NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Shettima returns to Nigeria, meets US Secretary, Campbelll
Metro

Shettima returns to Nigeria, meets US Secretary, Campbelll

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the just concluded International Development Association (IDA21) Summit, held in Nairobi, Kenya.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice-President.

Nkwocha said on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Shettima met behind closed doors with the United States Deputy Secretary, Kurt Campbell, and his team.

” Among issues discussed at the meeting were security, bilateral relations, shared visions, technological cooperations, economic and mutual partnership.

” Both countries pledged to work more on deepening their bilateral relationships and their connectivity. ”

Deputy Secretary Campbell has been in Nigeria where he was the co-chair of the sixth U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission (BNC) with Foreign Minister, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

General News

Yiaga Africa advocates 4-year tenure for local govt chairmen, councillors

585 total views today

 

 

By Oluwatope Lawanson

Yiaga Africa, an NGO, has called for a four-year tenure for elective positions in Local governments to ensure uniformity in terms of office at states and federal levels in Nigeria.

Cynthia Mbamalu, Director of Programmes, Yiaga Africa, made the call at an Advocacy Roundtable tagged: “Legislative Reforms for Enhancing Local Government Elections”, in Lagos on Tuesday.

“We want government to create a form of uniformity across every states to ensure local government elective positions would be for a four-year tenure like the president as well as governors.

“This will also ensure that state governors do not have the right to decide whether to hold elections or not.

“Aside Lagos State and few others that hold periodic local government elections, some states have not had elections for over 10 to 15 years.

“They’d rather have caretaker committees and no elected officials at the local government level which should not be encouraged,” she said.

Mbamalu also highlighted some other legislative reform to ensure enhanced and quality local government elections.

She stressed on the need for Electoral Act 2022 to be amended.

It currently provides that LG elections should be conducted in line with the provision of the electoral act that regulates area council elections.

“It is imperative that a clear timeline for election is guaranteed whereby every four years there is local government election across all local governments in the country.

“We propose that there is clear timeline not earlier than 360 days notice to elections in order to ensure proper planning, engagements and sensitisation by State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs),” she said.

She urged government to give SIECs quality funding to enable proper planning and early voter education through sensitisation on all forms of media/social media platforms so as to avoid voter apathy.

Earlier, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi (Founding Director, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), called for a reform of the local government structure to allow a more independent body of judges or non-partisan Nigerians to conduct local government elections.

Akiyode-Afolabi, who was represented by Mr Uche George of WARDC, said this in her address titled: ”Local Government Elections, a Necessity for Democratic Development”.

According to her, logistical challenges, inadequate voter education and voter processes are some of the issues for electoral reforms engagements.

She also proposed a constitutional reform to enable local government to have full autonomy, in terms of management of finance, elections, in order to ensure impactful service delivery.

Also, Mr Stanley Kuti, Director, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), called for collaborations with stakeholders and the need for active sensitisation to avoid voter apathy.

On her part, Mrs Temilola Akinade, IPAC Chair, urged LASIEC to make accessible the commission’s Law to all political parties and the citizens so as to be informed of their guidelines, rules and regulations.

Speaking, Mr Oladipo Ajomale, Lagos State House of Assembly member representing Oshodi/Isolo constituency, stated that processes were ongoing on making the Laws of Lagos State accessible online to all citizens.

Ajomale, also the Chairman, committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions and LASIEC, said Nigerians should be well informed and up-to-date on all informations regarding their state and by extension the country. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong

Economy/Business

Scarcity: Badagry residents stranded as petrol hits N1,000 per litre

273 total views today

 

By Raji Rasak

Some residents of Badagry, Lagos, were stranded on Tuesday as most commercial vehicles plying the area were off the road due to scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitored the situation reports that many workers and businessmen were sighted waiting endlessly at some bus stops due to unavailability of vehicles.

NAN further reports that the situation led to hike in transport fare as a litre of petrol in the area now sells as high as N1,000, while fare rose from N800 to N1, 500 from Badagry to Mile 2.

