The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Why miners can’t access N5b fund

    Dearth of skilled manpower has stalled efforts, by the mining operators to access the N5billion World Bank intervention funds, the Director, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Ojeka Patrick, has said.

    He said World Bank provided N5billion in two tranches of N2.5billion each to the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), including small miners, adding that poor miners have not been able to access the funds, due to poor technical know-how.

    He said the development made stakeholders to organize training for the operators in the six-geo political zones of the country.

    In an interview with The Nation, he said a training programme is starting tomorrow, in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

    Read Also: Osun to register miners to prevent crime, says Oyetola

    He said the programme will provide operators with skills on how to prepare a bankable mining feasibility study, with a view to get funds for operation.

    Patrick, who also doubles as the Chief Executive officer, Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and GeoScientists (COMEG), said the sub-sector needed more than N5billion for operation, in view of its huge potential.

    According to him, the N5billion is still in the custody of the Bank of Industry (BoI).

    Patrick said: “The knowledge gap in the sub-sector is huge and as a result of this, one cannot under estimate the importance of the training. This is in view of the fact that the Federal Government, has made efforts to enable the extractive industry, especially the mineral resources to access funds from the banking sector, to no avail.”

  • NERC’s revenue hits N5.5b

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) generated N5,535,581,000 as revenue in last year, The Nation learnt on Monday.

    The cash includes operating fees on electricity-N10,531,093,000, licenses and fees-N498,931,000; and uncollectible operating fee on electricity-N5,314,443,000.

    According to NERC Annual Report and Financial Statements – December 31, 2018, which Deloitte & Touche Chartered Accountants audited and signed on May 31, 2019, income from operating fees on electricity relates (to) levies paid by generation and distribution companies on a monthly basis on energy wheeled. The Commission is entitled to 1.5 per cent of tariff charge/kWh from generation companies and 1.5 per cent of licencee’s charges/KWh net of the cost of generation and transmission. Income is recorded based on monthly market credit advice received from operator of the Nigerian Electricity Market (ONEM).

    “Income from licenses and fees relates to income generated payment received by the Commission on the provision of services such as metering, generating sets import permits, captive generation fees, generating and distributing companies processing, application, renewal fees,” the report explained.

    Read Also: Green Energy gets NERC’s licence for 40Mw plant

    Other incomes include N663,000 interest income, insurance claims, Industrial Training Fund (ITF) claims and sundry income-N25,979,000, subventions from Federal Government-N355,709,000, and grant received from MacArthur Foundation-N76,600,000, totaling N458,951,000.

    The report also revealed that income from Federal Government represents subventions received from the Federal Government, stressing that in 2018, the Commission received N76,600,000 ($250,000).

    The report also recorded Federal Capital grant allocations of N10,656,220,000 and N28,524,000 World Bank grant.

    The report recored that capital fund from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) stood at N3,627,152,000; employee benefit reserve-N142,547,000 all totaling  N3,769,699,000.

    The Commission, according to the report, recorded employee benefit reserve of N142,547,000 in the period under review.

  • EU votes 40m euro for Africa’s development

    The African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced a 40 million euro investment from the European Commission for Facility for Energy Inclusion (FEI), a new platform for financing small-scale renewables in Africa.

    A statement said the announcement was made to energy sector stakeholders on the sideline of Africa Energy Forum in Lisbon, Portugal. The bank, the European Commission, in partnership with Lion’s Head Global Partners and Fieldstone and the Lusophone Renewable Energy Association, presented the facility to participants at the Forum.

    FEI is a $500 million financing platform spearheaded by the AfDB to catalyse financial support for innovative energy access solutions. FEI On-grid, a targeted  $400 million fund, supports improved energy access through the development of small-scale renewable energy generation and mini-grids across Africa, while the Off-Grid Energy Access Fund (OGEF), a targeted $100 million fund, supports off grid energy distribution companies and boosts their long-term capacity to access capital markets at scale.

    affordable, clean and sustainable access to underserved communities in the sub-Saharan region.

    “Through FEI, we aim to increase co-financing and private sector investment in innovative on-grid and off-grid clean energy access solutions, and consequently move faster on our “Light Up and Power Africa priority to achieve universal energy access in Africa by 2025,” said Cunha.

