The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FG

  • FG seeks increased cocoa production

    FG seeks increased cocoa production

    THE Federal Government will soon install state-of-the-art machines and equipment at its laboratory Produce Inspection Service to carry out residual analysis on cocoa products designated for export in all warehouses and seaports across the nation. It also directed governors of cocoa- producing states to set up State Cocoa Development Committees saddled with the responsibility of increasing production and ensuring high quality of cocoa.The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, stated these at a farmers’ sensitisation workshop on mitigation of harmful effects of pesticide residues in Cocoa in Akure, capital of Ondo State, at the weekend. He said these efforts would enable Nigeria’s cocoa comply with the prescribed international regulations on pesticide residues.

    He added that government would collaborate with National Project Steering Committee of the SPS Cocoa Africa Project in the training of Laboratory Personnel that would be capable of conducting pesticide residue analysis of cocoa and other food products.

    Aganga, who was represented by Mr. Napoleon Abalaka, noted that the overuse of pesticides on cocoa by majority of farmers had led to rejection of the product in the international market.

    He said: “As a major producer of cocoa, our primary goal is to secure a sustainable market for our cocoa and cocoa products and we cannot achieve this if we ignore the growing international concern for food safety and the treats of pesticides and contaminants to human health.”

    Aganga assured that his ministry will collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to monitor pesticides and other agro-chemicals smuggled across borders.

    The President, Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), Mr. Sayina Riman, noted people all over the world have health concerns over the foods they consume.

    “The world has come with the minimum standard within the section of what they will allow for Cocoa and this is called Minimum Residues Limit (MRL),” he stated.

     

  • Strike: ‘ASUU will wait till FG gets money’

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities will sustain its ongoing strike until the Federal Government gets the money to meet its demands, an ex-officio member has said.

    The immediate past chairman of the union at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Aloysius Okolie, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsukka, Enugu State on Friday that the government should not allow a total collapse of tertiary education in the country.

    Okolie said that no country had attained enviable height economically and technologically without adequate funds for the education sector.

    He said the sector remained the engine room of national development.

    “The National Assembly and some executive members are paid jumbo salaries but when it comes to education funding the government has no money.

    “How will the country be able to achieve its vision 20:2020 of being among the 20 leading economies if the education sector is not well-funded,’’ he asked.

    The former chairman solicited the understanding of the students and their parents, saying the union’s demand was to ensure quality teaching and learning in the universities.

    “It is unreliable that in some universities student receive lectures under the trees and in stadium.

    “Books, laboratory equipment in our libraries and laboratories are outdated while some politicians and government officials are wasting money in building houses in every state capital and buying fleets of exotic cars.

    “The demands will enable the universities to produce quality graduates employable in any part of the world,’’ he said.

     

  • FG to ASUU: We can’t meet your demands

    FG to ASUU: We can’t meet your demands

    Hopes of quick resolution of the present face-off between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities were dashed on Tuesday as the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said the government has no resources to meet the union demands.

     

    Foreclosing possible truce to the five-week old industrial action that has paralysed academic activities in the nation’s ivory towers, Okonjo-Iwela said the striking university lecturers were asking for #92 billion in extra allowances, maintaining that government lack means of picking the bill.

    Speaking in Minna at the annual National Council on Finance and Economic Development meeting, the minister said that ASUU demand was coming at a time government was making efforts at reducing the structure of public expenditures.

    The theme of the meeting is: “Restructuring Nigeria’s Finances.”

    She said, “At present ASUU wants the government to pay N92 billion in extra allowances when resources are not there and when we are working to integrate past increases in pensions. We need to make choices in this country as we are getting to the stage where recurrent expenditures take the bulk of our resources and people get paid but can do no work.”

    She declared that if the demands of the university lecturers are met and “we continue to pay them salaries and allowances we will not be able to provide infrastructure in the universities.”

    The minister argued that when she assumed office “the share of recurrent expenditure in our total budgets had increased astronomically. “

    “In fact recurrent expenditures accounted for about 77.2 per cent of the federal budget and we are now working to re-balance this ratio,” the minister added.

     

     

  • FG offers scholarship to 36 Niger Delta youths to study in U.S.

    FG offers scholarship to 36 Niger Delta youths to study in U.S.

    The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Kingsley Kuku, said yesterday that 36 youths had been enrolled for formal education in the University of Alabama, in the U.S.

    Kuku made the disclosure at the Offshore Orientation and Departure Programme, organised for the beneficiaries in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiaries are the latest group of participants in the scholarship scheme, being organised for youths in the Niger Delta.