At some popular bus stations in Badagry – Aradagun, Mowo and Agemowo, scores of residents were seen struggling to enter a few available taxis and commercial buses.

Mr Johnson Afilaka, a Badagry resident, said he could not go to work on Monday due to increase in transport fare from Badagry to Mile 2.

“Today, we have queued up for buses, but none has come. A few taxis that came raised their fares so high.

“Government should come to our aid in Badagry by providing some of the Lagos BRT buses for us here,” he said.

Mrs Christiana Adigun, a staff of the National Population Commission (NPC), said she could not drive to her office due to difficulty in getting petrol for her car.

She said that in spite of the fact that she was willing to buy a litre at N1,000, it was difficult to get the product, adding that getting a commercial vehicle to her office also posed another challenge.

On sales of petrol in Badagry, NAN reports that only the NNPC fuel station at Aradagun and Mobil fuel station in Badagry were selling at official prices of N568 and N610 respectively.

However, other independent marketers with fuel stations were selling between N950 and N1,000 per litre.

Mr Friday Ajasa, a motorist, said his car had been on the queue at NNPC Aradagun since 7.00.a.m, adding that as at 12.00.noon, he was yet to get the product.

“When we blame government for the scarcity, we should as well blame petrol marketers in Badagry for the hike because they are not helping the situation.

“Some of the cars on queue at the fuel stations in Badagry belong to cross- border illegal petrol dealers who usually take the product to Benin Republic to re-sell.

“Most of the major marketers here prefer to sell to them rather than sell to residents and this is the height of unpatriotic conduct.

“When these people enter, they buy up to 350 litres of petrol inside one car, and for us who just wanted 15 litres in our vehicles, they will tell you that petrol has finished,” he said.

Mrs Funke Alabi, a motorist on queue at Mobil filling station, called on security agents to check excesses of petrol pump attendants in the area.

Explaining the reason for petrol scarcity, Alhaji Abdul-Ganiyu Adelani, the Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers, Badagry, blamed the scarcity on lack of product at NNPC tank farm.

Adelani urged the NNPC to make available more petrol in their tank farms so that all filling stations in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria would get enough supply. (NAN)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu/Christiana Fadare

 

Demolition: FG gave us enough notice, say beach vendors
General News

Demolition: FG gave us enough notice, say beach vendors

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By Lydia Ngwakwe
Some food vendors and others selling souvenirs as well as umbrellas to beachgoers have commended the federal government for putting ” human face” to the demolition of properties on the right-of-way of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

The vendors, low-income earners, spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during the exercise at the Oniru Beach, on Tuesday in Lagos.

They said that the federal government gave them (beach vendors) enough notice to vacate the shoreline and saved them losses.

Mr Kolawole Ajidahun, a shopkeeper, said that the government gave him and other shop owners ample time to vacate the shoreline for the construction of the highway.

“I sell things like swimwear, beach gear and snacks to fun seekers, but as it stands, I have no idea what to do next. I have nowhere to go.

” However, I am happy that the government allowed me to remove all my belongings, I have not lost anything asides the space. I thank the government for that act of kindness.”

Another vendor, Mr Vincent Ubong, a surfing instructor, said, “I do not own a shop, but I was always here at the beach to provide beach-related services like surfing lessons or water safety supervision to fun lovers.

“This is what I do for a living, I feel I am most affected because for me, if there’s no water, there would not be surfing lessons.

” I’m also worried about how I would support my family. I am a father of three and I don’t know where to start from.

“But, the demolition has made people speak positively about the government.

“The government has tried to make the process less disruptive and was more considerate of the people being affected. So it is kudos to President Bola Tinubu.”

Recall that the federal government had, on April 27, commenced the demolition of properties on the Right of Way of the 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, who flagged off the exercise on Section 1 of the road, advised owners of such facilities along the axis to see the demolition as a sacrifice for Nigeria.

The project, he said, would mark a major milestone in President Bola Tinubu’s economic diversification roadmap.

