The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Edo, EU, British Council strengthen reforms to curb corruption in public procurement

    The Edo State Public Procurement Agency in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the British Council through the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme have organised a Capacity Needs Assessment Workshop for procurement officers and others performing procurement functions in the state and local government councils.

    The workshop was organised for the purpose of assessing the capacity needs of Edo State Public Procurement Personnel as well as the Local Government Councils in Edo State, who are currently carrying out Procurement functions with a view to improving the capacity of these staff to implement modern procurement practices as provided under the Edo State Public Procurement Law and its subsidiary regulations/legislations.

    Managing Director of the Edo State Public Procurement Agency, Mr. Henry Idogun, at an interactive session with State Procurement Personnel and selected local council procurement officers, said the programme was organised to ascertain the challenges being encountered in the procurement implementation with a view to determining the level of intervention required.

    Read Also: Edo, EU, British Council strategise against gender-based violence

    He noted that the workshop would further engender a proper appreciation of the provisions of the Edo State Public Procurement Law 2012, towards improving procurement practices in the state.

    He expressed appreciation to the state government and the governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for the initiative and for bringing the RoLAC Programme to the State.

    He said the programme will go a long way in addressing the capacity needs of the state and local government councils’ procurement officers cadre, thereby further deepening the procurement reforms currently ongoing in the state.

    Recall that the state government runs a transparent, open government, whereby its budget is published for public scrutiny just as the procurement is streamlined

  • African countries import $50bn worth of food annually– AfDB

    The African Development Bank (AfDB), says African countries import nearly 50 billion dollars net of food annually.

    A statement by AfDB’s Communication and External Relations Department said the bank’s Vice President for Agriculture, Human, and Social Development, Jennifer Blanke said this at a panel discussion at the 7th Tokyo International Conference in Japan.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference which began on Aug. 28 in Tokyo, ended on Aug. 30.

    The theme of the conference was: “Advancing Africa’s Development through People, Technology, and Innovation.’’

    Blanke explained that it was unfortunate that in spite that the continent was holding 60 per cent of the world’s arable land, it still imported food.

    She said investing in Africa’s food markets, governments could win the fight against stunting and improve nutrition across the continent.

    Read Also: AfDB okays $25b for agric, agribusiness

    Blanke said that with support from institutions like the AfDB, the results would be a win-win situation for all.

    “There is a business case for governments to invest in grey matter, or brainpower, and this requires much more nutritious diets.

    “With most people in Africa getting their food from local markets, business opportunities for healthy foods abound everywhere in the food system and potential investors are urged to engage and explore,” he said.

    Blanke, however, added that women in agriculture were an overlooked stakeholder group, saying that in most parts of Africa, most farmers were women.

    She disclosed that the bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa initiative known as AFAWA, sought to support women entrepreneurs in Africa.

    According to her, through AFAWA the AfDB aimed to raise at least 300 million dollars for a guarantee facility will spur lending to African women entrepreneurs.

    (NAN)

  • Man who stole $50 from bakery to be freed after 36 years in prison

    A man who has spent 36 years in prison after stealing $50.71 (£41.74) from a bakery is set to walk free after having his jail term reduced.

    Alvin Kennard, who was jailed for life in 1983, was handed the lengthy sentence under a US law introduced in the 1970s to deter repeat offenders.

    The 58-year-old’s lawyer Carla Crowder argued that he would have received a 20-year maximum prison term under new guidelines.

    An Alabama judge ordered him to be freed on Wednesday after reducing his sentence to time served.

    Ms Crowder said Kennard plans to live with his family in Bessemer, Alabama, and work as a carpenter.

    His niece told the US news channel WVTM: “We’ve just been praying and trusting in God that this day would come and it’s here, and we’re so grateful to God.”

    Kennard was jailed under the three strikes provision of Alabama’s Habitual Felony Act which was designed to punish repeat offenders.

    (www.newsnow.co.uk)

  • Airstrikes slow down Taliban offensive on Kunduz

    Afghan air forces have slowed down a new Taliban offensive on parts of the north-eastern city of Kunduz, officials said on Saturday.

    Various militant locations were targeted inside the city, said Provincial Councillor, Gulam Rabbani Rabbani, in fighting that has been going on for about 12 hours.

    Sporadic gunfire rang out in different parts of the city, but not with the intensity of the earlier hours, according to another Councillor, Mawlawi Abdullah.

    The city’s main electricity supply building, provincial hospital and the third police district are among the most important locations already taken over by the Taliban, according to local officials.

