MMA2 is Ready for Regional Operations, Says Bi-Courtney

MMA2 is Ready for Regional Operations, Says Bi-Courtney

Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2), has faulted the claims in some quarters that insufficient space for parking aircraft was delaying the commencement of international operations at its terminal.

BASL had recently obtained authorisation from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to commence regional operations at MMA2 as set out in the concession agreement between the two, but this still requires regulatory approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) before commencing operations.

BASL in a statement said the delay in obtaining NCAA’s approval has nothing to do with the size of its apron or any other operational issue, explaining that various teams of inspectors from NCAA and other statutory agencies, including the Department of State Security (DSS), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the Port Health Service supervised its preparation for the international operations to ensure that it complied with all the requirements.

It noted that all these agencies have also deployed their personnel at the terminal in readiness for the commencement of international operations, while the interior ministry had already accorded MMA2 the status of an entry point into the country.

According to the statement, “We don’t have any issue with parking space for aircraft. That is a false allegation. The FAAN has given us the authorisation to commence regional operations, but we still need other approvals from the NCAA. And we have complied with all the requirements set by NCAA.

“These areas cover safety, security and operations audit. We have invested huge amount of money for the commencement of the regional operations for the past six months. We have signed the agreement with FAAN since last year.”

Also reacting to the reported plans by an airline to move its operations from the terminal to the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), which is run by FAAN, due to purported high charges at MMA2, the company denied that any airline was planning to relocate from its terminal. It observed that it was unlikely any airline that had enjoyed the excellent facility at MMA2 would contemplate subjecting itself to the sub-standard service that currently obtains at GAT.

The company also explained that its current passenger processing fee was approved by the federal government and that it does not have the authority to increase its charges arbitrarily.

It further stated that: “It should be noted that we only charge for passengers processing. And there has not been any increment in the charges in the last four years, despite the serious devaluation in the value of the naira and the peculiar nature of our facilities, which requires paying their maintenance cost in foreign currency.

“MMA2 still remains the best terminal in Nigeria and any attempt by any airline to relocate to GAT should not be seen as the best option. GAT is clearly in breach of the concession agreement in the first place, and such airline will be exposing itself to a less favourable scenario. The point here is that moving to GAT is not the solution, rather, it is actually a way of killing private initiative. 

Saraki Trial: Kwara APC Challenges Oyegun to Speak out

Saraki Trial: Kwara APC Challenges Oyegun to Speak out  

Leadership and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Kwara Central senatorial zone which produced the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, have challenged the National Chairman of APC,  Chief John Oyegun, to state  his position on the ongoing Saraki’s trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

They made the call in Ilorin, the state capital, today during a peaceful protest to the state secretariat of the party.

The party stalwarts were led on the visit by the APC Kwara Central Chairman, Alhaji  Jimoh Adesina, who was flanked by the state women leader, Hajia Sarah Adebayo, and the youth leader in the zone, Hon. Tunde Aalagbo.

Speaking with journalists during the protest, Adesina, said Oyegun should protect one of his members who is being "victimised," being the national chairman of the APC.

Adesina, who said the people were displeased with the ongoing trial of Saraki at the CCT, described the trial "as nothing but persecution of our leader.

"Though as people, we believe in the supremacy of our constitution and the rule of law, but the recent scenario at the CCT leaves much to desire and has equally painted our judicial system black."

The APC leader, who called on all party stakeholders to come together and speak with one voice, said: "The situation was not like this before the election. If the stakeholders refused to bury their differences, the party may collapse and this is what we are guiding against."

He also called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigeria Judicial Commission (NJC) to stop the current alleged persecution of the senate president, saying there should be equal rights in the dispensation of justice in the country.

Buhari's Government Lacks Economic Direction, Activists Lament *Say Nigerians are frustrated

Buhari's Government Lacks Economic Direction, Activists Lament

*Say Nigerians are frustrated

A group of civil liberty activists today examined the administration of President Muhamnadu Buhari in the last 10 months, describing it as a government that lacks economic direction.

The group made this declaration at a one-day workshop organised for National Assembly Press Corps in Abuja by Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) in collaboration with Department for International Department (DFID).

According to them, Buhari's lack of economic direction has resulted in frustration and desperation of Nigerians for survival at all cost adding that "Buhari's economic policy for now is warehousing naira and nothing more."

Executive Director of PLAC, Clement Nwakwo, in his remark, said Buhari's repeated stance against devaluation of naira despite lingering economic recession, is more injurious to the naira.

According to him, by his insistence that he would not devalue the naira, the president has continued to devalue himself.

He described the attitude as an economic blunder that would further weaken the nation's currency weak against the major foreign currency.

He said: "President Muhammadu Buhari said he was not going to devalue the naira but everybody in this country, everybody in the world has devalued the naira. If you go to a supermarket, it is not the value of naira that you buy a particular product four or five weeks ago that you will buy it today. The price would have changed.

"In effect, the currency has been devalued. The foreign airlines are not selling tickets in naira. They will insist that you buy it in dollar or you will pay at their re-valued rate which is the black market rate.

All Abia State Commissioners to Become Farmers, Ordered by the Governor

All Abia State Commissioners to Become Farmers, Ordered by the Governor

 

Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, today ordered all members of the state executive council (Commissioners inclusive) to start farming, therefore, any commissioner in the state who dislikes farm work would henceforth have a change of heart.

He made this known at the quarterly press conference on the activities of his administration, saying that the agricultural revolution initiative of his administration entails that farming must be embraced by those in government.  

“All members of the executive council will engage in farming,” he emphasized. However Ikpeazu did not specify if any sanction awaits any commissioner that failed to heed the directive to own a farm.

The governor explained that it was necessary for government to live by example and practice what it preaches thereby encouraging youths to go into farming.

