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Tag: MoU

  • CBN, Bank of Angola sign MoU on bilateral cooperation

    CBN, Bank of Angola sign MoU on bilateral cooperation

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Bank of Angola have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enable them exchange technical assistance.

    In press briefing at the sidelines of the 2025 International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington DC, both CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso and Governor, Central Bank of Angola, Manuel Anthonio Tiago Dias, said the ceremony marked a critical development between the two institutions in their efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation and technical exchange.

    Both institutions are by the MoU, expected to establish a bilateral forum for the reciprocal exchange and sharing of technical assistance between the authorities to enhance capacity in the execution of their respective central bank functions.

    They are also expected to cooperate and collaborate in the cross-border supervision of authorised institutions and exchange of cybersecurity information between them.

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    According to them, the institutions are to partner on licensing, supervision, resolution planning and implementation of resolution measures for cross-border financial establishments.

    They are also to ensure transparent and smooth periodic exchange of information as well as define procedures for exchange of information.

    The cooperation will also extend to exchange control, financial markets and foreign reserves management, currency management and  economic research.

    The partnership further extends to payment, clearing and settlement systems management, financial sector development, banking supervision and regulation as well as Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism.

    Both central bank leaders said it is their hope that the outcome of the MoU implementation will be a win-win for both parties.

  • Lagos signs MoU with Consortium Company to rehabilitate water project

    Lagos signs MoU with Consortium Company to rehabilitate water project

    The Lagos state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an international consortium company, Belstar and ENKA, for the rehabilitation and expansion of water supply infrastructure across the State.

    Speaking after the signing ceremony at Alausa, Ikeja yesterday, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the collaboration aims to address critical water infrastructure challenges in Lagos.

    “This project entails construction, rehabilitation, and installation of water treatment facilities as well as distribution networks to provide a reliable and sustainable water supply to underserved communities,” Wahab said.

    He explained that the initiative would include the establishment of new waterworks to ease distribution challenges, noting that the State Government would ensure full compliance with all relevant regulations, including social and safety standards.

    Wahab explained that the project is divided into two components: the Brownfield, which involves the rehabilitation of existing waterworks, and the Greenfield, which covers the construction of entirely new facilities in various parts of the State.

    Managing Director, Lagos Water Corporation, Engr Mukhtaar Tijani, assured that the Corporation would collaborate closely with the international consortium, providing development support, technical input, and stakeholder coordination to drive the success of the projects.

    Read Also: Dockworkers protest at Lagos ports as maritime police assure calm

    “The projects will not only deliver potable water to communities currently without access, but will also contribute significantly to the eradication of water-related diseases in Lagos,” Tijani said.

    Group Managing Director, Belstar Capital, Tewodros Polk, pledged the consortium’s commitment to the project, stating that they would leverage their strength and technical expertise to ensure long-term productivity and service delivery.

    “We will engage local subcontractors to promote capacity building and sustainable development throughout the various phases of the project,” Polk said.

    He added that the project would be executed using the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Finance model, insured by the United States International Development Finance Corporation, and is expected to be completed within 36 months.

  • Nigeria, Cuba sign MoU to improve bilateral relations

    Nigeria, Cuba sign MoU to improve bilateral relations

    Nigeria and Cuba have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance bilateral relations, particularly in trade, medicine, and science and technology.

    The agreement was signed on Monday in Abuja by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and his visiting Cuban counterpart, Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla, following closed-door discussions.

    Tuggar emphasised that the MoU aims to deepen cooperation between both nations across key sectors, fostering stronger diplomatic and economic ties.

     He said: “We just signed an agreement, an MOU, to further strengthen our political relationship and to further strengthen our collaboration bilaterally as well as multilaterally. And of course, during the course of our bilateral meeting, we discussed several areas to do with enhancing trade, investment, and collaboration with regards to the medical sector, with regards to research, with regards to science, with regards to technology. And this is something that Nigeria is keenly looking forward to working together with Cuba towards actualising.

