was to discuss critical issues, especially their challenges with a view to address them and improve access to safe and quality blood service and products.

“We are looking at the way people are willingly and voluntarily coming to donate blood in this establishment.

“So, I believe with support they will acquire more equipment, more facilities to expand their offices to zonal levels.

“This is what we are suggesting. So we will do our best to see that legislatively we intervene by providing more means of funding for them to get more equipment,” he said.

On his part, Prof. Saleh Yuguda, Director-General, NBSC, said that inadequate funding had affected their operations and access to safe blood services across the country.

According to Yuguda, with more funding, the commission will be able to enhance access to safe and affordable blood components to carter for the needs of the over 200 million Nigerians.

“The major challenges we have across the country is that of equipment and other infrastructure in most of our centres, which are very old.

“We are trying to see if we can liase with the National Assembly, to come to our aid, so that we can get more funding for the commission.

“I believe that with their support, we will be able to achieve that,” he said.

While noting the scarcity of blood during emergencies, led to several deaths, Yuguda encouraged the people to regularly and voluntarily donate blood to save more lives.

The NBSC relies on a pool of regular donations by voluntary, unpaid blood donors,  it currently collects and screens approximately 25,000 units of blood from voluntary donors annually.

Less than five per cent of the total blood donation in Nigeria is being sourced from voluntary donors, with bulk of it on commercial, thus subjecting recipients to the risk of infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis among others.

An estimated 1.23 million units of blood are collected across several facilities each year, 90 per cent of which are from paid commercial donors. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Environment

Disaster management is everybody’s business – NEMA

By Toba Ajayi

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), says disaster management is everybody’s business and not just the business of government agencies.

Zainab Suleiman-Saidu, Hajiya Zainab Suleiman-Saidu, Head of Operations, NEMA, Minna Operations Office said this at a one-day stakeholders’ workshop on Sustainable Waste Management and Flood Preparedness, on Tuesday in Ilorin.

According to her, flood preparedness and waste management require a collaborative effort from governments, private sector and local communities to build resilience against natural disasters.

She said with the increasing frequency and severity of floods due to climate change, proactive measures are essential.

“Disaster management is not just the business of NEMA or government agencies. It is everybody’s business.

“We must put our heads together to manage disaster in year 2024. We must show concern and stop showing negligence.

“Flood preparedness is very vital for safeguarding lives and property. Sustainable solutions are achievable through cooperation and dedication,” she said.

She warned that Kwara had been marked among the high risk areas this rainy season, and called for pro-active measures to mitigate the disaster.

The NEMA official urged the people to desist from indiscriminate dumping of waste in drains to keep the environment safe, adding that waste should be properly dump in designated collection centres.

“Drop the waste into a designated place and it can be taken to a recycling company to be re-used.

“It is not every waste that is useless. Most are very useful when they get to the recycling companies,” she said.

The Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Buge, also appealed to the public to adhere strictly to the warnings of NEMA.

Represented by Mrs Mary Mustapha, an official of the ministry, Buge stressed that the public must be safety-conscious and stop being careless about the environment. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Christiana Fadare

Oil & Gas

Refinery: Lokpobiri reconciles Dangote, NNPC Ltd, others

By Emmanuella Anokam

Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), has convened a high-level meeting with key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to resolve issues surrounding the Dangote Refinery.

This is contained in a statement by Nneamaka Okafor, the Special Adviser to the minister on Media and Communications.

The Meeting which held on Monday in Abuja had in attendance Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman/CEO, Dangote Group and Mr Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Others are Mr Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Malam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd).

It will be recalled that recent face-off in the industry saw the leadership of the Dangote Group, NMDPRA and NNPC Ltd, in a disagreement over some pertinent issues.

Dangote had declared that the NNPC Ltd no longer owned a 20 per cent stake in its refinery, stressing that the Nigerian oil company now owns only 7.2 per cent of the refinery due to its failure to pay the balance of their shares, which was due in June.

The NNPC Ltd, however, said the decision to cap its equity participation at the paid-up sum was made and communicated to Dangote Refinery several months ago.

Dangote Refinery

The NMDPRA was also at loggerheads with Dangote over issues bordering on licenses, which the Authority said the Dangote refinery was at its pre-commissioning stage while its diesel below international standards.

Dangote, however, refuted the NMDPRA stand on the issue.

Dangote also accused the International Oil Companies (IOCs) of frustrating its refinery operations by selling crude oil to it through their foreign trading arms offering cargoes at two to four dollars per barrel, above NUPRC official price.

To address the impass, the minister convened the meeting to find a lasting solution to the current issues affecting the Dangote refinery, with all parties demonstrating commitment to collaborative and proactive problem-solving.

Lokpobiri emphasised the importance of cooperation and synergy among all stakeholders.