He said that he was determined to diversify the economy of Abia and make it totally independent of oil money to survive in the present economic melt down.

“If oil likes, let it fall or stand, we are going to chart a course for ourselves. We have to diversify,” he said.

As part of the move to revitalize agriculture, Ikpeazu said that the state would embark on massive production of oil palm, cassava, and  cocoa, a cash crop that Abia was ranked as number six producing state in the country.

He also disclosed that arrangements have been conclude for the establishment of poultry village in the state in collaboration with Obasanjo Farms Limited, adding that all modern facilities and equipment needed to run poultry farm. With the facilities in place he said that poultry farmers would only be required to just bring their day old chicks and breed, adding that his intention was to make Abia the poultry hub of the Southeast zone.

The Abia chief executive said that the road projects of his administration were on course as 27 out of 65 roads have been completed in 10 months, adding that all the ongoing road projects remain active.

He also said that 800 street lights installed as compliments of the newly completed roads are all functioning out of the 1000 earmarked for Abia cities while three bridges have been built.

 

 

Recruitment of 10,000 Policemen Begins Tomorrow

Recruitment of 10,000 Policemen Begins Tomorrow

 

The recruitment of 10, 000 willing Nigerians into the Nigerian Police Force by the Police Service Commission (PSC) will begin nationwide on Friday (tomorrow).

 

President Muhammadu Buhari had last year at the National Security Summit in Abuja directed the recruitment of 10,000 Nigerians into the Force to address the obvious shortfall in the manpower needs of the police.

 

Speaking on the recruitment exercise today in Abuja, the PSC Chairman, Mike  Okiro, warned the commission workers who would be involved in the screening of candidates to avoid any act that may compromise the integrity of the exercise. 

 

Okiro said any worker involved in any misconduct during the exercise will be sanctioned in line with the Public Service Rules and may be prosecuted for sabotage.

 

He admonished the workers to live above board "as the Commission is ready to make a huge success of this presidential assignment in line with its resolution to discharge its duties within the ambit of the law, transparently, and according to laid down rules."

 

Okiro also warned the candidates to desist from indulging or inducing the workers of the Commission, stressing that anyone caught will be arrested and prosecuted. 

 

He explained that the Nigeria Police Force deserved the best brains in the Nigerian society, stressing that the PSC would ensure that only the best will be engaged as policemen. 

 

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has acquired 4,388 housing units in 22 housing estates across the country for purchase by its personnel.

 

The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, who disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja, stated that 700 housing units were acquired under his administration, while 2,291 were under various stages of construction.

 

Delta Govt Slashes Certificate of Occupancy Cost by over 100%

Delta Govt Slashes Certificate of Occupancy Cost by over 100%

Delta State Government has slashed the cost of procuring the Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) from N425,000 to N200,000 per plot of land.

The new scheme enables acquisition of the certificate to be completed in 90 days while those in possession of the old ones are required to pay the sum of N50,000 per lot of land.

The state Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, at the commencement of "Fast-track 90" project in Asaba on Thursday, said the initiative was designed to eliminate the bureaucratic bottlenecks that had long militated against the acquisition of Co f O in the state.

He unveiled the electronically generated C of O project during the ceremony with an appeal to stakeholders to cooperate with the government to ensure the success of the initiative.  

Okowa noted that statistics showed that though there were the over 400,000 land/property owners in the state, the government has issued out only about 19,000 certificates of occupancy. 

Nonetheless, the governor red the riot act to dubious government officials who shirked their responsibility regarding the issuance of C of Os in the state, saying such officials would be duly sacked.

He also warned against inflation of the cost of approving building plans by the planning department of the Ministry of Lands and Surveys.

Okowa warned that: "Don't do things that are not right; don't slow down the process of procuring certificates as we will clamp down on anyone found to be inefficient."

He noted that the Fast-track 90 project was an innovative policy to ease the process of doing business in the state, saying that the high cost and delay associated with acquiring legal deeds on landed properties constitutes one of the greatest discouragements to investors.

"One of the biggest disincentives to investors anywhere in the world is the high cost and delays associated with acquiring the legal titles to landed property in the state, the process of obtaining C of O has over the years become very long, arduous, unwieldy, and opaque, often resulting in unofficial payments far in excess of the approved amount., he said.

Lai Muhammed: No Rift Between Executive and Legislature over 2016 Budget

Lai Muhammed: No Rift Between Executive and Legislature over 2016 Budget 

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said there is no disagreement whatsoever between the Executive and the Legislature on the 2016 Budget, which has been passed by the National Assembly.

Muhammad said the delay in the transmission of the budget from the National Assembly to the President for ascent was a normal process of scrutiny.

The minister stated this during his visit to the management of Leadership Newspaper Group today in Abuja.

''There is absolutely no rift, no issue of budget being sent back. Things are just taking their due course,'' ‎ he said.

He noted that it was not true that the President has refused to sign the Appropriation Bill passed by the National Assembly, adding that:  ''It takes a few days after the passage for the National Assembly to clean up the document in readiness for the President's assent.''

Mohammed stated further that when it is eventually passed into law, it will lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty, thanks to the six focal areas of social intervention contained therein.

“The first is the employment of 500,000 unemployed university graduates who we are going to train as teachers. Two, we are also employing 370,000 unemployed non-graduates, people with National Diploma and Technical Certificate. The third tranche is the social intervention targeted at 1 million people made up of market women, traders and artisans to be trained and given loans through their cooperatives.

“The fourth one is the home-grown One-Meal-A-Day Programme. Here we are targeting several millions of pupils in primary schools all over Nigeria. The exponential effect of this one meal a day is huge. Even if we are targeting five million pupils and we are giving each of them one egg a day, you are talking about five million eggs that will be provided by our poultry farmers. This will also help to increase the demand for maize and then you are going to employ people all around,” he said.