    Read Also: Do not expect debt relief, U.S. warns Africa

    The event was attended by the renewable energy investor community, including representatives from various Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), international and African commercial banks, project developers and sponsors.

    During the event, the FEI fund managers guided project sponsors and developers in attendance through project selection criteria, and financing terms of the specific FEI windows.

    In December 2018, the Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development of the European Commission (DG DEVCO) approved a EUR 25 million investment to FEI On-Grid window, EUR 13 million into the FEI OGEF window, and EUR 1.6 million to support the Fund’s Technical Assistance Facility, which aims to build investee capacity in structuring and executing transactions in African capital markets. These investments will provide junior equity to strengthen FEI’s capital structure, and enable FEI to fundraise from a range of commercial and private investors.

    “FEI is a great example of how the EU has been developing innovative financing initiatives together with financial partners such as the African Development Bank, to stimulate and de-risk private sector investments without which we won’t be able to address the growing energy demands and provide access to sustainable energy in sub-Saharan Africa,” said Head of Infrastructure, and African Development Bank Liaison at the EU, Hugo Van Tilborg.

    The European Commission’s contribution further underscores the AfDB’s focus on building strong partnerships with diverse organisations in order to provide a wide range of grant and investment instruments to fast track sustainable energy access across the continent.

    FEI’s off-grid window reached a $58 million first close in August 2018, with contributions from the AfDB, the Nordic Development Fund, the Global Environment Facility, All On and Calvert Impact Capital, Shell Foundation, USAID and the UK’s Department for International Development. FEI On-Grid is currently fundraising towards achieving a first close of about $120 million.

  • Ekiti appoints Emir Sanusi as EKSU Chancellor

    Ekiti state government has appointed the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as the Chancellor of the state-owned Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti.

    The Head, Directorate of Information and Corporate Affairs in the institution, Mr Bode Olofinmuagun, on Monday confirmed the development to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Ado Ekiti, but did not give details.

    The traditional ruler replaces the Alara of Aramoko Ekiti, Oba Adegoke Olu Adeyemi who held the office for four years during the last administration of former Gov. Ayo Fayose.

    NAN learnt that consequent upon Sanusi’s appointment, management of the institution had paid homage to the Emir in his palace in Kano.

    Read Also: We have no grudge against Kano state govt. – Emir Sanusi

    It was also gathered that the Emir had since accepted the offer, through a letter addressed to the government by the Matawallen Kano, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed.

    The letter by the Emir, thanked Gov Kayode Fayemi and the state government for the honour, promising to use his influence and wealth of experience to advance the course of the university.

    NAN recalls that EKSU is the fourth university in the country to appointed the Emir as Chancellor since he ascended the throne.

    NAN

  • NSCDC set to prosecute illegal private guard companies

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it is set to arrest and prosecute illegal Private Guard Companies (PGC) operating within Nigeria.

    This is contained in a news release made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by Soji Alabi, Media Assistant to Abdullahi Gana, Commandant General (CG) of the Corps on Monday in Abuja.

    The CG made the statement while addressing Helen Amakiri, Assistant Commandant -General in charge of Private Guard Companies.

    Gana warned that the Corps was ready to arrest, prosecute and clamp down on illegal private guard company operators and their employers.

    According to him, the Corps has observed with dismay, the use of unlicensed Private Security Guard Companies and in- house Private Guards by institutions and organisations in the country.

    “Institutions and organisations such as places of worship, Educational Institutions, Companies, Hotels, and some government establishments that recruit illegal guards are hereby warned.

    “ We observe they sew uniforms for them to wear in securing their premises without license or approval from NSCDC.

    Read Also: DPR, NSCDC arrest five illegal cooking gas retailers

    “They are hereby informed that they are operating illegally and are advised to desist from this act and engage the services of duly registered and licensed private security companies,” he said.

    He said  the illegal operation of some PGCs was contrary to the provision of Section 23 of the Private Guard Companies Regulation of 2018, which stated that;

    “Any person or corporate entity wishing to employ more than one person for the purpose stated in Section 1 of the ACT shall engage the services of a licensed company.”

    He further said that the establishment of the 2018 PGC regulations was in pursuant of the corps mandate to rid  private security sector of quackery.