    “So for us, we consider Cuba as part of Nigeria’s diaspora. And this visit provides us with an opportunity to further strengthen existing ties and agreements and memoranda of understanding that are already in place. And also, just as you witnessed, for us to sign new ones.”

    Tuggar stressed that the relationship between both countries dates back to the era of the fight for the emancipation of Africa.

    He noted that Cuba and Nigeria also share common culture and traditions 

    He said: “Cuba is a country with a special place in Nigeria, going back into history. What we share in terms of experience, in terms of culture and tradition, is something that we hold dear to our hearts.

    “And even before the existence of both countries in the shape and form that we know them today, perhaps there were people from this part of the world, or this location even, that featured prominently in the formation of what was to become Cuba, because we learn from history that Diego Velazquez supposedly conquered Cuba in 1511, and we know from history that when that event took place, there were black people in his company, even though you find that in contemporary written history, some of these facts are not recognised, but there were nonetheless black people that were there, that were part of that, albeit maybe under certain circumstances that were not their choice. 

    “So that history goes, and of course, Cuba is a country that played a very prominent role in the liberation of the African continent, countries that were under the yoke of racist regimes in the 60s and the 70s, all the way to the 80s and perhaps I would say early 90s. As did, of course, Nigeria, because it was back then Nigeria and the front line states.

    “So we share that common affinity, apart from the culture, the Yoruba culture in particular, and even the Shakiri and other cultures here in Nigeria still feature prominently in Cuba, from music to cuisine, and so forth.”

    Rodriguez Parrilla, who visited Nigeria for the second time, said Cuba is ready to explore the potentials for both countries to enhance bilateral relations.

    He therefore pledged his country’s full commitment to enhance bilateral relations with Nigeria. 

    He said, “We confirm that there is a very positive potential in order to enhance our cooperation, trade, investment, economic, cultural, academic, scientific relations. And we have been exchanging views on this matter in order to explore some new interests and consolidate the current ones.

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    “We enjoyed an excellent level of bilateral relationship in many different areas, having a very proactive exchange and commonalities in our international agendas, a very proactive level of bilateral cooperation and consultation in bilateral ways and also in multilateral foreign and international organisations.” 

    He also added, “I’m sure that this visit is a positive step and an excellent base for continuing having positive exchange, exploring additional interests for the sake of the Nigerian and the Cuban people. We Cubans consider ourselves of a Latin American-African people, African descent, and most importantly, Nigerian descent. Nigeria, modern Nigeria, is in our blood, in our culture, in our religions, in our traditions.”

    The visiting minister also pointed out that he is in Abuja firstly to express his country’s “profound appreciation and gratitude to the contribution by Nigeria to our culture and our country, and because of the stand taken by your country on the issue of the embargo on Cuba.” 

    “We feel very proud of ourselves as Latin American, African people, and we’ll always be loyal to this special history in commonality with Africa, but especially with the federal republic of Nigeria.”

  • Aero Contractors, NSIB sign MoU to strengthen aviation safety training

    Aero Contractors, NSIB sign MoU to strengthen aviation safety training

    Nigeria’s oldest carrier, Aero Contractors Airlines, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to enhance the training of key technical personnel in accident investigation.

    According to Aero Contractors’ Managing Director, Captain Ado Sanusi, the agreement will provide on-the-job training opportunities for NSIB’s Transportation Safety Officers and other personnel, leveraging the airline’s expertise.

    Sanusi described the partnership as a step towards fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development, emphasizing that aviation safety relies on expertise, experience, and collaboration.

    He added that through this MoU, both organisations are taking decisive steps to enhance the skills and technical knowledge of professionals responsible for ensuring safety in the aviation sector.

    Sanusi said: “As we formalise this historic partnership between Aero Contractors and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, this Memorandum of Understanding marks a significant milestone in our collective commitment to aviation safety and human capital development in Nigeria.