Group Raises Issues over Sack of PTAD DG

Group Raises Issues over Sack of PTAD DG

The suspension of the Director General of the Pension Transition and Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Mrs. Nellie Mayshak, has continued to generate controversies largely on account of the intrigues that threw up her suspension and new revelations provided by insiders in the pension administration sector.

The director-general, who is reputed for setting up the agency in 2013, was asked to proceed on an indefinite suspension on the order of the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, under whose ministry the agency is domiciled, citing the need to carry out some investigations into its operations.

However, a Pension Advocacy group, Pensioners Rights and Protection Alliance (PPRA), has faulted the suspension, warning that the same cabal that has always worked against the interest of pensioners is at work again.

The pension advocacy group said the alleged reasons given for the DG’s suspension was nothing but ‘giving a dog a bad name and hang it’.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of PPRA, Mr. Sule Adams, questioned the haste with which the minister of finance suspended the DG without first carrying out a discreet and forensic investigation into the alleged fraud.

“The suspension of Mayshak came to us as a rude shock not because she is above such disciplinary action, but because we find the process leading to it as gravely flawed and undeserving of a Nigerian who had worked hard since the establishment of PTAD to put smiles on the faces of Nigerian pensioners.

“It is an open secret that Nigerian pensioners have borne the brunt of the pervasive corruption in the Nigeria more than any other group after toiling all through their productive years, PTAD and by extension, Mayshak came to reverse the situation after similar interventionist agencies contributed in worsening the situation in the past,” the group said.

Continuing, PTAD insisted that the allegations are spurious and unfounded based on what they called their knowledge of the workings of PTAD as according to them, all pensioners’ salaries are paid through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to beneficiary’s accounts using the Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).

The group also explained that such payments are tracked through the banks to ensure that every pensioner receives his entitlement immediately they are paid, stressing that it is a known fact that PTAD prepares and submits monthly payroll of pensioners to the office of the Accountant General of the Federation in addition to issuing payment instruction to the same office which is as adjunct of the federal ministry of finance.

It therefore wondered why the ministry could now turn around abruptly to deny the agency, if there isn’t  much to the suspension order than meets the ordinary eye, even as it restate the need for the president to go deeply into the matter.

Adams stated that PTAD had saved tens of billions of naira for the nation through the elimination of over 4,500 ghost pensioners, and recently, saved another N7billion in five months which otherwise would have disappeared into the pockets of insurance companies and underwriters.

CCT Trial: Saraki Flies in Experts from US, Israeli

CCT Trial: Saraki Flies in Experts from US, Israeli 



Senate President Bukola Saraki has flown in experts from the United States and Israel to team up with his counsel led by Chief Kanu Agabi SAN in his determination to overcome his current trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for alleged false declaration of assets, 
 
It was also gathered that the experts are not lawyers but crack investigators, forensic and handwriting specialists with the mandate to provide information on witnesses and documents presented at the tribunal by the prosecution.
 
The experts who were said to have arrived in Nigeria (Lagos) last Monday, would leave Lagos for Abuja to commence operations soon. 

A source who disclosed this today explained that the information to be provided by the experts would assist Saraki's legal team. 

"The investigators will ferret out and scrutinise thoroughly  all available information on the eight prosecution witnesses, including their school records, service records from their past and present places of employment and personal information that may help the defence team in the course of the trial. Most of those so-called witnesses will not be credible when information concerning their life is presented publicly before  the Tribunal.
 
"It is also expected that with the fear that the prosecution may present forged documents, our  team needs to be vigilant and pro-active considering the manner in which the proceedings before the tribunal is being conducted. 
"Our people believe that with the way properties that have nothing to do with Saraki are being put on the charge sheet, there are tendencies that documents to sustain their claims may have been forged. All these the experts will screen and help the lawyers with information that may help them,"he said.
 
The list of witnesses lined up against Saraki are said to be staff of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB).
 
‎ln a related development, Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Peter Nwaboshi, yesterday said Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus would not support the emergence of an All Progressives Congress (APC) senator as the next Senate President if eventually Saraki loses at the Code of Coduct Tribunal (CCT).

Nigerian Security Operatives Halt Shiites Procession in Katsina

Nigerian Security Operatives Halt Shiites Procession in Katsina

Combined team of Security operatives today blocked members of the Muslim Shiite sect from their annual procession of Maulud in Katsina State.

The Shiite members who were about converging at the Katsina Central mosque to commence the procession when the joint security operatives hurriedly halted the procession.

It was observed that stern looking security operatives barricaded entrance to the mosque and reportedly dismantled podium said to have been mounted inside the mosque by the Shiite members.

A source revealed that the procession is an annual event to mark the Maulud celebration in commemoration of the birth of Fatima, the Prophet's daughter.

A member of the sect spoke under anonymity that "the procession is an annual event that starts from the central mosque and move around town before converging at the mosques for sermon."

Reacting to the scenario, the state Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, who assured the people that his administration would not trample on the rights of any citizens, urged them to appreciate the fact that their rights stops at where the rights of others begin.

Masari warned that his administration would not fold it arms and watch any group take over public places for their own use.

Speaking also, the leader of Shiites in the state, Sheikh Yakubu Yahaya, described the action of the security operatives as unfortunate.

Shiek Yahaya insisting that: "Virtually all the security operatives were drawn to the Central mosque venue of the celebration."

He alleged that the security agents stormed the venue of the procession with "about ten vehicles including an ambulance and confiscated all our materials including banners, flags and portraits."

The Shiites leader described the decision of the security operatives as an unprovoked attack noting that the Shiite members were scared.