Umahi said the federal government was passionate about the plight of the people affected by the demolition exercise, stressing that the government would put a human face to the exercise. (NAN)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Advancement in biotechnology ushering new era of agricultural productivity — NBRDA
Agriculture

Advancement in biotechnology ushering new era of agricultural productivity — NBRDA

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By Bukola Adewumi

The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) says the rapid advancement in biotechnology, particularly genetic engineering, has ushered in a new era of possibilities for enhancing agricultural productivity.

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General, NBRDA, spoke at a Ministerial Meeting on Demystifying Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) with civil society organisations on Tuesday in Abuja.

“In improving human health, mitigating environmental challenges and driving socio-economic development, our world is at a critical juncture; where scientific advancements intersect with societal values and concerns.”

Mustapha said it was imperative to engage in open, transparent and inclusive dialogues surrounding biotechnology, particularly GMOs.

He said the subject of GMOs had often been shrouded in misinformation, misunderstanding, fear, controversies and concerns regarding their safety, regulation, ethical implications, and socio-economic impacts.

Mustapha said the meeting served as a platform for informed dialogue, evidence-based discussion and collaborative action to address the multifaceted dimensions of GMOs.

According to him, the required synergy can be achieved by bringing together stakeholders from across government academia, industry, farmer groups, civil society and the public.

“The meeting is  aimed to foster a deeper understanding of the issues at hand, identify common ground and chart a collective path forward that would prioritise the public good, safety and sustainability,” he said.

In her remarks, Dr Rose Gidado, Director Agricultural Biotechnology Department, NBRDA, said food security remained the utmost importance in the country.

“It is a matter of emergency; I think the president has placed emergency on that and we cannot achieve that food security without the use of innovation science and technology,’’ she said.

Gidado said that the bio-modern biotechnology practice had a lot of potential with plenty of promise for food security enhancement.

On his part, Kabir Ibrahim, National President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) said GMOs crops were safe and had the capability to take farmers out of poverty.

He said there was the need to look inward to upscale food production with the use of science and technology in order to feed the growing population.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Judiciary

Electricity tariff hike: NBA threatens lawsuit against Discos

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From L-R: Publicity Secretary, Mr Patrick Agboola, Member Committee on Election, Mr Mathias Emenbe, NBA Ikeja Chairman, Mr Seyi Olawunmi and Secretary of the association, Dr Issa Adedokun.
From L-R: Publicity Secretary, Mr Patrick Agboola, Member of the electricity tariff hike committee,  Mr Mathias Emenbe, NBA Ikeja Chairman, Mr Seyi Olawunmi and Secretary of the association, Dr Issa Adedokun.

By Adenike Ayodele
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, has given the Federal Government and Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) a seven-day ultimatum to reverse to the old electricity tariff or face a lawsuit.

The chairman of the branch, Mr Seyi Olawunmi, said this at a news conference on Tuesday in Lagos.
Olawunmi described the increase in the electricity tariff by almost 300 per cent as not only unreasonable but also insensitive.

He said the National Electric Regulation Commission (NERC) order in respect to the tariff hike was not in line with the current economic realities of an average Nigerian.

He said the branch would seek appropriate remedies in the court if the Federal Government and concerned individuals failed to reverse the illegal electricity tariffs within seven days.

Olawunmi noted that NERC in December 2023, issued a new Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO 2024) which indicated a purported cost-reflective tariff chargeable by the various Discos.

He explained that large chuck of the electricity tariff was reportedly absorbed by the Federal Government under a subsidy arrangement.

The chairman said that the purported subsidy had reportedly been removed by the Federal Government, leading to an over 300 per cent increase in the electricity tariff payable by the end-user.

“We view this sudden astronomical increase in the end-user tariff irrespective of the technical arguments preferred in justification, as utterly exploitative and non-reflective of the current economic hardship that the masses are going through.

“The inflation and the depreciation of the Naira has affected their services that it is practically impossible to remain on the old tariff and electricity in Nigeria is not well priced.