    “Aero Contractors has a proud legacy of over 60 years in the aviation industry, and at the heart of our operations is a deep-rooted safety culture. We have always believed that safety is not just a regulatory requirement, it is a fundamental responsibility that we all share. As we often say, “safety is everybody’s business.”NSIB will undoubtedly benefit from our Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities, gaining practical, hands-on experience that will strengthen their investigative and technical expertise. 

    “In turn, Aero Contractors is honoured to contribute to the improvement of aviation safety standards in Nigeria.

    “This initiative is not just about training, it is about fostering a safety-driven ecosystem where industry players work together to prevent accidents and improve operational standards. It is about investing in the future of aviation in Nigeria.

    “Today, as we sign this MOU, we celebrate not just a partnership but a shared vision, one where safety remains the cornerstone of our industry. We look forward to the successful implementation of this agreement and the lasting impact it will have on aviation safety in Nigeria.”

    Responding, the Director General of NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh (jnr), said the  

     partnership marks a pivotal step towards a collective commitment to enhancing transportation safety across Nigeria, particularly within the aviation sector.

     He said: “Aero Contractors, with its rich experience and expertise as a leading airline providing scheduled passenger, charter, and allied services, brings a wealth of technical knowledge and operational insight to this partnership.

    “This collaboration is a testament to the power of synergy combining the regulatory and investigative prowess of NSIB with the practical, hands-on expertise of Aero. Today’s MoU is more than just a document; it is a commitment to mutual growth and safety enhancement.

    “Through this agreement, we will work together to design and deliver customized on-the-job training programs for our Transportation Safety Officers and other staff. 

    “This initiative will equip our personnel with the skills, knowledge, and practical experience needed to excel in their duties, drawing on Aero’s state-of-the-art facilities, simulators, and technical resources. 

    “In return, NSIB will support Aero’s technical personnel with training in accident investigation and related areas, creating a two-way exchange of expertise that benefits us both.

     “This partnership also opens doors to joint conferences, seminars, and symposiums, where we can share best practices, explore new training needs, and build capacity across our workforces. 

    “By deploying our respective facilities and staff pilots, engineers, dispatchers, flight attendants and more, we will strengthen our ability to prevent accidents, respond effectively to incidents, and uphold the highest safety standards in line with international benchmarks, such as the Standards and Recommended Practices of Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention.”

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    He further said: “I must emphasize the importance of the confidentiality and professionalism that underpin this collaboration. Both parties have agreed to protect shared information and use it solely for safety investigation training, ensuring trust and integrity throughout our partnership.

     “Financially, this MoU is structured with clarity and fairness. The Cost Reimbursement Program and Service Fee Mechanism ensure that Aero’s contributions whether through training, technical support, or facility access are adequately compensated, with costs reviewed regularly to maintain efficiency and quality. This transparency will sustain our partnership for the long term.

    “To oversee the implementation of this MoU, we have established a Steering Committee comprising dedicated representatives from both NSIB and Aero. I am confident that this committee, supported by our designated focal officers, will ensure that our day-to-day efforts align with the objectives we set today.

     “As we sign this MoU, let us recognize that this is not the end but the beginning of a journey. A journey toward safer skies, better-trained professionals, and a stronger aviation ecosystem in Nigeria. Should either party need to amend or terminate this agreement, we have agreed on a process that ensures continuity and respect for ongoing commitments, reflecting our mutual respect and foresight. 

    “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Aero Contractors’ management and staff for their willingness to partner with us. To my team at NSIB, I commend your dedication and hard work in bringing this collaboration to fruition.”

  • Kano signs MoU with FMBN, reintegrates into housing scheme

    Kano signs MoU with FMBN, reintegrates into housing scheme

    Kano state government on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to reintegrate into the national housing scheme.

    The Managing Director of FMBN, Shehu Usman Osidi, signed for the bank, while the Head of Service (HoS), Abdullahi Musa, stood in for the state government.