Finally, Police Seal off Kogi Assembly Complex

Finally, Police Seal off Kogi Assembly Complex

Fully armed policemen today sealed off the Kogi State House of Assembly complex on the order of the National Assembly following unresolved leadership crisis rocking the state assembly as the main entrance to the complex was blocked by heavily armed policemen.

The policemen also barred the factional members of the of assembly who were billed to conduct ministerial budget defence from entering the complex, as the road leading to the complex was also barricaded by the security agents who subjected staff of the assembly to scrutiny and only allowed them in upon confirmation of their employment status through their identity cards.

One of the senior police officers who led the team of armed policemen to the state assembly complex, ASP A. Adeniran, told journalists that the directive came from the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Solomon Arase.

Adeniran said: “We were directed not to allow any assembly member into this complex except the staffer of the complex who are allowed in to perform their official duties."

Speaking on the situation, Mr. Aliyu Akuh, who is the Deputy Speaker to the embattled Speaker of the state assembly, Mallam Momoh-Jimoh Lawal, said the crisis remained unresolved, as earlier directive to return to status quo ante by the House of Representatives was ignored by five members.

According to him, it was an aberration for five out of the then 20 members of the assembly to impeach the speaker on whom the remaining 15 members had passed a vote of confidence on his leadership.

Akuh said the 15 members considered the action of the minority five members as an infringement on the constitution of the country, adding that in a developed democratic setting, such infringements must be challenged.

Nigerian Air Force, Innoson sign MOU for Fighter Jets' Spare Parts

Nigerian Air Force, Innoson sign MOU for Fighter Jets' Spare Parts

To prosecute the war against Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east geo-political zone with great effectiveness, the Nigerian Air Force today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, an indigenous car manufacturing company, for research and production of spare parts for its fighter jets.

The efforts are to ensure that aerial battle against the Islamic extremists are not encumbered as a result of lack of spare parts to fix broken down fighter jets and also use the opportunity to encourage local manufacturers.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, told journalists at the company's headquarters at Nnewi, Anambra State, that the collaboration between the company and the Air Force had kept its Jet fleet running for months now.

Abubakar, who was represented by the Chief Of Policy and Plans, Air Vice-Marshal James Gbum, said that the MoU would further solidify the collaboration, improve local content and engineering as well as serve the country a lot of foreign exchange used in importing the expensive parts.

``Our war efforts will be in vain if we don’t do something to ensure we get spare parts because, the Alpha Jets for instance one of our fighter aircraft; that have form the back-bone of our struggle against Boko Haram, we were (once) down with one or two at most due to lack of spare parts and mainly the break assemblies of these aircrafts,” he said.

China to Assist Nigerian Economic Diversification with Science Technology

China to Assist Nigerian Economic Diversification  with Science Technology

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Xiaojie Gu, today in Abuja pledged his country’s assistance to help diversify Nigeria’s economy, using science and technology.

Gu who spoke at the sideline after a courtesy call to the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said the minister’s recent visit to China would help pave the way for China's involvement in science, technology and innovation to drive Nigeria's economy.

He said the collaboration has become more expedient against the background that Nigeria is diversifying its economy, adding that China is looking at investment in agriculture, mining and infrastructure.

He admitted that there are promising prospects for both countries to diversify its cooperation and collaboration in many fields.

He said: "Today, I have had a very good discussion with Onu, and we have discussed more on bilateral relationship on science and technology, and of course within the framework of foreign affairs ministry to develop the economy.

"We are waiting to receive President Muhamadu Buhari’s visit to China in April, and that will be the very first visit of the president since this administration was sworn in last year. The visit will go a long way in further cementing the relations between Nigeria and China.

"Our bilateral relations have become strategic, and this will further expand our mutual beneficial relationship for the two countries to look for new areas of cooperation against the background that this year, China and Nigeria will be celebrating 45th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations."

The ambassador admitted that trade volumes between both countries is also on the increase, adding that: "On trade volume last year, it was $15 billion, and Nigeria remains the third biggest trade partner of China."

In an earlier remark, Onu promised that Nigeria would work with China based on the outcomes of his last visit to China, where agreement was reached with China’s Ministry of Science and Technology to assist Nigeria diversify her economy.

Troops Recover 1,304 Livestock, Arrest 15 Suspected Cattle Rustlers

Troops Recover 1,304 Livestock, Arrest 15 Suspected Cattle Rustlers

The troops of 1st Division of the Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies within the last one week have recorded tremendous success in the fight against cattle rustling, banditry and criminality particularly in the North-west region under the auspices of Operation Sharan Daji.

To this end, the military has recovered 1,304 livestock and arrested 15 suspected cattle rustlers in different parts of the region.

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, who confirmed the report in a statement today, said in Kaduna State, the Division’s Internal Security Force (DISFORCE) recovered 108 livestock and killed one armed robber and recovered one AK-47 rifle and 30 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition.

Usman disclosed that in Zamfara State, which is 1st Brigade’s area of operation, the troops recovered 419 livestock, arrested another bandit and recovered a locally made pistol from him.

"In Kano and Katsina States, 3rd Brigade was also able to recover 677 livestock, destroyed 10  cattle rustlers and bandits camps and recovered four locally-made pistols and seven Dane guns.

"The troops also killed four cattle rustlers and arrested 14 other suspects," he stated.

The army spokesman noted that the ongoing operations are aimed at completely eradicating the menace of cattle rustling, banditry and other criminalities in the North-west region of the country.

                                                           

’Dangote Refinery will End Persistent Fuel Crisis in Nigeria’

’Dangote Refinery will End Persistent Fuel Crisis in Nigeria’

As fuel crisis lingers unabated in Nigeria, the Dangote Group, which is currently building the world’s largest refinery, has assured Nigerians that when its refinery commences operation, it would put an end to the recurring fuel crisis in the country.