This, he said would ensure the success and optimal performance of the oil and gas sector, which he described as pivotal for Nigeria’s economic growth and energy security.

The stakeholders expressed their gratitude to the minister for his exemplary leadership and timely intervention in facilitating the dialogue.

The meeting marked a significant step towards resolving the challenges and underscores the minister’s dedication to foster a conducive environment for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

The coming on stream of the $20 billion Dangote refinery with a refining capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2023, gave impetus to the country’s oil and gas sector as it would ensure that Nigeria was not reliant on fuel from overseas. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

Economy/Business

AfDB invests $10.9bn in Nigeria – Official

AfDB invests $10.9 bn in Nigeria – Official

By Lucy Ogalue

The Director-General of West Africa Region, African Development Bank (AfDB), Lamin Barrow, says the banks’s cumulative financing approvals in Nigeria stands at 10.9 billion dollars.

Barrow said this at the Second Interactive Session and Workshop on Developing Bankable Business Proposals/Business Plans for Youths in Agriculture on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event is being held as part of the activities to celebrate the Bank’s 60th Anniversary.

“Over the last 60 years, the Bank has grown into a trusted partner and the continent’s premier development financial institution.

“Our cooperation with Nigeria has expanded over the years, especially considering that Nigeria is the largest shareholder.

“Since it started operations in the country, cumulative financing approvals has reached 10.9 billion dollars and our portfolio currently stands at 4.9 billion dollars supporting projects in the public and private sectors,” he said.

Barrow said the AfDB’s President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, upon assumption of office eight years ago, prioritised the High 5–of Power, Feed, Industrialise, Integrate and Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa.

He said these were the accelerators for achieving the SDGs and the targets in the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

According to him, the projects and programmes supported during this period have impacted over 400 million people.

He said, “this Interactive Session provides an opportunity to discuss ways of addressing the many challenges faced by youths and women in agro-business, including access to finance.

“We applaud the Federal Government of Nigeria in spearheading various initiatives and programmes to increase production and productivity in the sector.

“And its efforts to create job opportunities for the youths and women, and combat food insecurity in the wake of the high food inflation currently witnessed in Nigeria.”

According to him, the workshop will enhance the knowledge and skills of participants in preparing bankable proposals to unlock financial support for their enterprises.

Meanwhile, Mrs Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, AfDB’s Vice-President, Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Complex, identified agriculture as a business.

“We are here to reimagine Africa’s future. A future powered by agriculture that backs the perception of agriculture as a low-income, low-status occupation that attracts only 21.5 per cent of youth.

“Where Women, comprising 50.8 per cent of Africa’s population, continue to face systemic challenges including gender-based discrimination, marginalisation, violence, and unequal access to education, land, resources, opportunity and a voice.

“Africa is home to 65 per cent of the world’s remaining arable land enough to feed 9.5 billion people in the world. Agriculture is a business,” she said.

According to the vice-president, growth in the agricultural sector is two to four times more effective in reducing poverty than growth in other sectors.

She said by 2030, Africa’s food and agriculture market is projected to be valued at 1 trillion dollars.

“These numbers alone demonstrate the central importance of agriculture as a cornerstone of Africa’s economy and a solution to the continent’s and the world’s food insecurity.

“The question, therefore, is not whether Africa can feed itself, it is how quickly we can make it happen,” she said.

While reiterating AfDB’s efforts towards food security, Akin-Olugbade said the bank was collaborating with partners to allow private agribusinesses to establish industries that processed and add value to agricultural commodities.

“So, to our policymakers, I say this: The time for bold action is now. Every policy should ask: Are we going beyond empowering to invest in our youths?

“How does this support our women farmers? How does this move us closer to food sovereignty?

“To the youths and women: You are not just the future of Africa’s agriculture. You are its present. Your innovation, resilience, determination are the seeds from which a new African agricultural revolution will grow,” she said.

The vice- president said that by working together and focusing on these transformative initiatives, we would unlock the full potential of Africa’s agriculture.

She then expressed AfDB’s commitment to nurture the growth, ensure that Africa’s future in agriculture is bright and prosperous for all.

NAN reports that the event was attended by government officials, partners, women and youths in agriculture and stakeholders in the agric value chain. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama and Abiemwense Moru

Education

Safe school: Group urges Gombe govt to rehabitate school infrastructure

By Hajara Leman

Some Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in Gombe, have urged the state government to rehabilitate dilapidated school structures to avert building collapse.

Malam Adamu Aliyu, the representative of the group, stated this on the sidelines of the State Level Sensitisation on the implementation of Safe School Declaration in Deba, Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area of the state.

He said the call was imperative to facilitate rehabilitation of dilapidated school structures to avert building collapse, especially in rural areas.

