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Tag: Nigeria News

  • Yam export: Committee plans export of 480 tonnes monthly

    Yam export: Committee plans export of 480 tonnes monthly

     The Technical Committee on Nigeria Yam Export Programme says it is targeting the export of about 480 tonnes of yams, equivalent to 20 containers, every month in 2018.

    Prof. Simon Irtwange, the Chairman of the committee, said in Abuja on Monday that the target would be achieved if all the challenges, which yam exporters experienced in 2017, were surmounted.

    Irtwange said the U.S. had made a request for the supply of five containers monthly, which amounted to 120 tonnes of yams.

    “If everything works out well, the U.S. authorities say they will need about five containers every month and one container contains 24 tonnes of yams.

    “We are trying to aggregate the demand from other countries; so by the time we put everything together, we should be thinking of exporting about 20 containers of yams on a monthly basis.

    “When you multiply 20 by 24, the total is 480 tonnes of yams.

    “We have a work plan and we have a lot of activities that we have already pencilled down.

    “We are working with relevant government agencies to provide the necessary support for the programme,’’ he said.

    Irtwange said the Nigerian Ports Authority ( NPA ) had made available the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal to facilitate the packaging and movement of yams meant for export.

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    He said the committee was also working with the NPA to get people who would invest in constructing yam pack houses at the terminal.

    “The NPA has already given us the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal, where we can bring our yams and do all the packaging before moving them down to the ports.

    “That way, we will avoid the gridlock in Apapa because now, we are using batches to move the yams from Ikorodu to Apapa,’’ he added.

    On the challenges which yam exporters encountered in 2017, Irtwange said the committee had forwarded a report to the Federal Government on possible ways of tackling the perceptible hitches.

    “On the issue of transportation, we need cold trucks; we also need yam conditioning centres.

    “Presently, there is only one conditioning centre owned by the Nigeria Export Promotion Council in Zaki-Ibiam, Benue State, but that is not enough, we need more.

    “On the issues of packaging and production of cartons for the yams, we are also hoping to have local investors.

    “Right now, there are only two companies that can do this for us — an Indian company in Ibadan and a Chinese company in Lagos — and the problem is that in most cases, they don’t take orders for little quantities of cartons for production.

    “A container will take about 1,200 cartons and when you go to the companies for the production of 1,200 cartons, they will say it is too small.

    “We are also thinking that if there are people that can produce the cartons in small quantities, things will be okay. We want to get those who can produce small quantities of cartons for sale to yam exporters,’’ he added.

    NAN

  • NANS describes killings as ‘cruel’, condoles with victims, government

    NANS describes killings as ‘cruel’, condoles with victims, government

    The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ), has described the alleged herdsmen killings in Benue communities as “heartless and cruel.”

    The association’s National Public Relations Officer, Mr Bestman Okereafor, in a statement made available in Enugu on Monday, condemned the action in its totality.

    “We totally condemn the attack and its accompanying hardship on the victims and affected communities in Benue.

    Read also: IYC condemns killing, violence in NANS election

    “NANS condemns in all totality the New Year alleged herdsmen attack on residents of Benue, leaving at least 33 people dead and several others injured, thereby causing residents to flee the state to seek refuge in Nasarawa State.

    “We consider the lots of heartless and cruel activities of the alleged herdsmen as a threat to our democratic process.

    “NANS condoles with families, relatives of affected victims and Benue Government over the recent killings in some communities in the state.

    “We pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,’’ Okereafor said.

    He, however, urged security agents to promptly bring the perpetrators to book.

    NAN

  • Ford to launch diesel truck to grab fuel economy edge

    Ford to launch diesel truck to grab fuel economy edge

    Ford Motor Co(F.N) plans this spring to offer a diesel engine version of its best-selling F-150 pickup truck, looking to gain a marketing edge as its main rivals ramp up more efficient pickups of their own.

    Ford executives said they expect the F-150 diesel model with a 10-speed transmission to achieve 30 miles per gallon highway fuel efficiency, a level comparable to some midsize cars.

    “We’re confident we’ll get there,” David Filipe, Ford vice president of power train engineering, said at a briefing for media ahead of the official launch announcement.

