The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Senate urges President Buhari to rescind decision

    Senate urges President Buhari to rescind decision

    The Senate on Wednesday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to review his position in withholding assent on the bill to establish Peace Corps of Nigeria.

    This followed the adoption of a Point of Order raised by Sen. Dino Melaye during plenary.

    Relying on the Senate rules, Melaye urged the Senate to revisit the bill with a view to veto the president if he failed to rescind his rejection of the bill.

    President Buhari had cited duplication of duty and funding challenges in declining assent to the Nigerian Peace Corps (Establishment) Bill, 2017 recently passed by the National Assembly.

    However, Melaye said that the bill should be given priority by Buhari.

    “The same thing happened when the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) was to be established; there was also the same complaint that there was no money and all of that.

    “But today we can see the advantages of the civil defence and how they have helped in safeguarding the government infrastructure.

    “About 5.5 billion dollars was borrowed from euro bond; what part of it will the youths of this country benefit from.

    Read Also: Buhari believes Magu is right man for EFCC job, Osinbajo insists

    “About one billion dollars is to be spent on security and how does this affect the youth of this country.

    “Without fear or favour, the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), in 16 years, borrowed N6 trillion and this government in three years, has borrowed N11 trillion but there is no specific programme that will empower the youth.

    “Also, N500 billion was earmarked for the social investment programme of the Federal Government but we have not seen any impact.

    “If the Peace Corps is given an opportunity to exist, thousands will be employed and this will help to fight unemployment in this country.

    “We may need to write Mr president to review his position if not we have the power on behalf of the Nigerian youths who voted us to veto him so that people will become the ultimate beneficiaries of this bill.

    “The youth of this country must be given priority and they must be respected,’’ Melaye said.

    NAN

  • IDPs protest over shortage of food in Adamawa

    IDPs protest over shortage of food in Adamawa

    Hundreds of Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs ) from Fufore and Malkohi camps in Adamawa staged peaceful protests over lack of food in their camps.

    The IDPs mostly Women and Children on Wednesday appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in their plight.

    Adamawa has only two designated camps managed by NEMA and they are situated at Fufore and Malkohi villages with a total number of about 3,000 IDPs.

    The IDPs, who mostly are from Borno, were in the two camps for over two years waiting to be evacuated to their state of origin.

    The IDPs in separate interviews with our reporter complained that many families in the camps were in critical living conditions due to hunger.

    Malam Adamu Bukar from Malkohi camp said that he has one wife and three children and they only eat once in a day.

    “Since early January, when they distributed the normal thirty days food items to us, we have never received anything again.’’ Bukar said.

    According to him, people living in the camp need urgent food intervention, because any moment from now some people, especially children would die of hunger.

    Also speaking, Malam Haruna Bana, from Borno and living in Malkohi camp expressed fear of imminent starvation and malnutrition in the camp.

    Bana said that they received the last food in December 2017 and since then they were not given anything.

    He appealed to Borno government to come to their aid and evacuate them.

    A security officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, at one of the camp also confirmed the situation, saying that the development was a threat to the camp security.

    “On daily basis, the IDPs in sizeable number go out of the camp to look for food, which is a security challenge to the entire people living in the camp,’’ the source said.

    When contacted over the situation, Malam Abbani Imam, the state Coordinator NEMA in charge of Adamawa and Taraba confirmed the development but said the challenge would soon be addressed.

    Imam said that the state office had already informed the NEMA headquarters of the situation and were waiting for the approval to release food to the camps.

    NAN

  • Review Nigeria’s tax laws, Oshiomhole tells FG

    Review Nigeria’s tax laws, Oshiomhole tells FG

    Former Edo Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole has called for a review of the Nigeria’s tax laws for an effective tax administration.

    Oshiomole, also a former President, Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ), made the call at the 26th Convocation Lecture of the Lagos State Polytechnic ( LASPOTECH ), Ikorodu.