Adamu, who is also the Master Trainer, Safe School Declaration Initiative in the state, said the measure would secure the school enviroment.

“Even though Gombe is peaceful in terms of other threats but in the area of infrastructure, the assesment report showed that they have scored 13 per cent, which is very low.

“This signifies that government needs to do more in rural communities because the structures in the urban areas are stronger.

“At Central Primary School, Deba, there are cracks on some of the buildings and damaged floors. Intruders are coming in to the school left and right because it is poros,” he said.

He said the School Based Management Committee had conducted minor repairs in the school, adding that, “there are things beyond their capacity like perimeter fencing and presence of security personnel day and night.

“We are calling on government to invest more in school infrastructure at the rural level,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Gombe government in collaboration with the UNICEF is implementing a safe school intervention programmes, designed to secure schools from violence and other threats as well as provide safe teaching and learning environment.

Meanwhile, the Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), has inaugurated SBMC’s in 70 schools across the state.

Part of the mandate of the committee is to identify gaps that needed to be filled and early warning sign for threats.

Mr Abduraham Ibrahim, Education Specialist, UNICEF, stressed the need for stakeholders to adhere to the principles of the safe school initiative, to enable children grow confidence in learning.

He said the UN agency had trained teachers on safe school initiative, to expose them to the necessary steps in security, conduct of teachers and students in schools.

Also, Mrs Hajara Hassan, Head Teacher, Zangoma Kyari Primary School in Kwami LGA, requested for the perimeter fencing, provision of toilets, classrooms and water facilities in the school.

“That is the highest risk faced by the children. Cows came into the school premises and injured one pupil.

“There are 374 pupils in the school at the moment with only four classrooms. We only got these classes renovated by Gov. Inuwa Yahaya.

“This is rainy season, but during dry season or when school feeding programme is on, we find it difficult teaching them as we take some of them under tree shade. We got up to 200 additional pupils with only four teachers including me,” she said.

On his part, Nasiru Abubakar, Head Teacher, Doho Science Pilot Primary School, Kwami, identified gender based violence and corporal punishment as one of the issues inhibiting safe learning environment in the school.

He said that such experience negatively affected the learning process. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

Court symbol
Judiciary

Court declines to stop Fubara from spending Rivers funds

By Taiye Agbaje

A Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja has refused to shut down all expenditures of Gov. Siminalay Fubara of Rivers pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit field by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers Assembly.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24 and moved by Sebastien Hon, SAN, rather ordered the plaintiffs to put all the defendants in the suit on notice.

Justice Nwite, however, granted another motion ex-parte by the plaintiffs to serve the 5th to 10th defendants with the originating process and other applications in the matter by substituted means.

The judge sai:, “The leave is hereby granted to the plaintiffs/applicants to serve the 5th to 10th defendants/respondents with tne plaintiffs/applicants’ originating and any other process(es) filed or issued in this suit by substituted means to wit:
“By publishing same in the Nation Newspapers.”

Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until Aug. 7 for hearing of the motion on notice.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 5th to 10th defendants are Fubara; Accountant-General (A-G) of Rivers; Rivers Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC); Chief Judge (CJ) of Rivers, Hon. Justice S.C. Amadi; Chairman of RSIEC, Hon. Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd.) and Government of Rivers State, respectively.

The Rivers State House of Assembly and Right Honourable Martin Amaewhule (1st and 2nd plaintiffs) had, through their lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, filed the suit dated July 14 but filed July 15.

They had sued the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) as 1st to 4th defendants, respectively.

Also joined in the suit are Fubara, Rivers A-G, RSIEC, Rivers CJ, Chairman of RSIEC and Rivers government as 5th to 10 defendants.

In the motion on notice brought pursuant to Order 28 Rules 1 and 2; Order 27 Rules 5; Order 28 Rule 1(2) of FHC Civil Procedure Rules 2009 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court, the plaintiffs sought two orders.

They sought an order of Interlocutory Injunction restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants from honouring any request, command, order or mandate or any banking or other instrument, financial instruction or other instructions issued by the 5th defendant.

On his instruction or at his instance or deriving from the 5th defendant’s authority or in any manner, fund or revenue of Rivers State or Rivers State Government in the custody of the said the defendants, or held by the said defendants for the benefit of Rivers State or Rivers State Government or in any.

NAN reports that the two rulings, which were delivered on July 17 in the judge’s chamber, were obtained on Sunday in Abuja by NAN.

The Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers Assembly had, on July 15, suspended all expenditures of Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara until he re-presents his budget before the house.

The lawmakers gave the governor a seven-day ultimatum to re-present his budget, which they said had expired.