    The beneficiaries were enrolled to study Computer Science, Physical Therapy, Political Science, Pharmacy, Criminology and Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration.

    Other courses are Business Management, Communications Technology, Elementary Education/Teaching, Biology/Biological Science, Medicine, Accounting, Banking/Financial Support Services, Economics, Sociology, Forensic Chemistry and Engineering.

    Kuku, who was represented by the Head of Reintegration Department, Mr Larry Pepple, said the purpose was to build the capacity of youths in the Niger Delta.

    The presidential aide urged the beneficiaries to “do exploits’’ while pursuing their educational career.

    “Do exploits so that we will celebrate you. The only way to achieve that is through hard work.”

    He said the beneficiaries were given scholarships because their communities were affected by militancy and oil exploration.

    Mr Mologe Freeman, the Head, Post Training in the Office of the Special Adviser, urged the beneficiaries to adhere strictly to the laws of the host country.

    Freeman also urged them to desist from committing crimes, drug addiction and associating with bad elements.

    “These vices can derail your educational programme,’’ he stated.

    The Chief Security Officer of the office, Lt.-Col. Adewale Adekoya, urged the beneficiaries not to possess arms and ammunition or other dangerous weapon.

    Adekoya said the beneficiaries must not plan or incite others to riot and should desist from causing obstruction to the activities of the university.

  • FG committed to national transformation – Jonathan

    FG committed to national transformation – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan in a Sallah message to Nigerians on Wednesday reassured his resolute commitment to overcoming all distractions and delivering on his promise of good governance and national transformation.

    Wishes all Nigerians happy Eid-el-Fitri celebrations, he congratulated all Nigerians of the Islamic faith who have successfully completed the month-long Ramadan fast.

    In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President thanked all Moslems in the country who responded to his calls for special prayers during the Ramadan for greater peace, security and progress in Nigeria.

    He joined them and all other patriotic citizens in the pious expectation that God Almighty will hearken to the supplications of the faithful and bless Nigeria abundantly with peace, political stability and national prosperity.

    The statement reads: The President assures Nigerians that his administration will continue working tirelessly to build on the firm foundations for sustainable national development which it has already established in key areas such as public infrastructure, power supply, roads, transportation, aviation, agriculture, education, healthcare, youth employment and electoral reform.”

     

  • FG will redeem house pledge

    FG will redeem house pledge

    •Minister tells Tunisia ’94 Nations Cup squad

    Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi has assured members of the Super Eagles who won the Tunisia 1994 Africa Nations Cup that he would meet with President Goodluck Jonathan about the houses promised them by the late General Sani Abacha.

    The Minister thanked them for their patience, saying it demonstrated their sense of nationalism and patriotism.

    “When I met Victor Ikpeba in Ilorin last week he mentioned this issue to me. We also met at another event and he reminded me and we agreed to have this meeting today (Monday, September 5th, 2014).

    “One thing I must say that will delight you, based on what you said, was that when the unfortunate incident of the death of Thompson Oliha was announced, the Federal Executive Council that we had immediately after His Excellency, My President (Goodluck Jonathan) said he heard it on radio that people were saying that the promise he made to the Super Eagles squad of 1994 was not honoured and that government is a continuum.

    “Even promises made by government in 1960 is still a promise made by government in 2013. That is to tell you the direction that the mind of Mr. President works on this kind of thing.

    “If you look at what has happened since he became President, you will see that every single athlete that has done honour to this country has been honoured not only in football but also in other sports as well.

    “That is the philosophy that anyone that honours his/her country deserves to be honoured by that country.

    “I must commend you also especially for the maturity that you have demonstrated over the years and waiting patiently.

    “Some of you have gone ahead to serve the country in other capacity. I think the child that was born in 1994 by now will even be too old to play in Samson Siasia’s team (laughing).

    “But I must commend you for your patience, for your sense of nationalism and patriotism; I think that is one thing that is no longer easy to find in the national team anymore.

    “I must commend you for that and I can assure you that I will treat this matter with all the seriousness that it deserves. I believe it is the right thing to do. Government has announced it and government should keep its promise.

    “I can assure you that we will make appropriate representations to Mr. President and I believe that he is going to respond accordingly. We will also keep you informed of progress being made.

    “I want to thank you for the commitment you have shown and your dedication to our country. By the grace of God all of us will always look back to the time we have served and be proud of that moment”, the Minister assured.