“We, therefore, demand immediate stop to the illegal implementation of the N225 per kWh imposed on the so called band A customers at the discretion of both the Discos and NERC without any empirical basis.

“The classification into band A or B or C or D or E should be scrapped and it is either the Discos are guaranteeing 24 hours supply for all or they are not.”
Olawunmi said the government and the Nigerian people can not continue to subsidise their inefficiency in the name of band A or B or C etc.

“If the government fails to reverse the illegal hike within seven days, we will be left with no choice than to seek appropriate remedies in the court of law,” the NBA Chairman said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Reducing fuel queues: MEMAN enhances distribution by 300m litres
Oil & Gas

Reducing fuel queues: MEMAN enhances distribution by 300m litres

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By Yusuf Yunus

The Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) says it expects over 300 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from eight vessels to ease fuel scarcity and queues in Lagos and other parts of the country this week.

MEMAN Chairman, Mr Huub Stokman, said this while addressing newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday.

Stokman said that the organisation was actively coordinating with its members in Apapa and other locations to ensure that fuel was loaded and distributed to retail outlets safely and quickly.

He said that this effort was aimed at addressing the current fuel shortage and the challenges faced by consumers.

According to him, MEMAN is working closely with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and other stakeholders to eliminate fuel queues and restore stability.

“Additional support is being provided by the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD).

“MEMAN is extending depot loading time to ensure that loading goes unhindered including tomorrow the 1st of May 2024.

“Selected retail outlets will be open for longer hours to ensure we can service our customers as long and as safely as possible.

“Independent marketers (depots &stations) are being allocated additional fuel to alleviate the situation,” he said.

Stokman said that the association remained committed to supporting the Federal Government’s distribution efforts and ensuring the availability of petroleum products nationwide. (NAN)

Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

 

Police to check unprofessional handling of explosives
General News

Police to check unprofessional handling of explosives

229 total views today

By Martha Agas

The police have promised to strengthen measures to check unprofessional handling of explosives across the country.

The police also notes that the measures will check incidents of explosions.

Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun said this at a roundtable summit on Sustainable Development of Mining Industry in Nigeria on Monday in Abuja.

Egbetokun, represented by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Frank Mba, said that the measures would include ensuring that explosives would not get to the wrong hands.

He pledged the commitment of the police to strengthen its partnership with other agencies to secure the mining environment and purge out crime and criminality.

“We will deploy Interpol and Extrapol to tackle some of the crimes in the sector,” he promised.

According to him, the police have arrested 198 suspects of illegal miners from January to date with 111 of them being from Nasarawa State.

He said that the arrest in Nasarawa State was successful because of the cooperation of the government in providing an enabling environment for their operatives to discharge their duties.

In his key note address, Prof. Akinade Olatunji, the President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society, expressed confidence that the summit would change the trajectory of the sector for good.

Olatunji described the summit as apt to reap the potential of the sector in Nigeria, saying that countries that leveraged the potential of the sector would reap the benefits.

“Those countries that have paid no attention to the uniqueness of the sector are currently paying the price of their lack of coordination and foresight.

In his remarks, Mr Dele Ayanleke, the National President of Miners Association of Nigeria, urged the participants of the summit to be pragmatic and radical in their critique of the challenges confronting the mining industry.

Ayanleke urged them to come up with strategic action plans for the sustainable development of the sector to reposition it for economic survival.

Earlier, in his remarks, the Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, said that the summit was aimed charting a way forward toward delivering a diversified economy and formulating policies to advance the mining sector.

The Managing Partner of Bruit Costaud, Mr Lai Mohammed, said that the report containing insights, expertise and experiences of participants at the end of the summit would be presented to the government for appropriate action.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on Jan. 16, an explosion in Ibadan caused by storage of explosive miners, killed no fewer than five people, while 77 were injured and 58 buildings were destroyed.