    The lecture was entitled, “Crisis of Governance, Governance of Crisis: The Role of Education in Nibbling Governance Crisis in Nigeria.”

    He said the Federal Government must put necessary machinery in place to ensure that those who are expected to pay tax do so as and when due for improved infrastructural development of the country.

    Oshiomhole regretted that the only group of people who pay tax regularly are salary earners whose taxes were deducted at source.

    The former governor expressed disappointment that millions of taxable adults had devised means of evading tax.

    “How do we justify tax payment because most people say why do we pay tax when they will steal the money, what are they doing with it? Look at the roads they are bad, ” he said.

    According to him, such statement were mere excuses as the first step to be taken is to pay the tax to get moral and legal right to demand the judicious use of the money by the government.

    Oshiomhole urged the federal government to take a cue from the effective tax system of the Lagos State Government which had devised a means of identifying those who are expected to pay tax and ensure that they comply.

    “The developmental strides and successes recorded in Lagos State is a result of proper tax collection and judicious use of the fund.

    “Government must ensure that those who are at advantage pay their taxes and the fund generated should be used to deliver infrastructure for those who are at disadvantaged and everyone.

    “You can’t expect good roads, water and other social amenities  if you don’t pay tax;  once you pay then you can begin to probe the authorities and demand accountability for your money, ” he said.

    On the rights of the citizens, Oshiomhole noted that the logic of democracy enables citizens to have not only the weapon to vote once in four years, but to “police and interrogate” those they voted for in between the elections.

    He decried the poor state of the nation’s economy which he blamed on mismanagement of the country’s resources by the previous administration.

    “The manifestation of crisis in Nigeria include but not limited to corruption, failing public schools, security challenges , growing population , among others.

    “While it cannot be established that everybody is involved in corruption, its existence must be recognised by all and fought out of our system.”

    Oshiomhole noted that corruption had affected almost all the sectors of the country, adding that graft was was not limited to only those in government.

    According to him, the poor state of infrastructure and absence of basic facilities such as stable power supply, potable water, good roads and functional refineries are caused by corruption.

    On petrol subsidy, the ex-governor he said rather than subsidising petroleum products the government should handover the refineries to competent private investors who would make manage and run them.

    “Rather than to lament and agonize, what we need do is to organize and tackle those things that have brought us down as a nation.

    “As Nigerians we must recognise the problems confronting the country so as to diagnose and prescribe solutions to fix them.

    “The responsibility of leaders is so fix the country rather than join the citizens to lament.

    “When one notices that an environment is oppressive, what is expected of the victim is not to sit down to lament but to devise a way out of the problem,” he said.

    He, however, hailed President Muhammadu Buhari on the war against corruption, saying it recorded remarkable results.

    “The era of impunity of do it and nothing will happen is almost over in Nigeria; this is an era bringing every offender to book no matter their status.”

    Oshiomhole urged Nigerian students to be interested in governance, saying you are the future leaders.

    “You must interrogate power, organise yourself decently and ensure that your leaders are accountable just like the NANS during the military era who demand answers for every action.

    “Unlike the NANS of today who go mute on burning societal issues and are giving awards and giving plaques to government officials and other influential people, ” he said.

    In his remarks, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State lauded the former governor for honouring the invitation of the state polytechnic and expresses optimism that he would do justice to the lecture.

    Ambode, represented by Dr Abdullateef Abdulakeem, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, described him as a ‘protagonist and an antagonist’.

    He said the role played by Oshiomhole in crisis management as a labour leader and governor negotiating potential issues with government and in government could not be over emphazised.

    The Rector of the institution, Mr Samuel Sogunro, noted that government was all about service delivery and once it fails at any level, the entire society would be affected, stressing the need for  transparency in governance.

    Sogunro said education in governance was key and if ignored could lead to crisis in governance because “education is the nation’s bulwark.”

    NAN

  • FIFA World Cup visits Nigeria

    FIFA World Cup visits Nigeria

    The original trophy of the FIFA World Cup to be handed over to the winning team at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15 will arrive in Nigeria on Wednesday.