    Kano was an active participant in the National Housing Scheme until its exit in 2002, which had far-reaching implications, particularly on civil servants who were deprived of affordable mortgage financing opportunities, The Nation learnt.

    Speaking after the event which took place at the office of the Head of Service, Musa disclosed it was Governor Abba Yusuf, in his visionary leadership, who saw reasons to get the state’s civil servants back into the national housing fund scheme for the benefits it has to the workers.

    He said the initiative underscores the administration’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the welfare and wellbeing of the state’s dedicated civil servants.

    He discloses that over the years, after exiting from the scheme, the housing deficit among the workforce continued to widen, necessitating a strategic intervention to integrate them into the scheme.

    “Housing remains a fundamental component of workers’ welfare. Access to decent and affordable accommodation directly impacts productivity, financial security and overall well-being of the worker.

    “Recognising these imperatives, Kano State Government, under the leadership of Engr Abba Yusuf, has deemed it necessary to reintegrate into the National Housing Scheme to bridge the existing housing gap and provide civil servants with home ownership opportunities.

    “This MOU will give the civil servants access to affordable mortgage financing, enabling civil servants to own homes with flexible repayment plans, enhancing financial security so they have structured home ownership rather than reliance on rental housing,” he said.

    Musa added that the reintegration into the scheme will increase motivation and commitment among workers, thereby improving productivity in the state workforce.

    He pledged that the state government will remain resolute in ensuring the full implementation of the MOU, by working closely with the FMBN and all relevant agencies to guarantee seamless execution of the scheme.

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    MD of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Shehu Osidi, stated that since 2002, the state’s non-participation meant that thousands of civil servants in Kano State have been unable to access affordable housing loans under the NHF.

    “Today, that era comes to an end, and a new chapter of possibilities begins.

    Through this agreement, Kano State workers will now be eligible

    to enjoy the various housing finance products offered by FMBN,” he said.

    Osidi, who commended the leadership of labour unions in the state for facilitating the MoU, said the Kano civil servants will now enjoy NHF Mortgage loans, individual construction loans (that allow individuals to build their houses directly), home renovation loans, and other innovative housing solutions tailored to meet their needs.

  • NiMet, NGF sign MoU to enhance climate-smart information and meteorological services

    NiMet, NGF sign MoU to enhance climate-smart information and meteorological services

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate in assisting the thirty-six states of the federation in implementing climate-smart information and standard meteorological services across various sectors including agriculture, telecommunications, marine, oil and gas, mining, aviation, disaster management, and other areas of the economy.

    At the MoU signing in Abuja on Wednesday, December 18, NiMet’s Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Charles Anosike, expressed gratitude to the governors of the 36 states, the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, the Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Abdulateef O.T. Shittu, and the NGF team for the opportunity to strengthen the collaboration between NiMet and NGF.

    “This is a piece of the puzzle that we’ve been trying to solve. For us to be able to scale up access to weather information, not just to farmers, but also to help us manage our state airports. Without NiMet information, we cannot fly. So this relationship is very critical for us,” Professor Anosike said.

    He also informed the NGF team that the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, has approved the date for the public presentation of the 2025 NiMet Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP).

    “The 2025 NiMet SCP will be unveiled on Tuesday 4th February 2025. NiMet cannot implement the downscaling without the support of the state governments. Signing this MoU is a milestone for us and we thank the NGF team for this opportunity”, Prof. Anosike concluded.

    Read Also: NiMet hosts workshop ahead release of 2025 SCP

    Responding, the Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Abdulateef O.T. Shittu said that it was a good thing that both agencies are signing a formal MoU although they have had a 10-year-old relationship.

    “NiMet is doing a good job. We still have in our libraries NiMet’s forecasts dating back to 10 years ago. We are delighted with the signing of this MoU because of what we will be able to do jointly for Nigeria and our communities in the states.