While speaking to journalists in his office in Abuja today, Executive Director, Stakeholder Management and Corporate Communications, Mansur Ahmed, said by the time the refinery is ready, Nigeria will be transformed from fuel importing country to an exporting one.

“That plant (refinery) is the largest single refinery plant anywhere in the world. In addition to the plant, we are also going to produce other petrochemical products from the same complex. These are polyethylene and polypropylene,” he said.

Ahmed said the petrochemical plant which covers 250,000 hectares and located in Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos is expected to gulp a whopping $14billion, and has the capacity to refine 650million barrel a day.

He suggested that government deregulated the downstream sector so that investors can play in an open market.

According to Ahmed, “One would prefer if it was deregulated so that we know that we are playing in an open market. The key issue is that if I buy crude oil whether from Nigeria or individual, I buy at an international price. If I produce product and want to sell, I should sell that product at an international price.

“So, I would not be affected by the decision of local pricing, and it is on that concept that we went into refining. We expect that we would buy our input, especially crude oil, on an international market price and that when we produce products, we will sell them at an international price.

“The refining industry is a global industry, if you use those international benchmarks, you shouldn’t really worry about price.

“It is time Nigeria completely deregulated the downstream industry. The kind of reason that has compelled government to fix petroleum product prices has not been tenable.

“If they said it is done because of the common man, when you do the study, you do not see the ordinary people benefiting from it, it is a few people who benefit. This is the best time to deregulate.”

Speaking on the ongoing reforms by the federal government, the Dangote Group Executive Director, said it is a continuation from past governments, adding that it is in the right direction.

He however added that: “We haven’t seen the full implementation of the reforms, so it would be unfair to make any judgment, unless those independent units are clearly self-accounting and one can see whether these units are actually making profit or loss.”

With Forex, Ahmed added that: “Concrete are road now cheaper.

“With the fall in the value of naira and cement prices, it is now about 20 percent cheaper to use cement for road construction in Nigeria.”

 The Dangote group, Executive Director Stakeholder Management and Corporate Communication, said it was time Nigeria switched over to rigid pavement.

“Based on the current cost of imported asphalt; given the high rate of foreign exchange and the fact that we are bringing cement prices down, we have established beyond reasonable doubt that for the same length of road and terrain, a concrete road today will cost anything between 15 and 20 percent lower than the equivalent cost of an asphalt road,“ he said.

Ahmed said it is just that in Nigeria, “we are so used to normal asphalt,” expressing optimism that in the next two years, most road construction workers will opt for concrete roads.

State Petroleum Minister Summoned by Nigerian Senate over Continued Fuel Scarcity

State Petroleum Minister Summoned by Nigerian Senate over Continued Fuel Scarcity

Worried by the persistent fuel scarcity across the nation, the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) has summoned the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachickwu, to appear before it tomorrow and explain why fuel scarcity has continued unabated.

  Kachikwu summon was as a result of the committee's oversight visit to major petrol stations in the country's capital, Abuja metropolis today.

 The committee  had expressed concern over non-availability of petrol in many stations following lack of supply to Abuja from the Suleja depot of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) while touring the capital city.
According to the committee's acting Chairman, Jibrin Barau, summoning Kachikwu had become imminent in view of the grave effects of the scarcity on the masses.

Barau disclosed that on-the-spot-assessment exercise carried out by the committee was spurred by the concern expressed by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, whom he said asked the committee to intervene and ensure that the crisis was promptly nipped in the bud.
Provoked by the seeming unpromising state of the scarcity, Barau described the situation as unacceptable.

"This situation is very bad and unacceptable; hence, the need for the minister to appear before us tomorrow (today) and unveil his plan on the way out of the chaos to us.

"Even if he doesn't have any plan yet out of the lingering problem, the Senate President and the entire members of the committee are more than ready to rub minds with him for that needed purpose," Barau said.

‎Scientist Discovers Fungi Enhance Drought Tolerance in Yam

‎Scientist Discovers Fungi Enhance Drought Tolerance in Yam

A female Soil Scientist, Nkiruka Odoh, has discovered  the use of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), a natural occurring soil organism to enhance drought tolerance of yams in the face of climate change.

Odoh, in her research findings, noted that  Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi helps yam to absorb more water and nutrients from the soil. 

The University of Abuja teacher  noted that her research work assessed the contribution of moisture stress and AMF inoculation and their effects on drought tolerance of yam (D. rotundata). 

She revealed that moisture stress imposed at tuber initiation stage significantly resulted in the reduction of the growth factors particularly fresh and dry tuber weight. Losses due to moisture stress at tuber initiation stage could be as high as 76.6% in dry tuber weight of D. rotundata. Mycorrhizae inoculation treatment significantly increased fresh tuber weight of D. rotundata by 33.3 percent and 37.7 percent dry weight was recorded.

‎

According to Odoh, the research was carried out at the instance African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), a career-development program for women agricultural scientists across sub-Saharan Africa.  

The two-year fellowship is awarded annually to African Women in field of Agriculture through a highly competitive process. 

In 2014, Odoh was among the 70  selected African agricultural women scientists out of 970 applications on a two-year fellowship awarded annually to African Women.

The fellowship is awarded to research with a major aim of  improving the daily lives of smallholder farmers particularly women. 

NNPC Unveils Strategies to End Current Fuel Scarcity in Next Few Days

NNPC Unveils Strategies to End Current Fuel Scarcity in Next Few Days

The controversy generated by the declaration of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu that the current petrol shortages could last up to two months, has compelled the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) unveil strategies to end the scarcity within the next few days.

NNPC today also reassured Nigerians that it was on top of the petroleum products supply and distribution situation, and remained committed to eliminating this endemic issue once and for all within the next few days.