    There were civilian and military casualties but the councillors did not provide any figures.

    The clearance operation was being conducted cautiously to protect civilians, said a spokesman from the nearest major military base, the 217 corps of Pamir.

    The Defence and Interior Ministries said that at least 40 Taliban militants were killed as a result of the air and ground operations in the city.

    These numbers could not be verified.

    Commando forces had also been deployed to the city, the Interior Ministry said.

    Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said in contrast that the militants’ operation in Kunduz, which began in the middle of the night, was going “smoothly”.

    Mujahid published videos showing militants collecting munitions from a police compound apparently abandoned by Afghan forces.

    In another video, a number of policemen were shown giving up their weapons to the Taliban and leaving their compound somewhere in the city.

    The authenticity of the videos could not be verified.

    The attack took place amid talks between the Taliban and the U.S. to find a political solution to the 17-year-long conflict.

    Kunduz has been a flashpoint in the Afghanistan conflict over the past few years.

    In late 2016, the Taliban entered the city and fought with Afghan forces for several days before being pushed out.

    The Taliban took control of Kunduz for almost two weeks in late 2015 and made it the first provincial capital to fall to the insurgents since the American-led intervention in 2001.

    (NAN)

  • Dubai stops work on largest airport in world

    Work on Dubai’s Al Maktoum Airport has stopped because the economies of the Gulf states are faltering, Bloomberg reported on Thursday.

    The airport was designed to be one of the world’s biggest, with an annual capacity of more than 250 million passengers.

    Bloomberg cited sources – who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the topic – saying that construction activity has been halted and finances for expansion frozen until further notice.

    According to Bloomberg, the completion date for the first phase of the airport – envisaged as a $36 billion super-hub allowing locally based airline Emirates to consolidate its position as the world’s number one long-haul carrier – had already been pushed back five years to 2030 in October.

    Dubai Airports said in a statement made to Bloomberg that it is reviewing its long-term plan and that “exact timelines and details of next steps are not as yet finalized”.

    Read Also: Governors plan relief for travellers as Enugu airport is shut

    The statement also reported Dubai Airports as saying that it aims to ensure development takes full advantage of emerging technologies, responds to consumer trends and preferences and optimises investment.

    According to Bloomberg, last year Dubai’s economy grew at the slowest rate since 2010, as the Gulf’s chief commercial centre grappled with fallout from geopolitical tensions and low oil prices.

    Tourism has been stagnant since 2017, while Emirates Airlines remains based at the original Dubai International hub as it mulls how best to develop its strategy.

    The company is finding it tougher to add profitable new routes, and is reworking its fleet plans with the cancellation of the Airbus SE A380 super-jumbo jet.

    The newer airport, also known as Dubai World Central, opened in 2013. Annual capacity increased five-fold to 26.5 million last year following work on the passenger terminal; however, the number of actual customers was just 900,000.

    Capacity was due to increase to 130 million passengers on completion of the first phase of expansion. The new design plans to handle a capacity of 260 million – more than twice the customer total at the world’s busiest airports today.

    (www.newsnow.co.uk)

  • Kano Hisbah arrests 32 beggars

    The Kano State Hisbah Board on Saturday said it arrested 32 beggars in Kano metropolis for allegedly violating the law banning street begging in the state.

    The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the board, Malam Lawan Ibrahim, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano.

    Ibrahim said that the arrests were carried out around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday on Ajasa Road, Lodge Road, Kantin Kwari Market, and Sabon Gari.

    Read Also: Police arrest, detain rape suspect in Kano

    He said those who were arrested comprised 16 adults and 16 male children, adding that they were arrested during different raids in the city.

    According to him, the board will continue to arrest beggars who refuse to abide by the law which bans street begging and will make sure Kano becomes totally free from begging in the nearest future.

    “Those arrested will be screened and first time offenders among them will be granted bail and handed over to their relatives while others will be charged to court,“ he said.(NAN)

  • Gov. Bagudu inaugurates N288m road, bridge projects

    Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, on Saturday, inaugurated road and bridge projects worth N288 million in Kanya village of Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of the state.

    Bagudu, while inaugurating the projects, pledged that his administration would ensure even spread of developmental projects and basic amenities across the state.

    He explained that the bridge and road projects were aimed at facilitating development and easing transportation of agricultural produce.

    “I assure you my administration will continue to provide infrastructure, especially roads, and will sustain the provision of quality healthcare, education and agricultural development.

    “The project will hasten the actualisation of the ethanol bio-fuel project in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the state and the NNPC.