The event was organised by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru in collaboration with Bruit Costaud.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

========

Edited by Kayode Olaitan

British envoy applauds NAN’s professionalism, role in media growth
Foreign

British envoy applauds NAN’s professionalism, role in media growth

222 total views today
By Chinenye Offor

British High Commissioner in Nigeria Richard Montgomery has applauded the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN’s) professionalism and leading role in the growth of the media, not just in Nigeria but in Africa as a continent.

Montgomery expressed the thought in Abuja on Tuesday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Managing Director of NAN, Malam Ali M. Ali.

The British envoy said the agency, through its operational standards, contributed meaningfully to advancing the growth of the media space in the country.

“The agency has a pivotal role to play in the media environment, and what we always find impressive about Nigeria is that NAN has an incredibly diverse media landscape, and multiple channels with regional and national news coverage.

 “Some news agencies attempt to put out balanced news and you have to think carefully about what the news is, glancing into your mission statement.

“We see NAN as one of the critical media agencies in Nigeria.

“I am quite conscious that Nigeria could be quite a difficult place to be a journalist. Yes, there is media freedom but there are also massive media challenges.

“I think if you look at international comparative indices we are admiring journalists, people who made it their career to be part of the media sector.

“We must keep talking to each other about media freedom and professionalism. Sometimes there are political challenges, so we admire people who uphold the profession and standards.”

Responding, the managing director of NAN acknowledged the long-standing relationship between the agency and the high commission.

He said the agency would continue to maintain its position as the biggest news content provider, not just in the country, but across Africa.

“We are the biggest on the continent; we have offices in the southern parts of Africa, notably in South Africa.

“We have had a long-standing relationship with the high commission and the British Council over the years, over many decades.

“We have lived by our core mandate as NAN and we will attain 50 years of existence and operation as a news agency. We welcome the idea of training and retraining of our staff.

“We are in dire need of work tools.

“Many young Nigerians have benefited immensely from the exposure offered to us by the British Council many years ago.

“We have a strong affinity with the United Kingdom and look forward to greater cooperation and a robust relationship with the high commission under your leadership,” Ali said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Benson Iziama/Emmanuel Yashim

NMA Presidential Aspirant pledges Inclusivity, seeks unity among members
Health

NMA Presidential Aspirant pledges Inclusivity, seeks unity among members

297 total views today
By Aderogba George

Dr Kefas Zawaya, a presidential aspirant of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), has vowed to lead an inclusive government if elected in the association’s upcoming election on May 5.

Zawaya made this commitment during an interactive session with NMA-FCT members in Abuja.

He urged members nationwide to foster unity within their chapters to enable the incoming National Executive Council (NEC) to fulfill the association’s objectives.

Zawaya, a former Chairman of the Gombe Chapter of the association, emphasised his participation in various struggles for the NMA’s welfare at both federal and state levels.

He pledged to engage with the government in constructive dialogue to address key issues affecting medical professionals.

Meanwhile, the NMA Presidency has been zoned to the northeast, with the election scheduled for the Annual Delegates Meeting/Annual General Meeting in Calabar between May 5 and May 12, marking the end of Dr Uche Ojinmah’s tenure as National President since 2022.

Zawaya further outlined his vision for an inclusive NEC, with representation from diverse demographics including young men and women.

He stressed the need for a review of the NMA constitution and voting patterns to ensure fairness and equity.

Additionally, he noted the importance of renewing practicing licenses to combat quackery in the medical profession.

Zawaya also pledged to prioritise issues that would generate revenue for the NMA and uphold its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations.

Another presidential aspirant, Prof. Bala Audu, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Science, Azare, Bauchi state, presented his manifesto, highlighting his extensive experience and contributions to the medical profession.

He emphasised the need for a strong team to address challenges and improve healthcare quality across Nigeria.

Audu pledged to advocate for increased residency training opportunities for doctors nationwide and to mitigate factors contributing to the “Japa syndrome” in the medical field.

He also promised to engage with the government to enhance doctors’ remuneration and introduce new allowances.

Both aspirants expressed their readiness to collaborate with NMA members to achieve their shared goals of advancing the medical profession in Nigeria. (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

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