    He said that after the warning, those illegal PGC operators who would refuse to comply with the corps regulations, should be ready to face the wrath of law.

    NAN reports that security guard companies found with expired licences would have their offices sealed and before unsealing them, the operators would pay a fine of N200,000 for a Grade A offence and N100,000 for a Grade B offence.

    NAN

  • JAMB nabs candidate with fake UTME result

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board on Monday apprehended one Ada Eche, a 19- year old for being in possession of a fake Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination result.

    JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede said Eche was nabbed following an invitation by the board for him to collect his admission letter at its headquarters in Abuja.

    He said the culprit is among several candidates parading fake UTME results and disparaging the credibility of the board.

    The registrar explained that the candidate wrote a letter to the board, claiming that his original score from the UTME had been tampered with.

    Oloyede explained that unknown to the candidate, the board was in possession of his actual score of 153.

    The registrar noted that Eche, with help from an examination fraudster had inflated his UTME score to 290 after paying N5,000 to the fraudster.

    Read Also: JAMB registrar seeks embargo on establishment of new universities

    He urged candidates claiming to have double results from the UTME to come to its office for verification.

    Eche confessed to being in possession of a fake UTME result.

    The candidate explained that the desire to obtain a higher score pushed him to seek for help on how to upgrade his result.

    Eche, who will be handed over to security agency for prosecution, called on other candidates claiming to have double results not to fall into the hands of fraudsters.

    The registrar urged candidates with genuine complaint to visit the website of the board and log their complaint by opening a ticket on the website.

    Oloyede said all complaint from candidates will be attended to, noting that candidates need not come to its offices.

  • 9mobile to provide toll-free emergency lines to corps members 

    Mobile Telecommunications company, 9mobile, has offered to provide a toll-free emergency lines for the National Youth Service Corps.

    Its Executive Director in charge of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Abdulrahman Ado, disclosed this during a visit to the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, in Abuja.

    In a statement by NYSC’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Adenike Adeyemi, the service was part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

    He said the emergency lines would enable corps members reach dedicated help lines of the NYSC and security agencies when in distressed situation.

    Read Also: NYSC DG to corps members: be security conscious

    Ado presented a proposal for partnership on employment generation for corps members, which involves the implementation of E-Learning Digital Skills Center at each of the NYSC Orientation Camps.

    The centers, he said, would train the corps members in digital skills and entrepreneurship, and also provide them opportunities to become business process outsource specialists.

    In his remarks, NYSC’s Director-General said the empowerment of corps members through entrepreneurial training was one of the focal points of his policy thrust, adding that the scheme would welcome offer of assistance from credible stakeholders.

    Ibrahim hailed 9mobile for its interest in the empowerment of youth, noting that its proposal would be beneficial to the scheme in its bid to equip corps members for self-employment and wealth creation.

    He spoke of the NYSC Mega Skill Centres constructed for the North-East and South-West Geo-political zones in Gombe and Ekiti States respectively through public-private-partnership, and called on 9mobile and other private sector organizations to assist in providing similar facilities in other zones of the country.

  • Wife stabs husband in Kano

    Twenty-one-year-old wife, Fatima Musa, has allegedly stabbed her husband in the abdomen over a misunderstanding.

    The Bayero University Kano law student on Friday night at about 1.30a.m. at their home at Ungwar Mai Kalwa, Naibawa quarters in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State reportedly stabbed her husband, Saheed Husaini, because she suspected him of communicating with some women on phone.

    According to a witness, it was the cry for help from the husband that woke some neighbors.

    On getting to their apartment, the witness said they saw the husband holding on to his stomach and bleeding profusely.

    Read Also: Wife stabs husband seven months after marriage

    Husaini, a staff of Federal University, Gusau, was later rushed to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital by neighbours, where he is receiving treatment. But, he was still unconscious as at the time of filing this report.

    The Nation learnt that the seven months’ marriage had been embroiled in problem as Fatima had said on many occasions that she did not love her husband, but for the insistence of her mother.