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said on its website on Tuesday that the trophy will arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja aboard a chartered flight at 11 a.m.

    The trophy is on a tour of 91 cities in 51 countries across six continents before the 21st FIFA World Cup.

    The competition is scheduled for June 14 to July 15 in Russia.

    The federation said the Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, and the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, and several others will receive the trophy.

    Read Also: FIFA insists no security threat for Russia 2018 World Cup

    “From the airport the trophy, accompanied by several other officials, will make its way to the Transcorp Hilton Hotel for a press conference to be addressed by Coca-Cola officials.

    “It will then be on its way to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, where President Muhammadu Buhari will have a feel of the trophy and deliver a welcome remark,’’ the NFF said.

    On Thursday, a whole-day consumer viewing of the trophy is planned for the Old Parade Ground in Abuja.

    The trophy and its accompanying team will then fly into Lagos on Friday morning, to be received by Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode and NFF First Vice-President Seyi Akinwunmi.

    There will be a consumer viewing of the trophy at the Tafawa Balewa Square on Saturday, before the trophy departs Nigeria in the evening.

    This is the fourth Global Tour by the FIFA World Cup Trophy, and the third time it will be visiting Nigeria.

    NAN

  • Fed Govt uncovers 130,000 high net worth persons, companies underpaying tax

    Fed Govt uncovers 130,000 high net worth persons, companies underpaying tax

     

    The Federal Government’s data mining efforts has identified a new batch of over 130,000 high net worth individuals and companies that have potential tax underpayments.

    The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, made this revelation on Tuesday while appearing on the Good Morning Nigeria programme of the Nigerian Television Authority.

    The Minister disclosed that the data was currently being compiled by Project Lighthouse in preparation for the closure of the ongoing Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), which ends on 31st March, 2018.

    Project Lighthouse is a unique project of the Federal Ministry of Finance that combines data from Federal and State agencies and overseas countries.

    According to Adeosun, “data have been received from a number of sources including land registries of the Governments of Lagos, Kaduna, Kano and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory.”

    “In addition, Nigeria has been able to request data from a number of nations including traditional tax havens. The data have been received from a number of foreign jurisdictions under the exchange of information protocols.

    “Under the exchange of information protocols, this information relates to bank records and financial filings for tax purposes and is obtained from tax havens who are signatories to the information sharing agreements such as British Virgin Islands and Mauritius.”

    She explained that the data received from overseas countries would only be used for taxation purposes in line with the protocols governing the exchange of information

    “The sole interest of the Federal and State Governments in the use of the data is in raising tax revenues. There is absolutely no hidden agenda on the use of the data,” she added.

    Adeosun was however happy at what she called “the unprecedented level of cooperation between the Federal and State Governments”, which she said was a marked change from the past when the various arms of Government did not align their efforts.

    The Minister identified the common violations by non-compliant tax payers to include:

    • Under-declaration of and non-declaration of income earned including income from Government contracts and overseas trading;
    • Collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) which is not duly remitted to FIRS;
    • Charging of non-allowable personal expenses to company accounts particularly with reference to overseas school fees;
    • Inconsistency between income declared for tax purposes and the value of assets owned.

    She advised non-compliant tax payers to seek professional advice and to also consult relevant literature available from the tax authorities on tax rules.

    She underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to raising tax revenues which are considered essential to grow the economy and create jobs for Nigerians.

    She cited the fact that just N1 million could feed over 14,200 primary school children under the Homegrown School Feeding programme as well as creating many jobs in the agricultural sector.

    Read Also: Adeosun to multinationals: evading tax is foreign corrupt practices

    Once again, the finance minister ruled out any possibility of extending the VAIDS programme arguing that sufficient grace period had been given to tax payers to voluntarily and truthfully declare their assets and income which had not been declared previously.