    Eguavoen, on behalf of the players, thanked the Minister and also appealed that the location of the houses should be Abuja.

  • Eid-el- Fitr: FG declares August 8 and 9 public holidays

    The Federal Government has declared August 8 and August 9 public holidays to mark the 2013 Eid-el-Fitri celebration.

    This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, on behalf of the Federal Government.

    The statement was signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Fatima Bamidele.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the government urged Muslim faithful to use the spiritual benefits of Ramadan to contribute to the development of the nation.

     

     

  • FG to spend N100bn on universities’ infrastructure

    FG to spend N100bn on universities’ infrastructure

    Good times appear to becoming for Federal Government-owned universities .

    They are to have projects estimated to cost  N100 billion provided by government  soon as part of the effort to boost education at that level and arrest the decay of infrastructure in the institutions.

    President Goodluck Jonathan is to flag off the projects by the end of this month or early next month, Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State said yesterday.

    Gov. Suswam   is the Chairman of  the Universities Needs Implementation Committee  set up  by the Federal Government to look into the issues raised by the  Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)  in its grievances with government.

    Its members are currently on strike partly on account of the state of the  infrastructure.

    Briefing State House correspondents in Abuja,  Governor Suswam  said the projects are towards resolving the ASUU/FG crisis and ensuring adequate provision for the needs of universities in the country.

    He said each of the universities will have projects worth N1billion naira.

    He said: “Once that is properly coordinated, at least we will see results, and if the President flags off these projects, worth N100 billion across universities which will be inclusive of lecture theatres, classrooms and hostels, I’m sure you know that the state of hostels and classrooms in our universities is appalling and the President is determined and has given us this assignment to make sure that that is done immediately.

    “It will start with the sum of N1 billion and we set up a small committee which will report back to the bigger committee on Tuesday for us to be able to select universities across the six geopolitical zones where the president will decide to go and fag off projects worth about N 1 billion and intend that that should be the end of this month or first week of September because there are processes that needed to carried out for us to achieve that.

    ”Already we have called all the funding agencies and we have been holding meetings with them. What we are trying to do is that all the money that agencies in their individual capacities be harnessed together so that it will be well coordinated so that we know that this is how much the federal government is spending on our institutions on a yearly basis.”

    On why the strike  has not been called off, Gov. Suswam  said:  ”That is  one of the reasons why ASUU is even on strike. Having said that, I want to say that the negotiation with ASUU, in the next one or two weeks, we should be able to arrive at something that will  necessitate them calling off the strike, once we are able to agree with them on all issues that they have raised.”

  • Al Qaeda: FG sets to extradite Nigerian suspect

    The Federal Government has initiated extraction proceedings against a Nigerian, Lawal Olaniyi Babafemi, suspected to be member of the terrorist organisation, al-Qaeda.

    It has applied to a Federal High Court in Abuja for the extradition of Babafemi (32 years) also described as “Abdullah” and “Ayatollah Mustapher” to the United States, where he is being wanted for his alleged involvement in terrorism related activities.

    The FG, in an application for extradition filed before the court, exhibited a four-count charge marked:13CR-109-JG, filed against him before the U.S District Court of the Eastern District of New York and a bench warrant issued for his arrest by a U.S magistrate.

    He is charged with “conspiracy to provide support to a foreign terrorist organisation, provision and attempted provision of material support to a foreign terrorist organisation, unlawful use of firearms and conspiracy to unlawfully use firearms.”

    The offences, on conviction, attract a minimum sentence of 10 years and maximum of life imprisonment.

    Babafemi, who until now, was based in the U.S, fled to the country upon realising that he was to be arrested by operatives of the U.S Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

    He had since been arrested and is being held by the Department of State Services (DSS).

    Documents filed by the FG before the Abuja court revealed that the U.S authorities are of the view that Babafemi belongs to the “al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)” an affiliate of al-Qaeda.

     

     

     

  • Varsity lecturers’ strike to continue – ASUU

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities has dismissed reports that the ongoing teachers’ strike in the nation’s ivory towers would be suspended on Thursday.

    It alleged that the reports were planted by government agents.

    The union insisted that it would continue with the strike unless the Federal Government implements the 2009 agreement.

    In a briefing held at the Lagos State University, Ojo, ASUU Ibadan Zone also faulted the National Universities Commission (NUC) for allegedly stampeding vice chancellors to hurriedly conduct the Post –UTME test, using non teaching staff ostensibly to meet deadlines in universities’ calendar.