    Read Also: TCN board stalls $258m power projects

    “It will also serve as outlet to cassava demonstration farm which is the raw material for ethanol,” he said.

    The governor further pledged to construct Waje – Unashi road, Dabai – Mahuta – Koko road, Gadar – Zaima – Maga – Zuru road as well as other roads in Zuru emirate.

    “I advise you to promote agricultural production to improve your economic wellbeing and continue to remain loyal and supportive to the government programmes and policies,” he said.

    The Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Transport, Engr. Usman Gado, disclosed that the road was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers at N288, 450,000.

    The Chief of Wasagu, Alhaji Mukhtari Wasagu, expressed gratitude to government for the project and the establishment of cassava farm for ethanol production in the area.

    Also, the representative of Army Corp of Engineers, Colonel Bello Yauri, said the bridge, was 650 metres long and was completed within the time frame of six months without compromising the quality. (NAN).

  • LG election: One dies as rival APC supporters clash in Niger

    One person have been announced dead as supporters of two rival Chairmanship Aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) clashed.

    The clash involved supporters of Alhaji Musa Ishyaku and Alhaji Danjuma Emindachi.

    The deceased has been identified as Nda-Bida and was said to be a supporter of Alhaji Danjuma Emindachi, one of the aspirants from Katcha local government area.

    The incident occurred along the Minna- Bida road after the aspirants had  collected their nomination forms to contest the  chairmanship election for Katcha local government which is to hold in November, 2019.

    The reason for the clash remains unknown, however, it was found out that the parties had continuously provoked each other before the crescendo along the Minna-Bida road.

    Eyewitnesses said that when the supporters ran into each other at the river Gbako bridge on the Minna-Bida road, they attacked each other with cutlasses, daggers, machetes and other dangerous weapons.

    A lot of people were injured and one of the supporters died.

    The Niger state Chairman of APC,   Jibrin Imam confirmed the incident but said that the party is not involved in the clash.

    Read Also: Boat mishap claims 3 lives in Niger

    He said that the party had always preached peace which he thought the aspirants would imbibe in their supporters expressing disappointment over way the aspirants allowed the behaviour of their supporters.

    “It is a criminal issue, our party is not involved the police is handling the matter.”

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Abubakar also confirmed the incident saying one person have been arrested regarding the incident.

    “We are already investigating the matter, while appealing  to members of the registered political parties to play the game according to the rules during and after the local government election.”

  • FCE Yola okayed for Colleges of Education games

    The Federal College of Education Yola, has the capacity to host the 20th edition of Colleges of Education Games Association (NICEGA), which has the potentials of improving on the socioeconomic status  of Adamawa State, the National President of the Association, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed, has said.

    The 20th NICEGA games will hold in the first quarter of next year.

    The NICEGA President, who is also the National Secretary of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), told journalists in the Adamawa State capital, Yola after a courtesy visit to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, that the FCE Yola has all the infrastructure and facilities necessary for the games.

    “The college already possesses the required facilities and has the potentialities of developing them in preparation for the next edition of the games,” the NICEGA President asserted.

    Reiterating that the games would radically raise socioeconomic activities of the state, Sanusi Mohammed said: “You can imagine the number of colleges that will be storming Yola. You can also imagine how this will change the lives of petty business owners during the games.”

    He added that the games would demonstrate the significance of sports in fighting social vices and improving the economic fortunes of societies

    Also speaking, the FCE Yola Provost, Professor Abdul-Mumin Sa’ad, assured that the college was set for a successful hosting of the games.

    He however solicited support from the government and people of Adamawa State for a befitting games.

    The Senior Information Officer of the FCE Yola, Bashiru Abdullahi, recalled to our correspondent that the college was named to host the 20th NICEGA Games upon the conclusion of the 19th edition at the FCE Obudu, Cross River State, in February this year.

  • Boat mishap claims 3 lives in Niger

    The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has confirmed the death of three people in a boat mishap at Wuya community on River Kaduna.

    The Director-General of NSEMA, Alhaji Ahmed Inga, confirmed the development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Saturday.

    He said that one Malam Yahaya Hamza and two of his sons died in the boat mishap, while returning from their farm.

    Inga said that the incident occurred on Aug. 30 on River Kaduna at Wuya along the Bida-Mokwa Road, adding that the dead people hailed from Edati Local Government Area of Niger.

    According to Inga, the man who peddled the boat survived the accident.

    The director-general noted that the bodies of the dead people had been recovered and buried.

    He advised boat operators to take necessary precautions while using their boats, noting that government had taken measures to provide live jackets for people travelling on boats. (NAN)