    The diesel F-150 will cost between 2,400 dollars and 4,000 dollars more than a comparable gasoline truck, depending on the specific model, Ford executives said. The diesel engine will be manufactured at a Ford plant in Britain.

    Read also: Ford F-Series sales may reach 900,000

    Ford executives said they expected that once production ramps up about five per cent of F-150 models will be ordered with the diesel engine. The model will be aimed at people who tow large recreational or work trailers.

    Sales of big pickup trucks in the United States have surged in recent years as gasoline prices have stabilised at less than three dollars a gallon in most states.

    Ford had in 2017 sold 896,764 F-series trucks, more than in any year since 2005.

    Still, Ford, General Motors Co (GM.N) and the Ram brand of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCAU.N) (FCHA.MI) fight for the right to claim that their brands offer the most fuel-efficient large pickup – even when those high-mileage models have limited availability or cost more than conventional gasoline-fueled trucks.

    Fiat Chrysler jarred its rivals in 2013 by offering a diesel engine in its light duty Ram pickup models and claiming best-in-class fuel economy.

    However,  in 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Justice Department charged that Fiat Chrysler improperly used software to cheat government emissions tests covering 104,000 Ram 2014-2016 models.

    The automaker is negotiating to settle the complaints and received government clearance to offer a 3.0 liter diesel in its 2017 and 2018 Ram trucks. That model is rated at 27 miles per gallon in highway driving.

    Ford executives say they are confident their diesel will comply with U.S. emissions rules. Owners will need to refill a 5.4 gallon tank of fluid for the exhaust treatment system roughly every 10,000 miles, Filipe said.

    Reuters/NAN

  • Suspected drug traffickers kill NDLEA officer in Kano

    Suspected drug traffickers kill NDLEA officer in Kano

    The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ), retired Col. Mustapha Abdullah, says one of its officers in Kano command has been killed by some suspected drug traffickers.

    Abdullah disclosed this on Friday in Kano when he addressed officers and men of the agency.

    He sympathised with them and the family of the victim.

    The chairman said that two other officers attacked by the suspects were receiving treatment.

    He described the attack as an attempt to discourage the agency in its efforts toward ensuring that the country is free from the activities of drug traffickers.

    “The officer that was killed, Mr Tanko Amfani  was in company of his colleagues while coming back from Rano Local Government Area on a mission to arrest some suspected drug traffickers.

    “But unfortunately, they were attacked at the early hours of Thursday,” he said.

    Abdullah said that only someone who is on hard drugs can carry out such attack on the officers.

    “It would not discourage us from discharging our responsibilities.

    “Therefore, I am calling on our officers not to relent in their efforts”, he said.

    According to Abdallah, the agency has in recent times lost three other officers at Okene, in Kogi State

    He commiserated with the families of the four officers who lost their lives in Kogi and Kano while serving the nation.

    Abdallah assured the personnel that the Federal Government was doing everything possible to equip the officers more and also ensure their welfare in order to boost their morale.

    He said that more personnel would soon be recruited by the agency to strengthen its manpower.

    In his remarks, the NDLEA Commander in Kano, Alhaji Hamza Umar said that the riffles used by the attackers were not locally-made but AK 47 guns which are not ordinary.

    He appealed to the general public to continue to give the agency all the necessary support in order to succeed in the fight against drug trafficking.

    NAN

  • Man in court for alleged sodomy

    Man in court for alleged sodomy

    A Grade 1 Area Court in Karu, Abuja, on Friday, granted a N100, 000 bail to an applicant, Mike Ugochukwu, 30, who is facing a case of alleged sodomy.

    The accused is facing trial for allegedly attempting to sexually abuse four male teenagers.

    The defendant, who resides at Kurudu, Abuja, is facing a one-count charge of attempting to commit sodomy, an offence, which contravenes Section 95 of the Penal Code.

    The Presiding Judge, Mr Aliyu Kagarko, admitted the defendant to the bail with a reasonable and reliable surety in like sum.

    He said the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and submit his drivers’ licence or National Identity Card and passport photographs to the court clerk.

    The Prosecutor, Mr Mahmud Ismail’la, had informed the court that the neighbours of the defendant, Mrs Grace Monday and Ezekiel Shiga, reported the matter to Kurudu Police Station on December 29, 2017.

    He also said that the boys, whose ages are below 18 years, had reported the sexual advances made to them by the defendant to their parents.