Rivers House Leader, Major Jack, moved the motion to bring up a resolution alerting the house of the governor’s seven-day deadline for presenting the 2024 budget to the house

Following consideration, the assembly decided to shut down the Rivers State Consolidated Revenue Account, prohibiting any expenditure by Gov. Fubara’s administration.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Defence/Security

Army reaffirms ban on unauthorised use of military camouflage

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Army (NA) has reiterated that the ban on the unauthorised use of military camouflage remains in full effect.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a statement on Sunday while reacting to a video depicting a soldier molesting a civilian for wearing Army Desert Camouflage uniform.

Nwachukwu said the video footage was a stale audio-visual being circulated by individuals with malicious intent to create tension between the military and the civilian populace.

He said that only personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force were legally permitted to wear military camouflage.

Nwachukwu said the regulation became expedient as terrorists, insurgents, and other imposters had exploited the misuse of military camouflage to commit heinous crimes, thereby posing significant security threat.

“The Nigerian army remains committed to upholding the law and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.

“We urge the public to disregard the re-circulated video and to remain vigilant against attempts to sow discord and tension within the country.

“The unfortunate incident in question occurred in 2021, and the army took immediate and decisive action at that time.

“The soldier involved was arrested, tried, and appropriately punished for his unacceptable behaviour, which violated the core values of the Nigerian army, particularly the respect for others and their fundamental rights,’’ he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Defence/Security

Army chief seeks wide-ranging collaboration to protect nation’s territory

Territory

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has called for broad-spectrum collaborative effort in addressing the contentious issues of how armies can better protect the nation’s territory.

Lagbaja said this while presenting a paper at the symposium on “Peace, Security and the Commitment of the Youth”, organised by the French Army, at the Golf de Cicé-Blossac in Rennes, France.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Sunday, said the event was hosted by the French Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Schill Pierre.

Lagbaja spoke on the topic, “Armies and the Protection of their National Territory: Legal Framework, Issues and Challenges,” at the event attended by 12 other chiefs of national armies across Africa.

He raised concerns on the applicability of local and international laws and conventions in the face of the harrowing struggle against non-state actors and states.

According to him, the actors chose to either ignore or treat the laws with levity.

Speaking the French army chief, Gen. Schill, said the symposium was aimed at enabling the French army exchange its mode of engagement with foreign partners, particularly in Africa.

Schill said the symposium was designed with a view to transiting from solely military to an all encompassing, mutually beneficial approach to relationship cum engagement.

According to Nwachukwu, Lagbaja and his Ivorian counterpart are the only foreign delegates granted the honour of presenting papers at the symposium.

He said the COAS was accompanied by the Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Maj.-Gen. John Ochai and other members of his delegation.

“They later attended the commissioning ceremony of cadets into the French Army at the Saint-Cyr Military Academy, Coetquida.

“The NDA Commandant also initiated bilateral engagements on cadets training on the side-line of the symposium,’’ Nwachukwu said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Sadiya Hamza

General News

FG targets 10m metre installations in five years

By Isaiah Eka
The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, says the Federal Government is targeting to install two million meters annually to bridge the metering gap in the country.
Adelabu disclosed this on Friday during a facility tour of Metering Solutions Manufacturing Services Limited in Onna, Akwa Ibom.
The minister who described metering deficit as a major challenge, said that the move would lead to improved electricity supply in the country.
He expressed displeasure that the metering gap in the country was more than seven million, representing about 47 per cent meter penetration.
Adelabu urged metering companies in the country to use local contents, and improve on their annual production target to meet customer demand.
He said that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration was committed to bridge the metering gap in the country through the Presidential Metering Initiative.
“All the metering initiatives that we have had over time should come under an harmonised umbrella, that is what we are doing.
“We have a target of a minimum acquisition and installation of two million meters annually over the next five years. That is the minimum target we are given.
“This will amount to 10 million meters, and we are already taking steps to achieve this in terms of funding and recovery strategy,” he said.

 

Meter installation

The minister decried the issue of estimated billings by DisCos, saying that such practice was not transparent and fair.
He urged DisCos to ensure adequate metering of customers in order to give them the proper billings.
“A lot of Nigerians are on estimated billing, this is not only unfair, it is unjust, it is evil because in estimated billing, there is no transparency, there is no sincerity.
“It is either one person is cheating the other, either DisCos are cheating the customers or customers are cheating the DisCos,” he said.
The minister commended the management of the company for ensuring quality and standard in their production.
Earlier, Mr Tolulope Ogunkolade, the General Manager, Metering Solutions Manufacturing Services Limited, said that the company had a production capacity of three million meters annually.
Ogunkolade said that the company established in 2017 had made significant progress in its operations.
 “We have undergone equipment upgrade across all the segments of the factory since 2022. We are consistently going to produce and maintain 99.9 per cent quality assurance,” he said.
He urged the federal government to support the company by providing a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Azubuike Okeh
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