The Group General Manager in charge of Group Public Affairs Division of the corporation, Mr. Garba Deen Muhammed,  said  in a statement last night that in the medium term, the corporation was working on sustainable strategies to permanently address the issues and challenges facing the midstream and downstream sectors.

According to him, the overarching objective is to make Nigeria a net exporter of Petroleum products as was the case in the 1970’s.

“Our commitment to ramp up our local Refining capacity and availability remains un-waivered with the ongoing rehabilitation works targeted at running all Refineries at a minimum 70% capacity utilisation within the next 6 - 8 months. This is in addition to our initiative of increasing the combined capacity of the domestic refineries through co-locating smaller but cost efficient modular refineries within the existing refineries premises within a time frame of 12-24 months,” Muhammed explained.

He further stated that as a result of the challenges that major oil marketers faced in contributing their supply quota due to constraint in accessing foreign exchange and outstanding subsidy obligations, the corporation was burdened with the obligation to guarantee almost 100 per cent in the national supply.

Muhammed noted that since the domestic crude oil supply of 445,000 barrels per day could only guarantee about 50 per cent of the 45 million litres national requirement for petrol, NNPC had secured presidential approval to take additional crude oil volume to guarantee national supply of petrol.

Declare State of Emergency in Osun, SDP Tells Buhari

Declare State of Emergency in Osun, SDP Tells Buhari

 Osun State Chapter of Social Democratic Party (SDP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in the state following the present high level of untimely deaths, hungers and poverty ravaging the people of the state.

 In a statement by the Chairman of the party, Chief Ademola Ishola, which was made available to media today, the party disclosed that information at its disposal showed that over 510 retirees in the state died in the last 18 months waiting for their entitlements.

 He noted uncountable numbers of the state workers lost their lives to avoidable deaths in the last one year due financial difficulties while many of them who have been confined to half salaries by the state Governor, Rauf Aregbesola in the last eight months are dying in silence.

 According to him, many of the ill people in the state who cannot afford private hospitals since the public own have been ineffective since that sack of all the medical doctors have now resorted to trado-medical centres for help.

 The SDP chairman stated that the state will totally collapse economically and socially if Aregbesola is allowed to continue in office beyond July this year.

 Ishola lamented that the present woeful allocation of funds from the Federation Account accrued to the state “has shown that we cannot recover again from this mess under Aregbesola leadership, hence the need for the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government at the centre to declare a state of emergency in the state.

 “In the whole federation, Osun is the only state that for two months (November and December 2015) received minus allocations while the January allocation of the state was as low as N6.2million for a population of over five million people.

 “We must not pretend that all is well with the state.  Indeed, the state is almost ruined by Aregbesola’s government. Today, this state took a bailout of N34.9 billion which we will not finish paying until 2035, the rescheduled debt by Debt Management Office (DMO) of N88 billion is still there and several billions of naira being owed many of Aregbesola’s contractors.   

 “Businesses are folding up in the state, many able-bodied beggars are now parading streets of major towns in the state and the state secretariat is now a ghost centre as many workers cannot afford transport fare to their various offices.

 “Education is at its lowest ebb as woeful performances of the school pupils had forced the governor to set up a panel to investigate failures of public school students in external examinations.”

The Role of Oba Sijuwade in my Ascension to the Throne, by Ooni Ogunwusi

The Role of Oba Sijuwade in my Ascension to the Throne, by Ooni Ogunwusi

Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, today stated that the role played by his immediate predecessor,  late Oba Okunade Sijuwade, in his ascension to the throne of Oduduwa was remarkable.

Oba Ogunwusi, who became the 51st Ooni in September last year after the death of Oba Sijuwade in a London hospital same year, spoke at the renaming of Ife City Hall after the late  Sijuwade in Ile Ife.

 The event which saw the three wives of Sijuwade making a public appearance within Ile Ife for the first time since the completion of his funeral rites in September last year, was also witnessed by the eldest son of the monarch, Prince Adetokunbo and some of his siblings.

Oba Ogunwusi in his remarks said his predecessor played a major role in his becoming a monarch through prayers, saying on few occasions, he had opportunity of close interaction with Oba Sijuwade, prayers which showed his clairvoyant abilities.

 "Oba Sijuwade was not just our revered father, he was a special creature and demonstrated his ability to foresee future on few occasions I had interaction with him.  I can confidently say he played a role in my ascension. On those occasions, he usually prayed from his heart for me.

 "The honour we are doing him today can never be at par with his contributions to the development of this land. His contributions to even this structure we are naming after him today was huge. Ife will continue to remember him for his great contributions to our development," Oba Ogunwusi said.

 Speaking earlier, the President of Ife Development Board, Prof. Muib Opeloye, stressed that Oba Sijwuade was being immortalised in recognition of the role he played in the development of Ife and empowerment of its people.

 Opeloye contended that the late monarch initiated the project and contributed immensely to seeing it to fruition, and commended the Chairman of Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Babajide Omoworare, for contributing a sum of N12.5 million for the project.

 He said IDB was also using the occasion to honour some members of Ife academia working in Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife, who have risen to the professorial cadre, explaining that in over 50 years of existence of the institution, no indigene had been made a vice chancellor, as the hope of achieving the feat is on the rise at the moment.

 Responding on behalf of Sijuwade's family, Prince Aderemi Sijuwade, thanked the community for recognising the role Sijuwade played in putting Ife on world map, promising that the family will always be ready to contribute to the development of Ife.

Calabar to Host World Mayors' Conference

Calabar to Host World Mayors' Conference

Nigeria is set to play host to the 2016 edition of world Mayors' conference on May 23 and May 27 in Calabar, the capital city of Cross River State. 