    On the economy, she assured that the country was on the path of growth, noting that Nigeria had exited recession in the second quarter of 2017, recording a growth of 0.72 per cent, further consolidating its recovery in the third and fourth quarters of last year, with growths of 1.40 per cent and 1.92 per cent, respectively.

    Adeosun said, “The Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has laid the foundation for the repositioning of the economy by a series of reforms which are being sequenced to ensure maximum impact and benefits to Nigeria and the citizens.

    “These include huge investments in infrastructure and social welfare across the country, improved revenue mobilisation, rebuilding of foreign reserves and stabilization of exchange rate.”

    She further noted that revenue mobilisation was potentially the master key to unlocking Nigeria’s huge growth potentials and funding the infrastructure programmes.

    In addition, the Minister said the Federal Government would continue to create more fiscal space for reforms to enhance productivity and opportunity in the non-oil sector.

     

  • Army spreading footprints to deal with security challenges – Buratai

    Army spreading footprints to deal with security challenges – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Burutai, has said the Army is spreading its tentacles to have firm grips of all parts of the country to enable it deal with rising security challenges in conjunction with other security agencies.

    The army has been at the forefront of containing menaces of Boko Haram, herdsmen attacks, militancy and other security challenges threatening the unity and peaceful co-existence of the country.

    The COAS spoke at the groundbreaking of the Nigerian Army Barracks, Camp Buratai at Elebele in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    Buratai explained that following the challenges, President Muhammadu Buhari desired a balanced and widespread footprints of the Nigerian Army to confront the threats in partnership with sister security agencies.

    He said the 6th Division and 6th Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State were part of the expansionist project.

    He said the 16th Brigade in Yenagoa, was also made operational on February 28,  2018 adding that he was in Katsina 10 days ago to operationalise the 17th Brigade under the new 8th Division with headquarters in Operation Lafia Dole in Monguno.

    But he said the headquarters in Monguno would be relocated to Sokoto as soon as the menace of insurgency had been fully contained.

    The groundbreaking which will lead to construction of massive infrastructures, was attended by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson and his key cabinet members as well as the Founder/President, Belema Oil Producing Ltd, Mr. Jack-Rich Pein (Jnr) and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Azikel Refinery, Dr. Azibapu Erani.

    General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6th Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. M.S. Yusuf; Commander 16th Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe and other security commanders; traditional rulers and host communities attended the ceremony.

    Buratai said: “The establishment of 6th Brigade  in Port Harcourt, 6th Division in Port Harcourt and the 16th Brigade in Yenagoa forms an important part of Mr. President’s desire to have a balanced and widespread footprints of the Nigerian Army to deal with the myriads of security challenges facing the country in conjunction with other security agencies.

    “As you may be aware, I was in Katsina about 10 days ago to operationalise the 17th Brigade under the new 8 Division whose headquarters is currently in Operation Lafia Dole, the theatre of operation specifically in Monguno but will soon relocate to Sokoto after the menace of the insurgency has been fully contained.

    “Our current national security realities have compelled the armed forces and other government security agencies to act together in operations in many parts of the country to stem the tides of criminalities and other untoward behaviour that hurts us as a nation.

    “To achieve this, we leaders and instruments of fate must, therefore, put in place necessary measures to look after the wellbeing of officers of soldiers saddled with the responsibility of keeping Nigeria safe”.

    He said the groundbreaking of the barracks in Yenagoa marked the commencement of construction activities planned for the 16th Brigade.

    The COAS said the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari placed premium on the welfare of soldiers fighting to keep the country safe.

    “It is for this reason that the government continue to provide decent living and working environment for troops, their families and dependents while they are away in far-flung and isolated locations at the mercies of adverse weather conditions and sometimes enemies of the state.

    “Thus this barracks that we are about to commence its construction underscores the importance the government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari places on troops’ welfare”, he said.

    He said the groundbreaking was made possible following Governor Seriake Dickson’s fulfillment of his promise to allocate and approve the parcel of land acquired by the Army.