    “The MoU NiMet and NGF will collaborate in providing meteorological and climatological data as it relates to the agricultural environment and activities or any area of meteorology for the development of climate change indices and impact in the 36 states of the federation”, Alhaji Shittu said. 

  • ACAI/IITA-CWMP signs MoU with Viamo to promote ‘Six Steps’ toolkit through mobile phones

    The African Cassava Agronomy Initiative (ACAI)/IITA- Cassava Weed Management Project have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Viamo to promote the Six Steps to Cassava Weed Management extension toolkit via the 3-2-1 mobile service of Airtel.

    The 3-2-1 mobile service will allow Nigerian farmers to have access to good agricultural practices developed by the Cassava Weed Management project through an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system for as much as 10 times in a month free of charge.

    “Through the mobile service, we aim to reach thousands of farmers especially women with information that would transform their cassava productivity,” said Dr Alfred Dixon, Director for Development & Delivery at IITA, and Project leader of the Cassava Weed Management Project.

    He explained; “The use of the 3-2-1 mobile service will leverage on the advantage of the mobile subscriber-base in Nigeria with subscriptions of about 150 million and 97.2 million persons that use the internet. Furthermore, the availability of cheaper smartphones in Nigeria has given phone access to about 15 million persons, making it possible for this population to access improved weed control practices on mobile phones.”

    The Project Coordinator of ACAI Dr. Pieter Pypers sees the collaboration as strategic for the project as it aims to deliver best bet agronomic practices at scale.

    According to him, in most of rural Africa, information and knowledge is usually passed by word of mouth, (oral communication therefore presents the opportunity of knowledge/technology transfer.)

    Country Manager for Viamo, Harriet Blest, noted tha the 3-2-1 mobile service will bring messages from the Six Steps to Cassava Weed Management to farmers in local languages.

    “All that farmers need to do is to get an Airtel SIM card and dial 3-2-1 and he or she will get the toolkit. To ensure that farmers enjoy the 3-2-1 service with messages on the Six Steps to Cassava Weed Management, a validation workshop was conducted recently, drawing both private and public agricultural experts,” she stressed.

    ACAI Digital Extension and Advisory Services Specialist, Godwin Atser who made a presentation of the progress recorded in weed control emphasized the benefit of using the Six Steps to Cassava Weed Management toolkit for cassava cultivation, adding that farmers using the toolkit were doubling the yield of cassava from the current national average of 9 tons per ha to more than 20 tons per ha.

  • Firms sign MoU to cultivate

    Hope of boosting agriculture and guaranteeing food security and export in Nigeria received a major boost as Mantrac Nigeria Ltd and the Nigerian Agricultural Mechanisation & Equipment Leasing Company (NAMEL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch an Integrated Nationwide Agricultural Land Development Scheme (INALDS). The project is a private-sector initiative designed to open up an initial 500,000 hectares of unused arable land using the appropriate agricultural land development technology; the payment is structured on a flexible deferred system over a period of one to three years. The project also accommodates farm management and global best practices along the agricultural value chain to optimise the use of the developed lands. It is structured to complement and optimise government’s efforts and resources in land development using a cost-split mechanism to support small-holder farmers and youth empowerment programmes, while creating a flexible investment window for medium and large-scale primary production investors to open more land at reduced initial cost.

    Speaking at the MoU signing event, the General Manager Machine Sales, Mantrac Nigeria, Mohammed Ibrahim described the joint effort with NAMEL as one that will yield magnificent results to the benefit of the agricultural sector and the nation at large. Mr. Ibrahim who represented the Managing Director of Mantrac Nigeria Ltd said that the company was totally committed to empowering farmers for them to realise higher yields. Some crops of interest for cultivation include rice, wheat, cassava, sugar cane and yam, among others.