Chairman, World Mayors’ Conference, African Region, Eyo Asuquo, made this known this weekend in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, Mr. Qin Jian.

“We are at the embassy to officially inform it of the forthcoming World Mayors’ Conference and to solicit the Embassy’s support to mobilse mayors from China to attend the conference,” he said.

Asuquo noted that the objectives of the conference were in line with the agenda of President Buhari to diversify the country’s economy from oil to agriculture and solid minerals. Adding that the conference would be attended by the 774 local government chairmen from the country as well as mayors from Africa, Asia, America and Europe.

Qin Jian, the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of China to Nigeria, while appreciating the team for the visit, reiterated that China was always willing and ready to partner Africa in any way it could to promote a win-win cooperation.

He said that China had no fewer than 2,000 mayors in all its provinces.

The envoy then tasked the organisers of the conference to put adequate modalities in place to ensure a successful hosting.

Jian also expressed his embassy’s resolve to inform relevant stakeholders about the importance of the conference.

The conference manager, John Igoche, said that some of the benefits of the conference would include capacity training, skills’ acquisition as well as showcasing the potentials of various participating countries.

Igoche said that his committee had resolved to host a successful conference and called for a win-win situation for all would-be participating countries.

‎Call el-Rufai to Order, HURIWA Warns Buhari, APC

‎Call el-Rufai to Order, HURIWA Warns Buhari, APC

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA) has alleged that the Kadua state Governor, Nasir El-Rufai is anti-democratic with his policies, therefore called on the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC)  to call the governor to order  to maintain the current atmosphere of peace and tranquility in state.  The group also urged  members of the state House of Assembly to reject anti-labour and anti-religious legislation before them. HURIWA in a statement  identified the governor has a major threat to democratic norms, peace and the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. National coordinator of the group, Mr. Emmanuel Onwubiko, urged the governor to fundamentally amend his leadership style, so as to avoid precipitation of civil unrest in the state.  "HURIWA believes that any social cum religious warfare that is ignited in Kaduna would spread like wild fire across Nigeria.  "We feel strongly obliged to name the Kaduna State governor as the single most notorious threat against the survival of Nigeria's Democracy going by the high rate at which his administration is known to have introduced or implemented policies that are grossly anti-people and anti-religious even when the Nigerian Constitution in Section 14 (2) (a) states clearly that 'Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all Powers and authority," it stated.

READ ALL THE EASTER MESSAGES FROM PROMINENT NIGERIAN POLITICIANS

READ ALL THE EASTER MESSAGES FROM PROMINENT NIGERIAN POLITICIANS

Atiku Preaches Sacrifice, Says Nigeria will Rise again

Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, has enjoined Nigerians to be strong amid current harsh challenges, as better days would soon come.

He added that there is “hardly a testimony without a test and a crown without a cross.”

In an Easter message issed in Abuja by his Media Office, the Turaki Adamawa stated that the message of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection is a perfect analogy for the current situation in Nigeria today.

According to Atiku, "The significance of the celebration of Easter demonstrates that there is never an indomitable situation that hope, good team-spirit and hard work cannot overcome."

The former vice president therefore encouraged Nigerians not to lose hope, particularly as the ruling APC government would continue to work assiduously to find long term solutions to the country's hydra-headed problems.

"Things may seem rough and tough today, but it is only for a while. Nigeria will surely rise again in line with the spirit and tenets of Easter," he added.

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Fayemi Fetes Christians at Easter

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has felicitated with Christians all over the country and Nigerians in general for witnessing another Easter season, urging them to always uphold the virtues of love and sacrifice which are the hallmark of the Easter celebration.

Fayemi also congratulated them for the successful completion of the Lenten season-a period of 40 days of fasting and prayer which climaxed in the Easter celebration. 

The minister, in his Easter goodwill message signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, also called on Nigerians to make ample use of the opportunity of the season for sober reflection.

While urging Nigerians to celebrate with moderation, Fayemi also charged the people to spend quality time with family and friends, reflect on developments in the country and the world at large as well as pray for peace and progress.

He urged Christians and adherents of other religions to continue to preach and live in peace and harmony with one another. This he said would put the country on the path of peace.

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Easter, A Reminder of Need for Rebirth , Says Aregbesola

The Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, has said only a total rebirth in national consciousness and values would deliver Nigeria from its many challenges.

Aregbesola, on the occasion of Easter celebration, said renewal, a crucial theme in the celebration of Easter, should make Nigerians rediscover themselves for the purpose of their creation in the first place.

The governor, in a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, also called on all Nigerians, especially Christians, ‎to use the period to supplicate to God on behalf of the country so that Nigeria will be able to come out of the present economic challenges.

Aregbesola, who also described Easter as a period of sober reflection, enjoined Nigerians to live in peace and harmony at all times despite the present economic hardship.

According to him, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among humans are necessary elements in the sustenance of development.

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Ambode Preaches Unity, Tolerance

As Christians across the world celebrate Easter, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has called on Nigerians to collectively imbibe the spirit of unity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence as panacea for overcoming the nation’s current challenges.

Ambode, in his Easter message to Lagosians, said such fundamental values would go a long way in promoting and strengthening the foundation of love, peace and harmony in the society, adding that the season should serve as a reminder to all of the selflessness, love, sacrifice and tolerance of Jesus Christ throughout His earthly sojourn.    

                        

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, the governor said: “Remembering that foundation is particularly meaningful this Easter as our nation is facing challenges which we can overcome if we choose to, by exercising collective tolerance and be ready to make sacrifices.”

Noting that this season calls to mind the selflessness, love and tolerance which were the hallmark of Jesus Christ’s life during His sojourn, the governor said: “It is a season when we should pause and reflect on our individual and collective roles towards promoting and sustaining that foundation of love, peace and harmony in our society.”