    He said: “The Army has acquired the property and today Dickson has kept his promise. From what we have observed, of the preparation of this new site, so much efforts and resources  have been efficiently deployed. Today’s ceremony is a testimony that with determination and sincerity of officers and soldiers, we can build institutions and regenerate society.

    “The brigade has demonstrated and achieved so much in infrastructural development and enhancement of troops’ wellbeing within one year of its establishment as well as meeting its trainings, operational and regimental responsibility.

    “I commend the commander, officers and men of the 16th Brigade for their innovation, determination and professionalism as well as the clear interpretation of my vision for the Nigerian Army which is to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles”.

    He also commended the GOC, 16th Brigade for providing the guidance and galvanizing resources to keep the Niger Delta region safe and peaceful in collaboration with other stakeholders in each state.
    He further thanked the founder of the Belema Oil for donating a block of 30 mini flats for the accommodation of soldiers’ families.
    “The project will go a long way in addressing part of the immediate accommodation needs for the brigade.

    “From the headquarters we shall continue to look the way of this brigade to ensure it is set up properly given the very difficult nature of the terrain in this part of the country.

    “The construction parity of the brigade has been noted and will receive deserve attention immediately the 2018 Budget is passed with cash backing for implementation”, he said.

    While receiving Buratai in Government House, Dickson commended him for the establishment of 16 Brigade as well as the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian Engineering Corps at the Agge Deep Sea port, which he noted, would enhance security and investments.

    “I am pleased with what the Nigerian Army is doing in terms of security in the state and its development efforts at the Agge Deep sea port, which we are building to enhance our economic and tourist potentials.

    “Going forward, we will like to work with the Nigerian Army to undertake the building of low cost houses, bridges and other developmental projects”, he said.

    He also  said his government’s heavy investments in education had helped to drastically reduce militancy and insecurity in Bayelsa State.

    He said: “We fight insecurity in vain if we don’t first educate our people, particularly our youths to be empowered enough to reason beyond their nose, to properly know and situate the evil of crime, criminality and insecurity in the society.

    Also, Aligbe in his opening remarks thanked the COAS for supporting the activities of the brigade adding that the last one year of the brigade witnessed the beginning of the construction of Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Agge Deep Seaport site.

    He said the past year also witnessed the construction of the 16th Field Engineer Regiment Base at Toru-Orua and the establishment of a command secondary school at Bedebiri.

    He said: “More resources will be invested in future by the Federal Government to build this permanent site of the brigade and affiliated units across the state.

    “We are determined to justify the huge investment in this fighting formation as a catalyst against ciminality in Bayelsa state and criminality in Niger Delta region”.

     

  • We are prepared to build better future using science, technology – Osinbajo

    We are prepared to build better future using science, technology – Osinbajo

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has assured that the administration will build a better future for the country using innovations in science and technology.

    Osinbajo, who gave the assurance at the Science and Technology Expo 2018 in Abuja on Monday, announced that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved a science and technology roadmap 2017 to 2030 to drive the initiative.

    According to him, the Federal Government plans to strengthen the technology and innovation ecosystem by supporting the development of innovation hubs in partnership with the private sector.

    “This is well on course; we have recently completed a competitive selection process for the private sector entities which will implement and manage the hubs.

    “Each of these hubs will focus on solving the market challenges peculiar to the region of the country in which it is located.

    “Perhaps more importantly is that we are collaborating with the Bank of Industry with a civic hub, a private hub, and other private sector entities to run a presidential technology innovation challenge in all Nigerian universities, public and private and some polytechnics in April.’’

    He said that each university winner would be invited to an awards event to be hosted by Buhari at the presidential villa

    Osinbajo said that the administration would also create technology hubs in universities in the six geo-political zones.

    Read Also: Era of undermining states’ economy is gone – Osinbajo

    He said there was the need to celebrate the achievements on Nigerians at home and abroad in the science and technology sphere as well as the creativity of the nation’s military.