    However, efforts to speak with the bride’s father at AKTH was not successful as he declined comment

    Kano Police Command spokesman Abdullahi Haruna, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), confirmed that the bride has been arrested and transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

  • Kogi APC faction’s secretary debunks Yahaya Bello’s endorsement

    The factional Secretary of Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC), Salam Tom Adejoh, has debunked alleged endorsement of Governor Yahaya Bello’s bid for re-election ahead of the state’s governorship poll billed to hold on November 16.

    Addressing reporters in Abuja yesterday, Adejoh said  Bello’s poor performance should not be rewarded with a second term.

    The APC Secretary emphasised that the party’s executive committee members were not in any position to endorse any aspirants, stressing that the party’s governorship ticket is open to every qualified party member.

    “We did not endorse anyone and we are not planning to. The party’s ticket is open to everyone in the party,” added.

    According to him, the last meeting of the state executive committee, which held on Saturday, did not discuss Bello’s endorsement.

    Adejoh dismissed media reports credited to a faction of the state executive, led by the chairman, purportedly endorsing the governor for a second term.

    Read Also: Kogi APC exco splits over Yahaya Bello’s re-election bid

    Narrating the exco’s last meeting with the governor, Adejoh said: “Our discussion ended at the need for peace so that the party can move forward. He (governor) said he needed a sincere peace and we agreed on terms. There was nothing like endorsement.

    “The terms we agreed on were that our allowances and other packages that we are entitled to would be given to us and we all agreed on these terms.

    “The governor requested for the case in court to be withdrawn. We told him there are some processes to be followed.”

    On the reported endorsement of the governor by traditional rulers in Kogi State at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last week, the party secretary said the governorship election is not a traditional affair.

    According to him, the traditional rulers are only entitled to vote at the election.

    Adejoh added that they are not in a position to decide who will be the APC candidate because they are not delegates.

    Other party chieftains that joined Adejoh at the briefing included the State Organising Secretary, Alhaji Isah Abubakar; Zonal Youth Leader Noah Akwu; APC Bassa Local Government Chairman Mallam Isiaka Ibrahim among others.

  • 20 bandits, kidnappers arrested in Katsina

    Troops have arrested 20 bandits and kidnappers in Katsina State, among them a notorious kingpin, the Army said yesterday.

    Its spokesman, Col. Sagir Musa, said troops recovered weapons, motorcycles and foodstuff from the criminals.

    He alleged in a statement that the gang was responsible for cattle-rustling and kidnapping in Katsina.

    The statement reads: “In continuation of operations against armed banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other criminalities in Katsina State, troops of 17 Brigade on Operation Harbin Kunama III, have arrested a notorious bandit/kidnapping kingpin, Mallam Bawa Gomna and 20 others during operations around Batsari, Jibia and Safana Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Katsina State between June 3 to 21, 2019.

    “Those arrested so far are reportedly responsible for terrorising villagers in Batsari, Jibia and Safana Local Government Areas.

    “The criminal elements were apprehended based on credible intelligence from the locals, and have confessed taking part in several banditry activities, cattle-rustling and other sundry crimes.

    Read Also: Kidnappers’ hideouts, arms discovered in Niger

    “They, as usual, will be handed over to the respective law enforcement agency for further action.

    “The 17 Brigade Nigerian Army commends and appreciates all those that provided the information that led to the arrest of the criminals and urged members of the public to continue to support security agencies with credible information to combat the insecurity.”

    Col Musa said those arrested and items recovered are: Bawa Gomna of Garin Waiziri in Safana LGA, Mallam Bello Sabiu of Fafara village of Jibia LGA and

    Ibrahim Umar of Fafara village, Jibia LGA – logistics suppliers of the bandits.

    Others are Mallam Ibrahim Labo of Shamushelle village in Birnin Magaji LGA, Zamfara State, Musa Lawal (Maitonga village in Safana LGA), Mallam Adamu Mohammed (Mairuwa village, Faskari LGA) and Ibrahim Babangida Mairuwa (Faskari LGA).

    Also arrested are Sani Adamu (Mairuwa village, Faskari LGA), Yusuf Abubakar ( Mairuwa village, Faskari LGA) and Adamu Saidu (Mairuwa village, Faskari LGA of Katsina State).

    “Also, troops recovered motorcycles, foodstuffs, handsets and jerry cans of petroleum motor sprit (PMS) from the bandits,” Col. Musa stated.