    The partnership also coves the provision of other services like irrigation, access roads, soil- fertility advice and other valuable assistance aimed at ensuring that farmers produce the aforementioned crops twice or three times a year to fiercely tackle the food insufficiency crisis headlong. Mr Ibrahim further said that “with this partnership, we will make history by ensuring positive outcome on agriculture and allied products. It is loaded with huge gains, especially in the area of employment generation along the entire value chain. We will show results very soon. We won’t spare any effort to make it succeed. All stakeholders will be happy with this effort. Mantrac Nigeria as the sole authorised CAT dealer in Nigeria, distribute and support the full range of CAT products. We are proud to supply the best equipment to the most demanding industries with the commitment to keep your equipment running at peak productivity. Mantrac Nigeria is not only suppliers but also a solution provider. We offer integrated business solutions backed by technical expertise and local knowledge”.

    The representative of the Agriculture Minister, Victor Mayomi assured the parties of robust government support, especially in the urgent task of making agriculture a major non-oil revenue earner. Also commenting on the partnership, the Managing Director of NAMEL, Dr Ahmed Adekunle, said the deal and partnership was first of its kind. “It is the first private sector companies partnering strongly with the Federal government to manage public sector funding for agriculture and economic development in general. Now, we have another private sector partner for land development for agriculture. What we are signing today was discussed several years ago. However, we developed the MoU over a year ago to open up 500,000 hectares of farmlands to provide market for our mechanisation programme. We’re not opening land alone, we are also looking at inputs application, packaging, standardisation etc.”

  • Ghana signs MOU to host Accra Weizo Fair

    At the recently concluded World Travel Market,  in ExCel, London,  the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the organisers of Accra Weizo to jointly host the event. Accra Weizo is organised by the Akwaaba Travel Market group. The  2019 edition has been fixed for June 22nd and 23rd.

    The Accra Weizo has successfully brought travel professionals from different countries to Ghana for tourism business. It is aimed at creating seamless travel in West Africa.

    The Acting Chief Executive Officer ( CEO) of GTA, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, signed on behalf of Ghana while Mr. Ikechi Uko signed on behalf of Akwaaba Travel Market. “This agreement offers Ghana an opportunity to help build up an already thriving platform into a bigger event. We recognize the efforts and contributions of the organizers but we want the event bigger than it is and we believe it will bring more travel professionals to Ghana,” Agyeman said.

    On his part, Uko thanked GTA for the partnership. His words:  “It takes a man with a vision to see the power behind such platforms and move to take ownership of the project for the growth of tourism in Ghana. I applaud the CEO and his team for this collaboration. We expect that with the goodwill of the government of Ghana, Weizo will grow bigger.” The agreement spells out roles for both sides and time lines to be managed by a joint committee.

  • Agip, community on collision over MoU

    The Odede family, Irri, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State has given a 30-day ultimatum to the Nigeria Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC) to execute the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed on the use of their family land since 2001.

    A letter dated October 22, 2018, and signed by Simon Ngbakor on behalf of the Odede family threatened to approach the court for redress if NAOC fails to accede to their demands.

    The family also demanded the payment of N510, 000,000.00 for the use of the land being the total sum of the N30,000,000.00 yearly since 2002.

    The family, in the letter, lamented the gift of one goat and a bag of rice from NAOC, Port-Harcourt branch  yearly to the family and the community crisis in Irri which NAOC has been using as excuse not to fulfil its own part of the bargain.

    It said the land, which their progenitor left for them, form part of Odede family land and have been farming on it being their major occupation in the family, stating that sometimes in 2001, the family was approached by NAOC to use the land for flow station.

    ‘’Thereafter verbal agreement was reached with our clients and your company wherein it was agreed that the sum of N10,000,000.00 will be given to our clients annually for the use of the land.

    ‘’We were informed by our clients that one of the verbal terms of the agreement in respect of employment of members of our clients’ family and that of contracts were not also met by your company. All the attempts made to see that your company reduces the verbal agreement into writing and the need to comply with the terms proved abortive as our clients were always driven back by the security attachment in your company.

    land without the consent of  Moroko Odede and Matthew Edeki, the Head of the family and Principal member of the family  respectively, is of no effect.