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It’s Time to Re-awaken our Humanity, Says Obiano

The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has called on Christians across the world to seize the moment of deep reflection that the feast of Easter usually brings to reawaken their humanity and re-establish the presence of God in their lives.

In a special Easter message in Awka, the state capital, Obiano observed that the complex challenges that face modern Christians has seriously eroded the values that once sustained the essence of mankind and weakened the connection between many Christians and Jesus Christ, and calls for rigorous self-interrogation and re-awakening.

According to him, “Easter is a period when Christians devote time to reflect on the role of Jesus Christ in the life of mankind and resolve to walk the path of moral regeneration. This is made easier by the Lenten season which precedes Easter and prepares the church to enter the period of Grace that Easter offers.”

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Wike Felicitates with Rivers People

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has  felicitated with the people of  the state  on the  Easter celebrations,  urging them to use the  season to pray for the peace of the state and her sustained development.

In an Easter message to  the  people of  the state, Wike  advised Christians to  re-dedicate themselves  to the sacrificial living as exemplified  by Jesus  Christ  for the growth of  the state.

He assured  the people that his administration  would  continue  to  work towards the promotion  of  security  across the  state in conjunction  with  security  agencies.

The governor said the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ offers all Christians the privilege of rising with the Saviour into a new existence that would translate into better living.

While wishing the people of the state a joy-filled Easter celebration, he urged them to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement to security operatives.

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Okowa Enjoins Christians to Emulate Christ’s Humility

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has enjoined Deltans, particularly Christians, to emulate the humility of Jesus Christ, who in spite of his heavenly endowments, took up the cross in utter obedience to God’s will.

In a goodwill message to the people of the state signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, Okowa noted that the society would be a better place if adherents of Christianity imbibe the spirit of love and sacrifice; which is the bedrock of the religion.

“Easter is the reason why we are called Christians. But Christianity places a demand on all of us-a responsibility to look out for each other and be our brothers’ keepers,” he said.

The governor noted that there is nowhere the demands of Christianity are required more than in Delta State with its unique multi-ethnic diversities.

He said: “The ability to blur our lines of differences is the hallmark of love which is central to the Easter message.”

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Umahi Calls for Meditation

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has called on the people of the state to always meditate on the central  message and purpose of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ by ruminating on the essence of Easter.

Umahi, in an Easter message issued on March 23, said it was very important for all Ebonyi people and other Nigerians to  be prayerful and always remember that the death and ascension of Jesus Christ liberated “us from  sins.”

He also used the opportunity to  praise the people of the state for their  unflinching support for his administration, noting that the successes he had so far recorded would not have been possible without them.

The governor said: “As we celebrate the death, resurrection  and ascension into heaven of our Lord Jesus Christ, which ultimately liberated us from sins, I enjoin you all to always meditate on the central message and the purpose of His birth, death and resurrection by ruminating on the essence of life and by being prayerful.”

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Akpabio Preaches Love, Unity

Senate Minority Leader and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has felicitated with Christian faithful across Nigeria and in the world on the 2016 Easter festival, charging them to continue to live in love and harmony.

Akpabio, who stated this in his Easter message to Nigerians, which was signed by his Special Assistant on Media,  Jackson Udom, maintained that the essence of Easter “is about love and the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. It is about showing love to others and living lives worthy of emulation,” urging Christians to imbibe Christ’s qualities of love and sacrifice.

The former governor charged Nigerians to, as a part of their sacrifices, pray for Nigeria and continue to seeks its progress, noting that “together in unity, we can all overcome all challenges facing our great country.”

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Our Unity will End Nigeria's Crises, Says Kwara Speaker

As Christians in the country join others around the world to celebrate the Easter the Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Ali Ahmad, has enjoined Nigerians to be strong in unity and togetherness in the face of several challenges facing the country.

He said with unity of purpose, Nigeria would soon overcome the crises.

Ahmad made the charge in Ilorin, the state capital, yesterday while speaking with journalists on the celebration of this year’s Easter period.

He advised that Nigerians must utilise their differences in religion, ethnicity and language to make the country great.

While congratulating Christians for the Easter celebration, he‎ admonished them to imbibe Jesus Christ qualities, be their brother's keepers, preach peace at all times and show love to people around them, especially adherents of other religions.

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Lagos Speaker Prays for Love, Peace for Nigerians

The Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has called on Christians and all Nigerians to see the Easter period as an opportunity to increase their efforts at showing love and promotion of peace among mankind.

Obasa, in his Easter message to Nigerians, Christians in particular, urged them not to relent in cooperating and supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) governments at the centre and the state levels in their efforts to put in place programmes and measures that would enhance and improve the standard of living of Nigerians.

In the message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak, Obasa charged Nigerians, particularly Christians, to emulate Jesus Christ who, through his love for mankind, decided to sacrifice his life for people to live.

“Easter is a period to share love and promote peace. Jesus Christ lived and died for peace and love to reign and we can all emulate the exemplary life of Christ by becoming promoter of peace and love,” he stated.

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Hard Work, Sacrifice What We Need Now, Says Ajimobi

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has expressed optimism that the country is capable of scaling the current economic crises through selflessness, hard work and patriotism by the people, irrespective of social stratification.

In an Easter message by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, the governor said these were the sterling attributes that distinguished Jesus Christ for which his death and resurrection had become an annual celebration among the Christians.

The governor felicitated with the people, particularly Christians, on the occasion of this year’s Easter, a period he said was meant for sacrifice and forgiveness as exemplified by the life and times of Jesus Christ. 

Harping on hard work, the governor said no country could survive if its working age population relies heavily on the government for survival instead of getting actively engage in profitable ventures to eke out a living.