    He recalled the Air Force had demonstrated the drive to innovate by launching the very advanced Un-manned Arial Vehicles (UAV) to add to an earlier production of a revolutionary version diaphragms used in fighter gets.

    “They are now in the process of commercialising the products and we are told that several countries have already expressed an interest in buying the diaphragms from the Nigerian Air Force,’’ he said.

    He recalled the fifth executive order signed by Buhari aimed at boosting programmes that had science, engineering and technology components.

    He said that the order outlawed the use of foreign contents where the local counterparts were available and urged ministries, departments and agencies to align with the order to achieve its lofty objectives.

    He said science and tech remained a major input in the economic growth plan aimed at moving the country away from a resource-based to knowledge-based model.

    The vice president commended those who emerged the best from all the 774 local government areas of the country in the young Nigerian scientists’ competition.

    He consequently announced that the first three winners had been granted full scholarships up to Phd level in any science-related discipline of their choice in Nigerian universities.

    “The future of our country belongs to young people; it is our duty to create the enabling environment for them to be nurtured and grow to the fullest potential,’’ he said.

    He commended the ministry of Science and Technology for initiating the technology and innovation expo, adding that Nigerians had always demonstrated remarkable ingenuity and inventiveness at home and abroad.

    According to him, with the right environment and support there is no limit to how far Nigerians can go, especially in innovation, science and technology.

    NAN

  • Buhari awards cash, PHD level scholarships to 3 students

    Buhari awards cash, PHD level scholarships to 3 students

    …Sets up technology hubs in Nigerian universities 

    President Muhammadu Buhari has awarded cash awards and scholarships up to PHD levels to three Nigerian students in secondary schools.

    The students who came first, second and third in the just concluded Young Nigerian Scientists  Presidental competition, came out as the best in the 774 local government areas of the country.

    President Buhari made this revelation on Monday in Abuja, at the opening ceremony of the 2018 technology and innovation expo taking place at the eagle square.

    The President who was represented by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo added that the government is setting up technology hubs in universities in the six geopolitical zones.

    He also added that the president has approved a new science, technology and innovation Roadmap  2017-2030 for Nigeria.

    His words, ” In September 2016 the state house hosted the first Aso villa demo day ro showvase the innovation of emerging startups from around the country, since the the world bank has supported a batch of those innovatiors with grants totally about $3m, the first batch of which has aleeady been disbursed and the world bank is committing an additional $3m in the funding for six~ technology hubs across Nigeria in our universities.

    “The Federal Government is collaborating with the Bank of Industry and other private sector entities to run a Presidential technology innovation challenge in all Nigerian universities, public and private and also some Polytechnics in April of this year, each university winner will be invited to an award event hosted by Mr President at the villa, we are also setting up technology hubs in universities in the six geopolitical zones.

    Read Also: Buhari, Weah meet in Aso Rock

    “We will also establish centers of acquisition of technology in each of the six geopolitical zones, we will provide intervention funds that will strengthen research and development through training programs and partnerships in Nigerian universities and polytechnics, our goal is to develop self-confident nation that is quickly able to identify and take advantage of emerging opportunities in a rapidly changing world.

    “Congratulate our best science students who have emerged as the best in the 774 local government  areas of the country, I am pleased to announce that the candidates who emerged first, second and third respectively in the final examination of the recently concluded Young Nigerian Scientists  Presidental competition have been granted full scholarships, up to PHD levels in any science related discipline of their choice in any of our universities, the future of Nigeria belongs to the young people and it is our duty as a government to create tye enabling environment for them to grow to their full potential.

    “As part of our effort to create a nurturing environment for technology and innovation in Nigeria, President Buhari has approved a new national science, technology and innovation Roadmap 2017-2030 for Nigeria.

    “He has also approved a national strategy for competitiveness in raq materials and product development in Nigeria. It is our intention as a government to utilize this initiative to stimulate local production of our raw materials and support our ambition for a diversified economy.”

    Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu stated that the ministry is refocusing the nation to embrace science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.

    This he said will enable our manufacturers to do more research in order to improve their products to enable them meet local demand as well as have excess for export.

    His words, “Your Excellencies, Most distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, from Owerri to Oshogbo; Birnin Kebbi to Benin; Maiduguri to Makurdi, never before has the future of science and technology as the engine of Nigeria’s rebirth been so bright. Today as I speak, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technoiogy is refocusing the nation to embrace science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. This will enable our manufacturers to do more research in order to improve their products to enable them meet local demand as well as have excess for export.

    “I believe that with our huge population and vast natural resources, if we remain determined and focused, we can utilize the power of science and technology to become the technological leader in Africa and hence play a ieading roie in,the global battle against poverty, disease and illiteracy.

    “It is With this aim of involving all and sundry in addressing this important chaiienge that I am happy to announce that the inauguration of the Boards of Parastatais under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technoiogy will hold on Thursday March 8 2018 by 2pm at the Auditorium of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.”

     

  • Taraba Killings: Buhari to visit Mambilla Plateau

    Taraba Killings: Buhari to visit Mambilla Plateau

    President Muhammadu Buhari will visit the troubled Mambilla Plateau in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba before leaving for Accra, Ghana, later today.

    The President will also receive the visiting Liberian President George Weah at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, before the Taraba visit.

    Already the President’s advanced team of personnel had left Abuja for Taraba to prepare for his arrival.

    We reliably gathered that while in Taraba, President Buhari will visit the troubled areas and address traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the state on need to shun all forms of violence and embrace peace.

    The latest communal clash on the Mambilla Plateau was reported to have claimed the lives of about 20 persons while 300 cows were either killed or stolen.

    The Mambilla Plateau has been witnessing outbreaks of ethnic violence with hundreds of people reported dead in recent times.

    President Buhari will proceed to Accra, Ghana after the official engagement in Taraba.

    NAN

  • We will deliver local rice below N10,000 per bag – Bagudu

    We will deliver local rice below N10,000 per bag – Bagudu

    Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi says the state will work together with farmers and millers under the Federal Government’ Anchor Borrower Programme to deliver local rice below N10,000 per bag.

    The governor gave the assurances Sunday night in Birnin Kebbi at a dinner hosted in honour of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

    The minister is on a two-day working visit to Kebbi with a team of journalists to showcase and assess the government agricultural revolution.

    Bagudu who commended the President Muhammadu Buhari led Government policy on rice called for more investments by the public and private sector.

    The governor said that the mobilisation of 70,000 farmers and N11 billion spent on the pilot scheme had yielded so much dividends and attracted national and global attention to the state.

    He said in addition to the two major rice milling factories – Labana and Walcot – , there were so many small and medium scale millers springing up in the state.

    Bagudu disclosed that Labana and Walcot rice milling factoriies had N55 billion demand for paddy.

    The governor also disclosed that the Dangote group recently visited him and were concluding plans to set up a rice milling factory in the state.

    He said the partnership between Kebbi and Lagos states on rice value chain that produced the Lake rice had solved the challenge of glut by providing ready made market for farmers.

    The governor, who is the Chairman Presidential Task Force Committee on Rice and Wheat Production noted that the level of investment in the state had proved that agriculture is the easiest sector for diversification

    He said the huge investments had also shown the confidence the investing community had in the Buhari’s administration.

    For his part, the minister appreciated the governor for honouring him and members of his entourage.

    He said Kebbi’s goal is to be a trailblazer in using the Anchor Borrowing Programme to transform the agriculture sector.

    Mohammed said the programme aimed at food production, job creation, income generation and self sufficiency had been a tremendous success the state.

    The minister said he led the media to the state to show to the world that the government agriculture policy is working and yielding results contrary to the claims of naysayers.

    Besides agriculture, the state commissioners gave score cards of the giant strides of the governor in roads, health, infrastructure development, culture and information technology.

    NAN