News Agency of Nigeria
Nigeria, Brazil sign air service deal for direct flights
Aviation

Nigeria, Brazil sign air service deal for direct flights

By Gabriel Agbeja

Nigeria has signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with the Brazil, paving the way for direct flights between both countries.

This is contained in a statement by Mr Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, in Abuja.

The agreement was signed in Brazil by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, and Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Mr Silvio Costa Filho.

The event was witnessed by President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil.

According to the statement, the BASA establishes a framework for direct air connectivity between Nigeria and Brazil, unlocking new opportunities for trade, tourism, investment, and people-to-people exchange.

The agreement is also expected to promote stronger economic integration, enhance cultural relations, and deepen diplomatic cooperation between the two countries.

“This agreement is a strategic milestone that underscores President Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s global partnerships and creating an enabling environment for commerce and mobility,” the statement said.

President Tinubu began a two-day state visit to Brazil on Monday, during which the BASA was signed.

He was warmly received in Brasília by President Lula da Silva, marking a significant step toward strengthening bilateral ties between the largest economies in Africa and South America.

In his remarks, President Lula lauded the agreement and expressed Brazil’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in aviation, agriculture, infrastructure development, and other key areas.

During the visit, President Tinubu is also scheduled to meet with the President of the Brazilian Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

The working visit will feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, highlighting both nations’ commitment to mutual growth and prosperity.

President Tinubu was accompanied by senior cabinet members, including Mr Olawale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and Amb, Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

Others in the delegation include Mr Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development; Mr Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security; as well as other top government officials.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Abiemwense Moru

ASUP issues 21 days ultimatum to FG over lingering demands
General News

ASUP issues 21 days ultimatum to FG over lingering demands

Demands

By Joan Nwagwu

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its outstanding demands in an agreement entered with the union.

Mr Shammah Kpanja, President of ASUP, said this while addressing newsmen at the end of an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council of the union on Thursday in Abuja.

Kapanja said that the demands by the union includes the non release of a circular to effect the payment of its Peculiar Academic Allowance by the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).

He said the Peculiar Academic Allowances paid to academic staff across Polytechnics was a component of the ASUP/FGN 2010 agreement.

The union leader said, rather than make provisions for payment, the allowances have been removed from the budgeting template and the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) had failed to intervene in definite terms on the subject.

He said the NEC expressed deep concerns over the continued decision by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to outsource the accreditation process for polytechnics in the country despite assurances to desist from such actions.

The union leader said the 25/35 per cent arrears of salary review was yet to be implemented.

He said that the arrears which cover a 12-month period and captured in the budget was yet to be released for reasons beyond the comprehension of the union.

ASUP president added that NEC  expressed deep concerns over the continued decision by the NBTE to outsource the accreditation process for polytechnics in the country despite assurances to desist from such actions.

He said that most states government have failed to implement the New National Minimum Wage.

He said NEC have expressed worry over the continued delay and non approval of a dual mandate structure aimed at eliminating the agelong discrimination against HND holders.

“In view of the items listed above our union’s NEC has resolved to issue a 21 days ultimatum to the Government to address the issues satisfactorily.

“A failure to utilise this window may lead to the declaration of a trade dispute and withdrawal of services of our members across public polytechnics and monotechnics nationwide” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Nigeria, India to sign MoU on collaboration in critical sectors
General News

Nigeria, India to sign MoU on collaboration in critical sectors

 

By Salisu Sani-Idris

President Bola Tinubu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon sign Memoranda of Understanding(MOU), to enhance collaboration in critical sectors.

Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

Onanuga explained that Tinubu would welcome the Indian Prime Minister on a State Visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Sunday.

According to him, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to arrive on Saturday.

Onanuga said that Modi’s visit to Nigeria would be the first by an Indian prime minister since Dr Manmohan Singh’s state visit in 2007.

He recalled that during Singh’s state visit, the two nations established a strategic partnership.

The presidential aide said that Tinubu and Modi would seek to strengthen both nations’ ties further, during their bilateral discussions.

“Both leaders will sign MOUs to enhance collaboration in critical sectors,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

SPDC JV partners sign agreement for .5bn Brass fertiliser, petrochemical project
Oil & Gas

SPDC JV partners sign agreement for $3.5bn Brass fertiliser, petrochemical project

By Emmanuella Anokam

The SPDC Joint Venture partners have signed a Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) for the $3.5 billion Brass Fertiliser and Petrochemical Company Limited (BFPCL) project.

The SPDC JV partners, comprising NNPC Ltd, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), TotalEnergies Ltd. and Eni would supply 270 million standard cubic feet of gas daily (270MMscfd), to develop the 3.5 billion dollar project in Bayelsa.

The 270MMscfd gas supply to BFPCL is the largest single GSPA to any domestic gas offtaker in Nigeria.

The signing of the agreement between the SPDC JV partners and BFPCL held on Friday in Abuja was supervised by the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo.

Expo said it was expected that within the shortest possible time, the BFPCL and its partners would achieve Financial Close and commence actual construction of the methanol project.

He said the project would spur needed Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and create thousands of jobs for the teeming population, while changing the fortunes of the host state and communities.

The minister urged all parties to operationalise the GSPA and realise the Brass Methanol Project to inspire more of such projects towards cementing Nigeria’s position as the Gas Processing Hub for Africa.

In his remarks, Amb. Nicholas Ella, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said the project would generate more than 1.5 billion dollars annually from exports of fertilisers, petrochemicals and other gas-based products.

“This agreement represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to monetise Nigeria’s vast gas reserves, which currently stand at over 209 trillion cubic feet (tcf).

“In addition to boosting exports, the project will reduce fertiliser imports by 30 per cent, saving Nigeria approximately 200 million dollars in foreign exchange annually,” he said.

Ella said it was projected to contribute around 600 million dollars annually to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with a broader economic impact of up to two billion dollars per year and growth in related industries.

“This initiative is closely aligned with Nigeria’s commitment to achieving zero routine flaring by 2030, and advancing the goals of the National Gas Policy by fully utilising our gas resources for sustainable development,” he said.

Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa, who expressed satisfaction with the project, said the state was open for investment and ready to ensure that youth were meaningfully engaged.

Represented by Ebieri Jones, Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment, Diri urged prospective investors to tap into its vast potential and peaceful business environment.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of the BFPCL, Dr Ben Okoye, emphasised the need to unlock Nigeria’s gas deposits promptly, citing the urgency to utilise gas before it becomes less relevant.

The NNPC Executive Vice President, Upstream, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, while commending the president on the executive order, an enabler for the success of the project, said the parties were aligned and ready to execute the project.

The partners also expressed readiness in implementing the project and thanked the minister for his pivotal role in breaking the impasse that delayed the signing of the agreement since 2015.

The event was attended by representatives of the partners including Mr Osagie Okunbor, Managing Director, SPDC; Mr Abiodun Afolabi, Executive Director, Strategy and Business, TotalEnergies; Mr Fabrizio Bolondi, Vice Chairman/Managing Director Eni and Mr Ed Ubong, Coordinating Director, Decade of Gas. (NAN)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

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