    Ismail’la said the defendant had made several attempts to abuse the boys by luring any of them at various times and they had been warned against it by their parents in the past.

    The prosecutor said that the defendant had earlier admitted committing the offences during police investigations.

    After listening to the charge, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the matter was adjourned to January 31 for hearing.

    NAN

  • 42 ships laden with petroleum products, food items to arrive Lagos ports

    42 ships laden with petroleum products, food items to arrive Lagos ports

    Forty two ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods are expected to arrive Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports in Lagos from January 5 to Jan. 30.

    The Nigerian Ports Authority ( NPA ) stated this in its publication, `Shipping Position’, a copy of which was made available to NAN in Lagos on Friday.

    NPA said that the ships contained buck wheat, frozen fish, bulk gas, bulk fertiliser, aviation fuel, bulk sugar, diesel, petrol and containers laden with goods.

    The document indicated that six ships had arrived the ports, waiting to berth with bulk  fertiliser, containers, aviation fuel and petrol.

  • DPR seals four filling stations in Owo

    DPR seals four filling stations in Owo

    The Department of Petroleum Resources ( DPR ) says it has sealed four filling stations in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State for hoarding fuel and selling above pump price.

    The Controller of DPR in-charge of Ondo and Ekiti,  Mr Adewale Oseni, told newsmen on Friday in Owo that the operation was carried out late Thursday night and Friday morning.

    “We also auctioned the product to motorists before the stations were sealed off.

    “The operators of the stations still have to pay the imposed fine to deter them from selling above the pump price.

    “We hope it will send some lessons to erring marketers,” he said.

    Also Read: DPR, Oyo govt seal 10 filling stations in Ibadan

    Oseni said that the Federal Government would soon bring in more fuel to the state through the major marketers.

    NAN

  • Man docked over alleged theft of Aluminum

    Man docked over alleged theft of Aluminum

    A 28-year-old man,  Olayiwola Sunday, who allegedly broke into a house and stole an aluminum frame and other valuable items valued at N500,000, was on Friday brought before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun.

    Sunday, who has no fixed address, is facing two-count charge of stealing and burglary.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Chudu Gbesi, told the court that the accused committed the offences on December 7 at about 5.00 a.m at Pen Estate, Lafenwa, Ota.

    Gbesi said that the accused broke into the house of one John Adebayo to steal an aluminum frame and other valuable items valued at N500, 000.

    He said that the offences contravened Sections 390 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Senior Magistrate, Mr S. O. Banjo, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Banjo said that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and swear to an affidavit of means.

    He also ordered that the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to the Ogun Government and submit four recent passport photographs to the court.

    The case was adjourned until January 31, for hearing.

    NAN

  • Motorcycle operator in court over alleged theft

    Motorcycle operator in court over alleged theft

    A 22- year-old motorcycle operator, Dejo Bajowa, who allegedly stole motorcycle valued at N120,000, was on Friday docked before an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State.

    The accused of no fixed address is standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Ayodeji Omoyeigha, told the court that the accused on Nov.16, at No.6, Kewe St., Okitipupa, conspired with other now at large to steal an unregistered Suzuki motorcycle.

    Omoyeigha said that the motorcycle was given to him by the owner, Michael Ijiri, to pay on instalments.

    He said that the offences were contrary to and punishable under Sections 516 and 390(9), Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol.1, and Laws of Ondo State 2006.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Read also: Court jails two for stealing yam

    The Magistrate, Mr Chris Ojuola, granted the accused bail of N50,000 with a surety in like sum, who must produce evidence of a year tax clearance.

    Ojuola adjourned the case until Jan. 15 for further hearing.

    NAN

  • Sri Lankan president honours World youngest author

    Sri Lankan president honours World youngest author

    Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday honoured a Sri Lankan child who set a Guinness World Record as the world’s youngest author, a statement from the President’s office said.

    The president received the 5-year-old boy, Thanuwana Serasinghe along with his parents in his office on Friday and offered a copy of his book titled Junk Food to the president.

    Also Read: Sri Lanka seeks partnership with Nigeria in tea production

    According to the statement, “the child had only taken three days to write the book.’’

    The president gave his blessings to the child and wished him success in his education.

    (Xinhua/NAN)